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[RoryDropkick]

"He's putting my kid through college!"

I love the way he says that

 

[Ryck]

I endorse this event and or product.

 

[jstripes]

If you were around when that stuff first aired, yeah, it was rough, but it was groundbreaking.

 

[UberTag]

Lisa: Why isn't Dad ever interested in anything I do?
Marge: Well, um, do you ever take an interest in anything he does?
Lisa: No. ... Well, we used to have burping contests, but I outgrew it.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

"He's putting my kid through college!"

Change the channel, Marge...

 

[Aaron Strife]

Matt Groening in his unbridled pure form.
bleh.

I love reading the stories about him during the creative process. How he'd just kind of sit back and every once in a while be like "Hey, you know what'd be funny? If Marge had rabbit ears underneath her hair!" to the amusement of nobody.

I'd like to meet him some day.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

I love reading the stories about him during the creative process. How he'd just kind of sit back and every once in a while be like "Hey, you know what'd be funny? If Marge had rabbit ears underneath her hair!" to the amusement of nobody.

I'd like to meet him some day.

I've met him before. Lovely guy. He was part of an animation and comics round table at my college a while ago. After it was over, people got a chance to chat with him (and Craig Bartlett!). His handlers were super annoyed because he was supposed to be part of some big tour they had planned for the special guests, but he just stood around talking to students for ages.

He also at one point before the talk came to the table I was sitting at (we were there as part of a class, so we were early) and passed out signed Futurama and Simpsons comics which are almost astoundingly tame and unfunny, but he's a super cool guy and I'll always have a lot of respect for him.

 

[AniHawk]

I've met him before. Lovely guy. He was part of an animation and comics round table at my college a while ago. After it was over, people got a chance to chat with him (and Craig Bartlett!). His handlers were super annoyed because he was supposed to be part of some big tour they had planned for the special guests, but he just stood around talking to students for ages.

He also at one point before the talk came to the table I was sitting at (we were there as part of a class, so we were early) and passed out signed Futurama and Simpsons comics which are almost astoundingly tame and unfunny, but he's a super cool guy and I'll always have a lot of respect for him.

i guess he might be used to it at the very least. he was watching me play a 3ds ar game back at e3 2010 and i didn't know he was the person looking over my shoulder until i was done. i turned to see his name badge first, then recognized his face, then my eyes went back to his name badge. apparently i was super obvious or at least starstruck, because he stuck out his hand. we talked for a few minutes, and he asked about what i was doing in life (i was getting ready for graduation from college at the time), and i thanked him for the simpsons and he reminded me that futurama was coming back soon.

then we were being rushed out of the booth by nintendo people and i caught up with my friend. i did the one thing celebrities hate most and asked for a picture... and he got his son abe to take it. abe seemed more annoyed than matt was. like i said, i think he was used to it. but i expressed my gratitude, and apologized for doing it in the first place (but when was i ever going to get that chance again?). my buddy was stunned.

 

[AniHawk]

snpp is a great site. full of useful information, sure, but also a look back at how classic episodes were received at the time. some reviews of 'lisa on ice':

The stories are no longer clever, instead they're complete crap. I think they are trying to fill an obvious lack of story creativity with gags, and it's getting REALLY old. Duh, me lose brain? Why I laugh?

Grrrr! Who was responsible for last night's monstrosity? He should be forced to apologize on the air, and then be fired from the show, sterilized, and sent to live like an animal in the sewers below Los Angeles for the rest of his life.

The only nice thing I'll say about this episode is that a few of the throwaway lines and gags were quite good. But a handful of isolated jokes don't atone for a completely unoriginal and unbelievable plot that violated most of what we know about Homer, Marge, Lisa and Bart, and just plain wasn't funny. My grade: D.

Hmm. I'm torn. On the one hand, there were lots of unrealistic things (the bullies on a sports team, Lisa playing in male hockey, Homer's behavior), but there quite a few classic scenes ("Competitive violence!" being my favorite). I think it's a C-.

that's right, 'competitive violence' is the classic line remembered from this episode over a decade later! or... well, no.

and on secrets of a successful marriage:

I would have to agree with all the negative comments on this one. This episode was SOOOOO disappointing, especially considering it was the season finale. No real laughter at this end. (The second episode was very good, making this one seem even worse.) C-

D - this was an absolute let-down for the end of the season. The story was flat from the beginning, and the occasional joke was greeted with a reaction of "hahahaha - oh, back to the story". Haven't there been enough "Homer does something to break up the marriage" episodes? ("Jacques to be Wild" and "War of the Simpsons" come to mind.)

