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Author Topic: Simpsons Season 4 DVD Speculation thread  (Read 6073 times)
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DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #160 on: 06-18-2004 02:22 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by SlackJawedMoron:
No Dan? Hell, even Futurama got Dan...

Well, Dan didn't really add much to the season three set (the only one that did was Cartwright really), so I don't think its a huge loss.  Not that I wouldn't like for him to return on the next set mind you.
Mouse On Venus

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #161 on: 06-18-2004 11:22 »

I'd disagree with you DTB. I thought Dan's impersonation of Julie Kavner on "The Otto Show" commentary was hillarious and my life wouldn't be complete without it.

Okay, a slight exaggeration, but he was amusing from time to time and he did seem to know his history of the show quite well, so I personally thought he was a fine addition to the roster.
leelaholic

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #162 on: 06-18-2004 14:36 »
« Last Edit on: 06-18-2004 14:36 »

Well, singing "Spanish Flea" was pretty funny. I really would have liked for him to come back.

However, I don't feel he added too much information, even if he did say some funny stuff. Still a good commentator, though.
homerjaysimpson

Space Pope
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« Reply #163 on: 06-18-2004 16:15 »
« Last Edit on: 06-18-2004 16:15 »

I like the episodes on this season better than other 3 season's DVDs.

The commentaries where ok. I heard them talk about Sarge Morton on one of the episode's commentary that was kinda cool.

I hated the menus, they take too long. Why don't they have plain easy menus with no movement?

leelaholic

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #164 on: 06-18-2004 19:51 »

The menus (which I personally have no problem with, but whatever  ;)) can be skipped.
Akito01

Bending Unit
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« Reply #165 on: 06-18-2004 22:14 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Ranadok:
I'm not too bothered by the lack of deleted scenes, having the syndication cuts intact is more than enough for me (So many great moments that I never knew existed...).  Still, it would be nice for future sets to include even more.

I wonder how many noted one cut/change that seems to have remained on the DVD version.  You will recall the episode where Bart tries to get out of a test by faking illnesses and such.  You will hear a reference to Bart getting over a case of 'Rabies' -but in the original broadcast version, it was 'Tourettes'.  I always thought that was such a stupid and pointless change, and yet it seems to have stuck with the DVD version (and no reference to this change in the commentary either).

It's not something I'm hugely worked up about, but I kind of think of these DVDs as the official archive of the show, preserved intact from the cuts of syndication and censors.
Syevedude530

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #166 on: 06-18-2004 22:27 »

I thought this was a little below par as far as commentary, honestly.  I HATED the Lovitz-Azaria commentary (Lovitz at least got lucky when he pimped his movie) and the gay jokes were REALLY annoying.

I was a little displeased that only 1 main cast member showed up for a total of 1 episode.  The Conan commentaries were good, hopefully he recorded Homer goes to college as well.  By the way, in the Monorail episode, listen to his favorite prank, which is hilarious.

Otherwise (Aside from Meyer and Stern appearing) this was pretty subpar compared to Season 3, but still, a great DVD.

You know what listening to the commentaries makes you do?  It makes you really wish the series would end, and that's not the feeling I get from my other DVDs (Ben Stiller Show, Mr. Show, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Married with Children), but I really think this series has to end.  And I think that there (sadly) going to keep it going because, honestly, how do you end the show?  We can joke about it all we want but still.  Even the show's most ambitious ideas fall flat on their faces (Think this seasons "9/11 Patriotism" parody, which was the worst execution of a terific idea).

Sorry for the rant, just felt it was needed.  I will buy Season 5, and Season 6 (To hear the commentary on The Critic crossover, as Jean or Reiss said "That'll be a day" ), and maybe 7 and 8, but I refuse to buy the Scully years.
evan

Urban Legend
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« Reply #167 on: 06-19-2004 01:34 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by DotheBartman:
 Well, Dan didn't really add much to the season three set (the only one that did was Cartwright really), so I don't think its a huge loss.  Not that I wouldn't like for him to return on the next set mind you.

