Rate & Review: "The Wandering Juvie" (FABF11)

[ECioffoletti]

Originally posted by Max Power
Four out of five. Nice try, Gellar, but just not good enough.

I didn't find her that funny either. She's a good actress and that came through but she just didn't make me laugh. I've seen her host SNL before and she didn't make me laugh then.

[Magnum]

I don't see how Gellar's acting has anything to do with it.

[doyle]

Most things have been said already, so I won't bother going in depth with a review. The episode was a bit too simple in its approach, when it could have been a more in depth character study. There were many nice touches throughout, and humor was consistent, even though not hilarious at any point. Gina's character was easily the best love interest character in some time, but the whole layered character concept is so overdone nowadays, and wasn't helped by Bart's constant mentions of her family. That said, her introduction was pretty good, and so was the whole juvie aspect of the episode. Direction was astounding again, best Macmullen has done this year. The episode gets a B from me.

Treehouse Of Horror XIV: B-
My Mother The Carjacker: B+
The President Wore Pearls: A-
The Regina Monologues: C-
The Fat and the Furriest: C-
Today, I am a Klown: B+
'Tis The Fifteenth Season: A-
Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens and Gays: B-
I, D'oh-bot: B-
Diatribe of a Housewife: B+
Margical History Tour: C
Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore: B+
Smart and Smarter: C
The Ziff Who Came to Dinner: C+
Co-Dependent's Day: B
The Wandering Juvie: B

[Tibor]

Bumping this to an easy B on second viewing. Not much to say, other than everything I liked the first time I liked a bit more and everything I disliked bothered me a bit less. I don't know why "Take it from a blacksmith" is funny... but it's hilarious.

[Roger Myers III]

Dug it. Nothing earth-shattering, but it was a sweet and tight little dramatic adventure, with nice character development and a very-well-acted turn from a guest-star as Gina Vendetti, (and I'm no Buffy fan), and Napier knocks another appearance out of the park. (Wish I could say the same for Jane, who always sounds like she's 'reading' her lines for the very first time...)

Notes:

- Naegle's dermoscope on Marge - There's everyone's "Powers of Ten" satire (yes, I'm aware that it didn't zoom in literally at every 10x). That the skin-mite looked like an 'alien' was a different joke, making the same point.

-A strictly "property crime" would earn Bart a short stint in Juvinile detention, so it made perfect sense.

-Quimby & his neice - "I'm an abomination!"

- Anyone recognize what Shakespeare Mel quoted/referred to?

-Who was Ruth's date to the fake wedding?

- harmonica 'lessons-by-mail'

- Homer's rationalizations, finger-pointing, and Bart's obliviousness all presented well.

-The juvie-edition editing - still a great joke, and, btw, you can still some cat-decapitations and mayhem if you freeze-frame.

- That was not Kearney's son. His son is shorter than Bart and has a different voice.

- Loved the "Cool Hand Luke" music cues, and other harmonica-prison atmosperic music stings.

- "Great eye" to the poster above that caught the S1 background characters in the Juvie-Visiting-day scene (the Trucker, the long-haired bum, and the Happy Sailor Tatooist, all with wives.)

- the "people who beat you up/ not true friends" is a different line than before, folks. Why is it so unsurprising that Spooner cites this as "OFF... ripping off itself"?!?, in a race to search for a 'rip-off'....

[And, btw, Spooner, you maight want to rethink posting/linking your 'article' "Thanks, Communist Jews!" in your posts and avatars. Not only is the linked silly little rant an advertisement of your ignorance in other subjects, but its also an illustration of your refusal to learn futher or engage in any mature discussions of issues once you've made an absurd and irrelevant 'discovery'. Its also offensive - not that that should bug you.]

- The 'his Dad's a screw!' kid, in '30s "Bowery Boy" outfit w/ 'crown-cap', using '30s slang.

- Using Chicago's "Colour my World" at the dance, just before they break out into a dramatically-colored world on the run.

