Simpsons Season 15 Review Thread: Crap... or not?

[Reply #520 on:]

No, it was observational.

[Reply #521 on:]

To be fair though, Maggie is much more integral to the show then Snowball II.  Evidentally they decided to play around a little with continuity in regards to the family cat, but they would never kill Maggie and "replace her" with an identical baby.  That would be too horrifying to people.

Although, I believe "South Park" eventually pulled a similar stunt where it was "revealed" that Kenny's parents kept having identical children.  But obviously the audience doesn't have the same attachment to South Park's characters (especcially since Kenny dies everytime anyway) as they do with The Simpsons characters.

[Reply #522 on:]

No, of course they wouldn't. I realise that. To quote from South Park, "Y'know, I think death is least funny when it happens to a child."

 'cept of course when Cubert gets stabbed. 

[Reply #523 on:]

I just read the first few pages of this thread and they are HORRIBLE! Everyone was bashing the show (even more than usual), even greatness like "My Mother the Carjacker". Everyone was overly critical of the show, I acted like a jerk, it was horrible!

[Reply #524 on:]

Season fifteen DEFINEATLY isn't perfect, but it sure is better than seasons ten through fourteen. Is the show slowly gaining some of its old quality?

[Reply #525 on:]

...O, wait, I forgot that I hated the s15 Christmas Special, 'IDo'hBot', s15 Treehouse, 'The Regina Monologues', 'The Fat and the Furriest', and 'Today I am A Clown'... Well, at least I enjoyed 'Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays' and 'The President wore Pearls'. Those two were the only things I liked this season, but combined they still manage to surpass season 14 so I guess there still may be a chance.

[Reply #526 on:]

I think this season is better than season 14, but not as good as season 13. I really enjoyed most of Season 13.
 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
Although, I believe "South Park" eventually pulled a similar stunt where it was "revealed" that Kenny's parents kept having identical children. But obviously the audience doesn't have the same attachment to South Park's characters (especcially since Kenny dies everytime anyway) as they do with The Simpsons characters.

I'll give you that. It was very ironic in the ep "Kenny Dies" where Kenny did permanently die, that everyone cared about it. I was touched by it. (although Kenny maaagiicaally reappeared at the end of Season 6)

[Reply #527 on:]

 

Originally posted by can't_read:
Is the show slowly gaining some of its old quality?

No.  It's nothing like the old episodes.

The quality that it's gaining is a different quality.

[Reply #528 on:]

Well I think a better way of putting it is that show feels different in different seasons obviously because of the showrunner and the other writers.
Season 7 and 8 feel very very different to season 3 and 4 but It doesn't mean its a decline.

Even season 9 and 10 feel different to 11 and 12
even though scully was running them all
And although obviously the scully years marked a decline,and had cruder humour and overly wacky stories it still partly comes down to a different feel to the show, humour is quite subjective and its not just a case of things being intellegent and dumb. In its humour

changing to south park I'm quite amazed that people would get that angry.even the nerdy fans just seem to want the catchphrases although I watching I didn't know they weren't intending to bring him back next week. so I just found it so hilarious
Did other people know it was serious

[Reply #529 on:]

 

Originally posted by leelaholic:
I just read the first few pages of this thread and they are HORRIBLE! Everyone was bashing the show (even more than usual), even greatness like "My Mother the Carjacker". Everyone was overly critical of the show, I acted like a jerk, it was horrible!

Well they were the jerks that post pointless crap like "The simpsons is shit now its unwatchable" Not giving any argument or reason for it, so I think it could probably excuse you being a jerk.

[Reply #530 on:]

 

Originally posted by can't_read:
...O, wait, I forgot that I hated the s15 Christmas Special, 'IDo'hBot', s15 Treehouse, 'The Regina Monologues', 'The Fat and the Furriest', and 'Today I am A Clown'... Well, at least I enjoyed 'Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays' and 'The President wore Pearls'. Those two were the only things I liked this season, but combined they still manage to surpass season 14 so I guess there still may be a chance.

WTF? You hated ALL of the good episodes and one bad one, but you loved the worst episode and one good one?   
 

Originally posted by Shady:
I'll give you that. It was very ironic in the ep "Kenny Dies" where Kenny did permanently die, that everyone cared about it. I was touched by it. (although Kenny maaagiicaally reappeared at the end of Season 6)

Oh my God! They killed Kenny #376! You bastards!!

[Reply #531 on:]

It is a good point that the style has been very different in various eras of the show.  I think each different showrunner(s) has tried to put their own take on the show's style, so while 3-4 aren't a vastly different show from 7-8 there are certain stylistic things that each of those eras do not entirely share.  The only showrunner that I think completely missed the point and went too far out of pure Simpsons style is Scully, even if Jean's era has suffered a bit from inconsistancy.

In regards to "South Park", I've seen most of the shows I've seen (which is a little over 50 of them) completely out of order, and actually knew of Kenny's "permenant" passing originally because of entertainment news reports that reported on it.  Personally I don't think it was a bad change.  Kenny's deaths are only sporadically funny to me (I like the phrase, but can often see the death coming a mile away.  Its only really funny if they suprise me), and Butters on the other hand is hilarious.