I hate to say it, but the season finale was not very funny. There was some good satire, as always, and a few good laughs, but this show seems to be in decline. The repeat, about Grandpa Simpson, was hysterical even after I've seen it 4 times. Maybe those who want Conan O'Brien off late night are right. He'd be better back on The Simpsons.

This episode appeared to be attempting a touching/sentimental finale, but it somehow fell short. As a character piece, it paints Homer caught between dual personalities -stupid/moronic and simple-but-well-meaning. The marital crisis just didn't tug at my heartstrings like it should have. Unmoving and uninspired. 6/10

Uh oh. This was the season finale? It had Homer's engrossing stupidity and meanness from "Boy Scoutz" combined with the unrealism of Mindy's attraction to Homer in "Last Temptation". (Homer, the teacher? Get real.) Not many good laughs. D.

yeah, there were people yearning for the 'good ol days' during seasons 5 and 6.

 

[Box of Bunnies]

I've met him before.

You should've told him to hassle whoever necessary to get a complete Life in Hell collection out.

yeah, there were people yearning for the 'good ol days' during seasons 5 and 6.

The Simpsons: Dead Since 1989

 

[UberTag]

yeah, there were people yearning for the 'good ol days' during seasons 5 and 6.

Gotta love the reviews from the old episode capsules. Heck, even I was down on the series back in the glory days of Season 7.

Here's my capsule review of Home Sweet Home-Diddily-Dum-Doodily:

Grade: B. A strong effort by Jon Vitti that provides some warmth, depth, and much-needed character development to a show which has run short of story ideas. A little too sharp to the bone for its own good on issues of religion and child neglect.

And here I am back to watching every new episode the night it airs as we approach the tail end of Season 24.

 

[way more]

snpp is a great site. full of useful information, sure, but also a look back at how classic episodes were received at the time. some reviews of 'lisa on ice':


that's right, 'competitive violence' is the classic line remembered from this episode over a decade later! or... well, no.

and on secrets of a successful marriage:
yeah, there were people yearning for the 'good ol days' during seasons 5 and 6.

At this point people who say "Simpsons sucks now," are thinking for themselves and using as much brain power as those who bleat "SNL was better 5 years ago," or "correlation =/ causation." Make an actual original observation instead of reciting what some guy said on a blog five years ago that you agreed with.

 

[UberTag]

Make an actual original observation instead of reciting what some guy said on a blog five years ago that you agreed with.

Making an original observation would necessitate people actually watching an episode of modern era Simpsons. Most of the outspoken critics would rather not go through the effort to do that. Far easier to bitch about Marge's expression at the cash register in the newly HD opening sequence (which itself is 4 years old).

 

[AniHawk]

Making an original observation would necessitate people actually watching an episode of modern era Simpsons. Most of the outspoken critics would rather not go through the effort to do that. Far easier to bitch about Marge's expression at the cash register in the newly HD opening sequence (which itself is 4 years old).

i haven't seen most of season 24, but i caught almost every episode from 1-23. the really bad stuff exists during a weird time between 2002 and 2007. most of the plots in most of those episodes had b and c plots, and took forever to reach whatever implausible conflict the writers were trying to set up. episodes from the last five years have that, sure, but you'll also find more that are tightly written. i genuinely enjoy 'the book job', especially how it handled its spoof of the ocean's movies, how it wove the two plots together, and how neil gaiman was treated as a guest star.

it's a different show now, but it's not always bad.

 

[way more]

Making an original observation would necessitate people actually watching an episode of modern era Simpsons. Most of the outspoken critics would rather not go through the effort to do that. Far easier to bitch about Marge's expression at the cash register in the newly HD opening sequence (which itself is 4 years old).

lol, I remember when the HD opening came out. People argued that Lenny and Carl falling off a ladder ruined the integrity and originality of Burns shaking his watch. Like the original was some subversive commentary on the Marxist nature of industry and the other was commercial schlock.

 

[UberTag]

i genuinely enjoy 'the book job', especially how it handled its spoof of the ocean's movies, how it wove the two plots together, and how neil gaiman was treated as a guest star.

The Book Job was a brilliant parody penned by Dan Vebber - he's been consistently strong and is known for his work on Futurama, American Dad and Daria. He's put out great stuff for other series since the classic era heyday of the 1990s so I wasn't surprised to see him nail his one stint on The Simpsons. Would love to see him get another kick at the can at some point.

