The Simpsons 5th Thread Spectacular!

[Reply #400 on:]

Meh, again The Simpsons keeps dipping in quality for me. I felt as if I watched this episode many times before. (Homer in life-threatening danger, Bart trying to be straightened out, etc...)

Score: 6.1/10 = D-

[Reply #401 on:]

Just got season 7 in the post.. now watching 

[Reply #402 on:]

random question alert, do you know if the creators are thinking of making more episodes with Homers brother Herb in? Because ive seen a few more recent episodes which looked as though they were struggling for ideas. Theres loads they could do with having his brother in it again, and its been ages since he was in it, 4th or 5th series was it? Also its Danny DeVito so its not like he's dead or doing anything else. Any ideas?

[Reply #403 on:]

It's generally hard to have a reoccuring character supplied by one celebrity voice. If you'll notice, neither Unky Herb, Homer's Mother, or Bleeding Gums Murphy have appeared in more than a few episodes total. That's because the voice actors come from off-staff, and it's generally harder to coordinate their schedules. Only Phil Hartman and Jon Lovitz can be counted as reoccuring celebrity voice actors, but that's because they had a lot of little characters to do.

[Reply #404 on:]

I am going to get The Simpsons Kiss and Tell next week.



Mostly they are Homer and Marge episodes:

1. Natural Born Kissers (Season 9)
2. Large Marge (Season 14)
3. Three Gays of the Condo (Season 14)
4. The Way We Weren't (Season 13) My favourie epsidoe!

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[Reply #405 on:]

 

Originally posted by evan:
It's generally hard to have a reoccuring character supplied by one celebrity voice. If you'll notice, neither Unky Herb, Homer's Mother, or Bleeding Gums Murphy have appeared in more than a few episodes total. That's because the voice actors come from off-staff, and it's generally harder to coordinate their schedules. Only Phil Hartman and Jon Lovitz can be counted as reoccuring celebrity voice actors, but that's because they had a lot of little characters to do.

What i meant was a couple of one off episodes of him or mention of him, because bleeding gums is dead and his mum is on the run from the police so it makes more sense for them not to be in it. i just dont see why in more than 10 years they havent had him again... ya get me?

[Reply #406 on:]

 

Originally posted by SwanMan3000:
random question alert, do you know if the creators are thinking of making more episodes with Homers brother Herb in? Because ive seen a few more recent episodes which looked as though they were struggling for ideas. Theres loads they could do with having his brother in it again, and its been ages since he was in it, 4th or 5th series was it? Also its Danny DeVito so its not like he's dead or doing anything else. Any ideas?

What Evan said.  A reliable source (IE connections to the show) at NHC also claimed though that they simply haven't done an Uncle Herb episode again yet because they haven't thought of an idea inspiring enough to be worth it.  Which is probably true of a lot of the other examples as well.  Apparently Devito wouldn't be hard to get again because he has close connections with James Brooks, and he's supposedly up to do it again, but the story just isn't there. 

[Reply #407 on:]

I agree with DtB: Uncle Herb just isn't a character with a lot of stories attached to him. Aside from being rich and successful, he's relatively bland.

With Uncle Herb being voiced by an outside character, it's not as though he could just walk on in one episode when the rest of the family gathers. It's probably not worth it to get DeVito in for a few lines per episode. It's the same problem with Samantha Stanky, Allison Janey ("Lisa's Rival" ), and Laura Powers ("New Kid on the Block" ). Their major stories were told and there's not much left to do with them.

[Reply #408 on:]

 

Originally posted by Juliet:
4. The Way We Weren't (Season 13)

The Way we Weren't was in Season 15. Shut up and get back in your box!

[Reply #409 on:]

Still dont really agree with the whole uncle Herb thing, Samantha Stanky and Allison Janey arent related to the Simpsons and i think we do actually see them in the background not talking in the school. I cant see how they cant think of stories for Herb as they are professional writers. Saying he's bland because all he has to him is the fact that he is rich doesnt really make much sense, i mean theyve made 300 odd episodes about a family. Theres loads of opportunity for that character and i think they should definately have at least one more story, maybe even use him for the Simpson movie.

