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

[Reply #560 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
 well really just the one with r.e.m I thought was alright

I couldn't get past the fact that it just seemed to recycle various elements of 'Flaming Moe's', and turn them into crap. I just didn't find it funny, and it bored me. Each to their own I guess.

[Reply #561 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
  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....

 Where do you get this stuff from?! 

 To be honest, I'm pretty sure that in many cases the idea for the story doesn't come from the "writer". Let's be honest, in terms of Futurama, we all know Kristen Gore didn't come up with the idea to make Leela a mutant with parents from the sewers. But once the group had figured out the story from start to finish, I'm pretty sure that Gore went off for three weeks and wrote the entire first draft of "Leela's Homeworld".

Can we all agree that that is what the person credited as "writer" does? We all know that once the first draft is done that they all sit around in the writing room intensely rewriting the script, but they need an original script to start from and that's where the "writer" comes in. And I'm pretty sure the method on The Simpsons isn't too far off either.

Don't believe a word I've just said? Watch the extra commentary for Jurrasic Bark and learn. Dammit. 

 Oh, btw, that Scully/Schwarzwelder thing was both funny and probably accurate. Good find. 

[Reply #562 on:]

GAH! Spoiler for tonights episode.

Show spoiler

Dr. Marvin Monroe is alive and well

I thought tonight's episode was a step in the right direction, after taking two steps back over the last few weeks. Homer is getting closer and closer to his former self, and they nailed Marge's character down perfectly (She acted much like she did in "A Streetcar Named Marge" in this episode).

[Reply #563 on:]

I never thought they had killed off Marvin Monroe in the first place- in this years halloween special, the comic version, homer met Monroe in moe's basement.

[Reply #564 on:]

You should really use spoilers for that, because there's still a half hour until it airs in America.

Show spoiler

There have been several refrences made to his death on the show such as:
-The Marvin Monroe Memorial Hospital in "Who Shot Mr. Burn's Part 2"
-The Triva Question In "The 138th Episode Spectacular"

[Reply #565 on:]

 

Originally posted by newhook_1:
GAH! Spoiler for tonights episode.

Show spoiler

Dr. Marvin Monroe is alive and well

I thought tonight's episode was a step in the right direction, after taking two steps back over the last few weeks. Homer is getting closer and closer to his former self, and they nailed Marge's character down perfectly (She acted much like she did in "A Streetcar Named Marge" in this episode).

What? I thought Homer was as far away from his former self as he has been for the past few seasons. It was indeed "Jerkass Homer" driving that ambluence. Okay, so, once again, they don't care that Homer lost his job again. Once again, Homer and Marge fight. Homer doesn't appriciate Marge. There are writers' cameos. All of that is done to death.

Marge was okay. Lisa's inner thoughts were okay. I forget the rest.

Show spoiler

And, about Dr. Monroe being alive, WTF? Aside from him being labeled dead on two separate occasions, was there a reason to bring him back? And I'm getting sick of these stupid meta-reference jabs at the Simpsons hardcore fans.

[Reply #566 on:]

 

Originally posted by evan:
 What? I thought Homer was as far away from his former self as he has been for the past few seasons. It was indeed "Jerkass Homer" driving that ambluence. Okay, so, once again, they don't care that Homer lost his job again. Once again, Homer and Marge fight. Homer doesn't appriciate Marge. There are writers' cameos. All of that is done to death.

Marge was okay. Lisa's inner thoughts were okay. I forget the rest.

Show spoiler

And, about Dr. Monroe being alive, WTF? Aside from him being labeled dead on two separate occasions, was there a reason to bring him back? And I'm getting sick of these stupid meta-reference jabs at the Simpsons hardcore fans.

Yes but if you look at many classic episodes (Like "Lisa's Substitute" ) Homer was an asshole there to. The important thing about classic Homer though, is the fact that when he realizes he's in the wrong he tries to make up for it. He did that in this episode.

