...because like the battery spokesrabbit, they keep going and going and going...! Fox has picked up the show for yet two MORE years, numbers 15 and 16, which would send it past "Ozzie and Harriet" as TV's longest-running comedy show ever.
According to this article, next month they're airing 3 new episodes on one night, including the 300th episode.
Full Version: The Simpsons are like the Energizer bunny...
The Simpsons is by far one of the best shows on TV. I've been watching it since I was 10. I've always been a fan of Flanders; reminds me of a lot of people when I lived in Oklahoma.
I've always wondered how it will end though.
I've always wondered how it will end though.
Lawyer: "Joe in Philly, I represent the estate of the Energizer Bunny. I have a court order demanding an immediate halt to this unauthorized imitation. Boys?" (A group of thugs grab Joe's Eagles cap and stamp on it.)
Joe: "Well, would it be all right with you if I just laid down in the street and died?"
Lawyer: (checks legal paperwork) "Yes, that would be acceptable."
Thank God for The Simpsons. I've watched the early episodes so many times that I simultaneously quote dialogue verbatim. And I plan on watching those same episodes again and again.
Trojan110, one appropriate ending might be if Grandpa Simpson died. But the feisty old guy's got other ideas...
Grandpa: "They say the greatest tragedy is when a father outlives his son. I've never fully understood why that is. Frankly, I can see an upside to it."
Joe: "Well, would it be all right with you if I just laid down in the street and died?"
Lawyer: (checks legal paperwork) "Yes, that would be acceptable."
Thank God for The Simpsons. I've watched the early episodes so many times that I simultaneously quote dialogue verbatim. And I plan on watching those same episodes again and again.
Trojan110, one appropriate ending might be if Grandpa Simpson died. But the feisty old guy's got other ideas...
Grandpa: "They say the greatest tragedy is when a father outlives his son. I've never fully understood why that is. Frankly, I can see an upside to it."
More power to the Simpsons, one of the best shows in the history/herstory of television!
The Simpsons has gone downhill from its glory years for several seasons, but no one is going to pull the plug while there's millions more to be made. It's become the Cal Ripken Jr of sitcoms...
I love how Bill W works in a rip of his baseball bete noir, Cal Ripken, in to a thread about The Simpsons. Hahahaha!
[Homer voice when he's mad at Bart] Kill....this....show.....now........
The Simpsons jumped the shark so long it ago, it's just not even true. It's now become the Homer Makes an Ass Of Himself show; it was at it's best when there was a balance between his pratfalls, Bart, Marge and Lisa and the rest of the town. I'm not just saying that because Apu is my favorite character and he's not around much any more. And what happened to Mr. Burns and The Token Gay Smithers? I think Harry Shearer does their voices and he's still around.
What a great show this was in it's prime. My favorite bit: the start in the basement of the house and pan up to the attic. Along the way you see "Asbestos", then "Lead" and all the other toxic things that went in to building their house. OR
When Smithers is talking to Lisa about his Malibu Stacy collection and the computer screensaver shows a naked Mr. Burns flying through the air. Smithers rules.
[Homer voice when he's mad at Bart] Kill....this....show.....now........
The Simpsons jumped the shark so long it ago, it's just not even true. It's now become the Homer Makes an Ass Of Himself show; it was at it's best when there was a balance between his pratfalls, Bart, Marge and Lisa and the rest of the town. I'm not just saying that because Apu is my favorite character and he's not around much any more. And what happened to Mr. Burns and The Token Gay Smithers? I think Harry Shearer does their voices and he's still around.
What a great show this was in it's prime. My favorite bit: the start in the basement of the house and pan up to the attic. Along the way you see "Asbestos", then "Lead" and all the other toxic things that went in to building their house. OR
When Smithers is talking to Lisa about his Malibu Stacy collection and the computer screensaver shows a naked Mr. Burns flying through the air. Smithers rules.
I love the old and new Simpsons. I personally think it works best when they work in heavy social commentary to a light story. The gun control episode is one of my favorites. Or the Schoolhouse Rock bit with the song that talks about an Amendment to Be.
I personally don't think they've lost steam, I'm looking forward to the next 2 years of Simpsons.
I personally don't think they've lost steam, I'm looking forward to the next 2 years of Simpsons.
I love, love, love The Simpsons. Perhaps the quality has declined a wee bit in that there are maybe a couple fewer classic episodes each season. But there are still enough great ones each season to keep it among the funniest things on the air, currently or ever!
The episode this season where the family went on the reality show based on that PBS show (1885 House?). Just a riot!