[Reply #410 on:]

It could be done, but they would need to flesh him out quite a bit.  I personally agree with Evan, in that he's not a particularly versatile character.  I even think his second appearance was kind of weak to be honest, compared to most other episodes of that time anyway (the original episode in season two is classic though).  I'm sure they could think of a story, but the real challenge is in coming up with a story that's actually worth digging up a character that hasn't formally appeared in over a decade.  Even among the fan-fiction writers (and there are some with really excellent ideas), I've never seen any really good ideas for a third Herb episode.  It's just hard to come up with one that isn't "Herb has a new invention/business" or whatever.  He's not as versatile in plots as someone like Sideshow Bob.

[Reply #411 on:]

I need to cry. I just moved to Federalsburg, MD, and they don't have The Simpsons in syndication. I just moved from Philadelphia, where it was on twice a day.

[Reply #412 on:]

It's only on in syndication once a day here except on Sunday, but they do seem to show more classic episodes here than in other places I've been.

[Reply #413 on:]

 

Originally posted by Roy Bluth:
I need to cry. I just moved to Federalsburg, MD, and they don't have The Simpsons in syndication.

Isn't that a good thing (at least if you have another way to watch, like the DVDs, anyway)? I heard US syndication cuts out a lot of important material.

[Reply #414 on:]

It's exactly the opposite. In fact, US syndication usually cuts out the superfluous stuff, which generally can be the funniest stuff in the episode. Syndicated programs generally are cut short in order to put in more advertising, so the networks are forced to trim non-essential bits down.

For example, "Team Homer" was on syndication today. The most noticeable cut was from Mr. Burns's "boweling" monologue...which is really funny, but totally unnecessary. It's funny. When I watch the DVDs, there are bits that have been cut out on syndication that I haven't seen in years, if ever.

[Reply #415 on:]

Still, it's the little funny stuff like that which people usually remember from the episodes, not the important story-related content (unless it's an emotional episode like Lisa's Substitute).

Over here, most cuts made for the 6:00pm repeats are for censorship reasons (anything shown at 6:00pm must be rated G, so they'll occassionally cut out some sex-related gags, a few drug/suicide/death jokes, and bits of Itchy & Scratchy cartoons). I'm always noticing new things when watching the full episodes on DVD or on Foxtel...

[Reply #416 on:]

(To Evan) That's mostly true, but the cuts can sometimes be key plot points, or just scenes that add major emphasis to the story/mood (such as Lisa playing the saxophone for Mr. Bergstrom, or Homer retrieving Maggie's pacifier, both in Lisa's Substitute).  A good example of a cut plot point would be Who Shot Mr. Burns Part One, which cuts the anecdote Smithers tells about how he never misses Pardon My Zinger (thus, when Sideshow Mel brings it up in Part Two, it makes no sense).  Plus, most if not all episodes are compressed (sped up, basically), which can hurt the pacing of both the jokes and the story, and even screw with the voices a little.

Either way, I can't watch syndication anymore.  Even episodes that I've never actually seen uncut....I'm just too aware that they're butchered, and I can often cite the exact cuts and placement from reading the SNPP cuts guide.  I'll have expect a joke I've never seen to be there anyway, and when it's not I get annoyed.  And watching episodes I have on dvd has actually made me mad in the past...the syndicated versions just become completely unwatchable in a lot of cases. 

Simpsons has it relatively well off though, because they can just cut incidental gags (for the most part), and the theme on some of the episodes at least is long, so they can cut it down for extra time.  And since it's a cartoon, it's less noticable if they speed up the show as well.  Older shows especcially aren't so lucky; I remember reading that Rod Serling couldn't stand to watch "The Twilight Zone" in syndication, and that after seeing a butchered episode he once said "You wouldn't recognize it as the same series."  I don't watch syndication of any show anymore, because it just really isn't worth it, unless that's absolutely the only option.

[Reply #417 on:]

I can't watch the syndicated episodes anymore, though I've seen all the good ones a million times anyway.

[Reply #418 on:]

Yeah. I have about 250 episodes on tape, and the first six seasons on DVD. So I'm........good to go.

Sorry.

[Reply #419 on:]

I saw We're on the Road to D'ohwhere a few days ago. Perhaps my favourite episode this season... a little plot-less and predictable at times, but had plenty of funny moments.

BART: I'll give you something you want... like... Milhouse!
SKINNER: I don't want Milhouse.
MILHOUSE: Awww, this is just like my parents' custody hearing...