*Edit* That's not to say the episode was all good either, I thought it had a great "A plot" and a subpar "B plot". 3.5/5

[Reply #567 on:]

There were some bad things and there were some good things in tonight's episode.

Bad stuff:
How did Homer's car get all the way up to Burns' office? It's on the fifth floor!
Jerkass Homer returned in the ambulance
Unfunny, but trying to be, Marge dialogue
MARVIN MONROE! HE'S DEAD, DAMMIT!!!

Good stuff:
Some good lines in the second and third acts
Inside Lisa's brain
The ending.

It's a 2.5/5

[Reply #568 on:]

On a season 1 or 2 commentary Matt Groening says
'why did we kill this character'
and someone points out They only refeered to the memorial hospital, so he could have just gone missing.
and the 138th episode doesn't follow continuity properley.
sounds funny I'm looking forward to this episode now.I would say homer can be mean sometimes. Its suddenly become the view of people that homer isn't allowed to say or do anything the slightest bit stupid or mean.

[Reply #569 on:]

Great episode tonight, but one thing struck me as... unsettling.

How is that painting a scence from Moby Dick? Marge painted it herself for Homer!! (see "The Trouble with Trillions" )

[Reply #570 on:]

Give it a proper ranking c'mon I dont think you could ever love something as much as you love carjaker or moe baby blues

[Reply #571 on:]

 

Originally posted by leelaholic:
Great episode tonight, but one thing struck me as... unsettling.

How is that painting a scence from Moby Dick? Marge painted it herself for Homer!! (see "The Trouble with Trillions" )

That unsettles you, but not that Homer killed two people tonight? (The nuclear inspector and the junkie in the ambulance)

[Reply #572 on:]

Actually, I thought the ambulance scenes were VERY funny.

"So, how much bleach did you drink? ... Not a talker, eh?" 

Oh, and my ratings...

-THOH XIV B-
-My Mother the Carjacker A+
-The President Wore Pearls A
-The Regina Monologues B+
-The Fat and the Furriest C
-Today I Am a Clown B+
-Tis the 15th Season A+
-Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless couples and Teens and Gays C-
-I, D'oh-bot A
-Diatribe of a Mad Housewife A

Two A's in a row. Very nice.

[Reply #573 on:]

Tonight's episode was awful.  Yet another where I felt like I wasted my time watching it.  Some of the bad:  Marvin Monroe, the whole ambulance bit, the retread Homer taking Marge for granted storyline, and Homer's eye when he was lying to Marge.  I thought "I, D'oh-bot" was fairly good, but then comes this episode.  Yuck.

[Reply #574 on:]

 

Originally posted by Mouse On Venus:
  Where do you get this stuff from?!   

For one its been said over and over by people close to the show.  In fact, watch the alternate commentary on "Seperate Vocations" and Al Jean himself says that the writing credit is often mostly a legal issue and doesn't reflect what the writers contribute (although he does say that around 40 or 50 percent of Seperate Vocations was really written by George Meyer, as it was a "much better then usual first script".  Note also that more of what the credited writer initially wrote would go into the final episode in the first three or four seasons then now)

How it generally (but not always)works is that whoever comes up with the initial idea gets the writing credit.  There are some exceptions, like Radio Bart, but its usually the case.  Its also true that whoever is credited usually writes the first draft.  However, that still needs to be taken with a grain of salt.  I'm not saying the credited writer doesn't, in a lot of cases, at least write an important chunk of the episode, but really, that's not even always the case.  The Simpsons is so rewrite-happy that in an extreme example a final episode could not even have one line from the first draft.  With Swartzwelder especcially, who doesn't even visit the Simpsons studio during rewrites, very little of what he originally wrote could end up in the final.  Notice that he cruised along writing nothing but classics, then suddenly seemed to go senile in the Scully era and wrote nothing but duds, then in the Jean era became uneven.  Perfectly describes the ark of the show's quality itself, and probably more reflects the contributions of the showrunners of each time period then Swartzwelder.  There's other examples too.  Richard Appel writes "Mother Simpson" and "Bart on the Road" in the Oakley/Weinstein days, yet magically loses his writing skills in the Scully days and writes "When You Dish Upon a Star".  Or David Stern, who writes nothing but gems in seasons three and four like "Lisa's First Word", yet completely bombs in season ten with "Marge Simpson in: Screaming Yellow Honkers" and "Viva Ned Flanders".  That Scully/Swartzwelder dialogue I found is probably more true the some might realize.  How a writers' credited episodes come out largely has to do with the showrunner of the time.