[Reply #532 on:]

 

Originally posted by leelaholic:
WTF? You hated ALL of the good episodes and one bad one, but you loved the worst episode and one good one?   

Different people have different opinions, just because you liked them doesn't mean others did. I mean, take "That's Lobstertainment", it's rated as one of the worst episodes of all time but yet every so often you find someone that liked/loved that episode.

Also, what was the "bad one" he hated on that list?

[Reply #533 on:]

 

Originally posted by aslate:
Also, what was the "bad one" he hated on that list?

"The Fat and the Furriest".

Of course, by "bad one", I mean "not as good as the others". It was okay, I guess.

[Reply #534 on:]

I found "The Reginal Monolouges" (The one where they go to the UK) to be really bad, it was nasty!

[Reply #535 on:]

What was wrong with it? I thought it was actually an okay episode. Not as good as most of S15, but still pretty good.

[Reply #536 on:]

Badly written, rushed plot and extremely un-funny. I just found it really poorly done.

[Reply #537 on:]

The scene with Sir Ian was the best thing all season, so far.

[Reply #538 on:]

Yeah I'm not sure it was the 'best' part
 I did find the episode very enjoyable though I'm not sure why

[Reply #539 on:]

The entire episode of Carjacker is the best moment this season.

[Reply #540 on:]

I think you overrate that episode too much, leelaholic. It was good in all, but... dude.
And also, why do you people like "Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, etc."? It was horrible! The plot made absolutely no sense, and even that would have been OK if the episode were funny, but it wasn't! The only funny part was at Luigi's with the pan-out revealing that everyone has left when Marge mentions donations, that Marge has left when Luigi presents her with the bill, and when Luigi has left being about to be deported.

[Reply #541 on:]

Its Kind of odd if it is bad, I haven't seen it yet but it was written by jon vitti I think You'd think someone who was there from the beginning would be better, well everyones gets allowed one stinker I guess

[Reply #542 on:]

 

Originally posted by Shadowstar:
I think you overrate that episode too much, leelaholic. It was good in all, but... dude.

Possibly 
 

And also, why do you people like "Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, etc."? It was horrible!

Agreed. Maybe not horrible, but still pretty bad.

[Reply #543 on:]

 

Originally posted by user_names_suck:
Its Kind of odd if it is bad, I haven't seen it yet but it was written by jon vitti I think You'd think someone who was there from the beginning would be better, well everyones gets allowed one stinker I guess

Yeah, I sure hope Vitti isn't suffering from Swartzwelder-syndrome.

[Reply #544 on:]

Well, Vitti did write "Weekend at Burnsie's", which was very good.

[Reply #545 on:]

 

Originally posted by leelaholic:
Well, Vitti did write "Weekend at Burnsie's", which was very good.

 

I guess "very good" and "the episode that was so bad, it'd be in my bottom 5 of all time" are synonymous in your world.

[Reply #546 on:]

Wow. I thought that one was season 13's best next to "I Am Furious Yellow".

Well, to each their own.

[Reply #547 on:]

Sorry. Lame pot humor just doesn't do it for me. And I liked "Half-Baked," too.

In case you're curious, and so we can get on the same page, these are my 5 least favorite Simpsons' episodes.

1. the one where Bart joins a boy band*
2. the one where Marge hosts the convict*
3. "Kill the Alligator and Run"
4. "Weekend at Burnsie's"
5. "Simpson Tall Tales"

* - these are the only two episodes that I, a life-long Simpsons fan, have been unable to sit through. I hate them that much.

[Reply #548 on:]

 

Originally posted by evan:
1. the one where Bart joins a boy band
2. the one where Marge hosts the convict

Titles:

1. "New Kids on the Blecch"
2. "Pokey Mom"

My bottom 5:

1. "Tennis the Menace"
2. "Simpsons Safari"
3. "Kill the Alligator and Run"
4. "Pray Anything"
5. "New Kids on the Blecch"

[Reply #549 on:]

What about that one where they go on the reality TV show, that were pretty crap.

[Reply #550 on:]

I couldn't sit thought that one.

Also the one with the cowboy guy in it and the one with bart getting the horse those where pure crap.

[Reply #551 on:]

 

Originally posted by Shadowstar:

Yeah, I sure hope Vitti isn't suffering from Swartzwelder-syndrome.

I'd say he's probably suffering from writers-don't-actually-write-most-of-the-episodes-they're-credited-with syndrome.

Although apparently Vitti did pitch the "Marge vs" plot much the way it ended up, but that doesn't mean that even more the one or two of the jokes were his.

[Reply #552 on:]

 

Originally posted by leelaholic:
 My bottom 5:

1. "Tennis the Menace"

I totally agree here.  This is the episode that convinced me the show had lost it.  My number two selection would be "Marge vs. blah, blah, etc." from this season.

