Unloved by Al its The Simpsons season 15 "And Review Threads Make Three"

[Reply #200 on:]

Yeah, I was going to put that in before but I was too tired and sleepy.   

EDIT: TOTPD!

[Reply #201 on:]

 

Originally posted by David A:

Yeah, that's right.  I didn't use spoiler tags.  Bite me.

thats ok none of us ever do it is the review thread you'd be quite foolish to read it if you didn't want the episodes spoilt.

[Reply #202 on:]

I think the reason no-one ever uses spoiler tags in this thread is because with The Simpsons, there's very little to spoil.

[Reply #203 on:]

My review of "My Big Fat Geek Wedding":

I'll start by saying that, as an episode, this one wasn't that great; as a season 15 episode it wasn't that great; but as a Skinner/Krabappel episode and as a farce (as DotheBartman said), it was pretty good (more on that later).

First, the bad aspects. The biggest that I can think of is the fact that the Homer/Marge sub-plot has been used before (in fact, they've already  had a second wedding in "A Milhouse Divided" ) and seemed forced in there, perhaps to even out the story of the Skinner/Krabappel/Comic Book Guy love triangle.

That brings me to my second problem: the romance between CBG and Edna was entirely unrealistic, and in my opinion, not at all funny. But, as DotheBartman said, this episode was probably meant mostly to be a farce, so the entire improbability of a lot of the events in the episode is forgivable.

Now the good parts. First and foremost, the main thing that I watched this ep for was Matt Groening's appearance. And, what can I say, it was great. Funny, yet abrupt and short. But, the episode wasn't about Matt's appearance at a Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con (although the promo cards give that message in a way), it was about Skinner and Edna. Speaking of which, the idea of them getting married always bugged me a bit, so I can't say that I'm all that upset about the fact that it didn't work out. Although I admit that I sort of half expected them to actually go through with it.

There were also some great gags. I shamefully admit that I laughed at Nelson's line "Hey, bros before hos". And, the animation, as it has been mentioned, was also great. I loved the battery scene in the beginning, as well as Skinner's face through the beer stein.

As I said at the start of this review, this episode was good and bad when compared to other episodes. Here's what I mean: 

I said that it wasn't great as an episode in general. This is because it is definitely not 'A' material, and there are plenty of episodes that are infinitely better.

I said that, as a season 15 ep, it wasn't great either. There are at least a handful of episodes this season that are better ( in no order; "My Mother the Carjacker", "The President Wore Pearls", "I D'oh-bot", "Diatribe of a Mad Housewife", "Smarter and Smarter", and "A Milhouse Divided" ). Not to say that this is the worst of the season, but I wouldn't write home about it.

Now, I also said that as a Skinner/Krabappel episode, this one was okay. Of course there are really only about 3 such episodes, but for the heck of it, here's my grades for each:

"Grade School Confidential":A-
"Special Edna":B-
"My Big Fat Geek Wedding":B

So, the second best of the three.

I also agree with DotheBartman that this episode does a great job as a farce. It is funny, and there are many inconsistencies that I actually like. Barney becoming a drunk (it appears) again is a big one, of course.

So, overall, not a great one, but it does it's job:B

[Reply #204 on:]

Too lazy to review right now, but for the time being, I pretty much agree with Gorky. Also, I loved Milhouse mispronouncing Matt's name and Barney being drunk again (I literally did the happy dance when I saw him with that beer).

B/B+

Full review coming... whenever.

Edit: But do you know what bothers me? They didn't use the ending they said they were going to. For those of you who don't know, they said it would end like this....

(Edna and Skinner are at the "alter" at the comic convention while Superman, as a minister, marries them)

Comic Book Guy: (sniff) My broken heart. That's it! This is the official WORST. EPISODE. EVER!!

Homer: Episode of what?

Matt: Oh, you'll see, Homer. You'll see.

[Reply #205 on:]

Nah, I think I prefer the ending that aired.

That one just seems too "knowing".

[Reply #206 on:]

 

Originally posted by leelaholic:
Edit: But do you know what bothers me? They didn't use the ending they said they were going to. For those of you who don't know, they said it would end like this....

(Edna and Skinner are at the "alter" at the comic convention while Superman, as a minister, marries them)

Comic Book Guy: (sniff) My broken heart. That's it! This is the official WORST. EPISODE. EVER!!

Homer: Episode of what?

Matt: Oh, you'll see, Homer. You'll see.

Ummm... When did they say it would end like that?  I must have missed that one...

[Reply #207 on:]

Maybe it was leaked onto the Internet by disgruntled voice artists.

[Reply #208 on:]

I thought that was just internet speculation and aprils fools tomfoolery, they also said Groening would tell fans to get a life.

