[7.5/10] A fun one! The emotional arc here is strong. You understand why Bill feels unappreciated at work, and so why he reaches for a singing group that gives him purpose and makes him feel special, even if it means sacrificing the rest of his life. There’s an inherent absurdity to an army barber giving it all to a men’s show choir, and the show harvests that for both comedy and drama.
It’s well done! Hank is a good friend here, shutting Dale up and trying to be supportive of Bill even though he plainly doesn’t get the Harmonaholics. The gags of he and the alley cats’ aghast reaction to Bill’s show, and the three ring circus that is the Harmonoholics’ strict leader all land. Plus Hank has some subtly brutal lines that end up being knee-slappers. (Him remarking that he wishes Bill picked something “less god awful” but that he’s glad it’s keeping Bill “out of the morgue” is a bomb, and him telling the Harmonaholics fan that he’s only met the fan once but his life has been a waste is just ice cold in that perfect, matter-of-fact Hank Hill way.)
The writers do a nice job of adding stakes to the proceedings, with Bill nearly sacrificing his job for this group before seeing the light. The setup and payoff of Dale champing at the bit to make fun of Bill, only to be let loose when it will help jar Bill from this spiral is outstanding. (Dale’s line that the chorus is the “feces that results when shame eats stupidity” lives rent free in my head.) And BIll getting a compliment from the general he’s booked to cut hair for is the cherry on top.
Peggy and Bobby squaring off over Pong is pretty slight as B-stories go, but it’s got a few chuckles to go ‘round.
Overall, an entertaining lark of an episode with a good Bill story and some quality laughs.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2024-03-29T23:27:30Z
[7.5/10] A fun one! The emotional arc here is strong. You understand why Bill feels unappreciated at work, and so why he reaches for a singing group that gives him purpose and makes him feel special, even if it means sacrificing the rest of his life. There’s an inherent absurdity to an army barber giving it all to a men’s show choir, and the show harvests that for both comedy and drama.
It’s well done! Hank is a good friend here, shutting Dale up and trying to be supportive of Bill even though he plainly doesn’t get the Harmonaholics. The gags of he and the alley cats’ aghast reaction to Bill’s show, and the three ring circus that is the Harmonoholics’ strict leader all land. Plus Hank has some subtly brutal lines that end up being knee-slappers. (Him remarking that he wishes Bill picked something “less god awful” but that he’s glad it’s keeping Bill “out of the morgue” is a bomb, and him telling the Harmonaholics fan that he’s only met the fan once but his life has been a waste is just ice cold in that perfect, matter-of-fact Hank Hill way.)
The writers do a nice job of adding stakes to the proceedings, with Bill nearly sacrificing his job for this group before seeing the light. The setup and payoff of Dale champing at the bit to make fun of Bill, only to be let loose when it will help jar Bill from this spiral is outstanding. (Dale’s line that the chorus is the “feces that results when shame eats stupidity” lives rent free in my head.) And BIll getting a compliment from the general he’s booked to cut hair for is the cherry on top.
Peggy and Bobby squaring off over Pong is pretty slight as B-stories go, but it’s got a few chuckles to go ‘round.
Overall, an entertaining lark of an episode with a good Bill story and some quality laughs.