Rate/Review: Pray Anything (EABF06)

[Blue Phoenix]

Watched it again last night and it still sucks.

0/5

[Simpson Purist]

I think the statistics on this and every other episode prove that the people that enjoyed this episode are in the majority yet they are not as vocal as we naysayers.

BTW, I didn't watch this piece of shit again last night. My brother wanted to watch it but I convinced him that it was a stupid episode.

[Channel Surfer]

Originally posted by Simpson Purist
Nah, "3rd Grade" was a big disappointment, "Pray Anything" just sucked. Suckiness and disappointment are two different terms in my book.

To simplify, "Bart vs. Lisa vs. the 3rd Grade" pandered to the fanbase, and failed. "Pray Anything" tried to present an interesting idea, and failed. Both were full of failed gags and flat characterizations.

In the end, I'm siding with the one with the interesting idea.

[Paul]

I actually liked it! 4/5.

[Stevie V. Scrivello]

Dear God...I'm sorry for what I'm about to say here.

It doesn't say much for an episode when the only thing I laughed at was Lovejoy almost swearing after getting his foot run over with a bowling ball. Other than that...well, to borrow a quote from the host to beat all hosts, Rod Serling, in reference to a bad episode of Twilight Zone: “Dumb, narrow expository plotline that comes larded with bullshit.” And it did. Homer was just a real cock to about everyone in this episode, the plot was just shallow and childish, and most of the jokes flat-out bombed. The idea of the Lovejoys moving in with Flanders wasn’t expanded upon at all which disappointed me: it could have brought some spice to an otherwise very poorly done story. The attempt to end the episode on a religious note was the final straw; I have never seen such an obvious attempt to curry the favor of religious viewers (well, then again...). I don’t know why I haven’t included this in my list of worst episodes: I am now.

1.5/5

[Gatorgod]

I liked this Episode and enjoyed getting to see more of Rev LJ's personality. Its good to know that Homer isn't the only one that finds Flanders annoying
4/5

[Reverend Lovejoy]

Dear God...I'm sorry for what I'm about to say here.

It doesn't say much for an episode when the only thing I laughed at was Lovejoy almost swearing after getting his foot run over with a bowling ball. Other than that...well, to borrow a quote from the host to beat all hosts, Rod Serling, in reference to a bad episode of Twilight Zone: “Dumb, narrow expository plotline that comes larded with bullshit.” And it did. Homer was just a real cock to about everyone in this episode, the plot was just shallow and childish, and most of the jokes flat-out bombed. The idea of the Lovejoys moving in with Flanders wasn’t expanded upon at all which disappointed me: it could have brought some spice to an otherwise very poorly done story. The attempt to end the episode on a religious note was the final straw; I have never seen such an obvious attempt to curry the favor of religious viewers (well, then again...). I don’t know why I haven’t included this in my list of worst episodes: I am now.

1.5/5

Once again, Stevie, I agree with you. I used to like this episode, but I don't like it so much anymore. You could say I've finally got taste.
When I saw this episode again, I realised how annoying it was right up until the church scene. Like Stevie mentioned, the idea of the Lovejoys moving in with Flanders would have been interesting (at least from my opinion); in fact, since I have to get a friend with Sky to tape these episodes for me, this is something I was actually interested in seeing and hoping to see in this episode.
"Holy shining light!", however, is something I say quite a lot now.

2/5. (It would have been lower, but biasy won't let me do that.)

[General Jack D. Ripper]

I actually like this episode, unlike most on this board. Its underrated, IMO, and ther are some great lol moments. I just love the scene of Homer dancing in the pews singing and then using the cross as an air guitar. Homer was a bit of a jerk but I honestly think its not too bad. 4/5

[Xt'Tapalatakettle]

to borrow a quote from the host to beat all hosts, Rod Serling, in reference to a bad episode of Twilight Zone: “Dumb, narrow expository plotline that comes larded with bullshit.”

When did he say this and about which episode?


I haven't seen this episode in a while, but I don't remember it being as bad as everyone says it is. I'll give a better opinion next time I see it, but it seemed like it would fall somewhere in the 2-3 range. All I remember is Carl worshipping a deer's head or something like that and him saying "Oh man, I must be wasted." As I said, needs a good rewatch for a good opinion.

[Stevie V. Scrivello]

When did he say this and about which episode?

He said that particular quip during a college lecture on Twilight Zone episodes back in the 70's or so; the episode in question was Season 1's "And When the Sky Was Opened". You can listen to the lecture on the Season 1 DVD extras. (Serling was a great writer, but he was willing to admit when he screwed up big time on a story: that's what I like about him.)

[Tamaki Suoh]

Pretty good episode, nothing outstanding but definitely not terrible. The premise was fairly interesting and entertaining, the characters were mostly in-character (I was especially glad to see Marge acting like a loyal Christian in a composed and not overdone manner), although the ending was too abrupt and didn't do justice to the rest of the plot. Adding to the negative aspect about the episode, no real innovative point was made by the episode's cessation, the events seemed slightly scattered, and it also bothered me that they acted like Lovejoy was the primary source of Christian goodness in Springfield, because Lovejoy by definition is a hypocrite who couldn't really care less about what he preaches. Also, as Stevie mentioned, it would have been interesting to see Lovejoy move in with Flanders. An episode centered on this could have been really good. 3.5/5

[Moe Nopoly]

think it was an average episode.
The story was in general ok but had it weaknesses.
Anyway, some really funny moments too with Homer in the church for example.