[Reply #209 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
...they also said Groening would tell fans to get a life.

He did.  You just have to read between the lines.

[Reply #210 on:]

 

Originally posted by leelaholic:
Edit: But do you know what bothers me? They didn't use the ending they said they were going to. For those of you who don't know, they said it would end like this....

(Edna and Skinner are at the "alter" at the comic convention while Superman, as a minister, marries them)

Comic Book Guy: (sniff) My broken heart. That's it! This is the official WORST. EPISODE. EVER!!

Homer: Episode of what?

Matt: Oh, you'll see, Homer. You'll see.

I think that that would have been a great ending, but I still like the one that aired.

And, if that ending wasn't just an April Fools Day joke, then my guess as to why the episode didn't air with it is this: the writers seem to have gotten cold feet and decided that Skinner and Krabappel wouldn't get married after all. So, the ending couldn't be used, and they chose Marge and Homer being re-married (again) as the final scene instead. But, as it's been said, it may just be a prank. Maybe it was animated and will be a deleted scene when we get the season 15 DVD sets in about 11 years. 

[Reply #211 on:]

Hooray! I've been agreed with! 

[Reply #212 on:]

Are you still here?

[Reply #213 on:]

The brief appearnace of Matt signing a Bender doll, and the 'catfight' between CBG and Skinner made watching it worth the effort...   
(my fave thing actually was seeing the number of Bi-Mon Sci-Fi Con fans in Star Wars costumes!)

But as others here have mentioned, not too great (overall) of an episode.

Like The X-Files, The Simpsons peeked way earlier.

[Reply #214 on:]

I agree that The Simpsons peeked in its early years (between seasons 3-8 the show was at its best, I think). But, I still think that the way that Al Jean has pulled the show out of a 2 or 3 year rut is amazing. Still, I don't think that any future eras or seasons will match the utter brilliance of those first 8 seasons. Irregardless, though, the show is definitely getting better and better (when compared to Scully's era), and I hope that it keeps this trend up.

[Reply #215 on:]

My Sentiments exactly. Although I wouldn't say its that amazing what Al's done For me pretty much the first half of season 14 was really pretty shoddy stuff.

[Reply #216 on:]

I'm still yet to be convinced of Al Jean yet. Sure, "I D'ohbot" was the best ep I'd seen in years, but the 5 or so other Jean-era episodes I've seen have left a lot more to be desired, and that's counting a season 15 ep. Still, I shall persist just so I can keep posting in this thread with a half-valid opinion. 

[Reply #217 on:]

But annoyingly Sky one has decided on having a 6 week gap between Diatribe and Margical history tour which doesn't sound so good. and Then it seems there'll be a month until Millhouse doesn't live here anymore. which I'm guessing like Diatribe could be ruined a little by Homer's subplot.
Ironically even though I thought season 14 was weaker than many fans made it out to be some of the best eps in years came from it Moe Baby Blues
President wore pearls and Carjacker (I know the last are S15 eps, but there holdovers so you know)

[Reply #218 on:]

saw two episodes yesterday. my ratings

Trilogy of Error: A

Funny, funny stuff! I just loved the idea, and how the story was told from three points of view. A little far-fetched, I admit, but it had a few great moments like ned flanders saying "son of a diddly" three times, that made up for it.

The Mansion Family: D-

I just hated this one. It was continuing the Mr. Burns is stupid trend, and the way Homer acted made it unbareable. Oh, sure, the Homer jumping on the boat after Marge blocks an entrance might have been funny to some, but to me? Go fuck yourself, Homer, especially after that "I want to be a rich guy" shit.

[Reply #219 on:]

IMO,I think the following things were good in this episode:
CGB being used in the main plot

MAtt's apperance

BARNY DRUCK AGAIN!

Edna's flash to the future

The fight scene

The "Wedding"
Also,I think that it leaves the door open to
that new episode because Homer is trying to help his marragie a little more by going to Miami.

 

[Reply #220 on:]

Okay, just saw Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Any More and despite the fact many of you foriegn chumps have seen it a while ago, here are my thoughts on it...

Hey, it made me laugh out loud once! "The scots ruined scotland!" That's gotta be worth something...

A chuckle here and there, so bully for it... though I must lament once more the Simpsons lack of subtlety, and the tendincy to milk jokes dry... it saddens me...

Then again, I saw an ad for Skithouse in the middle, which made me realise how much worse comedy can be...

All up, it provided a laugh or two, and didn't make me want to kill anyone, so... yeah. I guess it was okay...

[Reply #221 on:]

Bener and fry Don't bother reviewing season 12 and 11 episodes they have no relevance.

