The Simpsons: The Complete Eleventh Season DVD Boxset

[Ryan]

Boy, these commentaries are sad. I remember watching LETS commentary all the way back where the guys try to modestly push aside the (noted) fact that it's regarded as the Best Episode Ever by the fans, and Entertainment Weekly. Now I'm watching Bart to the Future commentary, what, four years later I think and now they're talking about how EW graced it with the Worst Episode Ever...and all the guys can say is, "that's a few years ago, maybe we've outdid ourselves already!" followed by what I can only describe as uncomfortable laughter. Then, of course, they go on to defend the episode.

C'mon guys, even Matt and Trey admit when they've gone wrong. And don't get me started on MG on Saddlesore Galactica, though the bit with Clinton has a pretty hilarious payoff in the commentary...

[Bob Snooters]

Yeah. I honestly lost some respect for Groening after hearing he's never seen Saddlesore Galactica, despite all the stuff he's heard about it. It also calls into question the fact that he's on so few commentaries on this DVD set as a whole. I would bet he's probably seen very very few episodes from season 11 and who knows what other seasons. I just can't think of an excuse for not seeing that particular episode after its infamy. ESPECIALLY knowing he was gonna be on a commentary for it - he should have watched it the night before instead of for the first time ever during the commentary. He didn't seem to laugh or talk during it, but he claims he thought the jockey stuff was funny. I dunno, the whole thing seems lazy to me.

I kinda liked the commentary on Kill the Alligator and Run, which is maybe the only instance in the Scully years thus far where I've heard the writers fess up for creating a chaotic mess of a storyline.

Lol you mean he wasn't kidding? He hasn't actually seen it? I guess by season 11 they don't even need him to make an episode. Probably why he hasn't done that many commentaries on 10 and 11.

[Toon~g@l!]

I listened to the "Line From Matt Groening" on disky one, and to me Matt sounded like he was faking his excitement for us getting the season. It to me sounded like he had better things to do than introduce the season to us, did anyone else get that vibe?

[McClure]

Matt Groening claims to have never seen Saddlesore Galactica.

The commentaries are very similar to season 10 , they just mostly laugh at what their watching with a few interesting stories here or there. Also it seems most of the commentaries were recorded in the fall of 2007.

Yeah, it's really very boring commentary. Scully, Maxtone-Graham and Selman over and over again and none of them are really that great on commentaries. Meyer is also in a lot, but he is too quiet and isn't as funny as he should be. They just point out obvious things and laugh at their jokes all of the time. It's true that the likes of Jean, Oakley, Weinstein, Reiss and Mirkin did a lot of commentaries but they always had interesting stories and insights.

[homer2121]

I got the Limited Edition Krusty head on the 7th, and so far I've sean 10 episodes, And 6 episodes with commentary, most of them are pretty boring. I did however like the commentary on "Days of Wine and D'oh'ses" about how Mike Scully just found Dan Castellaneta script on his desk one day.

[lovedartsandsimpsons]

Has anyone noticed that on the "Behind the Laughter" subtitles it says Southern Missouri instead of Nothern Kentucky?

[D'ohmer]

Did you try paper CD sleeves? I did and they work perfectly. No contact with the case, mega-slim and provide a bit of "grippage" while in the box's sleeve.

http://www.sleevetown.com/paper-cd-sleeves.shtml

I actually found some, and they work great.

[Whip-Smart]

Well I am picking it up tomorrow. Kinda put it off all week as my I broke my remote so I cannot navigate the menues, guess I will watch the commentaries on my PC or something. Looking foward to reliving the season this weekend.

[Captain Squid]

I actually found some, and they work great.

Awesome! I've had this color assortment pack of them for a while, the red ones fit in with the package perfectly.

[Captain Squid]

I didn't appreciate the "bad Simpsons comics" remark in the THOHX commentary, in reference to the Stretch Dude and Clobber Girl spin-offs. Super Specials are much better than most Simpson COmics and Bart Simpson Comics stories. eh, whatever.

[Captain Squid]

According to the commentary for "Faith Off", the Springfield A&M, Springfield U rivalry will return yet again this season (unless I've forgotten that it has already happened).

[IM A BRICK]

I listened to the "Line From Matt Groening" on disk one, and to me Matt sounded like he was faking his excitement for us getting the season. It to me sounded like he had better things to do than introduce the season to us, did anyone else get that vibe?

Yes I did get that vibe. and did you also notice how he ends it?
With Krusty saying Dont blame me I didn't do it!
I guess as a way of washing his hands of the whole mess.

Though I do like a lot of episodes from his season.

[Simpsonatic83]

I'm going shopping tonight at Wal-Mart so hopefully they still have some copies available so when and if I get it I'll post my personal review of what I think about the packaging and what not...CAN'T WAIT!!!!

[Swartzweldian]

Yeah. I honestly lost some respect for Groening after hearing he's never seen Saddlesore Galactica, despite all the stuff he's heard about it. It also calls into question the fact that he's on so few commentaries on this DVD set as a whole. I would bet he's probably seen very very few episodes from season 11 and who knows what other seasons. I just can't think of an excuse for not seeing that particular episode after its infamy. ESPECIALLY knowing he was gonna be on a commentary for it - he should have watched it the night before instead of for the first time ever during the commentary. He didn't seem to laugh or talk during it, but he claims he thought the jockey stuff was funny. I dunno, the whole thing seems lazy to me.

Yea..It kinda reminds me of Mike Judge with KOTH. Very influential early in the show..Then after a couple years they seem to sit back and let the writers take care of it. Especially when they get going on side projects (Futurama, etc..)
They may pop in with animation advice/complaints..but thats about all the involvement they have.