The plot needed a bit of fine-tuning though, especially the sub-plot with Marge. Still, one of the more entertaining ones this season.
B+

[Reply #420 on:]

Just to bring it up in the simpsons thread, Is it me or does Gary oldman in Batman Begins look exactly like Ned Flanders?

[Reply #421 on:]

Robot, clone or long lost twin. Taking all bets. I'll also accept video pocker.

[Reply #422 on:]

Roy: I live in Denton. I believe Federalsburg has the same stations as up here, so I should know a thing or two. The basic cable WB, should be "WB 3", doesn't carry The Simpsons on syndication. If you have satellite, the Baltimore WB station(known as "WB 54" ) does carry syndicated Simpsons at 6 and 7.

[Reply #423 on:]

I was wonder if the episode with Ricky Gervais had been shown over the U.S? I have read about it in a newspaper and it made really want to see it.

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[Reply #424 on:]

   

Originally posted by i_c_weiner:
Roy: I live in Denton. I believe Federalsburg has the same stations as up here, so I should know a thing or two. The basic cable WB, should be "WB 3", doesn't carry The Simpsons on syndication. If you have satellite, the Baltimore WB station(known as "WB 54" ) does carry syndicated Simpsons at 6 and 7.

I have digital cable, which has WB 3. I'll continue looking.

[Reply #425 on:]

Hehe, I just saw this episode with the Simpsons going to Italy and meeting Sideshow Bob, of all people!

Sideshow Bob, I love you! 

[Reply #426 on:]

"Home Away From Homer". I was watching this episode, and when Flanders was looking at a bowl (after he discovered Homer told everyone about the website) and when he just went to the new town, there was a very familiar theme playing. I think it is from the movie Dr. Zhivago, but I am not sure. Does anyone here know?

[Reply #427 on:]

Just thought I'd copy and paste this here as the thread I posted this in was closed.

There is no worse thing in this world than a disenchanted former Simpsons Fan. Unless its hearing one talk about his favorite show as though as it some thing unpleasant on the bottom of his shoe. Such is the opinion of the majority of those who populate both the newsgroup alt.tv.simpsons and www.simpworks.com.  Speaking to Kenneth White, the afore mentioned former Simpsons Fan, is like speaking to a man whose soul has been carved out of him like a man would carve ice cream from a tub.
This is because he is, The Simpsons stole five years of his life and now he wants them back. Of course, as Kenneth told me, it is not a case of the show being 'not funny' it is a case of it failing to appeal to our generation anymore. We have, in short, been betrayed. Need any proof? Look at some of the comments made by Ian Maxatome Graham in the media 'Go figure thats why there on the internet and we're writing the show!' and Al Jean 'I'm just gonna milk this cash cow till it dies!' Can I say this any louder? No other TV show in Pop Culture History has ever systematically alienated its core fan base! I have tried to think of a show and there is not a single one. Only The Simpsons writers have decided to thumb there noses at us. Why? Because they have sold there souls to the same fizzy happy go lucky disposable razor pop culture that the show sent up in its early years. And if Veteran Fans dare question the infinite wisdom of Al Jean? They are spat on, accused of not being a ‘True Fan’. Just who is Al Jean anyway and why do Die Hard Fans have him high up on a pedestal? What has Al Jean done to receive this accolade? If its because he wrote a few good episodes then why are you not kissing Mike Scully’s feet too? Or is it because now that the Scully Era has ended you think Al Jean is manna from heaven? Well he isn’t, he is, as fellow Simpsons Scholar Jake Lennington put it, only perceived like this because of the Scully Era. Or to quote my good friend Frank Osborne, ‘Mike Scully makes anyone look good!’

Sorry if it upsets anyone, I was in a pretty bad mood when I wrote it.

[Reply #428 on:]

Every word of that is either outdated or just retarded.  Give it up, DantheMan.

[Reply #429 on:]

Retarded? Hardly. Anyone with half a brain can see that the series has run out of steam and needs to be taken out to pasture. It is now appealing to the Joe Dumbasses of the USA with IQs below 50. Al Jean doesnt care if characters are warped for the sake of a plot [On A Clear Day] Or degraded for 'political satire' [Mangled Banner, See Homer Run]The producers dont care nor the Fox Executives and nor, apparenly do you.
You want me to give up? Not much chance of that , unless OFF does the honorable thing and goes out still with the few remaining shards of dignity  it has left.