Also, in regards to Futurama, didn't David Cohen once say that they've thrown out "entire scripts that weren't working"?

[Reply #575 on:]

Anyways, here's my review from the NHC (sorry about the double post, my last post would just be really long and confusing if I included this in there):

Here's my review

To start off, the first act was unfortunately somewhat bland (sorry to start off with a negative). It was mostly just a bunch of regurgitated Captain Wacky gags that were pretty hit and miss. Not bad, but not a great start to the story either. Although they did at least establish the Marge plot fairly early, so that's good.

Anyways, after that act it became a much, much better show. Really, acts two and three were wonderful. First off, the humor was mostly great. A couple gags didn't work (Homer's weird eye thing wasn't too great), but most of it was good and there were lots of gags that had me laughing out loud (heh, hate to use Fox's inane slogan). For instance, Homer's "third arm" that's really Nelson, "ooh, that's a good one, I'll work it in somehow", etc. Good use of side characters too, including (most suprisingly) Marvin Monroe.  I guess he's been in a coma for the last eight seasons. 

The story was very good too. It wasn't "deep", but it was impressive in that much of the humor and dialogue came truly from the characters, and even the Captain Wacky ambulence stuff was worked in reasonably well. The characters were likeable and interesting, and though I wasn't dying to see how it ended it was a genuinely interesting story nonetheless. The ending was a tad rushed, but that's mostly a nitpick.

Verdict: THIS is the way to do a Marge episode. The ambulence stuff aside, it focused on good characterization, plotting, and humor, and not on weird shock junk like big boobs or superhero muscles. It really felt like a classic-era episode to me: consistantly funny, but deriving much of its humor from the characters instead of just cartoonish gags.

Grade: B+

Also, in regards to Marvin Monroe, I really don't get the complaints.  Its not like they took some really well-established character and ruined him like with the Armin Tamzarian thing.  Marvin's "death" was always a sight gag, fairly consistant but not even spoken of out loud even once.  So does it really matter if they decide to bring him back?  The "explanation" of his return is no less vague and hilarious then his sudden departure was.

Also, in regards to Homer "killing" people, I guess that could be a more serious complaint but it didn't bug me.  I just assumed it was a typical "Homer severely hurts someone but they don't ACTUALLY die" thing.  Like Hans Moleman exploding while carrying the birthplace of Edgar Allen Poe, filling the entire Springfield University with radiation, etc.  I wasn't a fan of the guy getting hit by the car joke here (must've missed the other one), but its never really said that he killed someone so I think its overlookable.

[Reply #576 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
Also, in regards to Marvin Monroe, I really don't get the complaints.  Its not like they took some really well-established character and ruined him like with the Armin Tamzarian thing.  Marvin's "death" was always a sight gag, fairly consistant but not even spoken of out loud even once.  So does it really matter if they decide to bring him back?  The "explanation" of his return is no less vague and hilarious then his sudden departure was.

My problem is that there was no justifiable reason to bring back Marvin Monroe. You could have put any side-character in there (Disco Stu, Dr. Nick, Cletus) and gotten a better punch-line. To me, the reason to include Monroe was a stab at those who remembered that he was supposed to be dead.

[Reply #577 on:]

 

Originally posted by evan:
 My problem is that there was no justifiable reason to bring back Marvin Monroe. You could have put any side-character in there (Disco Stu, Dr. Nick, Cletus) and gotten a better punch-line. To me, the reason to include Monroe was a stab at those who remembered that he was supposed to be dead.

