Rate/Review: The President Wore Pearls (EABF20)

[Andy]

"Don't cry for me, kids of Springfield!"; Michael Moore guest voices as himself when newly-elected school president Lisa leads a student revolt which turns into something very similar to the musical Evita (and that bit in quotes is supposed to be from a song from the episode, at least according to Entertainment Weekly magazine)
A highly musical episode parodying "Evita". After Martin stages a school charity casino that turns ugly, Lisa replaces him as school president by narrowly defeating Kearney. The teachers decide she has too much power and distract her from making real changes by filling her days with meaningless duties. When Lisa uncovers the Skinner-Chalmers plot to budget cut art, gym and shop classes, she calls for a student strike that is so successful she is banished to a school for the gifted (and troublesome).
Guest starring Michael Moore Tonight's episode was written by Dana Gould, who gave us the well-acclaimed Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge.

Voting begins after the episode concludes airing on the East Coast.

[kelly]

I thought this episode was great.
"we deserve a french teacher that actually speaks
french"-hilarious!

singing kind of came out of nowhere,
but I liked the Nibbles cameo (as I always do)
Didn't think Skinner could be so manipulative
(as he usually is manipulated himself)

[Necromancer]

I really didn't think much of this episode. Just all around meh, 3/5.

Homer's little excersion from reality, shall we say, was painful.

[The General]

This episode had good jokes and a strong plot. But it was totally ruined by all the stupid unnessesary musical numbers. They were totally uncalled for and left me angry whenever they broke into song, even if it was parodying a movie (Evita). Thats why I have to give it a 2/5. The music totally ruined it!

[U NV ME 2]

I really enjoyed this episode despite my low expatiations. 5/5

[bauer]

I loved it. Gay Homer had me rolling. These episodes have been solid so far, giving me lots of hope for the rest of the season
5/5

[conor.]

hmmm...this episode was different.

I didnt like homer at all in it, but it was a good lisa episode as always.

I've never been too much into the musical episodes "all singing all dancing" ruined that for me.

It okay episode, 3/5, I loved the milhouse in this episode (is it just me or has al jean started to use him more in season 14-15?)

I wonder is smartgirl63@yahoo.com will be like chunkylover53@aol.com and be inhabited by a producer.

Memorable quotes:

Were did you get that statistic?
your mother

"I'm Milhouse I have no friends so i confide in willie"

[IdRathaHavaBeer]

I missed the show because I was watching the Buffalo Bills attempting to play football. They suck, I shoulda taped the episode.

[SpongeBob No Pants]

i loved this episode

highlights

-homer acting gay
-willie making fun of millhouse
-"are you a Bart or Millhouse" quiz
-Matin watching saved by the bell
-"my chess set has mini hamburglers"
-Ralph and his triangle
-Millhoiuse climbing the rope
-"lisa whats a sellout?"
-Homer playing with his stamps
-"why didn't i cancel sign making and creative chanting"
-L'il headbuster Battons

the ending was also very good, i liked how it didn't leave you hanging

plus i loved the use of willie, and the toned down homer

best episode of the season

5/5

[newhook_1]

Heh I loved it 5/5. I probably would have given it 3/5 if it wasn't a musical though, I'm a real sucker for musicals. The Song that started with Skinner going "I'm so happy with my evil plan!" was just ^_^.

[MaxPlow]

I thought it was below average for current episodes. The songs felt out of place, the jokes weren't very funny, and Michael Moore's guest voice was extremely unnecessary.

2/5

[Moose of Doom!]

Very good. Much better than 'Carjacker'.

4/5

[Glavin]

terrible, just terrible. No better or worse than any other recent episode. 1/5. I didnt laught once.

(with the exception of the micheal moore thing)

[or_smth]

BRAVO!

I saw this about an hour and a half ago on Newfoundland Televisision and wrote my review in advance. On first watching, it was the probably the best episode since Mike Scully first showed up as executive producer.

It carried perfectly, the pacing was proper for once. The storyline made sense. It developed outwards from the charity casino, and managed to make it through without resorting to any B plot whatsoever. We saw the transition of Lisa into the popular beautiful girl while her prinicipals suffered. The songs were great (slight exception - the last one with Lisa on the schoolbus seemed a little off with the e-mail address) and didn't sound forced or off for once. The first time Lisa let her voice go through was especially perfect. The moment just seemed right.

This is the first episode that I've ever reviewed that I truly consider to be near-worthy of a perfect score. No justification neccesary on the good parts, however there were some off sections. As I mentioned before, the last song was not up to the quality of the rest of the episode, while it still left a plot whole gaping. Lisa never got transferred back into Springfield elementary. The ending with Homer wasn't a Great Money Caper style "surfs up" cop-out, but it was still a bit of a cop-out. Lastly, the Homer characterisation was wayy out in left field. He's prancing around in a pink tutu? Speaking in a whiney voice throughout the episode? I'm thankful he was such a small part of this episode. The Michael Moore bit was way to small, but at least it poaked fun at him so it wasn't totally wasted.

Even with that being said, the episode was good enough to overcome the negative points. I won't be as stupid as to say that the Classic Simpsons are back, especially with a celebrity filled death-match coming up next week, but this shows that Al Jean has it in him.

4.5/5

[magus7000]

pretty solid episode. I wouldn't call it an outstanding episode, but definitely a very enjoyable one. This season continues to impress. The Milhouse jokes were top notch. Im still not sure about Homer in this one though. He was funny, but went a little too far on the gay/ballet thing. But im glad to see the musical come back with a big impact. Really loved it. Overall a 4/5, but might be raised after next viewing. Keep up the hard work writers!

[bmac]

i missed about the first five or so minutes, and for all i know that could have been the worst part of the episode, but from what i saw this episode was great. One of the best episodes i've seen in a long while. Most everything was extremely hilarious and most of the musical numbers were pretty excellent. Seemed to end a little abruptly, but other than that pretty good, 9/10 (maybe 9.5 or 10, not sure yet, and have to see beginning)

EDIT: forgot to mention Micheal Moore's appearance was pointless and stupid, another tally for having a guest star just to have a guest star.

[Zillionaire]

Excellent - drunk, singing Willie on the tractor was especially great - 5/5

[Dennis]

3/5. I hated the musical numbers and I didn't like Homer at all in this episode.

BTW, did Martin sound off to anyone else at the beginning?

[PastaProCooker]

just saw the ep. taped it and as soon as it was done, i emailed smartgirl_/@yahoo.com and smartgirl_backslash@yahoo.com . The first one did not work, but the second one did. i then went to yahoo.com to see if anyone had those addresses, and both were already taken. lol! do you think id get a reply from yahoo or something?

[Kefka]

That was pretty good.

Only part I laughed at was when Nelson was singing Iron Man.

[ShadowBun]

Oh MAN! That was freakin' awesome! Possibly the best episode since...geez...since Lisa's Sax! The songs were great, the jokes were great, the plot was great...ah, lemme just post my thoughts on each act:

ACT 1: I loved Homer's "Dohdohdohdohdohdohdohdoh d'oh d'oh d'ohhh, d'ohhhhh..." and pretty much all the jokes involving the casino. Martin was great all-around, and for once the story pretty much started from the get-go (unlike many rambling first acts). Nelson had some great lines as well, and Lisa song at the end of the act was brilliant, with superb direction. 5/5

ACT 2: Story keeps going strong with some classic Milhouse lines and jabs, great Willie, great Skinner...in fact, I loved all the teachers' roles in that song when they dolled up Lisa. Really well-done production there. Even funnier was Skinner's nice new "evil" persona, and his and Willie's song ("I fell into the POOOOL!"). Plus more great Milhouse and Willie! Great design on Lisa as well. 5/5

ACT 3: The episode finishes off with still more great lines from everyone involved in Springfield Elementary, fun strike, and great reprise song with Lisa's web address. Many secondary characters get some good lines, and it had a funny ending with Homer suddenly driving in front of Lisa and taking her home. Kind of a cop-out, yes, but no ending would've really worked then (the build-up was so great that I'll let it slide). Still very, very good. 4.5/5

Overall, this episode was magnificently done, and could've easily fit into an earlier season AND still shine brightly. After seeing Homer the Moe (which I disliked) and C.E.D'oh (which I HATED), I didn't think Dana Gould was capable of this kind of greatness.

Final score: 5/5 A+!

[Wavy Gravy]

Man, three great episodes in a row! This season is ON, BABY! This one started out great, with some nice throwbacks to 1F08 "$pringfield" and 7F19 "Lisa's Substitute". Fortunately, the riot didn't drag on and become tedious. I note that the spoilers misinformed us about Lisa's opponent, but Nelson was funnier. Homer's "gay" impersonation had me rolling. The first song was very well done (I love hearing Yeardley Smith sing), and Nelson's bit at the end of Act I was hilarious. The second song was also done well, as were all the teachers' lounge scenes. The gag with the key and the contract was executed great. Seeing the aftermath of Skinner's plan (as well as Song #3) was great. And while the ending seened a bit quick, it was still hilarious. Whoever edited this one did a great job with the quick cuts between jokes. One more song, albeit a short one, but still great. Overall, another sensational episode. Al Jean wasn't lying - this season is shaping up to be one of the best.

5/5

[SpongeBob No Pants]

Originally posted by IdRathaHavaBeer
I missed the show because I was watching the Buffalo Bills attempting to play football. They suck, I shoulda taped the episode.

Dude, the bills played at 1:00 and the game was over by 4:10

how did that interupt the simpsons?

[Grandpa]

I gave this a 2/5. It was not without charm--the Willie-Milhouse connection, Nelson's election song (I AM IRON MAN!). But as far as parodies go, this was very poor. The songs were almost unidentifiable with the originals, and frankly, Lisa didn't sound like a little girl when she sang. I found myself only weakly smiling, and didn't laugh out loud once.

[Lance_Murdock]

Oh, boy... A "LISA" episode. <Shudder>

"Jerkass Homer" was back in all his glory. I had to change the channel when he went into his stupid gay routine. Too predictable and so very Scully-era. Homer was a total waste in this episode.

The musical numbers were forced and the lyrics were pretty much uninspired. Only Nelson and Willy had good moments with their songs and jokes (Willy imitating Milhouse and Nelson's Iron Man).

I hope they've gotten the Lisa epsiodes behind us now. I rate this one 2/5.

[Hapablap]

3/5 Not too good, not too bad. Many jokes didnt really work for me, but there were some quality ones in there. Willie making fun of Milhouse was great. I'd say the 3rd act was the strongest, with the first being relatively weak. I'll have to watch this one a few more times, I think it has potential to grow on me.

[tim]

I loved the opening. Heck, I liked everything up until... the singing. "Oh, boy," I thought, "we're in for it this time." However, I was plesently surprised that this wasn't terrible. Lots of great Ralph moments. I actually remember laughing out loud a bunch of times during this episode.

There were definatly too many "SKINNER!" remarks from Super. Chalmers.

Overall, a solid B+.

[The General]

Originally posted by Dennis
3/5. I hated the musical numbers and I didn't like Homer at all in this episode.

BTW, did Martin sound off to anyone else at the beginning?

I did notice this, anybody know who did his voice?

[Tibor]

I haven't seen Evita, so the parody is lost on me, for the largest part. The musical parts were nice on their own, though. Everything seemed to move swiftly, and at times the plot became kind of vague, ala CED'oh. The ending seemed abrupt, to say the least. It wasn't wrapped up until the last 15-20 seconds of the episode with the text.

The plot of Lisa becoming a manipulated figurehead was fun and had some nice points of commentary, such as the debate (though that's been done plenty). There were big laughs throughout the episode (the Nixon ref, Bart's sarcasm, Nelson's Ironman, various bits of Chalmer and even crazy Willy moments which normally flop) and the plot was interesting enough on its own merit, though, as I understand, Lisa's story runs parallel to the life of Eva Peron and it would help to be familiar with the source. This episode was a lot like C.E.D'oh, solid humor with some issues with pacing and focus.

B

[Icedragon]

Wow. The ending was stupid, the jokes that Bart made were lame, Michael Moore made a typical Simpson appearance as of late.

I thought there were no more Mike Scully holdout eps left. 1/5

[Handsome Pete]

When this episode started, I didn't have very high hopes for it. The whole casino incident seemed kinda dodgy and unfunny, and was, in my opinion, a poor way to get Martin out of of there (though Homer's PlayStation One line was mildly amusing to this gamer). After that, though, things really picked up. For once, there were jokes that not only made me snicker but also made me laugh loudly! Lisa's indifference to gym, some of the antics of Milhouse and Willy, Marge believing herself to be in trouble after saying "fudgerucker" (or something like that), Chalmers's treatment of Willy (including his "taking advise from the janitor" line)...these sorts of excellent jokes have been sorely missing from the more recent seasons, and I probably haven't enjoyed myself with an episode this much since I don't know when.
Of course, I know come to the singing portions of this episode. To be honest, they weren't too bad. They didn't annoy me or fill themselves with too many unrealistic elements (the Evita inspiration being acceptable here), and it was nice to have some songs in the show again. The plot itself wasn't too disjointed or went too fast, so I could absorb the jokes and such a bit better.
So, besides part of the opening and a few odd things here or there (As somewhat amusing as Homer prancing about in a tutu is, it was just very strange), I really genuinely enjoyed this episode. 4/5, best episode so far this season.

[newhook_1]

To anyone who said the ending was a cop-out, you have to realize that the movie about Eva ended with her casket being driven up the street in a hearse (pretty much, it's been awhile since I've seen it). So unless they ended it with Lisa being driven to her new school, the only other thing they really could have done in the amount of time they had was the thing they did with Homer.

[kevin]

Another great episode. Well done.

Treehouse of Horror XIV- B+
My Mother the Carjacker- A-
The President Wore Pearls- A-

[doyle]

Awesome this one did not disappoint. In a beautifully spun parody of Evita, Lisa's characterization was the high point. We may have just witnessed her best characterization in 5 years. Every move she made was what would always be expected of her. The key incident which ignited the main conflict was a bit weak, but it was really something that someone her age would do, in amazement of having the priviledge that she had just received. The other chaqracterization was pretty good, especially with Marge. Unlike in Simpsoncalafrag..., no one character had to change themselves in order to fill a role that went hand in hand with the parody.

The use of minor characters was good. All of the school administration played a great role in the episode, and Skinner was particularly well done. The opening with Martin and the casino was very entertaining, and it leads directly into the plot, a far cry from other episodes from recent seasons that start with something that has nothing to do with the episode.

The humor, while not as plentiful as last week or even the average, was more than adequate, used in the right points. Nice gags were made at Milhouse's expense, and they were even able to squeeze one into one of the musical numbers. The Elanor Roosevelt joke and the ensuing line about the construction paper in a span of 5 seconds provided more humor than is present in many Sculla Era episodes. A couple jokes fell flat, mostly of the Homer variety, and they dectracted from the episode overall, but honestly, this was a funny enough episode. Though stupid, I must admit that I laughed at Brockman's line about Lisa's butt being directly pointed at the administrator's after watching Bart's interview regarding his sister.

