So, uhhh...with this thread being part of the community spotlight, can we just make this the official Simpsons thread now? The other one just doesn't get any traction anymore.
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The Simpsons - Season 30 |OT|
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Main objection I feel most people would provide to that suggestion is that there are quite a number of Simpsons fans out there that may want to discuss & relive classic episodes without necessarily being subjected to notifications about what guest stars are showing up in a Season 30 episode in 2019. In fact, there are plenty of fans that would be downright hostile to the notion.
I think there's merit to having an ongoing Community thread. The challenge lies in getting people to actively make use of it instead of creating a new OP to reminisce about a specific episode or moment.
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Because I promised when kicking off this thread that I would keep you guys updated on any news of a production extension beyond Season 30 / Episode 669 (Go Big or Go Homer), I have news to pass along relating to the future of The Simpsons as per an article published on Variety.com earlier today.
Here are the key takeaways...
- A deal to have Seasons 31 & 32 produced - seemingly amounting to another 44 episodes which would take the series total episode count to 713 - and aired in the show's current timeslot on FOX is "nearing completion". Negotiations remain ongoing but FOX would pony up a slightly reduced licensing fee to air the show than they did for Seasons 29 & 30.
- Due to the exorbitant costs of producing the show (namely paying the voice cast), the Simpsons is a loss leader where FOX has historically recouped its costs via sub-licensing deals, syndication, FXX ad revenue and merchandising after absorbing the initial cost. With 20th Century Fox soon to be split off from the network and under the Disney umbrella, the FOX Broadcasting Company might face challenges absorbing the cost to produce the episodes as it will not benefit from merchandising and the current cable and streaming syndication rights deal with FX Networks expires in 2023.
- The open-ended broadcast syndication deals for the show that were set up under a much different media distribution landscape in the early 1990s only lapse if FOX is forced out of the equation. Hence there's significant financial incentive for Disney to either cancel the show outright or force FOX out so they can lock up new broadcast syndication deals more attuned to an early 2020s TV landscape, package the show to multiple licensees/distribution platforms or house exclusivity to themselves to drive people to Hulu which has been losing money precipitously despite a burgeoning subscriber base.
So looming cancellation in the short-term certainly isn't in the cards - nor should it have been expected with The Simpsons winding up as the #1 scripted show for broadcast TV's key 18-49 advertising demographic for two of its past three new episodes.
But its long-term fate beyond the next two years remains a question mark given the clear financial incentive to being able to negotiate much more lucrative broadcast syndication deals, leveraging the cost of production between multiple licensees versus the FOX Network that can no longer count on recouping the benefits of merchandising and sub-licensing and the potential exclusivity of being able to drive traffic to Disney-owned streaming platforms.
Here are the key takeaways...
- A deal to have Seasons 31 & 32 produced - seemingly amounting to another 44 episodes which would take the series total episode count to 713 - and aired in the show's current timeslot on FOX is "nearing completion". Negotiations remain ongoing but FOX would pony up a slightly reduced licensing fee to air the show than they did for Seasons 29 & 30.
- Due to the exorbitant costs of producing the show (namely paying the voice cast), the Simpsons is a loss leader where FOX has historically recouped its costs via sub-licensing deals, syndication, FXX ad revenue and merchandising after absorbing the initial cost. With 20th Century Fox soon to be split off from the network and under the Disney umbrella, the FOX Broadcasting Company might face challenges absorbing the cost to produce the episodes as it will not benefit from merchandising and the current cable and streaming syndication rights deal with FX Networks expires in 2023.
- The open-ended broadcast syndication deals for the show that were set up under a much different media distribution landscape in the early 1990s only lapse if FOX is forced out of the equation. Hence there's significant financial incentive for Disney to either cancel the show outright or force FOX out so they can lock up new broadcast syndication deals more attuned to an early 2020s TV landscape, package the show to multiple licensees/distribution platforms or house exclusivity to themselves to drive people to Hulu which has been losing money precipitously despite a burgeoning subscriber base.
So looming cancellation in the short-term certainly isn't in the cards - nor should it have been expected with The Simpsons winding up as the #1 scripted show for broadcast TV's key 18-49 advertising demographic for two of its past three new episodes.
But its long-term fate beyond the next two years remains a question mark given the clear financial incentive to being able to negotiate much more lucrative broadcast syndication deals, leveraging the cost of production between multiple licensees versus the FOX Network that can no longer count on recouping the benefits of merchandising and sub-licensing and the potential exclusivity of being able to drive traffic to Disney-owned streaming platforms.
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The show comes off its Super Bowl hiatus this week to celebrate its renewal to Season 32. Not feeling too enthusiastic about the premise but then I've been lukewarm about most of the episodes with weak premises this season and they've tended to largely overachieve (provided that they're not written by Joel H. Cohen).
I'M DANCING AS FAT AS I CAN - Sunday, February 10th
Episode Production Code = YABF06 (#652) / Writer = Jane Becker / Director = Matthew Nastuk / Showrunner = Al Jean
HOMER DISAPPOINTS MARGE BY BINGING ON THEIR FAVORITE SHOW WITHOUT HER
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos Makes Guest-Voice Appearance
Homer angers Marge by binging their favorite show without her, and has to pick up a new skill in order to make amends. Meanwhile, Bart prepares to compete in "Krusty's Holiday Trample".
Pre-Airing Verdict
This week's episode is essentially a freelance ep by former Simpsons staffer Jane Becker who worked on the show back in Seasons 24 through 26 before leaving to work on Rick and Morty (writing last season's Rickmancing the Stone) and Final Space. I'm all for more female contributions to the largely male writer's room... even if this premise is about as rehashed as one can get (marriage crisis where Homer gets reamed out for something tame and a dancing gimmick which has been explored in the past with Bart once and Lisa twice albeit one of those times with a Marge preamble). All of the episodes in question make an appearance in the FXX marathon that precedes this episode.
I worry that the mo-cap use with the dancing might be a touch too gimmicky if they lean on it too heavily at the expense of developing the plot in a meaningful direction. That said, it might inspire Nastuk to invest more effort into his direction which has largely underwhelmed since Season 25 when he was at the peak of his game.
FXX Marathon Theme - Simpsons Square Dance (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm Bull-E (S26E21 / TABF15 / 2015)
3:30pm Take My Wife, Sleaze (S11E8 / BABF05 / 1999)
4:00pm Bart After Dark (S8E5 / 4F06 / 1996)
4:30pm Lard of the Dance (S10E1 / 5F20 / 1998)
5:00pm Last Tap Dance in Springfield (S11E20 / BABF15 / 2000)
5:30pm Homer vs. Patty and Selma (S6E17 / 2F14 / 1995)
6:00pm Smoke on the Daughter (S19E15 / KABF08 / 2008)
6:30pm All Singing, All Dancing (S9E11 / 5F24 / 1998)
I'M DANCING AS FAT AS I CAN - Sunday, February 10th
Episode Production Code = YABF06 (#652) / Writer = Jane Becker / Director = Matthew Nastuk / Showrunner = Al Jean
HOMER DISAPPOINTS MARGE BY BINGING ON THEIR FAVORITE SHOW WITHOUT HER
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos Makes Guest-Voice Appearance
Homer angers Marge by binging their favorite show without her, and has to pick up a new skill in order to make amends. Meanwhile, Bart prepares to compete in "Krusty's Holiday Trample".
