The Simpsons 5th Thread Spectacular!

[on:]

With two new episodes airing tonight, thought it would be as good a time as any to open the new one.  As always, all Simpsons discussion will go here for a while.

I'll probably post my reviews for tonight's shows soon.

[Reply #1 on:]

I enjoyed the two episodes last night. Both were well done, but the second one was much better.

The Second episode did something that the Simpsons hasnt made me do in a while, laugh. The whole thing with the German Youth Hostel had me in stitches.

Episode 1: 7/10
Episode 2: 8.5/10

[Reply #2 on:]

The 8/7c episode should get a 0/10 for having Ray Romano in it.  Then again, it also had Stephen Hawking, who would earn in a 10/10 by himself, so 5/10.
In all seriousness, 6.5/10 on actual merits.  Alright episode, but it's a pattern we've seen before and it was centered around a lame guest star. 

Lisa: That seems...feasible

Second episode I didn't watch as closely, but like Nasty said, the Germans were pretty hilarious.  8ish/10

[Reply #3 on:]

i only watched the 2nd ep, wasn't to empressed by it. Until Homer started singing, that had me on the floor.

[Reply #4 on:]

Future Drama

I saw it yesterday afternoon, and felt I HAD to watch it again a few hours later at night. I think that's the only new episode I've ever watched twice in one day for a long time... Terrific, fun and sincere - definitely up to the standard of Lisa's Wedding, if not better.

Despite being REALLY far-fetched for just 8 years into the future, I enjoyed all the futuristic humour, and found myself laughing non stop the whole way through. Some jokes fell flat, but the ones that worked more than made up for them - I had tears in my eyes laughing over the other available futures Bart could watch. Overall, fantastic. Sorry J. Stewart Burns, I've got a new favourite episode of the season.   

A+

On a side note, there are 2 things I never want to see on The Simpsons again:
1. People pulling on their collar and making that stupid noise whenever they make a mistake.
2. Calling attention to the sight gags, eg. in All's Fair in Oven War, the camera zooms up on the newspaper headlines about Apu and a short sting of music plays. Same goes for things like the headline of the magazine on the day Lenny was born, Homer with Ned Flander's credit card, etc. in other episodes - it's been happening a LOT the past 3 seasons. CE D'oh comes to mind as an episode that was killed by music playing at every opportunity and killing many decent jokes... I personally think that these music stings that seem to play after every sight gag kill them, they're best left subtle. I hope they stop doing this, it's the one thing that I think keeps the new episodes from being totally good...

I would've added guest stars on that list, but I think Season 16's been great guest star-wise. I don't think I've seen an episode in a long time featuring a guest star that brought the entire episode down, even ones like Yao and 50 Cent who had to be the worst voice actors I've ever heard. Definitely an improvement in this field, but I'd still like to see much less of #2.

[Reply #5 on:]

 

I personally think that the music stings that seem to play after every sight gag kill them,

I think it's often a combination of a zoom-in, the music cue, and a character reading the bloody thing out that kills the gag.

It still happens, sometimes. It's annoying.

[Reply #6 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nerd-o-rama:
Second episode I didn't watch as closely, but like Nasty said, the Germans were pretty hilarious.  8ish/10

"And the 36th reason America sucks: No universal healthcare! And the 37th..."

And just the sight of Homer in lederhosen singing 99 Luftballoons was priceless.

[Reply #7 on:]

My reviews, copied from NHC...

Ray Magini = Imaginary...Impressive clue, writers. Good one!

I really liked Don't Fear the Roofer, which is saying something since the milestone episodes usually disappoint me. The story starts off on the right foot by immediately establishing Homer's loneliness. Marge getting that ticked off at him was a tad contrived (since it wasn't directly his fault), but it's a minor plot point since everything else was done so well. We've gotten a lot of quick starts this season--could the days of pointless first acts be over? The story had plenty of breathing room and no pointless filler, and I even liked the farfetched explanation at the end. Great "mystery" sort of story here; though it wasn't quite "The Sting" like I was hoping, it still was well-told and rather original.

