#'oh wow so many coincidences lol' he was literally assigned to her because they have a connection and his being in a coma was foreshadowed

[forcebookish]

*reading a review for a beloved manga from my childhood* "the art is really good for shojo" well there u go i can't trust ur opinion lol

[evenstevensranked]

#46: Season 3, Episode 14 - “Dirty Work”

This episode was pretty popular. Ren and Principal Wexler have a falling out after she starts to realize he assigns her all of his “dirty work.” So, Larry Beale ends up temporarily taking over as Wexler’s student assistant. Petty drama ensues. Meanwhile, during the plot everyone remembers: Louis decides to start his own "Lumberjack Club" as an excuse to slack off in school. Where all they do is hang around, speak with semi-hillbilly accents, eat pancakes and wear flannels.

Let me start off by saying... To this day, people fondly remember the Lumberjack Club as if it were some major thing, but in reality it was only a (very) small subplot. That’s crazy to me. I did my research, and this Lumberjack Club plot resonated with people so much that students were directly inspired to start their own Lumberjack Clubs at school irl. I’m not joking. Here are some more examples. 

All of these clubs have basically the same mission statement as Louis’ and were formed in the Early 2000s. This alone made me feel like I should rank the episode much higher for “iconic” points. Buuuut, this was never one of my personal favorites *gasp!* and that’s outweighing a lot of things for me. So, please know that I had an extreme internal struggle when deciding where to put this one. I was originally going to rank this around #59-55. But, I didn’t think that was fair enough to the ~cultural impact~ it made, and decided to put it here at #46. That being said… let’s get into it.

This one opens with Coach Tugnut driving up to his school parking spot singing “‘cause I got a brand new suit, and pair of shoes to match! I wish I had a mustache—“ before he gets cut off by Ren. I just felt like those lyrics were worth sharing honestly. She tells him that Wexler has ordered his parking spot to be moved a block and a half away from the school. We find out the reason why when Wexler comes driving up in a new red convertible. He wanted that spot for himself. Idk why Wexler needed Tugnut’s spot though? Surely he has his own prominent spot? He asks Ren to look into some “Lumberjack Club” he came across while looking over the school budget.

What is up with Ren’s pants, btw? This outfit always bothered me. When I was young I always thought they were, like.. freaking Louis Vuitton pants or something, lol. I mentioned before that her wardrobe starts to include loud patterns and gives off an overall “older” and stuffy vibe towards the end of the series. 

The camera pans over to Louis and Twitty, who are accepting and signing off on a syrup delivery. They recycle their code names (Lars Honeytoast and Frenchie Von Richter) from an earlier episode in the series when accepting the order. The delivery man refers to Twitty as "Mr. Honeytoast." This is such a small thing that’s easy to miss, but it’s awesome and top notch casual continuity! I really like it.

It’s “New England’s Finest” syrup. I’m from Boston. This pleases me, tbh.

It cuts to Lumberjack Club! Where Louis, Twitty, Tawny and Tom are cooking pancakes and celebrating the fact that they’ve upgraded their syrup to premium quality, lol. “Lumber Tawn” asks “Lumber Lou” (yes, these are the nicknames they’ve given themselves) to tell them how he came up with the idea for the club again. Louis goes on to tell the story of the club’s origins. The hillbilly accent really kicks in now, accentuated by bluegrass music in the background. He starts off by saying “Well, ‘bout two weeks ago, when yous kids was much younger… everyone was siiignin’ up for cluuuubs.” That is one of my favorite lines though. Not gonna lie. He explains that anyone could get money to form a club as long as they got 50 signatures. So he decided to create a Lumberjack Club after remembering his “deep and loyal love for the pancake.” Incredible. 

Dat face tho.

Right about now is when Ren comes walking in, finding the four of them toasting to The Lumberjack. (See first image.) She grills them about what kind of club they are and what sort of things they do. Louis starts pulling crap out of his butt saying “We sing Lumberjack Songs.” Ren asks them to sing one and it’s great. None of them are in sync. They’re all making stuff up off the top of their heads and clashing miserably. The best part is Tom -- who’s repeatedly saying "Wood... Wood... Wood..." God bless Tom.

