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Kevin James and 'King of Queens' celebrate their 200th episode
It's with neither pride nor shame that we at Zap2it admit that we don't usually watch The King of Queens. It's nothing personal and when I catch it (inevitably on airplanes), I often laugh, because Kevin James, Leah Rimini and Jerry Stiller are just funny folks.
Unlike other long-running comedies that have offended our sensibilities in the past -- Yes, I'm looking at you, According to Jim -- I've never felt the need to begrudge King of Queens its success.
Bouncing around CBS' schedule a bit, King of Queens returns on Monday, April 9 with an episode that just happens to be the show's 200th.
The network was nice enough to send out the episode, which finds Doug (James) and Carrie (Rimini) wondering how their best friends are able to afford a vacation home, but they can't. While other shows would try to stunt a milestone episode like this, with King of Queens, it's just another week. It's straight-forward, conventional stuff, but James and Rimini interact flawlessly with the same chemistry they had almost from the beginning. And even though I could have done without the week's Stiller/Patton Oswalt subplot (something about job hunting and inappropriate touching), but the episode delivers a few fine laughs.
James took some time out to chat with reporters about the 200th episode and the upcoming series finale. Among the things he discussed was the show's chronic lack of critical appreciation.
"In a way, it may have worked for us, because people kind of left us alone," James says. "We were just on our own with our heads down and when they tapped us on the shoulder and we looked up, it was nine years later. We never really were that shiny show, but we're a simple show and that's something that I'm proud of."
Although the idea to end the show came initially from CBS, James admits, "It became mutual and it is probably the right move to do at this point. If I was to go on now, it would just be for selfish reasons of just having a great time with the cast and the money was great too. But it feels like at a certain point, you start repeating stories and you start trying to really struggle to find these little nuances that made the show so great. When those become more and more difficult to find, it may be time to say good-bye."
A few highlights from the James conversation:
On earning a surprising first Emmy nomination last year: "[W]e've been out of the Emmy loop for so long, I didn't even know what time of the year the Emmys were on, it was that much of a shock to me. I had no idea and it was pleasant, it was great, it was really cool. It was nice to be recognized and completely unexpected."
On why networks have so much trouble launching comedies, but King of Queens lasted so long: "It was a magical combination, in a way, that we had everybody in the right place at the right time. It was a simple story and for some reason people identified with and when you can get the country to identify with it and it works, that's what happened. A lot of great shows also get cancelled too fast because they pull the plug on it and people don't get to know the characters and you never know how it's gonna go."
On planning a future in movies: "Hopefully, if things go well. If not, I'll be back next year asking CBS to put me on as a fat dad in a sitcom where I get a really hot wife. For now, yeah, I would love to pursue film and continue doing film and hopefully that goes well... But I tell you, down the road, regardless, I would love to do another sitcom of some sort, just work in that medium again."
Any King of Queens fans out there? Anywhere?
I love the show and I'll miss it. Doug versus Arthur is always hilarious and Mr. Stiller seemed like he just effortlessly floated from one real-life family to another after Seinfeld ended.
Cameron | Apr 9, 2007 12:11:11 AM | #I loveeee this show and can't believe it's coming to an end! Like the interview was talking about, it IS simple show but delivers many laughs.
| Apr 9, 2007 2:15:01 AM | #Gonna miss KOQs. Have always liked Kevin James, and -- believe it or not -- this is one of my alltime favorite sitcoms. For me, it's always a pleasant watch, and the characters are all funny in their own way. It's amazing that it's already been nine years. Good grief. See you in syndication "King of Queens."
Mehtel | Apr 9, 2007 3:32:27 AM | #I really enjoyed this show. But it has slipped some in the past couple of years and it is time for it to go. It had lots of good laughs though. And what can you say about Jerry Stiller? His Frank Costanza was great and his Arthur Spooner is wonderful.
C | Apr 9, 2007 5:07:23 AM | #My friends can't believe that I own this series on DVD, but I don't care. It's not edgy, and on the surface it looks like just a traditional mediocre sitcom, but it's actually very clever and often hilarious.
Jeff | Apr 9, 2007 6:13:17 AM | #King of Queens is right up there among my favorite comedies with Seinfeld and Friends. I watch the repeats in syndication almost daily and have probably seen every episode at least 5-10 times depending on how old it is. The show is so good but what makes it really spectacular are the actors. My favorite would have to be Carrie b/c the way Remini plays her, everything she does is just funny.
Going to miss this. :(
That episode where Carrie and Doug went back to a bed and breakfast and they were eating turkey for supper that the old guy had defrosted in the tub and Doug had that vision of the old guy scrubbing his back in the tub with a drumstick. That was a classic episode. If you dont laugh out loud at that whole episode you dont like funny.
andy | Apr 9, 2007 7:50:30 AM | #I never was a regular watcher but have enjoyed all that I have watched. I really enjoy catching them on syndication and will in the future. Hopefully Kevin can make some more funny movies....
marcus | Apr 9, 2007 8:18:58 AM | #I love this show especially Season 2 & 3. Sad to see it end soon. I know the last episodes are going to be very funny. Great time slot at 9:30 too...CBS is finally giving them some respect. Jerry Stiller, Leah Remini, and definitly Kevin James deserve an Emmy Award this season.
