Cape Foure: The Simpsons Madness Goes On...

[Reply #240 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
 Even in the old days seasons would sometimes start with relatively weaker offerings (think "Bart of Darkness" ).

You think that's weak!? It's one of my fave eps! I'd take it over every episode I've seen since Season 10 (except Trilogy of Error). Of course there's quite a lot I haven't seen since then, but you get my drift...

Also, that promo with Edna with that guest star, what about Principle Skinner?...

[Reply #241 on:]

I forget, is Bart of Darkness the Rear Window parody? If it is then DoTheBartman's insane

[Reply #242 on:]

Bart of Darkness I'd agree with DTB is probably in the bottom half of classicly produced episodes, That basically all he meant, he's not saying its a bad episode. (yes it is the rear window parody)

But they will usually start with holdovers and I think the other options were Lisa's Rival and Another Clipshow.
But there's a choice of 5 holdovers so you'd assume they'd pick the strongest of the lot to start the season.

Otis, I'm spoling geek wedding for you (don't worry its a bad episode) but skinny and krabby broke up.

[Reply #243 on:]

They split up! That's such a shame, I always thought they made a good couple, funny too. Thanx for telling me though.

I still think 'Bart of Darkness' is one of the best episodes, and I know I'm not alone...

[Reply #244 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
Bart of Darkness I'd agree with DTB is probably in the bottom half of classicly produced episodes, That basically all he meant, he's not saying its a bad episode. (yes it is the rear window parody)

Yeah, that's all I was saying.  From me its like a "B+", great, just not the "A" great that one might typically expect from a season premiere.  Though you're right in that it was also a holdover (and a summer-based episode too, leaving with them even less of a choice).  And frankly it was a Bart show (as opposed to a Lisa one) so that probably figured in too.

But yeah, Otis isn't alone, although "Bart of Darkness" doesn't really pop up on too many "best" lists I've seen.  Everyone basically likes it, but I haven't seen it in too many top 50s, as opposed to a lot of the other premieres.

[Reply #245 on:]

I'd say Bart of "Darkness" is number 11 on my list.

[Reply #246 on:]

To the UK Simpsons fans, the Season 5 DVD set is out here on February 7th, according to Amazon.co.uk. Why oh why they didn't release it before Christmas seems totaly insane to me, but at least it's coming... http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006IWQI0/qid=1100350494/sr=1-22/ref=sr_1_2_22/202-3327731-3632623

[Reply #247 on:]

There's more disturbing listing on play.com that it'll be march 14th, but I'm going to trust amazon on this one.

[Reply #248 on:]

Regarding "Bart of Darkness"...eh, it's a pretty good episode. Yeah, a premiere should be the strongest of the holdovers (of course, as DtB mentioned, they were limited, considering that "Darkness" was a summer-based episode), but it doesn't have to be. Personally, while "Bart of Darkness" isn't the best of season 6, it always sticks out for me (not in the big scheme of the series, but just for season 6)...I'm not quite sure why.

Oh yeah, and the whole BoD discussion has prompted me to look back on the premieres of the past (I won't count THOHs as premieres in the later seasons)...

S1--"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire": Okay, not a season premiere, really (not even a series premiere by some people's ways of thinking), but I thought I'd include it anyway. A sweet holiday story that introduces the characters nicely, although the plot (like many of season 1) is painfully simple (not to say that I don't like simple stories...it's just that they tend to be too formulaic for my tastes, especially those of the first season). But hey, this episode actually had a clever ending, with the introduction of Santa's Little Helper. A

S2--"Bart Gets An F": One of the weakest episodes (along with its cousin, "Bart's Dog Gets an F" ) in the usually brilliant season 2. It's a sweet enough story with some nice gags, but still nothing special (of course, I can see why the producers went with this episode to premiere with, what with the whole "Cos vs. Bart" thing going on at the time.) B/B+