Excellent characterization as well. Ray is one of the best one-time characters in awhile, and his friendship with Homer was portrayed in a very believable way. Homer himself was near-consistently amusing, and I thought the insane babbling was well done by Dan C. I've noticed Dr. Hibbert is slowly becoming more crooked...not sure if I like that decision or not, but he was pretty funny tonight. The subplot was a bit quick and ended in a weird way, but it had some very good "old people" humor, and I like seeing SLH incorporated into the story.

The humor was very good. I really liked Moe stopping the leaks, Homer's Hot Wheels solution, Lisa's Hamster, Lenny's stool-cake, the sign at Knockers, Homer's dialogue with Ray, pretty much everything said by Jasper and Grampa, Stephen Hawking's "Pizza Pizza", and some of the hospital scenes.

Very good episode, one of the best of the season, and my favorite milestone episode since number 100. Memorable and funny all-around. 4.5/5 A-

As for The Heartbroke Kid, it was a pretty solid episode, but I will say the first act was definately the best of the three.

The story doesn't waste any time being set-up, with an immediate introduction of the new snack machines that lead to Bart's excess pudge. I do think the second act meandered a bit, but the third act wrapped everything up nicely. The subplot with the fat camp and youth hostel seemed introduced a bit late (perhaps they should've brought it in during the second act instead of the third), but it generally provided an interesting enough conflict.

I liked the character usage here. Skinner's initial war recreation was well-done, while Chalmers and Willie did their usual shtick well. Bart was in fine form, skateboarding again (it seems he hasn't done this in awhile), and pulling the usual pranks (getting Willie's money, cheating at the fat camp). Homer was a bit too goofy, but most things worked anyway. The new counselor character had a lot of lines, and was generally interesting enough.

Finally, the humor was generally pretty good. I think there were some dry spots in acts 2 and 3, but most of it worked anyway. I loved the more surreal/parody stuff here, like the great direction on Skinner's stapler war, Bart being introduced to the vending machines, Bart catching the candy on his bed, and of course, the opening title sequence spoof (one of the funniest moments of the season)--loved Homer being chucked out of the car from Bart's weight! A few gags--Krusty's zipper and a lot of the German stuff--kind of failed in my eyes, but still a decent outing.

Nicely done, despite a crammed third act. B, 4/5

I think Roofer was the better episode, but both were well-done.

[Reply #8 on:]

The opening title sequence was one of the funniest things I remember seeing on The Simpsons.

[Reply #9 on:]

Here's both reviews:

Roofer:  Pretty good, but not as good as I think it could have been.

The main thing that I thought was missing was a more solid mystery. I would have liked something a little more intriguing in that regard, ala "Krusty Gets Busted", "Black Widower", or Futurama's "The Sting". Some of the explanations were of course dubious (why didn't the bartender at least hear Ray?), which was probably the intent anyway (as evidenced by the admittedly hilarious Stephen Hawking bit), but I just would've personally preferred something a bit stronger. That said, it was still entertaining and had me guessing, and there was nice detail (on re-watch I noticed Ray did in fact come out from behind the chimney after Ned left). Humor wise, also solid, with nothing I can think of offhand that I didn't like, and with some particularly great moments here and there (Homer's president day dream, "Homer cola", again the Hawking cameo).

Overall, solid and maybe a little above average outing. Not as good as the following episode though. B/B+


Heartbroke:  Enjoyed this one a lot. As Mike Scully (NHC member) said, great rapid-fire gags in quick succession and "blink and you'll miss it" moments throughout. The story was interesting and funny, Albert Brooks put in another excellent guest spot (I hope they saved some of his outtakes again this time; those would be worth the price of the season 16 dvd alone), some great callbacks, Itchy and Scratchy had one of their greatest moments in a long time (loved the list of previous Scratchy deaths, heh), the great "opening titles" bit, particularly great animation throughout.....all in all really great episode, and one of the best of the season. A-

[Reply #10 on:]

Nice to see Simpsons is almost back old standards.

Now we just have to forget Bart Mangled Banner and we'll all be happy.