Louis says they’re “legit… with a big L!” “…and a small ‘egit’!” Twitty finishes. I feel like this is worth mentioning because one of the real-life clubs’ requirements for joining is that you have to “be legit.” Oh my god. Obviously, Ren vows to shut down the club.

Wexler surprises Ren with her own desk outside of his office. We’re getting into creepy territory again, guys. Wexler makes Ren, a 14-15 year old, do ALL OF HIS WORK while he goes out gallivanting in his new car. Remember when I said that Ren Stevens is basically the principal of Lawrence Jr. High…? Well, this episode really exemplifies that and takes it to a new level. She literally takes over as principal. How is this not illegal?

One of her tasks for the day is to fire the school janitor. Wow. (Fun fact: Jackie the Janitor is played by Knobby Frostybump -- the old elf from the Lizzie McGuire Christmas episode lol) This is the last straw for Ren. She confronts Wexler and quits being his assistant. But much like in Ren-Gate, that doesn’t last long. Over the course of a period, she gets all emo and decides she wants her job back. But, oh no! When she goes back to the office, guess who’s already taken over for her? Larry Beale. Dang, that was fast.

Another lazy name flub happens again here. Larry is polishing his nameplate and it reads "Lawrence M. Beale" when earlier in the series they say his full name on a few different occasions and it's "Lawrence Anthony Beale." I don't understand why something like this is so difficult to remember?! Although, I actually always thought it was weird that Larry's middle name was Anthony because Louis’ full name is Louis Anthony Stevens. Even weirder... The actor who plays Beans is named Steven Anthony Lawrence. What a strange coincidence. 

Ren and Wexler are being extremely passive aggressive towards each other while Larry sits there gloating. Out of spite, Ren decides to become Tugnut's new assistant instead. Like he even needs one. It becomes a petty, all out war between the pairs.

It’s Larry’s job to shut down Lumberjack Club now, so he busts into their meeting the next day. I’m pretty sure they’re not even going to class anymore. They hired a marimba player named Nate to entertain them during club meetings — which I think is absolutely hilarious. It might just be because I'm a musician, but any music-related humor kills me. I mean, a MARIMBA PLAYER?! And this dude is such a Jazz cat. It’s great. This is honestly probably my favorite scene in the whole episode:

So, yeah. Lumberjack Club needs to make an educational presentation in order to stay a thing.

Tugnut is chilling in a lawn chair, eating a burrito and telling his life story (”I thought about moving to Canada, but I don’t speak Canadian...”) while Ren does work on his car. Now she’s a mechanic. This is child abuse, I swear. She’s about to quit as his assistant, but she looks up and sees Larry and Wexler blissfully driving around in his convertible. She gets jealous and keeps working for Tugnut. These student/teacher relationships are so, so strange and not appropriate. Let’s be real... 

Anyway, the whole assistant war thing starts to come to an end when it becomes obvious that Ren is much more qualified and has a better relationship and understanding with Wexler than Larry does. Larry royally messes up as Wexler's assistant and ends up doing a lot of things wrong. Including inviting Wexler’s mother to school, putting nutmeg in his coffee, and forgetting to pay Wexler’s car insurance bill. (Really, what adult would trust a 14-15 year old to pay their bills…) 

Louis organizes the most impressive Lumberjack Club presentation ever within a few hours at the most. I do like seeing Louis at least fully see his schemes through, though. So that’s nice, I guess.

It’s like a freaking carnival.

Nate returns as the musical entertainment. I love this guy, lol. Everything’s going well, until Louis and Twitty chop down a tree during a demonstration which falls on Wexler’s car. Ouch. Wexler’s devastated and sobbing, but manages to mutter “Look what they’ve done to my sweet, sweet ride!” through tears. That made me laugh harder than I probably should’ve. Wexler faints when he finds out Larry didn’t send the insurance payment, and nowww Ren is responsible for Wexler’s literal life. 

Something always gotta go wrong. Louis was actually sort of pulling this whole Lumberjack thing off.

