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

[Reply #440 on:]

Oh god, some sick Nazi bastard has cloned Leelaholic!

[Reply #441 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
  Burns just hasn't been the same since Who Shot Mr. Burns .

umm 'Mother Simpson' 'Raging Abe Simpson and his Grumbling Grandson in "the curse of the flying hellfish."
anyway his slightly more senile soft side was established as early as 'Blood feud'  and done brilliantly in 'Rosebud'
I agree they can go too far with that side of him, but its still good to have that so he's not just a 1 dimensional character. like I reckon he is in 'Bart gets hit by a Car' and actually this episode also shows him being incredibly weak when he struggles to crush a paper cup.

[Reply #442 on:]

Originally posted by User_names_suck:
 
umm 'Mother Simpson' 'Raging Abe Simpson and his Grumbling Grandson in "the curse of the flying hellfish."
QUOTE]

Well his evil side has always been there, just pushed aside a little much in recent years.  Basically I mean that WSMB seems to be the turning point where they started focusing a little more on the senile/crazy/weak side of him and the evil side started to get pushed aside.  Though yes, even the senile/crazy/weak side was established as early as season two, but it got more prominent as they went on (in fact even by episodes like "$pringfield" I think they were starting to go in the wrong direction with him.  Not that his antics in "$pringfield" aren't hilarious).

[Reply #443 on:]

I agree. Burns always acts evil to some extent.

In fact, he's been evil as recently as "My Mother the Carjacker", "Simple Simpson" and "Fraudcast News". It just needs to be played up more.

EDIT: Typo begone!

[Reply #444 on:]

Fraucast news? its FrauDcast you stupid fucking cunt.
Sorry about that couldn't resist, of course now you can edit your post and make me look stupid. (I guess I do a good enough job of that myself)
Apologies to DTB I know he doesn't like such naughty language.

[Reply #445 on:]

Heh, well I don't have a problem with swearing (you should hear my own mouth in real life sometimes, actually).  Calling him a "stupid fucking cunt" seems like a bit much over a typo though. 

[Reply #446 on:]

omg i haet u user_names_suck i hoep u git baned!!                   

Nah, not really.  But yeah, DTB is right. Be good.

[Reply #447 on:]

You two, check the PEELer quotes thread.

[Reply #448 on:]

Okay, I know I've waited almost a week, but here's my NHC review of "Fraudcast News":

I agree with what Tomacco said, for the most part. Definitely a hit-or-miss episode. I rate it as highly as him, as a matter of fact. However, I think that, overall, this episode did what it was supposed to, but I still can't see any reason to rank it as the best of the season, when, in my opinion, there's still a lot of bugs to work out.

As I was watching this episode, I found myself comparing it to a Scully-era episode (not nearly as much as last week's atrocity, "Bart Mangled Banner", though). For one thing, the first act contained many "cartoony" gags, such as comparing Burns to a lizard and snake or the whole breast-feeding thing. Definitely the two worst moments of the episode. In acts two and three, Homer was starting to get back to his Scully-self. He was, simply said, a complete and utter moron, but not in a good way. His lowest point in the episode was, without a doubt, eating cups of drugs in Burns's office in act three. Seriously, what does that remind you of? "Speaking of the whole, "Here, have some drugs," joke, that reminded me of something out of a season 11 or 12 episode. Now, I'm not saying that these jokes and concepts ruined the episode, but they're definitely a bit of an annoyance, and not a good way to end such a great season.

Also, on the problem front, this episode kind of dragged along, and I thought that in a way, it went around in circles. The last 10 minutes were basically Burns trying to destroy Lisa's paper, usually with unfunny results. Not to say that I don't like this episode's concept, but this one really took its time.

Well, enough complaining, let's talk about the funny aspects. There were some great jokes, particularly, "Why did they have to cancel Futurama?!". That was the highest point...of act one. Act two gave us a bounty of Burns jokes, most of which at least got a chuckle out of me. Act three was where this episode took its stand, and proved that The Simpsons still has a ton of life left in it (which I began to doubt after last week's episode). I must say, with all things considered, the ending redeems anything that was bad about the episode. For one thing, in the end Homer writes a sweet article about his daughter (which is the best part of the episode, in my opinion) and for a change he is a bit profound in the end. And, the message that the episode sends is heard loud and clear.

All in all, a fine job and a great way to close the season. Hope season 16 is even better:B+/A- or 4/5 

[Reply #449 on:]

Hm. You know, I was recently doing help work at the school where my mom teaches, and the kids there (about eight years old on average) kept asking me about The Simpsons. There was one kid, maybe he was just trying to look cool in front of a high school student (me), but he said something I thought was kind of interesting.