-"Talk to the Union."

-Fantastic uses of Snake (and commentators hawking their books as paid 'experts' on the news couldn't be more timely) and Cletus (playing the cliched 'mystical hick' of so many horror films (a la "the Gift").

- "birthday cake for that jackass, Arnie Pie..." I'm a big fan of the Brockman/Pie hostility.

- "Moon-Hilda" - pretty lame after last week's Gloom-Hilda.

- Liked Gina saying "get bent" to Bart, for a change. It means a different thing in a 'prison' context, don't it?

- Loved the Simpsonized Laurel & Hardy (in their prison togs from 1930's "Pardon Us",) (and other pairs) in line at the Blacksmih's. And the dramatic blacksmith scene, a tip to the Belgian '73 animated short "Pegasus" of Raoul Servais.

- "Family Guy" was a fine lashing. The first reference Larson notes was blatant (a tv showing the actual logo); the second (Peter is a bad clob=ne of Homer, purely visual. Dropping a reference to the title as an insult - smooth enough that even FG 'fans' didn't quite catch on, was plenty swift, not overuse at all. "Threatened" feelings imparted to OFF writers are soley inferred by the viewer's baggage. Besides, there aren't many bad, recently canceled network prime-time cartoons that can be referenced at all (if any), that younger viewers would even remember were on in the first place. [Do you think the writers feel that "Family Matters" 'takes something away' from them, or that they're 'threatened' by Urkel? He gets busted on 'slightly' more, after all...]


-Teardrop tattoos - a nice prison - and "Oz" - reference.

- The end 'twist': Could've been handled a little defter than one reference to 'her parents' while on the lam, but it is a 22-minute show. Didn't subvert the story in the least, just as the same, but even more ham-fistedly-executed 'twist' didn't undermine the classic "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" either.

- And the ending, Napier "I've got an evening planned!" comments - excellent. The flip side of the Gary Coleman 'hesitation moment' in "Grift of the Magi" - and plain old funny.

Another observation is that this one was loaded up to the gills with the double-entendred "smutty, dirty" humor that so many folks here love to flap their gums about: "last gas for ass", Homer in the stall, Fartzilla, boring puberty, "up my butt?", "you want to do the Bartman?!?"(genius!), "I have to wizzle", "can't go to the bathroom without someone watching", and more I've forgotten. But then, this was, in essence, a 'prison film'. Perhaps context is everything.

[The Foot]

I liked how the episode started off with some funny moments about the wedding registry and Bart's prank. There was only a few other funny parts throughout the rest of the episode with Cletus's wood carvings being the best. Gina's character should have been developed more. She was too much like a female copy cat version of Nelson. She was always doing things for no reason like punching Bart, kissing him once but not actually liking him, and confessing to the crime without naming Bart, after she said she would have Bart take the fall. Also we never found out what happened to her family. I liked the ending with the Taco dinner in jail which was creative. Overall, not a bad episode but it wasn't consistent and could have been better. B-

[Tibor]

- Anyone recognize what Shakespeare Mel quoted/referred to?

I couldn't understand the whole quote (?)

Another observation is that this one was loaded up to the gills with the double-entendred "smutty, dirty" humor that so many folks here love to flap their gums about : "last gas for ass", Homer in the stall, Fartzilla, boring puberty, "up my butt?", "you want to do the Bartman?!?"(genius!), "I have to wizzle", "can't go to the bathroom without someone watching", and more I've forgotten. But then, this was, in essence, a 'prison film'. Perhaps context is everything.

Also, when you use it with kids it's very much a "have your cake and eat it too" deal.

The acting, the lighting- damn, I wish everyone put so much creativity and effort into their work.

I loved Marge's concern for the children of the "beauty-eating" monster.

[doyle]

Fans often say that people come to appreciate episodes more after a certain number of years pass. For example, some Season 4 episodes received poor reviews when they first aired, and are now considered among the best ever. I feel that this episode could be one of the ones which becomes a classic with time, unlike some others this season. Even with the character issues, I have not seen an episode stay focused on its plot as well as this one in a long time.

