Criterion References, TV, and You

[Gregory]

Eastbound and Down:
"Friends, Season Six, Criterion Collections." [his great pluralizations of things were a constant on the show] ...
"They're all alphabetized, don't touch my Criterions!"

[domino harvey]

Apparently the director was a former assistant to Scorsese!

Yep, he interviews the director on the Blu-ray extras

[Professor Wagstaff]

For the finale of The Deuce

Spoiler

In the epilogue, we learn that former prostitute/porn star/porn director Elaine (Maggie Gyllenhaal) made a film that ended up in the Criterion Collection.

[Roger Ryan]

For the finale of The Deuce

Spoiler

In the epilogue, we learn that former prostitute/porn star/porn director Elaine (Maggie Gyllenhaal) made a film that ended up in the Criterion Collection.

Yes, this made me smile watching the series' final episode last night.

Spoiler

Elaine's stage name is Candy which helps to cement the idea that the character is based on Candida Royalle, especially the character's move from porn actress to directing "feminist porn". I got the impression, however, that the non-porn cult film the character made (which we learn was restored and released on Blu-ray by Criterion) had a similar pedigree to Barbara Loden's Wanda.

EDIT: Just watched the behind-the-scenes segment for this final episode, and co-creator/co-writer George Pelecanos stated that Wanda was, indeed, the inspiration for Elaine's art house film.

[dwk]

[paulm]

This week's episode of the Double Threat Podcast "Gaines Recognizes Gaines" starts with Tom Scharpling riffing on having to break into the Criterion closet Mission: Impossible style.

[smccolgan]

Not exactly a Criterion reference, but towards the end of Season 5 of Cheers, there’s an effort made to convince Woody’s parents to let him stay in Boston, a short film is made, Diane re-edits it, and Woody’s father critiques it as “too derivative of Godard”.

[Andre Jurieu]

Last night, Desus & Mero did a sketch where John Turturro "directs" them, which was titled as "Desus & Mero: Criterion Collection". Not sure if this was a recycled sketch or it was just filmed pre-pandemic (or maybe productions in NYC are now able to film stuff like this), but it was the first time I've seen the sketch.

[cdnchris]

In the latest episode of The Simpsons, during a musical number around garage sales, Dr. Hibbert scores a Criterion box set of Meryl Streep films.

[hearthesilence]

In the latest episode of The Simpsons, during a musical number around garage sales, Dr. Hibbert scores a Criterion box set of Meryl Streep films.

LOL.

I remember when Homer complained about the Bob Seger box and how much the last disc sucked (a common problem with box set overviews). Wish there was a Bob Seger box set, but alas...

[cdnchris]

I randomly came across another reference and it's for a show I've never seen (and didn't know still existed), but on a recent episode of The Flash the character of Zatoichi is brought up and a couple of characters blurt out at the same time "Best Criterion Collection" and "Great box set!"

[Andre Jurieu]

Last night, Desus & Mero did a sketch where John Turturro "directs" them, which was titled as "Desus & Mero: Criterion Collection". Not sure if this was a recycled sketch or it was just filmed pre-pandemic (or maybe productions in NYC are now able to film stuff like this), but it was the first time I've seen the sketch.

Another mention from Desus & Mero this week; while they make fun of a Food Network segment where the host makes a popcorn salad, Desus asks what cultured sour cream is, and Mero responds that “it’s sour cream that owns the entire Criterion Collection”.

[cdnchris]

Going through random shows on streaming and started watching Reservation Dogs. There are a lot of movie references scattered about but there's a direct Criterion mention in episode 8 of season 2.

During a tribal police briefing they're informed that a "Criterion edition of RoboCop" hasn't been returned to the local video store and the store owner is "about to lose his shit."

Amusingly, it pops up shortly after (it's not surprising which character has it) and the artwork was modified to incorporate the wacky-C branding and an altered spine number that references the LaserDisc.

[Roger Ryan]

... and the artwork was modified to incorporate the wacky-C branding and an altered spine number that references the LaserDisc.

Yes, the care that went into designing the cover for such a brief shot impressed me.

[dwk]

From the most recent episode of Bob's Burgers

[flyonthewall2983]

Their closet videos are probably just as amusing

[The Narrator Returns]

I just started Nirvanna the Band the Show and I was not prepared for the design conceit of the characters' apartment, which is that one corner is decorated with a massive number of Criterion covers. This seems to be a near-complete list of them, and even after watching a season I haven't noticed several of them.

[swo17]

Conner O'Malley teases a Criterion edition for Twisters

[mizo]

Only men named Corey can buy it

[cdnchris]

I haven't watched the show, but John Hamm's character sports a Criterion cap in the latest episode of Your Friends & Neighbors.

[Walter Kurtz]

He also makes a reference in one of the later episodes to the effect that he'll just go home and pop a Criterion in. I don't think I dreamed that but a lot of dreams and memories are swirling around in my head recently as I dance through reality. (My wife and I enjoy the show much more than Mad Men btw.)

[Walter Kurtz]

I have to add that it's pretty weird that under the new ownership Criterion is paying for product placement "ads". Just like a major studio blockbuster!

[Roger Ryan]

Hamm's character also references staying in and watching TCM which he is seen doing repeatedly throughout the series. Even though the pilot episode takes place over several days, Hamm's character is only ever watching Detour when he sits down in front of his big TV for relaxation! Later in the series (which is pretty good by the way), he is seen watching Gilda and In a Lonely Place so he definitely gravitates to noir.