Pre-Airing Verdict
This week's episode is essentially a freelance ep by former Simpsons staffer Jane Becker who worked on the show back in Seasons 24 through 26 before leaving to work on Rick and Morty (writing last season's Rickmancing the Stone) and Final Space. I'm all for more female contributions to the largely male writer's room... even if this premise is about as rehashed as one can get (marriage crisis where Homer gets reamed out for something tame and a dancing gimmick which has been explored in the past with Bart once and Lisa twice albeit one of those times with a Marge preamble). All of the episodes in question make an appearance in the FXX marathon that precedes this episode.
I worry that the mo-cap use with the dancing might be a touch too gimmicky if they lean on it too heavily at the expense of developing the plot in a meaningful direction. That said, it might inspire Nastuk to invest more effort into his direction which has largely underwhelmed since Season 25 when he was at the peak of his game.
FXX Marathon Theme - Simpsons Square Dance (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm Bull-E (S26E21 / TABF15 / 2015)
3:30pm Take My Wife, Sleaze (S11E8 / BABF05 / 1999)
4:00pm Bart After Dark (S8E5 / 4F06 / 1996)
4:30pm Lard of the Dance (S10E1 / 5F20 / 1998)
5:00pm Last Tap Dance in Springfield (S11E20 / BABF15 / 2000)
5:30pm Homer vs. Patty and Selma (S6E17 / 2F14 / 1995)
6:00pm Smoke on the Daughter (S19E15 / KABF08 / 2008)
6:30pm All Singing, All Dancing (S9E11 / 5F24 / 1998)
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Quick programming notice for those of you in Canada... CITY-TV is showing the Grammys tonight so The Simpsons won't be shown north of the border.
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I wouldn't go that far... but this was a uniformly excellent episode by both modern Simpsons episode standards and typical Homer-Marge marriage crisis episode standards.
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Another new episode airs later tonight. It'll be a Selman-showrun effort which is almost always a good thing. Except when he's showrunning himself. Which he is here. But hey, I'm still optimistic for his first flashback ep since That '90s Show.
THE CLOWN STAYS IN THE PICTURE - Sunday, February 17th
Episode Production Code = YABF05 (#653) / Writer & Showrunner = Matt Selman / Director = Timothy Bailey
KRUSTY REMINISCES ABOUT A FILM IN HIS PAST
Marc Maron Makes Guest-Voice Appearance
Krusty reveals the untold story of his past in his movie "The Sands of Space." While working as personal assistants on the movie, Bart and Lisa learn about the early years of their parents' relationship.
Pre-Airing Verdict
Last week's ep was really good. It was also the least-watched Simpsons episode of all-time thanks to the Grammys and regular viewers being out of their routine thanks to that post-Superbowl funk. Hopefully this one manages to find a larger audience.
I spoke about Matt Selman's lack of consistency with showrunning his own episodes earlier in this thread prior to the airing of Heartbreak Hotel. And, given that episode's lacklustre reception, it would appear that was well-founded concern. That said, I fully expect this one to wind up better. There's a lot of mileage to be mined from Homer acting as a stunt double for Krusty while schmoozing with Marge. Plenty of comedic films have successfully tapped into "the movie shoot gone terribly wrong" so there's really no reason for this NOT to be amusing and somewhat fresh for The Simpsons to boot.
I'm late to hype up this week's marathon but it's essentially every Homer-Marge romance flashback ep airing in chronological order based on when they took place (as opposed to when they aired). Feel free to dive into it if you're looking to kill some precious time this afternoon.
FXX Marathon Theme - Flashback Festival (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm The Way We Weren't (S15E20 / FABF13 / 2004)
3:30pm The Way We Was (S2E12 / 7F12 / 1991)
4:00pm That '90s Show (S19E11 / KABF04 / 2008)
4:30pm Dangerous Curves (S20E5 / KABF18 / 2008)
5:00pm I Married Marge (S3E12 / 8F10 / 1991)
5:30pm 3 Scenes Plus a Tag from a Marriage (S29E13 / XABF06 / 2018)
6:00pm Lisa's First Word (S4E10 / 9F08 / 1992)
6:30pm And Maggie Makes Three (S6E13 / 2F10 / 1995)
THE CLOWN STAYS IN THE PICTURE - Sunday, February 17th
Episode Production Code = YABF05 (#653) / Writer & Showrunner = Matt Selman / Director = Timothy Bailey
KRUSTY REMINISCES ABOUT A FILM IN HIS PAST
Marc Maron Makes Guest-Voice Appearance
Krusty reveals the untold story of his past in his movie "The Sands of Space." While working as personal assistants on the movie, Bart and Lisa learn about the early years of their parents' relationship.
Pre-Airing Verdict
Last week's ep was really good. It was also the least-watched Simpsons episode of all-time thanks to the Grammys and regular viewers being out of their routine thanks to that post-Superbowl funk. Hopefully this one manages to find a larger audience.
I spoke about Matt Selman's lack of consistency with showrunning his own episodes earlier in this thread prior to the airing of Heartbreak Hotel. And, given that episode's lacklustre reception, it would appear that was well-founded concern. That said, I fully expect this one to wind up better. There's a lot of mileage to be mined from Homer acting as a stunt double for Krusty while schmoozing with Marge. Plenty of comedic films have successfully tapped into "the movie shoot gone terribly wrong" so there's really no reason for this NOT to be amusing and somewhat fresh for The Simpsons to boot.
I'm late to hype up this week's marathon but it's essentially every Homer-Marge romance flashback ep airing in chronological order based on when they took place (as opposed to when they aired). Feel free to dive into it if you're looking to kill some precious time this afternoon.
FXX Marathon Theme - Flashback Festival (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm The Way We Weren't (S15E20 / FABF13 / 2004)
3:30pm The Way We Was (S2E12 / 7F12 / 1991)
4:00pm That '90s Show (S19E11 / KABF04 / 2008)
4:30pm Dangerous Curves (S20E5 / KABF18 / 2008)
5:00pm I Married Marge (S3E12 / 8F10 / 1991)
5:30pm 3 Scenes Plus a Tag from a Marriage (S29E13 / XABF06 / 2018)
6:00pm Lisa's First Word (S4E10 / 9F08 / 1992)
6:30pm And Maggie Makes Three (S6E13 / 2F10 / 1995)
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With Super Bowl / Oscars season now firmly in the rear-view mirror (along with a Grammys weekend where they probably should have taken a sabbatical), The Simpsons are BACK with weekly episodes running just about without interruption through until the Season 30 finale in May (they'll probably take Easter off). This final onslaught of episodes boasts some original premises (we have an E-Sports videogaming episode on deck in just a couple weeks) which will wrap up with the show's first "whodunnit" season finale since Who Shot Mr. Burns way back in Season 6.
