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Author Topic: Simpsons Season 15 Review Thread: Crap... or not?  (Read 21867 times)
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Shadowstar

Liquid Emperor
**
« on: 11-02-2003 20:56 »
« Last Edit on: 11-04-2003 00:00 »

OK, here we go. Another season, more maaaddness!
"Treehouse of Horror XIV"
Intro: Eh, I didn't really like this one. For the exception of Kang and Kodos:
Kang: Pathetic humans! They're showing a Halloween episode... in November!
Kodos: Who's concerned about Halloween anymore? We already have our Christmas decorations up!
Certainly not the greatest.
"Reaper Madness": Eh, nothing real great. They used the same running around the place joke as they did last season, but I still laughed, since this one was in a more sensible situation. It seemed like an unoriginal plot to begin with, but it wasn't completely awful, so I'll give it a 2/5.
"Frinkenstein": I was really looking foward to this, but it wasn't as great as I'd expected. Jerry Lewis as Frink Sr. was OK, but not that funny. But I still laughed a few times, like at Frink's hammer/screwdriver. 1.5/5.
"Stop the World, I Want to Goof Off": Despite its extremely overdone premise, this was probably my favorite. Sure, I knew that Bart would stop time to pull Skinner's pants down, but I didn't seem to mind. All the things Bart and Milhouse freezed and their outcomes were great. And the ending with the alternate versions was good, although I was reminded of "The Farnsworth Parabox" with the bobbleheaded family. 2.5/5
Overall: Oy, this year's gonna be like next year: nothin' special, a few laughs here and there, nothing really memorable. I had to rack my brain to think of the first segment of last year's Halloween special, and I can think of the specials from years ago fine. Maybe that's because I have the complete guides, but my point is still valid! Also, yay! The Halloween "spooky" names are back!
Final Grade: 2/5
EDIT: After watching it again, I've changed it dramatically.
John C
Starship Captain
****
« Reply #1 on: 11-02-2003 21:08 »

I wasn't very impressed with this episode. Was the Frink one supposed to be emotional, or something? STWIWTGO had some good moments, though, but nothing exciting.
Dose_Me_Up

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #2 on: 11-02-2003 21:16 »

How is a Clockstoppers parody a horror story?! Lamest halloween special ever.
winna

Avatar Czar
DOOP Ubersecretary
**
« Reply #3 on: 11-02-2003 21:28 »

I was gonna start this thread  :p 
Anyways this Halloween is the same as the last few, just very MEH.  It was ok though, I suppose THoH was cursed when they decided they could show it after halloween (although that very joke about it was funny)...
I am very MEHed....
El Zilcho

Professor
*
« Reply #4 on: 11-02-2003 21:30 »
« Last Edit on: 11-02-2003 21:30 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Dose_Me_Up:
How is a Clockstoppers parody a horror story?! Lamest halloween special ever.
It was kinda "Twilight Zone-y" with the watch breaking, but other than that, no reason.

As for my review, I thought it was like an average Simpsons ep. At times I wanted to shoot the TV, and at other times I was laughing my ass off ("I wanna be Death again. That was cool.", "You're not Doug.", etc.).

EDIT: For the record, I loved the scene with Homer trying to eat the donuts.
homerjaysimpson

Space Pope
****
« Reply #5 on: 11-02-2003 22:21 »

Is it just me or did the first story remind you of that Family guy ep where Peter was death?

It sucked ass and was lame. That's why I don't watch the Simpsons as much anymore.
Futurama_Hil

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #6 on: 11-02-2003 22:30 »

Pfft, I didn't bother to watch it tonight. And I certainly won't go out of my way to see more.

It's been quite a while since I've watched this show, even the classics.
Slashco

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #7 on: 11-03-2003 00:19 »

I might have cracked a smile once or twice, but overall this was a pretty lame episode. Not that I've enjoyed a new episode in a long time. I actually watched a much older one today (the one where Bart gets a Big Brother) and was really struck by how much funnier it was, how well it was put together and how well the story flowed. These days it's like they are not even trying anymore.
Action Jacktion

Professor
*
« Reply #8 on: 11-03-2003 00:33 »
« Last Edit on: 11-03-2003 00:33 »

The last segment was based on an old Twilight Zone called "A Kind of Stopwatch," though that episode ended with the watch breaking.  But there have been several other stories about time-stopping watches.