Well, that is the joke yes, at least playing on our perception that he's dead.  Which is why I personally found it to be hilarious.  I wrote something similar about this at the NHC...but I just don't really see why its such a big deal.  The "justifyable" reason was that its suprising and hopefully funny to see that he's really alive (plus his little "explanation" that he was really just sick), much in the way that his name on the hospital was originally just supposed to be suprising and hopefully funny.  EDIT: I should also comment that I'm not a big fan of the gags where they mean-spiritedly "attack" the fans, such as with Comic Book Guy in "Saddlesore Gallactica".  But here I think it was more of a lighthearted thing.  To some degree I think they made the gag FOR the hardcore fans: its a joke only they would generally get, so its another one of those little jokes only a small portion of the audience is truly "in on".

And actually, I always thought it was a big mistake to kill him.  The joke itself (his name on the hospital) is initially funny, but it really ruins the potential of what I always thought was a pretty funny character.  I had actaully always hoped they'd find a way to bring him back (say he was in a coma or whatever), so I actually hope to see him around some more.  Again, it would be one thing if they blatantly disregarded who a character was like with Armin/Seymour, but here its a pretty small "error".

[Reply #578 on:]

I have not seen the episode yet, so I can't comment on it much, but I do like that Monroe is back. He was one of my favourite characters from the early years.  That, and they never said that he was dead (aside from the out-of-universe 138th episode). He may have just disappeared (plane crash or whatever)and his family gave him a grave with a tombstone, and the hospital renamed themselves to honour him, which isn't too uncommon.  It is shaky, from a continuity standpoint, but not as bad as bringing, say, Maude Flanders back from the dead. 

[Reply #579 on:]

Ranadok, here's a transcript of the scene (to "explain" how he comes back, basically):

Show spoiler

(At the beginning of act three, Marge is holding a book signing.  Marvin Monroe walks up to her booth)
Monroe: I love your book, Marge.  Very psychological.
Marge: Dr. Monroe? I haven't seen you in years!
Monroe: Yes, I've been very sick.

My prefered explanation is that he was in a coma for about a decade. 

[Reply #580 on:]

Show spoiler

But if Marge hasn't seen Monroe in years even though last they saw she had Bart shouldn't Bart have aged ?

[Reply #581 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
**spoilerific stuff**
My prefered explanation is that he was in a coma for about a decade.   

Thanks for the relevant part of the scene, now I no longer need wallow in ignorance!

 If he was in a coma, it would be unlikely that they would have a tombstone for him or name a hospital after him... unless he was expected to  die, so the got the burial plot all ready... how nice of them.  I think it's more likely that he was thought to be dead for whatever reason (perhaps he was in a coma... in the jungles of Africa!). Still, I doubt that there will be an official explanation beyond what was given, although I'm sure offhanded remarks will show up from the creators soon enough.  I wonder if his return will be mentioned or explained on the s4 DVDs.


 

Originally posted by Xmpel:

Show spoiler

But if Marge hasn't seen Monroe in years even though last they saw she had Bart shouldn't Bart have aged ?

Show spoiler

Yeah, and Maggie should have aged while manjula was pregnant... one of the few "It's a cartoon!" moments. Why is this in spoilers, again?

[Reply #582 on:]

Nah.  The years go by (they sometimes recall specific years or things that happened "years ago", technology on the show has changed gradually, they've had multiple Christmases, etc) but the characters don't age.  Its just a surreal rule of the show.  Bart has been ten for almost seventeen years now.

[Reply #583 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ranadok:
 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
**spoilerific stuff**
My prefered explanation is that he was in a coma for about a decade.   

Thanks for the relevant part of the scene, now I no longer need wallow in ignorance!

 If he was in a coma, it would be unlikely that they would have a tombstone for him or name a hospital after him... unless he was expected to  die, so the got the burial plot all ready... how nice of them.  I think it's more likely that he was thought to be dead for whatever reason (perhaps he was in a coma... in the jungles of Africa!). Still, I doubt that there will be an official explanation beyond what was given, although I'm sure offhanded remarks will show up from the creators soon enough.  I wonder if his return will be mentioned or explained on the s4 DVDs.