Here's what's on tap for tonight...
101 MITIGATIONS - Sunday, March 3rd
Episode Production Code = YABF07 (#654)
Writers = Brian Kelley, Rob LaZebnik & Dan Vebber
Director = Mark Kirkland
Showrunner = Al Jean
HOMER TAKES THE KIDS ON A JOY RIDE IN COMIC BOOK GUY'S CAR
Guillermo Del Toro Makes Guest-Voice Appearance
After Homer steals Comic Book Guy's car, he must either prove his innocence in court or reconcile with the jilted nerd.
Pre-Airing Verdict
Episodes with multiple lead writer credits are few and far between these days - even if some of the anthology episodes would ideally benefit from having them to ensure individual segments don't suffer from disproportional focus.
As for whether or not this ep should be considered worth making time in your calendar for, I can almost guarantee you it'll wind up better than next week's looming disaster (which has worst of the season potential) and it's a fresh idea conceptually with one of the show's best directors that could pay off better than some of the more recent legal system ventures that find their way into this afternoon's pre-episode marathon.
FXX Marathon Theme - Trials and Tribulations (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
4:00pm Bart Gets Hit by a Car (S2E10 / 7F10 / 1991)
4:30pm The Boy Who Knew Too Much (S5E20 / 1F19 / 1994)
5:00pm Sweets and Sour Marge (S13E8 / DABF03 / 2002)
5:30pm On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister (S16E11 / GABF05 / 2005)
6:00pm The Monkey Suit (S17E21 / HABF14 / 2006)
6:30pm Dark Knight Court (S24E16 / RABF10 / 2013)
7:00pm The Last Traction Hero (S28E9 / WABF03 / 2016)
7:30pm Dogtown (S28E22 / WABF15 / 2017)
Fun fact... in addition to directing tonight's episode, Mark Kirkland also directed Bart Gets Hit by a Car, which kicks off today's marathon, from over 28 years ago.
Here's what's on tap for tonight...
101 MITIGATIONS - Sunday, March 3rd
Episode Production Code = YABF07 (#654)
Writers = Brian Kelley, Rob LaZebnik & Dan Vebber
Director = Mark Kirkland
Showrunner = Al Jean
HOMER TAKES THE KIDS ON A JOY RIDE IN COMIC BOOK GUY'S CAR
Guillermo Del Toro Makes Guest-Voice Appearance
After Homer steals Comic Book Guy's car, he must either prove his innocence in court or reconcile with the jilted nerd.
Pre-Airing Verdict
Episodes with multiple lead writer credits are few and far between these days - even if some of the anthology episodes would ideally benefit from having them to ensure individual segments don't suffer from disproportional focus.
As for whether or not this ep should be considered worth making time in your calendar for, I can almost guarantee you it'll wind up better than next week's looming disaster (which has worst of the season potential) and it's a fresh idea conceptually with one of the show's best directors that could pay off better than some of the more recent legal system ventures that find their way into this afternoon's pre-episode marathon.
FXX Marathon Theme - Trials and Tribulations (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
4:00pm Bart Gets Hit by a Car (S2E10 / 7F10 / 1991)
4:30pm The Boy Who Knew Too Much (S5E20 / 1F19 / 1994)
5:00pm Sweets and Sour Marge (S13E8 / DABF03 / 2002)
5:30pm On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister (S16E11 / GABF05 / 2005)
6:00pm The Monkey Suit (S17E21 / HABF14 / 2006)
6:30pm Dark Knight Court (S24E16 / RABF10 / 2013)
7:00pm The Last Traction Hero (S28E9 / WABF03 / 2016)
7:30pm Dogtown (S28E22 / WABF15 / 2017)
Fun fact... in addition to directing tonight's episode, Mark Kirkland also directed Bart Gets Hit by a Car, which kicks off today's marathon, from over 28 years ago.
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Last week's episode wound up decent. And, good news, there are still 3 promising new Simpsons episodes to look forward to later this month... we've got an E-Sports gaming ep on tap next week (hence why I've changed my avatar), a Selman-showrun ep to follow written by Megan Amram and Nancy Cartwright's first-ever script to close out the month.
Unfortunately, there's also a new episode airing tonight that is shaping up as one to avoid.
I WANT YOU (SHE'S SO HEAVY) - Sunday, March 10th
Episode Production Code = YABF08 (#655)
Writer = Jeff Westbrook
Director = Steven Dean Moore
Showrunner = Al Jean
HOMER AND MARGE RECOVER FROM INJURIES IN DIFFERENT WAYS
Wallace Shawn Makes Guest-Voice Appearance
When a romantic night ends in injury, Marge recovers by taking up kite boarding while Homer bonds with his hallucinated hernia. Lisa attempts to fix her parents' strained relationship by seeking advice from an unlikely source.
Pre-Airing Verdict
Jeff Westbrook's recent track record of episodes has been downright underwhelming. 5 consecutive bad episodes and running (a streak that goes even longer if you exclude the episode Selman showran) and this one features a talking hernia. Somehow I can't envision this dubious premise being the one that breaks his streak of futility.
Unless you happen to be a diehard fan of Wallace Shawn, I implore you to go watch this week's excellent DuckTales episode instead if you're looking for an animated diversion this evening.
I won't go into detail on this week's FXX pre-episode marathon but I can tell you that it kicks off in just a few minutes with Bart the Daredevil and focuses on various characters enduring self-inflicted injury through acts of stupidity. So enjoy that.
Unfortunately, there's also a new episode airing tonight that is shaping up as one to avoid.
I WANT YOU (SHE'S SO HEAVY) - Sunday, March 10th
Episode Production Code = YABF08 (#655)
Writer = Jeff Westbrook
Director = Steven Dean Moore
Showrunner = Al Jean
HOMER AND MARGE RECOVER FROM INJURIES IN DIFFERENT WAYS
Wallace Shawn Makes Guest-Voice Appearance
When a romantic night ends in injury, Marge recovers by taking up kite boarding while Homer bonds with his hallucinated hernia. Lisa attempts to fix her parents' strained relationship by seeking advice from an unlikely source.
Pre-Airing Verdict
Jeff Westbrook's recent track record of episodes has been downright underwhelming. 5 consecutive bad episodes and running (a streak that goes even longer if you exclude the episode Selman showran) and this one features a talking hernia. Somehow I can't envision this dubious premise being the one that breaks his streak of futility.
Unless you happen to be a diehard fan of Wallace Shawn, I implore you to go watch this week's excellent DuckTales episode instead if you're looking for an animated diversion this evening.
