Season 17 Information

**Zilla** · 03-12-2006, 10:44 AM

Million Dollar Abie sounds terrible...

**Imperciph** · 03-12-2006, 11:22 AM

I do not want to overreact on the quality of Million Dollar Abie based on its description as episodes with convoluted descriptions have often pleasantly surprised me (The HeartBroke Kid, Fat Man And Little Boy). What saddens me is the fact that the episode's plot sounds extremely complex : Grampa ruining Homer's plan, Grampa being tormented by phone calls, Grampa deciding to commit suicide, Grampa failing and then becoming a matador to fully appreciate life. Having so many things happen in one episode often results in underdevelopment of all story elements with major plot twists being introduced rather late in the episode. This makes the story unengaging and the plot disjointed . (prime example of this : See Homer Run and Italian Bob). The best episodes for me in this season have been the ones which have a simple yet focussed story (Girl Who Slept Too Little, My Fair Laddy) which kept their story simple and allowed the plot to develop well.

**Rhodan** · 03-12-2006, 12:14 PM

If "Abe" turn to be good, I´ll eat my shorts but maybe almost impossible ´ll happen- still, plots are nothing too great these days. Have you allready heard about that "Homer is accused for terorism and army recruits at Elementary school" episode in s18?

**alt.nerd.obsessive** · 03-12-2006, 04:01 PM

I like the new promo card for "Mommies" but there isn't much to go on. Personally I think the B stories from Season 17 have been really strong and have often made the episode worth watching and add to the story rather than detract.

A prime example is the arm-wrestling competitions from "Marge's Son Poisoning" and the drugs B story in "We're on the Road to D'ohwhere"

Certainly in the Scully era, stories were often one-dimensional making the main plot look weaker than it may have actually been.

I still reserve judgment in regards to "Million Dollar Abie" as we may all be pleasantly surprised. The thing that's keeping me going is Gervais' appearance - even if the ep falls on it's face, I'll still treasure seeing an animated version of my favourite comedian.

**Postmaster** · 03-13-2006, 04:18 AM

Originally Posted by Tomacco

Hahah, you're all a bunch of jokers. Haven't any of you learned never to judge an episode before seeing it. "HOMR" should have been when this lesson should have been learned.

I didn't hear the premise for HOMR long before it aired, I just saw it and it's an episode that really divides people so I'm not even sure what point your making.
But a lot of episodes sound terrible and are terrible, Bonfire of the manatees being an example, from the premise it sounded terrible and got huge negative reactions and it stayed that way after people saw the episode.
A couple of episodes this season have sounded like they could be good but from the description sound too disjointed, and so it proved with Millhouse of sand & fog and homer's paternity coot. So just because some episodes suprise you doesn't mean there's anything wrong with speculating like this.
Although I'll agree some reactions are a little OTT.

**coltonwiggum** · 03-13-2006, 06:22 AM

Bart Has 2 Mommies and Millino dollar abie look terrible. Dammit to hell!

**Jayrayman** · 03-13-2006, 10:20 AM

Million Dollar Abie didnt sound too bad, until the episode description said that Abe is going to become a matador. It sounds like they are trying to cram too much into the episode and it never seems to work.

**alt.nerd.obsessive** · 03-13-2006, 02:14 PM

As Homer_Thompson said, some reactions, both post and pre episodes are a little ridiculous. But then again, this is a forum where we are expected to engage in lengthy discussion about the new episodes.

However, I like to reserve too harsh a judgment until I've actually seen the show - a few Season 17 episodes have actually surprised me with their good quality and after seeing "My Fair Laddy" and "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" these are just two examples of episodes where great things were expected and were mostly delivered.

**TerrorK** · 03-13-2006, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Tomacco

Hahah, you're all a bunch of jokers. Haven't any of you learned never to judge an episode before seeing it. "HOMR" should have been when this lesson should have been learned.