"I love Simpsons, especially when they're cussin'"

This made me think of something. Do little kids just watch the show for the sake of swears? I started watching the show when I was four (because it was on right after Power Rangers) and the reason I kept watching it was because it was just so hilarious. My parents didn't approve of the swearing, but soon came to realize that there was more to the show than that. Humor, emotion, satire. It was all there. It just seems that people don't understand.

I remember seeing "Cape Feare" on it's original broadcast (I was about five years old) and laughing a lot, even though I didn't understand too much of it. I can even remember a few things that completely stick out in memory (Bob's decent on the boat being the biggest example).

But back to my point, do you think kids have the wrong idea about the show?

[Reply #450 on:]

I'll just say something about the Burns crushing an ant bit; This seems like the early days when he couldn't knock a door or crush a paper cup which I think is making a reappearence due to writers looking back at old episodes on commentaries. I had no real objection to the joke itself but I found the way the camera was handled in that shot very distracting. This has happened a lot lately. I keep seeing new episodes where as terrible as the joke or story may be, It looks worse when it is upstaged by the animation. I love the fancy animation but I think it should only be used for dramatic effect and not to play comedy.

[Reply #451 on:]

Leelaholic, that's just how kids are. They want to see things that their parents don't want them to. I remember I used to love watching the Simpsons at my grandma's house, because my parents never let me watch it. After my cousin started watching South Park and my parents told me not to, I tried to watch it. That's just the nature of little kids.

[Reply #452 on:]

Yes, I can relate. It's a sense of empowerment.

However, when I was young, I felt that way to some extent, but that wasn't how I viewed the show as a whole. I enjoyed numerous aspects and, although I did like how mature it made me feel, I still just plain enjoyed it for what it was: a reflection on life.

"Bart Gets An 'F'". Shit, could I ever relate to that when I was young! "Lisa the Beauty Queen", "Summer of 4 ft 2", even "Das Bus" reminded me of my life. it was just something I enjoyed watching, not for pure shock value, but for overall enjoyment.

Of course, I was a very strange little kid...

[Reply #453 on:]

 

Originally posted by leelaholic:
"Lisa the Beauty Queen", "Summer of 4 ft 2", even "Das Bus" reminded me of my life.

Your parents put you in beauty pagaents when you were little?

[Reply #454 on:]

Nah, he's actually stuck on an Island with a only a Laptop and Mini-TV for company. No monkey butlers.

[Reply #455 on:]

I loved it when I was a kid and I wasn't in it for the cursing (there realy wasn't much) I really enjoyed the plots and the jokes even if I didn't get them. I remember taping an episode, I forget which one it was, but I watched the part where Dr. Nick opens the door and the press is out there asking where the bodies are and he says, "It's such a nice day I think I'll go out the window." over and over again and I laughed my head off not even getting the joke. The show wasn't taboo in my house. My dad encouraged me to watch The Simpsons and Ren and Stimpy. Maybe that's why I didn't focus in on the swearing, because It wasn't called attention to.

[Reply #456 on:]

The Simpsons truly is a series for all ages. Personally, I always loved it, by I began to apreciate it more as I grew older, and learned more things... even though, by the time I reached High School, there was much less to apreciate.    Oh well. The older ones are truly timeless classics, and as I (hopefully) continue to gain knowledge, I'll be able to find even more things to laugh at in them...

[Reply #457 on:]

nothing can touch the early episodes, but I think alot of folks have been setting their expectations too high since then, myself included. Yesterday I popped in a VHS of older episodes (post season 7) I hadn't seen in ages...I laughed my ass off quite a bit, which I didn't do much during the original airings. I think I appreciated it much more the second time around, free of hype and/or unrealistic expectations. I can't argue that there's been some duds along the way (Bart Mangled Banner a most obvious example), but more often than not the Simpsons are still bringing it.

I've noticed too that they've been paying more attention to the earlier episodes, even so much as resurrecting Dr Marvin Monroe for a cameo. Like KAH said, it's probably 'cuz the writers had a chance to reflect on 'em during the commentaries, and probably got re-acquainted with the original spirit of the show...fine by me...         

[Reply #458 on:]

I competely agree with everything you just said.
I watched 'Homers Barbershop Quartet','The Otto Show' and 'Homerpalooza' yesterday, all of which I have seen 4 or 5 times but I was still shocked at how brilliant they are - undoubtedly the best TV show of all time.