I won't go into detail on this week's FXX pre-episode marathon but I can tell you that it kicks off in just a few minutes with Bart the Daredevil and focuses on various characters enduring self-inflicted injury through acts of stupidity. So enjoy that.
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The first of three consecutive episodes which hold quite a bit of promise will be airing this Sunday. This one, in particular, is one I'll be hyping up over on the Gaming Forum as it will be the show's first foray into satirizing Esports.
E MY SPORTS - Sunday, March 17th
Episode Production Code = YABF09 (#656)
Writer = Rob LaZebnik
Director = Rob Oliver
Showrunner = Al Jean
HOMER SUPPORTS BART'S AFFINITY FOR VIDEO GAMES
Natasha Lyonne and Ken Jeong Make Guest-Voice Appearances
As Bart begins to excel in video game competitions, Homer discovers a passion for coaching him. Lisa attempts to bring Homer back to reality, but the plan causes chaos.
Pre-Airing Verdict
This is Rob LaZebnik's second foray into modern culture this season having delivered a script last fall that focused on Homer and Marge working for a self-driving car startup that was received quite favorably. This seems to be turning into a niche for Rob as he also delivered The Girl Code a couple years ago that had Lisa developing her own self-aware AI.
This one tackles competitive video gaming complete with a send-up of League of Legends that featured coordination and suggestions from Riot Games' esports division... so they're going the extra mile to bone up on the source material. Rob Oliver is likely to be handling the direction for this episode... and he's the best the show has to offer so I expect we'll be treated to some creativity in bringing Bart's games to life on-screen in a way that proves entertaining.
I'm reasonably optimistic about this one. Yeah, they're tacking on a family trip to Korea but that IS where Esports is a veritable national passtime so it makes sense. Hopefully Homer does a better job at coaching Bart to video gaming success than he did with miniature golf, although I wouldn't mind a callback to that venerable Season 2 classic.
FXX Marathon Theme - Luck 'O The Irish / St. Patrick's Day Episodes (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
4:00pm Trash of the Titans (S9E22 / 5F09 / 1998)
4:30pm Yellow Subterfuge (S25E7 / SABF02 / 2013)
5:00pm Whacking Day (S4E20 / 9F18 / 1993)
5:30pm Treehouse of Horror XII (S13E1 / CABF19 / 2001)
6:00pm The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star (S16E21 / GABF09 / 2005)
6:30pm Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes (S20E1 / KABF17 / 2008)
7:00pm In the Name of the Grandfather (S20E14 / LABF11 / 2009)
7:30pm Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment (S8E18 / 4F15 / 1997)
E MY SPORTS - Sunday, March 17th
Episode Production Code = YABF09 (#656)
Writer = Rob LaZebnik
Director = Rob Oliver
Showrunner = Al Jean
HOMER SUPPORTS BART'S AFFINITY FOR VIDEO GAMES
Natasha Lyonne and Ken Jeong Make Guest-Voice Appearances
As Bart begins to excel in video game competitions, Homer discovers a passion for coaching him. Lisa attempts to bring Homer back to reality, but the plan causes chaos.
Pre-Airing Verdict
This is Rob LaZebnik's second foray into modern culture this season having delivered a script last fall that focused on Homer and Marge working for a self-driving car startup that was received quite favorably. This seems to be turning into a niche for Rob as he also delivered The Girl Code a couple years ago that had Lisa developing her own self-aware AI.
This one tackles competitive video gaming complete with a send-up of League of Legends that featured coordination and suggestions from Riot Games' esports division... so they're going the extra mile to bone up on the source material. Rob Oliver is likely to be handling the direction for this episode... and he's the best the show has to offer so I expect we'll be treated to some creativity in bringing Bart's games to life on-screen in a way that proves entertaining.
I'm reasonably optimistic about this one. Yeah, they're tacking on a family trip to Korea but that IS where Esports is a veritable national passtime so it makes sense. Hopefully Homer does a better job at coaching Bart to video gaming success than he did with miniature golf, although I wouldn't mind a callback to that venerable Season 2 classic.
FXX Marathon Theme - Luck 'O The Irish / St. Patrick's Day Episodes (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
4:00pm Trash of the Titans (S9E22 / 5F09 / 1998)
4:30pm Yellow Subterfuge (S25E7 / SABF02 / 2013)
5:00pm Whacking Day (S4E20 / 9F18 / 1993)
5:30pm Treehouse of Horror XII (S13E1 / CABF19 / 2001)
6:00pm The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star (S16E21 / GABF09 / 2005)
6:30pm Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes (S20E1 / KABF17 / 2008)
7:00pm In the Name of the Grandfather (S20E14 / LABF11 / 2009)
7:30pm Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment (S8E18 / 4F15 / 1997)
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Yep, same here. I laughed out loud when the M*A*S*H thing happened. Although not much else really did it for me, to be honest.
The episode just seemed way too dense for its own good, where they cramming in more and more stuff into the story (the gamer coach guy, the Marge espresso tactic, Lisa's storyline, the musical number). Then they kept jamming in more, like swapping out Milhouse at the last second, stuff like that. They never had enough time with anything specific concept to feel like anything got a satisfying resolution. The episode felt like it was going 120 mph from the very beginning. Suspecting they did it this way because they were nervous about making the audience watch a fictional video game too long, which would make sense.
Was kinda expecting worse regarding the gaming culture jokes, but they landed okay.
The episode just seemed way too dense for its own good, where they cramming in more and more stuff into the story (the gamer coach guy, the Marge espresso tactic, Lisa's storyline, the musical number). Then they kept jamming in more, like swapping out Milhouse at the last second, stuff like that. They never had enough time with anything specific concept to feel like anything got a satisfying resolution. The episode felt like it was going 120 mph from the very beginning. Suspecting they did it this way because they were nervous about making the audience watch a fictional video game too long, which would make sense.
Was kinda expecting worse regarding the gaming culture jokes, but they landed okay.
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Yeah, I adored the M*A*S*H parody (evoked similarities to the chaotic fallout to Springfield Splendor last season) and Oliver knocked it out of the park with the animation direction tonight. But this was definitely an episode in desperate need of being allowed to breathe and unfortunately we wound up with a rather unsatisfactory conclusion as a result. I almost feel like this concept would have been better handled with a double-length episode format similar to The Great Phatsby.
For all of the research they put into nailing the faithfulness of the League of Legends send-up, it felt like Bart had very little agency in this storyline and they felt compelled to overwhelm us with narrative bloat on the off-chance it didn't fly. I thought all of the kids were utilized exceptionally well and the voice direction was on point as well. Just could have benefited from some of the fat from the second act excised and a little more focus on the payoff to really make this ep a winner but I still consider it to be one of the better episodes from this season.