Never understood that..but I guess as long as the venture is making money..Sit back and take your check. Cant blame them one bit.

[McClure]

I just listened to the commentary for Saddlesore Gallactica, and I get the sense that they really do believe that the episode is brilliant, but we the audience isn't smart enough to appreciate it.

[Captain Squid]

Ten years is a long time to work on a single TV show, I don't blame Judge and Groening for sitting back or trying new things once the shows are able to sustain themselves.

Kubrick never rewatched his films following their premiere.

[Green Man]

Does anyone knows when region 4 DVD is coming out?

[Captain Squid]

I took a break during an episode and paused the DVD, happening to fall on this screen. Found it amusing, thought I'd share:

[WBadger]

Haha thats a good picture

[Charlie]

According to the commentary for "Faith Off", the Springfield A&M, Springfield U rivalry will return yet again this season (unless I've forgotten that it has already happened).

People in another thread are suggesting they are referring to a scene in Any Given Sundance (...I think) where there's a brief fight between Springfield A&M and Springfield U. It's entirely plausible as they apparently mention the commentaries were recorded in spring 2007, well before that episode aired.

Does anyone knows when region 4 DVD is coming out?

The only region 4 release date I know of is Australia on November 5.

[Ramier Wolfcastle]

I took a break during an episode and paused the DVD, happening to fall on this screen. Found it amusing, thought I'd share:

What episode is that from? I'll find out eventually, since I ordered it online and should hopefully get the boxset sometime next week

[Charlie]

I would say Alone Again, Natura-Diddly, it looks like they're going to a funeral.

[Big J.G]

That screen looks quite amusing. Perfect timing. Reminds me of the time I played Super Smash Bros and when I paused it, the screen was straight on to Ness's big belly. Reminded me of Ooter.

[Capt Hammer]

yeah its from alone again when he makes a big speech about how he won't let marge leave the room without telling her he loves her and alot of other stuff then says god this takes alot of time maybe just a pat on the ass yeah thats good

[Kiyosuki]

On the Greoning never saw Saddlesore thing, I think it's a bit disheartening that he seems somewhat lackadaisical with a lot of the series (this is just an assumption of course, I'm no psychic.)...same with Judge, but like Captain Squid said ten years is a long time. Creating a series, and actually maintaining it through the years are two different things and it's been on for so long that I can see how someone can start getting a bit vague with it all. I won't cut corners on this though...like Tomacco said if there's something you've heard about a lot I think it's good to at least check out what the fuss is about but well, it's their series.

The box is very pretty as usual but it is a bit awkward. I have to agree that the commentary so far is pretty depressing. I always love to hear about the origins of the designs of things like this version of future bart(I know a lot don't like it but I still sort of like the design at least.) as well as where premises came from, but generally it's pretty bare. I was sort of hoping for a little more. Can't help but think it's a reflection of the episodes themselves...


Also I'm totally with Squid on the comic thing. Granted sometimes the comic's horrendous but a couple of times there's a lot of things the writers of the TV series would do well to take a cue or two from.

Man there are some things in this season I can't fathom how on Earth they found funny in the commentaries but that's just me.

The extra's menu for this season's pretty fun.

[Simpsonatic83]

Okay, so I just got back 4 hours ago from Wal-Mart and I got Season 11 the standard box being as thats the only one they were selling. I'm kinda glad it was because I didn't really want the Krusty head anyway as if I did get that I would have just took his head off so I'm glad they just had the standard box instead. Anyways, I'm not good at writing reviews so here I go....LOL!

MY SEASON 11 BOXSET REVIEW:
I thought the packaging was very clever and unique. I loooved how the outerbox cover shined in the light making it look like an aray of lights behind Krusty. The sleeves that hold the discs are neat but they dont give you much room to reach in there and pull out them out but after you do it then it makes the slit open up a little more so the next time it is easier to pull them out. You just have to be careful. As for the booklet, there's not much to say it's a great and very well put together booklet. I haven't gotten around to watching any of the episodes yet let along listening to the commentry or watching the bonus features but I just know they will be freakin' sweet as always! However, I did put the discs in to skip through some of the episodes and the video/sound quality is superb!!!! FOX defenitly gives you your money's worth! BRING ON SEASON 12, BABY!!!

[Whip-Smart]

Well I just got home with it, man the box looks/feels so cheap I like the artwork the Cirrus theme looks really good but the box is nasty, I guess they felt they were not going to ship as many copies this time round. The box being thinner does not brother me as anymore it’s a new DVD era I guess I can deal. Flipping through the booklet on my way home I got a little more excited over the episodes then I thought I would so looking forward to a nice season 11 weekend.

[Euan Buchan]

I'll buy my copy after work

[Captain Squid]

Flipping through the booklet on my way home I got a little more excited over the episodes then I thought I would so looking forward to a nice season 11 weekend.

I did the same thing!
I think my wariness of season 11's quality has lessened over the years. Many of the classic era writers are still around, Swartzwelder is still pushing out some great episodes! Barney is back to being a drunk today, so seeing him sober up (for what at the time was for good) doesn't bother me. Flanders being single is a given nowadays, I was actually surprised to see Maude alive. The animation quality and layouts are great! I watched a season 11 episode next to "Lost Verizon playing in Hulu and noted that new episodes don't have as rich a color palate and feel a bit flat as they don't layer cels nowadays. Though since the Movie's release, layouts have become much more dynamic.

[Whip-Smart]

Matt sounds so fricking bored during the intro.