Wexler could be on his deathbed right now and it’s up to Ren to save him. Wow. “Breathe, Principal Wexler! Breathe!!!”

Turns out Ren sneakily sent out the insurance payment the other day and everything’s fine. The episode ends with Ren becoming Wexler’s assistant again. The end. 

So yeah, that’s it. I’m still shocked at how short the Lumberjack Club plot actually is. Pretty crazy how it somehow managed to burn itself into the memories of so many people. I’m also like, 99% positive it was inspired by this Monty Python skit. There’s even a song playing during the school presentation that’s near identical melodically (and lyrically a bit) to the one sung in this skit. The fact that it’s just a subplot also affected my ranking, because I’m not the biggest fan of this episode’s main plot. I love Larry/Ren conflict.. but this situation is just... slightly annoying to me for some reason. ALSO! I realized the other day that I should base my rankings on character development, as well. I’ve actually been doing that subconsciously so far, I think. Barring a few, the majority have been filler episodes basically. No material that actually advances the overall arc of the show. Just random, silly plots -- which makes it difficult for me to really consider it a “good” or “great” episode. And unfortunately, that’s what Lumberjack Club is to me. I’m so sorry. I just love these characters so much, so when there’s little to no character growth in an episode.. it sort of bothers me. I know the show is silly, but there’s a lot of heart there as well. Episodes that have a little meat to them are the ones I’m more fond of. 

We’ve officially reached the point in my list where I drew a line separating the lower half from the better half though, guys! The ball’s really rolling now. I’m excited. 

Thanks for reading! Were you a Lumberjack Club fan? Did you start your own?! Please, do tell. Haha. 

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram 

[leagueofawesomedudes]

Week 10 Preview

UGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…. My thoughts on having to put effort into fantasy.. Just kidding… but seriously, I feel like I have a past due assignment for my shitty English class in high school, only there would be less gay jokes in that paper.. but before that. I’d just like to say, the Browns will definitely have 5 or less wins this year, I was right. Chad was wrong. No ifs ands or butts about it. Speaking of butts, I see an ass tattoo in the near future for young Chadly.. As much as I wanted to be wrong, here we are in week 10, talking about which new coach we’ll hire and which 3rd stringers will start this week. Don’t worry gents, there’s always next year. Young Baker has arrived and if we find a young, fresh, hot.. I mean smart, coach for 2019, we might win 8 games… Actually, speaking of hot, we have a lot of hot dud… I mean match ups this week. But we’re gunna focus on the men themselves. Because players don’t matter at all… you can drop anyone you want without consequences. Right? This’ll be over soon, don’t worry.

G-Reg 3rd Leg (6-3) vs. Saviors of the Universe (3-6)

This match up is extremely intriguing… Quite possibly the most decorated Eagle Scout, truck-pulling, mud tugging, tree chopping, beard toting, flannel and coon-skin hat wearing, booger sugar loving, piece of man-missle in America… and the gayest straight mother fucker in the world… or is he?.. I’ve noticed a boost in TJ’s move lately, could be because he’s getting the D regularly at 12000 Edgewater… In what universe are these two friends? No, not the Marvel Universe… surprisingly this one. A world where a 4th grader with a beard can bring a pocket knife to school and never get in trouble, and one where you can get your little pee-pee played with in the middle of an open field for all to see… wow… what a special place… but here in the fantasy world, only one person can win the matchup (could be a tie, but low odds, so fuck off)… This week it’ll be the wooly mammoth himself, who claims victory.. Matthew Bennett.

The Brady Bunch (3-6) vs. MaKamaraca Gr8 Again (4-5)

Doug, how are things? How are your stocks? How’s your Grandfather? How old is he this year? Almost time for those good ole Christmas Ales yeah? I think we’re all caught up. Maybe one day we’ll meet again. And Solden….. Solden, Solden, Solden… North Royalton… what the fuckin shit.. you no sooner move home and you move to freakin Royalton?! That’s alright though... at least you have to ladies out there… Meredith and Claudette...for those of you that don’t know, Solden now lives above my recently divorced Director from Park Place Technologies.. she had some interesting things to say about her new upstairs neighbors in our deal review this week (not a joke. She did). Be careful out there buddy…. Claudette is allllllways watching… but although you have thee most awkward and terrifying neighbor ever, there is a silver lining. You’ll win in fantasy this week.

