Rate and Review "Funeral for a Fiend" (KABF01)

[TriforceBun]

I have a major gripe about the episode's plot: why did Bob apparently stage this entire, elaborate scheme when he could've easily killed OFF in the restaurant (via the TNT) and bypass the trial/fake-death risky business entirely?

[Starman]

While I wouldn't say this is the best episode of Season 19 so far, I'd say it is definitely on par with I Don't Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In some ways however, this episode is miles better than all it's predecessors.

It just had this...style, and and overall feeling that's been missing since Season 16. The animation is slightly different from every Season 19 episode preceding it, and it looks very good. It's an animation style I haven't seen on The Simpsons for a while, and I was pleasantly surprised with it.

Kelsey Grammar was excellent, as usual. I don't think there was anything particularly wrong with his voice-acting at all in this episode. David Hyde Pearce was also very great, but he could've had just a slightly bigger speaking part, and I felt his character wasn't used to the fullest of it's potential in this episode.

While it was not a bad episode at all, some parts were a little disjointed, and I frankly expected a little more from the first episode of Season 19's true production. If I had to choose between Season 17's 'The Italian Bob' and this, I'd probably go with The Italian Bob, as it was generally more exciting, funny, and had a much thicker plot.

8.5/10.

[Dave Shutton]

I have a major gripe about the episode's plot: why did Bob apparently stage this entire, elaborate scheme when he could've easily killed OFF in the restaurant (via the TNT) and bypass the trial/fake-death risky business entirely?

Thats like asking why doesn't he just drive by and shoot them, or stab them in their sleep. It has to be a cartoony villian plot.

[Semaj]

One joke I seriously hated was at the beginning where Moe was unable to get any movies at a store, so he decides to sneak peeks off cars' DVD players.

As soon as he said this, I knew they were going to follow this up with an unfunny add-on. They need to cut this crap out! It's not funny, and all it does is waste valuable screen time.

[clemsonfight]

I have a major gripe about the episode's plot: why did Bob apparently stage this entire, elaborate scheme when he could've easily killed OFF in the restaurant (via the TNT) and bypass the trial/fake-death risky business entirely?

Because if he's "dead", he'd never have to worry about being locked up again. (Though Springfield's Finest probably wouldn't bother to look very hard... ) Thats all that makes sense anyway. It's just supposed to be a grand cartoony over the top evil plot.

[TheFlandersMan]

Wow, this is sad. You guys really are brainwashed. I don't know why my curiosity compels me to check the polls every week, but oh well.

If you thought this episode was worthy of a decent score, well, I don't know what it is that you liked about The Simpsons in the first place.

I guess I must be the Frank Grimes of NoHomers.

[Kiyosuki]

Wow, this is sad. You guys really are brainwashed. I don't know why my curiosity compels me to check the polls every week, but oh well.

If you thought this episode was worthy of a decent score, well, I don't know what it is that you liked about The Simpsons in the first place.

I guess I must be the Frank Grimes of NoHomers.

I don't think its 5 or 4 material but I don't think its "brainwashed" exactly to say it wasn't a bad episode. It was well structured.

Flandersman you're more than entitled to hate the episode, and even argue about it, but try to lay off the pointless insult flame-bait please.

Abstaining from going off-model in EVERY frame is a terrible rule to go by in animation. Didn't know it was an ideology held by the staff of the show.

I definitely have to back this up too. Its not as talked about as the stuff in writing but another really big but quiet gripe I've had is that I think a lot of the character of this show got a bit flat appearance wise just because it seems like the models are stuck to too much. Like every shot of the character has to be absolutely perfect and completely on model. The problem with that though is that if you stick too close to the model of a character then they end up looking a lot less well, animated. It ends up looking very staticky. There have even been a number of moments I can think of as well where it looks like they're drawing so closely to the model sheet that there's been trouble having a character simply turn around without it looking awkward.

Its simple squash and stretch basics, if something isn't stretched a little or made to move in a more fluid fashion its just not as much fun to look at. And you miss out on some great things like characters being shown in a crazier or more unusual perspective shot. I noticed this episode used perspective a lot more than recent episodes have.

[TheFlandersMan]

I don't think its 5 or 4 material but I don't think its "brainwashed" exactly to say it wasn't a bad episode. It was well structured.

Flandersman you're more than entitled to hate the episode, and even argue about it, but try to lay off the pointless insult flame-bait please.

Hmm... yeah, I suppose you're right. My bad.