The musical numbers should not be bashed by anyone, if they actually listened to the words. While the numbers were going on, parts of the story were being told. They had content, they were interesting, and they really made a nice addition to the episode, as Yeardly Smith did a wonderful job in this aspect of the episode. In fact, the voice acting was very good overall.

The big problem with the episode was the last couple minutes, as the wrters really seemed to run out of time trying to end the conflict in a good way. They didn't resort to anything ridiculous, but the fact that there was no resolution of the issue to speak of aside from the captions at the end were a minior complaint. With all that had to be done with the episode, it may have even worked better as a two-part episode. But on its own, this one was able to stand very well.

Grade: A-

[Tomacco]

WARNING: At least 75% of all negative reviews to this episode will be based on a hatred for any kind of musical number, parody or not.

With that said, I don't mind musical numbers if they work well in context, and these did (not to mention they weren't so long that they would become too annoying).

This episode was fantastic. It started right on target, and got moving before the bottom-screen credits were even half finished. The casino scene was brilliant actually, and the hilarious Homer we were treated to throughout the episode got going early with his "D'ohs" and surprisingly funny cruelty. The student body president plot goes from there, and from here on in, Lisa, Bart, Martin, Jimbo, Uter, Milhouse, Willie, Mr. Largo, Krabappel, Skinner, and Superintendent Chalmers are all given lots of screen space. So, it's one of those school-themed episodes, such as "The PTA Disbands". Fortunately, this one was handled a lot better than the chaotic "Skinner's Sense of Snow", and was handled within an Evita parody. All well and good. Good story-telling and pacing aside, I laughed A LOT during the episode at character-based jokes (Homer's over-the-top prancing as Nelson), to pop culture referencing (first to memory, let's go with Michael Moore).

My only problem with the episode was the ending which seemed rushed, in a quick text-based wrap up. Slightly better than last week's episode, this one's getting a 5/5 too.

If this continues, I'll have to start rating episodes on a curve because the standards will be changed.

[Tibor]

Icedragon:
I thought there were no more Mike Scully holdout eps left.

don't make such asinine statements. if you're going to criticize the episode, do it legitamately instead of throwing these kinds of lame punchlines around. There wasn't the first thing Scullyish about the episode's style... "Scully" denotes a style not quality. Ditto to whoever said something about 'Jerkass Homer'....

[newhook_1]

Originally posted by Dondelinger
The big problem with the episode was the last couple minutes, as the wrters really seemed to run out of time trying to end the conflict in a good way. They didn't resort to anything ridiculous, but the fact that there was no resolution of the issue to speak of aside from the captions at the end were a minior complaint. With all that had to be done with the episode, it may have even worked better as a two-part episode. But on its own, this one was able to stand very well.

Grade: A-

I was thinking the same thing about the two parter point, but I think the general audience of The Simpsons (ie: people who don't post on message boards)don't care one way or the other and would have just been alieninated by having a two parter.

[nathan]

An all around "meh" episode to me. Homer was even stupider then usuall and even though I know it was a parody the songs where really sub par. For a Lisa episode I was very disapointed this sounded like it was going to be a lot better than it was. It did have a couple lauph out loud jokes though. The crack at Rodger Moore was hilarious and "lisa is a nut..." joke bart made when he was interviewed had me lauphing out loud harder then I have in a long time...stupid as the joke was. All in all I give it a c or a 5.5/10

[J.Re*]

I wonder is smartgirl63@yahoo.com will be like chunkylover53@aol.com and be inhabited by a producer.
doubt it since it was smartgirl63_/@yahoo.com and I don't think those are valid characters.

[squishee lady]

A little dissapointing, but still very good. A-.

[Tibor]

A few more notes:

Martin's voice sounded kind of off. Yeardley's singing was pretty good, though. There isn't much to complain about the Michael Moore appearance- just popped on long enough to make the obligatory cheesy self-deprecating quip. It's far more palatable than most of the past Scooby Doo-esque 'guest star shows up for no reason.'

[doyle]

I apologize in advance if this ends up being a double post, but I'll just touch upon a couple things I've seen so far.


Originally posted by Dennis
BTW, did Martin sound off to anyone else at the beginning? I did think something was off about his voice. We haven't seen him do more than one line in quite some time, so maybe Russi Taylor is a bit out of practice. I thought maybe it was just me who thought something was wrong, but I guess other people heard the imperfection as well as me.

I do like seeing that one of our biggest critics of recent seasons in or_smith enjoyed this episode. I do feel that this was classic Lisa, and none of the horrible Homer gags could take that away. Now, as for the Moore appearance, which I didn't mention before, was pretty funny actually. He was a pretty good choice to come in and say something pertaining to the strike. I don't feel it was a wasted guest shot as it was barely advertised and he got everything across that he had to. Had someone been impersonating him, it wouldn't have changed anything either.


Originally posted by Icedragon
I thought there were no more Mike Scully holdout eps left.
That is a bit of a stretch. Name 3 ways this episode paralled any average Scully episode.

[ShadowBun]

I thought there were no more Mike Scully holdout eps left.

This episode is the anti-Scully. Great writing, great pacing, great edits, great jokes, great songs, great use of secondary characters, great story...man, they pulled it off with flying colors.

Really, I haven't seen a Simpsons episode this good in a LONG time. In my opinion, it's better than Moe Baby Blues, Special Edna, Little Girl in the Big Ten, Trilogy of Error, Behind the Laughter, and even my favorites from S13 and 14, Half-Decent Proposal and I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can. I think the writers are finally learning...

...then again, I better not say that until I see next week's episode.

[Jolly Bengali]

Pasted ->

This episode reminded me a lot of the controlled insanity of Season 8. That season brought us a lot of episodes that mocked or parodied something for their entire running time. As well, the episodes from that era were incredibly funny and quite intelligent. "The President Wore Pearls" fits the descriptions of those episodes, and given that it's been seven years since that season it's great to see. The episode is tongue-and-cheek throughout, taking a parody of the film Evita and stretching it out for a sprawling, epic, hilarious episode. The plot, taking the premise of Evita and translating it into the animated world of the show, got going early and remained tightly focused throughout. I never wondered why a scene was in place, and for once the lack of a sub-plot didn't render the main one stale. Lisa was in top form, acting in a way that is perfectly consistent with her character. That made all of her actions and the plot points believable. The singing, too, was excellent. Just like the music-ridden episodes of Season 8, the songs blended into the episode well and were quite entertaining. Even though there a lot of songs, they never became a burden to watch, and when it re-inforces the central parody than it's even better. Even without the musical numbers, the episode also managed to deliver a great amount of laughs. Michael Moore gave a mercifully sweet and surprisingly funny cameo. Skinner, Willie, Milhouse, and all of the other school-related figures gave great one-liners too. The only flaw in this episode, albeit a signicant one, was a few too many jokes that didn't work. This episode had a massive amount of gags crammed in to it, and while most of them connected, a few stood out badly. Homer's "rumor about Nelson" scene was painful, as was a few of his other one-liners... and there were some scattered moments where a one-liner wasn't particularly funny. It can be ignored, however. The bottom line is that this was a fantastic episode that made me remember episodes from one of the best seasons the show ever had. Grade: A-

[Charmy]

Loved it. Despite it's many low grades I don't see very many legitamate complaints.

5/5

[Icedragon]

Ok, Tibor.

My beef w/ this ep:

1) Casino bit, meh.

2) Homer was Jerkass Homer in this ep. Horrible characterization

3) Michael Moore's appearance, not needed for plot development, and was a lot like other guest appearances as of late.

4) Ending - Er, did I miss something? Jerkass homer + abrupt ending+ no jokes = bad ending.

I will repeat, this felt like a Mike Scully ep.

[doyle]

I've been wondering about this for the last few weeks. What if Fox had ordered a couple more episodes for last season so it would have been extended. It would have aired Moe Baby Blues, My Mother the Carjacker, and The President Wore Pearls 3 weeks in a row. Image the fan reation that would have come from that sequence. It would have been astounding and my bet is that Season 14 as a whole would have gone up in everybody's estimations.

Edit: Sorry if this has been mentioned already elsewhere on the boards. I haven't read it anywhere though.

[Jolly Bengali]

Wow. But 15 would have been regarded as a massive dip, with TOH and the probably mediocre "Regina Monologues"

[Spartan]

I loved this episode, as well. Really great. I loved using Database AND band director Maestro in the same episode. Willie's lines were all great, especially him singing the musical on the tractor. Musical wasn't bad.

TheSpartan's Rating: 9.2/10

[Mike Scully]

Can you people please stop with the knee-jerk reaction against ever single cameo appearance? I mean, honestly, did the 2-second funny Michael Moore cameo detract from your enjoyment of the episode in any way?

[FlamingMeaux]

Best of the season so far. 4/5

I was momentarily horrified when Lisa/others broke into song, but I thought the Evita parody worked. Bart's butt song, and Nelson's 'Iron Man' tribute were funny, and I liked how much screen time Willie got (though his characterization didn't seem perfect, but what ever is.)

Will Uter ever go back to Germany?

I probably would have given this a 5/5 if not for Homer's extended "gay" thing.

[Tibor]

1) Casino bit, meh.

Well, that's quite an insightful commentary, but how exactly does this have a Scully-era style quality to it?


2) Homer was Jerkass Homer in this ep. Horrible characterization

Thoughtless tempermental doofus. Like he's always been. He's barely even featured, anyway, probably a total of 2-3 minutes. What were the big offending Jerkass Homer moments?


3) Michael Moore's appearance, not needed for plot development, and was a lot like other guest appearances as of late.

And "unnecessary" like a lot of the guests since season four. Far less annoying than say, Paul and Linda McCartney. Rate cameos on how funny their appearances are. And even if it wasn't funny, it was fifteen-twenty seconds of the episode. Disproportionate complaint. NEXT!


4) Ending - Er, did I miss something? Jerkass homer + abrupt ending+ no jokes = bad ending.

Aside from "jerkass Homer" (explained above) those problems, as you find them to be problems, don't exhibit any of the chronic Scully-era ailments. Stop saying 'Scully.'

[newhook_1]

Originally posted by Icedragon

3) Michael Moore's appearance, not needed for plot development, and was a lot like other guest appearances as of late.


Would you rather he moved in with the Simpsons, became a lovable dramitic foil for Marge, caused the town to hate him, then apoligized and moved to Shelby Ville and married his cousin? THAT is the Scully era.

[TheBigHurtBEGOOD]

RANDOM notes
-Willie drunk on the tractor was funny as hell
-Homer had a small part which was a good thing
-Lisa's last song was good, revealing her email address
-Willies impression of Milhouse was funny shit!!
-My least fav song of Lisa's had to be her 1st one singing at the auditorium
-What Chalmers had to say kind of came outta nowhere often
-Bart’s song “she has a rubber but…”
-Skinner saying “I should of canceled Creative
-Ralph was funny in this ep
-I didn’t like how it ended very abruptly but at least their was an ending
-I also noticed Martins voice off in the early part of the ep.
-I didn’t mind the songs because they were for the most part good and funny and they weren’t too long”
5/5 My fav episode so far this season

BE GOOD

[lance]

WOW. This episode was incredible. In my opinion, it bests Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious... every song worked beautifully and the humor was spot-on. The best bit was the song when they were making Lisa look pretty... I also loved Homer at most parts and the part where they gave her the key...

"Wow, this key opens EVERYTHING!"

Score: 5/5, 10/10, A+

[doyle]

Originally posted by Icedragon
1) Casino bit, meh.
It was inspired enough. It led directly into the main plot. It was funny. Its ending with the mob going crazy was a typical Springfield reaction that definitely isn't uncommon.


Originally posted by Icedragon
2) Homer was Jerkass Homer in this ep. Horrible characterization
How many appearances did he make where he was really in any type of Jerkass mode? maybe 2? It isn't as bad as Jerkass characterization of the past by a long shot. I can understand that it bothered you, but it really shouldn't be a large factor on your opinion of the episode.



Originally posted by Icedragon
3) Michael Moore's appearance, not needed for plot development, and was a lot like other guest appearances as of late.
As Tibor already said, he had a reason to show up and all he contributed was a self-depreciating remark that hardly takes anything away from the episode.


Originally posted by Icedragon
4) Ending - Er, did I miss something? Jerkass homer + abrupt ending+ no jokes = bad ending.
As has been mentioned, Evita ends with her casket being taken away in the hearse. This, being a parody, tried to close with Otto taking Lisa away in the bus, along with 2 minutes that closed the book on the episode. Oh, and an episode definitely does not have to have an ending that contains a joke. That shouldn't be part of your formula.

[bmac]

Originally posted by Mike Scully
Can you people please stop with the knee-jerk reaction against ever single cameo appearance? I mean, honestly, did the 2-second funny Michael Moore cameo detract from your enjoyment of the episode in any way?

yes, i didn't laugh and didn't think it was funny. If there is absolutely no purposeful reason to use a guest star then why even use one? I realize it was just for a laugh, but laugh can come from any of the characters, so what's the point? Using a guest star in every episode doesn't make the show "cooler", as they seem to think.

EDIT: don't get me wrong, i loved the episode and that's my only pointless stupid gripe :)

[lindsay]

I loved this episode. I'm a huge fan Lisa episodes and school episodes, plus i love musicals. I think the songs were great. The pacing was fine and there were some great jokes. My only complaint is that Homer was a little annoying at times and the Michael Moore appearance was useless, but i'm glad it really didn't take anything away from the episode. I also thought they got Marge's character right on. She didn't use any pop culture lines and seemed like her old self. I thought the ending was pretty good. I thought it was funny how Homer came out of nowhere to take Lisa home. Overall i give it a 9/10

[Datoupee]

5/5 Nothing more anyone has to say. This season is progressing as planned.

[Tibor]

There's no purpose for any self-played guest star the show's ever had- aside from making you laugh. Spinal Tap, The Ramones et al contributed nothing to the plot that couldn't have been accomplished without them. So don't complain about the cameo in and of itself unless you want to level that criticism at every one of the show's guests. Even if it isn't funny, it's still ridiculous to use it as a major point against the episode when it takes up no more than twenty seconds! And Moore's appearance was far more unobtrusive than most guests.

EDIT: not directed solely to bmac, btw

[perfectlycromulent]

too funny:
http://www.damnyouall.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1303&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[MacGyver 666]

I had high hopes for this episode, and it didn't disappoint one bit. It had a lot of great gags and music numbers. (My favorite being Drunken Willie's song) This episode had a unique vibe to it, which I must said I enjoyed. "The President Wore Pearls" is the best musical episode the Simpson's have done yet. Season 15 is off to a superb start so far; A

[DotheBartman]

What can I say this time? That was great really! I love musical numbers, and of course this episode had them by the barrelful, with all of them brilliantly and hilariously done. The gags were rapid-fire in the style of many of the classic era "fun"-oriented episodes, yet very few if any of these gags failed which seperates this completely from just about everything Scully produced. There was great use of a bunch of characters, pacing was generally good, direction was awesome, even the guest appearance (while a tad useless) produced a good laugh...there's hardly a thing to say about this episode that isn't good.