[Reply #222 on:]

Yeah, those season's were all dreams...

[Reply #223 on:]

Same with a lot of season 10 and few from season 9.

[Reply #224 on:]

so-rry.
thats all we get here.
boo-hoo.

[Reply #225 on:]

Where's here.
and I guess you can it  post them it just seemed kind of random.

[Reply #226 on:]

Well, this is a review thread, and I don't see how reviews would be irrevelant in a review thread.
Anyway, for those who don't know, here are the final episodes coming up for Season 15.
April 25: Catch 'Em If You Can
When Homer and Marge get caught having a rendezvous in Miami, Bart, Lisa and Grampa Simpson take off on a cross-country journey, a la "Catch Me if You Can," to foil their romantic getaway. Once in Miami, the kids ditch Grampa, who befriends Raoul, a gay Miami swinger who enjoys Grampa's stories.
Seems OK. But I don't get how they ended up in Miami.
May 2: Simple Simpson
Homer becomes an avenging superhero whose trademark is giving evildoers a pie in the face.
...oh Jesus Christ, no.

Bart-Mangled Banner
No synopsis given.
The Way We Wasn't
No synopsis given.
Fraudcast News
Mr. Burns decides to buy up all the local media outlets, but Lisa refuses to sell her one-page newspaper.

[Reply #227 on:]

 

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
Bener and fry Don't bother reviewing season 12 and 11 episodes they have no relevance.

Well, not all of them. Season 11 had some decent episodes, such as "Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner" and "Behind the Laughter" (the latter wasn't great, but okay). And season 12 had some good episodes too. The most notable are "HOMR" and "Trilogy of Error". But yeah, most of Scully's era is rather pointless, and I advise you to avoid most of seasons 11 and 12.

[Reply #228 on:]

It should be clear that we don't officially know the "Fraudcast News" description yet.  Its just being (reasonably so) assumed because the title fits that already existing (and technically title-less) description.  That's probably the correct fitting, just saying.

Bart-Mangled Banner we can take a guess on.  The title suggests something about a flag, and the promo evidentally shows a mishap with Bart's shorts getting torn off while he faces opposite an American flag, therefore looking like he's mooning it (and Martin takes a picture).  Taking a stab at it, I would guess he's wrongfully accused of doing so (ala Homer: Badman), and it'll focus around all the pseudo patriotism stuff that's happened in the wake of 9/11 and the Iraq war.  Either way its one of my most anticipated shows, just going by what little we know of it, and what we can guess about it.

The Way We Weren't we can make similar assumptions about.  No official description, but Dan C. said an episode would focus around Marge and Homer talking about past romances.  The promo shows kid-Marge (with brown hair or something) and kid-Homer (with an eyepatch, I think thanks to an accident with a switchblade) kissing.  Again taking a stab at it, it'll be something where they talk about a childhood romance and then finally realize after so many years that it was with each other.  But again, just a guess (and also based on similar speculation at the NHC).  Again, one of my most anticipated shows in either case.

"Catch Me if You Can" does sound pretty lame.  I think it could be decent (like "C+" worthy) but I'm not expecting much more, and I wouldn't be suprised to see it enter "Tennis the Menace" levels of shittiness either.  However, I do want to urge some caution about pre-judging "Simple Simpson".  It seems like one of those shows (ala "I am Furious Yellow" ) where the promotion of it will completely play up the wackiness, but when it actually airs there will be a reasonable (for Simpsons) explanation.  Like (again taking a guess) Homer simply wears the costume and solves smaller crimes, as opposed to having actual powers or whatever (which I would defintely not expect to happen).  I'm not really sure what to make of it, but again that's the point; I don't think we know enough, and the descriptions and general nature of it is too vague, to really have any idea either way about it.

[Reply #229 on:]

Here's my projected grades for the upcoming episodes:

"Fraudcast News": Going on what little of a description we have, I have to say that I'm not really looking forward to it. Sounds like it could be another "Lisa fights for what she believes in" episode. Even though Lisa is my favorite character and I like most of her episodes, I think that this subject has probably been over-used. But if they can put a new twist on it, I'll be happy:B+

"Bart Mangled Banner": Sounds like it'll be a good episode dealing with patriotism, and as long as it is done in good taste, I think I'll enjoy it. Of course the idea that a goat rips his pants off is a bit far-fetched, but not the weirdest thing that has ever happened in Springfield:B+

"Catch 'Em If You Can":Meh. I'm setting my expectations low for this one. The plot sounds awful, particularly Grandpa and Raoul:D+

"The Way We Weren't": I can't wait for this one. I tend to like flashback episodes and this one sounds like a great one, especially when you consider the fact that Homer/Marge flahbacks have always been limited to their lives as teens/adults. The concept of seeing them as kids is rather exciting, and from the promos I've seen, it looks funny enough to suit me. A good mixture of good storytelling, humor, and emotion will make this one a great episode:A(I know I'm being optimistic, but this one really sounds great)

"Simple Simpson":I'm not sure about this one. People shouldn't judge it based on promos (as DotheBartman said), but you really can't help it. Still, it doesn't look as bad as other episodes this season, and I expect it to at least be average:B

So, overall, I'm expecting the rest of the season to be quality.