[bou0011]

can someone get a picture of bobs mum

[bou0011]

finally saw it liked homer in the restraunt should of had a bit of action at the end

[Mike Scully]

It was decent. Direction was fantastic, Cecil was brought back completely in form with hilarious results (loved his last line), the Bob/Lisa interaction was great, and Kent mentioning Jesus as a remembered criminal made me laugh. Really, plenty of gags and one-liners felt more akin to the olden days.

Unfortunately, the mystery element at the end was embarrassingly lame and tacked on; it felt like a fanfic writer trying to imitate Black Widower. Most of the clues were so obscure (Bob's dad being a doctor, an actual medical doctor, which wasn't even clarified) that you never get the sense that you could have solved it on your own. Or maybe it was an intentionally contrived sendup of past mystery episodes. Either way, it sucked.

3.5/5

[Dr.Colossus]

good funny episode, and the character acting was great... the ending was too quick and kinda disappointing, but I thought it was overall pretty damn good... keep it up Simpsons writers!

[Rosinha]

this episode is awesome!
I love it

[grissom]

Unfortunately this was pretty terrible. Bob episodes need to stop, since apparently they have no idea how to write those anymore either. 2/5

[Drunk Barney]

I thought this was the best episode of the Season. A 10th Bob killing appearance was always going to be a little tedious, but I thought they pulled this one off. The humour was mostly good, and I agree about Homer being in particularly good form. But I do agree they played it a bit safe and wasn't the most memorable episode. However a current Jean episode, with a good yet simple plot, good characterizations and slightly above average jokes is never a bad thing. A very solid B+. (4/5)

[Postmaster]

I agree with jammy, 2 would be too harsh, 3 would be too high, since he went high, I'll go low.

[coltonwiggum]

One joke I seriously hated was at the beginning where Moe was unable to get any movies at a store, so he decides to sneak peeks off cars' DVD players.

I could have sworn I've seen a joke similar to this one before in another episode with Springfielders looking into the Hibberts' car and watching something on their TV.

[Charlie]

I could have sworn I've seen a joke similar to this one before in another episode with Springfielders looking into the Hibberts' car and watching something on their TV.

Yeah, I think it's Lenny and Carl trying to get Hibbert to change it to sports while his kids are watching a movie. I have no idea why, but I thought of "Moe Baby Blues", though it's more than likely not right.

[arii]

I'm pretty sure it is Moe Baby Blues, actually - there's so much traffic from Springfield trying to get the hell away from the smelly flower that people just give up and gather around cars with TVs in them. I think.

[pizzaanddibs]

I actually just watched this episode on fox on demand and I just did not like I almost fell asleep watching this episode. 2/5

[simplysimpsons]

The best Bob episode by far since 'Jackanapes' which is definitely a good thing. I really enjoyed it overall. Bob was in top form, as was Homer who had several really hilarious lines. A couple things bugged me though. I wish there wasn't all that stupid unneeded and unrelated filler at the start. It seemed completely pointless and rambling- where Bob's plot could have been set up in a tenth of the time and we could have seen more of him and Cecil. Another damn Opal appearance too, but luckily it was short this time!

I also found the mystery a bit too rediculous. Lisa seemed to be explaining everything to the viewer way too much which sort of proved the point, but overall I liked it. The ending was hilarious and the animation was brilliant. Overall a B+

[Simpsons Forever!]

I liked the fact that SS Bob's whole family was involved in this scheme and the set-up was hilarious, especially the slideshow, but there didn't seem enough time for each member of the family. Cecil and Mr. Terwilliger didn't have many lines and the rest of the family was just along for the ride, it seemed. Also a shame was the fact that Bob was only introduced a quarter of the way through. The plot was great though and I like the fact the whole family's in prison now! A downside to Sideshow Bob episode's now and in the future, though, will be we'll probably have to see his whole family every time he returns, meaning less time given to him. Sideshow Bob episodes have now become Terwilliger vs. Simpson episodes, it seems. 4/5 B+

[lionelhutz123]

It was a fine episode but what really bugged me was how for once Bart was completely in character, and his performance was done so well, but his whining at the end right before Homer says "No Marge, he has got to get over his fear of coffins" was embarassing and hard to watch.
I understand it was necessary so it could open up for Groenings "favorite" line, but it was just awkward and didnt feel like something Bart would do. What do you guys think, because other than that I feel the writing for Bart, and voice acting was done extremely well.

[arii]

So, let me get this straight,