And though there have been many stories about ordinary people becoming Death, or Death losing its power, the first segment was very similar in structure to that Family Guy episode.  I don't think they deliberately ripped it off, but they should have tried to make theirs a bit more different.
mjsmith

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #9 on: 11-03-2003 00:53 »

I LOL at bits of the final segment. Haven't have a good laugh in a while!

Kang & Kodos' Christmas is great, too.
Donbot

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #10 on: 11-03-2003 01:37 »
« Last Edit on: 11-03-2003 01:37 »

Here's my look:

Intro (Candy): 1.5/5
Intro (Kang & Kodos) 5/5

Reaper Madness: 2/5 Something was lacking. And they hyped it too much. Otherwise it was great.  And just to make things clear, this was not a ripoff of the Family Guy episode.  The Family Guy episode riped off the movie "Reaper Madness" released somewhere Late 50's-Early 60's.

Frinkenstein: 3/5 It delivered what I expected when I heard about it last year.  And it was better than most people think.  It may be long, no jokes, pointless special guests excluding Jerry Lewis, but I think it was an interesting story.

Stop the World, I want to Goof Off: 4.5/5 I have one word. Excellent!

Extra Credit: Scary names are back!     :D

Final Score: 4/5

Final Statement:

 It certainly made up for last year's disgrace (Excluding "Send in the Clones." ) It may not be the best, but it's definately a boost in the show's quality. Ladies and Gentlemen, a lot of the dismissable effects of the Scully reign have finally worn off.     :D  It may not be "The Shinning" or "Terror at 5 1/2 Feet," but it's definately a start for them to get working again.  Maybe it's a sign of hope.

boingo2000

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #11 on: 11-03-2003 08:18 »
« Last Edit on: 11-03-2003 08:18 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by homerjaysimpson:
Is it just me or did the first story remind you of that Family guy ep where Peter was death?

Yes, especially the part where death tripped over the chair ("Oh, crap, he's hurt his ankle, now Homer'll have to be death..." was my exact thought).  Watching this episode, it's clear the Simpons are on a decline from their glory years.

HOWEVER, they're still funny.  When the Simpsons start out-and-out sucking (ie, you can play any given episode of Full House against the latest Simpsons and say Full House was funnier) they should go, but in the meantime, if they'd rather fade away then burn out, that's their call.  I'm still going to be watching.Anyway...
Intro/Candy: 0/5.  So forced and unfunny.
Intro/Kang & Kodos: 4/5.  Very funny, if only 'cause I was thinking the same thing.
Reeper Madness: 2.5/5.  Funny, but only just.  Homer being the Grim Reaper never went anywhere, and the segment had the most pathetic ending ever.
Frinkenstein: 3/5.  Prof. Fink has a middle name, and it's Nerdelbaum!
Stop the World, I Want to Goof Off: 4.5/5.  But why Martin?  Wouldn't Ralph have been funnier?

Overall: 3.5/5.  Becuse that's what I get when I add up the total and divide by 4.
bankrupt

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #12 on: 11-03-2003 08:27 »

I thought the THOH episode was, gasp, pretty good.  I'm glad I watched it. 
leelaholic

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #13 on: 11-03-2003 08:50 »
« Last Edit on: 11-03-2003 08:50 »

It was pretty good. The best one being the Clockstoppers segment. It was pretty funny casting Jerry Louis as Frink's father (but kinda obvious when you think about it          ;) ). It was great when Homer randomly commented "I wish I was death again. That was cool." The ending was strange, there's no doubt of that, but it was still funny.

---------------------------------------------
Intro [candy]: 3/5 (Bart: You thieveing hussy!)
Intro [Kang and Kodos]: 5/5 (Kang: Halloween special in November??)

Reaper Madness: 3/5 (Homer: 'scuse me, comin' through, you're dead)

Frinkenstein: 2.5/5 (Agnes: Lost your spine, eh? You just keep finding ways to disappoint me.)

Stop the world, I want to goof off: 4/5 (Milhouse: Can I punch him for a while?)

