“Orphan Earl,” Thursday’s new episode of My Name is Earl, was my favorite episode of the season and illustrates why the show still works.When watching an episode of Earl, just when I think the plot is getting a little too ridiculous, it reels me back in with a twist and/or a feel-good moment. The more I analyze comedy, the more I’ve realized that the unexpected is often what makes me laugh hardest. Earl often sets you up for one joke and gives you another. While most of the characters are relatively dumb, the show’s writing is anything but.
For instance, it would have been easy to make Crab Man (Eddie Steeples) your stereotypically brain-dead stoner, but his surprising genius is funny, endearing, and an effective contrast to the rest of Camden. Earl (Jason Lee) and Crab Man’s fondness for each other is equally unexpected and amusing, considering Crab Man knocked up and later married Earl’s ex-wife, Joy (Jamie Pressly).
The premise hasn’t gotten old either. Earl’s constant effort to please karma by making up for all the bad things he’s done provides equal opportunity for hilarious criminal flashbacks and heartwarming conclusions. “The list” also lends itself to side characters and celebrity cameos, keeping the show fresh.
Finally, “Orphan Earl” showcased the main characters’ strengths. Joy was the uber bitch, exploiting a caring man’s concern for starving African kids. (“If I had only fooled him once, it would be shame on me. But I’ve fooled him a bunch of times, so duh, it’s shame on him.”) Ethan Suplee continually makes Randy more interesting than your garden-variety dumb guy. (“The baby formula is man plus woman. Everyone knows that.”) Earl, while occasionally a little dim himself, is the charismatic straight man who still gets his share of one-liners. (“Africa is hard on kids, what with the hot sun, giant leeches, and no…speed limits.” And Crab Man is the lovable pothead who, unlike most of Camden, is genuinely concerned about others. (“People, what have I told you? If you’re going to decorate the drunks, please have a fire extinguisher standing by.”)
After Earl’s promising pilot, I was hoping the premise wouldn’t get stale and the show would catch on. In the middle of the show’s fourth season, it appears its best days might be ahead of it.