[Spooner]

Originally posted by Roger Myers III


[And, btw, Spooner, you maight want to rethink posting/linking your 'article' "Thanks, Communist Jews!" in your posts and avatars. Not only is the linked silly little rant an advertisement of your ignorance in other subjects, but its also an illustration of your refusal to learn futher or engage in any mature discussions of issues once you've made an absurd and irrelevant 'discovery'. Its also offensive - not that that should bug you.]

Where'd I put my eye-rolling emoticon?

[Roger Myers III]

Did you leave it in the principal's office? Or by Mommy or Daddy's computer?

[Spooner]

I think I left it with your sense of sarcasm.

[That Jerk]

I said 5/5 before, but nothing else. It really was a perfect episode, all the characters were in top form, and the episode constantly avoided cliches like:
The guest star: Geller voices someone not herself, didn't even reference herself, and was memorable yet disposable by the end of the episode. Perfect guest character.
Bart: Mischeovous, without croissing into Homer territory (doing something abominable). And i for one loved the idea of him bieng a wuss in prison. It was a great way to bring back the "Daddy, need upsies" gag in "dude, Wheres My ranch" (the only good gag in the ep). And he gets beat up in school, so it's only natural.
love story: The story again and again dangled over the edge of forced crushh story, only to jerk you back into the real sisuation with a gag. Same thing goes for the ending. Teetered on sappy ending with the mexican dinner, but brought back into reality with Lisa and Homer jokes. And i thought the closing line was funny too. Thats just great traditional Simpsons humor.
Kent, Snake, and Cletus all had hilarious roles, without becoming a parody of themselves. I am also a big fan of the Kent/Arnie Pie war.

There were so many memorable gags, i thought Homer in the dressing room was classic. The prison break had me roaring with the old guy and the stick. Homer as the prison gaurd in retrospect were 3 minues that didn't advance the plot whatsoever, but every gag wa son the spot. Bart in the prison yard: The "slide" gag is by far the funniest thing i have seen this season. I can't say enough great things about the episode. Every second of it worked. A close second for 15's best (Tis The Fifteenth Season bieng #1).

(sorry for the typos, i hastly wrote this up to kill time between classes, i'll spell check tonight...)

[whisman]

Meh, episode wasnt too great. It was alright though. C+

[Icedragon]

- "Family Guy" was a fine lashing. The first reference Larson notes was blatant (a tv showing the actual logo); the second (Peter is a bad clone of Homer, purely visual. Dropping a reference to the title as an insult - smooth enough that even FG 'fans' didn't quite catch on, was plenty swift, not overuse at all. "Threatened" feelings imparted to OFF writers are soley inferred by the viewer's baggage. Besides, there aren't many bad, recently canceled network prime-time cartoons that can be referenced at all (if any), that younger viewers would even remember were on in the first place. [Do you think the writers feel that "Family Matters" 'takes something away' from them, or that they're 'threatened' by Urkel? He gets busted on 'slightly' more, after all...]

This coming from a guy who said to find FG DVDs in the landfill? I would never have guessed. That was out of the Blue, Al Jean.

I did notice, as not all FG fans are slow. I felt it was not enough of a jab to really care.

Its a fact you hate the show(I am also 100% sure you are Al Jean), you've stated in the commentaries you dont like FG because it 'stole' from the Simpsons. But, then explain FG's return. If it is so fucking bad, why would any sane person buy the DVDs? Why would there be so many good reviews, as there were a lot of bad ones when it aired? Maybe its because when and if you give FG a chance, its a good show in its own rights.

I now digress and say I will bump this ep up to 4/5. Geller did her best, the writers I still feel messed up. They sent mixed signals about her relationship with Bart, nad never really resolved it.

[Dennis]

I thought this episode was pretty unmemorable. 2.5/5.

