How would you rate The Old Man and the Key

**The Governor** · 03-10-2002, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by scurvineEVIL
People who couldn't be entertained by this episode should just give up on the Simpsons all together. It's obvious that you weren't going to be entertained by this episode no matter how it turned out.

Ryan, for once I agree with you. This WAS a Vitti ep since it didn't have any LOL moments, but the ep was very good because of the likeability of the characters.

Jake

**DotheBartman** · 03-10-2002, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by Jake

Ryan, for once I agree with you. This WAS a Vitti ep since it didn't have any LOL moments, but the ep was very good because of the likeability of the characters.

Jake

You know, I was thinking that as well. Homer was actually upset about Grandpa possibly being dead. In your standard season 11 episode, would he have been upset? Maybe, but I actually would have doubted it.

**eric** · 03-10-2002, 08:22 PM

4/5, lots of moments made me chuckle but there were a few jokes that didn't click for me as well... I'll hafta re-watch it tomorrow. Awesome first act in my opinion.

I agree with Jake that the funniest moment was the ZZ Top lookalikes... that had me laughing out loud.

**bartron** · 03-10-2002, 09:09 PM

Best joke for me: "Wilford Brimley in: The Angina Monologues".

Other than that, pretty weak. The song REALLY got on my nerves.

**Rowdy** · 03-10-2002, 09:19 PM

I didn't get the hobo jokes and a few other scenes near the start dragged for a while though. Everything else was wonderful. The whole relationship between Homer and Grampa was downright ROFLMAO material. I also digged the song. In fact, it's the best musical number since "Checkin' In"

Grade: 4/5

Season 12's First 13 Episodes: 40/65
Season 13's First 13 Episodes: 46/65

As for Futurama, it was ok. Nothing special. 3/5

King of the Hill was really awesome. Possibly the best of the season. 5/5

Malcolm was funny for the first time in awhile. There's still room for improvement though. 4/5

**The Governor** · 03-10-2002, 09:21 PM

Originally posted by bartron
Best joke for me: "Wilford Brimley in: The Angina Monologues".

Above "Wilford Brimley", the sign should've said: "Quaker Presents".

**bartman454** · 03-10-2002, 10:05 PM

Ah my first simpsons episode review on the no homers club, anyway this was one heck of an odd little episode for me so lets take a look at it act by act

ACT 1: This was probably the funniest bit during the show as it opened up with Homer in full XFL garb that had me on the floor dying. Also unlike other episodes this season this one got straight to the main story after the first act for once, that and homer's little bit "I told him i loved him but i never said i was in love with him". very nice way to open the show

Act 2: Still pretty funny throughout the second act, that is until abe runs into the jacket sponsor people (what the hell!)and takes place in a deathrace and then drives off the dam tunnel bridge. I really think the writers could have done something different with this as the whole jacket gang wasnt a very funny bit at all, but after this i was still in the show.

Act 3: eh Branson, Missouri yuck the only thing that saved this act from being one of the dullest ones in simpsons history was the flanders bus bit and "10-10-320 Mr T" i PITY THE FOOL WHO DONT LIKE T sorry about that anyhow this act went on way too long and it seemed as though the writers were trying to pound in a new joke every nanosecond, just tell the story please

Overall this episode did feel a bit like scully near the end of the second act and the third act although the whole first act, some of the second act, and a Mr T third act saves this episode from failure as i give it for my first viewing C+

**NoOneFamous** · 03-10-2002, 10:17 PM

Wow.. I agree with bartman454 100%. You said everything I wanted to say but in a much better way. Great review!