That said it did have a couple flaws. There were a couple gags here and there that didn't quite work (like "tiny batons"), though that's basically nitpicking. Pacing was also just a tad fast for me in some places, again no big deal. Lastly, Homer did seem pretty stupid (the tutu thing being a good example), though luckily he wasn't in the episode enough for it to become annoying.

But those very miniscule issues aside, all I can say about this one is "bravo"! Dana Gould has finally produced a hit for me (perhaps the focus away from Homer, who he doesn't seem to write all that well, helped).
A

[HomertheGreat]

Brilliant episode. The pacing was a little off (I thought Lisa being kicked out of Springfield Elementary would have been explored a bit more, but meh I don't want to nitpick), and Homer in a tu-tu was a little disturbing. But I didn't find Homer annoying at all. He wasn't even in the episode for that long. It's typical Homer, not wanting to pay extra for cheap things. He's done these types of things since Season 1. Jerkass Homer is when Homer is mad for no reason (see Trash of the Titans). He was only angry at the end and as I've explained earlier it was perfectly explainable and in character becasue he didn't want to pay the extra money. On top of that, I found the ending hilarious, so it didn't bother me. But everything else was gold. Great one-liners from the kids, great songs (I was a little concerned about them, but they were all good), good jokes. Great episode. A-

THOH- B-
Carjacker- B+
Pearls- A-

Season 14

THOH- C/C-
Strummer Vacation- B-
BVLVTTG- C-/D+

[Dennis]

Originally posted by newhook_1
Would you rather he moved in with the Simpsons, became a lovable dramitic foil for Marge, caused the town to hate him, then apoligized and moved to Shelby Ville and married his cousin? THAT is the Scully era.

I dont recall that happening in the Scully era. That was a very pointless guest appearance. They are seriously going insane with all these guest stars. What the hell? No one is saying they want Michael Moore to move in with the Simpsons and marry his cousin but it just really irritates me when guest stars have stupid, pointless cameos. Next week's episode looks like shit, along with "The Fat and the Furriest." Im kind of looking forward to "Marge vs..." but not much. This season seems to be following in the footsteps as last season.

[doyle]

I get the felling that, although this episode was great, I'll have to spend some time tomorrow convincing my more casual fan friends that this episode didn't suck.

EDIT: Is there anyone who can make a convincing argument that the cameo was pointless and worse than any typical one from Seasons 10-12?

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by DotheBartman
What can I say this time? That was great really! I love musical numbers, and of course this episode had them by the barrelful, with all of them brilliantly and hilariously done. The gags were rapid-fire in the style of many of the classic era "fun"-oriented episodes, yet very few if any of these gags failed which seperates this completely from just about everything Scully produced. There was great use of a bunch of characters, pacing was generally good, direction was awesome, even the guest appearance (while a tad useless) produced a good laugh...there's hardly a thing to say about this episode that isn't good.

That said it did have a couple flaws. There were a couple gags here and there that didn't quite work (like "tiny batons"), though that's basically nitpicking. Pacing was also just a tad fast for me in some places, again no big deal. Lastly, Homer did seem pretty stupid (the tutu thing being a good example), though luckily he wasn't in the episode enough for it to become annoying.

But those very miniscule issues aside, all I can say about this one is "bravo"! Dana Gould has finally produced a hit for me (perhaps the focus away from Homer, who he doesn't seem to write all that well, helped).
A

HIGH-FIVE, DTBM!
I still can't get over this - that we're completely on the same level on all episodes this season so far.

Glad to see you enjoying it as much as me, for someone who was about to give up on the show last year.

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by Dondelinger
I get the felling that, although this episode was great, I'll have to spend some time tomorrow convincing my more casual fan friends that this episode didn't suck.

Many casual fans have already told me they liked it, and the ones who didn't have only had complaints about the musical numbers.

[Tibor]

The animation and direction has been consistently excellent since the last half of S14.

[Mike Scully]

Originally posted by bmac
yes, i didn't laugh and didn't think it was funny. If there is absolutely no purposeful reason to use a guest star then why even use one?

Easy - for laughs. The show is a comedy; big-name guest stars are brought into the show, barely advertised, and then briefly lampooned in a quick gag. I see no problem. If you want guest stars to have an actual "purpose", might I suggest some Simpsons classics such as When You Dish Upon A Star and Beyond Blunderdome?


I realize it was just for a laugh, but laugh can come from any of the characters, so what's the point?


Because the joke targeted specifically at Michael Moore, so how would it have fit any of the other characters?

[newhook_1]

Originally posted by Dennis
I dont recall that happening in the Scully era. That was a very pointless guest appearance. They are seriously going insane with all these guest stars. What the hell? No one is saying they want Michael Moore to move in with the Simpsons and marry his cousin but it just really irritates me when guest stars have stupid, pointless cameos. Next week's episode looks like shit, along with "The Fat and the Furriest." Im kind of looking forward to "Marge vs..." but not much. This season seems to be following in the footsteps as last season.

No it never happened but he was saying the guest apperence that Michel Moore was Scullyish and I was just saying "No, this is scullyish....". Moore's guest apperance as someone said eariler is no different than The Ramones or Areosmith and I never heard anyone complain about those. It's when the guest voices portraying themselves get caught up in the plot that creates a problem.

[Woogie31]

A vast improvement over last week's dull episode. Any episode around Springfield Elementary is one my favorites.

4/5

[Icedragon]

Originally posted by Dondelinger
I get the felling that, although this episode was great, I'll have to spend some time tomorrow convincing my more casual fan friends that this episode didn't suck.

EDIT: Is there anyone who can make a convincing argument that the cameo was pointless and worse than any typical one from Seasons 10-12?

No ,I think its equal to them. Parading Guest stars just for the sake of having them is IMO stupid.

[DotheBartman]

Originally posted by Tomacco
HIGH-FIVE, DTBM!
I still can't get over this - that we're completely on the same level on all episodes this season so far.

Glad to see you enjoying it as much as me, for someone who was about to give up on the show last year.

Yeah, its hard to believe...aside from the Bart of War/Moe Baby Blues double-header I don't think I liked two episodes this much in a row last season, or even in season 13 for that matter. This is shaping up to be a good one.

Mind you, I'm skeptical about "Fat and the Furriest" (the next episode I'm going to see, since obviously I'm not going to be viewing "Regina Monolouges" anytime soon). But even that could suprise me.

I'd like to comment briefly on the Michael Moore thing: I can't freaking figure out why its bugging people so much. I mean, it has everything most of the Scully guest appearances didn't have:

1. It was very funny (granted that's subjective)
2. It went by quickly and didn't have any "wow, its (insert celebrity here)" sort of dialogue
3. It was fairly realistic and worked well in the context of the rest of the episode.

I don't like the Scully way of doing guest stars or even the Jean way in a lot of cases, but come on . There was nothing about this appearance that even comes close to matching the cheesiness of many of those appearances, or even many classic era ones like the McCartneys, Magic Johnson, etc...

[newhook_1]

Originally posted by Icedragon
No ,I think its equal to them. Parading Guest stars just for the sake of having them is IMO stupid.

Not like having Adam West as the mayor.......
*Low Blow*

[bmac]

Originally posted by Mike Scully
Easy - for laughs. The show is a comedy; big-name guest stars are brought into the show, barely advertised, and then briefly lampooned in a quick gag. I see no problem. If you want guest stars to have an actual "purpose", might I suggest some Simpsons classics such as When You Dish Upon A Star and Beyond Blunderdome?

yes, because i obviously said a guest star having a purpose makes an episode great. Humor is subjective, is it not? I simply didn't find it funny, therefore did not enjoy that 20 second part of the episode.



Originally posted by Mike Scully
Because the joke targeted specifically at Michael Moore, so how would it have fit any of the other characters?

yes, i'm aware, what i was getting at is that they could written a different joke for another character and not use a guest star at all. But i'm just arguing for the sake of arguing, as you said, it was only a few seconds of a great episode.

EDIT: also, Tibor's point about it on the second page was great, i will never complain about another guest star appearance again :)

[skittlebrau]

Originally posted by Tomacco
WARNING: At least 75% of all negative reviews to this episode will be based on a hatred for any kind of musical number, parody or not.
WRONG.

I thought this episode was pretty boring to begin with, totally disregarding the singing. Pretty lame.

2/5

[doyle]

Originally posted by newhook_1
I was thinking the same thing about the two parter point, but I think the general audience of The Simpsons (ie: people who don't post on message boards)don't care one way or the other and would have just been alieninated by having a two parter. Wow, I completely missed this before. That is a very good point, especially considering that I wasn't particularly bothered by the quick ending, and the same goes for the majority of the people who have posted a review.


Originally posted by HomertheGreat
THOH- B-
Carjacker- B+
Pearls- A-

Wow, those are my exact grades so far.


Originally posted by Tomacco
Many casual fans have already told me they liked it, and the ones who didn't have only had complaints about the musical numbers.
Well I'll just have to wait and see what happens. Either way, I can definitely defend an episode like this one.


Originally posted by Tibor
The animation and direction has been consistently excellent since the last half of S14.
I had been thinking that at various points in the episode, especially prior to the first musical number, when they would show Lisa from several different angles with the spotlight on her.

[Toxic Monkey]

meh. don't get why everyone liked the gay homer, found it kind of irritating. the star of this ep was willie, him making fun of milhouse was gold. not a memorable episode at all.

3/5

[jesle]

As you can tell by my avatar, I am a huge fan of Lisa and Lisa-centric eps are some of my favorites. This one did not disappoint. I thought that the musical aspect was well-executed, although I was hoping they would do parodies of other songs from the musical, like "Money, Money, Money" and "Buenos Aires." Unlike most people here, I loved Homer's gay scene, but I can see how people would find it irritating. As my boyfriend said after it was over, a lot of it seemed like Family Guy gags, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Also, I just want to clarify this for people. The show was parodying Evita the Andrew Lloyd Webber MUSICAL, not the movie with Madonna. Just wanted to clear that up, as people are continually referring to the movie.

All in all, some great gags (Nelson doing Iron Man was hilarious), but I would have liked some other songs from the musical instead. Also, I liked the ending, very humorous. 4/5 or A- for me. Great season thus far.

[Spooner]

Originally posted by newhook_1
Not like having Adam West as the mayor.......
*Low Blow*


Hey, I stand by my "Adam West makes everything better" theory.



This ep was like getting off a ROller COaster and being kicked in teh nuts. Sure, the rollercoaster was cool, but all you're gonan remember is being kicked in the nuts. There were good jokes, I remember that there were, but all I can remember are the painfully unfunny songs.

Michael Moore's cameo was good, IMO. THey didn't overhype it, and the "your mother" but was especially hilarious, if ya know Moore got in a bit of trouble for using false stats in his last book.

Overall, I'd give it a 2/5.

[used]

Again, I type as I watch:

intro: again no blackboard?

act1: hahaha, ralph dealing. Nice to see drederick. Homer saying d'oh with the wheel was stupid, and way too long. Martin's voice sounds weird, and its getting annoying. Haha, martin on the wagon was good. Mrs. krababble wanting the test, hahaha, Homer acting gay is very funny. Great Lisa characterization. This song is awesome. Nelsons song goog. this is fucking great. half point off for martins voice. 4.5/5

act2: HAhAH, Chalmers is funny. I like the planning against Lisa. Hahahahah, "When hell freezes over"... hilarious. Another good song. Hahaha, milhouse. Gypsies joke was ok. I like Milhouses press class. Willie making fun of Milhouse = awesome. Not like Lisa to be stupid. Bart being sarcastic is good. Hamburglers ahahahha. Im likeing this episode. Another great song. SLAAAM is good. Milhouse falling down was good. Willie taking the art room was good. 5/5

act3: Ralph yelling Lisa is a sell-out was awesome, as well as "english for fat kids". HAhahaha, Homer making the stamps kiss. Strike is nice. Lisa not caring about gym is good. Bart getting hit by his own brick is awesome. hahahahah "fudruckers". Michael MOores cameo was nice. hahahah, Zombies. Hahahaha, barts rubber butt rhyme was awesome. I wonder if someone has lisa's email. HAhah, good Homer characterization. Abrubt ending, which kinda sucks, but thats fine, because this episode fucking rocked. 5/5

Overall: 5/5

[Tibor]

Parading Guest stars just for the sake of having them is IMO stupid.

15 seconds, nobody cares when it's classic era, blah blah blah bling bling bling blah.

Man, I hated when Homer did that thing that time! Totally fucked up the episode. And that glitch in frame 235? A red daffodil? Christ, what does Al SKULLY take us for, some sort of idiots?

[ShadowBun]

Okay, time for a really dumb question...

When was Michael Moore in the episode?

[nowhere]

A completely and totally meh episode. Homer was a bit on the annoying jerkassish side, but was rarely in the episode, so he didn't hurt it too much. Not too many laughs, though not many groan moments either. Had no problems with the songs, though I don't think any were as memorable or as funny as "We Do" or "An amendment to be" to name a couple.
3/5

[Spooner]

He showed up during Lisa's protest.

[Le Jake]

Originally posted by lance
WOW. This episode was incredible. In my opinion, it bests Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious...

Well, to quote the Green Goblin: WRONG ANSWER! :LOL:

I'd give this a B/B-. There wasn't anything wonderous, or to cringe-worth (the Homer in a tu-tu bit was disturbing), but the songs were okay. The best lines were from Micheal Moore and the movie star zombie, though.

Jake

[Moleman...Hans]

Wow, that was great! Definite 4.5/5 but I'll round it in the vote to 5/5. I liked the musical numbers a lot and the evil plan one was definitely my favorite.

[Icedragon]

Ok, Ive seen the ep again, and Ive decided to drop the Mike Scully rip. I seem to be very creul upon first viewing...

Funny things in ep:

1) The song drunk Willie sang - I forgot about that. Funniest bit in all the songs.

2) "Your Mother" - http://www.damnyouall.net/forum/images/smiles/spin.gif Holy Fucking Shit!!! http://www.damnyouall.net/forum/images/smiles/spin.gif I can't beleive I missed that. I reluctantly take back the Moore complaint.

Things I no Like:

1) Ending - Whenever an ending is particularly bad, I usually do not score the ep that great. Its the freshest thing in my mind.

2) Jerkass Homer - Although only in 2 places as far as I can tell (Threatening Martin and the ending), I hate Jerkass Homer with a passion. His presence fills me with Hulk-like rage.

3)Bart's jokes - I did not like the jokes and gags Bart was in (Brick scene comes to mind). Dunno, was not feeling it.

4) Homer in the casino - Too many D'OHs.

Overall on second veiwing, 2/5

[used]

Originally posted by Skittlebrau
WRONG.