The episode this season where the family went on the reality show based on that PBS show (1885 House?). Just a riot!
The Simpsons is my favortie show ever and has to have the most consistently crips and clever writing in the history of television. Social commentary, totally hilarity, you name it. LOVE it. And they are still cranking out classics even this season. The episode where Marge got the accidental breast enhancement was one of their great one, here 10 years after they started. Not many shows could do that. Of course, it's easier that the characters never age. Lucky that way.
I LOVE the Simpsons and think that they have kept the level of excellence that they have always had. The only thing I miss the most is Phil Hartman as Roy McClure ("Hi, I'm Roy McClure and you may remember me from such films as....") Other than that I think that the show is still really great. I think that it will also be one of those rare shows that does better even in syndication like the Golden Girls (why that show ever ended is a true American tragedy).
Da Kid.
Da Kid.
You might remember me from such films as "Designated Drivers: The Lifesaving Nerds"
My favorite Troy McClure quote, followed by this one in reference to Selma's iguana:
"I love Jub Jub, he's everywhere you wanna be"
My favorite Troy McClure quote, followed by this one in reference to Selma's iguana:
"I love Jub Jub, he's everywhere you wanna be"
Of course the show isnt nearly as great as it was 5 years ago, but it's still a very enjoyable show. Always with the times. always sophisticated. Thank God the show is going on for another 2 years. There's going to be a hole in my heart when this show goes off the air. The show that really needs to kick the bucket is "Friends"
A thread celebrating the Simpsons simply must include a mention of their extraordinary musical episodes. Who could forget the Sherry Bobbins episode or Marge as Blanche in a musical "Streetcar Named Desire" (with buff Ned Flanders as Stanley) or the "We Put the Spring in Springfield" romp performed in front of the town's bawdy house (where Bart was sentenced to community service) or "Happy Birthday, Lisa," or Lisa's "Second Grade Blues." This doesn't even scratch the surface and doesn't include the great musical guests, like The Who.
It is a wonderful show--one of the few comedies that understands the best (truest) laughs come from upsetting the status quo.
~Adam
It is a wonderful show--one of the few comedies that understands the best (truest) laughs come from upsetting the status quo.
~Adam
Sure the shows fallen off a bit - a bit. Nothing could match the Conan O'Brien years...Marge vs the Monorail is my pick for all time best episode (Is there a chance the track could bend? Not on your life, my Hindu friend!). But there are always one or two classics in each of the newer seasons. And like I always tell those traitor friends of mine who say the plug should have been pulled years ago, "I'd rather watch bad Simpsons that almost anything else on TV."
The only bad part about the renewal is it will make the release dates for the DVDs even slower. I want season three already!
The only bad part about the renewal is it will make the release dates for the DVDs even slower. I want season three already!
I love the Simpsons.....
I will say I am not an avid watcher!
I have probably seen 25% of the episodes! I do love it though!
It seems that I will watch an episode and then I watch it for a few weeks and then something happens that I can't watch it regularly and then I see an episode and I watch it for a few weeks and etc.......
I will say I am not an avid watcher!
I have probably seen 25% of the episodes! I do love it though!
It seems that I will watch an episode and then I watch it for a few weeks and then something happens that I can't watch it regularly and then I see an episode and I watch it for a few weeks and etc.......
OK, despite my Homer bashing above, I'm going to quote him:
Homer: God is my favorite fictional character.
Homer's in the kitchen with some pies that Marge baked. One falls on the floor. He gets on the floor, looks at it and goes "Mmmmmm....floor pie....."
In fact, almost any time Homer goes "Mmmmmmm.....[insert object of his desire]....." I giggle.
I also love the not-so-veiled references to Smithers' homosexuality. I wish they'd bring Smithers and Mr. Burns back more--they seem to have disappeared.
Homer: God is my favorite fictional character.
Homer's in the kitchen with some pies that Marge baked. One falls on the floor. He gets on the floor, looks at it and goes "Mmmmmm....floor pie....."
In fact, almost any time Homer goes "Mmmmmmm.....[insert object of his desire]....." I giggle.
I also love the not-so-veiled references to Smithers' homosexuality. I wish they'd bring Smithers and Mr. Burns back more--they seem to have disappeared.
Just saw (for the umpteenth time) the "Behind the Music" spoof episode they did a few years ago. What a riot! When Grandpa is being interviewed, on the screen it says Abe Simpsons-Coot.
Marge: "Homer and I had great chemistry".
Homer: "Not a day went by I didn't think about replacing Marge".
I may just watch a couple of eps from the season 2 DVD today!
