Rate & Review: "Fat Man and Little Boy" (FABF21)

[Tomacco]

Also, are the "deleted scene" credits here to stay? It's nice to see, I just think it would be stupid to start something like that this late, I mean if every episode in GABF run (and up) will have them, it would be... weird. Starting a "tradition" this little is a pretty stupid idea...

I think starting traditions now is great. The show can use this kind of stuff to keep it fresh.

[California Prunes]

Wow. If there's going to be a season since 8 which will even get close to the classic era, I think this could be it, judging from the first 5 episodes of Season 16. This was a fantastic piece of comedy, nothing more. It wasn't an incredibly intelligent episode, just downright hilarious. Laughs came right from the start, with Lisa and Janey's Hello Operator game, coupled with Homer's wonderful reactions (On a side-note, Homer was fantastic tonight.) In modern times, the Simpsons often churn out their best episodes when the plot settles down quickly, not introduced midway through act 2 which is sometimes the case in the last few years. And this certainly did get going quickly with the plot of Bart's mid-life crisis being introduced within the first couple of minutes. This was used for the first act, while afterwards the plots jumped around alot. Having said this, it was not a bad thing as I feel this type of episode suited quite a fast style of pace. Goose Gladwell was wacky, but that was the whole point and his character was still under control most of the time. Also, as Mike Scully mentioned earlier, Joel.H.Cohen is one of thee only writers to use wacky plots and put them into sanitised viewing. (Just what Mirkin did so well.)

Anyway, the humour came thick and fast, jokes I like include:

Hello Operator at the beginning, also the spitball fight.

"You broke in" which showed Homer's dumbness in an unforced manner which was nice to see as in recent years Homer's dumbness had been too forced and mainly used for cheap laughs.

Korean Animation joke (as you all know part of the animation is done in Korea.)

The Sea Captains conversation with Bart.

Goose Gladwell (in general.)

All the T-Shirt slogans (Best part of the episode IMO.) My two favourite shirts being "Don't Wake Me I'm Working and "Wish you were beer."

Otto pulling Bart's tooth with the bus and wrecking Chalmer's car was good.

Most of the Expo seen was very well done, I thought Osama Bin Scratchy was hilarious.

Homer's whole building of the reactor. Reminded me of the robot building in I D'oh-Bot.

Burns and Smithers exchange was with no exaggeration one of their best in years.

Oh yeah, can't forget Nemo cough gag!

Wiggum continuing fine form from Season 15, especially his excitement from his T-Shirt slogan (cant remember it now, Princess for something?)

Also characterisations were top notch tonight. Gotta say Bart has improved dramatically in the first five episodes of the season, more like the old Bart we all know and love.

Homer was on form too, good one liners with none of his jokes really falling flat. Also he seemed more caring to his children, (standing up for Bart and helping Lisa with her project.)

Overall, a definite 5/5 no question, tied for best of the season with Sleeping With The Enemy.

Season 16 Grades So Far:

THOH 15- 4/5
All's Fair in Oven War 3.5/5
Sleeping With The Enemy 5/5
She Used To Be My Girl 4/5
Fat Man And Little Boy 5/5

2 5/5's in 5 weeks, not bad, not bad at all.

[HoyvinGlavin64]

There once was some silly review
By Glavin 66-minus-2
In Season 16
'Bout the episode seen
Last Sunday by me and you.

We started right into the plot
Where Bart's baby tooth went KAPLOT!!!
The plot started good,
Better than it should
For usually first act plots rot.

The second act came and went,
With funny gags (that's the intent).
From Christmas Day jobs
To Calvin and Hobbes
To cheap real estate and "Get Bent"!

The third act came to a close.
Homer's beard popped off of his nose.
The closure came fast,
But wasn't half-assed.
I watched the show, liked it, and dozed.

The episode for me
Absolutely, definately
Gets B+/A-
From the Hoyvin-y highness.
4.5/5 gave me glee!

[simpsonsbabe]

Right - they're just doing it "now". Forget about Krusty, McBain, Itchy, Scratchy, Quimby, Radioactive Man, the Myers family, Lucious Sweet, Tatum, etc. And the "Yesss Guy" is based not a 'fictional' character, but one character actor that used his own catch-phrase in many separate 'fictional' roles. (And I'm aware that some of the ones I listed are based not on "fictional" people - but they are[ based on the pop-culture caricatures of them, rather than the 'real' items.)