[Charmy]

Originally posted by Icedragon
Its a fact you hate the show(I am also 100% sure you are Al Jean), you've stated in the commentaries you dont like FG because it 'stole' from the Simpsons. But, then explain FG's return. If it is so fucking bad, why would any sane person buy the DVDs? Why would there be so many good reviews, as there were a lot of bad ones when it aired? Maybe its because when and if you give FG a chance, its a good show in its own rights.

Uh-oh, you found out his secret identity. Care to tell us what evidence allowed you to conclusively prove that Roger Myers III is indeed Al Jean?

To be honest, I'm surprised Rog puts up with all this speculation and accusations as to his true identity. We can't even conclusively prove he works on the show. And I really like that everyone assumes he's Al because Al is in charge at the moment- I have a feeling that if, say, Mirkin was Executive Producer at the moment everyone would be accusing him of being Mirkin.

So, as I asked before, just how do you know he's Al Jean and not any other staff member, or possibly just a huge fan?

[Malachy]

Meh, it was okay. It's like they spent a long time trying to think of a good plot idea but then slacked off in developing it.

[Larson Something]

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
- "Family Guy" was a fine lashing. The first reference Larson notes was blatant (a tv showing the actual logo); the second (Peter is a bad clob=ne of Homer, purely visual. Dropping a reference to the title as an insult - smooth enough that even FG 'fans' didn't quite catch on, was plenty swift, not overuse at all. "Threatened" feelings imparted to OFF writers are soley inferred by the viewer's baggage. Besides, there aren't many bad, recently canceled network prime-time cartoons that can be referenced at all (if any), that younger viewers would even remember were on in the first place. [Do you think the writers feel that "Family Matters" 'takes something away' from them, or that they're 'threatened' by Urkel? He gets busted on 'slightly' more, after all...][/B]

The Urkel comparison is ludicrous. Urkel is a pop culture reference, a la Mr. T. The Family Guy references have gone beyond that.

The first one referred to it as "cheap, lowbrow Fox programming." The second, as you said, painted Peter as a Homer ripoff. Last night's may have been more subtle and not framed as an overt jab at the show, yet it carries the baggage of the first two, and just happens to coincide with the recent announcement of FG's revival (a probable coincidence, admittedly.)

And I said I liked the reference. I just feel it should be the last one. Nothing more needs to be said about Family Guy on The Simpsons, as far as I'm concerned.

[Icedragon]

Originally posted by Charmy
Uh-oh, you found out his secret identity. Care to tell us what evidence allowed you to conclusively prove that Roger Myers III is indeed Al Jean?

To be honest, I'm surprised Rog puts up with all this speculation and accusations as to his true identity. We can't even conclusively prove he works on the show. And I really like that everyone assumes he's Al because Al is in charge at the moment- I have a feeling that if, say, Mirkin was Executive Producer at the moment everyone would be accusing him of being Mirkin.

So, as I asked before, just how do you know he's Al Jean and not any other staff member, or possibly just a huge fan?

Well, fine. I dont know for sure, but in my mind I've narrowed it down.

1) His knowledge of the Simpsons. Very Extensive. I doubt a writer or insider on the show would not have entensive knowledge of the show.

2)The title thread. Some of these titles are references to very obscure things, and I dont think they are in the guide to OFF.

3) Total disdain for FG. This is the thing that really narrows it down. Its a fact Al hates FG. We all know it. I dont recall any other writer/insider having that much hate for the show. Groening does not seem to have any beef with it, as I read this Article from 2000. This Article even says Groening is a fan of the show. Mike Scully might be the only other person who I know does not like the Simpsons, but I dont think its him (if it is, I can see why he would'nt want his identity known).

Thats all I got. I know its weak, but oh well. My gut feeling says he's Al, and my gut feeling is usually right.

[Pie Pants]

This weeks episode was great imo. It was way better then last weeks episode. This episode was pretty funny and it was a great idea to send bart to juvie imo. I give it a 4.5/5

[Moose of Doom!]