For all of the research they put into nailing the faithfulness of the League of Legends send-up, it felt like Bart had very little agency in this storyline and they felt compelled to overwhelm us with narrative bloat on the off-chance it didn't fly. I thought all of the kids were utilized exceptionally well and the voice direction was on point as well. Just could have benefited from some of the fat from the second act excised and a little more focus on the payoff to really make this ep a winner but I still consider it to be one of the better episodes from this season.
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Disenchantment is pretty much Futurama.. although the setting and main characters are slightly different.
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Fun animation sequence from last week's episode which had director Rob Oliver essentially paying tribute to his own noteworthy freakout scene from two seasons prior.
Like father, like daughter...
Like father, like daughter...
I feel like this a reference to something way earlier alsoFun animation sequence from last week's episode which had director Rob Oliver essentially paying tribute to his own noteworthy freakout scene from two seasons prior.
Like father, like daughter...
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Tonight is a Selman episode. And whenever Selman showruns an episode that he doesn't write himself, his track record during the HD era has been downright pristine.
The Book Job
A Totally Fun Thing That Bart Will Never Do Again
Steal This Episode
Brick Like Me
Halloween of Horror
The Town
Springfield Splendor
King Leer
Many of the best episodes from the past 7 years have emerged from this equation. In fact, I'd argue that the only somewhat lacklustre episode we've gotten out of this dynamic has been Opposites A-Frack.
So when you know there's a Selman episode on deck and he's not credited as the writer, it's a veritable must-watch. And I haven't even mentioned yet that tonight's episode is the first script with Megan Amram (Parks and Recreation, Transparent, The Good Place). It has the potential to be one of those special episodes that everyone talks about years later instead of forgotten the next morning like so much of modern Simpsons.
BART vs. ITCHY & SCRATCHY - Sunday, March 24th
Episode Production Code = YABF10 (#657)
Writer = Megan Amram
Director = Chris Clements
Showrunner = Matt Selman
BART JOINS A GROUP OF SIXTH-GRADE GIRLS IN THEIR PROTEST
Awkwafina, Nicole Byer and Chelsea Peretti Make Guest-Voice Appearances
Krusty releases an all-female reboot of "Itchy and Scratchy," so Bart and his crew of all-male friends decide to boycott the show. After Bart's friends turn on him for laughing at the reboot, Bart joins a woke group of sixth-grade girls who commit crimes against patriarchy.
Pre-Airing Verdict
This is probably the easiest pre-airing verdict I've ever had to give because I've already done the lion's share of work hyping tonight's episode up in my preamble. Watch the episode! If it disappoints, you can lynch me afterwards. I've been pretty forthright about downplaying episodes this season so give me one unequivocal recommendation. This is it!
Beyond that, I'll also recommend the "almost entirely Classic era" Itchy & Scratchy episode marathon that kicks off on FXX at the top of the hour.
FXX Marathon Theme - Itchy & Scratchy Marathon (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm Treehouse of Horror IX (featuring The Terror of Tiny Toon) (S10E4 / AABF01 / 1998)
3:30pm Lady Bouvier's Lover (S5E21 / 1F21 / 1994)
4:00pm The Front (S4E19 / 9F16 / 1993)
4:30pm Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie (S4E6 / 9F03 / 1992)
5:00pm The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show (S8E14 / 4F12 / 1997)
5:30pm Itchy & Scratchy & Marge (S2E9 / 7F09 / 1990)
6:00pm The Day the Violence Died (S7E18 / 3F16/ 1996)
6:30pm Itchy & Scratchy Land (S6E4 / 2F01 / 1994)
And I'll supplement the above with the following...
The Book Job
A Totally Fun Thing That Bart Will Never Do Again
Steal This Episode
Brick Like Me
Halloween of Horror
The Town
Springfield Splendor
King Leer
Many of the best episodes from the past 7 years have emerged from this equation. In fact, I'd argue that the only somewhat lacklustre episode we've gotten out of this dynamic has been Opposites A-Frack.
So when you know there's a Selman episode on deck and he's not credited as the writer, it's a veritable must-watch. And I haven't even mentioned yet that tonight's episode is the first script with Megan Amram (Parks and Recreation, Transparent, The Good Place). It has the potential to be one of those special episodes that everyone talks about years later instead of forgotten the next morning like so much of modern Simpsons.
BART vs. ITCHY & SCRATCHY - Sunday, March 24th
Episode Production Code = YABF10 (#657)
Writer = Megan Amram
Director = Chris Clements
Showrunner = Matt Selman
BART JOINS A GROUP OF SIXTH-GRADE GIRLS IN THEIR PROTEST
Awkwafina, Nicole Byer and Chelsea Peretti Make Guest-Voice Appearances
Krusty releases an all-female reboot of "Itchy and Scratchy," so Bart and his crew of all-male friends decide to boycott the show. After Bart's friends turn on him for laughing at the reboot, Bart joins a woke group of sixth-grade girls who commit crimes against patriarchy.
Pre-Airing Verdict
This is probably the easiest pre-airing verdict I've ever had to give because I've already done the lion's share of work hyping tonight's episode up in my preamble. Watch the episode! If it disappoints, you can lynch me afterwards. I've been pretty forthright about downplaying episodes this season so give me one unequivocal recommendation. This is it!
Beyond that, I'll also recommend the "almost entirely Classic era" Itchy & Scratchy episode marathon that kicks off on FXX at the top of the hour.
FXX Marathon Theme - Itchy & Scratchy Marathon (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm Treehouse of Horror IX (featuring The Terror of Tiny Toon) (S10E4 / AABF01 / 1998)
3:30pm Lady Bouvier's Lover (S5E21 / 1F21 / 1994)
4:00pm The Front (S4E19 / 9F16 / 1993)
4:30pm Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie (S4E6 / 9F03 / 1992)
5:00pm The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show (S8E14 / 4F12 / 1997)
5:30pm Itchy & Scratchy & Marge (S2E9 / 7F09 / 1990)
6:00pm The Day the Violence Died (S7E18 / 3F16/ 1996)
6:30pm Itchy & Scratchy Land (S6E4 / 2F01 / 1994)
And I'll supplement the above with the following...
OP
OP
That's just for the show itself. The Simpsons as a franchise turns 32 next month.
April 19th, 1987 is when the first short aired during The Tracey Ullman Show.
OP
OP
For my money it was the best episode of the season.
And probably the best first episode from a Simpsons writer since Dan Vebber's The Book Job.
I also expect most of the Internet to hate it moreso than usual.
Which is saying something. Because the Internet REALLY hates modern Simpsons.
This was absolutely the top part of the episode to me. Loved this.
And the scene for Luann(SP?) and Kirk since I like side character stuff
OP
OP
For the record, I believe Bart vs. Itchy & Scratchy is presently trending on IMDB as the 2nd worst-reviewed episode of all-time after Lisa Goes Gaga. It's been hovering between a 5.0 and a 5.5 all day. I think it could actually fall below Gaga's 4.3 when all is said and done.