To be clear also, the lines I transcribed were the only ones where Monroe spoke or appeared.  He wasn't a huge part of the episode or anything.

I'd say its entirely possibly they'll never bring it up again, other then maybe changing the name of the hospital in future episodes.  I hope he continues to appear personally, because I always really liked him, but we'll see.  If he does continue to appear I doubt they'll have much more explanation beyond the  "I've been very sick" line, though maybe there'll be some other subtle references (maybe the front of the newspaper could have an editorial by him called "How I cheated death" or whatever in a future episode.  Just a suggestion).  However, they probably will comment on him in the S4 commentary, or at least I hope.

[Reply #584 on:]

I figured that was all that he had in that ep.  I hope that he becomes another re-recurring character, although they may keep it at less than in was in his first run, because of the voice complaints.  I can't remember if it was Azaria or Shearer that did the voice, but I should know this...

I think that his character (the town psychologist) was a vital one to the series and his role was never really filled by anyone else. You know, that may explain why everyone was so out of character for the Scully era... he wasn't around to keep them in line! When was his last appearance, anyhow? I know it's well before the decline, but I can't remember where.  Not counting the fact that he is in a lot of recent episodes due to his appearance in the quick pan in the long intro, of course.

How soon before the DVD release are the commentarys recorded? Could it be figured out by checking what "future" episodes are mentioned on the other sets compared with when they air? 

Sorry if this post seems as disjointed to you as it does to me, I'm kind of tired...

Edit: Something I forgot to mention: my mom pointed out that the tombstone and/or hospital could have been named for his father  and/or son.  Had it ever been mentioned that he had a wife and/or children? (alright, the last question was just an excuse to use a third and/or, so you can answer and/or complain about it.)

[Reply #585 on:]

Answers to those questions:

Shearer did in fact do Monroe's voice.  It was actually the voice he was initially hired for (fun fact: he didn't play Mr. Burns in "Homer's Odyssey". That was a man named Christopher Collins.  He left early to focus on stand-up comedy, but sadly died in 1994.  He also played Moe for "Some Enchanted Evening", although I believe they did record over that with Azaria).  However, Shearer hated doing the voice, which is understandable given the raspy tone.

Agreed that Monroe's "passing" was kind of a waste.  It seems like he would have made a good recurring therapist character for the family.  In any case, his last appearance was, I believe, "Bart's Innner Child" in season five, where he appears (but doesn't speak) at the "do what you feel" festival.  He also appears at the town meeting in "Marge vs. the Monorail".  However, I believe his last speaking role may have been in "Treehouse of Horror II" where he gives advice to Homer and Bart.

Season one's commentary mentioned Homer the Moe, and maybe some others.  Season two also mentions some "upcoming" or "recent" episodes like "Half Decent Proposal", "Bart vs. Lisa and the Third Grade", and even I think "Old Man and the Key".  Season three's seem to be from around November/December of 2002, as Al Jean mentions an episode that "just aired", "Large Marge".  I think there were some other hints in there as well.  Basically, I would bet that season four would mention Monroe (at least if the producers happen to spot him in the background and decide to comment).  If not, either season five or season seven (Part two of "Who Shot Mr. Burns" ) should have something.

No mention of Monroe's family at any point.  Though I guess it would have factored in had they gone with Groening's original idea (his name is really "Marilyn Monroe", which is why he became a therapist  )

[Reply #586 on:]

Matt also says that orignally krusty was homer
and it'd be a big reveal one day.
then mike reiss suggest they do it anyway as a screw you to the fans.
and that times they were in the same room were just dreams

[Reply #587 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ranadok:
How soon before the DVD release are the commentarys recorded? Could it be figured out by checking what "future" episodes are mentioned on the other sets compared with when they air? 