Every character you mentioned are PARODIES of well known celebrities and pop culture icons that all make statements about the people they are making fun of. Kennedy is a disgusting womanizer; Schwarzennegar is a vain, dull-witted foreign action star who takes himself too seriously; Hollywood people (like Krusty) are showbiz whores; Tyson is an effeminate talking moron, etc. But the Yesss Guy and the Willy Wonka character we saw last night are not parodies; they are the actual characters themselves in different form. And the Yesss Guy WAS a fictional character. Simply redefining him as Frank Nelson with a catch phrase is not accurate AT ALL. Nelson played MANY characters, but that character was the most famous one he played-- that of an irritating service person or desk clerk.

Did anyone other than Homer claim that it actually worked as an actual reactor, and not just a device that was leaking radioactivity from the loose plutonium?

In the poster's defense (the one who complained about Homer being too dumb to have built the device), the mini reactor had to have worked for a joke later on in the episode to be funny. Later on Homer threatens the gags guy with nuclear annihilation. What would have been the point of all those crazy buttons on the dial he was turning if they didn't actually work?

[Maddog53]

I'm writing this without having read any of the previous posts.

Sort of a weird episode, in my opinion, in that it was very wacky yet down to earth at the same time. I thought Bart's problem with growing older was handled very effectively. It was a quick transition, but not rushed. Using writing (or jokes) to express himself fit very well with his character.

Homer's reliance on Bart and then the reversal at the end were handled with aplomb and had the right amount of humor and sentimentality. Just a very well balanced episode. Funny and heartfelt throughout. Really enjoyed the new character that was bascially Willy Wonka-ish. Can't remember his name right now.

4/5...This season is looking to improve on Season 15's success.

Maddog.

[Magnum]

only caught the second half but what I saw was pure 4/5 hilarity

loved hearing Burns say "dental plan"

[illfungus]

3/5... it could never get a 5/5 because it's by far not a classic so I don't understand why people gave it 5/5 relative to other simpsons episodes. 4/5 was also pushing it.
It was an alright ep but seemed to blend in with other the other recent episodes: it's very easy to forget and just has exactly the same 'meh' kinda feeling when watching these new eps. Sorry about the bad explanation, but it's not something you can really explain.

[simplysimpsons]

Just when I thought season 16 was going down the tubes, Joel H. Cohen saves it with this brilliant episode. I totally agree with Butters' review. The episode was great, and I'm amazed Joel could write an ep as good as this. I was wrong in predicting it would be another flop (as all his other episodes have been imo) and it is extremely encouraging. I'm looking forward to his next episodes. And it's good to go out on a high considering we won't see new episodes for the next few weeks.

There were only a few things I didn't like about this episode. The first was Homer stealing the plutonium, tasting it, then the X Rays thing. I thought the Korean animation gag was a little too obvious, and Goose (or whatever his name was) was a little too overplayed and based on Willy wonka too much. The spitball fight was also a bit too OTT. But bleh, these were minor.

Before the episode aired, I couldn't believe that they could pull off the plot synopsis well, but they sure did. Unlike last week, there were a TON of hilarious moments in this episode! I loved the Get Bent thing with Flanders, Lisa and Homer, Bart trying to ride the kids car, the Krusty fun wear bit, the Burns moment (I decide when it's Christmas!), and the ending. Some really hilarious scenes for the first time this season.

Another thing I had to credit this episode for was everyone was perfectly in character for the first time this season. I thought Homer was slowly moving towards jerkass and ultra-stupid mode in the last few episodes, but he was back to normal here - the bumbling dad we love. Lisa and Bart were acting like they should have been too. Even Marge had some funny lines!

Finally, the plot was coherant this time and, although wandered around a bit, was explained well, flowed pretty nicely and didn't go off topic too much. That was a big bonus to this episode which helped it a lot.