OP
OP
We have yet another new episode airing tonight. Last week's wound up as the most polarizing new episode in many years and this one boasts its own milestones in that its Nancy Cartwright's first-ever script and Jennifer Moeller's first directorial effort. Episodes that are both written and directed by women are sadly few and far between in the show's 30-year history... to say nothing of this also being an effort from first-timers in both categories.
Al Jean has been literally GUSHING about how this episode turned out Twitter this weekend (which is highly atypical from him), so he's clearly jazzed about what's in store for us.
GIRL'S IN THE BAND - Sunday, March 31st
Episode Production Code = YABF11 (#658)
Writer = Nancy Cartwright
Director = Jennifer Moeller
Showrunner = Al Jean
LISA JOINS THE CHILDREN'S PHILHARMONIC
J.K. Simmons And Dave Matthews Make Guest-Voice Appearances
Lisa is scouted by the director of the Capitol City Philharmonic, to her band teacher's dismay. Homer works extra shifts at the plant so Lisa can play, putting strain on the family.
Pre-Airing Verdict
As neither the writer or director have an established track record, I can only gauge this episode's potential based on Al Jean's uncharacteristic hype and the underlying potential of this Lisa's Pony Meets Whiplash premise. They've got JK Simmons on-hand to effectively rehash Whiplash material with Lisa and her bandmates but what direction they go from there is anybody's guess. This is one of those rare episodes where I'm completely in the dark as to how the narrative will unfold and I'm kind of excited about it.
If nothing else, we should celebrate the fact that Nancy didn't feel compelled to make her first script about one of her own characters. That's something neither Dan Castellaneta or Harry Shearer could avoid. The counter to singling that detail out with praise is that these writers have been repeatedly accused of selling Bart short in recent years and it's telling that even the voice of Bart couldn't come up with a winning storyline for him when afforded the opportunity to make an episode of her own.
As it stands, I'm cautiously optimistic this week... and I probably won't be again about a new episode until the season finale in May, so take that for what it's worth.
FXX Marathon Theme - Lisa Has Sax Appeal (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm Penny-Wiseguys (S24E5 / PABF19 / 2012)
3:30pm Haw-Haw Land (S29E10 / XABF03 / 2018)
4:00pm Separate Vocations (S3E18 / 8F15 / 1992)
4:30pm Moaning Lisa (S1E6 / 7G06 / 1990)
5:00pm 'Round Springfield (S6E22 / 2F32 / 1995)
5:30pm Jazzy and the Pussycats (S18E2 / HABF19 / 2006)
6:00pm Lisa's Rival (S6E2 / 1F17 / 1994)
6:30pm Lisa's Pony (S3E8 / 8F06 / 1991)
Lastly, as I am eligible to get Thanos dusted on Monday, I will be providing my preview for next Sunday's episode soon after this week's episode airs. Reruns will be airing on the 14th and on Easter Sunday so I'll be able to chime in with details for the new episode airing on the 28th once my ban lifts.
Al Jean has been literally GUSHING about how this episode turned out Twitter this weekend (which is highly atypical from him), so he's clearly jazzed about what's in store for us.
GIRL'S IN THE BAND - Sunday, March 31st
Episode Production Code = YABF11 (#658)
Writer = Nancy Cartwright
Director = Jennifer Moeller
Showrunner = Al Jean
LISA JOINS THE CHILDREN'S PHILHARMONIC
J.K. Simmons And Dave Matthews Make Guest-Voice Appearances
Lisa is scouted by the director of the Capitol City Philharmonic, to her band teacher's dismay. Homer works extra shifts at the plant so Lisa can play, putting strain on the family.
Pre-Airing Verdict
As neither the writer or director have an established track record, I can only gauge this episode's potential based on Al Jean's uncharacteristic hype and the underlying potential of this Lisa's Pony Meets Whiplash premise. They've got JK Simmons on-hand to effectively rehash Whiplash material with Lisa and her bandmates but what direction they go from there is anybody's guess. This is one of those rare episodes where I'm completely in the dark as to how the narrative will unfold and I'm kind of excited about it.
If nothing else, we should celebrate the fact that Nancy didn't feel compelled to make her first script about one of her own characters. That's something neither Dan Castellaneta or Harry Shearer could avoid. The counter to singling that detail out with praise is that these writers have been repeatedly accused of selling Bart short in recent years and it's telling that even the voice of Bart couldn't come up with a winning storyline for him when afforded the opportunity to make an episode of her own.
As it stands, I'm cautiously optimistic this week... and I probably won't be again about a new episode until the season finale in May, so take that for what it's worth.
FXX Marathon Theme - Lisa Has Sax Appeal (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm Penny-Wiseguys (S24E5 / PABF19 / 2012)
3:30pm Haw-Haw Land (S29E10 / XABF03 / 2018)
4:00pm Separate Vocations (S3E18 / 8F15 / 1992)
4:30pm Moaning Lisa (S1E6 / 7G06 / 1990)
5:00pm 'Round Springfield (S6E22 / 2F32 / 1995)
5:30pm Jazzy and the Pussycats (S18E2 / HABF19 / 2006)
6:00pm Lisa's Rival (S6E2 / 1F17 / 1994)
6:30pm Lisa's Pony (S3E8 / 8F06 / 1991)
Lastly, as I am eligible to get Thanos dusted on Monday, I will be providing my preview for next Sunday's episode soon after this week's episode airs. Reruns will be airing on the 14th and on Easter Sunday so I'll be able to chime in with details for the new episode airing on the 28th once my ban lifts.
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OP
OP
Fun episode tonight. Here's what I had to say about it over on NoHomers...
I'M JUST A GIRL WHO CAN'T SAY D'OH - Sunday, April 7th
Episode Production Code = YABF12 (#659)
Writers = Jeff Martin & Jenna Martin
Director = Michael Polcino
Showrunner = Al Jean
MARGE DIRECTS A LOCAL THEATER PRODUCTION WHILE HOMER TAKES MAGGIE TO A DADDY AND ME CLASS
John Lithgow and Jon Lovitz Make Guest-Voice Appearances
Marge becomes Director of Springfield's local theater, armed with Lisa's script resembling "Hamilton." Meanwhile, Homer joins a baby class with Maggie, where he takes a liking to supervisor Chloe.
Pre-Airing Verdict
For those of you who will recall, two years ago we saw Kamp Krusty reprised by its original writer (David M. Stern) who returned to the show to write a sequel episode entitled Kamp Krustier that covered the events that would immediately follow Bart and Lisa's trip to summer camp. It wound up quite disastrous.
So in the tradition of showing that folks who lament the loss of the show's original writers and want them to come back, we now have Jeff Martin's pseudo-sequel to the episode that immediately followed Kamp Krusty... A Streetcar Named Marge. Except he's co-writing this script with his daughter.
