Eric D. Snider

Movies

Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist - 502

Episode #49

"Movies"

Season 5: 7/6/98

Katz and Ben try to decide on a movie. Katz wants to see "Love Strings" (a chick flick), while Ben wants to see "Fire Power." Ben's input? "Here's the deal, Dad: Do what I say. Don't be an idiot." They see a movie every night of the week (including one that looks distinctly Godzilla-ish), and discuss things like snacks and drinks ("You know who invited that [the drinkholder]? Michael Drinkholder"). One night, they see Laura there, apparently on a date. Ben's sentiments are classic Ben: pathetic and immature -- "If she is on a date, I think we should go over there and ruin it." (Katz: "I think she can handle that.") Ben tells Laura he saw her on her date, and asks, "Did you sleep with him?" She hangs up on him; he calls back: "Laura, I'm sorry. I got disconnected, did you sleep with him?" She hangs up again, and he calls back again. "I apologize for being so blunt. I was out of line. Did you have sex--" He encourages her to set her sights lower, but she insists she will not go out with him. Things actually get kind of pathetic and sad, and Laura shows a little bit of compassion (though she still won't go out with him). Katz and Ben, at the movies again, pitch movie ideas off one another ("It's called 'Endless Yapper,' and it stars you," Ben says). Finally, Katz says they've seen enough movies (Note the newspaper ad: the crazy guy with the handpuppet has his own movie: "Handyman," starring Puppet Guy), and asks, "Why don't we read books instead?" (Ben: "Because we're AMERICANS.") They try to do Marlon Brando/"Godfather" impressions, but wind up giggling. Meanwhile, Julie invites Stan or Katz to the ballet; both decline. Stan is watching "the other ballet" ("hockey") that night; Katz says, "Until I've done everything else in the world there is to do, I'm not comfortable going to the ballet." NOTE: For you obsessives (like me), here's the list of the movies playing at the multiplex Katz and Ben went to: "It Lives," "Ham on the Run," "Langsam Kommt Die," "Space Terror," "Mr. Kitty's Happy Day," "It's Back," "Le Enfant Triste," "Bleu Legume," "Fire Power."

  • Sam Brown: Very angry fellow; will do anything, will sit through any chick flick, "just to watch a woman make waffles without a top on"; "I am one bad relationship away from being with a man"; doesn't hate Katz in particular -- "I hate everybody; you're just getting it right now."
  • Patton Oswalt: Checks his messages from Laura's phone; can't separate real life from movies; wants Dr. Katz to be his archenemy and say things like "Advantage: Katz" and "You've shown me one too many cards, Mr. Oswalt"; his mechanic did a great job as Dr. Demon Wrench.
 
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