Overall, a breath of fresh air to Season 16 and a good one to end before the long gap of no new episodes. As I've said, I'm still amazed how well they did this episode - no overly stupid gags, a decent plot and great characterisation. Nice VA and animation too. It definitely is the relief I was waiting for, and is now my favourite episode of season 16.

Grade: A-, 4.5/5.

On a side note, did anyone notice the "Squat 'n' squirt" poster at the store, from "Smart and Smarter"?

I also enjoyed Marge having trouble with something stuck in the drawer, as this has happened to me many times.

[Jeff]

Good plot, episode surpassed my expectations. There was some lame parts here and there (ie Homer /w Lisa) but still a good all around episode and the best of Season 16 so far. (4/5)

[Spooner]

What a great attitude to go in with!!



So, three "memorable" jokes is enough to earn a 4/5 from you?
I honestly just don't understand some of the knee-jerkers on this board.

Heh, RMIII isn't satisfied with someone else's opinion, I'm startled.



Now I can't rally blame you for not knowing me real well, but A) I have a bad memory and B) it's hard to get anything more than a 3/5 out of me.

You're blaming me for having a bad attitude after seeing nothing but mediocre episodes all year, then seeing a mediocre beginning to this episode? I'm not allowed to see this as a bit of a bad omen for the rest of the episode? And yet then I still had a good enough attitude to find the rest of the episode very good.

I can laugh hysterically through an episode of something and as soon as it's over I don't remember a single word they said. I don't know why, that's just how my short term memory is.

And yet despite this I came away knowing that I enjoyed this episode. We're ghoing to complain about satisfying the customer now? Sorry? Am I supposed to apologize?

[Icedragon]

I can laugh hysterically through an episode of something and as soon as it's over I don't remember a single word they said. I don't know why, that's just how my short term memory is.

Putting down the bong will help with that...

anyway, this episode had great humor, and a nice paced plot. I wasnt thrilled with Homer's line, "I have no indoor voice", or that it was the last joke of the act break, but other than that, a B+/A- ep.

[Spooner]

Putting down the bong will help with that...

anyway, this episode had great humor, and a nice paced plot. I wasnt thrilled with Homer's line, "I have no indoor voice", or that it was the last joke of the act break, but other than that, a B+/A- ep.

You know I don't smoke. =P

[Icedragon]

EDIT: please disregard this post. Thank you.

[Sloppy Jimbo XOX]

This episode went downhill after the couch gag. Nah, actually it was pretty good. I’m just a little disappointed after reading so many positive comments about it being hilarious. I’d say it was amusing, if not patchy. Some of the humor was a bit too drawn-out or predictable for my tastes and I hated Goose Gladwell. Most of it at least registered a smirk though. My favorite line was probably Flanders’ “Get bent? The only thing that can mean is kneel down and pray”. The plot was irrelevant but fun. Overall, a solid if somewhat underwhelming episode. Grade: B

On a side note, I’ve noticed that the writers are implementing a lot more observational humor of daily life into the show now (Bart giving the dog its medicine in last week’s episode, Marge struggling with the wedged drawer in this one, a lot of stuff in “All’s Fair in Oven War” and “Sleeping with the Enemy” that may not have happened). This is obviously a good thing and I hope that it continues.

[Bob Smith]

3/5

[Lady2Hotty]

I give this episode a 5/5 definately. Partly because I can't remember the last time I have actually laughed so much during an episode as I did this one. Had me in stitches. Refreshing from a 16th season episode, and I was pleasantly surprised. I have to mention the part that struck me as hilarious when I saw it...
Bart walks out into the street and says something about at least having his health and gets hit by the goofy car with the funny face on the front. Goose gets out, smacks the side and says "Oh, Bad Car! You apologize to the little boy right now!" or something like that. I really enjoyed this ep, and would watch it again.

[Sloppy Jimbo XOX]

Goose Gladwell sucked. He was like a less hairy Patch Adams.

EDIT: Now if you want real comedy I suggest clicking on my profile (don't worry, I took that elephantitis pic down). I have a Jar Jar comic series running through Christmas. I plan to update it every week. Jafar and Tibor sez 4/5. Read the bottom speech bubble first. Rave reviews go in this thread.

[Roger Myers III]

RMIII isn't satisfied with someone else's opinion, I'm startled.

