At Long Last Leave! - The Simpsons

[Reply #720 on:]

I will, I'll give her a call later and ask her what it is.

I wonder if there's a site where you can watch Futurama episodes? There's probably one out there somewhere.

In reply to LMP.

[Reply #721 on:]

^ The Simpsons is definently more influential, but I think South Park is funnier- (with the exception of the last few seasons.)

I grew up with both, and experienced both show's "golden age" first hand. They're both very dear to me, though I also think they're beyond comparison. Different styles of humour, different objectives, different in so many ways... Apples and oranges, people. It's futile to even debate about.

The Simpsons and South Park are very different, but to me Simpsons is better. It feels like South Park never was so serious it could be as great and humor doesn't work in a same level as with Simpsons. However, I'm never been a fan of South Park and I started watching it quite recently, so my opinion is really not objective. They are different, Simpsons couldn't do anything South Park does, it would be too bizarre and stupid.

[Reply #722 on:]

He's more of a jerk in "Lisa on Ice", from Season 6, in my opinion.

[Reply #723 on:]

I wonder if there's a site where you can watch Futurama episodes? There's probably one out there somewhere.

In reply to LMP.

Yeah, there's actually a link to it on that very website.

[Reply #724 on:]

He's also a real jerkass in "Trash of the Titans".

An episode that doesn't really have any redeeming qualities in it to me. There's one scene in it where Homer dances to the beat of a singing pumpkin, laughs and says "Ooh yeah!" Really? That's what passes for humour?

[Reply #725 on:]

For me, everything past The Blunder Years (Mike Scully's final episode if I recall) is a completely different show. Also, the non-canon trilogy episodes weren't all bad. Simpsons Bible Stories I thought was pretty good. Jerkass Homer starts in Season 9 I'd say, although Lisa on Ice is probably the earliest we see it. However, that didn't stop the episode from being bad.

[Reply #726 on:]

I agree with you there, but only because South Park is a better show, IMO, than the Simpsons. I still like the Simpsons, though.

The Simpsons is a much better show than South Park. Honestly, I think even Trey Parker would admit that based on how highly he and Matt Stone talk about The Simpsons.

The Simpsons may have gone piss-poor, but hell, South Park's hardly been stellar from season 12, onwards, either. And on a per-episode basis... well, South Park hit episode 200 in season 14. The Simpsons hit episode 200 in season 9.

In its prime, The Simpsons was like a show made with about 20 people of Trey Parker's caliber on staff. It's no wonder that it was better.

South Park is an amazing show, too, though, for the record.

[Reply #727 on:]

^ I do agree that modern South Park can't even compare to classic Simpsons episodes.

[Reply #728 on:]

I don't think that any episode of South Park compares to Classic Simpsons.

[Reply #729 on:]

I don't think that any episode of South Park compares to Classic Simpsons.

I'd say a few do, but hey, I respect your opinion.

[Reply #730 on:]

South Park has a few outstanding episodes, but I still prefer Classic Simpsons. I respect your opinion too, though.

[Reply #731 on:]

Yeah, it's not even a contest like cyber_turnip said. The Simpsons was still going pretty strong until Season 11-12, which was around the 225th episode mark. Before South Park got to 200 episodes, it was already very hit and miss with some of its seasons already. I'd say Simpsons Season 3-10 trump all of South Park, even its very best years.

[Reply #732 on:]

Season 9 Episode 6

What's it called?

Wow... Seriously guys? Seriously? Okay, the spammy chat-room-esque posts are getting waaaayyyy out of hand, now. Why even respond to a question about your favourite episode if your post's going to be as minimal as "Season 9 Episode 6." Why not even drop the title or provide some sort of comment as to why it's your favourite? And Shiny, come on now, you could've Googled that. You're better than that.

I hate to keep stepping in and donning the serious hat; it doesn't fit and it looks horrible on me... But you guys DO realise how high the chances are of someone here being banned once the mods finally see this, right? Not to mention what happened with the original American Dad thread (and most of General Disscussion)...

Yeah, in my opinion, Homer didn't really become the asshole that he is until Jean took over.

Most fans would argue that the Mike Scully years were the apex of "jerkass Homer." Jean practically said he was making a conscious effort to bring the heart back to the show when he first took over in season 13 (and, as bad as that season is, Homer does get a few redeeming moments in it; ie. Jaws Wired Shut). Actually, the only Scully episode where I can remember Homer NOT being a complete asshole would be Hungry, Hungry Homer, which I enjoyed almost entirely for that reason.

Some examples of Homer being at his worst in the Scully seasons:
* Homer inadvertently getting Maude killed and then continuing to be a complete cunt to Flanders afterwards.
* Homer waving his children in front of bulls at rodeos to get their attention.
* Refusing to give his father a kidney, leaving him on his deathbed and running away instead.
And that's just off the top of my head.

