On July 19th the NBC network kicked off its Thursday night prime-time lineup with a rerun of My Name Is Earl entitled “The Birthday Party.”  What was supposed to be a plot highlighting Earl’s success in repaying his debt to society took a long, offensive, route in getting to that message.  Short clips recalling some of Earl’s most anti-social moments were shown throughout, making the episode our pick for Worst of the Week.

Several flashbacks portrayed Earl (in a supposedly lighthearted and comical manner) committing crimes and random acts of cruelty toward others.  Foul language, sexual content, and stealing were just a few of the elements intended to entertain viewers.  In one flashback, the ladies in the neighborhood know a peeping tom is lurking in the neighborhood; Earl’s wife Joy is perturbed that she hasn’t been “peeped.”  She doesn’t realize that she hasn’t been victimized because Earl is the voyeur.  Each night Joy yells racy comments out of her window to entice the peeping tom to look at her.  Earl lets Joy continue believing that there is a peeping tom outside because he is enjoying the kinky sex Joy has with him in her efforts to be watched. 

When My Name Is Earl sticks to its basic premise of a former menace vowing to right the wrongs he has committed, it is a positive show.  But when the plot turns and Earl’s offensive shortcomings become the focus, the show becomes dangerous for young viewers and has no place in prime time.  This week’s sexual content, coupled with general highlighting of delinquent behavior, qualifies My Name Is Earl as the Worst of the Week.