How? HOMR sounded like a God-awful episode when the premise was first announced, and it turned out to be a God awful episode when it aired. The same goes for Bye Bye Nerdie with the whole nerd-sweat thing. While I agree that episodes in general shouldn't be judged too harshly, some episodes are clearly just horrible from first description (Homer getting a crayon in his brain, Marge getting implants, nerd sweat, Abe being a matador, etc) and no matter how the writers try to help the episode, it just won't work, because the initial idea itself is just too horrible from the get-go. I mean, if an episode synopsis was "Marge becomes a prostitute" or "Bart loses his virginity" how can one seriously NOT know that the episode will be horrid? Extreme examples, I know... but still.

**Binky** · 03-14-2006, 02:10 AM

So HABF20 is going to be titled "Please Homer, Don't Hammer 'Em", and written by Matt Warburton. Looks like two episodes in a row written by him.

**Dances In Underwear** · 03-14-2006, 02:28 AM

oooookay. What the hell is that title based on?

**Binky** · 03-14-2006, 02:38 AM

Probably this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=glance&n=5174

**Simpsons Forever!** · 03-14-2006, 08:13 AM

HABF10 Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore airs on 9th April - that'll be 5 episodes in a row! From Zap2it.

I like the title of HABF20!

**Postmaster** · 03-14-2006, 08:16 AM

Let's just hope MC Hammer doesn't guest star.

**DotheBartman** · 03-14-2006, 08:24 AM

^C'mon, Hammer needs to eat too.

Seriously, he hasn't eaten in days.

**Drunk Barney** · 03-14-2006, 09:17 AM

Thanks Simpsons Forever! That's great news

It's looks less and less likley that these double episodes won't occur, which is a good thing IMO, as I prefer them to be spread out.

Oh, and thanks Binky

To be honest, I'm not to keen on the title name to be honest. Oh well

**garret** · 03-14-2006, 10:22 AM

Wow, I can't remember the last time theres been 5 episodes in a row. Good

**Tomacco** · 03-14-2006, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by TerrorK

How? HOMR sounded like a God-awful episode when the premise was first announced, and it turned out to be a God awful episode when it aired. The same goes for Bye Bye Nerdie with the whole nerd-sweat thing. While I agree that episodes in general shouldn't be judged too harshly, some episodes are clearly just horrible from first description (Homer getting a crayon in his brain, Marge getting implants, nerd sweat, Abe being a matador, etc) and no matter how the writers try to help the episode, it just won't work, because the initial idea itself is just too horrible from the get-go. I mean, if an episode synopsis was "Marge becomes a prostitute" or "Bart loses his virginity" how can one seriously NOT know that the episode will be horrid? Extreme examples, I know... but still.

Haha, we'll have to agree to disagree because I think "HOMR" is the 2nd best episode of season 12, and "Large Marge" is in the top 5 of season 14.

**Snack Related Mishap** · 03-14-2006, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Tomacco

Haha, we'll have to agree to disagree because I think "HOMR" is the 2nd best episode of season 12, and "Large Marge" is in the top 5 of season 14.

Holy unexpectedly high rating, Batman!

Galalimit · 03-14-2006, 02:45 PM

Just because Tomacco put Large Marge in his top 5 for season 14, doesn't mean he's saying it's good.

**Tomacco** · 03-14-2006, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Galalimit

Just because Tomacco put Large Marge in his top 5 for season 14, doesn't mean he's saying it's good.

I think it's a very good episode. I've never heard a single just or understandable piece of criticism towards it either, other than "boob jokes don't belong in The Simpsons" which most people seem to come back to. I thought this episode had some of the absolute best gags and lines of the season.

**Snack Related Mishap** · 03-14-2006, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Tomacco

I think it's a very good episode. I've never heard a single just or understandable piece of criticism towards it either, other than "boob jokes don't belong in The Simpsons" which most people seem to come back to. I thought this episode had some of the absolute best gags and lines of the season.

Ehh, I wasn't necessarily disagreeing with you(I know you were replying to Galalimit, but still). I just felt like throwing a Batman reference in their since Batman was in the episode. I agree with you that it is not as bad as people say, but I wouldn't say it is great. I've always loved the Batman parody, because Batman is one of the top ten funniest shows ever created, but the subplot, after that parody, goes nowhere. There were just a lot of weak jokes in there, but the boob jokes don't bother me, in fact they are most of the ones I found funny in this episode. I wouldn't say it is a horrendous episode like a lot of people, but I probably wouldn't give it higher than a 6.5/10.

