The Complete Twelfth Season DVD Collector's Edition: The Official Thread

[Charlie]

The Release Dates

US: August 18, 2009
Everywhere else: ????

The Episodes

Treehouse of Horror XI (BABF21)
Written by Rob Lazebnik, John Frink, Don Payne and Carolyn Omine | Directed by Matthew Nastuk
"G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad" - Homer chokes to death on a piece of broccoli and his spirit must perform a good deed in order to enter heaven.
"Scary Tales Can Come True" - The dark side of fairy tale characters is exposed.
"Night of the Dolphin" - The world is overtaken by dolphins after Lisa frees their leader from captivity.
Commentary: Matt Groening, Mike Scully, Rob Lazebnik, John Frink, Don Payne, Carolyn Omine, Matt Selman

A Tale of Two Springfields (BABF20)
Written by John Swartzwelder | Directed by Shaun Cashman
After Springfield's telephone area code splits in two, Homer spearheads a movement to divide the town itself in half along the new area code line.
Commentary: Matt Groening, Mike Scully, George Meyer, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Dan Castellaneta, Shaun Cashman, Roger Daltrey, David Silverman

Insane Clown Poppy (BABF17)
Written by John Frink and Don Payne | Directed by Bob Anderson
Krusty takes parenting lessons from Homer when he discovers that he has a daughter about Bart's age from a one-night stand.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, John Frink, Don Payne, Tom Martin, Matt Selman, Dan Castellaneta, Joe Mantegna, Bob Anderson, Joel Cohen


Lisa The Tree Hugger (CABF01)
Written by Matt Selman | Directed by Steven Dean Moore
Eager to join "Dirt First" after witnessing their pro-vegetarianism demonstration atop the local Krusty Burger franchise, Lisa attempts to prove her worth by camping out in a giant redwood destined for logging. Meanwhile, Bart joins the workforce in order to buy a new game console advertised on television.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Matt Selman, Don Payne, Tom Gammill, Tim Long, Yeardley Smith, Steven Dean Moore

Homer vs. Dignity (CABF04)
Written by Rob Lazebnik | Directed by Neil Affleck
Short on funds, Homer approaches the ever-wealthy C. Montgomery Burns for a token raise. But when Burns grants his request on the condition that Homer act as his personal jester, the Simpson family finds itself the subject of degrading and embarassing activities.
Commentary: Matt Groening, Mike Scully, Rob Lazebnik, Carolyn Omine, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Max Pross


The Computer Wore Menace Shoes (CABF02)
Written by John Swartzwelder | Directed by Mark Kirkland
After realizing that he's missing the cyberspace boat, Homer plugs into the internet and builds a web site. But when low traffic hits him where it hurts, he resorts to spicing up his cyberslab with damaging gossip concerning fellow townsfolk.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Don Payne, John Frink, Matt Selman, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Mark Kirkland, Joel Cohen


The Great Money Caper (CABF03)
Written by Carolyn Omine | Directed by Michael Polcino
Strapped for cash, Homer and Bart thumb their way through "A Child's Garden of Cons" in search of the road to easy money.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Carolyn Omine, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Tom Gammill, Chuck Sheetz


Skinner's Sense of Snow (CABF06)
Written by Tim Long | Directed by Lance Kramer
When a large storm snows in Springfield Elementary, the children are trapped inside for the holidays and soon rebel against Principal Skinner.
Commentary: Matt Groening, Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Tim Long, Matt Selman, David Mirkin, Max Pross, Lance Kramer


HOMЯ (BABF22)
Written by Al Jean | Directed by Mike Anderson
When doctors find and remove a crayon lodged in Homer's brain, his true IQ emerges, leading to a strong relationship with Lisa. But his relationship with others falls out once his new-found competence in safety inspecting leads to the closure of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Matt Selman, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Mike B. Anderson


Pokey Mom (CABF05)
Written by Tom Martin | Directed by Bob Anderson
Following a prison rodeo, Marge befriends an inmate whom she considers undeserving of incarceration, and eventually sees to his release.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Tom Martin, John Frink, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Dan Castellaneta, Joe Mantegna, Bob Anderson, Joel Cohen