I thought this episode was pretty boring to begin with, totally disregarding the singing. Pretty lame.

2/5

he said 75% not all ;-/


Originally posted by DotheBartman
Mind you, I'm skeptical about "Fat and the Furriest" (the next episode I'm going to see, since obviously I'm not going to be viewing "Regina Monolouges" anytime soon). But even that could suprise me.

Why not?

anyway, I think if they had made this episode in season 8, it wouldn't have stood out at all. I though carjacker was good, and then they come out with this, amazing. This is the first time since season 8 that the Simpsons has been amazing, and I can't understand not liking it.

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by Skittlebrau
WRONG.

I thought this episode was pretty boring to begin with, totally disregarding the singing. Pretty lame.

2/5

Calm down, I said 75%. You're in the other 25%.

[skittlebrau]

Dork.

[doyle]

originally posted by used
Why not?



Tony Blair to Guest Star (http://www.nohomers.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25822&highlight=DTB+has+had+it)

[newhook_1]

Originally posted by Skittlebrau
Dork.

So Tomacco is a whale penis? I did not know that!

[Le Jake]

Originally posted by newhook_1
So Tomacco is a whale penis? I did not know that!

I guess when you live in Newfoundland, that word has so much more body...

Anyway, I watched it again and it still hits me as an episode that is so mediocre, it's hard to remember what you just saw, but there's nothing so shitty/wonderful that makes you can discuss it, IMO.

Final Grade: C+

[Channel Surfer]

http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/EpisodeReviewPage/showid-146/epid-207763/blockid-79455/

First off, to more or less skim and restate what I said in the review, this episode fixed the biggest problem in regards to other major musical adventure "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious": The characterizations. Lisa was very much true to herself, with a "Summer of 4 ft. 2"/"Bart of Darkness"-esque characterization. Not particularly complex, but fitting enough for a musical. The only one remotely off might have been Homer, who wasn't really a jerkass, but was over-the-top in his silly behavior at one or two points. Maybe Skinner too who was far more confident than usual, though I enjoyed him in his role at least.

Most of the "Evita" parody was in act 2, and it worked fairly well, IMO. The songs themselves as a whole I didn't feel were very entertaining for their own merits though, aside from recognition to their places in the movie. Some quite honestly just felt like "Evita" knock-offs, but without much of a spin to them (not true for all, but for some). They were sung well however. But I think what might have been the biggest problem was in translating what was a dramatic musical into a lighthearted "Simpsons" adventure. Combined with what was essentially a "serious" theme (Lisa's yearning for popularity and becoming corrupted as a puppet president), it was not quite as engaging as I would've liked, and hard to take seriously when the characters are breaking out into song every so often. I think the episode would've worked better had it found a way to better subvert the tone of "Evita" (like how they approached the parody in "Cape Feare"), as opposed to its more serious embracing of the musical format. Still doesn't mean I disliked the episode the way it was though.

Nevertheless, the episode was highly enjoyable. The gags delivered well, the source material was entertaining, the characters were for the most part put to good use, and even Moore was funny for his brief cameo. Nothing really to complain about, even if it's not quite a classic.

Grade: B+

[Magnum]

Well I'm glad you people liked it because I didn't really. Don't get me wrong it was funny and cute but I didn't think the songs were catchy or all that funny therefore taking up WAAAY too much time for me. Basically I'd say the most boring and uninspired since All Singing All Dancing and the ending was so abrupt I thought it was the worst since Missionary Impossible and that says something to me. :-/

But it did have good points like a pretty good video game reference, a call back to Lisa's Substitute (Martin as school president) and Moore's apearance was exactly how I wanted it to be.

Oh well I should of listened to my own advice and not hyped it up to impossible expectations. Besides I,ll watch it a few more times during the next couple of days and probablly wind agreeing with what Jafar and/or Surfer have to say by the week is over as I always do.

[Joey1138]

Cool episode; I'm really digging this season so far, hope the quality continues. 4/5

[Cole]

aside from homer's "nelson is gay" bit and the rushed ending, this was a fantastic episode. great songs and interesting story that was actually enjoyable to follow. the first "A" of sason 14. 5/5

[phil]

The President Wore Pearls started off with a couch gag with a simple Polaroid picture... no Memento-like scrawl on it, no Outkast shaking... just a picture. The gag had lots of potential that was never realized, much like the rest of the episode which was decidedly underdeveloped.

The first act starts off in a casino (which included an unclever but expected Indian casino "joke"). It was good to see Drederick Tatum again though and he was pretty funny but the rest of the act was uninspired. Homer's gay act goes on for far too long, what happened to the days when Homer-erotic jokes were more subtle?

Then the music came... dear lord. I hoped that it would be the only musical number in the episode... I was to be sorely disappointed.

In act 2 we are treated to loads of bland conversation between the teachers and Lisa. During the teachers lounge scene the teachers shout out lame comeback after lame comeback i.e. Chalmers saying "I've got an idea: You're crazy!" This passes off for wit on the Simpsons now?

Homer's sexuality is once again thrown for a loop in this act and we're given not one, not two but three lame musical numbers.

This isn't the Simpsons... this is a freaking Christmas Special.

in act three we're given the only solid joke in the entire episode (which seemed to drag on for ages) and that came from Michael Moore. Other than that we have some random action, another stupid musical number and an ending that's tacked on with two sentences.

Better than last week's lame episode but not by much. 2.25/5

There was so much potential in this episode but it was never realized due to the uncreative writing.

[|RABiD|]

Everyone has already said exactly what I was going to say. Too lazy to type anything out but a definite 5/5. This season rocks hard!

[lance]

Originally posted by Maggie's Magnum
the ending was so abrupt I thought it was the worst since Missionary Impossible and that says something to me. :-/
uh.. did you not see The Great Money Caper or something?

[bovine_university]

It appears that Al Jean has got his rhythm back. Unlike the majority of last season’s sub-par attempts at song and dance, this episode had a very enjoyable feeling through its music. The songs were well done, well executed, and memorable. On top of this, the story flowed nicely, and few moments fell flat. This episode missed greatness though, on account of that needless and wasted appearance by Michael Moore and the slightly lazy ending and resolution. Overall I enjoyed this episode a lot. 4/5

[blueguy]

I thought it was just Ok. It started out kind of slow, the middle part got better with the Willie stuff and making fun of Millhouse, but Act 3 is where I had a couple good laughs.
Those were when Bart threw the brick at the window and it bounced back to knock him out, and Marge and Lisa just ignored him.
The second time was when Wiggum was sitting down and his last line, to Lou I think, "how about this?.... Shut up."
I agree with others, I don't like musical stuff, so that kind of turned me off to the episode. 3/5

On a couple side notes. Yes the Martin voice seemed slightly off. Also, was this the first time we've seen Uter for a few years? As I recall he was "missing" from a school outing and never seen again. I thought it even came up in a recurring joke or two.

[BaronKrusha]

Good songs, but why was Skinner evil?

[ryan o]

"Aww, they could've told a great Simpsons episode if it weren't for all that fruity singing!"
-A lot of the people who didn't like the episode at Toonzone.

I won't respond there because musical oppressors live there.

How could you not love the musical? Singing...oh, hell, I just say it:

Act 1: One song.
Act 2: Three songs.
Act 3: One song, which is a reprise from the first song.

Anyone who says they sung every two minutes is WRONG. But, overall, a fun episode to both watch and listen to. Did anyone take down all the names to the songs?

Anyways, I loved the casino bit and Homer trying to start a rumor that Nelson is "fruity" by acting it out had me on the floor. My sister is due back from work in a couple of minutes, and her three favorite movies are "Moulin Rouge", "Spiderman"...and "Evita"! So, I know no matter how much she would be in a bad mood, she'd love this.

Oh, and seeing Bart of War following up, it really feels weird: A good, thought-provoking musical episode and then a silly, gag-infested average episode that ends with O Canada. (I'm still so glad that wasn't the last thing we saw on Season Fourteen, thank god for MBB)...

TPWP: A-

[kuumuus]

I thought the songs were excellent. Very catchy. The jokes were all hits with me and the storyline was one of the most focused in years. This was definitely the best episode of the early season, and one of the all-around best from the last 5 seasons.

A

[Glumplich]

This episode was better than last week's. There was continuity with the old ep "Lisa's Sub." It was great to see Nelson as Lisa's opponent, making empty promises the way all politicians do. It was a bit strange to see Tatum in the first act, though. And I didn't mind the singing since the show of which it is a parody was a musical, but I have never watched "Evita," though. Grade: A-.

[Magnum]

Originally posted by lance
uh.. did you not see The Great Money Caper or something? Oops forgot about that one heh heh. I wasn't trying to say this was worse by a long shot.

[Maddog53]

It's no secret that my the episodes that I enjoy the most happen to feature Lisa. She is the character who engages me the most, probably due to the fact, like me, she is the middle child. She's misunderstood, desperately seeks acceptance from parents who seem to have too much time to spends with her. She's an intellectual and so outcast from the school society. Thus, the parody of Evita is perfect for her. Her desire to become popular lends itself well to the strive to become School Body President.

I found this episode to be amazingly great. Overall I'd rate it a 4.5/5, but because I always round down, I voted for a 4. I'll only focus on the negative, because all the positives have been said already. I did not like how it ended, it just seemed way too abrupt for my taste. The first song did come out of nowhere, meaning there was really no build up to it. It just started. However, I did like the musical numbers as a whole, I've never been bothered by them in the show. However, these weren't really memorable, but I don't think they needed to be either. They fit well within the show, and their purpose was not to be LOL funny, rather to move the plot along. In fact I found the first and last to be somewhat sad.

I found everyone to be well within character (even Homer who did go off onto tangents but nothing horrible like in Kidney Trouble).

I really can't find anything really bad to say, I really liked this episode. One of the best of the last two/three seasons.

Maddog.

[mr. broom]

Why are so many people giving this terrible episode a good review? With the exception of Michael Moore's little self-parody and a couple of jabs at Willie, there was almost nothing good about this episode. The "Evita" parody was weak. The songs weren't funny or really all that clever.

The ending made not one damn bit of sense. So they sent Lisa off to a school for the gifted, only to have Homer come taker her home immediately? Homer somehow overrode the whole thing? In other words, Chalmers and Skinner still have their "problem" with Lisa, because she's right back there again. It was moronic. And don't get me started on Homer's behavior.

Anyone who gave this more than two of five has some explaining to do.

[phil]

Word, Broom. Word.

[Tibor]

Anyone who gave this more than two of five has some explaining to do.

Well, Channel Surfer and Maddog have articulated their reasons for enjoying it, more than you have your reasons for disliking it...

To summarize my thoughts on it, I thought it was consistently funny. Enjoyed the songs, for the most part, they did their part to drive the plot, though the only one that really stands out is Skinner's Evil song. The conflict between the kids and the faculty I found to be interesting. The abrupt ending (which apparently tries to stay to close to its source) and Homer's ridiculous behaviour are issues, but I don't feel detract that much.

[Andy]

For what it was worth (a lighthearted musical romp-type episode) it was decent. Homer indeed was the main problem, acting like a complete space cadet and contributing to that rather rushed ending (although the Eva Peron joke was rather funny). The musical numbers were well-done and the pacing wasn't too bad, but I think the episode was a little short.

And the Michael Moore thing, in my opinion, probably wouldn't be ragged on as much if it weren't the real Moore doing the voice. I think there is a problem with what is leaked to us and what they want us to react to. It's like if a famous person does his voice, it's our Pavlovian reaction to completely thrash it. But what if they don't TELL us Michael Moore is guest-starring? Think about it.

Next week, though? Meh. I'll watch, but the previews always look bad. I almost think the writers think they're obligated to write a zany-ass vacation episode because of some recent 'tradition.' Whatever... I'll judge it when I see the whole thing.

[blotto]

well, first off, i like a lot of musicals, don't get me wrong. but i didn't much like 'evita'. too bad (for me) they didn't do such a fantastic tribute to a musical i liked more, like les miserables or heck, even a 'treehouse' rocky horror spoof. as it was, i enjoyed the episode for the most part, i'll give it 4/5.

why does chalmers have to yell his catchphrase 'SKINNERRRRR!!!' everytime he addresses the man? even twice ion the same scene, in back to back lines? it might be funnier if the second time he wasn't even talking to skinner, but it gets old when it just seems milked. (sorry if anybody else already said that, i got most of the way thru the thread and my eyes started to cross :))

[Jerry P.]

Originally posted by homer5000
Did anyone take down all the names to the songs?

I didn't...

but I will now.

"Vote for a Winner"
"I Am Their Queen"
"Skinner's Evil Plan"
"A Tango Takes Two"
"Smart Girl Six Three"

[ryan o]

This episode is getting mixed reviews everywhere I go. My sister loved it, my dad hated it. My friend loved it (BIG [even more than me] fan of musicals), my cousin hated it. (why is he here and then coming back for Thanksgiving and is BREATHING ON MY NECK STOP THAT--sorry)

Really a love/hate episode...

[pat]

Just finished watching it on the tape, so here goes.

The good:
Musical numbers
Michael Moore's guest spot was quick, and seemed to have somewhat of a purpose
The casino bit in the beginning
Well thought-out and smoothly-flowing episode
Nelson's characterization as Lisa's opponent

The bad:
Homer was annoying in some parts (the stamps part especially)
Rushed ending, that took A LOT from the final grade
Chalmers yelling "SKIIINERRR!" 3 times in the episode

Great jokes:
Teachers making fun of Milhouse
Willie singing drunk (Willie was awesome in this episode)
Woo-hoo!! D'oh, d'oh, d'oh, d'oh, d'oh, d'oh, woo-hoo!! etc.
Homer acting gay had me laughing my ass off!
"Are you a Bart or Milhouse?"

A good episode, but not a great one, which is the category I put last week's episode in. I think I summed everything up above. The ending was way too abrupt and Homer was very annoying. But, on the flip side, it was a well-written episode, besides the ending, and it had some good jokes, not to mention the good musical numbers. So, I won't be too harsh, but I have seen better. Grade: 3/5 for the poll. Glayvin's scale of 10: 7/10.

Edit: Decided to change the rating to 8/10 upon 2nd viewing.

[Joeinator]

My Tivo cut off the episode at the end!! It ended with Homer talking to Lisa about ice skating. How much did I miss, and what the heck happens after that?

By the Way, episodes like these are why I got into the show in the first place. This episode renewed my faith in the series and was as funny as Hell.....5/5

P.S..I thought Homer's Tutu gag was hillarious and the kissing stamps was awesome.

[Furious D]

As we all know lisa-focused episodes typically are better than average, this one just didn't do much for me. Unlike Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious i felt that the Evita music didn't flow very well with the episode as a whole, Homer reminded me very much in this episode of the current ralph, i.e. annoying and not necessary (although i did enjoy the elvis and bat stamps kissing, heheh). To me, lisa seemed out of character when she kept opening the door after signing the form. I also didn't like that chalmers said "SKIIIIINNER" three times! Three I says!

on the positive side...
-willy's milhouse impression as well as getting some background info about him too.
-the michael moore cameo was great as well as appropriate to the episode
-lisa sounding like reese witherspoon from election was also appropriate

oh yea... im sure people have already asked, Uter's back?