Oh, please - it's actually quite refreshing to see you break down and compliment a show.

But if you don't see the humor in re-reading your post ("I was ready to be disappointed - but there were three memorable jokes - 4/5!!"), then, as far as I'm concerned, you're not smoking enough pot!

Every character you mentioned are PARODIES of well known celebrities and pop culture icons that all make statements about the people they are making fun of. Kennedy is a disgusting womanizer; Schwarzennegar is a vain, dull-witted foreign action star who takes himself too seriously; Hollywood people (like Krusty) are showbiz whores; Tyson is an effeminate talking moron, etc. But the Yesss Guy and the Willy Wonka character we saw last night are not parodies; they are the actual characters themselves in different form. And the Yesss Guy WAS a fictional character. Simply redefining him as Frank Nelson with a catch phrase is not accurate AT ALL. Nelson played MANY characters, but that character was the most famous one he played-- that of an irritating service person or desk clerk.

Nope.

I’m having the same problem with your second post that I did with your first post, because you are still mixing your definitions. Let’s walk through this slowly:

I was responding to your defining point in the first post, in which you classified those characters as evidencing “sign[s] of unoriginality”:

The writers keep doing this thing where they now include well known fictional characters from pop culture in their episodes (like the "Yeeeesssss" guy).

I thought that I knew where you were going with this – but, by including TYG, you muddied the waters. Because Frank Nelson was indeed a “real” person. He was famous for playing the same exact character in many sketch shows and series, with the exact same inflections and, yes, catch-phrase. Part of the joke about his appearances in those shows was that, despite his characters having different names in each appearance – he was the exact same character. The character was a “construct” appearing in many revues and different tv shows, not singly bound to any “one work of fiction” (therefore, not really a ‘fictional character), usually as an “irritating service person or desk clerk,” and he was only ever performed by Frank Nelson. No one else ever turned around to Lucy, revealing his face, and said “Yyesssss?” The joke was dependant upon the real person’s face being revealed. As opposed to, say, your example of Wonka – who is entirely fictional, and has (for the most part) the same recognizable “look”, regardless of whether it’s the original book’s illustrations, as played by Gene Wilder, or as played by Johnny Depp. The OFF version didn’t even exactly match any of these embodiments; his coat, tie, top-hat, and manner of speaking and playing “gags” are what conveyed his clear inspiration.

So, if you’re going to group those two types together, fine. But it actually doesn’t make a bit of difference: both types of characters have had a long history of making appearances in OFF, from its earliest days and throughout, in single-, recurring-, and even featured-roles in Springfield. I hope to cover all of your various “interpretations” of your terms:

Here are some characters that are, in the manner of Goose Gladwell (Willy Wonka), parodies of entirely fictional characters from “pop culture” works of fiction (or that at least began in that fashion – with more appearances, they obviously take on a life of their own): Bumblebee Man (Chesperito, of Mexican television comedy), Dr. Hibbert (Dr, Theo Huxtable), Frink (The Nutty Professor), Lyle Lanley (Harold Hill), Sharry Bobbins (Mary Poppins), Happy Little Elves (The Smurfs), Rex Banner (Elliot Ness, via “The Untouchables”), The Amendment (The ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ Bill), Krusty Burglar & Rib-it (The Hamburglar & Grimace), Hank Scorpio (various Bond villains), James Bont, (Bond), McGarnigle (Harry Callahan), KnightBoat & Michael (KITT & Michael), Dr. Colossus (Dr. Sivana), Sarah Sloan (Julia Roberts’ character in “Notting Hill”), Moe’s waitress Collette (Diane Chambers), Wally Weasel (Chuck E. Cheese), Vet Surgeon (Dr. Ben Casey), Gil (Lemmon’s “Glengarry” character), Suds McDuff (Spuds McKenzie), Chief (from “Cukoo’s Nest”), Malibu Stacey (Barbie), Ozmodiar (The Great Gazoo), Menthol Moose (Joe Camel), Hosey the Bear (Smokey).