S3--"Stark Raving Dad": Probably the first "big" premiere, considering the guest star (who hasn't heard of John Jay Smith?  ), but this episode actually has a nice story behind it. I loved the idea of nonconformity being thought of as insane, and Homer befriending "Michael Jackson" was a nice way to include Michael Jackson without actually including him (if you get what I'm trying to say). Oh yeah, and the song is awesome. A

S4--"Kamp Krusty": A lot like "Bart of Darkness" when you consider the fact that they're both summer stories airing near the end of summer. That said, not the strongest episode of the amazing season 4...not even close. Still, it's hilarious (loved the whole "Lord of the Flies" aspect, and the run about the bear ("Well, actually the bear just ate his hat..." )). All in all, a decent enough episode. A-

S5--"Homer's Barbershop Quartet": Amazing. My second favorite flashback episode ever, and definitely in my top 50. The story, humor, songs...everything is fantastic. Nice to see good ol' Jeff Martin go out on a high note (pun definitely intended). A+

S6--"Bart of Darkness": Not much to say about this one. Nice parody, and nice gags, but it falls a little flat for some reason that I can't quite pin-point (didn't much care for a lot of how Lisa was played, at least not until the end...maybe that's part of it). B+/A-

S7--"Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two): Tough to judge this one, because I tend to rate Parts one and two as the same episode. I guess all I have to say is that this was a nice conclusion to the saga, and that I loved the "Who Shot J.R.?" parody from the beginning. A+

S8--"You Only Move Twice": One of the strongest premieres ever and one of the strongest episodes of season 8. Ingenious, funny, and a parody all rolled into one. A+

S9--"The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson": Funny stuff. I've always loved New York, and, while this episode does make use of the many traditional New York tourist cliches, it's enjoyable enough (of course, the whole World Trade Center thing is a bit creepy nowadays, and to be honest, my syndicate hasn't shown this episode since 9/11...so I haven't seen it in ages). Still, funny, nonetheless. A

S10--"Lard of the Dance": Ugh. Not exactly awful, but not exactly good. Really, it's a middle of the road episode, Scully-era wise. Still, not the best in that respect. C+

S11--"Beyond Blunderdome": Of course, we all know why this episode was the premiere. And really, it's not the worst episode in what is probably the worst season ever. It's not all that good, mind you, but it's good enough to get a nice forced laugh now and then. C-

S12--"A Tale of Two Springfields": Not as bad as it's made out to be, but that doesn't mean I like it. Sure, it has its moments, and the story isn't even all that bad...it's just, well...a lot of it has to do with Homer's characterization (he's still a Jerkass here, if you ask me). C-

S13--"The Parent Rap": Again, not really as bad as it's made out to be. But hey, I'm not defending it...it's still pretty lousy (although it has its moments). C-/D+

S14--"How I Spent My Strummer Vacation": Not bad, really. I'm usually opposed to guest-cast episodes, but this one actually has some musicians whom I really admire. Sure, act three isn't the greatest, IMO, but acts 1 and 2 were pretty decent. As was all of season 14... B

S15--"The President Wore Pearls": One of the best of the season. The songs, the gags, the parody...a winning combonation. Sure, it's also an example of an episode where Homer is used as Mr. One-Liner, but most of them are actually somewhat funny. A

[Reply #249 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
There's more disturbing listing on play.com that it'll be march 14th, but I'm going to trust amazon on this one.

That is disturbing indeed. I want to trust Amazon, they better be right...

[Reply #250 on:]

Actually, Gorky, the season premiere for Season 15 was "My Mother the Carjacker." And since FOX doesn't count "Lard of the Dance" which aired in August, they consider "The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace" to be the Season 10 premiere.

[Reply #251 on:]

Okay, here are my season premiere rankings.