Worst Episode Ever (CABF08)
Written by Larry Doyle | Directed by Matt Nastuk
The Comic Book Guy has a heart attack after witnessing the work of special make-up effects master Tom Savini, giving Bart and Milhouse their cue to babysit the Android's Dungeon.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Larry Doyle, Matt Selman, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Hank Azaria, Chris Kirkpatrick


Tennis the Menace (CABF07)
Written by Ian Maxtone-Graham | Directed by Jen Kamerman
Instead of buying a casket for his father, Homer uses the money to build a tennis court instead. Springfield wants to use the court for a tennis tournament, which all of the family members enter. But when teams are divided, the family gets competitive with each other, and they recruit professional tennis players to play in their places.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, John Frink, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Max Pross, Phil Rosenthal


Day of the Jackanapes (CABF10)
Written by Al Jean | Directed by Michael Marcantel
Upon learning that Krusty has erased all the archival tapes of his show from the Sideshow Bob era, Bob schemes to use Bart as a manchurian candidate to blow up Krusty live on the air.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Matt Selman, Tim Long, Yeardley Smith, Michael Marcantel


New Kids on the Blecch (CABF12)
Written by Tim Long | Directed by Steven Dean Moore
When a talent agency discovers the musical abilities of Bart, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph, it scurries to set them up as the next big boy band sensation, complete with a sinister subliminal propaganda campaign in mind: "Join the Navy".
Commentary: Matt Groening, Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Tim Long, Matt Selman, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Hank Azaria, Steven Dean Moore, Chris Kirkpatrick


Hungry Hungry Homer (CABF09)
Written by John Swartzwelder | Directed by Nancy Kruse
After Homer discovers that the Springfield Isotopes are being moved to Albuquerque, he stages a hunger strike outside the stadium.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, John Frink, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Max Pross, Phil Rosenthal, Ben Rosenthal


Bye Bye Nerdie (CABF11)
Written by John Frink and Don Payne | Directed by Lauren Macmullan
Lisa's attempts to befriend a new student at Springfield Elementary result in constant bullying, leading her on a crusade to find out just what makes bullies tick.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Tim Long, Tom Gammill, Yeardley Smith, Lauren MacMullan, Steven Dean Moore


Simpson Safari (CABF13)
Written by John Swartzwelder | Directed by Mark Kirkland
A belated prize awaits Homer in his next box of animal crackers, one which starts the family out on an exotic trip to Ngorongoro, Africa.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Matt Selman, Tim Long, Yeardley Smith, Mark Kirkland, Michael Marcantel


Trilogy of Error (CABF14)
Written by Matt Selman | Directed by Mike Anderson
In a “Run, Lola, Run” parody, a breakfast accident involving Marge's kitchen knife and Homer's thumb is seen through the eyes of individual family members. While Homer & Marge make a mad dash for the hospital, Lisa takes her linguistic robot to the Springfield science fair, and Bart runs afoul of Fat Tony's illegal fireworks ring.
Commentary: Matt Groening, Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Rob Lazebnik, Matt Selman, Tim Long, Max Pross, David Mirkin, Mike B. Anderson


I'm Goin' To Praiseland (CABF15)
Written by Julie Thacker | Directed by Chuck Sheetz
When Ned discovers that one of Maude's goals was to build a bible-themed amusement park, he reunites with Rachel in order to fulfill her dream. But when an accident dupes the public into believing that the park was the site of a miracle, Ned is forced to decide between revealing the truth versus enjoying his increased profits.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Carolyn Omine, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Tom Gammill, Chuck Sheetz


Children of a Lesser Clod (CABF16)
Written by Al Jean | Directed by Michael Polcino
Homer injures himself while playing basketball at the YMCA, and needs surgery. While recovering at home, he finds he is good at caring for pets and at babysitting the Flandereses' children, so much so that he starts a daycare center which gets him nominated for a Good Guy award for service to the community. But Bart and Lisa feel neglected through all of this, and are determined to thwart his award campaign.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Matt Selman, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Mike Polcino, Mike B. Anderson