I agree with DtB here.  From what I remember of the Season 3 commentaries, most of the major voice actors weren't funny.  Many of them (like Julie Knaver, mostly) just repeated information we'd already heard many times before, and asked pretty silly questions.  In contrast, for whatever reason, the Futurama cast is usually much funnier and more involved with giving out information.  I'm not completely sure why, but it seems like they knew more about what was going on behind the scenes than the Simpsons cast did.  Or, it could be that the Simpsons episodes are 10 years old, while the Futurama episodes are only like 3 or 4.
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #168 on: 06-19-2004 03:57 »
« Last Edit on: 06-19-2004 03:57 »

   
Quote
Originally posted by Akito01:
 I wonder how many noted one cut/change that seems to have remained on the DVD version.  You will recall the episode where Bart tries to get out of a test by faking illnesses and such.  You will hear a reference to Bart getting over a case of 'Rabies' -but in the original broadcast version, it was 'Tourettes'.  I always thought that was such a stupid and pointless change, and yet it seems to have stuck with the DVD version (and no reference to this change in the commentary either).

It's not something I'm hugely worked up about, but I kind of think of these DVDs as the official archive of the show, preserved intact from the cuts of syndication and censors.

Yeah, I think I might try to keep a tape of little syndication anamolies and things that the dvds thus don't have (so far one version of the "Telltatle Head" ending, a stray line or two in "Saturdays of Thunder" and that "Marge Gets a Job" bit are all examples, and "Marge Be Not Proud" will probably be one too).  Shame that they don't include both versions.  It would also be nice to have some other airing anamolies (that dont appear in the dvd or syndication versions) as extras, like "Bad influence my ass" in "Homer Defined" or the infamous "Its Potato, Not Potatoe" chalkboard.

Syev: Well, one thing about your list of dvds there is that over half of them are shows that have already ended (well, Family Guy is coming back granted, but to be honest I have a slightly bad feeling about its return....) and in some cases were extremely short lived, thus never giving them much of a chance to decline (though Family Guy still managed...).  All I can really say though is: why are seasons 7 and 8 not sure purchases for you like 5 and 6? (I agree the Scully era probably isn't worth buying, and save for maybe season nine I don't plan on spending the money on them myself).
Syevedude530

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #169 on: 06-20-2004 11:48 »

I like Oakley and Weinstein, I probably will buy 7-8.  But none of the Scully years, except maybe to watch him cover his ass.  But that's what blockbusters for.
User_names_suck
Professor
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« Reply #170 on: 06-21-2004 13:18 »

You didn't really awnser his question did you.
SlackJawedMoron

Urban Legend
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« Reply #171 on: 06-22-2004 23:09 »
« Last Edit on: 06-22-2004 23:09 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by quagmire in another thread
on several occasions throughout the season 3 & 4 commentaries, I got the impression that the participants were, in a way, re-discovering & re-connecting with The Simpsons.
Coincidentally, I've noticed that the show has been on an overall upswing after some pretty forgettable seasons.

Could one thing have something to do with the other? Of course I COULD be overthinking, but what the hell...    :D

Hey, maybe you're too ashamed to move this post, but as we all know, I have no shame.    :D
*drops pants and runs amock*

And I certainly hope this is true...
quagmire

Crustacean
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« Reply #172 on: 06-22-2004 23:20 »

you hope it's true that you've dropped your pants & run amok?  :D

thanks for the thread switcheroo, SJM...
Syevedude530

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #173 on: 06-23-2004 13:10 »

I think Al Jean & Mike Reiss are sometimes undercredited for the show's success.  Al coming back as exec. producer was the best move possible.
Gorky

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #174 on: 06-23-2004 21:22 »

Well, yeah, Jean and Reiss were the guys that really made The Simpsons great (even greater than the brilliant season 2), so I guess you can say that they made the show a real success. Still, what originally made the show such a success was its brilliant writing, present as early as the middle of season 1 (well, starting with "Bart the General" ), so I guess the success can also be attributed to the great writing staff. Or, you could just say that, because of the visions of Matt Groening, Jim Brooks, and (to a lesser extent) Sam Simon, The Simpsons was so great. I think that it was really a mixture of the three.
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #175 on: 06-24-2004 01:09 »
« Last Edit on: 06-24-2004 01:09 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Syevedude530:
I think Al Jean & Mike Reiss are sometimes undercredited for the show's success.  Al coming back as exec. producer was the best move possible.

True.  Much as I respect and worship Groening, a lot of people (such as Jean and Reiss) that helped make The Simpsons great never get much credit.

As for the commentaries....maybe to a certain extent, but overall I'd say the recent upswing has more to do with Jean's style being far better for the show then Scully's.  Remember too that very few writers involved with the current episodes have done commentaries so far; just Jean, Meyer, and Vitti I believe.  Well, Reiss is a consultant too.
M Jackson
Professor
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« Reply #176 on: 06-24-2004 13:37 »

Speaking in a James Brown Voice: "Woah, wait a minute, hold on here!"

