Season 2, Episode 3
Air Date: Friday, October 7, 2016, 8:30/7:30c on ABC
Rating:
“I’m a boy and it’s my toy.” – Pat
The great snub.
Dr. Ken’s (Ken Jeong) streak of consecutive years as M.C. at the Welltopia Medical Group Banquet comes to an abrupt end when Pat (Dave Foley) is asked to host instead. Rather than fretting over the committee’s decision, Ken decides the job might be beneath him having recently performed a five-minute comedy set at the legendary Laugh Factory. Never mind his routine took place in front of friends and family on an early Tuesday evening. Will Ken be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the banquet or will he let his emotions get the best of him?
Ken quickly learns taking the high road isn’t easy, especially when his actions inadvertently give the impression he’s taking the low road. This sets up several entertaining moments as Ken tries to convince the rest of the staff he isn’t jealous of Pat. Thankfully, the always entertaining parking garage attendant Juan-Julio (Margues Ray) is there to clear up some of the misunderstandings. Ray is an extremely funny comedian and I thoroughly enjoy anytime the writers find a way to include him in the show.
A great office friendship
I really enjoy the chemistry among the staff at Welltopia. In particular, the scenes between Clark (Jonathan Slavin) and Damona (Tisha Campbell-Martin) in “Ken’s Banquet Snub” do a great job of relating their sincere, working friendship. What makes these characters so enjoyable is the writers on Dr. Ken take the time to create special relationships for even the secondary players. Clark is especially relatable because the audience has gotten to know him and his blossoming relationship with Connor (Stephen Guarino). So when Clark and Damona are sitting at a banquet table talking about their lives, it’s not random names they are tossing around, it’s people the audience is familiar with.
Meanwhile, Dave’s (Albert Tsai) boyish charms become too much for the Parks’ neighbor Emily (Zooey Jeong). She begins stalking him by staring at him through the windows for hours. I couldn’t help but laugh every time Ken’s father D.K. (Dana Lee) shoos Emily away like a stray dog. Zooey, Ken Jeong’s real life daughter, has appeared by her father’s side on more than one occasion, including a hilarious appearance on Jimmy Kimmel, as well as helping her father with directing duties in Laura Marano’s “Boombox” music video. While some might chalk up her appearance on Dr. Ken to nepotism, Zooey is perfectly cast and seems to love hamming it up for the camera, not to mention being a delight to watch. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing Zooey on Dr. Ken again.
Dave’s new friend.
Often, when it comes to sitcoms, we focus on the verbal jokes as well as the physical slapstick comedy. One of the things the cast of Dr. Ken does extremely well is convey humor through their reactions. Talented comedians like Jeong and Slavin masterfully channel pages of dialogue simply through their expressions and mannerisms. I couldn’t stop laughing when Ken’s face is quivering as he comes to terms with not being asked to host the banquet. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of physical comedy; the scene involving Ken and the trash basket is absolutely hilarious.
Television has always savored having special episodes that feature a unique event or notable guest star. Dr. Ken is no different having just announced the upcoming crossover episode with Shark Tank that will air this November. As much as I enjoy these types of episodes, there’s something about smaller yearly events. “Ken’s Banquet Snub” is such an episode as the Welltopia Medical Group Banquet, which was first seen during last season’s “Kevin O’Connell,” is once again held. The annual banquet has the potential of being an episode that fans will look forward to each season, much like a holiday themed episode. Now that I’ve seen “Ken’s Banquet Snub,” I’m already wondering who will host next season’s banquet.
Tweet me @Staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “Ken’s Banquet Snub.”
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All photos © 2016 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Greg Staffa
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