[Reply #230 on:]

I recently saw the My Big Fat Geek Wedding and my all I can say is, it was meh. Apart from a few jokes, I hated most of it, although I did enjoy the Hulk dispenser bit, and Matt Groening was the only reason I bothered to see it in the first place. And is it just me, or has Marge become a lot more bitchy recently? In older episodes, if she had a problem with Homer, she would be the one to try and work it out, while Homer would cause the trouble without being aware of it. Now, Homer doesn't even do anything, and she suddenly can't stand him?

[Reply #231 on:]

"Catch 'em If You Can" sounds... like it COULD be good... but I'm not expecting it to be.  I'm hoping for some solid humour to pull it through to watchable, though. Season 15 has seemed to be pretty good so far at putting good gags in otherwise weak episodes (comittee writing making up for individual writer's failings?).

"Bart Mangled Banner" sounds like a cross between Homer: Badman and A Taste of Freedom, which isn't a bad thing. I'm looking forward to it for sure. It sounds like it could be a good political/patriotism satire. 

"The Way We Weren't" could either be incredibly awesome, or mess up everything that has come before in terms of Homer/Marge history.  I'm betting (and hoping!) for the former.  I would think that DTB's guess/speculation isn't too far off, and that sounds mighty good to me. It has the makings to be a great Marge/Homer relationship episode.

"Fraudcast News" could be anything at this point, really. If it is about Burns and Lisa in a news-related conflict, it could be pretty good. Of course, I just watched Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish this evening (A+, BTW, considering this is a review thread), and can't help but see the upcoming Fraudcast News as existing along the same lines as this classic. Here's hoping.

"Simple Simpson" sounds like... well... I have no idea. It could be a fun, cartoony episode, or it could be a complete pile of cartoony trash. Sounds to me like it could be about Homer going around pie-ing celebs, politicians, jerks, Flanders, etc in some sort of "justice" (fighting for the little guy like... the beginning of the one where he goes on the hunger strike... Hungry, Hungry Homer?)  I'm uneasy about this one, but... I'll remain optimistic. *weak smile*

To sum up: The end of season holds a lot of promise, I'm hoping for the best. 

[Reply #232 on:]

More a complaint than a review, but Sky cut the best jokes out of Simpsons to make room for ad breaks (they certainly weren't cut from the BBC airings) - in Homer vs. The Eighteenth Amendment they cut out IMO the best joke in the script (John Bull's Fish and Chip shop exploding)...but oh well.

Back to S15, The Way We Wasn't - I'm with Ranadok on this one...it could be great, but it could screw up a load of previous flashback episodes...and I really don't like the sound of Simple Simpson...

[Reply #233 on:]

Simple Simpson doesn't sound like a good premise but as someone at the NHC pointed out Bart gets an elephant is a bad premise but its still an enjoyable episode.

[Reply #234 on:]

That may be true. But I thought a lot of people hated "Bart Gets an Elephant." I personally thought it was hilarious.

[Reply #235 on:]

The Otto Show was a poor premise and I liked that one.

[Reply #236 on:]

People don't hate "Bart Gets an Elephant" for the most part, its just not one of the most popular thanks to its failings (although it used to be more popular a while ago).  Interestingly, I believe it was one of the few season five episodes that Matthew Kurth (old time alt.tv.simpsons reviewer) actually liked.

Gorky: I can see your point about "Fraudcast News" becoming yet another "Lisa crusades" episode, I think this one has a particular potential that could make it top notch.  The subject of media ownership and just how "free" our media is (considering something like six companies own all of your major news media) has become a big issue of public debate lately, and I think this could be a good commentary on the issue.  It doesn't sound purely like a "Lisa acts like a hippie and yells at people" episode to me.

[Reply #237 on:]

I hate those episodes so much!

[Reply #238 on:]

I never liked Bart Gets an Elephant... somehow it managed to be over-the-top cartoony and bland at the same time.  It is one of my least favourite of the 'classic' years.

[Reply #239 on:]

I didn't like "A Star is Burns".