You suck. Irule. Deal with it.

[Reply #430 on:]

 

Originally posted by Eyedol7513:
Meh, again The Simpsons keeps dipping in quality for me. I felt as if I watched this episode many times before. (Homer in life-threatening danger, Bart trying to be straightened out, etc...)

Score: 6.1/10 = D-

@DTBM
Oh dear, Eyedol seems to not be fond of the current seis either. Better insult her so she wont feel left out.

Asshole.

[Reply #431 on:]

^-What the fuck is your problem? Anyway, you calling me an "asshole" and a girl (when I'm a guy) doesn't insult me, because you don't even know me.
-In either case, I like 'The Simpsons', I just don't care much for some of the episodes in recent seasons. But I still respect the series as a whole, including the people who have worked on it and who are working on it.

[Reply #432 on:]

Schaaaw, Yardstick's non-rash nappies must not be working. 

[Reply #433 on:]

Exactly...I have no problem with Eyedol or his review.  Nor do I have any inherit problem with people criticizing the show, as I have done in the past.  The people you accuse of putting Jean on some pedestal have, in most cases, made plenty of criticisms of his episodes, and the general consensus at NHC right now (for instance) is that season 17 has been an overall letdown.  The only people who are "shot down" when they criticize Jean are the ones who's arguments suck to begin with, or whom apparently don't have any real arguments to begin with such as in that silly rant of yours.

I have no interest in harassing Eyedol.  You apparently have an interest in harrassing people considering you did so at NHC for years before getting the boot there, and have harassed the moderators since then as well (angry e-mails on Christmas eve, Dan?  Really...).

[Reply #434 on:]

 

Originally posted by Eyedol7513:
^-What the fuck is your problem? Anyway, you calling me an "asshole" and a girl (when I'm a guy) doesn't insult me, because you don't even know me.
-In either case, I like 'The Simpsons', I just don't care much for some of the episodes in recent seasons. But I still respect the series as a whole, including the people who have worked on it and who are working on it.

I was referring to DoTheFartMan when I said that. He seems to enjoy insulting me yet I have the same opinion as you.

[Reply #435 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
Exactly...I have no problem with Eyedol or his review.  Nor do I have any inherit problem with people criticizing the show, as I have done in the past.  The people you accuse of putting Jean on some pedestal have, in most cases, made plenty of criticisms of his episodes, and the general consensus at NHC right now (for instance) is that season 17 has been an overall letdown.  The only people who are "shot down" when they criticize Jean are the ones who's arguments suck to begin with, or whom apparently don't have any real arguments to begin with such as in that silly rant of yours.

What about Kenneth White, RMIII insulted his fan fiction when he critisized the show. Oh, and you accused him of insulting board members when he didnt.

   

Ah here we go, this is what Ken posted in responce to a question about weather a return to the Golden Era was Possible;

Is it possible: yes. Is it possible under Al Jean and the current staff: no.

Seriously, the stuff they're producing today can't even touch the first 8 Seasons at all. Every aspect of the show at the moment is in a rut with problems abound, and there's absolutely no consistency at all. Unless somebody can take charge who can steer it in wise direction, and get rid of the massive tumor of blandtoma, then there's no way the series it going to return to its roots.

I think there's too many young, immature writers involved now who dig the enormously unfunny stylings the show has now, and Al Jean isn't helping by letting it seems almost anything get through. There's no way this show it becoming like the golden age again as long as gags like Bart peeing in Mr. Burns, a break-maker-maker, a walk-in microwave, a model that disappears when she turns, Sprongebob in heaven, Hibbert as a rapper, Apu acting like a stereotyped terrorist, a man in a stupid Burns head, Marge giving Homer the bum's rush into a wall, Homer appearing on a plane's radar system for no reason, the "dances" that Homer made the athletes do, Wiggum's fat growing over his badge, Barney acting like roadrunner, Homer holding up a map far too long, Homer fantasising about being gay with himself, Skinner making-out with a frozen mummy corpse, Homer getting shocked and then brain-damaged by a compliance chip, Burns' lungs acting like an air-bag, a Shaolin monk ripping out Homer's heart, random wacky dragons, Homer smoking butter, Santa's Little Helper flying a plane, "You're gay for Moleman!", 98% of the future gags from Future-Drama, etc, continue to pop up within EVERY episode.