Did I miss something!? Are the season 4 DVDs already out! If so where and since when!? 
User_names_suck
Professor
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« Reply #177 on: 06-24-2004 13:38 »
« Last Edit on: 06-24-2004 13:38 »

I think Meyer and Vitti are just consultants to though Vitti is an episode writing consulatant.

M jackson S4 DVD's are out in the U.S they were since june 15th.
U.K release August 2nd.
Otis P Jivefunk

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #178 on: 06-24-2004 13:41 »

I'll get them on UK release...
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #179 on: 06-24-2004 20:01 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by User_names_suck:
I think Meyer and Vitti are just consultants to though Vitti is an episode writing consulatant.


Well, Vitti wrote two episodes last year.  Meyer doensn't actually write scripts anymore but he actually is still a writer...its wierd how it works.  Basically, as I understand it, he's considered to be such a genius by the rest of the writers that they don't want him actually writing scripts, lest it distract him from the writer's room where he apparently suggests a lot of the best jokes.  Particularly if a particular script is lacking in the humor department he's considered invaluable, and some credit a lot of the show's success to him.

Syevedude530

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #180 on: 06-24-2004 22:53 »

Didn't Vitti leave for KotH?
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #181 on: 06-25-2004 01:15 »
« Last Edit on: 06-25-2004 01:15 »

Well he did do KOTH for a while yes, and maybe during the seasons when he's not working on Simpsons (like season 14) he goes back to it.  But writers rarely stick to one job forever just because they moved to it.  So he moved back to Simpsons.

In Vitti's case, he's written for seasons 1-4 (of course), early season 7 ("Home Sweet Home Diddly..." ), season 13, and season 15.

EDIT: Also, someone may point out that "Cape Feare" in season 5 is a Vitti episode.  While that's correct, it was a holdover from the fourth production season, so he didn't technically write for season five.
Syevedude530

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #182 on: 06-25-2004 13:53 »

So, do you think David Mirkin will do as much commentary as Jean and Reiss (especially Jean) did on Season 5?
newhook_1

Urban Legend
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« Reply #183 on: 06-25-2004 16:46 »

Actually, no, I don't think he will. Jean and Reiss are still involved with the show. Truth be told, I wouldn't be surprised if Mirkin only showed up for half the episodes.
Syevedude530

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #184 on: 06-25-2004 20:52 »

I thought Dave Mirkin was stll a producer?  And will Oakley & Weinstein do 22 eps.?
newhook_1

Urban Legend
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« Reply #185 on: 06-25-2004 23:20 »

Is he? Hmmm... well if he is he'll probably do a bunch, but I thought he had left the series years ago. Did he return (Ala, Jon Vitti) or something?
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #186 on: 06-26-2004 02:26 »
« Last Edit on: 06-26-2004 02:26 »

Well for a while Mirkin has been a "consulting" producer or something, not sure how long that's been though.  I don't see any reason why he wouldn't do a lot of commentaries though.  He might not be as dilligent as Jean (notice Reiss missed a few), but I think he'll do a fair amount of them at least.  Same with Oakley/Weinstein (especcially since they're not too busy lately, though I suppose that could change by that point).

Also, regarding Mirkin, while this could be totally bogus there was a list circulating of who is supposedly involved in the writing of the Simpsons movie, and his name was on it (Groening, Brooks, Scully, George Meyer, Jean, and Reiss were also on it).

Also, some brief Mirkin trivia: he produced "All Singing, All Dancing" and "Joy of Sect" for season 9.  Also, according to RMIII he did "138th Episode Spectacular" and passed up the credit, but we'll see if that's true based on the commentaries I guess.
User_names_suck
Professor
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« Reply #187 on: 06-27-2004 07:44 »
« Last Edit on: 06-27-2004 07:44 »

Your mistaken DTB Vitti wrote Homer the Vigilantie, unless I'm mistaken.

To add to your Mirkin trivia he produced Team Homer.
its also said by RMIII and others he was heavily involved in season 7. But I assume it wasn't necessarily much to do with the writing.
Gorky

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #188 on: 06-27-2004 09:39 »

Nope, Swartzwelder wrote "Homer the Vigalante" (unless I'm mistaken).