Edit: Something I forgot to mention: my mom pointed out that the tombstone and/or hospital could have been named for his father  and/or son>?

1) The commentary for the Season 3 DVD was being recorded around Winter 2002/3 (says SNPP).

2) The commentaries state the hospital is named after him (sorry to break it to you    ).

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
Its just a surreal rule of the show.  Bart has been ten for almost seventeen years now.

But Bart was 9 for Seasons 1 & 2 (technically - as his Birthday is in S3. However, I'm sure it's mentioned he's ten in S1 / 2, so maybe it was just a late, late, late party  )

[Reply #588 on:]

Last night's ep was probably the best (so far) of the season, next to The President Wore Pearls and My Mother the Carjacker.
Now for my in-depth review. The "A" story was strong, and Marge was probably at the best that she's been in a long time. And, she had some great lines (IMO, her last funny line prior to this ep was, "People do crazy things in ads, like eat at Arby's" in 'Old Yeller Belly'). I loved how, after looking at the sailboat picture on the wall as inspiration, she said, "Thank you 'Scene from Moby Dick'".
Anyway, this episode had a great A story that rode the line of being 'emotional'.
Now for the "B" story. It started out kind of wobbly, but by the start of act two, it was pretty good. However, in act one, I loved when Homer took the defibrulator and morphine and told Bart and Lisa "Now, Daddy's gonna keep himself asleep, and awake."
As for the so-called "continuity errors" involving Marvin Monroe, I thought it was funny and it's really not an error, because he wasn't officially 'killed off' he was just retired from the show without the intention of coming back or being heard from again (oh, wait...).
So, all in all, a good episode worthy of an A-.
Oh, and before you stop reading, I took the liberty of writing down some of my favorite lines from this ep.

Marge: So lisa what do you think?
Lisa: Well...
Cut to: Lisa's brain, where caricatures of Lisa wearing sashes representing the emotion they represent, are gathered.
Jealousy: I can't believe she wrote a book before we did!
Honesty: No, we should be proud of her!
Another emotion, labeled as "libedo" is locked in a cage.
Libedo: C'mon, c'mon, let's go kiss some boys!
Honesty: No! You're not getting out until we're 16!


Homer is driving his ambulance with the kids with him and someone in the back.
Homer: So, where to buddy?
Guy: The hospital...
Homer: Hospital, huh? That's a popular one tonight!
Lisa: Dad, it's an ambulance, not a taxi!
Bart: They all have to go to the hospital!
Homer: I just wanted to ask..
Lisa: Can't you admit that you don't know where the hospital is?


Homer is driving his ambulance with a guy in the back, unconcious.
Homer: So, how much bleach did you drink?
Guy: (no response)
Homer: Not a talker, huh?

By the way, sorry if these quotes aren't exact, I was reciting them by memory.
Oh, and I appologize for making such a long post, it's just that I have no real life....
*sobs, as other residents of household try to sedate her and drive her to the mental hospital*


 

[Reply #589 on:]

The hospital in "Who Shot Mr Burns, Part Two" was named the "Marvin Monroe MEMORIAL Hospital."

[Reply #590 on:]

This is one topic behind, but I'd really like to add "Simpsons' Safari" to my 5 least favorite episodes. Put that in place of "Simpson Tall Tales."

[Reply #591 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
Matt also says that orignally krusty was homer
and it'd be a big reveal one day.
then mike reiss suggest they do it anyway as a screw you to the fans.
and that times they were in the same room were just dreams

That was actually a joke about how similar the two look. Matt knows better than to have a "big revelation" about Krusty's alter ego being, in reality, Homer.

On a related note, people need to stop complaining about Homer being his Scully self whenever he does one little thing bad. If he says something that upsets someone, it's okay. It's just Homer being Homer. But, if he followed it up with "HA HA! Take that!" or something to that extent, I'd complain, too. Stop worrying. Al Jean knows what he's doing.