Green Eggs and Cam (3-6) vs. Gurls That Swallow (4-5)

I gotta be honest… although I probably talk to Shawn the least out of you flamers, he probably likes me the most. He probably shouldn’t be in this league because he’s not gay enough… but he’ll get there… I know he’s engaged.. but heeeee’ll get there… Holla on the other hand.. he does so much over the top country shit, it’s clearly to cover up his outrageous gayness. Full “blown” Broke Back Mountain, Medina style… is he from Medina? I don’t remember. Fuck it. Holla wins this week.

My team (3-6) vs. Blowin’ Down Ingrams (5-4)

LOL. One could not careless, and I don’t think the other could care any more. Me vs. Billy Bottle Service this week... I’m definitely the Cleveland Browns of this league. No matter what I do, I can’t get it right… Does that make me Jimmy Haslam? Yes.. but gayer. I’ll get it right eventually.. there’s always next year. Unless I quit again… *makes voice deeper*.. Chad Wernick, I’m a man missle, I fuck, I fuckin fuck bruh, fuckin smoke bruh, fuckin cheeeeeeeeeksssssssssssssssss, I fuck sooooo many sluuuuts, everyone wants me…FUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKK YEAAAAAAAAHHH…… *Voice back to a normal human’s*. This kid is gunna need blood pressure meds yesterday… I’m convinced Chad is like Dr. Banner and the Hulk…the inner CHAD has literally taken over his regular human form, and he’s stuck as the Incredible Douche. Fucking and smoking everything and anything that moves. “CHAD SMASH”. Oh, and does anyone know if Dom and him moved out of the Bingham and into the Barley House basement? I’d say I want to win this week, but let’s be honest, I don’t care. Chad with the W.

Injured Reserve (5-4) vs. Golden Taints (6-3)

Casey is definitely on some sort of lake right now.. he’s been managing his team from a pontoon boat. Probably got some sick beats playing. “Jared you’ll like this one”… can’t hear you Case, you’re on a fucking lake somewhere. Is it any coincidence that Casey’s favorite downtown bar was Liquid? Get it? Ya know cuz of the water? Fuck off. Unfortunately, Liquid closed for the foreseeable future so he has absolutely no reason to come downtown and hang out with us. Also I think he’s scared of Natasha… it’s cool man, don’t worry... I literally never thought I’d meet a gayer straight guy than TJ… but I stand corrected… I am actually friends with a legit gay guy and Sam is gayer than that… Does Sam really even care if he wins this year? He’d probably be undefeated, but clearly hasn’t been focused on fantasy with his new Slam Piece at 12000 Edgewater... they’re looking for a house too… this is real information… this matchup is a tough call, but I think Sam pulls it out this weekend. That’ll probably be the only thing he’s pulling out……

GAME OF THE WEEK

Don Julio (7-2) vs. Nuk if you Buk (5-4)

Here we are. The last matchup. Finally almost done with this fuckin preview… Diesel vs. Billy Bottle Service’s cousin, Bobby Bottle Service… At this point in the preview, I’m tired… I’ve spent 2 hours at work writing this so my whit is reaching its end, but I’m fighting through it. Pauly D, probably been called cute in every preview this season, I wouldn’t know, I think I’ve read 2 or 3 maybe, I’m just assuming. Week 10 doesn’t change that. You’re still cute. And gay. Dom… like Chad, may have blood pressure and kidney problems from all the bottle service events, but I respect the ability to function as a productive member of society.. because I honestly would probably be dead. But the Financial industry does get wild… The Wolf of West 6th Street maybe? Just the gay version. Nevertheless, I’m sure you’re all sad this preview is at it’s end… The winner of this matchup is Pauly. I’m out. Carry on with your lives.