[Reply #733 on:]

Uh...yeah, I knew that. *Runs away*

It's been a while since I last watched the Scully seasons, so I kind of forgot about all that. Not to mention I was tired as fuck when I made that post. 

[Reply #734 on:]

Season 9 Episode 6

What's it called?

Wow... Seriously guys? Seriously? Okay, the spammy chat-room-esque posts are getting waaaayyyy out of hand, now. Why even respond to a question about your favourite episode if your post's going to be as minimal as "Season 9 Episode 6." Why not even drop the title or provide some sort of comment as to why it's your favourite? And Shiny, come on now, you could've Googled that. You're better than that.

I hate to keep stepping in and donning the serious hat; it doesn't fit and it looks horrible on me... But you guys DO realise how high the chances are of someone here being banned once the mods finally see this, right? Not to mention what happened with the original American Dad thread (and most of General Disscussion)...

Yeah, in my opinion, Homer didn't really become the asshole that he is until Jean took over.

Most fans would argue that the Mike Scully years were the apex of "jerkass Homer." Jean practically said he was making a conscious effort to bring the heart back to the show when he first took over in season 13 (and, as bad as that season is, Homer does get a few redeeming moments in it; ie. Jaws Wired Shut). Actually, the only Scully episode where I can remember Homer NOT being a complete asshole would be Hungry, Hungry Homer, which I enjoyed almost entirely for that reason.

Some examples of Homer being at his worst in the Scully seasons:
* Refusing to give his father a kidney, leaving him on his deathbed and running away instead.

As much as I hate to admit this, Jerkass Homer could be quite funny in the early Scully seasons though (Seasons 9 and 10 especially). If I recall correctly in Kidney Trouble, Homer does admit he was a jerk in it near the end. I still like that episode, despite being one of the stupidest at that point, but hey, if Homer vs. Dignity can make me laugh quite a bit despite having a stupid premise, that's still better than a lot of episodes Jean's done from Season 13 onwards, because many of his episodes I've watched are either not that funny or are just plain boring. Half of the time at least, it's a mix of both, which is one of the worst combinations you could have for a Simpsons episode.

[Reply #735 on:]

As much as I hate to admit this, Jerkass Homer could be quite funny in the early Scully seasons though (Seasons 9 and 10 especially). If I recall correctly in Kidney Trouble, Homer does admit he was a jerk in it near the end.

I agree. "Jerkass Homer" was kind of funny during the early Scully Era.

On the other hand, Scully's Season 11 saw Homer being responsible for Maude's death, and later continuing to act like an asshole to Ned, as Beamer mentioned above

[Reply #736 on:]

If I recall correctly in Kidney Trouble, Homer does admit he was a jerk in it near the end.

Ultimately, the kidney is only donated against his will, and even if that wasn't the case, it still wouldn't be enough to redeem his actions.

On the other hand, Scully's Season 11 saw Homer being responsible for Maude's death, and later continuing to act like an asshole to Ned, as Beamer mentioned above

I normally ONLY like Jerkass Homer when it's unreasonably directed towards Flanders, but that one was way, way over the line for me. And just a terrible episode in general, too... It actually had the potential to be genuinely affecting and explore territory the show had never explored before, but instead was yet another platform for the unabashed pointless retardation of the Scully years. They might as well have thrown some more fucking jockey elves in while they were slapping that episode together.

[Reply #737 on:]

On the other hand, Scully's Season 11 saw Homer being responsible for Maude's death, and later continuing to act like an asshole to Ned, as Beamer mentioned above

I normally ONLY like Jerkass Homer when it's unreasonably directed towards Flanders, but that one was way, way over the line for me. And just a terrible episode in general, too... It actually had the potential to be genuinely affecting and explore territory the show had never explored before, but instead was yet another platform for the unabashed pointless retardation of the Scully years. They might as well have thrown some more fucking jockey elves in while they were slapping that episode together.

I'd say Alone Again, Natura-Diddily is probably one of my least favourite episodes of Season 11. Homer was quite dark in this one, and Maude's death was done badly as it pretty much came down to Homer being retarded but later making jokes about it. They also took the wrong approach in making alot of the jokes come from Homer targetting Ned after Maude died too. Even by the end, when Ned found closure in supposedly getting over Maude and having faith again, I still couldn't tell whether the episode was supposed to be funny or emotional. It just kind of ends up being awkwardly neither I think, if that makes any sense at all.

[Reply #738 on:]

I think I read somewhere (I can't remember where) that someone on The Simpsons's writing staff (possibly Matt Selman) suggested bringing Maude back several years after "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily" aired. I believe this gentleman wanted to have her come back and reveal that she had been very much alive since the events of the episode.

Well, thank God they didn't do that. That would have been worse than killing her off in the first place.

[Reply #739 on:]

I remember it being jokingly suggested by Al Jean when he was talking about undoing some of the permanent changes to the show. He said something along the lines of "Apu's wife could take the octuplets back to India, Milhouse's parents could get back together (this was a while ago, obviously) but I still haven't figured out a way to bring Maude back yet." I don't remember any writer suggesting it was a legitimate idea that they were actually considering.