Marge: "Homer and I had great chemistry".
Homer: "Not a day went by I didn't think about replacing Marge".
I may just watch a couple of eps from the season 2 DVD today!
QUOTE
Jim Allen:
Homer's in the kitchen with some pies that Marge baked. One falls on the floor. He gets on the floor, looks at it and goes \"Mmmmmm....floor pie.....\"
Best "Mmmmmm" moment:Homer's in the kitchen with some pies that Marge baked. One falls on the floor. He gets on the floor, looks at it and goes \"Mmmmmm....floor pie.....\"
Marge: That's not God, it's just an old waffle that Bart threw up there.
Homer: I know I musn't eat thee...Mmmmmm...sacrelicious.
When playing golf with Mr. Burns.
Monty: "Give me an open faced club, a sand wedge.
Homer: "Mmmmmm, open-face club sandwedge."
Monty: "Give me an open faced club, a sand wedge.
Homer: "Mmmmmm, open-face club sandwedge."
QUOTE
Alton:
Marge: That's not God, it's just an old waffle that Bart threw up there.
Homer: I know I musn't eat thee...Mmmmmm...sacrelicious.
More of Homer on religion:Marge: That's not God, it's just an old waffle that Bart threw up there.
Homer: I know I musn't eat thee...Mmmmmm...sacrelicious.
"Wait! I'm no missionary! I don't even believe in Jebus!"
"I’m not normally a praying man, but if you’re up there, please save me, Superman!"
And a couple of other quotes:
"See, Maggie, those silver and blue guys are the Dallas Cowboys. They’re Daddy’s favorite team, and he wants them to lose by less than five and a half points. Understand?"
"If celebrities didn't want people pawing through their garbage and saying they're gay, they shouldn't have tried to express themselves creatively!"
"To alcohol! The cause of – and solution to – all life’s problems!"
Humorous Simpsons-related story:
At my last job, when they broke the news that they were getting ready to layoff about 100 employees, including most of my former department, one of my co-workers stood up and announced, "That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough! I'm going to Clown College!". Then he stormed out.
True story.
At my last job, when they broke the news that they were getting ready to layoff about 100 employees, including most of my former department, one of my co-workers stood up and announced, "That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough! I'm going to Clown College!". Then he stormed out.
True story.
QUOTE
Jim Allen:
When Smithers is talking to Lisa about his Malibu Stacy collection and the computer screensaver shows a naked Mr. Burns flying through the air.
Not to split hairs, Jim, but you're mixing your eps. A clothed Mr. Burns flies into Smither's apartment through the window in Waylon's dream in the episode where Marge goes to work at the plant. And in the Malibu Stacy ep, a naked Mr. Burns does indeed appear on Smither's computer, saying, in patched together sound bites, "Hello...Smithers. You're quite good...at turning...me on."When Smithers is talking to Lisa about his Malibu Stacy collection and the computer screensaver shows a naked Mr. Burns flying through the air.
I've got a friend who leaves this .wav on my answering machine at least twice a week. He thinks it's real funny.
And I WAS the Northeast Regional Simpsons Trivia Champ for 2001. God help me.
The current (Feb 7) issue of Entertainment Weekly names their choices of the 25 Best. Episodes. EVER.
And their choice of the worst episode-
Bart to the Future-Bart sees the future with Lisa as president and he as a slacker ne'er-do-well.
[ January 31, 2003, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]
- 1. Last Exit to Springfield-Homer becomes union boss and leads a strike for a dental plan.
2. Rosebud-Burns yearns for his long-lost Bobo teddy bear.
3. Cape Feare-Sideshow Bob stalks Bart in a parody of the Martin Scorsese remake of Cape Fear.
4. Marge vs. the Monorail-Lyle Lanley sells the town a monorail and Homer becomes the conductor.
5. Homer's Phobia-Homer thinks Bart might be gay.
6. Mr. Plow-Homer starts a successful snow plow business only to be upstaged by Barney.
7. Itchy and Scratchy Land-The family visits a violence filled theme park parodying Disney World.
8. A Fish Called Selma-Selma marries Troy McClure.
9. Treehouse of Horror V-The Shining parody, Homer's time traveling toaster and Nightmare Cafeteria.
10. The Last Temptation of Homer-Homer develops a crush on new employee Mindy Simmons.
11. Duffless-After getting busted for DWI, Homer gives up beer for a month.
12. I Love Lisa-Ralph Wiggum develops a crush on Lisa.
13. The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson-The family travels to NYC to retreive Homer's abandonded car.