M.F. | Apr 9, 2007 8:19:27 AM | #My wife and I have a fight and an hour later we turn on KofQ and Doug and Carrie are having the exact same fight...that was the secret to the success of this show, it was real. This remains one of the funniest shows of all time and it will be missed but will live on in reruns and DVD.
Mike | Apr 9, 2007 8:20:38 AM | #This show was never given its due...Remini should have won an emmy ...Patricia Heaton used to get nominated and Remini is a much better actress....
Supporting cast was great....This show will be missed....Look at how popular it is in reruns already...
i have been a kevin james fan for a while (seen him do stand up at comedy festivals and on tv) he has good comic timing and delivery, and i always enjoyed the show and could be pretty much guaranteed some good laughs. while i watched it in prime-time sometimes, i too really got into it in syndication when i could watch it every afternoon.
the fact that they have lasted this long with all the moving around cbs did with it, is a testament to its strength (only 8 of the over 500 comedies released since 1990 have made it to episode 200 and King OF Queens is one of them. that's impressive)
Jesse | Apr 9, 2007 8:51:28 AM | #Glad to see others feel as I do: KOQ is possibly the FUNNIEST sitcom on the air today. CBS is axing a jewel. I catch it twice a day in repeats, and feel that Jerry Stiller is an absolute comic genius. I laugh out loud constantly. Kevin and Leah, as well as their supporting castmates, are stellar as well. This show is every bit as funny as Seinfeld & Friends, and LIGHT-YEARS funnier than 2.5 Men & HIMYM...the "best" (?) CBS has to offer. Shameful.
Eric | Apr 9, 2007 8:54:28 AM | #I love the show! I think I have watched every episode.. the only way it could go on is if they start a family and then it would last another 9 years!! and I would love it! I will miss the show and the characters and sad to see them go, but I wish them all the luck in the world and enjoy their real life kiddies!! peace out
Teresa | Apr 9, 2007 9:26:14 AM | #I'd watch Kevin James read a phone book, but I'm sad to see the show come to an end. I think he's right in saying that they flew under the radar as the chemistry between the cast was incredible and there were never any tabloid stories of any of them.
Lynn | Apr 9, 2007 9:30:28 AM | #Sorry to see the show end, but it had a great run. There's nothing like leaving while your show is still on top. My best episode was when Doug was teaching Carrie to pole dance. Doug on the pole was priceless.
Deborah | Apr 9, 2007 9:31:17 AM | #I love the show too and watch reruns all the time. I will really miss it (but will catch it in syndication).
Deb | Apr 9, 2007 9:55:56 AM | #
i used to also hate this show.. thought the "fat slob with hot ass wife" was soo unbelievable... however, after watching 10... 20 shows... i realized DOUG IS A CUTIE PIE! not only was he funny, he was adorable, and so lovable... i adore this show.. and find it funnier and smarter than seinfeld....
This show had fallen off my radar for some time now, but I really wanna catch these last few episodes. KOQ flew so far under the radar that I didn't even know the show was still making new episodes. But I was a regular watcher when the show first came on, and it was riotously funny. One of the last great conventional sitcoms from the 90s. What's great about this show is that I can jump right into watching the last few episodes and not feel lost or be confused. It's a great show that never got the credit it deserved, (IMO, a better show than Everybody Loves Raymond, I know, blasphemous). Sad to see it go, but glad it had a nice long run.
Corey | Apr 9, 2007 9:59:21 AM | #Great show.
Reggie Williams | Apr 9, 2007 10:56:22 AM | #this is the best comedy show on tv and has been from day one, i'll miss this show, great show excellent cast,doug,deacon,arthur and carrie, the best,i am truly sorry u guys r leavin us,thank god for reruns.thanks for the 9 yrs....
laura perretto | Apr 9, 2007 12:23:37 PM | #Consistently funny. It becomes an after thought when you think of great comedies because it is kind of generic and unoriginal... but the show is always a laugh riot. They deserve to be proud of their work and the show will be missed.
Jason Strong | Apr 9, 2007 12:53:00 PM | #King of Queens is by far my favorite show of all time. I plan to buy all of the seasons on DVD.
Dan | Apr 9, 2007 12:54:48 PM | #I always laugh out loud at this show, and I am not a laugh out loud person. the one with the portrait (Carrie's large hand and Doug's buck teeth), HILARIOUS.
I have to say that I really appreciate this show. CBS moved it around the schedule but I always made a point in finding it. I can't say the same about other shows that have that happen. I have even followed it to TBS where they air it in marathons and Wednesday nights. Long live the King!
Randy | Apr 9, 2007 1:26:41 PM | #
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