'Life of Ryan' - Episode Two Recap
Sep 04 2007 / Los Angeles, CA
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The struggle with the divorce is interesting in that it actually feels pretty real. Sheckler's voice-overs sometimes wraps it up with a little bow and makes it simple, but his mom's reactions and his dad's obliviousness ring true. Especially at the birthday party when he pretty much is attached to Christi which does shake Sheckler's mom up. Looks like Kane got some cool toys -- but we didn't get a good look at them (Boo, Hiss!).
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Meanwhile, Ryan's love life continues to suffer. His buddy Tony hooks up with a girl named Alex and Ryan is paired with her friend Tina. The two bikini-clad blonde babes are what you would expect from an MTV reality show. But it looks like Tina's parents don't necessarily agree and quickly put the kibosh on her hanging with Ryan. The reason? His lifestyle -- that is, being one of the most successful skateboarders on the planet. Yeah, that really does suck. He's soooooo bad-ass.
So Sheckler goes out on a date with Tony and Alex, while Casey and Taylor tag along. He's literrally the fifth wheel as they go Go Kart racing. His frustration at being alone is evident...
And that was pretty much it. A pretty brief episode if you ask me. What did feel strange was how the first episode felt very much seperated from this one. Aside from Cambria dumping him, there was no reference to his flying off to Dubai and parts unknown. Where was the camera crew for that? My guess -- the first episode was a pilot filmed to get MTV interested. Once it was done there was a break while MTV brass had to check it out and give him the thumbs up. So by the time they came back around it was six or so weeks later.
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Random Notes from Episode Two
- This is the second episode in a row where Ryan hangs out with his dad at his office/work, which I still haven't seen the name of -- Come on, Dad -- get some promo, man! I want to go buy a motorcycle from you...
- This episode features Sheckler driving around in a huge white pick-up -- looks like a Chevy or something. What happened with the Range Rover?
- One of the hundreds of commercials I saw during the show included a preview for a "Celebrity Raps" -- which featured, among others several seconds of Perez Hilton doing his thing. I actually appreciate MTV letting me know when the show is on so I can avoid it like the plague.
- The theme for Kane's birthday is "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" - I don't think I have ever heard of a party based on that movie. I guess that's what the rich and famous do -- emulate Jim Carrey.
- Again, some great use of old family movies. It definitely gives this show some heart.
- As the final credits ran, MTV promoed a new song by some guy named Mark Ronson. It's name? "Stop Me." Hmm. I liked it more the first time I heard it 20 years ago when The Smiths released it. That was, what, two years before Ryan was born? Oh my god. I am so old.
- Greg Baerg