Originally posted by Icedragon
Insert delusional rant here

Now that's what I call paranoia!

[eddie]

Originally posted by Cole
Possibly ... but the show did not have enough time for a plausible explanation of why they would all be in juvie at the same time. Plus, that adds some slight familiarity for Bart and the idea was that he was thrown into a situation where he was alone and frightened. Having fellow classmates, although they were bullies, would give him someone to relate to and take away from the feeling of alienation which I believe was a key element in helping the viewer sympathize with Bart.

hmmm, I guess. but as for the plausible explanation part: if the bullies did show up, I certainly wouldn't expect a plausible explanation as to why they're there. we know they're bad kids. that'd be enough for me, I guess.

though speaking of which, was it just me, or did one of the kids with Bart sound like Jimbo, anyway?

[Rob G]

Originally posted by The Foot
She was always doing things for no reason like punching Bart, kissing him once but not actually liking him, and confessing to the crime without naming Bart, after she said she would have Bart take the fall.

I think she really liked Bart from the get go but was embarassed or unsure in expressing it or any type of emotion other than anger, which is why both kissing scenes ended up with Bart getting punched (the old "girl who likes you the most beats on you the most" coupled with her insecure emotions).

If she didn't like Bart, she would have let him take the fall. I don't think it was as love/hate as the fronts both put on.

[Cole]

Originally posted by Icedragon
Its a fact you hate the show(I am also 100% sure you are Al Jean), you've stated in the commentaries you dont like FG because it 'stole' from the Simpsons. But, then explain FG's return. If it is so fucking bad, why would any sane person buy the DVDs? Why would there be so many good reviews, as there were a lot of bad ones when it aired? Maybe its because when and if you give FG a chance, its a good show in its own rights.

Let's not make this another fight about Family Guy. That's what I & S Studios is for. Also, the fact that you believe (100%, I might add) that RMIII is Al Jean is by far the most ridiculous and hilarious thing I have ever read here. Bravo.

[Tibor]

Originally posted by Icedragon
3) Total disdain for FG. This is the thing that really narrows it down. Its a fact Al hates FG. We all know it.

I just hope my incessant posting of "screw groening" hasn't outed me as Sam Simon.

[DotheBartman]

Originally posted by Icedragon

3) Total disdain for FG. This is the thing that really narrows it down. Its a fact Al hates FG. We all know it. I dont recall any other writer/insider having that much hate for the show. Groening does not seem to have any beef with it, as I read this Article from 2000. This Article even says Groening is a fan of the show. Mike Scully might be the only other person who I know does not like the Simpsons, but I dont think its him (if it is, I can see why he would'nt want his identity known).

I believe Frink and Payne hated it too, actually (I could be thinking of a different writing duo though), which certainly fits with this episode.

But seriously, figure it out. RMIII has himself occasionally made some negative comments about the episodes in these threads, and although Jean does have extensive knowledge you may notice that even he (as well as the other commentators on the dvds) have trouble remembering certain references and even things like the difference between Itchy and Scratchy. They have an "extensive" knowledge sure, but they don't memorize things in the way RMIII does, and I certainly don't think they'd have the time or the interest to go on a message board explaining every joke they wrote.

[Andy]

You know, I've always heard that 'AL JEAN HAETS TEH FAMILY GUY!!!4' but I've never seen or remembered actual proof of this. Does anyone have any or have any way for me to find some?

kthxpef

[Icedragon]

Cole wrote:
Let's not make this another fight about Family Guy. That's what I & S Studios is for.

I did not mean for this to turn into a FG vs. OFF debate and/or fight (though it seems my rants point in that direction). My Bad. I didn’t stop to check the tone of my posts. I’ll need to remember to do that next time.

Cole wrote:
You believe (100%, I might add)

All right, I exaggerate. It’s only about 75%. I’m only human. But I stand by my belief.

Tibor wrote:
I just hope my incessant posting of "screw Groening" hasn't outed me as Sam Simon.