**McClure** · 03-14-2006, 03:55 PM

What about Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge? Everyone thought it would be bad, expecially since it was written by Dana Gould, but it was considered one of the best of Season 13. Same with Little Girl in the Big Ten. Both had strange sounding plots, but ended up great.

Let's not forget: These episode descriptions are usually really vague and often make some mistakes. So, neither episode may not be exactly as described.

**DotheBartman** · 03-14-2006, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by I can see your Doodle

What about Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge? Everyone thought it would be bad, expecially since it was written by Dana Gould, but it was considered one of the best of Season 13. Same with Little Girl in the Big Ten. Both had strange sounding plots, but ended up great.

I've been here a long time, and I recall the majority of people here really looking forward to "Big Ten" (partially fueled by comments from Jean, supplied by Tomacco, that it was one of his favorites of the season). And "New Badge" isn't universally popular anyway (I'm certainly not a big fan).

It is true though that these often aren't accurate...anyone remember when Bart Mangled Banner was going to be about Bart and Homer going to Washington to prove their patriotism? That was the Fox site description too, not an initial synopsis.

As for Large Marge, I don't automatically mind boob jokes....I do mind insipid plots and a complete lack of good jokes. The subplot didn't have any breast jokes obviously and it was still painfully unfunny. And the breast jokes that were in the episode were too dominating and just kind of degrading and unfunny. The show has had good boob jokes, but none of them were in that episode.

**Cartoonnetwork** · 03-14-2006, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by TerrorK

How? HOMR sounded like a God-awful episode when the premise was first announced, and it turned out to be a God awful episode when it aired. The same goes for Bye Bye Nerdie with the whole nerd-sweat thing. While I agree that episodes in general shouldn't be judged too harshly, some episodes are clearly just horrible from first description (Homer getting a crayon in his brain, Marge getting implants, nerd sweat, Abe being a matador, etc) and no matter how the writers try to help the episode, it just won't work, because the initial idea itself is just too horrible from the get-go. I mean, if an episode synopsis was "Marge becomes a prostitute" or "Bart loses his virginity" how can one seriously NOT know that the episode will be horrid? Extreme examples, I know... but still.

I mostly agree with this. However, I think Marge's implants and Grandpa becoming a matador are bad ideas while the other two are god-awful ideas. I think breast implants and Grandpa becoming a matador are quite difficult to develop well, and they would certainly turn out bad in many shows, but the Simpsons can make them a little decent mostly with the gags. The nerd sweat thing is just too surreal for the Simpsons and seems more like a Cow and Chicken episode (I quite like Cow and Chicken but it's a totally different show). HOMR for me is the worst idea of them all, taking the main character of the show and changing his entire persona for the sake of a silly gag.

Anyway, I can see how an episode about Grandpa becoming a matador could at least be funny. I can see how an episode about assisted suicide could be decent ot good. But each one of them would be a difficult episode to do well. Let alone combining both of them in the same episode.

I still think Large Marge idea wasn't totally right. I don't know, I don't care booby jokes but it's the fact that it's Marge's character what I find kind of disturbing, and not in a moral way. I know everything was a mistake and Marge didn't want the breast implants, but still. However the development of it was pretty decent and more or less subtle giving the subject matter, with some real satire here and there. I find it odd, but I don't think it's a bad episode.

**TerrorK** · 03-14-2006, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Cartoonnetwork

Anyway, I can see how an episode about Grandpa becoming a matador could at least be funny. I can see how an episode about assisted suicide could be decent ot good. But each one of them would be a difficult episode to do well. Let alone combining both of them in the same episode.

Actually, that's something in general I don't get about the show these days: in a time where they're starved for new, refreshing plot ideas, rather than taking one story and exploring it properly at a decent pace, they'd rather tackle three or four storylines in one episode, rushing through them in generally a rather loosely connected manner and wasting a lot in the process. The writers really just need to take a single idea, maybe have a single subplot idea in some cases too, and just work on that. Too many recent episodes seem to really be more like three mini-episodes instead, with each act being quite different from each other. I'll bet that if you took away Act 2 from many a recent show, Act 1 and 3 would seem like they were from completely different episodes.