And, despite how you frame your reply, you can add to that some of the ones that included in my first list: McBain began on the show as a parody of the interchangeable fictional characters that Arnold played – not Arnold himself. That came seasons later, as they developed Rainier Wolfcastle’s “real” life. Krusty began life as a parody of fictional regional television clowns, and not as a living embodiment of “showbiz whores”. Itchy & Scratchy were a parody of cartoon-mayhem cat & mouse teams, most notably Tom & Jerry. Radioactive Man is a parody of comic-book heroes at large. And so on, etc, - this is not an exhaustive list.

Now, on the other hand, suppose that you meant ‘parodies of pop-culture personas – either understood as ‘images’ that performing celebs put on in public or via their ‘acts’ (like, say, Frank Nelson), or as the stereotypes that pop culture came to reflect on celebs, regardless of the actual “truth” of these reflections (which was the purpose of my explanation in parenthesis). In these categories, the show has given us:

Moe (Red, of “The Red Tapes”), Rachel (Amy Grant), Brad Goodman (John Bly), Birch Barlow (Rush Limbaugh), Arthur Fortune (Richard Branson), Jerry Rude (Howard Stern), The Leader (L. Ron Hubbard), Randall Curtis (George Lucas), Emily Winthrop (Barbara Woodhouse), Smooth Jimmy Apollo (Jimmy the Greek), Hooray for Everything (Up With People), Captain Lance Murdock (Evel Kenieval), Gunter & Ernst (Sigfried & Roy), Larry Burns (Rodney’s act persona), and June Bellamy (June Foray).

You can add to that the remaining ones I first listed: Quimby (as much a parody of Teddy Kennedy as John F.), Tatum & Sweet (Tyson & King), and Myers (Disney).

Again, these aren’t exhaustive lists. You may have “not liked” Goose, or disagree that his presentation was a good choice - your opinion is entirely valid (just like Spooner's) – but what you can’t do is claim that his use is a “new thing” that “they keep doing” only recently.

In the poster's defense (the one who complained about Homer being too dumb to have built the device), the mini reactor had to have worked for a joke later on in the episode to be funny. Later on Homer threatens the gags guy with nuclear annihilation. What would have been the point of all those crazy buttons on the dial he was turning if they didn't actually work?

Keeping in mind that this show is a cartoon and need not be ‘realistic’ in any sense, you can’t make a reactor that small, there was no sign that the “dials” actually increased the “reaction” (after all, it was glowing from the get-go,) rather than, say, decreasing the shielding, or doing something else, or nothing at all. Indeed, how would Goose have known either way? He had a crazy guy holding a device that evidenced radiation leakage threatening him. It was immaterial “how” or even “if” it worked as a controlled-nuclear-energy-production device – and all we know about Homer indicates that he couldn’t have built such a device.

Welcome to the board!

[bmac]

EDIT: Now if you want real comedy I suggest clicking on my profile (don't worry, I took that elephantitis pic down). I have a Jar Jar comic series running through Christmas. I plan to update it every week. Jafar and Tibor sez 4/5. Read the bottom speech bubble first. Rave reviews go in this thread.

Jar Jar is out of character and the Micheal Jackson guest appearance seems like it's been done before. Worse than the first installment. C+.

[Colburn]

Better than last week (B+), although there were still some problems (seriously, isn't the show at a high-enough class not to use the terms "boy-boobs", or at least it once was). Another problem I found was that the subplot only last roughly 2 minutes, and Homer threatened to destroy somebody with a high-powered bomb.

Some more positive points were moments from the first act and most of the second act. (Al and Mike were right on "When Flanders Failed", when they said the "Miss Susie" joke didn't work, but they needed an opening.) The shots were great on the spitballs aiming towards Lisa, and Barts attempt to lose his tooth was pretty funny to me. I loved (not kidding) the insurance joke, because there's a commercial every 2 minutes on every channel. As for the second act, there were many great freeze-frame jokes (I'm pretty sure everyone found them, but "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Scooby Doo, and Jews for Jesus" were the too that were easiest to read at the stand). Homer living off of Bart seemed a tad bit too unrealistic, but there were some funny jokes out of the "pathetism" (The Nature Documentary).

Overall, it seemed like it was going to exceed my hopes at the first act, but ended up meeting them...