14. Twenty-Two Short Films About Springfield-Many of the supporting characters take center stage in these vignettes about many of the residents of Springfield.
15. Homer at the Bat-Burns stacks the plant softball team with major league players.
16. Flaming Moe's-Moe takes credit for a new drink sensation invented by Homer and his bar becomes the \"in\" place.
17. Bart the Daredevil-After seeing daredevil Captain Lance Murdock, Bart is inspired to jump Springfield Gorge.
18. Homer Badman-Homer is accused of sexually harrassing the babysitter.
19. Simpsons Spin-off Showcase-Three \"spinoffs\" are presented, including \"The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour\", a dead-on lampooning of The Brady Bunch Hour variety show.
20. Radio Bart-Bart drops a walkie talkie downa well and fools the townspeople into believing \"Timmy O'Toole\" has fallen down the well.
21. Life on the Fast Lane-Homer's insensitive gift for Marge's birthday (a bowling ball) prompts Marge to take up the game and becoming tempted into an affair with her French bowling instructor.
22. How I Spent My Strummer Vacation-Homer attends Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp.
23. The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show-Homer voices a new cartoon character that ruins the show.
24. Simpson and Delilah-When Homer grows hair, he becomes the plant's new young go-getter and Burns' pet.
25. Who Shot Mr. Burns? Parts 1 & 2-Burns is shot and thw town is full of suspects in an homage to the classic \"Who Shot JR\" episode of Dallas.
And their choice of the worst episode-
Bart to the Future-Bart sees the future with Lisa as president and he as a slacker ne'er-do-well.
[ January 31, 2003, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]
Great list -- but hard to pare down to even 25! Where's Kamp Krusty? Or Grandpa's nursing home romance? The Santa's Little Helper Xmas? The three-eyed fish that ruins Burns' gubernatorial campaign?
I love the "Timmy O'Toole" episode if only for the spotting of the squirrel that resembles Abraham Lincoln -- and the subsequent news flash that the "Lincoln squirrel has been assassinated!"
p.s. - -for some odd reason I had a dream about Marge and the bowling alley gigolo last night (#21 on their list).
[ January 31, 2003, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: DCBucky ]
I love the "Timmy O'Toole" episode if only for the spotting of the squirrel that resembles Abraham Lincoln -- and the subsequent news flash that the "Lincoln squirrel has been assassinated!"
p.s. - -for some odd reason I had a dream about Marge and the bowling alley gigolo last night (#21 on their list).
[ January 31, 2003, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: DCBucky ]
I'm sorry they didn't include the episode in which Lisa develops an infatuation with bad boy Nelson or the one in which Bart writes love letters to Edna Crabapple. And, as I posted about some of the musical episodes earlier on this thread, I try to never miss "Sherry Bobbins" or the one with The Who.
~Adam
[ January 31, 2003, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: Adam ]
~Adam
[ January 31, 2003, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: Adam ]
Just for two, where's "Bart vs. Thanksgiving"? Where's "Itchy and Scratchy and Marge"? AAACK!
I'm working on my own list now. I'll post it when I get it done. It's going to be tough to narrow it down to 25, though!
I'm working on my own list now. I'll post it when I get it done. It's going to be tough to narrow it down to 25, though!
Fox commits fraud: Tonight's episode was actually the 300th episode. They're promoting that it will happen in 2 weeks but if you count all the episodes they aired, including the Simpsons Christmas Special which was actually the first one, tonight's was the 300th. Those Fox weasels.
I'm still working on my list. With difficulty, I've narrowed it down to 83.
I'm still working on my list. With difficulty, I've narrowed it down to 83.
God do I love the simpsons...I'd compete with Alton for Simpsons Trivia greatness
I love the part in the newest one where Homer fits everything (and everyone) in his car like it's a tetris game, and you hear the music while he's squishing everything into tetris blocks and stacking them into the car
I love the part in the newest one where Homer fits everything (and everyone) in his car like it's a tetris game, and you hear the music while he's squishing everything into tetris blocks and stacking them into the car
Or Homer asking if Rainier Wolfcastle's early porno movies were "hetero."
Update: I've selected 22 of my 25 best episodes, and have narrowed the rest of the field to 11 possibilities. I doubt I'll finish this until after the convention. Stay tuned. wink
They recently renewed their 2 or 4 year contract. Thank God! I will never get sick of them!
