everybody hates chris
everybody hates cutting school (15/23);

Continuing its second season on Five is comedian Chris Rock’s acclaimed semi-autobiographical sitcom set in Brooklyn, New York. Chris Rock narrates the action, which takes place in the early 1980s and revolves around the antics of 14-yearold Chris and his family.

In tonight’s first episode, Chris and Greg cut school so they can catch the hot new movie ‘Ghostbusters’; Julius has a trying day at the DMV; and Rochelle embarrasses Drew and Tonya when she helps out at their school book fair.

When Chris is not working hard at school or doing chores at home, his favourite pastime is going to the movies. He and Greg have seen all the big releases – except ‘Ghostbusters’. But with the film only playing for another week, the boys do not have much time left to see it – and the only option is to skip school and head for the dollar theatre. Greg is excited and a little scared at the prospect of blemishing his perfect attendance record, but Chris convinces him that one day will not make a difference. Unfortunately, ruminates narrator Chris, “Who knew that in the future this one unexplained absence would keep Greg from getting into Harvard?”

When their teacher, Ms Morello, announces that she will be away from school for a day, Chris and Greg seize their chance and sneak out at lunchtime: “Today’s special was running like hell!” Reasoning that the only people who will notice their absence are themselves, they head for the dollar theatre but are soon questioned by a suspicious cinema employee. Skirting round the fact that they are not at school by claiming that it is a “black holiday”, they manage to get inside... where they are horrified to spot Ms Morello in front of them. Are they about to be busted?

Also in this episode, Julius is having an extremely irritating day at the DMV, where he is attempting to renew his driving licence; Rochelle annoys Drew and Tonya when she ‘helps out’ at their school bookfair and ends up getting arrested; and Chris’s day off causes him to miss an exciting development at school.

In tonight’s second episode, Chris gets himself mixed up in the local crime epidemic of ‘chain snatching’; Rochelle is furious when she discovers that Julius secretly owns a credit card; and Tonya attempts to win Billy Ocean tickets.

The current fashion craze in the Bed-Stuy neighbourhood is gold chains –but they bring with them the accompanying craze of stealing them. When Chris sees local thug Malvo about to snatch one from a lady, he shouts a warning and she runs away, much to Malvo’s annoyance. “You owe Malvo a gold chain!” he informs Chris. With chains costing around $300, Chris starts to wonder if he is going to have to become a chainsnatcher himself to avoid Malvo’s wrath...

Meanwhile, Rochelle is incandescent with rage after discovering that Julius has had a credit card since 1970, and starts to wonder what else he is hiding. She confronts him and asks “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hides-Things-From-His-Wife” just what he’s up to –but the answer is surprising.

Also in this episode, Tonya is desperate to win tickets to see Billy Ocean but is having no joy. Can Drew’s famous lucky touch change things?