[Rob G]

People.. this sucked wind in the worst way.

Al, what the hell did you do here? Damn it, the songs were out of place... Lisa seemed naive and stupid thru the whole thing. Dumb rushed ending.

The ONLY thing was the use of some non-regulars and that's it. Marge was out of character AGAIN (throwing Vodka at Maggie and no concern for Bart when he knocked himself out... she's getting almost as jerkass as Homer).

Best line: Bart's little Tango mention and his little on camera opinion of Lisa on Day 4 of the strike. That's it. The whole Casino night... everything sucked

[Maddog53]

Another good thing about this episode, at least for me, was the fact that I didn't feel like it was going at break neck speed. It slowly built up for the entire episode (which is probably why I did not like the ending too much, because it just left you hanging). It had time for the characters to breathe. Perfect example is when Lisa goes into the Teacher's Lounge and Willie is doing his impression of Milhouse, the shot after she closes the door actually shows the teachers moving around, and has Willie take off his Milhouse glasses walk over to the couch and sit down. Now of course this isn't a funny scene, but the fact that they didn't feel the need to do someting wacky as soon as she opened the door and then have a one liner, and then another gag, was a nice change.

Maddog.

[ryan o]

Originally posted by Joeinator
My Tivo cut off the episode at the end!! It ended with Homer talking to Lisa about ice skating. How much did I miss, and what the heck happens after that?

Not very much. He just shoots down Lisa's hope in that, and then Lisa says she wants to be a horse whisperer, but Homer shoots that down too...there's also a medley (a la "Simpsoncalifrag...etc"'s end credits) during the end credits, but not much of it is heard, and won't be until it hits syndication...

[Rob G]

Originally posted by Maddog53
Another good thing about this episode, at least for me, was the fact that I didn't feel like it was going at break neck speed. It slowly built up for the entire episode (which is probably why I did not like the ending too much, because it just left you hanging).

I knew the ending was gonna suck when the strike started with less than 5 minutes to go in the show. Too rushed.

[squishee lady]

The only issues that I had with this ep were that the songs seemed too short and a little of key. I would have preffered they cut out the song with Bart/skinner/Willie and left in the "don't cry for me Argentina" and "rainbow high" parodies and elongated them a little. Oh, and does anyone remember what Lisa said her e-mail adress was?

[SideshowTim]

Haven't seen the episode but everyone was saying that it's smartgirl63_/@yahoo.com

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by Comrade

In act 2 we are treated to loads of bland conversation between the teachers and Lisa.

It wasn't "bland conversation" to me, it was subtle dialogue to drive the plot logically. we don't want a bunch of tacked-on gags instead that go nowhere, do we? i do agree some of it could have used a little polish here and there but the dialogue was creative and amusing, IMO.


Originally posted by Comrade
During the teachers lounge scene the teachers shout out lame comeback after lame comeback i.e. Chalmers saying "I've got an idea: You're crazy!" This passes off for wit on the Simpsons now?

the comebacks were supposed to be lame, they were supposed to be flat. it wouldn't be very realistic or in-character if the teachers were to rattle off a succession of Dennis Miller-style "witty" oneliners, would it?

anyway, channel surfer pretty much summed up my thoughts on this. it was very season 8-esque gag episode, mixing lots of different types of humor, from subtle character stuff to inventive wacky side gags, just about all of which worked well (like season 8, occasionally the low-key dialogue tends to drag, and the occasional zany joke doesn't work, but it's no big deal). not as hilarious as last week's, but a high level of humor. the parodying of Evita was hardly inspired however, but it was sufficient. the songs were good, but no better than Simpsoncalifragilistic really - they work in the context of the episode to drive the plot, but can any of you really say you remember any of them? The second song was the outstanding one IMO, like the Spoonful Of Sugar parody was in the S8 episode.

As Surfer mentioned, the biggest problem of Simpsoncalifragilistic, the very misguided character warping for the sake of the plot, is thankfully not present here. Lisa is very nicely characterised - idealistic, astute, but fallible and childlike. But as Surfer said (again), I was slightly disappointed this plotline was not put to more use for character exploration (though possibly any attempts to do this would cut too close to Bart Of Darkness and Summer of 4 ft 2 - potential similarities to which were very well circumnavigated by the writers here btw), though it does a decent job, with substantially more depth and logic than similar parody/gag episodes like Marge On The Lam or $pringfield.

the pacing, however, was excellent. it was quick when it was possible, and fairly slow where it was necessary. this is one area where there is a substantial improvement over Dana Gould's last episode C.E.D'oh - there was an attempt to put humanity in that too, by introducing Homer's conflict in the third act between family and business. It didn't really work there IMO, as the whole shebang was too crammed full of wacky jokes to leave any time for Homer's plight at end to seem anything less than slightly contrived and unconvincing. However here gag time is sacrificed to allow the characterisation to remain stable and fully-formed. this is quite an achievement, considering it not only was a fast-paced gag episode but a musical episode too. It also lacked the second biggest problem of Simpsoncalifragilistic - its plot construction, in which the story would meander around aimlessly for a while, then suddenly make a 180 turn, then meander around aimlessly, then suddenly make another turn, etc. This episode flowed very pleasantly, and the songs were used to aid this, rather than used almost like interludes (as seemed to be the case in Simpsoncalifraglistic).

the ending was.....ehhhh. it was anticlimatic in a nice way, and sorta followed the parody, but it wasn't exactly inspired.

homer was indeed over-the-top at times, but no more than Homer vs the 18th Amendment or The Cartridge Family, which noone has a problem with and which Homer had the starring role, unlike this episode where he just popped up a few times. AGAIN WITH THE DISPROPORTIONATE COMPLAINTS OVER ONE OR TWO GAGS.

also, could have had some more relevant satire on the school system, rather than just presenting them as straightforward villains, which got a bit repetitive and shallow after a while.

best performance from yeardley in a long, long time.

favorite jokes would be michael moore, nelson's first appearance and both wiggums.

but overall, good stuff, if not the classic I had hoped for. Better than Simpsoncalifragilistic overall, though the parodying itself here was quite a bit off the standard of the S8 episode (which wasn't even that great). Nevertheless, superior humor and characterisation gives this one the edge. B+/A-

complaints about Michael Moore's appearance are not allowed anymore, because they are so insanely hypocritical i can't quite believe it. also, even if it were a problem, it again would be DISPROPORTIONATE COMPLAINTS OVER ONE OR TWO GAGS. i am going to carve this into a piece of filthy wood and nail it into all of your foreheads.

[HoyvinGlavin64]

Wow! The best episode since Trillogy of Error! Seemed like I was watching a classic episode. Maybe not Season 4, 5, or 6 quality, but definately up there with Season 8 and possibly Season 7.

The Good:
--The musical numbers, particularly "Skinner's Evil Plan".
--Groundskeeper Willie's lines.
--The interactions between Lisa and Milhouse.
--Homer acting gay.
--The entire plot.
--A guest appearance that didn't drag on too long.
--Nelson's campaign.
--The casino.
--Bart's impression of Lisa.

The Bad:
--Homer was in his Jerkass mode sometimes, but that can be avoided if it doesn't rule the episode.

Overall, better than all the greats since Trillogy of Error. Better than I am Furious Yellow, better than Little Girl in the Big 10, better than Special Edna, better than Mr. Spritz, better than Moe Baby Blues, better than My Mother the Carjacker!

It gets an A+, and pushes Behind the Laughter out of my top 10.

[dr.foot]

A parody of Evita is something I don't want to see.
The episode had good parts, but as a whole it is not high on my list.
2/5

[Max Power]

They're singing!

That's what I said when I saw the first 8 minutes of this episode.
Just for that I was going to give it a 1 out of 5, but then, the show got better. The songs had great jokes weaved into them like a quilt. I was truly suprised. Plus, I don't remember an episode like this where they sang nearly the entire ep this good. I'm pleased, Simpsons...but don't ever do it again....

4/5

[Alpha]

WOO! This was a great episode!!

The music cues were great, the singing was cool, the songs were good. Man, the Simpsons season 15 is making Futurama look like a disgrace!

5/5 :D

Also, before I saw the Bart of War rerun, I didn't realize how good it was (especially the dig at South Park).

[Icedragon]

Originally posted by Mr. Broom
Why are so many people giving this terrible episode a good review? With the exception of Michael Moore's little self-parody and a couple of jabs at Willie, there was almost nothing good about this episode. The "Evita" parody was weak. The songs weren't funny or really all that clever.

The ending made not one damn bit of sense. So they sent Lisa off to a school for the gifted, only to have Homer come taker her home immediately? Homer somehow overrode the whole thing? In other words, Chalmers and Skinner still have their "problem" with Lisa, because she's right back there again. It was moronic. And don't get me started on Homer's behavior.

Anyone who gave this more than two of five has some explaining to do.

Damn Straight

[prince jafar allah]

broom's comments were just a weak and unnecessary nitpick in a show where the events often don't make a lot of sense outside of the stuff we actually see on screen, a standard "<insert plot development>? WTF?" style non-criticism, and some of the customary disproportionate claims about one or two gags, of course.

and i fail to see how "anyone who gave this more than two of five has some explaining to do"? It seems that before you posted that many people who had given it more than two out of five had already done a lot of "explaning", a few people had even done about five times as much "explaning" as you had for your viewpoint, so....what the fuck?

[Jessfrogger88]

I thought this episode was ok 3.5/5. Homer sucked eggs except when he was using the stamps that was funny but his gay impression was really really stupid. The music was allright kinda weird though. The best gag was when Lisa got the key to study hall and kept going in and out of the teachers lounge.

[Tman]

I give it 5/5.

[ShadowBun]

See, one of the things I think really helped this episode was the spot-on pacing. The story didn't fly by at a ridiculous rate, but rather took its time in establishing the necessary conflicts and never felt too slow. That said, the gags were fast and furious, just like they should be. Homer's kissing stamps made me laugh, but it was partly because it was a quick joke and they didn't drag it out in a painfully long fashion (like in many episodes from the Scully area). Just like in the good ol' days, they kept the winning formula of setting up a joke, telling a joke, then MOVING ON immediately afterwards. These little seconds of after-joke time shaved off here and there make a world of difference, and actually make the gags funnier.

What really made this episode unique was the fact that the songs weren't really SUPPOSED to be funny (except, of course, drunken Willie's part). They were supposed to tell the story musically, and they felt like they had HIGH production values behind them (especially the second one...felt just like a big-budget animated musical, with all the quick cuts, close-ups, and good singing). The first and last songs (parodies of "Don't Cry for me, Argentina") even had a bit of a sad overtone to them. I actually felt pretty sorry for Lisa when she was being taken away, and that's definately a rarity in a parody episode.

No one seems to have mentioned Martin's funny little exchange with Skinner regarding presidency and whole milk yet.

[or_smth]

Originally posted by Mr. Broom
Why are so many people giving this terrible episode a good review? With the exception of Michael Moore's little self-parody and a couple of jabs at Willie, there was almost nothing good about this episode. The "Evita" parody was weak. The songs weren't funny or really all that clever.

The ending made not one damn bit of sense. So they sent Lisa off to a school for the gifted, only to have Homer come taker her home immediately? Homer somehow overrode the whole thing? In other words, Chalmers and Skinner still have their "problem" with Lisa, because she's right back there again. It was moronic. And don't get me started on Homer's behavior.

Anyone who gave this more than two of five has some explaining to do.

It's a matter of looking past the bad. There is no question that Homer was over the top, or that the ending didn't resolve anything but there was heart, pacing and character in this episode that set it apart from the other crap. The gags were controlled, I didn't expect to hear "Penis" for the sake of the writers putting "Penis" into the script - and for once, I didn't.

The episode was written in the old-fashioned way of allowing jokes and plots to develop on their own.

Say what you will about the negative points of the episode (and for most parts I agree), but this is one of the episodes where the good outshined the bad.

[prince jafar allah]

i have a feeling the old season 6 ATS thing, the back-and-forth "presence of X, absence of Y" seesaw of desperate childish criticism, is going to be a recurrent theme in these threads this year. if the episode is fast-paced it gets criticised for just being a bunch of jokes and for being thin and underdeveloped, if it's slow-paced to allow development of the plot it gets criticised for being "bland conversation" or for "dragging a bit" or something. if the episode has gags by the bucketload it gets criticised for being too gag-based, if it chooses to play it low-key and subtle it gets criticised for not having enough humor. if Homer's not angry or eccentric he gets criticised for being whiny, but if he's in the slightest tiny bit angry or eccentric he gets criticised for being a Jerkass. this sort of happened slightly last season (most of the above observations are from last season), and i've got a feeling, if the quality continues to improve, as it should do, it's going to come up more frequently.

ahhh, but it takes me back. "so you want a down-to-earth, realistic show that's completely off the wall and swarming with magic robots?"

[MaxpowerAK79]

Is anybody getting tired of Simpsons musical episodes? I thought the songs in this one weren't very good. They dind't seem so creative, they were a bit forced, if that makes any sense. There were a few good jokes, I really like when chalmers is in the eps. He always has some good lines "Excuse me for interrupting your advice from the JANITOR!"

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by MaxpowerAK79
Is anybody getting tired of Simpsons musical episodes?

at an average of one every seven and a half years, it's fairly hard to do so.

[phil]

Still too much.

[Hans Barber]

Pretty good epsidoe. This season is going pretty well so far. I thought the first act was the best...well maybe. Good altogether though. I thought the funniest part was the joke with Skinners mom. Just how they had her look, and the timing was good.
To Dennis: I also noticed that Martin was off. Didn't sound like him.

Next weeks episode looks whacky so far. I was not to please with the previews, but who knows.

[phil]

Originally posted by Mohammed Jafar

the comebacks were supposed to be lame, they were supposed to be flat. it wouldn't be very realistic or in-character if the teachers were to rattle off a succession of Dennis Miller-style "witty" oneliners, would it?


Maybe so... but it was still painful to watch.

[HoyvinGlavin64]

Originally posted by Mohammed Jafar
at an average of one every seven and a half years, it's fairly hard to do so.

I think Maxpower is reffering to episodes with at least one musical number in them, and they have those every year.

Seriously though, most of the musical numbers have been good. See My Vest and Springfield, Springfield were highlights of their episodes, and they were very good episodes. Heck, sometimes the musical numbers in an episode are the only good parts of their episodes (Everybody Hates Ned Flanders comes to mind). And all musical episodes are great.

100th post! Yahoo!

[eric]

sorry, I hate musical episodes.... many of you know my least favorite episode of all time is "All Singing, All Dancing" and I doubt that'll ever change even with horrible episodes such as "Simpsons Safari" being aired every now and then. I somewhat enjoyed Lisa's first song (partially because I thought that was the only musical number I was going to see... and okay, it was a nice tune) but the singing never stopped (god damn it), the quality jokes were few and far between, and my friends & I grimaced until the episode was over.