Last week's episode, where Reverand Lovejoy loses the church to Homer, was a summary of what's wrong with the show now. As usual, it was Homer-centric but he's become such a tedious, one-note character that there's a big void in the middle of the show for me now. It's all the other Springfieldians that are vastly more interesting than Homer Jay. While it was nice to see the usual digs at organized religion, it was poor episode overall. But amongst the dross was one truly great scene--the one with the news chopper pilot who starts ranting to Kent Brockman about evil in town. Great scene.
Kill. this. show. now.
Kill. this. show. now.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/16/opinion/.../16SUN4.html?th
"The Simpsons are far more nuanced characters than those played by actual humans on most sitcoms. Their Springfield is a well-defined landscape populated by the likes of Apu over at the Kwik-E-Mart and Mr. Burns, Homer's slithery boss at the nuclear power plant. Matt Groening, the show's creator, and a stable of talented writers have made "The Simpsons" a true American masterpiece. It's an enduring work of satire that never degenerates into cynicism."
- - - - -
Hoo-ray for The Simpsons!
"The Simpsons are far more nuanced characters than those played by actual humans on most sitcoms. Their Springfield is a well-defined landscape populated by the likes of Apu over at the Kwik-E-Mart and Mr. Burns, Homer's slithery boss at the nuclear power plant. Matt Groening, the show's creator, and a stable of talented writers have made "The Simpsons" a true American masterpiece. It's an enduring work of satire that never degenerates into cynicism."
- - - - -
Hoo-ray for The Simpsons!
We started calling a family up the street The Simpsons because of the uncanny resemblance...and I can't even remember ever watching an entire episode. Have to admit, it's a cultural phenom.
My favorite Homer line was when Dr. Hibbert recommended he take a vacation in Florida. Homer said, "Florida! That's America's wang!
QUOTE
Jim Allen:
Last week's episode ... was a summary of what's wrong with the show now. Kill. this. show. now.
With deep regret, after seeing two of Sunday's three episodes, I agree (I'm gonna lose my fan club membership card.) The Bart emancipation / skateboard showdown was awful -- all I could think of was the terrific skateboard episode a few years back when Homer ends up rolling down the hill.
Last week's episode ... was a summary of what's wrong with the show now. Kill. this. show. now.
I missed the 300th episode because I was snow-bound in DC and thus drunk for pretty much the entire weekend. Great weekend, by the way.
I am a HUGE fan of the Simpsons, and have been since about the 2nd season (which I need to buy on DVD). It seems that every time I talk to my mom, we end up talking about something and I say "oh yeah, just like on the Simpsons when..." and she just rolls her eyes. Like she bought my uncle a George Foreman grill and I told her about Homer's GF Mail Sorter -- that was hilarious! I participated in one Simpsons trivia contest at some straight bar a year or two ago, and my shining moments were remembering Tartar-Control Duff and Raspberry Duff (forgot Lady Duff, though) and that Krusty thinks kids like words that sound dirty but really aren't, like...mukluk! We didn't win, but it was fun.
As a Broncos fan, I think one of my all-time favorites is the one where (was it Hank?) bought Homer the Broncos instead of the Cowboys, and the team is on the front lawn tripping and falling over each other. Homer whines, "aww, the Denver Broncos" and Marge wonders what's so bad about that. Then Homer says "Marge, you just don't understand football" CLASSIC!
I have, at last count, 130 episodes on tape, though the tracking is messed up on some (thanks to my old crappy VCR). Making an all-time list would be close to impossible...the Fox station in Denver tried a top 10 recently, and they picked the Michael Jackson one #1 ("Lisa, it's your birthday...") That one makes me laugh AND cry, so I'd have to consider that as a finalist.
As a Broncos fan, I think one of my all-time favorites is the one where (was it Hank?) bought Homer the Broncos instead of the Cowboys, and the team is on the front lawn tripping and falling over each other. Homer whines, "aww, the Denver Broncos" and Marge wonders what's so bad about that. Then Homer says "Marge, you just don't understand football" CLASSIC!
I have, at last count, 130 episodes on tape, though the tracking is messed up on some (thanks to my old crappy VCR). Making an all-time list would be close to impossible...the Fox station in Denver tried a top 10 recently, and they picked the Michael Jackson one #1 ("Lisa, it's your birthday...") That one makes me laugh AND cry, so I'd have to consider that as a finalist.
Anyone see the Simpsons cast on inside the Actors Studio? Kind of interesting. Could have been a whole lot more. I never knew the Simpsons are the color they are because Matt Groening wanted viewers to think the color on their TV was screwed up.
I caught most of the "Inside the Actors Studio" and found it extremely interesting. I appreciated it when the host (name escapes me) said that the writing on the Simpsons is the most consistently funny in the history of TV. But I wondered where Julie Kavner went...she was there for most of it but disappeared by the Q&A. Anybody know why?