Best moments: Homer trying to eat the donuts, the grim reaper chase scene, Kang and Kodos' Christmas, Bart putting Lisa's finger up her nose (for some reason), Frink's hammer/screwdriver, Homer killing Patty, Milhouse having a change purse, etc.
Nurdbot

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #14 on: 11-03-2003 12:41 »

Wow, if those are the best moments I can find better things to watch at 6:30.
Otis P Jivefunk

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #15 on: 11-03-2003 14:10 »

The Treehouse of Horror eps are the only ones I bother taking the effort to watch anymore, and even those are slipping. I haven't seen this one yet, and since Futurama finished, I ditched Sky One, so I guess I'll have to 'aquire' it  ;)
Evil Fox Exec

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #16 on: 11-03-2003 15:52 »

I missed this episode on purpose.  And judging from the reviews, I made a very wise decision.
FishyJoe

Honorary German
Urban Legend
***
« Reply #17 on: 11-03-2003 17:00 »

I've seen worse halloween specials. This one had some funny parts, but it certainly didn't convince me that the show is as good as the classic seasons, or even that it's worth watching now. It still had some Scully-esque problems. They still can't come up with decent episode endings(after each of the three segments, everyone in the room was left saying "...um...ok." ).

And I figured the over-use of Frink was a Scully-specific problem, but no. All the writers seem to love him. I like the "wacky scientist" character, but it's not funny when he just stands there doing Jerry Lewis-isms for the entire show. His segment was annoying, and I can't remember any funny jokes.

The time-stopping one was probably the best, but I feel like they could have gone a lot farther with the premise. The donut scene, with Homer stabbing himself with a banana and Nelson laughing at him, was really the only moment where I felt they properly exploited the premise. Everything else was too tame and predictable(Lisa picking her nose, pulling Skinner's pants down).
Jeremy

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #18 on: 11-03-2003 17:24 »

Milhouse was gold. Gold! The rest was meh.
winna

Avatar Czar
DOOP Ubersecretary
**
« Reply #19 on: 11-03-2003 17:41 »

There was one line that seemed kinda funny... "At least you stopped me and made a man out of yourself.  Now it's time for me to die AND go to hell" 

Also the Kang & Kodos commenting on Halloween special in November because you know that EVERYONE is thinking that.  That's what's got me off THoH a little bit, last year I was like, DAMN that is soooo much BULLSHIT, who the hell do they think they are, The Simpsons or something?
Action Jacktion

Professor
*
« Reply #20 on: 11-03-2003 18:19 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by FishyJoe:
And I figured the over-use of Frink was a Scully-specific problem, but no. All the writers seem to love him. I like the "wacky scientist" character, but it's not funny when he just stands there doing Jerry Lewis-isms for the entire show. His segment was annoying, and I can't remember any funny jokes.
They might have just wanted Hank Azaria to have something to do.  Ever notice how often Moe and Apu show up for no reason?  I don't think any other Azaria characters had big parts in this episode.
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #21 on: 11-03-2003 19:15 »

Winna:  Its not thier fault, Fox  has been airing the THOH episodes late because of the world series.  The producers are very frustrated with it I would imagine.

Anyways, I'll just quickly paraphrase what I've said at the No Homers forum by saying that this one was very uneven and forgettable, and seemed to switch quickly between the hilarious and the horribly unfunny.  Not as bad as last year's debacle, or even neccasarily bad at all, but still only a C/C+ overall.
newhook_1

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #22 on: 11-03-2003 22:24 »

I really liked Reaper Madness and Stop The World I Want to get off. But I dispise Frinkenstien just seems pointless. I agree it's not up to classic quality but it is still quite enjoyable.
Just Chris

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #23 on: 11-03-2003 23:26 »

I like it that they're going back to traditional Haloween themes again, but the writers are even running ideas about those. They should spoof recent popular horror movies or TV shows, like Buffy.
leelaholic

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #24 on: 11-04-2003 08:56 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Nurdbot:
Wow, if those are the best moments I can find better things to watch at 6:30.

A lot of those need to actually be watched to get the full effect. The biggest example being Homer trying to eat the donuts....



Shadowstar

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #25 on: 11-04-2003 12:24 »

Changed my grades lower after watching it again. I cannot believe that the John Swartzwelder who wrote "Homer's Enemy," "You Only Move Twice," and part of "Treehouse of Horror VI" is also responsible for "The Computer Wore Menace Shoes," "Simpsons Safari" and now this. It's amazing how low some great writer can go.
User_names_suck
Professor
*
« Reply #26 on: 11-04-2003 13:30 »

the computer wore menace shoes was brilliant, a little too wacky but brilliant, but also
when it says written by the've really only wrote about 40% of the finished product there ;ots of contributions from other writers
Mouse On Venus

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #27 on: 11-04-2003 13:33 »

I would assume that the general plot of the episode comes from the writer concerned though.
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #28 on: 11-04-2003 15:05 »
« Last Edit on: 11-04-2003 15:05 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Just Chris:
I like it that they're going back to traditional Haloween themes again, but the writers are even running ideas about those. They should spoof recent popular horror movies or TV shows, like Buffy.