Many of the same elements from that original episode have been retained in addition to Martin. We have Lovitz reprising Llewellyn Sinclair (who debuted in that episode). We have Marge directing a musical instead of starring in one... which is probably for the best given how Julie Kavner's voice has deteriorated over the years. We have a subplot focused on Maggie going to a school with babies her own age. All of the elements of a sequel are here. It's just a question of whether they can execute on the concept.
And this is where I have trepidation. Not just because of the disappointment that was Kamp Krustier but because we've already seen recent turned from Jeff Martin in Season 27's How Lisa Got Her Marge Back and Season 28's Moho House... and they were NOT good. I do believe this episode boasts slightly more potential than those other recent efforts but not enough to instill confidence.
I wonder if we'll be seeing George Meyer brought back to the show to write a sequel to Homer the Heretic next.
FXX Marathon Theme - Cash Crunch (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (S1E1 / 7G08 / 1989)
3:30pm When Flanders Failed (S3E3 / 7F23 / 1991)
4:00pm Homer vs. Patty and Selma (S6E17 / 2F14 / 1995)
4:30pm The Great Money Caper (S12E7 / CABF03 / 2000)
5:00pm Mommie Beerest (S16E7 / GABF01 / 2005)
5:30pm Loan-a Lisa (S22E2 / MABF17 / 2010)
6:00pm Sky Police (S26E16 / TABF09 / 2015)
6:30pm Much Apu About Something (S27E12 / VABF05 / 2016)
Now, because Thanos doesn't like to be kept waiting, I'll bang out my preview for next week's episode tonight. There are no promo pics released for this episode... but, thankfully, it's a pseudo-sequel to an episode from the Classic era so I can still work with that. I will, however, update this post with updated marketing material should Thanos elect to spare my life.
I'M JUST A GIRL WHO CAN'T SAY D'OH - Sunday, April 7th
Episode Production Code = YABF12 (#659)
Writers = Jeff Martin & Jenna Martin
Director = Michael Polcino
Showrunner = Al Jean
MARGE DIRECTS A LOCAL THEATER PRODUCTION WHILE HOMER TAKES MAGGIE TO A DADDY AND ME CLASS
John Lithgow and Jon Lovitz Make Guest-Voice Appearances
Marge becomes Director of Springfield's local theater, armed with Lisa's script resembling "Hamilton." Meanwhile, Homer joins a baby class with Maggie, where he takes a liking to supervisor Chloe.
Pre-Airing Verdict
For those of you who will recall, two years ago we saw Kamp Krusty reprised by its original writer (David M. Stern) who returned to the show to write a sequel episode entitled Kamp Krustier that covered the events that would immediately follow Bart and Lisa's trip to summer camp. It wound up quite disastrous.
So in the tradition of showing that folks who lament the loss of the show's original writers and want them to come back, we now have Jeff Martin's pseudo-sequel to the episode that immediately followed Kamp Krusty... A Streetcar Named Marge. Except he's co-writing this script with his daughter.
Many of the same elements from that original episode have been retained in addition to Martin. We have Lovitz reprising Llewellyn Sinclair (who debuted in that episode). We have Marge directing a musical instead of starring in one... which is probably for the best given how Julie Kavner's voice has deteriorated over the years. We have a subplot focused on Maggie going to a school with babies her own age. All of the elements of a sequel are here. It's just a question of whether they can execute on the concept.
And this is where I have trepidation. Not just because of the disappointment that was Kamp Krustier but because we've already seen recent turned from Jeff Martin in Season 27's How Lisa Got Her Marge Back and Season 28's Moho House... and they were NOT good. I do believe this episode boasts slightly more potential than those other recent efforts but not enough to instill confidence.
I wonder if we'll be seeing George Meyer brought back to the show to write a sequel to Homer the Heretic next.
FXX Marathon Theme - Cash Crunch (weekly themed 4-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
3:00pm Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (S1E1 / 7G08 / 1989)
3:30pm When Flanders Failed (S3E3 / 7F23 / 1991)
4:00pm Homer vs. Patty and Selma (S6E17 / 2F14 / 1995)
4:30pm The Great Money Caper (S12E7 / CABF03 / 2000)
5:00pm Mommie Beerest (S16E7 / GABF01 / 2005)
5:30pm Loan-a Lisa (S22E2 / MABF17 / 2010)
6:00pm Sky Police (S26E16 / TABF09 / 2015)
6:30pm Much Apu About Something (S27E12 / VABF05 / 2016)
OP
OP
There's a convenient list of the Top 50 best received post-Classic era episodes. You can find it right at the top of this thread... or by clicking this link right here.
There's one other piece of pre-Thanos thread business I need to conduct as Avengers isn't the only noteworthy event taking place during the final weekend of April.
For those of you in the New York City area, the Tribeca Film Festival is hosting a special anniversary screening of Marge vs. the Monorail (Season 4) and The Day the Earth Stood Cool (Season 24) on Sunday, April 28th @ 5:00pm.
Now you might be asking yourself, why all the fuss? I've seen one of those episodes dozens of times and the other episode I've never seen at all. Why would I go out of my way to pay $30 to go watch them in an auditorium with a bunch of strangers?
Well, immediately following the screening of those two episodes, you'll also be treated to a 45-minute panel moderated by none other than Yeardley Smith (the voice of Lisa Simpson) consisting of the two surviving creators of the show (Matt Groening & James L. Brooks), the two modern-era showrunners (Al Jean & Matt Selman) and, making a rare public appearance - by Simpsons event standards - Harry Shearer (the voice of Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Waylon Smithers and countless others).
It's rare to have an event of this nature outside of the trappings of California and certainly not one with such an ostentatious lineup of Simpsons luminaries. There are apparently still tickets available so head here for all of the details and/or to purchase some.
(And yes, I will be in attendance, too. But that's hardly a big deal.)
OP
OP
So I'm back from Thanos-rendered oblivion just in time for the show to come back from its last hiatus of Season 30.
Thankfully I didn't miss all that much... outside of that little tidbit of news that dropped that the Simpsons will be streaming on Disney+ day and date with the launch of the service this fall. That's KIND of a big deal... as it will spell the end of Simpsons World for episode streaming and it will prove to be an even bigger deal if it leads to Simpsons streaming outside of the United States which hasn't been a thing up until now.
Anyhow, there was also a scheduling shake-up for the final three episodes of the season which means we've got an episode where the Simpsons travel to Canada on deck for the same day when I travel from Canada to go see Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, Matt Selman, Yeardley Smith and Harry Shearer in the States. It's a rather timely coincidence which may well cloud my judgment on this episode somewhat so I apologize for that in advance.
D'OH CANADA - Sunday, April 28th
Episode Production Code = YABF14 (#660)
Writers = Tim Long & Miranda Thompson
Director = Steven Dean Moore
Showrunner = Al Jean
LISA IS GRANTED ASYLUM TO CANADA DURING A FAMILY VACATION
Lucas Meyer and Judy Blume Make Guest-Voice Appearances
On a family vacation to Niagara Falls, Lisa is mistakenly granted political asylum in Canada. When Marge goes to rescue Lisa, they are forced to re-evaluate their love for America as they navigate the polite Canadian landscape.