**mitch mitchell** · 03-11-2002, 05:59 AM

Very funny episode, not an instant classic, but much better than we've been getting. I dug the jacket people, people that buy those things have escaped scorn thus far. I dug the whole, "Dude were's my virginity" part, and it was nice to see the episode end with Grampa regaining some of his dignity. Why does FOX love Branson all of a sudden? Didn't KOTH go there last week? Is this the beginning of a Yackov Smirnov comeback? I'd give it a B+

Fiddle Boy · 03-11-2002, 06:28 AM

very funny in parts

Is this the Darie Queen

but not very oringnal :shocked:

**Citizen Kang** · 03-11-2002, 07:32 AM

I gave it a 4/5

A pretty funny episode. I like it when the episodes get a little abstract and wierd. Grampa running up to Lisa's room and blasting Swing music and Homer yelling "You call that music?!?!" was great. The souvenier Jacket gang was great too(having lived in Florida for many years). Overall a good episode. Futurama was really good too.

And then the Star Wars trailer was an added bonus....

**tim_duncan2000** · 03-11-2002, 07:53 AM

I thought this was an okay episode, and it did have quite a few funny parts. I didn't like Act III that much, and the jacket gang bit was not that good and went on for too long. I was glad that Homer didn't act happy when he thought Grampa was dead, because that would have been the Season 11 reaction to it and would have been uncalled for. I don't think this was a great episode, but it wasn't terrible either. It was way better than crap like "Homer the Moe" or "The Blunder Years"

Greg Durand · 03-11-2002, 10:51 AM

1/5, F, bad, however you want to put it.

**Jessica Lovejoy** · 03-11-2002, 11:21 AM

This episode was pretty average, however I thought it was quite funny at some parts. I actually liked the whole Branson Missouri bit - who remembers in "Bart on the Road" when Bart tells Milhouse, Nelson and Martin that Branson is like Las Vegas run by Ned Flanders? How ironic that we then see Flanders and his kids getting on the bus to Branson, heh... Anyway... I thought the funniest gag was the whole BRONSON Missouri bit; that had me laughing out loud for a few minutes. Overall I'd say it's a 3.5/5 C+/B-. Not bad.

**fenfool** · 03-11-2002, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by BlindPsychic
Guess the Band and Song correctly and get a cookie!
Can you feel it, see it, hear it today?
If you can't, then it doesn't matter anyway
You will never understand it cuz it happens too fast.
And it feels so good, it's like walking on glass
It's so cool, it's so hip, it's alright
It's so groovy, it's outta sight

Faith No More, "Epic", now gimme my cookie, BlindPsychic!!!!

**BlindPsychic** · 03-11-2002, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by fenfool

Faith No More, "Epic", now gimme my cookie, BlindPsychic!!!!

Took you guys long enough,
*gives fenfool a cookie*

**Paranoid Android** · 03-11-2002, 01:17 PM

Damn, I'm completly taken off guard that you guys like this episode. This episode was just as worst as the last one. There was nothing funny about this episode except the man yells at clouds thing, and that just got chortle. btw, did you notice that Lisa had the little green elves lunch box, somebody here said they haven't seen a reference to them in a while. There was also a Munster's parody that was somewhat funny. But overall I give this episode a 1/5. Tsk tsk . . . :bored:

**lisa_the_greek** · 03-11-2002, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by scurvineEVIL
People who couldn't be entertained by this episode should just give up on the Simpsons all together. It's obvious that you weren't going to be entertained by this episode no matter how it turned out.

I was expecting a good episode... This wasn't a BAD episode, it wasn't like "Kill the Alligator and Run", but it just wasn't that funny..... The last *good* episode was "Half-Decent Proposal" IMO.

**Cole** · 03-11-2002, 02:00 PM

I gave this episode a 4/5. It wasn't anything special, but it had some heart and some very clever moments. The XFL bit was the funniest (the MVP is sweeping toenails at the beauty parlor). The souvenir jacket guys were funny, though pointless (they sure do like to make fun of Planet Hollywood). Grampa calling Apu "Achoo" was also very funny. Now, up until here I would give it a 5/5. Time for the third act:

ehh. . . let me just say this: keep the Simpsons in Springfield. Introducing new locations during the third act never works out. The "Angina Monologues" joke was the funniest by far -- from there, things went down hill. The song wasn't too bad, but it wasn't too funny either. Grampa drving all the way there to call her a "hoochie" seemed a little-bit odd and anticlimatic. Then the episode just sorta ends there, it didn't seem to really prove anything or have much of a purpose. Act 1: 5/5; Act 2: 5/5; Act 3: 3/5. Total: 4/5