2/5.. I'm being generous.

And yeah, I also noticed right away about Martin's voice. Sounded sorta like Mickey Mouse.... maybe Russi Taylor had her husband voice Martin for this episode (and yes, I know she voices Minnie).

[squishee lady]

Originally posted by HoyvinGlavin64
I think Maxpower is reffering to episodes with at least one musical number in them, and they have those every year.

Seriously though, most of the musical numbers have been good. See My Vest and Springfield, Springfield were highlights of their episodes, and they were very good episodes. Heck, sometimes the musical numbers in an episode are the only good parts of their episodes (Everybody Hates Ned Flanders comes to mind). And all musical episodes are great.

100th post! Yahoo!

Exactly, a good musical number can make an otherwise mediocre episode into an A for me. With the exception of "all singing all dancing" (which doesn't really count anyway) I agree so far that all of he musical episodes have been great. Happy 100th post/

[Furious D]

i thouhgt i'd just post again and ask...

why is uter back? (not that i mind, i dig it)

[prince jafar allah]

contrary to popular belief, he has made appearances after The PTA Disbands, despite Guess Whos Coming To Criticise Dinner's scene wiht his parents.

[whisman]

Good episode overall. Kinda went back and forth from good to meh. But still was a good episode in my opinion, hopefully starting the curve for the rest of season 15.

[SpongeBob No Pants]

i can't believe that people are giving this episode bad reviews, and while everyone is entitiled to there own opinion, the reasons they give for not liking the episode are absured

1 - the micheal moore cameo was not bad, it was actually funny and alot better then alot of the guest stars in the last few years, it wasn't just having a guest star for the sake of having a guest star, Moore was there for a valid reason, and his joke worked

2. - There was no jerkass homer in this ep, a jerkass homer would have said "start a rumour that hes a queer, and then crush him like a bug", but in the ep all he said was "hes a ding-a ling"(and he started dancing) (or something like that) and him dancing in the lawn was hillarious, and the tutu thing was also very funny, plus his elvis-bat stamp thing was one of the funniest thing i've seen homer do in a long time, as well as the jokes at the casino. as for the ending, i felt homer was just being his typical cheap Dad, he wasn't being mean just to be a jerk, he was being mean because he's too cheap to pay for the school and he's too lazy to drive her to those things.

- and this did not feel like a scully episode, in fact after watching it a second time, i actually believe that this episode could have easily fit into the feel of a season 8 episode

[whisman]

I actually almost missed the Michael Moore cameo. It was so fast, and I only saw a second of it. What exactly happened? I thought Moore filming the election was the whole point of the episode when I read about it.

[tim_duncan2000]

What I liked

- Homer's lines at the beginning (like the one about doubling down)
- Casino Night ending in a riot
- How Homer behaved towards Martin
- Nelson having all the answer keys
- Groundskeeper Willie making fun of Milhouse
- Ralph calling Lisa a sellout and then wondering what it means, as well as his "I Like Purple" sign
- The scene where Lisa kept coming back in after she signed that sheet
- Skinner's line about how Lisa even beat out perennial write-in candidate "Skinner Sucks"
- Chalmers' "male prostitute" sign
- Homer showing Lisa those random stamps (including "Autum in New England") and saying that they were "all heroes" (up until the bat kissing Elvis part). It made no sense and it wasn't supposed to, and that's why it was funny.
- Agnes Skinner's brief but funny appearance after Skinner used her in an analogy.
- Michael Moore's brief appearance and his "your mother" reply
- The messages on the screen at the end

What I didn't like
- I'm just not a big fan of musical numbers (there have been a few exceptions, but, for some reason, I didn't like these)
- Marge's lines at the beginning and her throwing a drink on Ralph
- Homer saying D'oh about 20 times was not funny and went on too long
- Homer acting gay and doing all those things was not funny and I could have done without it.
- Marge not doing anything after Bart knocked himself out

Overall, it was pretty good, and the musical numbers were not all that bad. I'd give it a 3.5/5


it wouldn't be very realistic or in-character if the teachers were to rattle off a succession of Dennis Miller-style "witty" oneliners, would it?
I don't think he was asking for Dennis Miller-style "witty" one-liners, but I think they could have come up with something a little better than "you're crazy" (which is not even a question, but I guess that was supposed to be the whole point of the joke). Oh well, it's not like that ruined the episode for me.

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by tim_duncan2000
I don't think he was asking for Dennis Miller-style "witty" one-liners, but I think they could have come up with something a little better than "you're crazy" (which is not even a question, but I guess that was supposed to be the whole point of the joke).

well yeah. the scene was supposed to contrast the childishness of the teachers with the maturity of Lisa.

[Moose of Doom!]

Anyone else notice the election poster for Lisa is a direct parody of the post for Evita?


Also, I just want to clarify this for people. The show was parodying Evita the Andrew Lloyd Webber MUSICAL, not the movie with Madonna. Just wanted to clear that up, as people are continually referring to the movie

Last time I checked they're the same thing.

If they worked some joke in about the wacky misadventures of Eva Peron's body after she died, then I would've been EXTREMELY happy.

[FlamingMeaux]

Also. as a future public school teacher, I thought the joke about taxpayers being resistant to pay a ridiculously infinitesimal tax to save their children's extracurriculars was both spot-on and hilarious.

[SpongeBob No Pants]

willie's Millhouse impersonation was probably the funniest thing in the episode, but did you guys notice after word, we see him bent over and wearing glasses

Hillarious stuff

also the key joke was funnier the second time around

[Tibor]

One of my favorite jokes here was "perennial write-in candidate 'Skinner Sucks'"

[tim_duncan2000]

Also. as a future public school teacher, I thought the joke about taxpayers being resistant to pay a ridiculously infinitesimal tax to save their children's extracurriculars was both spot-on and hilarious.
Yeah, that does seem like it is the case a lot of the time.

[SpongeBob No Pants]

i also loved seeing skinner and chalmers together again

they have sucg good chemistry

chalmers sort of bosses skinner around like his mother does

[ryan o]

My sister wants to know if the Saved by the Bell comment is true...answer please?...

[chris]

Originally posted by homer5000
My sister wants to know if the Saved by the Bell comment is true...answer please?...

Doing a search, there seems to be a Saved by the Bell episode involving a casino, but it's an episode of The New Class and it involved the kids trying to sneak into a casino while on a cruise.

[Mike Scully]

It wasn't supposed to be this way *sob*. This was supposed to be a thing of beauty.....not this mediocrity.

Actually, not a bad episode; characterizations were very solid all-around, and there were relatively few gags that failed. A few Homer moments were honestly cringe-worthy, but luckily he had limited airspace.

This episode fails in the most important aspect, where the Shari Bobbins episode succeeded; the musical numbers were barely memorable and had hardly any clever spin to them. As others have elaborated, the abrupt ending hurts the episode in a major way. The whole episode just felt empty: as a satire of the education system, it was cheesy; as a character story, the conflict was simple and lifeless; as a parody, well, I've never seen Evita.

I'll have to see this episode one more time to elaborate more, plus I missed a few minutes after the second act.

Grade: C+

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by Mike Scully
as a satire of the education system, it was cheesy; as a character story, the conflict was simple and lifeless;

it wasn't supposed to be either of these, so...guh? it's a parodical gag episode. in which the "conflict" is a lot less "simple" than many of the conflicts in Damned Dave Mirkin's creations which are of a similar tone, i might add.

[Mike Scully]

Originally posted by Mohammed Jafar
it wasn't supposed to be either of these, so...guh? it's a parodical gag episode. in which the "conflict" is a lot less "simple" than many of the conflicts in Damned Dave Mirkin's creations which are of a similar tone, i might add.

I meant, more along the lines that it could have been a little more of either of those 2 types. Kind of like Bye Bye Nerdie could have been a more down-to-earth character episode instead of an empty gag episode.

I should have added this clause to my statement: as a gag episode, the gags were not as consistently hilarious as, say, Dana Gould's other gag episode.

[phil]

Jafar is a Simpsons apologist.

[Stackhouse]

I'm utterly amused.

Amazing episode. You people who think otherwise are WRONG. If you don't like songs, then you have a reason to dislike this episode.

- Michael Moore didn't have a big role as a guest star. it doesn't matter.
- Homer acted like an idiot alot of the time. have you ever watched "the Simpsons"?
- Martin's voice was off. i hate you.

I was completely flabbergasted seeing some of the reviews on this forum. You nay-sayers are sick, and your opinion is not tolerated.

A, by the way.

[Charmy]

Originally posted by Comrade
Jafar is a Simpsons apologist.

And you're a damn Commie. Just wait till I get McCarthy on your ass. :)

Jafar has explained why he likes the episodes, and is explaning why some of the critisms of it are wrong. How is that being apologetic? It's like me calling you a Grammer Apologist for correcting my grammer- it just doesn't make sense.

[Tibor]

Originally posted by Comrade
Jafar is a Simpsons apologist.

Snappy soundbytes may make for valid argument in Media Discussion, but you're in nerd country now...

I forgot that Comrade's opinion was an objective absolute that we all strive to realize.

[SpongeBob No Pants]

whats with all this "martin's voice being off"

i didn't notice it

[ryan o]

I'm bored. (to myself) Say, how about we write all the lyrics for the five songs so everyone can enjoy them? (myself) Okay!


"VOTE FOR A WINNER":

Lisa:
I'm not that cool
I don't wear jeans
I've polished an apple or two
But every grade that I grubbed
I grubbed it for you

So call me bookworm
But I'll never squirm
When there's work to be done
Yes, I'll take my lunch at my desk
While you're all outside having fun

Don't vote for me, kids of Springfield
Unless you want an effictive leader
I'll talk to teachers
I'll handle Skinner
A vote for Lisa
Makes you the winner!

Kids: (coda) Vote Lisa! Vote Lisa! Vote Lisa!

Nelson: Hey, I got a song too. I am Iron man, do-do-do-do-do-do-do vote for me!...aw, screw it.


"I AM THEIR QUEEN"

Lisa: You wanted to see me?

Edna: Actually, Lisa, I wanted to see you. You're a president now, but you look like the First Lady of "yawn"

Lisa: What would you change?

Teachers: Eyes, pearls, smile, hair points. Dress, voice, shoes, swatch watch.

Lisa:
I may be the new girl
But you can't brainwash me
Just Osh-Kosh-B'gosh me
And then let me be
To fight for kid power
I must be heard, not seen!
I have to lead wisely
Not just primp and preen!

Teachers: Nails, dimples, ears, scrunchie. Purse, lunchbox, teeth, Milhouse.

Lisa:
This cuting up suits me
There's beauty within me
So let's Oslen-twin me
Give them something to love
This grownup makeover
Has made me a super-tween!
For they are my people
And I am their queen!


"SKINNER'S EVIL PLAN"

Bart: Lis, Skinner is using you, like a pawn on my chess set.

Homer: My other pawns are all Hamburglars.

Skinner:
I'm so happy with my evil plan
Say goodbye to music, gym and art
Soon we will have the perfect school
Where fun and excitment never start

Willie:
I'm so drunk, I can barely see
But it helps me get through another day
My stomach is filled with haggis and hurt
I've got to go puke in some hay

Bart: Lisa is a fool

Skinner: I think the rules are cool

Willie: I've fallen in the pool!


"A TANGO TAKES TWO"

Bart: (reading) All extracurricular activities are hereby cancelled, to replaced by...nothing?!

(all gasp in horror)

Milhouse: Who would sign such an order?

Bart: (reading) As ordered by Principal Skinner...and approved by Student Body President...Lisa Simpson!

(all gasp again)

Milhouse: And to think I was going to ask you to the dance!

Lisa: I would've gone with you.

Milhouse: (suprised) Well, you still can!

Lisa: Well, I don't feel like it now.

Milhouse: (angry) AWW! (relaxed) That's cool...(slapping himself) Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

Lisa: What have I done?

Bart: What they wanted you to

Lisa: Skinner betrayed me!

Bart: But a tango it takes two

Milhouse: I almost got a date. I've gotta tell Willie about this!


"SMART GIRL SIXTY THREE (AKA "VOTE FOR A WINNER (REPRISE)")"

Skinner: (over intercom) Lisa Simpson, you've just been transferred to the Springfield Magnet School for the Gifted and Troublesome. Please climb into the idling bus.

Kids: (coda) Poor Lisa! Poor Lisa!

Lisa:
Don't cry for me, kids of Springfield
You can still reach me through e-mail
At smart girl sixty three
Underscore back slash
At Yahoo dot com
At Yahoo dot com!



If you're wondering about the spoken preludes and Willie taking the art room excluded, I just added any spoken lines that were important to understand what was going on, just like it would be on a soundtrack. You can thank me now...go on! Start thanking!! ;) :LOL:...

[SpongeBob No Pants]

nice work on the lyrics, but what about Bart's Butt song

[ShadowBun]

Thanks! I was waiting for someone to type up those songs! I FELL INTO THE POOL!

[phil]

Originally posted by Charmy
And you're a damn Commie. Just wait till I get McCarthy on your ass. :)

Jafar has explained why he likes the episodes, and is explaning why some of the critisms of it are wrong. How is that being apologetic? It's like me calling you a Grammer Apologist for correcting my grammer- it just doesn't make sense.

If I were a grammar apologist I'd justify your terrible grammar as being correct. Seriously, it seems as if the Simpsons is consumed by those fans who've lowered the bar for it considerably and watch it out of routine. And don't try to pawn off that 'It's still better than 95% of the other TV out there' which is a pathetic excuse for substandard entertainment.

[eric]

Actually, for this episode I feel the line is drawn between those who enjoy or dislike episodes with many musical numbers. True, there wasn't as much humor as other episodes, but it did focus on Lisa after all. While personally I do enjoy most Lisa episodes, I simply can't tolerate the characters singing constantly and that ruined this one for me. On the other hand, many Simpsons fans love it when the voice actors get the chance to sing and have Alf Clausen work his magic. Even though I may not like it, I respect their opinions.

[ryan o]

Originally posted by SpongeBob No Pants
nice work on the lyrics, but what about Bart's Butt song

It really didn't have music, so I didn't count it...knowing how much unnesscary crap that was thrown in the other soundtracks, it would probably be thrown in. Hell, the last track on "Go Simpsonic with the Simpsons" is Smither's dream of Mr. Burns singing happy birthday to him naked from "Rosebud"...

[Tibor]

Seriously, it seems as if the Simpsons is consumed by those fans who've lowered the bar for it considerably and watch it out of routine. And don't try to pawn off that 'It's still better than 95% of the other TV out there' which is a pathetic excuse for substandard entertainment.

Well I guess you're going to conveniently ignore Jafar and Channel Surfer's detailed explanations of why they liked the episode (far more rational arguments than, say, Broom's review as already explained) and deflect their arguments with these inane soundbytes. Good argument tactic, that.