[Reply #11 on:]

"Don't Fear the Roofer"

Great episode.  It had Ray Romano,
Stephen Hawking, Grampa and his friends at the nursing home, and everyone thinking that Homer was crazy.  Funny stuff.


"The Heartbroke Kid"

Bart has a heart attack?  Whoever came up with that idea is retarded.  I would have said that this episode sucked, but Homer singing "99 Luftballons" redeemed it in my eyes.

[Reply #12 on:]

It's two reviews in one!  Both very funny, both well-written, both with well-done new guest-voiced characters, one surprisingly so and one expected (guess which is which and win some pie*!), and both with minor problems that are barely worth mentioning.  An A- and an A.  That was a very enjoyable hour of entertainment(followed by another hour that I'm still not sure of... but that's for another thread).


*pie may consist of nothing. Please allow 4-8 months for delivery. Shipping charges may apply. Offer not valid in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica, South America, or Mexico.

[Reply #13 on:]

Quick!  Some Canadian guess what it is!

[Reply #14 on:]

If only I was Canadian!

Both episodes were great. Like Eyedol said, the opening scene gag was one of the best things I've seen on The Simpsons in a while.

Episode 1: Thought it was pretty good. I noticed three/four Futurama references in the episode ("Pizza...Pizza"(He got a Panucci Pizza in Futurama), Homer getting shock therapy like Fry did in Insane, the office scene with the doctor(forgot his name) and Homer was the same backround as with Fry, the Black Hole)(Well, at least I saw them as Futurama references). I liked the Stephen Hawking presence and the whole episode.
8 out of 10


Episode Two: Thought it was better than the first episode. I like the opening scene gag and the Bart being fat jokes. The German Hostel was very funny, and Homer singing was great.
8.5/10

[Reply #15 on:]

I'm liking the sound of this Season (more than the title of this thread at least). I hope it lives up to what people are saying when I watch it. Future-Drama is the ep I'm most looking foward to, obviously. More new eps this week, or is it another 2 weeker gap?...

[Reply #16 on:]

ep 1 was ok the second ep was much better.
ep 2 this ep was really good i liked the part when they redid the intro when bart was fat.

ep 1 7.5/10
ep 2 9/10

[Reply #17 on:]

You mean in the US?  Here, its another two episodes this Sunday, and then on the following Sunday two more (including the finale).

[Reply #18 on:]

What do you mean finale.

I think he is saying that there is more new eps each week or are they not going to put a new ep for 2 weeks.

[Reply #19 on:]

That's what I'm saying....both of the next two Sundays will have new episodes, two new ones each like last night.  And that second Sunday will include the finale.

[Reply #20 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
You mean in the US?  Here, its another two episodes this Sunday, and then on the following Sunday two more (including the finale).

Yeah, thanx. They're finally catching up I see...

[Reply #21 on:]

"Homer singing "99 Luftballons" redeemed it in my eyes"

I couldn't have said it better.

[Reply #22 on:]

That's stupid to have two Simpsons episodes on one night for three straight weeks. The Simpsons is great, but too much might be...well, too much.

[Reply #23 on:]

 

Originally posted by i_c_weiner:
That's stupid to have two Simpsons episodes on one night for three straight weeks.

Particularly because we could be seeing three more episodes of Arrested Development instead.   

[Reply #24 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ranadok:
It's two reviews in one!  Both very funny, both well-written, both with well-done new guest-voiced characters, one surprisingly so and one expected (guess which is which and win some pie*!),


*pie may consist of nothing. Please allow 4-8 months for delivery. Shipping charges may apply. Offer not valid in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica, South America, or Mexico.

I'm still going to guess that Ray Romano was a suprise and A. Brooks was expected.

[Reply #25 on:]

Of course. I usually can't stand Romano on his show, but he did a good job here (a lot less whiny, I think). Brooks has one more character to add to his list of greats.

[Reply #26 on:]

Revelating news!

from http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/showpost.php?p=19676&postcount=19

 

[originally posted by Ray Pointer]A narrator who did some work for me two years ago was a substitute for Apu when Azaria was unavailable or "being difficult" was I was told. This narrator complained about not getting screen credit, and lost out since Fox seems to be contractually obligated to Azaria for the screen credit in much the same was Warner's was to Mel Blanc.

