(S18E16) I often counter anti-Simpsons bromides by telling people that no series can be perfect all the time, but I think there's a part of me that still expects perfection. I'm like a mother that knows her child isn't perfect, and yet feels let down when they falter, because damn it, I know they're better than that.
I probably could have come up with a better analogy, but it's too late now, I'm already on the second paragraph. The thing is: I liked this episode. It made me laugh, and it had a ton of great gags, and plenty were "pause button worthy." It just didn't feel "full," you know? Of course, the first indication should have been the extra-long opening sequence showing Homer evolving as he treks to his house to sit with his family on the couch. When you see a long couch gag, you know they were a little short on the episode length that week.
There were so many "moments" I loved in this episode: Marge crying when the family album burned because it was record of her accomplishments, like a resume is to a man; the "Happy 1987" photo where the family looked like the old versions of themselves; the stem cell fajitas at the celebs' party; and Drederick Tatum snorting Secretariat's ashes. It was also nice to see J.K. Simmons back as the fast-talking magazine editor, and did anyone else notice Flanders' old Hollywood girlfriend in the scene where all the celebs are gathered around the table?
So I watched The Simpsons and laughed pretty hard for half an hour. It didn't cost me a thing, so I can't complain too much. Still, that maternal side of me knows this episode could have been better, that the best episodes are more than just a lot of funny gags. Then again, maybe this was always intended as a silly episode with no serious point. I think what we can all agree on is that this is the most wishy-washy episode review I've ever written.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-25-2007 @ 9:48PM
Clint said...
A great subtle episode. The opening sequence was absolutely brilliant. I think this was the best one since they started out at atom level, end up at the universe in Homer's Head.
Episode was pretty funny, glad to see Gabo reappear. Overall, a very solid episode.
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3-25-2007 @ 10:01PM
Bill said...
I used to think like that about the Simpsons, but I don't think you can still hold the show to the same standards as the peak seasons. If it can make me laugh pretty often, I'm happy.
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3-25-2007 @ 10:40PM
Gavin said...
You know what's funny?
Certainly not new episodes of the Simpsons. Sorry, couldn't resist. I found myself spacing out during sections of tonight's episode because it was just dull. The writing is SO inconsistent. Take for example the bit with the Krusty doll making jokes about the Stones and the Kinks because the whole point of the gag was that it was outdated material. Then he makes an Ipod joke...way to blow the premise. This show has rounded the bend and then jumped the shark and now wallows in it's own crapulence.
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3-25-2007 @ 10:40PM
Danny Cohen said...
I liked the episode, finally a new one! The opening was AMAZING. I watched it three times. I liked the beginning because it was about the family, but then it sort of drifted away from it. Shout out for Betty White!
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3-25-2007 @ 10:55PM
Tweaq said...
I just had to post because of Danny's comment. Nice "plug". I think think was another good episode, not great or outstanding but good. I laughed at some parts, not at others. And Betty White was awesome.
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3-25-2007 @ 11:20PM
J-spot said...
One of the better episodes of the later years, and easily in the top 3 of the season. I was worried when the intro ran long that they were struggling with this episode, but it delivered the laughs. It was also one of the better "Homer gets a new job" episodes.
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3-25-2007 @ 11:40PM
beanspants said...
i agree about the ipod joke gavin. that was perhaps one of the worst writing moments on the simpsons ever. it was like the writers just gave up on that bit.
too bad too, because the stem cell fajitas and a few other individual jokes were ok.
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3-25-2007 @ 11:45PM
Cat said...
I loved the long intro, and the whole episode. I was cracking up throughout.
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3-26-2007 @ 8:42AM
Spectacular Bid said...
Did I see correctly that when Homer goes into the hip-club with the celebs doing dirty things - that someone was snorting Secretariat's ashes? I swear I saw the urn labeled with the late-Triple Crown horse's name.
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3-26-2007 @ 11:49AM
kevjohn said...
Perfect? Are you kidding? "The Simpsons" hasn't been truly funny in 10 years! What show have you been watching lately, and does it bear any resemblance to the first 2 or 3 years of the show?
This may have been the best episode in years, but it was certainly not the Sipmsons at their peak.
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3-26-2007 @ 12:53PM
renee said...
The beginning was brilliant. Enough said.
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3-26-2007 @ 4:12PM
beanspants said...
the simpsons have been funny in the last 10 years, and the first few were good, but the show has changed since then.
"Simpsons go to Africa" and "Bart Gets Fat" are 2 great episodes-among the best-- less than 10 years old.
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3-28-2007 @ 6:47AM
Healer said...
This show is dumb, always will be dumb! Good for taking up space on Fox TV!
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3-28-2007 @ 10:36AM
John C. said...
Lmao.
Taking up space on FOX... good one
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5-05-2007 @ 12:17PM
kevin said...
yeah i was just thinking for a episode where homer and marge get divorced and fight and in the end they get back together or were the are divorced for ever
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