Dammit, now I don’t have a follow up rant

DoTheBartMan wrote:
I believe Frink and Payne hated it too, actually (I could be thinking of a different writing duo though), which certainly fits with this episode.

But seriously, figure it out. RMIII has himself occasionally made some negative comments about the episodes in these threads, and although Jean does have extensive knowledge you may notice that even he (as well as the other commentators on the DVDs) have trouble remembering certain references and even things like the difference between Itchy and Scratchy. They have an "extensive" knowledge sure, but they don't memorize things in the way RMIII does, and I certainly don't think they'd have the time or the interest to go on a message board explaining every joke they wrote.

While looking up a few facts(in an effort to try to make my last post at least factually correct with evidence, which as you can see, I fucked even that up), I could not find any evidence of the other writer’s dislike of FG. I am sure that a number of them are not fans, but without evidence, I don’t know who and I can’t back anything up.

I understand that it is very far-fetched, me thinking that RMIII is Jean, but I don’t think it’s far-fetched for a writer to be one among us. This forum gives constructive criticism and reviews of each ep. If I was show-runner, I’d browse thru here every once in a while. Whether I’d take the criticism to heart is a different story and that depends on the person.

And DoTheBartMan, I am trying to figure it out. RMIII being an insider is the only rationale I can think of as to how he knows all this information, and has it seemingly at the tip of his fingers. Someone working on the show I’m positive has full access to archived tapes of all the episodes. I doubt a lot of hardcore here have all the eps on tape, I know I don’t. That would create about 20 tapes, and can get very disorganized. I don’t know how he does it, and if you have a better explanation, please tell.

Cole wrote:
Also, the fact that you believe (100%, I might add) that RMIII is Al Jean is by far the most ridiculous and hilarious thing I have ever read here. Bravo.

Well I aim to please

[DotheBartman]

Originally posted by Icedragon

I understand that it is very far-fetched, me thinking that RMIII is Jean, but I don’t think it’s far-fetched for a writer to be one among us. This forum gives constructive criticism and reviews of each ep. If I was show-runner, I’d browse thru here every once in a while. Whether I’d take the criticism to heart is a different story and that depends on the person.

And DoTheBartMan, I am trying to figure it out. RMIII being an insider is the only rationale I can think of as to how he knows all this information, and has it seemingly at the tip of his fingers. Someone working on the show I’m positive has full access to archived tapes of all the episodes. I doubt a lot of hardcore here have all the eps on tape, I know I don’t. That would create about 20 tapes, and can get very disorganized. I don’t know how he does it, and if you have a better explanation, please tell.

First off don't insert your own writing into a quote of one of my posts thanks.

The Frink and Payne thing (again it could have been another writing duo, I just remember it being one of the duos) is just an article I read somewhere, I'm sorry I don't happen to have a link on hand (although I'm sure one could be found if you wanted to). All I remember is that they were asked if they felt threatened by Family Guy and then said something along the lines of "You mean the CANCELLED Family Guy? I think that show just proves that ripping off The Simpsons is harder then it looks".

As for the RMIII discussion, he does indeed know quite a bit about the show, but that doesn't mean he works on it. Its certainly completely feasable that people from the show have read this board, as they used the check ATS back in its heyday. In fact we've had a couple former animators posting here in the past, including Jen Kamerman and Sarge Morton. I believe Bill Morrison of Bongo Comics posted for a while too.

But a writer/producer of the show is not going to spend time posting on a fan board unless its an official board with proof of who they are (and given that the Simpsons producers try to shelter information about upcoming episodes to at least some degree even that would be doubtful). I aint saying anything about RMs' position, but I can tell you right now that he isn't a writer or producer on the show.

[Spooner]

I think a producer would want to be anonymous, as so that reviewers wouldn't give false reviews and kiss his ass.

Not saying RMIII is Jean, but I ran a cartoon, I'd sure as hell check out forums and see what people thought of my show.

And I'd send naked pictures of the characters to fans at random.

But that's else...