I still think Large Marge idea wasn't totally right. I don't know, I don't care booby jokes but it's the fact that it's Marge's character what I find kind of disturbing, and not in a moral way. I know everything was a mistake and Marge didn't want the breast implants, but still. However the development of it was pretty decent and more or less subtle giving the subject matter, with some real satire here and there. I find it odd, but I don't think it's a bad episode.

That's the main problem I was meaning in a way. "Large Marge" was an instant failure as an idea because Marge getting implants is just far too OOC for her character. The same goes for her taking steroids only a few episodes later too, come to think of it. And Grandpa being a matador just doesn't suit his character either. It's not really the idea itself that's bad, but more the character that the idea is assosciated with not fitting.

I personally didn't find "Large Marge" to really be funny at all personally. Marge was rather OOC (especially with the final flashing scene), the whole thing was really horribly executed, and any points it may have gained for sexist satire were immediately squashed by the rather sexist jokes it actually contained, not that it was subtle about sexism jokes in the first place (i.e. "Hey baby! You're an object!" Geez, could you get more in-your-face?). Add to that the fact that "You're a Bunch of Stuff" is the lamest, dullest, and most uninspired song in Simpsons history and the rather weak cameo-for-the-sake-of-cameo return of Stampy and you have a really poor effort.

**Snack Related Mishap** · 03-14-2006, 06:15 PM

I'm assuming you don't read the rate and review threads for new episode. I asked in the thread what you thought of the newest episode because you seem to hate every Jean Era episode, and I've got to say I think I would find it impossible for you to give this a c-range grade. But you gave basically every single Jean episode that, so I will prepare to be surprised. But if you actually saw the episode, and you are going to review it, answer in the rate/review thread, not in this. If you are not gonna review, just answer in this thread. Thanks.

**TerrorK** · 03-14-2006, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by MattG_Fan

I'm assuming you don't read the rate and review threads for new episode. I asked in the thread what you thought of the newest episode because you seem to hate every Jean Era episode, and I've got to say I think I would find it impossible for you to give this a c-range grade. But you gave basically every single Jean episode that, so I will prepare to be surprised. But if you actually saw the episode, and you are going to review it, answer in the rate/review thread, not in this. If you are not gonna review, just answer in this thread. Thanks.

I assume this is directed at me, so... the answer is, I haven't seen The Seemingly Never-Ending Story yet, because I don't live in the States and wasn't planning on downloading it. Season 17 has not started in NZ yet, and is very late getting here. Me downloading My Fair Laddy was a rare exception to the rule, as I was rather curious about it. If you strongly recommend me downloading TSNES as well are are curious about my thoughts on it, just say so and I will. Though it may be a few days before I get back about it, as I'm moving house soon and will be rather busy.

**Snack Related Mishap** · 03-14-2006, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by TerrorK

I assume this is directed at me, so... the answer is, I haven't seen The Seemingly Never-Ending Story yet, because I don't live in the States and wasn't planning on downloading it. Season 17 has not started in NZ yet, and is very late getting here. Me downloading My Fair Laddy was a rare exception to the rule, as I was rather curious about it. If you strongly recommend me downloading TSNES as well are are curious about my thoughts on it, just say so and I will. Though it may be a few days before I get back about it, as I'm moving house soon and will be rather busy.

Yes, because I would find it hard to believe even you couldn't like this episode. If you have the time, watch it, because I am interested in your reaction.

**Postmaster** · 03-15-2006, 03:20 AM

Originally Posted by MattG_Fan

I'm assuming you don't read the rate and review threads for new episode. I asked in the thread what you thought of the newest episode because you seem to hate every Jean Era episode, and I've got to say I think I would find it impossible for you to give this a c-range grade. But you gave basically every single Jean episode that, so I will prepare to be surprised. But if you actually saw the episode, and you are going to review it, answer in the rate/review thread, not in this. If you are not gonna review, just answer in this thread. Thanks.

C- would be a good grade by terrok, In fact when I see terrok's grades, I tend to add 1 or two thirds (like moving a c- to a c+) because he does F-'s and F+'s. and I don't do F's because for me that would have to mean nothing in the episode was even the slightest bit redeeming and every episode has at least made me smile a few times.

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