[Reply #592 on:]

I forgot to mention this a page ago, but I have never actually walked out on a Simpsons episode. After seeing a few turkeys like "New Kids On The Blecch", "Simpsons Safari" and "HOMR", I just stopped watching new Simpsons full stop. I should probably try to catch up with the most recent ones at some point (I really wanted to see "The Regina Monologues" out of curiousity) but for a good while I didn't even make the effort to see new eps.

[Reply #593 on:]

Hey! HOMR was a good episode. Well, at least I enjoyed it, especially the beginning at the animation festival.
Oh, and leelaholic, I forgot to talk about it, but you brought it up first, Marge painted that sailboat picture. All of these things lately to test the devout viewer's patience! IE: changing Krusty's middle name, Lisa using the complete guide, and now Monroe being alive. The writers claim it's to see if the hardcore fans are paying attention. Well, I am, and it's not funny. It just doesn't make any goddamn sense!

[Reply #594 on:]

You never saw monroe dead There's plenty of possible explanations, if it was futurama you'd discuss it in weird scenes until you came up with a soloution.

and Mouse on venus, I dont think you would particulary like reginia monolouges its only a joke driven episode and there not exactly the best ones ever, its still quite enjoyable though.

Something that seems to be the case is that the scully era got progressivley worse and jeans gets progressivley better. It makes sense but it seems at this rate season 16 could really return to the former glory.
If not perhaps if they find a good new showrunner for season 17 and onwards, or maybe jean will just continue, thats if they make it at all

[Reply #595 on:]

"Simpson's Safari" may have sucked, but it did have a line I really liked. "Look at me, I'm a scientist! Hee hee hee! Ha ha... ahh, Africa."

[Reply #596 on:]

Some notes/comments:

First off, a self correction.  Marvin Monroe appeared (and spoke) in both Radio Bart and Bart's Friend Falls in Love.  The latter I was reminded of at the NHC, the former I realized on my own earlier today.  In the latter he does the voice for a weight loss tape, and I think the vocabulary tape as well.

Sheep: That's another thing, birthdays.  You may have noticed Lisa has had three birthdays on the show so far.  Its just another little thing they've messed with.  She's always been eight but "turned eight" three times.  Same goes with Bart's birthday.

Leelaholic: Its true that they would never make that "revelation" now, mostly because it was dropped. But Groening did have that as a serious idea for a while.  I'm pretty sure it was dropped by the time the series went into development though.  But you may notice, if you ever see it, that in the Tracy Ullman short in which Krusty appears, he chokes Bart in a similar fashion as Homer.

Shadowstar: A correction.  Technically Krusty's "new" middle name is really his actual hebrew middle name.  There was some confusion about this, not helped much by a fox PR lady who pulled that "they're seeing if you're paying attention" answer out of her ass.  But it was explained by someone with some hebrew knowledge at the NHC that "Pinchum Yurochiam" or whatever it was recently would be his hebrew name and possibly something even he wouldn't know (I don't remember my own hebrew name-I'm half jewish).  "Schmoikel" obviously is a nickname, as no loving parent would give their child the hebrew word for "penis" as their middle name.    Anyways, the complete guide was annoying, but the sailboat thing is just, as far as I can tell, an honest continuity error on the part of the writers.  Absolute continuity has never been the strongest suit of this show, and it probably just slipped by.  And anyway, wouldn't it be best to just disregard everything that happened in "Trouble with Trillions" anyway?

[Reply #597 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
and Mouse on venus, I dont think you would particulary like reginia monolouges its only a joke driven episode and there not exactly the best ones ever, its still quite enjoyable though.

Yeah, I doubt I would enjoy it. I just wanted to see what Tony Blair took some time off from the war to do. That and how badly they misrepresented the English.

 Hey, I'm amused by such things. 

[Reply #598 on:]

 

Originally posted by Mouse On Venus:
That and how badly they misrepresented the English.

Not very badly, really.  There's a lot more that they could have done.      

[Reply #599 on:]

Yeah, there probably is. Btw, what was that episode in which they made a joke about British sitcoms only being about 4 episodes long?