3/5

[Green_Peaness]

Highlight: Marge, he's WAY the HELL up THERE.

3/5...major points deducted for the ending.

[sheena74]

That pretty much really sucked. Everyone was out of character and the jokes were just bad. I rated it a 2/5, but the only thing that keeps it from getting 1/5 is Reverend Lovejoy. The highlight of the episode for me was his "Holy shiiiiining light."

[lovedartsandsimpsons]

Can't understand why a lot of people are saying this
episode sucked. It was a classic simpsons "putting down religion"
episode. 4/5

[D'ohmer]

It's not one of my favorite season 14 episodes, but I still think it's good. 4/5

[Beast]

This boring snooze-fest serves no purpose other than to throw religious people a bone. There isn't really much to enjoy about it. C+

[Beast]

Freaking triple post. Ignore.

[Beast]

Freaking triple post. Ignore.

[Starman]

Very bad episode. Some cringeworthy scenes, some funny scenes; although more of the former. My favorite moments:



D+

[Fox Executive]

Probably the first time I totally agree with Beast/Starman.

[Capt Hammer]

5/5 great stuff!

[Bella Drape 'er]

Tacky episode that had so many bad characterisations, bad jokes. But strangely enough felt like a good episode.

Perhaps because of the whole appocalpse theme at the end, mounting the episode into uncharted territory
Or taking over a familar place in the Simpsons Universe - the springfield Church.

So despite being badly made, there was still among all this some good jokes, the church scenes in perticular and I rate it 4/5

[bartyboy]

2/5. Worst religious Episode Ever!

[Nauru-1]

Decent enough, but it doesn't get much higher than that. Nothing wrong with having it around I guess though. 3/5

[alex_on_ice]

Pray Anything (2.5/5):

This is sort of a mediocre episode in my opinion and there are a lot of episodes in Season 14 that are better than this one. I don't like the beginning of the episode (really sort of pointless and just to have Flanders recieve a check).

The joke where Marge shows Homer that their grass isn't green because Homer keeps passing out on it is pretty hilarious and I do like the scene where Carl starts to talk about the ice skating monkey that was on TV.

It's always great to see Arnie Pie again and he manages to make me laugh a little when he appears at the end of the episode. Arnie Pie made me laugh the most in Season 12 in the episode Children Of A Lesser Clod (with his "you're not the time Kent! You're not the time!").

And the two of every animal joke at the end wasn't all that bad. However, overall I find this episode to be in the middle of all the episodes that have been created of the Simpsons. It"s not bad, but It's not good either.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Season 14 continues when Homer gets the deed to the church! When Flanders manages to have extremely good luck at a WNBA game Homer assumes it is because he prays so much. Homer begins to do the same and breaks his leg and sues the church. He throws a sinful party that seems to cause a Noah-esque flood but Reverend Lovejoy saves the town at the last moment.

I'm kinda surprised at all the negativity this one received even when it originally aired. I know it is common for reviews of post-season 8 Simpsons to become much worse after some time has passed, but this was getting called as bad as some of the worst Scully atrocities even in 2003. This is nowhere near as bad as those, but my main problem with this is and always has been how very forgettable it is. My favorite joke in the episode, Arnie Pie's rant ending with Kent having a heart as black as the ace of spades, surprised me when I saw it here as I assumed it occurred in a much earlier episode.

And that describes a good deal of the funny moments in this one and this had many genuinely funny moments, I just didn't remember them at all. At least that moment I knew was done on the show. Gil as the mascot and Moe proposing, while very funny, was something I totally forgot. The Rich Texan got me here too, but I think it was that I didn't expect his dance to go on for as long as it did. I've never hated the character as much as he commonly seems to be here, but am not much of a fan either save perhaps The Seemingly Never-Ending Story. Here he got me to laugh though. The Ken Burns bashing was also good, as was Homer's song and dance in the church. That scene seemed particularly beautifully animated, Homer's stomach rocking back and forth with the extra bulging was particularly nice. This one had several very nice looking backgrounds going on particularly in regards to coloring. The sky during that brief scene with Lovejoy packing the car to leave town was beautiful as was the overcast sky before and during the flood. The Bowling Alley as the temporary church has at least three good gags: Lovejoy catching himself before cursing after his foot gets hit, the reveal that it was Krusty of all people who threw the ball, and Dr. Hibbert at the claw machine. I do have to wonder why Krusty was on the roof of the church at the final scene though...maybe he was just there for the party?

As far as the story itself goes I think it progressed alright but doesn't really become that interesting ever. The best stuff is with Lovejoy and this probably is one of his most significant roles in an episode ever excluding his baboon fighting in the classic era. Flanders was nice here too and the line reading on "Reverend you'll be bunking with me!" was great. Homer does come close to being an ass here, but I think the lightning to the tongue is sufficient comeuppance and the ending with Colonel Sanders and his popcorn chicken was nice, and another part of the episode I remembered but had no actual idea was in this episode.

So yeah, I started this review by complaining about this one being forgettable, and I still think it is, but just looking over what I've written I guess I liked this one more than I thought. 3.5/5, a 4 on the poll

PS: I guess I like using the word particularly alot, huh?