Both it and Holidays of Future Passed were bright spots for Season 23. This season has yet to turn out an episode of that quality but I'm cautiously optimistic about what's on tap this Sunday night.

 

[GRW810]

Lisa on Ice is one of my favourite episodes. That sibling-love montage during the game countdown is just so heartwarming. I've seen so many episodes over the years but I still remember the very first time I watched that episode as a young boy.

 

[UberTag]

Lisa on Ice is one of my favourite episodes. That sibling-love montage during the game countdown is just so heartwarming. I've seen so many episodes over the years but I still remember the very first time I watched that episode as a young boy.

"Competitive violence, that's why you're here!"

 

[AniHawk]

this is 'cause i kicked you, isn't it?

 

[smurfx]

 

[GRW810]

"Competitive violence, that's why you're here!"

I prefer Homer sobbing and saying "they're both losers."

 

[inm8num2]

I love Wiggum in Lisa On Ice.

"Alright, I'm going to make a little deal with you mugs. I'll let you all out to see my team play the hockey game if you promise to return to your cells."

"Sorry pig, we can't make that promise."

"Alright, alright. I'll sweeten the deal. You can see the game. You don't have to come back. But, you have to promise not to commit any more crimes, okay?"

"No."

"I'll take that as a yes."

*unlocks jail cells*

Then at the end I love when he yells, "Let's tear this place apaaaaaart!"

 

[Barrow Roll]

I never really got this joke, but the animation is always hilarious.

 

[UberTag]

I never really got this joke, but the animation is always hilarious.

Don't google rickets or you'll learn about the very real and unpleasant disease this gag was based off of. (Human sufferers actually look like that.)

 

[inm8num2]

I never really got this joke, but the animation is always hilarious.

I was just thinking about this the other day! I also didn't really get the joke until searching about it a few years ago.

 

[Milpool]

 

[Barrow Roll]

Don't google rickets or you'll learn about the very real and unpleasant disease this gag was based off of. (Human sufferers actually look like that.)

Well I know about rickets, but why does Homer have it all of a sudden? How does it relate in any way to going to tear down the sun blocker? Why does Homer bring it up all of a sudden? It feels so random and out of place.

 

[Trent Strong]

Well I know about rickets, but why does Homer have it all of a sudden? How does it relate in any way to going to tear down the sun blocker? Why does Homer bring it up all of a sudden? It feels so random and out of place.

People get rickets from a vitamin D deficiency, and people get vitamin D from exposure to the sun.

 

[inm8num2]

Well I know about rickets, but why does Homer have it all of a sudden? How does it relate in any way to going to tear down the sun blocker? Why does Homer bring it up all of a sudden? It feels so random and out of place.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets. Since Burns was blocking out the sun, Springfield dwellers were getting less Vitamin D.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickets

edit - ninja'd

 

[way more]

Well I know about rickets, but why does Homer have it all of a sudden? How does it relate in any way to going to tear down the sun blocker? Why does Homer bring it up all of a sudden? It feels so random and out of place.

It's just "new" Simpson's desire to show Homer with a disfiguring disorder. Nobody gets rickets that quickly, I mean what is it, a magical xylophone? Typical post 5-season commercialism.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Lisa on Ice is one of my favourite episodes. That sibling-love montage during the game countdown is just so heartwarming. I've seen so many episodes over the years but I still remember the very first time I watched that episode as a young boy.

What trumps it for me is Bart apologizing to Lisa on top of the Simpsons roof after he ruins Thanksgiving. I still remember it hitting me really hard.

 

[Barrow Roll]

People get rickets from a vitamin D deficiency, and people get vitamin D from exposure to the sun.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets. Since Burns was blocking out the sun, Springfield dwellers were getting less Vitamin D.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickets

edit - ninja'd

Well shit, that's really friggin' clever.

 

[way more]

Simpsons "showcasing" the joke and it being "thrust in the face" and lacking "visual charisma"

Simpsons being "subtle" with "clever minor detail"

 

[Won]

Secrets of a successful marriage is indeed a medicore episode. They got that right back then.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Secrets of a successful marriage is indeed a medicore episode. They got that right back then.

I want to kick you in the balls and/or vagina.

It's the best episode.

 

[Fuzz Rez]

Lisa: Pablo Neruda said, "Laughter is the language of the soul."
Bart: I am familiar with the works of Pablo Neruda.

I love how Bart actually delivers the line like he actually knows the works of Pablo Neruda. You just have to wonder why Bart knows the works of Neruda.