[Reply #740 on:]

Oh, okay. That actually sounds familiar now. I read that a while ago, so I guess I just got mixed up.

[Reply #741 on:]

Question: Why do people like Trash of the Titans but revile other similar episodes such as "A Tale of Two Springfields"?

[Reply #742 on:]

I guess Trash of the Titans came first so it was more of an anomaly at the time. I'd rank them both evenly (as in, I think they're both equally mediocre). You're right about them being pretty much identical in tone/style/humour, though.

EDIT: Also, Trash of the Titans did have a fantastical music number which always helps, and the big, pointless guest star band was far less pivotal a plot point.

[Reply #743 on:]

I read something a while ago that said something like "Jerkass Homer actually started in Season 9's Trash of the Titans but that episode is so funny that people don't realize it!"

Really? Jerkass Homer is very hard not to realize in that episode. He storms a U2 concert, for crying out loud.

[Reply #744 on:]

A Tale of Two Springfields is one of the better episodes with Jerkass Homer in it I'd say. If I recall, that's the one where Homer straps himself with explosives, gets brutally attacked by a Badger and rocks out with The Who. The plot is a bit wacky sure, but it's got quite a few good jokes in it and is one of their last great episodes in the pre-modern era.

[Reply #745 on:]

I laughed at the bit in HOMR where Homer goes behind a plant and impersonates Lisa. Does that make me an idiot? Because someone in the YouTube comment section said "I found this scene woefully unfunny". Bet he's English.

[Reply #746 on:]

I think you're placing far too much emphasis on other people's opinions, stum. Half of the things you're citing here are quotes from other sources on the episodes... All that matters is whether or not you enjoyed it. I've disagreed with plenty of people in this thread on episodes that weren't particularly popular but I personally liked. At the end of the day, hey, their loss, because the time I spent watching it was a far better 20 minutes of my life than theirs.

[Reply #747 on:]

Thanks... Beamer.

(See, look! It's more than one word!)

[Reply #748 on:]

I like A Tale of Two Springfields more, it has interesting plot and that "number not found" joke, repeated and as you know it's coming, is just great. Trash of the Titans is quite good as well, but I don't prefer it over the other. I don't generally like musical numbers either.

[Reply #749 on:]

I don't much care for the Garbageman song. The tune's not very entertaining.

[Reply #750 on:]

Is it just me, or is The Italian Bob really overrated? I actually prefer Day of the Jackanapes over it.

[Reply #751 on:]

On NHC, it was voted the 15th worst episode of all time.

[Reply #752 on:]

On NHC, it was voted the 15th worst episode of all time.

Which one are you talking about? The Italian Bob or Alone Again, Natura-Diddily?

[Reply #753 on:]

The Italian Bob.

Guess which one was voted 1st?

[Reply #754 on:]

If I recall correctly in Kidney Trouble, Homer does admit he was a jerk in it near the end.

Ultimately, the kidney is only donated against his will, and even if that wasn't the case, it still wouldn't be enough to redeem his actions.

He wasn't too much of a jerk in that episode. He was scared. Call him a coward if you want, but that doesn't make him a jerk.

Question: Why do people like Trash of the Titans but revile other similar episodes such as "A Tale of Two Springfields"?

I don't have a particular problem with either, personally. I don't think either are particularly great, but they're Simpsons episodes that I'd say are decent. Some of the last episodes I'd say aren't awful.


As for "The Italian Bob", I think it's one of the very worst episodes ever made. I think I ranked it as my 2nd least favourite of all time on the other page. "Day of the Jackanapes" is much better (despite not being great).

[Reply #755 on:]

Question: in what episode does Homer stab some kind of inanimate object and it starts bleeding?

[Reply #756 on:]

I don't know, but I just watched "Behind the Laughter" and Ozzy Osbourne bit the top off of a Grammy award, causing it to bleed.

[Reply #757 on:]

Oh yeah, that's what I meant!

[Reply #758 on:]

So I just watched the first Modern Simpsons season entirely for the first time.....

Season 13

Good
Treehouse of Horror XII
The Blunder Years
Weekend at Burnsie's
I Am Furious (Yellow)

Mediocre or worse
Everything else

Verdict
What the fuck happened?

[Reply #759 on:]

I don't know, but I just watched "Behind the Laughter" and Ozzy Osbourne bit the top off of a Grammy award, causing it to bleed.

I agree that it was lame. Though it's a brief, throwaway gag in a silly non-canon episode, so who cares?

Behind the Laughter is actually one of my all-time favourite episodes, too. The parody is spot-on in tone and execution, and it's relentlessly funny. The narrator is a particular highlight for me ("Would Willie bring an olive branch of hope, or would it be pecked apart by Woodpeckers of Mistrust?") and I LOVE all the literal imagery that accompanies his convoluted metaphors.