Why are episodes like Helter Shelter, Pray Anything, Dude Where's My Ranch and practically all of seasons 10-12 panned? Surely we're living in a world of maaake believe and love everything regardless! Are the pages and pages of excruciatingly detailed commentary on the past two seasons just completely pulled out of our asses randomnly? It's as ridiculous as that guy who said the only reasons S13 is regarded highly is because of Al Jean's name on the credits.

Assuming your opinion as fact is irritating, but doing so without even having a convincing argument is quite funny.

[phil]

I've already posted my review on a previous page, unlike other detractors my arguments are actally more well thought out.

I'm not saying the new episodes are completely terrible, they're just not that good either.

[Citizen Kang]

Can't really vote until I see it again...Was in a room full of very loud drunken people.

But what could catch I would give it 3/5. The musical were a bit much at times but overall not too bad. I sure I will give this ep a much higher rating once I get to see it uninterupted.

And I agree that Martin's voice sounded off...

[Tibor]

I'm not saying the new episodes are completely terrible, they're just not that good either.

Well, that's great and all, but what you're also saying in the two bits I quoted are that any Simpsons fans who enjoyed this episode are lying to themselves and wrong.

[jesle]

Nice job on the lyrics, homer5000. I personally am trying to figure out what songs from the musical were parodied.

Here's what I have so far:

"Vote for a Winner"= "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina"
"I Am Their Queen"= "Rainbow High"
"Skinner's Evil Plan"= ?
"A Tango Takes Two"= "Waltz for Eva and Che" (?)
"Smart Girl Six Three"= "Eva's Final Broadcast"

Also, obviously, the kids chanting "Vote Lisa" and "Poor Lisa" is the same as the crowds chanting "Evita."

If anyone can fill in the ones I am uncertain about, I'd really appreciate it.

Also, here's a pic of the Evita poster so people can compare it with the one seen on the Simpsons:http://www.osmond.com/staff/angelo/favorites/images/evita-poster.GIF

[phil]

Originally posted by Tibor
but what you're also saying in the two bits I quoted are that any Simpsons fans who enjoyed this episode are lying to themselves and wrong.

Not lying to themselves, just desperate fanboys.

[Tibor]

Well, that's pretty much the same thing, now isn't it.

Have you somehow missed the extreme negativity towards seasons 10-12? And chuck out those silly aspersions all you want, it's not going to negate the arguments for the show. Bad episodes get bad reviews. Episodes people like get good reviews.

[phil]

I'm not ignoring the negativity towards season 10-12, I just don't find it relevant. Next to those seasons it doesn't take much to come up with something the slightest bit better.

Attack of the Clones for instance, while better than the crapfest that was The Phantom Menace, is still pretty lame. Yet the fanboys dig it all the same.

[Tibor]

Like those desperate fanboys that clung to the show after season four, huh?

I stopped watching the show in season 11, if I find that the new episodes' quality isn't worth my time, I won't watch it. If this episode aired in any other season it would have still gotten a B from me, and half the people panning it here would be jerking it over it.

[chris]

The Good:

The pacing. The pacing. The pacing. Unlike most recent episodes, this one didn't seem to fly by; everything flowed nicely.

The songs were passable. They didn't have much of an "oomph" to them, but they got the job done and had some funny moments. The true winner was "Skinner's Evil Plan".

I was afraid Lisa would act too mini-adult, as she has in pretty much every Lisa episode of the past couple of seasons. While some of that quality was there, it was bearable.

I liked how Bart was on to Skinner's plot; he really knows the workings of that man's mind by this point.

Willie was on throughout the entire show. I haven't found him this funny in years; in fact, he had become downright annoying. But his Milhouse impression definitely got the biggest laugh out of me.

It was nice to see Mr. Largo (even if he didn't have that good a line), Uter, and Lunch Lady Doris, and it was great to give Martin some extended screen time (too bad his voice was off, though).

The Bad:

Marge was beyond terrible. Throwing vodka in Maggie's face?! What the hell? That's worse than anything Homer has done to the kids. Her gambling problem never made her into a lunatic; a bump on a stool, sure, but not a freaking lunatic. Why wasn't she worried when Bart knocked himself unconscious? And "Those fudgerakers!" continues the unfortunate trend of trying to come up with funny "curse words" for Marge to say.

Homer was characterized just as badly. So people were angry when he chased the squirrel in "Homer Goes to College" (a bit I actually liked)? Well, this episode took that concept and amplified it to a nail-biting extreme. He was totally braindead in most of his scenes (the whole gay thing, the stamps, wishing he married a businessman).

There was nothing funny during the casino scene. And then they ended it with a riot...

The ending wasn't so hot.



All in all, I wasn't blown away like I was hoping. It was a good episode that will hold up well in syndication, but still nothing spectacular. 3/5

[Dark Homer]

Pretty darn good episode

[chris]

One thing that really bugged me and I forgot to mention:

Homer and Marge appear out of nowhere at the school during the strike. I mean, they just step onto the screen and start talking to Skinner, and somehow are aware of everything that's happening. What's with that? Barring the fact that Homer should be at work, it's completely random, out of place, and just an excuse to cram in more of the two.

[Channel Surfer]

Originally posted by Homerpalooza
One thing that really bugged me and I forgot to mention:

Homer and Marge appear out of nowhere at the school during the strike. I mean, they just step onto the screen and start talking to Skinner, and somehow are aware of everything that's happening. What's with that? Barring the fact that Homer should be at work, it's completely random, out of place, and just an excuse to cram in more of the two.

Maybe it's just me, but if I was a school principal, and one of the kids from my school was leading a student strike - disrupting class time and all that - I'd be phoning that child's parents really quick and filling them in on the details. With that said, it's pretty easy to see why Homer and Marge would both be there together, and why Homer would be cutting work.

It's one of those easy fill-in-the-blank details that really don't need to be addressed in the episode. I don't seem to recall them showing up before a cutaway either.

[ryan o]

Originally posted by Homerpalooza
One thing that really bugged me and I forgot to mention:

Homer and Marge appear out of nowhere at the school during the strike. I mean, they just step onto the screen and start talking to Skinner, and somehow are aware of everything that's happening. What's with that? Barring the fact that Homer should be at work, it's completely random, out of place, and just an excuse to cram in more of the two.

Think Skinner could've called them about Lisa, since she is their daughter causing a huge strike...which is aganist school regulations and a parent should be called to reason with her anyways?


By the way...is it just me or is this episode the "Bart vs. Lisa vs. the 3rd Grade" of the 15th season. Let's see...both are the third episode aired in the season, both are Springfield kids episode, both brough back something we haven't seen in a while (3rd Grade- Capitol City, Pearls- full-blown musical [Brake My Wife, Please (it had 3 songs) does not count]) and both got mixed reviews. There were no "that was okay" for both...both only had "BOO!" or "YAY!". 3rd Grade and Pearls each had faults that a majority do not like. 3rd Grade AND Pearls- Cop-out ending. 3rd Grade had it's whole "wacky adventure in Capitol City" thing, Pearls had Casino Night. 3rd Grade has returning characters, which a lot of people hated, Pearls was a musical, which a lot of people were irritated by. It's a conspiracy, folks...

...the only difference is that when I saw 3rd Grade again in January, I then realized it was nothing much but a Bender appearance and Japanese Friends. Then again, I'm watching Pearls over and over again...and I'm still loving it like crazy...in fact, this morning, I had the songs stuck in my head in the shower...I knew a new bank of tunes had entered my brain and I was proud of it...even if they were Evita's tunes disguised as Simpson's...

[Incognito, Guy]

Originally posted by Homerpalooza
And "Those fudgerakers!" continues the unfortunate trend of trying to come up with funny "curse words" for Marge to say.


Actually, she said "Those Fuddruckers!", which is the name of a hamburger joint. Thought it was pretty funny :LOL:

[prince jafar allah]

comrade, if you're so pissed about people liking the episode, rather than spending your time tossing out childish insults, you could spend that time discussing the episode's pros and cons. telling the people who liked the episode where they are wrong, rather than just sulking and whining about "fanboys". and i don't see why I'm being singled out - most people in this thread were far more kind to this episode than me, most people just offered gushing praise without reasoning. i wrote a balanced review which had the good praised and the bad criticised, and each side reasoned for, tell me why I was so wrong rather than just slipping into denial mode. i'm a lot more critical of the show than at least 90% of people here - at the start of last season for example, i hated four of the first five episodes, D grades all round. my average grade last season was like a B- or something. so i fail to see, because i happened to like two episodes in a row, how I'm a "fanboy". i didn't even especially love this episode, i thought it was pretty good, but nowhere near a classic or anything.

if i were to say that all people who disliked this episode were just bitter dorks desperate to show their superiority by criticising the show, you wouldn't be too happy, would you? it's the same thing, flip it round. dismissing fair praise with "You're just a fanboy, the simpsons sucks and always will" is just as pathetic and fucking stupid as all those kids who dismiss any fair criticism with "OMG LOL you're just a nerd who loves bashing the show, the simpsons is better than 999.56% of TV". it's the same thing, dont get it twisted. if your name were HOMERRULEZZZZ2003BEGOOD or some shit instead of Comrade, I doubt anyone would even pay the slightest bit of attention to your moaning (that is, everything after and including "Jafar is a Simpsons apologist"). it would just get buried under all the other one-sentence trolls.

and your review wasn't especially well thought out, no. you whined about the couch gag, you whined about a few jokes you didn't like, whined about it having singing, and then quickly said it had "uncreative writing" and then stopped. nah.


Originally posted by Mike Scully
I meant, more along the lines that it could have been a little more of either of those 2 types. Kind of like Bye Bye Nerdie could have been a more down-to-earth character episode instead of an empty gag episode.

OK then, I said that in my review also. Nevertheless, I think it worked well enough purely as a gag episode to work well overall.


Originally posted by Mike Scully
I should have added this clause to my statement: as a gag episode, the gags were not as consistently hilarious as, say, Dana Gould's other gag episode.

sure they were. poppa's got a brand new badge was not funny, dammit. the running zinger gag? "that's the pride"? "I shine you uppa nice pizza"? homer dancing to Golden Earring for some reason? (and no, that's not me complaining merely about the gags I didn't like, that's the only gags I can remember and they all happen to suck)

[blueguy]

Originally posted by Homerpalooza
One thing that really bugged me and I forgot to mention:

Homer and Marge appear out of nowhere at the school during the strike. I mean, they just step onto the screen and start talking to Skinner, and somehow are aware of everything that's happening. What's with that? Barring the fact that Homer should be at work, it's completely random, out of place, and just an excuse to cram in more of the two.
When IS Homer at work?

[NukeTheWhales]

was there a different show on in canada?

this was awful. even worse than the THOH.

As Homer himaself might say, Let us never mention the episode again.

F-

New worst episode ever.

[joe h]

I was able to look past the musical numbers, but I was unable to get past the unneeded use of Marge and Homer, and reverting them back to their Scully days only made this episode more painful to watch. 3/5

[I'm David Croket!]

Homer and Marge being at the School when the strike is a reason to hate the episode? Skinner could have phoned them because Lisa was the one who called for the strike.
The episode was far better than the average parody of Mary Poppins at season 8, IMO.

[Channel Surfer]

Originally posted by homer5000
By the way...is it just me or is this episode the "Bart vs. Lisa vs. the 3rd Grade" of the 15th season. Let's see...both are the third episode aired in the season, both are Springfield kids episode, both brough back something we haven't seen in a while (3rd Grade- Capitol City, Pearls- full-blown musical [Brake My Wife, Please (it had 3 songs) does not count]) and both got mixed reviews. There were no "that was okay" for both...both only had "BOO!" or "YAY!". 3rd Grade and Pearls each had faults that a majority do not like. 3rd Grade AND Pearls- Cop-out ending. 3rd Grade had it's whole "wacky adventure in Capitol City" thing, Pearls had Casino Night. 3rd Grade has returning characters, which a lot of people hated, Pearls was a musical, which a lot of people were irritated by. It's a conspiracy, folks...

I think your connection is quite loose in all honesty. You might as well just say "Homer the Moe" was the "Insane Clown Poppy" of the 13th season. They were both side character episodes. They both had unrelated first acts. They both had a fairly large role for Homer. "Insane Clown Poppy" had Homer getting shot which people didn't like. "Homer the Moe" had a jukebox sequence which people didn't like. "Insane Clown Poppy" had a new character. "Homer the Moe" had a new writer.

Let's just hope this episode doesn't degrade for so many the way "3rd Grade" did over time.

Season 14 Grades:

"Treehouse of Horror XIII" C+
"How I Spent My Strummer Vacation" B-
"Bart vs. Lisa vs. the 3rd Grade" D+

Season 15 Grades:

"Treehouse of Horror XIV" B-
"My Mother the Carjacker" B+
"The President Wore Pearls" B+

[phil]

Well Jafar I'm sorry I don't make long winded blowhard, bloated reviews like the likes of you. Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing, you're an exceptionally good writer. What would you suggest people do to improve their negative reviews? A long thesis regarding the dynamic of the interpersonal relationships in the episode coupled with the general character development in the context of the events which justifies their behaviour? That may be stretching it but may be too much work for someone who doesn't really care about the episode in the first place. And I'm not pissed, I just like pissing off some of the dorks here who take things too seirously. Surely you can understand that. But as Tibor stated, I'm in 'nerd country' where things are different than Media discussion.

[Friz]

Friz is talking, so be quiet.

I enjoyed this episode. I found Homer to be the Season 7/8 Homer that I fell in love with. Him acting gay; "Ding-a-ling-a-ling!"; was fantastic. Everybody was in character, and the songs, although not really memorable, were a perfect tribute to 'Evita' if ever I saw one. Laugh out loud moments every twenty seconds or so, which is what I look for in an episode. Good solid plot, although it was a random ending, which I found to be a season 5 quality.

Well done Dana Gould, you've been forgiven for "Homer the Moe"

[Tibor]

I just like pissing off some of the dorks here who take things too seirously.

Oh, I see, so you're being a board troll.

i'll keep that in mind next time I start to take anything you've posted seriously.

[Magnum]

No one's mentioned the pink Miata joke yet. :LOL:

[phil]

Originally posted by Tibor


Oh, I see, so you're being a board troll.

i'll keep that in mind next time I start to take anything you've posted seriously. [/B]

One can't help but feel amused by the most humourless fans of a comedy show I've encountered. Plus it's not like anyone of a dissenty voice has really been taken seriously anyway.

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by Comrade
Well Jafar I'm sorry I don't make long winded blowhard, bloated reviews like the likes of you. Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing, you're an exceptionally good writer. What would you suggest people do to improve their negative reviews? A long thesis regarding the dynamic of the interpersonal relationships in the episode coupled with the general character development in the context of the events which justifies their behaviour?

no. you clearly haven't been reading what i've been posting. i'm suggesting people criticise things that matter, and that people provide reasoning and backup for their basic points. that's...not really too much to ask, is it? it hardly demands a huge multi-paragraph reply to simply give a bit of evidence for your claims, whether they be negative or positive.