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire": A-
"Bart Gets An F": B+
"Stark Raving Dad": A+ (Top 30 episode)
"Kamp Krusty": A+ (Top 20 episode)
"Homer's Barbershop Quartet": A+ (Top 10 episode)
"Bart of Darkness": B
"Who Shot Mr. Burns?" Part Two: A+ (Top 30 episode)
"You Only Move Twice": A
"The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson": A+ (Top 10 episode)
"The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace": C+ (Guilty pleasure)
"Beyond Blunderdome": F
"A Tale of Two Springfields": D-
"The Parent Rap": C- (Underrated)
"How I Spent My Strummer Vacation": C
"My Mother the Carjacker": A+ (Surprisingly excellent. Top 30 episode)

[Reply #252 on:]

 

"The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson": A+ (Top 10 episode)

I can't believe how much people love this ep. Yeah yeah, others opinions and stuff, but that seriously has to be the most over-rated episode of all time. Top 10? Pfft.

[Reply #253 on:]

Well, I got down to finally seeing the season premiere of this year, and I have to say, I enjoyed it a lot. Although Act 2 was eerily similar to "From Hell And Back" in the 9th comic issue of the Treehouse of Horror, it was still an enjoyable story, and the others were too.

"You don't want to piss off a man who can kick you in the crotch from the inside!"

Ratings:

Intro: Just plain stupid. I know sitcoms suck, but do the Simpsons have to decend to that level, even if it is to parody something? D+

The Ned Zone: Great, great, stuff. I was looking forward to watching this, and I loved it! Brisk action with a great story! A+

Four Beheadings and a Funeral: As I said before, this episode was similar to another story. But, still a decent story.

"We British sure eat crap!" B+

In the Belly of the Boss: I liked this one. Although there are too many "Fantastic Voyage" parodies, I feel that they did this one quite well. A-

[Reply #254 on:]

 

Originally posted by SlackJawedMoron:
 I can't believe how much people love this ep. Yeah yeah, others opinions and stuff, but that seriously has to be the most over-rated episode of all time. Top 10? Pfft.

I've never seen it on TV, I had to download it thanx to the wtc attacks...

Anyway, I really enjoyed it. It's very funny, and I like the pacing. One of the last classic Homer eps IMO...

[Reply #255 on:]

I still have it on video from when Sky One showed it first time around.  Worth it for the "flushing meadows" gag.

[Reply #256 on:]

Homer Verses New York was when things started to change, after that someone started sliding the whacky OOC factor waaaay up.

[Reply #257 on:]

"City of New York...." is good but very overrated.  In all honesty, it pumps the jerkass-Homer stuff way up (it just happens to be generally funnier then the similar junk in seasons 10-12) and makes him totally unlikable and unreasonable.  And it spends several minutes of its "plot" around Homer having to go to the bathroom.  For a Oakley/Weinstein holdover, it really kinda feels like a Scully show.

Fun and generally funny episode, but overrated.  And IMO there's been far better Homer episodes since.

[Reply #258 on:]

The best part is when he's eating that thing from that stand and then the guy goes, "You want something to drink with that?  I have mountain dew and crabjuice" and then Homer goes "Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, I'll take the crabjuice."

[Reply #259 on:]

The Kalkavlush? That bit rocked.

[Reply #260 on:]

I would wager that it was Scully's training for showrunnership, sometimes holdovers are, Principal and the Pauper and Lisa the Simpson however seem like they'd be at home in season 8.

[Reply #261 on:]

As always, a review of tonight's show:

After several years of movie/rock stars, long-lost returning characters, and other higher key plotlines dominating the season premieres, this episode brings a lower-key sensibility to the premiere. While it was generally solid, I'd have to say it left me yearning a bit for a more fantastic plot like last year's.

Biggest problem here was definitely the main plot, and specifically just that it wasn't particularly interesting. It was predictable the whole way through, and didn't seem to work on any emotional or "sweetness" level as some parts of it seemed intended to do. Although I'd love to see a really good Marge and Lisa-centered plot someday, this one wasn't particularly engaging. Marge's little speech about how she "needs this" (to win the contest) seemed to be going in the right direction, and perhaps further emphasizing her feelings of being unappreciated would have made the plot more interesting, but alas, no dice here.