My pal Guy has a litmus test for if a show has become bad: the last 2 seasons of M.A.S.H.. If you're watching a show and start thinking "Wow, this is almost as bad as the last two years of M.A.S.H." then a show needs to die a swift, painless death.
I think of the last two years of M.A.S.H. alot when I watch new Simpsons episodes.
Bands/shows/performers have a natural span when they are fresh and creative before predicticability, running out of ideas, softness, money or any of a number of other things come in to play. I have a "5 Year Rule" for rock bands--that seems to be about the longest a band came operate really creatively. I think the same applies to TV shows. The Simpsons were incredible--arguably the best show on TV at the time--from roughly seasons 3-7 then the inevitible decline set in. Some hardcore fans insist that the Who Shot Mr. Burns? episodes at the end of season 6/start of season 7 were the beginning of the end. They had a great run and I hate the idea that it only exists now because Fox is willing to throw money at people to keep it on the air.
By the way, Matt Groening still does a weekly comic that runs in alternative papers called Life in Hell. The Love is Hell series were brilliant.
[ February 25, 2003, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]
I think of the last two years of M.A.S.H. alot when I watch new Simpsons episodes.
Bands/shows/performers have a natural span when they are fresh and creative before predicticability, running out of ideas, softness, money or any of a number of other things come in to play. I have a "5 Year Rule" for rock bands--that seems to be about the longest a band came operate really creatively. I think the same applies to TV shows. The Simpsons were incredible--arguably the best show on TV at the time--from roughly seasons 3-7 then the inevitible decline set in. Some hardcore fans insist that the Who Shot Mr. Burns? episodes at the end of season 6/start of season 7 were the beginning of the end. They had a great run and I hate the idea that it only exists now because Fox is willing to throw money at people to keep it on the air.
By the way, Matt Groening still does a weekly comic that runs in alternative papers called Life in Hell. The Love is Hell series were brilliant.
[ February 25, 2003, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]
QUOTE
homr33:
But I wondered where Julie Kavner went...she was there for most of it but disappeared by the Q&A. Anybody know why?
Apparently the taping went on for 3+ hours before they even got to the audience Q&A. Kavner had told producers ahead of time that she was available for only 2 hours.
But I wondered where Julie Kavner went...she was there for most of it but disappeared by the Q&A. Anybody know why?
I recall reading that the host got under Julie Kavner's skin--he was apparently badgering her a bit too much to speak in character, and after a while she went to the bathroom and never returned.
As for the Life In Hell comic: the Philadelphia CityPaper dropped it at least a year ago because they said it had gotten too repetitive, and I agree. Or agreed at the time, that is. I haven't seen it since.
[ February 25, 2003, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
As for the Life In Hell comic: the Philadelphia CityPaper dropped it at least a year ago because they said it had gotten too repetitive, and I agree. Or agreed at the time, that is. I haven't seen it since.
[ February 25, 2003, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
I don't know what Julie's problem was, but from the minute she came on she looked as if she didn't want to be there.
I got the impression they all HATED each other.
I got the impression they all HATED each other.
I dunno -- maybe she hates (like I do) that fawning celebrity sycophant James Lipton, and couldn't wait to escape.
Okay, I know you've all been waiting for this. Here's my personal list of the 25 best Simpsons episodes...but I've sort of cheated. I've only ranked my top 5 in order. The rest of them are just listed by season. Note that only 7 of Entertainment Weekly's favorites made my list. Your mileage may vary.
1. Itchy & Scratchy & Marge (Season 2)-Marge wants to neuter Itchy & Scratchy. Their violent cartoons, to be precise. An animator sees her leading the picketing at the studios and gets an idea...in the next cartoon they're in a ballpark, in uniform, bashing each other with bats, until a squirrel featuring Marge's blue hair and pearls complains. Itchy swings and smashes her head clear off--and that head is outta here!--as the crowd cheers. Homer is hysterical: "Take that, you dumb squirrel! Where do they get their ideas?"
2. Bart vs. Thanksgiving (Season 2)-Features one of the many great sight gags-as Bart complains about the parade on TV featuring ancient balloons
like Underdog, Homer tells him "If you start building a balloon for every flash-in-the-pan cartoon character you'd turn the parade into a farce" as a Bart Simpson balloon floats by on their TV screen. And just to prove that I'm getting mushy in my old age, I get teary-eyed when Bart finally figures out why Lisa wants him to apologize for ruining her Thanksgiving centerpiece.