[Reply #459 on:]

Saw MHT today. A few laughs but there were some bits I just hated like the Scottish Flag on an English Castle (Either mistake or BLATANT OBVIOUS HUMOR), The France/Ireland bashing and 'grow-a-penis'.

However, The Pioneer Spirit getting crushed and the the fact some research went into the Mozart Story got a D+ from Nurdy.

EDIT: Oh, and the '..and Karl.' joke made me smile. 

[Reply #460 on:]

Didn't notice the flag thing, I already knew the Penis joke was coming so I wasn't particulary botherd by it. If they'd just cut some of the animation and grunting it would have been ok.
Still a fair amount of Laughs and as I say I quite enjoy these trilogy episodes So I'm going to give it a 3/5 or C+ a little genrous perhaps and maybe another day I would have given 2.5/2.75. but still.

[Reply #461 on:]

David A: Heh, no. (That was funny though) What I meant was that it was relatable in other ways. How Homer made a sacrifice for his kid, how Bart tried to help his sister, etc.

Even had moments like that.

[Reply #462 on:]

I rarely watched the show as a kid, as it was frowned upon by my mother. Of course, I caught it every once in a while and didn't see anything wrong with it (and still don't, at least to the level that she disliked it), but I watched it mainly because it was funny, not because it was 'forbidden' or due to any cussin'. It's only been in the past two years or so that I have realized what genius existed in the early years.

[Reply #463 on:]

I didn't start watching the Simpsons until I was about 9, I got jealous of all the other kids at school talking about "DIE! DIET!". I think it was because of my lack of watching it when I was about five made me overcompensate by watching every damn episode continuously and becoming the Simpsons expert.   
On the subject on MHT, I didn't really like the episode much. Apparently we get it earlier than Britain, so nyah nyah.
A lot of the jokes were hit n' miss, as a lot of Simpsons humour has been for a while, but the 'Animal House' song at the end of it was pretty funny, even though I have no idea what that movie is.

[Reply #464 on:]

 

Originally posted by M0le:
A lot of the jokes were hit n' miss, as a lot of Simpsons humour has been for a while, but the 'Animal House' song at the end of it was pretty funny, even though I have no idea what that movie is.

Just imagine John Balusi in a college with girls in the next building.

[Reply #465 on:]

Hey, I don't know why I thought of this, but does anyone know whatever happened to that real Simpsons house near Las Vegas? Is that thing a tourist trap now or something?

[Reply #466 on:]

 

Originally posted by Shadowstar:
Hey, I don't know why I thought of this, but does anyone know whatever happened to that real Simpsons house near Las Vegas? Is that thing a tourist trap now or something?

Some lady that didn't watch The Simpsons won it.  She had it repainted (to be fair I think she might've had to, to fit local ordinances and all that) and sold it.  It still exists, but obviously its not as recognizable now.

[Reply #467 on:]

That's kind of tragic.

The "Official" Site

[Reply #468 on:]

Well I'm into it over at "The No Homers Club" again. Seems that I can't post there semi-regularly for more than a week without getting into an argument.   

[Reply #469 on:]

Heh, well that's what we do over there.  Many of us have a no nonsense approach to it and love debating with each other.

I wouldn't take it too personally or anything.  Mohammed Jafar in particular is someone that loves to debate over there (and is one of the best at it there I'd have to add) and commonly challenges people's comments.  He doesn't mean to be rude or anything (even if he comes off as "tough" or a bit intrusive sometimes), its just who he is. 

[Reply #470 on:]

Heh, yeah. I'll never forget the time I admitted to liking "Brother's Little Helper"     

Well, guess I'll bring up another topic...

Season 14 Rankings:

Treehouse of Horror XIII B-
How I Spent My Strummer Vacation B+
Bart Vs. Lisa Vs. The Third Grade C+
Large Marge B
Helter Shelter D
The Great Louse Detective B+
Special Edna A
The Dad Who Knew Too Little B+
Strong Arms Of The Ma C-
Pray Anything C-
Barting Over A
I'm Spelling As Fast As I Can B+
A Star is Born-Again B-
Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington A-
C.E.D'oh B+
'Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky D+
Three Gays of the Condo A
Dude, Where's My Ranch? F-
Old Yeller-Belly C-
Brake My Wife, Please C
The Bart of War A
Moe Baby Blues A+

Wow. Season 15 was a fuckload better than this....

[Reply #471 on:]

   

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
Heh, well that's what we do over there.  Many of us have a no nonsense approach to it and love debating with each other.