With all that said though, this episode was enjoyable enough based on just the humor of it. The main plot still provided enough laughs to be enjoyable, from the "Caution: Wet Keyhole Paint" sign, to Moe's plans for "making his move" when he and Marge are both in hell. Further, the subplot was actually very clever and funny throughout, providing no dull moments (despite a somewhat unneeded guest spot in James Caan) and plenty of highlights, from the "facts of life" scene to the apparent joke about an octopus and a bagpipe. The ending with Caan could have been better, but then I can't really judge it as I've never seen "The Godfather".

A generally solid if somewhat uninspiring showing, and definitely an odd choice for the official season premiere. The subplot is particularly fun, but it is sort of telling when the "Treehouse of Horror" (for so many years now a weaker spot of Simpsons seasons) from last week was better.
B-

[Reply #262 on:]

I thought it was a pretty good episode.  Decent anyways and there were some funny parts.  I recall saying it was funny afterwards, so there you go.

[Reply #263 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
...it is sort of telling when the "Treehouse of Horror" (for so many years now a weaker spot of Simpsons seasons) from last week was better.

I don't know, I preferred this episode over the THOH. I definately laughed more, and there were less failed gags. Overall, the main plot was weak (as I feared), but entertaining, and the subplot was nothing really new, but entertaining as well. The guest stars were mainly useless, the ending was a let-down (though I REALLY need to see Godfather one of these days), and it left too many things changed for the plot or a cheap gag that will be back the same next week (unless Apu actually ditched his family...). I would give it the same grade that I gave the THOH (B+), but I would rather watch this one than that one, almost entirely because of the humor. Perhaps I was just in a good mood. 

[Reply #264 on:]

A recent update at SNPP should be interesting to people here:

GABF05 - On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister - Written by Jeff Westbrook
(No description as of yet)

For the record the episode is probably the one revealed earlier about Bart taking out a restraining order against Lisa (judging by the title).  However, more to the point, Westerbrook seems to be a new writer (at least, I can't recall him doing a Simpsons episode before), yet I recognized the name....and a IMDB search reveals him to be yet another Futurama writer to move on to The Simpsons.  (On that note, could someone pull up a list of episodes Westerbrook wrote for Futurama?)(EDIT: Never mind, here's one)

Jeff Westbrook
3ACV07 - The Day the Earth Stood Stupid
3ACV22 - The 30% Iron Chef
4ACV09 - Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles

On the note of "What Simpsons episodes are they writing now" with Futurama writers, J. Stewart Burns has "There's Something About Marrying" coming up (no description, but its likely the Patty episode), and Bill Odenkirk has "The Seven-Beer Snitch" (no description yet) coming up as well.

[Reply #265 on:]

Oh so what we think is the gay marriage ep is written by Burns that looks good then, and I think he wrote a head in the polls which I think is futurmas best satirical episode.
as for Jeff Westbrook well there are futurama writers I'd like more, he seems to be a little average.
though didn't Jean say the restraining order episode was his favourite of the season.

[Reply #266 on:]

"All's Fair in Oven War"

Well, after last year's disappointing THOH and excellent season premiere, it seems we've just gotten the exact opposite. An excellent THOH and diappointing season premiere.

Still, that doesn't make it bad. It had some funny moments like Homer's dream of meeting Twinkie the Kid, and Milhouse and Bart's "We are Playdude Playmates!" was really hilarious. The only real problem I have with this epsiode is that it moves at kind of a slow pace, as Marge episodes sometimes do, and started out a bit shakily (most of the first act wasn't very interesting or funny). Also, the ending with Brandine and James Caan was a little strange.

Overall, a decent episode, but it seemed to be missing a spark.