3. Bart the Lover (Season 3)-Bart wants revenge for a month's worth of detention, so he answers Mrs. Krabappel's personal ad and gets her hopes up, using a picture of a young Gordie Howe from an old book. He sets up a "date" with her and watches as she's stood up, and feels guilty. The family helps him write her one final letter to let her down easy. Homer suggests: "Dear Baby, Welcome to Dumpsville. Population: you" and "Three simple words: I am gay."
4. Homer's Phobia (Season 8)- I don't know where to begin. Special guest voice John Waters. The remote-controlled Santa from Japan. The hunting trip. Jackie O's TV Guide. The gay steel mill. The. Gay. Steel. Mill. Everybody Dance Now!
Marge: Oh Homer, please! You're embarrassing yourself.
Homer: No I'm not, Marge! They're embarrassing me. They're embarrassing America. They turned the Navy into a floating joke. They ruined all our best names like Bruce, and Lance, and Julian. Those were the toughest names we had! Now they're just, uh...
John: Queer?
Homer: Yeah, and that's another thing! I resent you people using that word. That's our word for making fun of you! We need it!
5. Bart Sells His Soul (Season 7)-It starts with Bart at the door of the church, handing out the sheet music to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" disguised as the hymn "In The Garden Of Eden, by I. Ron Butterfly" (Homer to Marge: "Remember when we used to make out to this hymn?") and leads to Bart selling his soul to Milhouse for $5.00. "Soul? Come on, Milhouse, there's no such
thing as a soul! It's just something they made up to scare kids, like the boogie man or Michael Jackson!" Famous last words. Suddenly his pets are
nasty to him, and he no longer finds Itchy and Scratchy funny. Increasingly desperate, Bart is horrified to learn that Milhouse traded his soul to Comic Book Guy for Alf pogs.
The best of the rest:
Season 1:
Moaning Lisa
Season 2:
Bart Gets An F
Simpson and Delilah
Two Cars In Every Garage and Three Eyes On Every Fish
One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish.
Old Money
Season 3:
Stark Raving Dad
Flaming Moe's
Radio Bart
Homer at the Bat
Season 4:
Krusty Gers Kancelled
Season 5:
The Last Temptation of Homer
Season 6:
Treehouse of Horror V
Homer The Great
Season 7
Two Bad Neighbors
The Day the Violence Died
Season 8:
The Springfield Files
Simpsoncalifragilistiexpiala(d'oh)cious -- or, if you want to be as picky as the show's principals apparently once were, "Simpsoncalifragilistiexpiala(annoyed grunt)cious." They used to never list "D'oh!" in the scripts and such. They just referred to it as "annoyed grunt."
Season 11:
Treehouse of Horror X
Behind the Laughter -- I have to mention the end of this VH1 "Behind the Music" spoof: the announcer says "Next on 'Behind the Laughter'--Huckleberry Hound." (cut to Huckleberry) "I was soooo gay. But I couldn't tell anyone."
Here's my personal list of the 25 best Simpsons episodes...but I've sort of cheated. I've only ranked my top 5 in order. The rest of them are just listed by season. Note that only 7 of Entertainment Weekly's favorites made my list. Your mileage may vary. 1. Itchy & Scratchy & Marge (Season 2)-Marge wants to neuter Itchy & Scratchy. Their violent cartoons, to be precise. An animator sees her leading the picketing at the studios and gets an idea...in the next cartoon they're in a ballpark, in uniform, bashing each other with bats, until a squirrel featuring Marge's blue hair and pearls complains. Itchy swings and smashes her head clear off--and that head is outta here!--as the crowd cheers. Homer is hysterical: "Take that, you dumb squirrel! Where do they get their ideas?"
2. Bart vs. Thanksgiving (Season 2)-Features one of the many great sight gags-as Bart complains about the parade on TV featuring ancient balloons
like Underdog, Homer tells him "If you start building a balloon for every flash-in-the-pan cartoon character you'd turn the parade into a farce" as a Bart Simpson balloon floats by on their TV screen. And just to prove that I'm getting mushy in my old age, I get teary-eyed when Bart finally figures out why Lisa wants him to apologize for ruining her Thanksgiving centerpiece.
3. Bart the Lover (Season 3)-Bart wants revenge for a month's worth of detention, so he answers Mrs. Krabappel's personal ad and gets her hopes up, using a picture of a young Gordie Howe from an old book. He sets up a "date" with her and watches as she's stood up, and feels guilty. The family helps him write her one final letter to let her down easy. Homer suggests: "Dear Baby, Welcome to Dumpsville. Population: you" and "Three simple words: I am gay."