I wouldn't take it too personally or anything.  Mohammed Jafar in particular is someone that loves to debate over there (and is one of the best at it there I'd have to add) and commonly challenges people's comments.  He doesn't mean to be rude or anything (even if he comes off as "tough" or a bit intrusive sometimes), its just who he is. 

Oh jeez I know that. They're good fellas don't get me wrong. I just find it more enjoyable to post here at peel. I ment nothing against those guys. I think Jafar could win an argument about the sky being purple if he wanted.   

@Leelaholic: Yeah season 15 was an improvment over 14, but I stand by my comments over at the No Homers (I don't want to get into that here). Hopfully if they don't end the show, it will at least keep improving.

[Reply #472 on:]

I'll go on a limb here, but I don't think the simpsons cussed that much at first did they?  In fact the first few seasons are as said earlier not so much for the utter shock but had decent plots. 

[Reply #473 on:]

Well in terms of T.V standards back then some things may have been shocking. and they actually repeated the joke of using the words Hell, Bastard and Bitch in their non offensive contexts but still with the intention of annoying people.
Some moments don't even come across as jokes today, like Implying Homer and Marge had sex before they were married.
Of course today there are some dirtier jokes in it but are pretty tame compared to whats out their.

Yes their some very good arguers at NHC
Mohhamed Jafar as you said and also Sloppy Jimbo and Channel Surfer. and lets not even get into what happens when RMIII becomes motivated to argue for something.

But I like it better than this place at the moment because people post regulary.
and here Mouse on Venus at one stage seemed to be following everything I said so he could argue against me and make me look stupid. Still it was fun.

[Reply #474 on:]

This is why I prefer the first few seasons of the Simpsons[on that note, Space Ghost Coast to Coast as well] because they weren't allowed to use profanity and so they couldn't fall back on vulgar words for lack of something actually funny. Mind you they were still very adult, but in a more subtle way which is a lot more enjoyable..

[Reply #475 on:]

Well, as has been pointed out, in the very first few seasons they mostly didn't have the same kind of leeway to swear on the show as they do now, and in fact the uses of things like "ass" or "crap" were more shocking then than anything the show does now.  And of course things like Bart's antics at the time really worried a lot of people, which is hilarious to think about now.

[Reply #476 on:]

One thing that surprised me when watching Season 2 has how often Bart said "Bitchin!". I think I counted it 4 or 5 times in that season, and I don't know if he ever said it again...

[Reply #477 on:]

@Ranadok

Yeah, I know. I think that that could have possibly been an act of defiance on the part of the writers. You know, show the censors that you can get away with something like that without many problems. But, as it's been said, overall, they have much more leniancy now and can get away with more swearing and "adult" subject-matter.

On another note, I'll get my season 13, 14, and 15 grades out soon, so I can compare all the Jean-era episodes.

[Reply #478 on:]

My ratings for S15:
THOH XIV:B

My Mother the Carjacker:A+

The President Wore Pearls:B+

The Regina Monogues:C+

The Fat and the Furriest:A-

Today, I Am a Klown:B-

Tis' the Fifteenth Season: A

Marge v.s Singless,Seniors,Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays:C+

I,(Annoyed Grunt)-Bot:A

Diatribe of a Mad House:B+

Margical History Tour:B-

Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore:B+

Smart and Smarter:B-

The Ziff Who Came to Dinner:B

Co-Dependence Day:C

The Wandering Juvie:A

My Big Fat Geek Wedding:B-

Catch'em if You Can:B-

Simple Simpson:A

The Way We Weren't:A+

Bart-Mangled Banner:C-

Fraudcast News:A+

[Reply #479 on:]

Best eps.: Diatribe of a Mad House, the Way we weren't, Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore, the Wandering Juvie

Good, not great: Fraudcast News, Simple Simpson, My Big Fat Geek Wedding, The Ziff Who Came to Dinner, I,D'oh-Bot, The President Wore Pearls

Bad: The Bart-Mangled Banner, Marge vs. Singless,Seniors,Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays

Best moments: "Why did they cancel Futuraaaamaaa!?!", I&S cartoons, The Musesum of Televisiona and TV, The songs in tPwP, Jessica Lovejoy appearing I,D-B, Jon Lovitz characters at Moe's in tZtctd, "My mom worked really hard on this costume", Cookie Kwan looking like Amy Wong in tWww't, Dream sequence in tWww't, "What if Mad TV does a parody of it?", Lisa's libido, one of the babies in Marge Vs. lots of people whose diaper got soggy looked like Amy Wong

Worst moments: Anti-child riots in Marge vs. lots of people, Simpsons going to jail