[Reply #436 on:]

Then Jafar posted;
for a comedy, the simpsons sure attracts some incredibly humorless people

To which Kenneth replied with;

If I'm humourless, then why do I still laugh my ass off at most of the episodes from the first 9 Seasons of OFF and almost all of Futurama? And why do I still laugh at them almost just as much now as I did upon first viewing them? Since when has laughing at subtle gags, inspired parodies, biting social satire, in-depth character antics, down-to-earth humour, and gags that made you both laugh and think made you a humourless person?

No... I'm not humourless. I just have a more refined sense of humour. All of the gags I listed above and pathetic and moronic, and I don't see how even somebody with one-tenth of a brain could even find them amusing in the least. And even the best gags they can produce these days only rank up with those at the low end of the scale during the classic years. Subtlety and wit have departed the station long ago.

So if I don't laugh at the pathetic, low-brow, yawn-enducing, hackeneyed, cheap, recycled drivel in the stylings of a cross between the standard US Sitcom and a lame Nickelodeon cartoon aimed at Joe Dumbass of the U.S.A. with an IQ below 50, then I guess I'm just devoid of humour completely, huh?

Sure... you tell yourself that...

Then you, DTBM, posted;

TerrorK, when you're directly insulting everybody who enjoys the current episodes, it's time to stop. I think "American Dad" is one of the most unfunny, worst pieces of shit I've ever seen, but I don't call all the people who watch it dumbasses. I just criticize the show (or at least the pilot, as I'm not enough of a masochist to watch more then two or three episodes, let alone seven seasons in a row.....). Saying that only people with less then "one tenth of a brain" or with "an IQ below 50" enjoy current Simpsons humor is just insulting and degrading.

Humor is subjective. But if you seriously think Sideshow Bob stepping on zillions of rakes, "Rain Man" randomly showing up at a casino for no reason, a tornado scooping up Patty and Selma, Homer being slammed into the house on a wrecking ball, James Bond being killed, Milhouse plunging down a waterfall, yadayadayada qualify as "subtle gags, inspired parodies, biting social satire, in-depth character antics, down-to-earth humour, and gags that made you both laugh and think", you're looking at the classic era with seriously rose-colored glasses.

Yes, the show isn't as consistently smart or funny as it used to be. To answer the thread's question, no, I can't see the show returning to "classic level" again overall. But I have yet to see any posts from you that don't hold the classic episodes on some exxagerated pedestal that even they couldn't consistently live up to in real life, or anything that warrants you insulting other people.
_____________________________ _____________________________ Case closed.   

[Reply #437 on:]

Jesus H. Christ....

   

Originally posted by Yardstick2006:
 I was referring to DoTheFartMan

Hehe...

   

What about Kenneth White, RMIII insulted his fan fiction when he critisized the show.

I was making a general statement, I didn't mean that people are absolutely never insulted even when they have valid complaints.  And RogerMyersIII, first of all, is an exception in that he will sometimes make statements that are uncalled for, as I too felt his attacks on Ken's/Terrork's fan-fiction were uncalled for.  He's also by no means your average "fan", in that he has direct connections to the show (won't say exactly which, but it's more than well known that he has connections).  Jafar can also be something of an exception, though not really very often (and he's hugely critical of Jean  a lot of the time, so he's hardly some Jean-loving fanboy.  He only goes after someone if, again, their arguments are really stupid or flawed)  And TerrorK, in all honesty, is a member who's known for having flawed and exxagerated arguments and often inventing them as he goes along.  I have nothing against the guy really, but he does tend to at least indirectly insult other members as he did there (last June...how much digging did you have to do for that post, anyway?).  Regardless, he has never been "shot down" because he is still on some level capable of holding a debate and forming arguments for his opinions.  Since you seem to have plagarized some of his writing I would tend to doubt you're able to do the same.

And you might want to try using quotes.  Those posts are a mess.

[Reply #438 on:]

I will concede that the Show has picked up scince the Scully Era. And there are some things that TerrorK has said that I do not agree with [his dislike of Fraudcast News being a prime example]and his stance on movie parodies; I can sort of see where he was coming from but he was just grasping at straws. This was understadable. When the show started slipping I coould not diside what it was that was wrong, so it was not just Kenneth.

[Reply #439 on:]

That Willie episode was the worst episode of any show I ever saw. They even made fun of the same song that was already made fun of in Family Guy.