Pre-Airing Verdict
If you've been keeping score at home, this is the 4th time the Simpsons family will have visited Canada - having previously travelled to Toronto (Season 13's The Bart Wants What It Wants), Calgary (Season 14's I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can) and Vancouver (Season 21's Boy Meets Curl)... although this is arguably the first time it has been front and center as the principal theme of a Simpsons episode as opposed to merely serving as a backdrop. Presumably they also had to drive through Canada during The Simpsons Movie to reach their new home in Alaska. This is also the 2nd time they've travelled to Niagara Falls having previously visited during Season 15's Catch 'Em If You Can.
No, I didn't forget Homer smuggling drugs across the border from Winnipeg with his father... that didn't involve the whole family so it doesn't count.
This episode DOES however share a common theme with the aforementioned Midnight Rx in Season 16 in that it has a heavy focus on affordable Canadian health care which will play an active role in initially separating Lisa from her family and their myriad of attempts to get her back to American soil.
This will be the 3rd episode from the Long / Thompson tandem that has delivered a rather stellar Selman-showrun episode in Springfield Splendor and a rather dismal Jean-showrun episode in Haw Haw Land (both from Season 29). This one is being showrun by Jean but I suspect it will wind up better than their last effort provided that there's actual emotional heft and thoughtfulness injected into the episode in between the inevitable barrage of "this is how Canadians are different from Americans" jokes.
Fun fact... NONE of the aforementioned episodes that featured Canada were written by a Canadian. This one is.
If nothing else, this should likely prove to be a watchable appetizer to cleanse the palate before that colossal Game of Thrones battle sequence that kicks off an hour later.
FXX Marathon Theme - Canadian Bacon (weekly themed 3-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
4:00pm Lisa on Ice (S6E8 / 2F05 / 1994)
4:30pm You Only Move Twice (S8E2 / 3F23 / 1996)
5:00pm The Bart Wants What It Wants (S13E11 / DABF06 / 2002)
5:30pm Catch 'Em If You Can (S15E18 / FABF14 / 2004)
6:00pm Midnight Rx (S16E6 / FABF16 / 2005)
6:30pm Boy Meets Curl (S21E12 / MABF05 / 2010)
Thankfully I didn't miss all that much... outside of that little tidbit of news that dropped that the Simpsons will be streaming on Disney+ day and date with the launch of the service this fall. That's KIND of a big deal... as it will spell the end of Simpsons World for episode streaming and it will prove to be an even bigger deal if it leads to Simpsons streaming outside of the United States which hasn't been a thing up until now.
Anyhow, there was also a scheduling shake-up for the final three episodes of the season which means we've got an episode where the Simpsons travel to Canada on deck for the same day when I travel from Canada to go see Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, Matt Selman, Yeardley Smith and Harry Shearer in the States. It's a rather timely coincidence which may well cloud my judgment on this episode somewhat so I apologize for that in advance.
D'OH CANADA - Sunday, April 28th
Episode Production Code = YABF14 (#660)
Writers = Tim Long & Miranda Thompson
Director = Steven Dean Moore
Showrunner = Al Jean
LISA IS GRANTED ASYLUM TO CANADA DURING A FAMILY VACATION
Lucas Meyer and Judy Blume Make Guest-Voice Appearances
On a family vacation to Niagara Falls, Lisa is mistakenly granted political asylum in Canada. When Marge goes to rescue Lisa, they are forced to re-evaluate their love for America as they navigate the polite Canadian landscape.
Pre-Airing Verdict
If you've been keeping score at home, this is the 4th time the Simpsons family will have visited Canada - having previously travelled to Toronto (Season 13's The Bart Wants What It Wants), Calgary (Season 14's I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can) and Vancouver (Season 21's Boy Meets Curl)... although this is arguably the first time it has been front and center as the principal theme of a Simpsons episode as opposed to merely serving as a backdrop. Presumably they also had to drive through Canada during The Simpsons Movie to reach their new home in Alaska. This is also the 2nd time they've travelled to Niagara Falls having previously visited during Season 15's Catch 'Em If You Can.
No, I didn't forget Homer smuggling drugs across the border from Winnipeg with his father... that didn't involve the whole family so it doesn't count.
This episode DOES however share a common theme with the aforementioned Midnight Rx in Season 16 in that it has a heavy focus on affordable Canadian health care which will play an active role in initially separating Lisa from her family and their myriad of attempts to get her back to American soil.
This will be the 3rd episode from the Long / Thompson tandem that has delivered a rather stellar Selman-showrun episode in Springfield Splendor and a rather dismal Jean-showrun episode in Haw Haw Land (both from Season 29). This one is being showrun by Jean but I suspect it will wind up better than their last effort provided that there's actual emotional heft and thoughtfulness injected into the episode in between the inevitable barrage of "this is how Canadians are different from Americans" jokes.
Fun fact... NONE of the aforementioned episodes that featured Canada were written by a Canadian. This one is.
If nothing else, this should likely prove to be a watchable appetizer to cleanse the palate before that colossal Game of Thrones battle sequence that kicks off an hour later.
FXX Marathon Theme - Canadian Bacon (weekly themed 3-hour mini-marathons run each and every Sunday afternoon on FXX before new episodes premiere)
4:00pm Lisa on Ice (S6E8 / 2F05 / 1994)
4:30pm You Only Move Twice (S8E2 / 3F23 / 1996)
5:00pm The Bart Wants What It Wants (S13E11 / DABF06 / 2002)
5:30pm Catch 'Em If You Can (S15E18 / FABF14 / 2004)
6:00pm Midnight Rx (S16E6 / FABF16 / 2005)
6:30pm Boy Meets Curl (S21E12 / MABF05 / 2010)
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You could just, you know, ignore this thread. Have you got no sense of OT etiquette?
I also wish for hundreds of people to become unemployed because I don't like a piece of media.
Ok, that's not what I meant and seems my comment has unfortunate implications like that. What I mean is, I think this show should have ended a long time as the simpsons quality has declined a lot.
OP
OP
There are only EIGHT scripted series on broadcast television right now with better ratings performance than The Simpsons. EIGHT.
And one of those is The Big Bang Theory which ends its run in less than 3 weeks.
Loads of people still watch it and enjoy it, regardless of what you might believe. What benefit does killing it off and disappointing all those millions of viewers provide you?
And it's also your tact, or lack of common decency. OP has clearly put a lot of effort in to an OT which is meant for fan discussion, and your response was that negative, valueless one-liner? Have a bit more respect.
OP
OP
If any of you would like to scope out this afternoon's Simpsons cast/production 30th anniversary panel directly, it will be livestreamed at facebook.com/Tribeca at 5:45pm Eastern today.
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