[prince jafar allah]

(seriously, isn't the show at a high-enough class not to use the terms "boy-boobs", or at least it once was).

are you parodying someone or are you genuinely this stupid?

[Sloppy Jimbo XOX]

Jar Jar is out of character and the Micheal Jackson guest appearance seems like it's been done before. Worse than the first installment. C+.

Haha, well in my defense, Jar Jar doesn't actually have any lines, so I don't see how he's out of character. As for the Michael Jackson thing, well I agree that jokes about him have been done to death. I just thought it would be amusing to add insult to injury by having someone twice as unqualified question Jar Jar's integrity (it's character humor, dumb dumb). In that context, Michael Jackson seemed like a perfect fit. Also, I said to post “rave reviews”. A C+ is hardly rave. Ah well... back to testicle jokes for part three, I guess.

[prince jafar allah]

also, michael jackson is totally off-model. he's all deformed and shit

jar jar, michael jackson... what are you going to joke about next? OJ? (if i just ruined the surprise for the next instalment i'm sorry)

[Sloppy Jimbo XOX]

michael jackson is totally off-model. he's all deformed and shit

Also, "disgrace" is spelled wrong. How ironic.

what are you going to joke about next? OJ? (if i just ruined the surprise for the next instalment i'm sorry)

Next week's installment will be delayed for undisclosed reasons.

[bmac]

Haha, well in my defense, Jar Jar doesn't actually have any lines, so I don't see how he's out of character.

exactly my point. he usually never shuts his damn mouth. checkMATE!

[Drunk Barney]

Just d/l it

What a great episode

The first act starts off a little slow. But after that it really moves niceley. Some very funny jokes and none of them felt flat. Homer was in excellent form and reminded me of the classic years. More laugh with rather than at.

Overall

First act: 3.5/5
Second act: 4.5/5
Third act: 5/5

Overall: averagen at about 4.5/5 (on par with Sleeping With the Enemy)

[Sloppy Jimbo XOX]

n/m

[Shuter]

Just quietly, did anyone realise that Homer has lost his job with no apparent way that he's got it back?

What happens next week?

[Postmaster]

Yes people have already mentioned that and the fact that he's lot his job and not got it back on previous occasions. There's no longer any point in maintaining the job continuity.

[Roger Myers III]

Homer was suspended without pay. Suspensions aren’t permanent.

(BTW, sorry, everyone, for the looong posts recently – I’m getting it all out of my system before the holiday break.)

-loved Nelson’s pimpin outfit.
-looks like one of your shoe-lights is out!
-CBG’s bored recital of ‘fat jokes’.
-“Bart will not say ‘Cowabunga!”” at the signing.
- the goofy lawyers.
“I knew that I was an adult when they said I’d be tried as one.”
Really enjoyed Sargeant Activity and the insurance intrusions – sounded like Wiedergott was trying to channel Charles Napier’s voice.
Great use of Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind” – and, especially, the Pink Panther theme as Homer sneaks into the SNPP.
This was a background-text-heavy ep. Can I have some help rounding up these examples?

- novelty products: Poisoned Ice, exploding earplugs, mood lollipops… what else was there?

T-shirt round-up:
Adults suck, then you are one
Pobody’s Sherfect, Nithead!
Jews for Jebus
Proud Nubian Princess
I (heart) (heart) Attacks
Don’t Wake me, I’m Working
I've puked more beer than you've drunk
Adults Suck, Then You Are One
Life Ends at Ten
Bored in the USA
This Shirt Sucks
Everything Sucks
Sucking Sucks
Wake Me When It's Recess
Impeach Everybody
Think Globally, Fart Locally
Weapon of Ass Destruction
My Other T-shirt is Also a Joke T-shirt
Get Bent
Do Not Resuscitate
Body by Oreo
Don't Blame Me - I Voted for Scooby-Doo
If You Can Read This, the Backpack Fell Off
Stop Staring at My Man-Boobs
I'm Not Getting Older, I'm Getting Bitter
Wish You Were Beer
America's Least Wanted
Top of the Dude Chain
Stop World Hunger, Eat My Shorts!
Rich Bitch
I'm Not Fat, I'm Enormous

Any others?