ICK, I hate it when they spoof really recent stuff.  Some stuff lasts but a lot of it doesn't.  No one is going to remember Buffy in 5-10 years.  I repeat what I said in another thread,alot of the problem with these THOHs is that they're going for the WRONG things to spoof, IE Harry Potter a couple years back.  Too recent and often they have nothing to do with Halloween.  There's still plenty of older stuff, like various Hitchcock movies, other Twilight Zone episodes, and "The Exorcist" that they haven't even touched.

 
Quote
Originally posted by Mouse On Venus:
I would assume that the general plot of the episode comes from the writer concerned though.

Sorta, sorta not.  Its hard to say because it varies so much.  User Name's is right that the writer will only write about 40% of the script, but what he forgot to mention is that that is AT THE MOST.  The credited writer could have come up with the basic synopsis and nothing else, and still be the credited writer.  The writing of the show is so team-oriented.  In the case of Swartzwelder, he's actually a unique case in that he doesn't visit the Simpsons studio much if at all.  He worked out some deal that allows him to write episodes from home.  Thus, any re-writes that go on with his scripts (and you can bet there's going to be tons of re-writes, same with any other episode) he isn't even there to do any of the re-writing.

Who knows?  The script for "Simpsons Safari" could have been a down to earth vacation episode for all we know.
leelaholic

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #29 on: 11-05-2003 08:45 »
« Last Edit on: 11-05-2003 08:45 »

I had some free time so I listed all the THOH stories in order from best to worst.

Time and Punishment
The Shinning
Stop the world, I want to goof off
Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace
Send in the clones
Nightmare Cafiteria
Bart Simpson's Dracula
Homer Cubed
Attack of the 50 foot eyesores
The devil and Homer Simpson
Nightmare at 5 1/2 feet
Bad dream house
Clown without pity
Hungry are the damned
King Homer
Bart's Nightmare (special powers)
Dial "Z" for zombie
Homer's Nightmare (robot)
Lisa's Nightmare (monkey's paw)
The Raven
The genesis tub
The thing and I
Citizen Kang
Reaper Madness
Wiz Kids
The Homega man
Easy bake coven
House of whacks
Hell toupee
The terrors of tiny toon
Desperately xeeking Xena
Hex and the city
Life's a glitch, then you die
Fly vs Fly
Starship Poopers
I know what you diddly-iddly-did
Scary tales can come true
Night of the dolphin
Gun recall
The island of Dr Hibbert
G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad
User_names_suck
Professor
*
« Reply #30 on: 11-05-2003 14:00 »

swartzwelder may actually be responsible for some of the craziness, on the s3 dvd commentary for homer at the bat (which he wrote) they say it was his idea for the "mystery spot" where one of the players seems to fall through to another dimension they say they discussed whether it was too crazy, as its hard to come back from that sort of thing once you've done it. , and in dog of death homer fantasy of winning the lottery, where he gets bigger with every shot and is made of gold, and the ending in brother can you spare two dimes, with the baby traslator never returns
Shadowstar

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #31 on: 11-05-2003 15:24 »

Yes, Swartzwelder was responsible for many great things in the past (I LOVE the lottery fantasy, it's so hilarious), but he's been in the sun so long now, his eyes have burned out.
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #32 on: 11-05-2003 18:56 »
« Last Edit on: 11-05-2003 18:56 »

Swartzwelder does tend to be one of the wackier writers, can't dispute that.  Just emphasizing that we don't KNOW what's his falut and what isn't.  I'm sure a lot of the failed jokes in this THOH had nothing to do with him.  For instance, I'm actually pretty sure (based on the original synopsis) that the ending to "Stop the World" did NOT come from him.

Edit: Ya know, for that matter, we don't know how much of his old scripts were even his.  He might've written five lines into "Homer at the Bat".  He could've been one of the weakest writers, saved by good writing on the part of the other writers.  We really don't know for sure other then the small tidbits in the commentaries.  Ever notice how silent the writers are in those commentaries, in fact?
User_names_suck
Professor
*
« Reply #33 on: 11-05-2003 20:02 »

well it could have to do with who was showrunner, and the other producers and writers involved in his writng, at earlier stages some of the crazy stuff could have been refused that wouldn't be now. its probably a combination of various factors.
grunka_lunka

Delivery Boy
**
« Reply #34 on: 11-06-2003 18:52 »

Of course THoH IV wasn't classic, but it was still worth watching. I dont' think the Simpsons has ever reached the point where it's not worth watching. Every episode I've seen has something great in it, whether the overall result is great or not.