[Reply #27 on:]

A guy on a message board I've never seen saying something is so doesn't prove anything to me (though, maybe that guy is known to be credible, I have no idea).  If it is true though, I imagine that his substitute work would be confined to the table reads (something that, according to RMIII, they already do a lot, since voice actors are frequently busy), in which case I don't really see why they should credit him, since he didn't do the voice on the actual show.  Wouldn't be very different from how it already works basically.

[Reply #28 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
A guy on a message board I've never seen saying something is so doesn't prove anything to me (though, maybe that guy is known to be credible,

Ray Pointer is an animation historian and has contributed to animation history books, so I guess that makes him credible. (Sorry if I came off mean, DtBm, I didn't mean to).

[Reply #29 on:]

This thread should have had DTB's original title "Revenge of the Simp". Especially with the release of Episode III so close...

[Reply #30 on:]

Yeah, maybe it should have.  This just seemed most Simpsony somehow though.

John, I did check a bit on that guy, and it does appear that he's at least fairly credible. That said, I'd still hold that he was probably (and unknowlingly) referring only to a case of someone filling in at the table reads, as I just can't imagine them not using Azaria on all the final tracks.  I would be surprised if this apparent substitute exxagerated his own side of it due to some jealousy or other issue.  As for Azaria being "difficult", that doesn't neccesarily mean much given that most people would be difficult with others at some point during 15 years of their life.  No specific information about Azaria's behavior is given, so the statement about his being difficult has to be taken with a grain of salt.

[Reply #31 on:]

The highlight of the first one was the Steven Hawking explanation. The highlight of the 2nd was the redid intro with fat Bart. Overall I liked the first on better. I'm glad the Simpsons are getting better

[Reply #32 on:]

Anything on the episode(s) that are on tomorrow.

[Reply #33 on:]

GABF13 - A Star Is Torn
Lisa participates in a 'Li'l Starmaker' talent competition, but is outperformed by another contestant (voiced by American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino). To get her the win, Homer pens a pro-Springfield song that propels Lisa over her rival. With the win, Homer assumes the role of Lisa's manager and pushes Lisa too far--to the point where she has to fire him.


GABF14 - Thank God It's Doomsday
Convinced that he knows when the Rapture will occur after watching an Apocalyptic movie, Homer begins warning others so he can secure his place in Heaven. When Channel 6 reports on one of Homer's predictions that later somewhat comes true, he gains a large following. When Homer's predicted apocalypse date passes with no apocalypse, a dejected Homer suddenly finds himself talking to God.


The first sounds iffy, but the second sounds intriguing.

[Reply #34 on:]

I like the sound of the second one. This is the second episode of Season 16 in which the title could just as easily fit into being a Futurama title...

[Reply #35 on:]

Hmm...an Apocalyptic movie that Homer watches. I sense the presence of Futurama reference sometime tonight on Fox. I sensed it last week, and in the episode with Ray Magini, the office scene with the doctor that's name escapes me and Homer, same office backround as Insane in the Mainframe, same kind of therapy method as Insane. Might've only been a coincidence, but it was a reference to me.

[Reply #36 on:]

Both of tonight's were really great episodes. The only thing I didn't like about either of them was perhaps the explanation for why Bart saw Homer talking to thin air, but that was still OK.

Both of tonight's new ones look average, but Thank God will probably be better.

[Reply #37 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ranadok:
 a dejected Homer suddenly finds himself talking to God.

*cough*Godfellas*cough*

[Reply #38 on:]

7 beer snitch.
not much to say really, just a disjointed plot lacking character motivations. I guess futurama writers aren't so good at character stuff. (I kid, I just wonderd if it would provoke a reaction)
But it just wasn't very funny, there were enough decent jokes to salvage it but it only deserves a C/C+

[Reply #39 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nasty Pasty:
 *cough*Godfellas*cough*

*cough*Homer The Heretic*cough