I'm sure you would demand the same thing if someone, say, came into your LOTR thread and starting badmouthing it with as much reasoning and backup as you (and Broom, and most other heavy detractors) provided for this episode. wouldn't you?


Originally posted by Comrade
That may be stretching it but may be too much work for someone who doesn't really care about the episode in the first place.

Yet you've posted 10 times, the second most anyone has, in this thread. Hmmm.


Originally posted by Comrade
Plus it's not like anyone of a dissenty voice has really been taken seriously anyway..

what the fuck are you talking about. until the start of this year or so, the general consensus on new episodes in these threads was usually fairly negative if not very negative. go back and look at the old R&R threads.

[NoOneFamous]

I haven't seen the episode yet, so if my legions of fans (*cough*) are wondering where I am.. thats why. I can't seem to find it on Kazaa either.

[Jolly Bengali]

Jafar, lay off of Comrade... really. He's sticking by his opinion, and he's offered up enough of his own reasoning. You can probably guess what he didn't like or did like. He's up against entrenched nerds, it's tough...

That being said, he's wrong about the episode being bad, burn him alive.

That is all.

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by Jolly Bengali
Jafar, lay off of Comrade... really. He's sticking by his opinion, and he's offered up enough of his own reasoning.

i've got no real problems with his review, i argued a couple of points on it, one of which he replied to fairly, and that's fine. it was just the "apologist" crap...

[Rowdy]

I think the huge problem with the episode is that it felt like a fan script. In other words, it was a parody of something that lots of people haven't seen before. Evita is best known as the forgetable Madonna film from nearly ten years ago...it just didn't feel like it connected with the audience at all and a great deal of the songs were humorless...

Also, I agree with some previous reviewers that the scene with Homer was one of the worst bits in the show's history.....

Anyway, a decent amount of laughs and a good storyline helped make it an average episode. 3/5

[Maddog53]

Originally posted by Rowdy

Also, I agree with some previous reviewers that the scene with Homer was one of the worst bits in the show's history.....



See I disagree with this statement unless you also dislike Homer's prancing around the Land of Chocolate, or his "I'm a gumdrop fairy from Lullaby Lane (I forget the exact quote right now) to be just as horrible. I find his nonstop screaming from The Blunder Years, or his stupid backing up (not once but twice, second time on a ladder) from the Sweetest Apu to be much more grating and annoying.

Maddog.

[Channel Surfer]

Originally posted by Maddog53
See I disagree with this statement unless you also dislike Homer's prancing around the Land of Chocolate, or his "I'm a gumdrop fairy from Lullaby Lane (I forget the exact quote right now) to be just as horrible. I find his nonstop screaming from The Blunder Years, or his stupid backing up (not once but twice, second time on a ladder) from the Sweetest Apu to be much more grating and annoying.

Maddog.

Yeah, the listed gags from "The Blunder Years" and "The Sweetest Apu" are worse.

Essentially, without getting too deep into this, the question over Homer's antics here isn't so much if it is out-of-character, but whether his actual antic is funny in of itself. Sort of like comparing the "Pearl-Os" segment of "Saddlesore Galactica" to previous Homer dream sequences. Nothing wrong with it in principle, it's more on whether you liked the sequence or not, for whatever reason.

I hate advocating this kind of thinking though, because it's almost promoting the "execution" argument which justifies why something OK in the classic era isn't OK now, and such, without actually stating why.

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by Rowdy
In other words, it was a parody of something that lots of people haven't seen before.

sigh. absence of x, presence of y.

if we don't get any obscure parodies, there are complaints there are no obscure parodies anymore. if we get obscure parodies, there are complaints we are getting obscure parodies.


Originally posted by Rowdy
it just didn't feel like it connected with the audience at all and a great deal of the songs were humorless...


i wouldn't say they were humorless, at all. most of them were funny in a subtle way, they were very similar to the Evita originals, and so kept the parody fairly on-track, but still had that touch of simpsons quirkiness and whimsy. and the Skinner's Evil Plan song, of course, had Willie. they were clever, i'd say, if hardly genius.

[tim_duncan2000]

I think I know what Channel Surfer means. There have been much worse jokes than the stuff where he acted gay and pranced around. Still, I did not find this funny in the least.

I also don't see much wrong with liking certain things certain times and not liking it another time. I don't think that means that you are trying to have it both ways. Take vacation episodes. Some have been pretty good (Itchy and Scratchy Land, Bart vs. Australia, Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington) and some have been pretty bad (KTAAR, Simpsons Safari, and Helter Shelter).

[StrideR]

Anything that makes San Diego State look good deserves a 5/5. But I won't grade this episode because I barely caught the last 12 minutes of it.

[doyle]

Originally posted by NoOneFamous
I haven't seen the episode yet, so if my legions of fans (*cough*) are wondering where I am.. thats why. I can't seem to find it on Kazaa either. Yes, I dactually diud notice that you didn't review it, and neither did Comixfan. And SP has been conspicuously absent from the R+R threads so far this season.

[The Foot]

There were a few good jokes and the plot was alright but I didn't like the musical numbers. Ther were too forced, the way they just decide at some point in the show to start singing.

This episode gets a 6/10 on the laugh-o-meter. Grade C

[Rowdy]

Originally posted by Mohammed Jafar


if we don't get any obscure parodies, there are complaints there are no obscure parodies anymore. if we get obscure parodies, there are complaints we are getting obscure parodies.



The difference here though is that this was an ENTIRE episode parody. So, anyone who hadn't seen it was left out of a lot of jokes rather than the usual one or two. It's the same reason why people that hadn't seen Mary Poppins seem to hate "Supercali..." and for obvious reasons. But in that case, it was a movie that 99% of the viewing audience had seen, perhaps 10%, if that, have seen Evita.

[squishee lady]

i can't believe so many people havn't seen Evita! When the movie came out it was one of the huge hits of the year. I can remember being 10 years old and dancing along to the soundtrack for hours in my room. Rent it people, it's worth it.

[used]

I haven't seen evita and I still loved it.

[Jolly Bengali]

Same, and I never saw Mary Poppins and loved that one.

[I'm David Croket!]

Actually I think the episode was based in the Broadway musical, not the movie.
http://www.printmusiconline.com/images/items/1565.jpg

However you can still enjoy the episode the same, IMO.

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by I'm David Croket!
Actually I think the episode was based in the Broadway musical, not the movie.
http://www.printmusiconline.com/images/items/1565.jpg

However you can still enjoy the episode the same, IMO.

Hahah. Even Lisa's signs in the episode parody the Evita movie poster/promo.

[Mr. S]

I was very pleasently surprised by this episode. I was expecting it to be tedious and what not since I don't really enjoy the musical numbers in the show, but the humor and story outweighed any negativity. The Willie jokes were phenomonal. The fact that Milhouse confides in Willie, and that mocking of Milhouse had me rolling for the first time in a while while watching a new episode of the show. The ending was pretty abrupt though. But that was a minor issue. I gave it a 4/5.

[Moose of Doom!]

Originally posted by I'm David Croket!
Actually I think the episode was based in the Broadway musical, not the movie.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

THEY. ARE. THE. SAME. THING.

[ryan o]

Listen to him folks, you wouldn't want him to get angry!


...50 points for whoever knows what Pixar movie is that from...wha...what's that? Oh, yes, I know we're discussing The President Wore Pearls...I...was just going...off-topic...heheh...

[vox]

Originally posted by Retro Moose of Doom!
I've said it before and I'll say it again.

THEY. ARE. THE. SAME. THING.

Are you sure of this? Have you seen both? Often plays aren't translated into movies exactly word for word, much like how books aren't translated into movies exactly. Often entire scenes are different, though the overall plot is more or less the same. So are you sure of this, or just assuming it?

[ShadowBun]

Listen to him folks, you wouldn't want him to get angry!

Dang it, I'm a big Pixar fan and should know this. Umm...A Bug's Life?

[Paul]

This is one brilliant episode, as you can see in my signature I gave it a 5/5. I'm a huge fan of musical numbers and the episode was just great, I really think it could have belonged in one of the classic seasons. I find it a bit daring to say that, but anyway.

[squishee lady]

Originally posted by VoxNerduli
Are you sure of this? Have you seen both? Often plays aren't translated into movies exactly word for word, much like how books aren't translated into movies exactly. Often entire scenes are different, though the overall plot is more or less the same. So are you sure of this, or just assuming it?

Yes, They are VERY similar. There was nothing in The episode that would have made it an obvious Satire of ONLY the movie or ONLY the musical. The main parodies were in the musical numbers anyway, which were taken from both.

[Stina]

5/5

I thought this episode was hilarious.

[Moose of Doom!]

Anyone else get the pink Miata reference?

[Magnum]

It was my guess that they were refrencing the subtle hint of gayness in the car. Is that all there is to it?

[vox]

Originally posted by Maggie's Magnum
It was my guess that they were refrencing the subtle hint of gayness in the car. Is that all there is to it?

Nancy Cartwright has/had a pink Miata. I guess...Bart's gay again? :p

[simplysimpsons]

Yay! I finally watched this episode! Well, I was very impressed, but I'll get the problems over with first:
Marge's characterisation. throwing vodka at Maggie, AND Martin?! What was that all about? And just looking away and not caring after Bart knocked himself out? Marge was better than this in the first two "Scully era" seasons. She really needs to get back to the caring mother she once was.
Homer - What was up with Homer wearing the tutu and the gay thing? It dragged on a bit too long. I liked Homer in most other scenes though.
A minor thing was Martin's voice was a little high, but it seemed to get better throughout.

The positive points!
Animation!
Willie threatening to throw the spark plugs
D'oh! D'oh! D'oh! woohoo! D'oh!
"My ticket to freedom!" - Edna
Everyone crying about Lisa's song
"I am iron man!" -Nelson is back in top form again!
Songs - I loved all of them! Lisa has a great voice!
Lisa opening the door over and over again
Willie had his funniest lines in years!
"SKINNER!" Am I the only person who liked Chalmers constantly saying that?
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" - Milhouse
"What's a sellout?" - Ralph
"I'm saving for a speedboat!" - Homer
The police joining the strike!
"Lisa is a nut!" song - Bart
The guest star was used PROPERLY for once!

Overall, excellent episode! The only real issue was Marge, which stopped it from getting an A+. I'm going to give it an A(-), or 4.5/5 .

Episode rankings so far:
THOH XIV - A-
My Mother the Carjacker - A
President Wore Pearls - A(-)
3 A grades from the start of the season! Very impressive! I'm not sure if the Regina Monologues will match up to this trend though...

[NoOneFamous]

Hey guys, I'm late, and no one cares anymore, but I finally saw this episode... and... I LOVED it! I've never seen Evita, but if I had, I'd probably like this even more. They took a risk with this episode, and it worked very well. Everything was dead on - my ONLY complaint? Marge's characterization! Seriously, what the hell? The joke about her and gambling at the beginning had me worried from the start, but that quickly went away.

5/5, A+, this was brilliant

[Dark Homer]

I just noticed that in Skinner's office, there's a picture of the school when it was purple, like in the early seasons. Has this been seen before?

Also, I am watching Evita and it sucks so far

[Magnum]

Actually yes I beleve so. (to Jamie's question)

[NoOneFamous]

Actually, in the early seasons, the school was white.

[DotheBartman]

Well, it was a purpleish/whitish color. Interesting find though, I'll have to look for that when I watch the episode again.

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by VoxNerduli
Nancy Cartwright has/had a pink Miata.

no. Yeardley Smith had a white Miata.

[George Cauldron]

Originally posted by DotheBartman
Well, it was a purpleish/whitish color. Interesting find though, I'll have to look for that when I watch the episode again.

I'd say it was more gray than white or purple. Slightly off-topic, my apologies, but why, in season three, were there still shots of the school in its season one colors, when during the opening credits, the school had its regular yellow walls? Would it not have been too difficult to just re-draw the outside shots of the school, rather than reusing the same backgrounds?

[Charmy]

Originally posted by Mohammed Jafar
no. Yeardley Smith had a white Miata.

Hmmmm... according to Mrs. Cartwright's "My Life as a Ten Year Old Boy", she was so taken by Smith's Miata that she bought a pink one for herself.

[Pukahontas]

I finally got around to watching it, and I wished i didn't. It was bad, everyone seemed out of character...espcially Homer.
2/5

[NoOneFamous]

How was Homer out of character? Cause he wasn't being "jerkass Homer"?

[simplysimpsons]

Homer just had a moment when he was out of character - the gay thing. Marge was OOC especially, but only at two moments (see my review) but how can you say everyone was? Lisa and Bart were fine, Homer was for the most part. All secondary characters were fine too.

[prince jafar allah]

Originally posted by Charmy
Hmmmm... according to Mrs. Cartwright's "My Life as a Ten Year Old Boy", she was so taken by Smith's Miata that she bought a pink one for herself.

oh....i clearly have a poor memory of that book then. i must have remembered only the first half of that paragraph.....

[squishee lady]

Originally posted by simplysimpsons
Homer just had a moment when he was out of character - the gay thing.

That wasn't even OOC, Homer was just messing around (I for one really enjoyed his "romp" a'la the Land of Chocolate out on the lawn. The only OOC Simpson in the episode was marge.

[spiritofstlouis]

Just downloaded it... and loved it. Almost as good as "Moe Baby Blues"

5/5

[ReadySteady]

Having seen "Evita" at the movies (and a couple of times since), I was able to appreciate this one for the cool parody it was. Plus, I love the musical episodes, so sue me. Lisa's song in Act One was great, and I think Yeardley has a nice, off-Broadway kinda voice (as evidenced in her rendition of "God Bless the Child"). 5/5

p.s. - Was anyone else surprised to learn that Krusty apparently attended Springfield Elementary? In full-on clown make-up, no less.

[spiritofstlouis]

Originally posted by ReadySteady
p.s. - Was anyone else surprised to learn that Krusty apparently attended Springfield Elementary? In full-on clown make-up, no less.

Not really. He had to go to school somewhere after his father disowned him

[George Cauldron]

I thought that this was a strong episode. I saw it as Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious, but with a more serious, down-to-Earth, sensible tone. Hard to remember any jokes that were unsuccessful, this episode ranks highly for this season. I haven't seen Evita, so I didn't notice any references except for the obvious musical parody, and the mock "Don't cry for me, Argentina" line. Very good.

[deshem]

Hmm, the songs definitely wern't brilliant, but this episode sure was funny.

The Good:
The Yahoo Song
The Casino Bust
Willie Impersonating Milhouse
The Makeover Song

The Bad:
The rest of the songs seemed terribly forced.
Homer was a complete fool.

3.5/5 - Pretty good.

[OldCootAbe]

Best one since "Special Edna", I especially liked the sign gags during the protest outside.
Signs:
"Flunk me, flunk you"
"Free the Springfield 9"

And good to see Chalmers again.

5/5