All I can say is it’s about damn time. Halloween may have past officially, but it aint over till the yellow people sing. I’ve been waiting anxiously for the new season, and look forward to reviewing it. Let’s do this bitch
“The Simpsons”, Sundays at 8:00 P.M. on Fox
“The Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror XV”
The gist of it- “The Ned Zone”- Ned Flanders gets hit by a bowling ball and can now foresee the deaths of anyone he touches. Things worsen when Ned foresees himself killing Homer
“Four Beheadings and a Funeral”- A Sherlock Holmes type tale with Lisa as Elizabeth and Bartley, her assistant, who are trying to solve a Jack the Ripper-like murder mystery. The murderer gets caught, but is he innocent as Elizabeth suspects?
“Inside the Belly of the Boss”- At a science exhibition Professor Frink accidentally shrinks Maggie, who is injected into Mr. Burns. The whole family shrinks to microscopic size to go inside Burns and rescue Maggie, but one of the family gets stuck behind.
Favorite moments- The opening sitcom spoof, Home’s vision, Flande’s call to the God(s), The death of Rosie O’Donnel the musical, “Ice Cream Caaaake!!”, false death alarms, Garage in heaven, “Lock him up till we find someone darker”, Marge’s odd British accent, Peter Pan the prisoner, illustrated novel salesmen, Simon Stoolowitz, making coal out of babies, the working girls, “I’m traveling at the speed of wind!”, RiboFLAVIN!!. Cancer grabbing, “Has science ever kissed a woman, won a superbowl, or landed on the moon?”, R. Crumb and Harvey Pekar reference, “Learning is cool!!”, Home’s marshmallow sanctuary, the musical number at the end, and the Republican Party as the special guest voices.
What flat out sucked- “The Ned Zone” was an okay opener, but just okay.
“Belly of the Boss” wasn’t too funny overall except for the last minute.
Chief Wiggum and Lou using their American voices reeked of laziness and took me out of the feel of the story a bit. It was cool to hear the other voices made English, if that counts for anything.
Personal Thoughts- Seeing Kang and Kodos in the opening started the show off strong. You always wonder how they’re going to be used and I can’t say I was disappointed. “The Ned Zone” was amusing, though I’ve never seen the film or series it’s spoofing so I can’t say how good of a spoof it was, “Four Beheadings” had enough Victorian gags to make even Alan Moore smile, and I really liked it in the last vignette when they referenced “If I Only Had A Brain” from all the way back in season 3, and in a creative way no less. Always love the musical numbers, and this one was no exception.
Overall the show was slightly above average; A good start from what looks to be an exciting season. Not worthy to be listed among the all-time classic episodes, but good enough to carry the prestigious “Treehouse of Horror” moniker.
Most Valuable Character- The crazy cat toss lady who shows up in “In the Belly of the Boss”. I think any women I’m with for an extended period of time will eventually become this crazy bitch. That’s the Lawrence touch for you/
Top 3 Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror vignettes-
3. “The Raven” from Treehouse of Horror I- A classic the instant it aired. A clever interpretation of a timeless poem read by the definitive voice of the twentieth century, Mr. James Earl Jones. This will stand the test of time like “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and the various Charlie Brown holiday specials.
2.”Despereately Seeking Xena” from Treehouse of Horror X- The Comic Book Guy as an evil super villain. Comic cliché’s galore! And who can forget the great line, “I’m not Xena, I’m Lucy Lawless”.
1. “Time and Punishment” from Treehouse of Horror V- The most random and unpredictable of all the vignettes, it jumps from one reality to another, each funnier than the last. And yeah, it features Mr. James Earl Jones too. What can I say, the guys a national institution!
Tell me what you thought of the episode, and if anyone knows the song being played in the beginning and opening credits, please let me know.