[Reply #553 on:]

My bottom five eps are:

1) The one where they go to Brazil
2) The one with REM
3) Pokey Mom
4) Missionary Impossible
5) Latest Gun in the West

Utter shit.

[Reply #554 on:]

No most of those are alright
my bottom 5

are
1) Pray Anything
2) helter shelter (I think the reality t.v one0
3) brawl in the family (the one with the social worker homer think is an angel
4) large marge
5) The strong arms of ma

Well the first 3 were easy the next two were harder
strange actually no scully episodes were in my bottom 5

[Reply #555 on:]

I wouldn't say it's the worst episode ever, but "Latest Gun in the West" was still pretty bad. But I always laugh when Buck at the end yells, "Goodbye Bart! Never bother me again! Yeee-ha!" and then gallops off to his house. But then Bart gets chased by that dog for no reason. How dumb.
I'd like to do bottom fives, but it'd be best if I acquire the early season 14's like "Helther Shelther" and "Pray Anything" which everyone hates, because I don't remember if I thought they were OK or bad.
PS: "Diatribe of a Mad Housewife" is on tonight. Sounds like utter crap, but eh, who knows, it might be OK.

[Reply #556 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
 I'd say he's probably suffering from writers-don't-actually-write-most-of-the-episodes-they're-credited-with syndrome.

Although apparently Vitti did pitch the "Marge vs" plot much the way it ended up, but that doesn't mean that even more the one or two of the jokes were his.

Oh, here we go again... 

 You know what: if you're stupid enough to allow your name to be put on a bad script you didn't write then you deserve all the abuse you get. The writer is the ambassador of the episode, we blame everything on him/her. End of story. 

[Reply #557 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
No most of those are alright

You've got to be kidding me...

[Reply #558 on:]

 

Originally posted by Mouse On Venus:
 Oh, here we go again...   

 You know what: if you're stupid enough to allow your name to be put on a bad script you didn't write then you deserve all the abuse you get. The writer is the ambassador of the episode, we blame everything on him/her. End of story.   

Most of its just legal stuff though, dealing with the dispension of money.  In most cases they probably don't get to choose which episodes have their names on them.  If they pitched the idea, its automatically their credited episode, regardless of how much of the final script is actually their's.  I guess they could pull their names off, but...most of these writers are not rich and they need to make their living somehow....

Now, I'm not saying that you can't blame a writer sometimes for their credited episode.  But its important to at least consider that very little of the final episode could be their's.

Edit: Here's a (fake obviously) phone conversation that describes the situation pretty accurately, at least in the Scully era.  It was written and posted by an NHC member, and is supposedly between Mike Scully and John Swartzwelder.

*phone rings, it is answered*
MIKE : WAZZZAPPPPP!!!!
JOHN : Uh, hi, Mike. How....how are you?
MIKE : WAZZZZAPPPP!!!!
JOHN : Yeah, great, uh I have some story ideas to pitch.
MIKE : Ooooh. I like stories, John, you know I like stories, hit me with em.
JOHN : Well, I have an idea for some good political satire, first of all Krusty r --
MIKE : Uh, satire John? I mean, what is satire? I mean really John, what?
JOHN : Wha...wha....what is satire? Umm.....
MIKE : Satire's boring, John. Kids these days don't want politics. Politics sucks. Kids these days, they want to see an outrageous everyday family doing crazy things, they wanna see riots, they wanna see funny animals, they wanna see boobs.
JOHN : They...they do?
MIKE : Yeah, yeah, of course. So what I was thinking was, me and the guys, we got some ideas about the Simpsons having this crazy trip to Africa, with hippos and giraffes coming from eggs and stuff, and some crazy riverboat adventure.
JOHN : Ohh...kay.
MIKE : And we wanna get Kid Rock on the show.
JOHN : Who?
MIKE : Kid Rock!! The baddest motherfucker in the whole wide world DUDE!! Jesus, John, you're such a fuckin' square.
JOHN : Uh right, sure Mike, whatever, so what else you got?
MIKE : Well we wanna send the family to Florida, where Homer gets to party with the Spring Break guys, gets drunk, and kills someone. Then the family have got the cops chasing them, they have to hide out with some crazy Southern folk who fuck their sisters, y'know. Do you think you could do anything with any of those ideas?
JOHN : Well, I, I, but I really had a good idea for --
MIKE : Look John, I'm a busy man. I have to fit about eighteen celebrities into our superbowl show's plot, and later I'm gonna put some eggs in the microwave to see if they explode, heheh.
JOHN : Um....sure....sure, Mike, I think I can do something, I guess.....

[Reply #559 on:]

Well thats quite unfair really but funny

I always imagine Swartzwelder to be much more weird, well Herman is supposed to look a bit like him exept swartzwelder has both arms.
 

Originally posted by Otis P Jivefunk:
 You've got to be kidding me...

well really just the one with r.e.m I thought was alright
Going to africa was worse than brazil
Pokey mom was actually one of the more down to earth episodes of the scully era.
and Basically those episodes had a couple of redeeming features