B-

[Reply #267 on:]

I taped the season premiere, and watched the WWE pay-per-view last night, so can't tell you what I think yet (not that it matters), but from everyone else's opinion (which seems to be somewhat mixed),  I think it'll be interesting nonetheless.

[Reply #268 on:]

Intresting Rog Myers III of the NHC claims Westbrook has been a part of the re-write room for almost a year now. But he was uncredited, so for all we know there could be even more ex Futurama writers pitching jokes in the re-write room even as I type.

[Reply #269 on:]

As usually happens on this show, (esoecially recently) I enjoyed the side jokes more than the actual plot.

"...but against you, I wouldn;t stand a Hindu's chance in Heaven."
It's funny 'cause it's Flanders.

The whole Apu bit in the first act.

"...but screw them, you won!"

And apparently they hired some folks from Rough Draft, judging by a useless spit take I saw in there near the end.  It made me think of happier times...

[Reply #270 on:]

It was a funny episode.
Probally my favorite joke is when the contractor says he'll be done the kitchen in about 3 weeks, then it shows 2 years later.  I did think the guess star was pretty much useless in this episode, who else was discusted by the site of James Caan in the hot tub in the Treehouse bit?

I did really like the Apu parts of the episode.

[Reply #271 on:]

I watched this today. Here's my

Review:

When I watched this episode, I had no idea what it was going to be about. That being said, I couldn't tell the main story until near the end. The whole first act was kind of boring, and the only thing it did was set up the playdude plot (hilarious). But the episode shaped up a little throughout the second and third acts, and the sub-plot was "A" grade material. The main plot was, like Leelaholic mentioned, a bit slow-moving, though, and it just wasn't my cup of tea (I stole it Never mind). B

[Reply #272 on:]

Is it my imagination or has Flanders gone from 'Goodie Goodie god bless everyone' Christian to 'You inferior Jews/Hindu's I'm better than you!' Christian?

I think this is quite lame.

[Reply #273 on:]

It's true. Very early on, Flanders was a nice guy, without a trace of sanctimoniousness.

When he became an overly judemental jerk, I don't know. Just to make it fit in chronilogically, I'm going to say after 'Hurricane Neddy,' because then it sort of makes sense.

[Reply #274 on:]

He's definitely changed.  Remember that in the first season he wasn't even identified as religious, just the neighbor that always seemed to have more than Homer.  Whereas by season four he was chasing down "heathens" in his car.

I don't think he's become an "overly judgemental jerk" though.  Judgemental, yes, but that's just part of his satire of overtly religious figures.  He's still a nice guy in terms of his demeanor with other characters and always wanting to help them.  And his religious extremitism hasn't really changed much since episodes like "Homer the Heretic" anyway, even if its gotten maybe a little more extreme as the years have gone on.

"Hurricane Neddy" did have somewhat lousy characterization though.

[Reply #275 on:]

It's interesting how Flanders said the Hindu's chance in Heaven line inside the Kwik-E-Mart, within feet from Apu.

Anyway, the season premiere was surprisingly good. And it was REALLY surprisingly good for a Marge episode, and that had nothing to do with the side story. That's actually what kind of wore it down, since it didn't really go anywhere, although I did like its resolve and Bart's line "Then we can have orgies! ...whatever those are." Of course that kitchen will be gone next week, and that walk-in microwave was pretty dumb, but there was a lot of great stuff in this episode.
Grade: 4/5
"Blood for cream! Blood for cream!"

[Reply #276 on:]

I was expecting the kitchen to be destroyed by the end of the episode.

[Reply #277 on:]

I thought after Hurricane Neddy, He'd express his general anger more. Not his annoying offensive opinions towards other people's religions.

You'd think Maude's Death would make him a bit kinder too wouldn't you?

[Reply #278 on:]

I would have thought it would have made him angrier.
Maybe he would bury himself even further into his Religion to bury his pain.

[Reply #279 on:]

Or maybe Maude's death should have made him question god, and question his own religious life...