Reaper Madness-
Highlights:
Lisa: "You've created a world without death!"
Homer: "Does this mean they'll never cancel the Jim Belushi show?"
  :laff:
Homer: "Jaaasper, youu time has come!"
Jasper: Where's the regular guy? Where's Doug?
Homer: Nevermind, I'm Death now.
Jasper: Aww. I liked Doug.
  :laff:
God being stopped by the train.
  :laff:
Probably my favorite one. The plot may not have been great, but it made me laugh the most, with a few great bits and one-liners.
3/5

Frinkenstien-
Highlights:
Frink's hammer/screwdriver ("It was a slow year" ).
  :laff:
Frink: "Now, we had to replace several vital organs with machinery, but that doesn't make you any less of a man. (pause) Except.....you have no penis. In the, uh, traditional sense."
  :laff:
Homer: "I wish I was Death again. That was cool."
  :laff:
Otherwise, pretty lame.
2/5

Stop the World, I Wanna Goof Off
Highlights
Lisa: Why can't I tinker with the fabric of existence?"
Sideshow Mel: "Let us kill them before learning of the magical secret they possess!"
Homer's donut sequence, especially stabbing himself with a banana and Nelson appearing.
Otherwise okay, with a few lame parts.
2.5/5
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #35 on: 11-06-2003 19:15 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by User_names_suck:
well it could have to do with who was showrunner, and the other producers and writers involved in his writng, at earlier stages some of the crazy stuff could have been refused that wouldn't be now. its probably a combination of various factors.

Good point there.  Also note that while Swartzwelder's scripts have tended to be the wackier ones in the new Jean era, they're considerably less wacky then in the Scully era, when Scully was allowing practically anything to happen on the show.

leelaholic

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #36 on: 11-10-2003 08:40 »

Too lazy to retype, I'll just cut and paste what I said at NHC (my name there, BTW, is "Alpha Homega" )

Okay, Homer finds a subliminal message. A little far fetched (although I loved the needlessly long message at the end. LOL). I thought this episode had some funny moments.

Mona: Bart, are you still the little hellraiser?

Bart: (sweetly) Yes'm.

Although I'm glad that grandma Simpson didn't die, I thought her escape was a little strange (although not much stranger than Skinner's escape from "Bart the murderer" ). Say, is this next part just me?

"WOO HOO! Mom finally stoped caring!"

Sounds like Nancy stopped caring. What was up with that freaky sounding Bart voice??

Shadowstar

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #37 on: 11-10-2003 12:32 »

YAY! At least someone cares about bumping my thread.
"My Mother the Carjacker"
A massive improvement from last week's. Sure the whole beginning was a little weird, but it was still kinda funny. Homer going through the articles he thought were mistakes reminded me of the Conan O'Brien show. Bart kicking into a "World's Best Grandma" sweater was great. A problem I had was that the moment was too sentimental to have Homer hugging a bum. Writers, it is possible to have at least a minute with no jokes. And so the episode goes on. The second act was good, no real bad things about it. The montage with mother and son was great, especially Mona teaching Homer to ride a bike, and then he ends up riding aimlessly on the freeway. Burns, Grampa, and Snake had their moments. Third act was also good. I love this line: "I hope this bus ride never ends... 'cause I'm getting executed when I get off." I actually thought that Mona could be dead, but thank God she wasn't, or this episode would have sucked AND blew. It was kind of cold that even though her body wasn't in it, that her coffin rolled out on the highway. The end message was pretty good too. In the end, this episode was of course NOT better than "Mother Simpson" (you cannot beat that heartfelt ending where Homer sits on the back of his car watching the starry sky when his mother leaves). But, it was a good conclusion to the whole thing, I guess. Homer was just right: he wasn't a jackass, and he wasn't ultra-sensitive. So, this ep gets a 3.5/5.
El Zilcho

Professor
*
« Reply #38 on: 11-10-2003 12:37 »

^ I agree with everything he just said.
 
Quote
Originally posted by Shadowstar:
Writers, it is possible to have at least a minute with no jokes.
Hey, this ain't Futurama we're talking about.
User_names_suck
Professor
*
« Reply #39 on: 11-10-2003 13:10 »

well simpsons used to though, but i usually dont like emotion.
I'd heard a rumour that she would die so i came here to find out, i'm quite glad now
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