4. Homer's Phobia (Season 8)- I don't know where to begin. Special guest voice John Waters. The remote-controlled Santa from Japan. The hunting trip. Jackie O's TV Guide. The gay steel mill. The. Gay. Steel. Mill. Everybody Dance Now!
Marge: Oh Homer, please! You're embarrassing yourself.
Homer: No I'm not, Marge! They're embarrassing me. They're embarrassing America. They turned the Navy into a floating joke. They ruined all our best names like Bruce, and Lance, and Julian. Those were the toughest names we had! Now they're just, uh...
John: Queer?
Homer: Yeah, and that's another thing! I resent you people using that word. That's our word for making fun of you! We need it!
5. Bart Sells His Soul (Season 7)-It starts with Bart at the door of the church, handing out the sheet music to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" disguised as the hymn "In The Garden Of Eden, by I. Ron Butterfly" (Homer to Marge: "Remember when we used to make out to this hymn?") and leads to Bart selling his soul to Milhouse for $5.00. "Soul? Come on, Milhouse, there's no such
thing as a soul! It's just something they made up to scare kids, like the boogie man or Michael Jackson!" Famous last words. Suddenly his pets are
nasty to him, and he no longer finds Itchy and Scratchy funny. Increasingly desperate, Bart is horrified to learn that Milhouse traded his soul to Comic Book Guy for Alf pogs.
The best of the rest:
Season 1:
Moaning Lisa
Season 2:
Bart Gets An F
Simpson and Delilah
Two Cars In Every Garage and Three Eyes On Every Fish
One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish.
Old Money
Season 3:
Stark Raving Dad
Flaming Moe's
Radio Bart
Homer at the Bat
Season 4:
Krusty Gers Kancelled
Season 5:
The Last Temptation of Homer
Season 6:
Treehouse of Horror V
Homer The Great
Season 7
Two Bad Neighbors
The Day the Violence Died
Season 8:
The Springfield Files
Simpsoncalifragilistiexpiala(d'oh)cious -- or, if you want to be as picky as the show's principals apparently once were, "Simpsoncalifragilistiexpiala(annoyed grunt)cious." They used to never list "D'oh!" in the scripts and such. They just referred to it as "annoyed grunt."
Season 11:
Treehouse of Horror X
Behind the Laughter -- I have to mention the end of this VH1 "Behind the Music" spoof: the announcer says "Next on 'Behind the Laughter'--Huckleberry Hound." (cut to Huckleberry) "I was soooo gay. But I couldn't tell anyone."
Someone sent me an e-mail about this Sunday's episode (where Krusty runs for Congress)--it seems they take on Fox News. I won't post the details now since you'll laugh more if you haven't seen it. But this part of the e-mail I found amusing:
QUOTE
My suggestion is to tape this episode of The Simpsons because it may never be shown again, and it is a show you may well want to share with others. Having had an opportunity to see it a few days ago, I'm here to recommend it and hope you will share the info with others who might be interested
Like they'd never show it again. They rip Fox all the time and get away with it. Fox doesn't like the rips but the show is a cash cow for them so they put up with it. And if someone from Fox News complains, they'll just look stupid.
You mean like Dan Quayle re: Murphy Brown? Hee.
Joe, yeah Life in Hell still has Akbar and Jeff being all "I love you" "I'm stewing in bitterness at your indifference" "I love you" "I loathe you silences" "I love you" kinds of things but I just love it. It says things I always think but never say. Not a great reason to be sure.....
Last Sunday's 8:00 episode was really good (with Ned meeting the actress) and I don't think it's an coincidence that Homer had a small part in it. It's become the Homer Jay Simpson Show the last 5 years or so and I think that's to the deteriment of the overall quality.
[ March 08, 2003, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]
Joe, yeah Life in Hell still has Akbar and Jeff being all "I love you" "I'm stewing in bitterness at your indifference" "I love you" "I loathe you silences" "I love you" kinds of things but I just love it. It says things I always think but never say. Not a great reason to be sure.....
Last Sunday's 8:00 episode was really good (with Ned meeting the actress) and I don't think it's an coincidence that Homer had a small part in it. It's become the Homer Jay Simpson Show the last 5 years or so and I think that's to the deteriment of the overall quality.
[ March 08, 2003, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]
This week's episode...ripped from the New York City tabloid headlines???
QUOTE
A rift with Marge over his drinking sends Homer packing and into a condo which he shares with two gay men.
The episode is called "Three Gays of the Condo."
Homer's first gay kiss last night! That was pretty cool!
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