Also, didn't Vitti write for seasons 6 and 7 (besides "Home Sweet Homediddly-dum-Doodily" )?
Syevedude530

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #189 on: 06-27-2004 11:21 »

Oh No, how could they let Scully fuck up another possible Simpsons gem?
Syevedude530

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #190 on: 06-27-2004 11:22 »

George Meyer is either an Executive Producer or a Co-Executive Producer (Non-Showrunning).  Vitti still writes.
User_names_suck
Professor
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« Reply #191 on: 06-27-2004 14:25 »

hmm snpp says Swartzwelder wrote vigilante which means the guide to Off is incorrect. Meyer is not a Co Executive or Executive producer he has been given that credit in previous seasons but not from 13-15. he has been credited as producer. along with Vitti, Reiss and Mirkin.
Mouse On Venus

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #192 on: 06-27-2004 14:43 »

According to the "Beyond Forever" book, Meyer was an executive producer on Treehouse Of Horror X and XI, alongside Scully and Jean. But that could mean anything.
DotheBartman

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #193 on: 06-27-2004 16:01 »
« Last Edit on: 06-27-2004 16:01 »

Well, again it doesn't mean anything other then that Meyer is a principle writer on the series.

Also, as for those guidebooks, I'd suggest looking up the page on SNPP about mistakes in those books.  There's tons of them.
User_names_suck
Professor
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« Reply #194 on: 06-27-2004 16:07 »

Jean and Meyer are also credited as Executive Producers on Behind the Laughter, I can only assume perhaps there's additonal techincal work to be done on those episodes.

Gorky I think the only work of Vitti in season 6 would have been in 'Another Simpsons Clipshow' (Obviously a clip from one of his episodes would have been put in)
newhook_1

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #195 on: 06-27-2004 16:33 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Syevedude530:
Oh No, how could they let Scully fuck up another possible Simpsons gem?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Scully's a decent idea man, but he needs someone to filter his good ideas from his bad ones. Remember, he wrote "Lisa On Ice" and "Marge Be Not Proud", both fantastic episodes in their own right.
User_names_suck
Professor
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« Reply #196 on: 06-28-2004 17:25 »

 Lisa On Ice isn't all that great Homer's behaviour is so obnoxious in typical scully fashion though its quite funny and not entiley reasonless I'll say that.
and I read in an interview with him that 'Marge Be Not Proud' was based on events from his childhood, so he didn't exactly work his brain very hard to come up with it. and I reckon Oakley and Weinsien produced the crap out this episode.
newhook_1

Urban Legend
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« Reply #197 on: 06-28-2004 19:43 »

Fair enough. But in "Lisa's Rival", "Two Dozen And One Greyhounds", "Team Homer", and "Lisa's Date With Density" the writing credit went to Scully. Granted some of them did have more trouble with the characters than the rest of the episodes in their respective seasons, but they had great ideas behind them. I may be mistaken here, but I was under the impression that the one who pitched the idea, and wrote the orginal script got the writing credit. There is no question that if these episodes were made in the Scully era that they would have likely been crap. I'm sure the crew fixed up his scripts quite a bit, but I'm saying that he's good at coming up with ideas. I think the way he writes an episode around those ideas is often Scully's problem, and it would have therefore affected all the episodes in seasons 9-12, because he contributed to the scripts.
Mouse On Venus

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #198 on: 06-29-2004 08:04 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by newhook_1:
Fair enough. But in "Lisa's Rival", "Two Dozen And One Greyhounds", "Team Homer", and "Lisa's Date With Density" the writing credit went to Scully. Granted some of them did have more trouble with the characters than the rest of the episodes in their respective seasons, but they had great ideas behind them. I may be mistaken here, but I was under the impression that the one who pitched the idea, and wrote the orginal script got the writing credit. There is no question that if these episodes were made in the Scully era that they would have likely been crap. I'm sure the crew fixed up his scripts quite a bit, but I'm saying that he's good at coming up with ideas. I think the way he writes an episode around those ideas is often Scully's problem, and it would have therefore affected all the episodes in seasons 9-12, because he contributed to the scripts.

There's no telling what exactly the credited writer does. Look at "El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer". That says "Written by Ken Keeler" on it but according to Matt Groening the original idea for that episode was pitched by George Meyer (years in advance, I should add). There's also talk in the commentaries occasionally about writers being 'assigned' to write certain episodes with little mention of pitching from the writer concerned.
 
 As far as I can tell, the credited writer is the person who writes the first draft of the script. That's it. So for all we know, Scully could be a crap ideas man.
newhook_1

Urban Legend
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« Reply #199 on: 06-29-2004 12:21 »
« Last Edit on: 06-29-2004 12:21 »

Ok, fair enough. As I said, that was just the impression I was under. But he had to be good at something for them to make him the exec producer in the first place, and with the way the show went awry, it obviously wasn't writing. Does anyone know what exactly he is good at?
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