 

[trab pu kcip]

I want to kick you in the balls and/or vagina.

It's the best episode.

there are better ways of fighting.

Say some gangsta is dissin' your fly
girl. You just give 'em one of these

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

there are better ways of fighting.

Say some gangsta is dissin' your fly
girl. You just give 'em one of these

It really is the best episode.

Smithers! Smiiiiitheeeeeers!

That goofy grin Smithers gets as he walks over is goddamn hilarious.

Also

What is your area of expertise?

Well, I can tell the difference between butter and I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Butter

No you can't, Mr. Simpson! No one can!

 

[sohois]

Lisa: Pablo Neruda said, "Laughter is the language of the soul."
Bart: I am familiar with the works of Pablo Neruda.

I love how Bart actually delivers the line like he actually knows the works of Pablo Neruda. You just have to wonder why Bart knows the works of Neruda.

I thought it was Homer who delivered that line, not Bart. Though it does raise the same question. Also there was a news article recently about Pablo Neruda being exhumed and my mind immediately jumped to that quote

 

[Übermatik]

Bart: $500 on red
Man: The winner is black.
Bart: Cool!

I love these scenarios bart dreams up - they always end badly... "Cool!"

 

[Shaneus]

I thought it was Homer who delivered that line, not Bart. Though it does raise the same question. Also there was a news article recently about Pablo Neruda being exhumed and my mind immediately jumped to that quote

I'm pretty sure it was Bart... can't remember what episode it was, though. Krusty and his father? Or was it the mini golf one? Both would be apt, so I'm sure it's one of those two.

 

[Won]

I'm pretty sure it was Bart... can't remember what episode it was, though. Krusty and his father? Or was it the mini golf one? Both would be apt, so I'm sure it's one of those two.

It's the one in which Bart sells his soul. Hence the Neruda quote about the soul.

 

[Javier]

I'm pretty sure it was Bart... can't remember what episode it was, though. Krusty and his father? Or was it the mini golf one? Both would be apt, so I'm sure it's one of those two.

It was "Bart Sells His Soul". The scene takes place after Bart & Lisa watch an I&S cartoon and Bart can't seem to find it funny.

EDIT: Ninja'd

 

[Shaneus]

It's the one in which Bart sells his soul. Hence the Neruda quote about the soul.

Ah, okay. I thought it might've referenced the laughter Krusty was providing to all the children in the episode about his dad, or the zen moments in the minigolf episode. I didn't realise the focus of you mentioning it was purely about the "soul" bit.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

What trumps it for me is Bart apologizing to Lisa on top of the Simpsons roof after he ruins Thanksgiving. I still remember it hitting me really hard.

"I don't know! I don't know why I did it, I don't know why I enjoyed it, and I don't know why I'll do it again!"

REAL TALK.

 

[BigAT]

I love these scenarios bart dreams up - they always end badly... "Cool!"

Yeah, it's pretty great how enthusiastic he is about some pretty crappy scenarios.

"Before I saw these test results I had you pegged as a drifter."
"Wow, a drifter..."

"Lousy sheriff. Run me out of town. He's lost my vote."

"Cool..."

 

[Fuzz Rez]

I thought it was Homer who delivered that line, not Bart. Though it does raise the same question. Also there was a news article recently about Pablo Neruda being exhumed and my mind immediately jumped to that quote

I read about the exhumation as well hence the quote

Homer: He likes you

GRIMES: Simpson, you've got a five-thirteen.

GRIMES: No, a five-thirteen. In your procedures manual... a five-thirteen?

GRIMES: Look at your control panel!

HOMER: Oh, a five THIR-teen. I'll handle it.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Yeah, it's pretty great how enthusiastic he is about some pretty crappy scenarios.

"Before I saw these test results I had you pegged as a drifter."
"Wow, a drifter..."

"Lousy sheriff. Run me out of town. He's lost my vote."

"Cool..."

hahahah holy shit

what episode?

 

[BigAT]

hahahah holy shit

what episode?

3x18, Separate Vocations.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

I read about the exhumation as well hence the quote

Homer: He likes you

GRIMES: Simpson, you've got a five-thirteen.

GRIMES: No, a five-thirteen. In your procedures manual... a five-thirteen?

GRIMES: Look at your control panel!

HOMER: Oh, a five THIR-teen. I'll handle it.

Is there anything on this beautiful earth greater than "Homer's Enemy"?

"Farewell Transmission" by Songs:Ohia MAYBE.

MAYBE.