As for the rest of the night. Futurama had to be my least favorite episode ever. I know Bender is suppose to be a jerk and only care about himself, but he just seemed to be way too huge of an ass last night. Plus, the whipping of the slaves got really, really old. 2.5/5 Worst Episode of the Season. King of the Hill was pretty good. Not one of my favorites, I never really like episodes featuring Hank's dad: 4.0/5.0. Malcolm in the Middle was very funny, the best show of the night. The kids attacking the opposing team was too funny and Malcolm's obsession with that Sims-like game was hilarious. The best Malcolm of the Season and perhaps the first time I felt it was better than The Simpsons, KoTH, AND Futurama: 4.5/5.0. So, here is my final review for last night's comedies:
1. Malcolm in the Middle
2. The Simpsons
3. King of the Hill
4. Futurama

**NoOneFamous** · 03-11-2002, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by scurvineEVIL
People who couldn't be entertained by this episode should just give up on the Simpsons all together. It's obvious that you weren't going to be entertained by this episode no matter how it turned out.

People who rate this episode as an A or B need to stop settling for mediocrity. Its like, any episode that doesn't entirely suck is rated as a masterpiece now. I mildy enjoyed this episode, but it was below average at best. If "The Old Man and the Key" script was used for other show but the Simpsons, everyone would say it was absolutely horrible, and that show would probably be canceled soon after.

**morbot** · 03-11-2002, 02:50 PM

Was it just me or did anyone else find the characters in this episode to be too out of character? I realize they were doing the typical "kid gets his license" only reversed type show, but still.

Rather than be crotchety and cynical like his normal self, Grandpa was at times, stupid. Out with his "gang" and stuff, when most of the time people at the old folks home seem to prefer the sheltered existence from the outside world.

And Homer, rather than being his usual lazy half assed parent, was all the sudden like an old TV sitcom dad. He was making all sorts of efforts to punish grandpa, and I just felt like he was all over the place as far as character. He didn't seem like the typical self.

Most the other characters did fine, but it would have been nice to see them expand on the Springfield Retirement Castle, rather than create a new character (with the van) and new enemies (the stupid souvenere jacket people) when they could have developed some of the bit roles more. And there were some funny lines, and good jokes... but the whole time I couldn't get past the feeling that this episode was so forced.

It seemed like someone found an old script for "Family Ties" that they didn't get to use before it was canceled. Where Granpa has taken the place of "Alex Keaton" first getting his license, and Homer has taken over for "Steve Keaton" as the overprotective parent. Now there's nothing wrong with the Simpsons parodying other shows, but this didn't feel like a parody of a Family Ties type show. It felt like someone literally found a Family Ties script in the dumpster, replaced a few names, and then drew the characters to fit it.

2/5 in my opinion. A bad episode saved only because it did have a few funny spots.

**Wavy Gravy** · 03-11-2002, 04:13 PM

I give it a 4/5. I really like how Al Jean is turning this show around. A good Grandpa episode doesn't come along very often, and I was glad to see this one - especially with so many funny parts. Homer's XFL stuff, Grandpa's "big backseat and a lot of gas" line, the cool comatose, "Is this Dairy Queen?", Jasper breaking his beard, the Itchy and Scratchy Radio Show, the Bronson, Missouri thing, the musical number, Homer's Herman Munster bit, the "Beverly Hillbillies" ripoff at the end, and Lisa's "This has been a Gracie Films pree-sentation!" all made me laugh. One of my favorite scenes was at the Kwik-E-Mart:
ABE: Thank you, Achu.
APU: Not "chu", "pu".
CRAZY OLD MAN: I got problems with both.

All in all, a classic in my opinion.

Duffman89 · 03-11-2002, 05:16 PM

I thought "The Old Man and the Key" was the best Grampa Simpson episdoe ever made. The jokes were the best of Season 13, with a few exceptions. Overall, the episode deserves an A+.

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