Simpsons Tall Tales (CABF17)
Written by John Frink, Don Payne, Bob Bendetson and Matt Selman | Directed by Bob Anderson
A rail-riding hobo tells the tales of American legends, leading to Homer imagine himself as Paul Bunyan, Lisa as Connie Appleseed versus the wagon train pioneers, and Bart and Nelson as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in a rafting adventure on the Mississip'.
Commentary: Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, John Frink, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Bob Anderson, Joel Cohen

The Features

• A Comic Moment with Matt Groening
• Deleted Scenes
• Deleted Scenes Intro with Mike Scully
• Deleted Scenes Gallery W/ Commentary
• Animation Showcase: Treehouse of Horror XI, Day of the Jackanapes
• Ilustrated commentary: Lisa The Treehugger, HOMЯ, I'm Goin' to Praiseland
• Comic Book Guy: Best. Moments. Ever.
• The Global Fanfest
• Sketch gallery
• Commercials: Nestle USA "Butterfingeritis," Nestle USA "Bart's Nightmare," Burger King International "Spaced Homer," Red Rooster "Loungearama"
• easter eggs

Images

[sung]

As for my opinion, I like S12 much more than S11 and a little bit more than S10... Anyways, here are my ratings for each

Treehouse of Horror XI B-
A Tale of Two Springfields B-
Insane Clown Poppy C+
Lisa The Tree Hugger B+
Homer vs. Dignity C+
The Computer Wore Menace Shoes B
The Great Money Caper C
Skinner's Sense of Snow A-
HOMR C+/B-
Pokey Mom C+
Worst Episode Ever A-
Tennis the Menace D-
Day of the Jackanapes B/B+
New Kids on the Blecch D+
Hungry Hungry Homer A-/A
Bye Bye Nerdie D
Simpson Safari C
Trilogy of Error A+
I'm Goin' To Praiseland B
Children of a Lesser Clod A-
Simpsons Tall Tales B-

Overall... I would not say it is a bad season and some episodes are interesting to watch, but there are about 5 that I consider to be strong (for Scully era and for few, the series), many of them that I'd consider okay and few really bad ones.

[Capt Hammer]

My Ratings:

Treehouse of Horror XI B+
A Tale of Two Springfields C
Insane Clown Poppy C
Lisa The Tree Hugger A-
Homer vs. Dignity B+
The Computer Wore Menace Shoes B+ (Loved the MR X part, the rest, not so much)
The Great Money Caper A
Skinner's Sense of Snow A
HOMR A
Pokey Mom C
Worst Episode Ever A
Tennis the Menace B-
Day of the Jackanapes B
New Kids on the Blecch B
Hungry Hungry Homer A
Bye Bye Nerdie C
Simpson Safari A-
Trilogy of Error A++
I'm Goin' To Praiseland B-
Children of a Lesser Clod A+
Simpsons Tall Tales A-

Some great episodes, some not so great episodes

[Importer-Exporter]

It's pretty indescribable season , not indescribably good but in the way where you can't label the season as good or bad. It has some Swartzwelder episodes so I have just a little prayer that he might appear on a commentary this time. Another word about the commentary tracks, I hope they don't suck as bad as season 11's commentaries. They were really bland, not much info about the creation of the episode just the equivalent of hearing Mike Scully laugh and try to save his ass.

[Jye]

Hmmm, this is a pretty terrible season. Ah well, I'm still buying it.

[Capt Hammer]

It's pretty indescribable season , not indescribably good but in the way where you can't label the season as good or bad. It has some Swartzwelder episodes so I have just a little prayer that he might appear on a commentary this time. Another word about the commentary tracks, I hope they don't suck as bad as season 11's commentaries. They were really bland, not much info about the creation of the episode just the equivalent of hearing Mike Scully laugh and try to save his ass.

I Think if swartzwelder was going to go on a commentary he would either have already done it (He sorta did with the cartridge family but that doesn't really count) or he would save it for the last episode he wrote which is the regina monoluoges

[Mr Black]

Not a very good season tbh but will look forward to dvd release.

[hobojoejunkpan]

Anyone know when season 12 will be released? I'm hoping it's on May 19th, 2009.

[Moe Nopoly]

more an average season for me. Some really good ones, but also some i don't really look forward to watch again soon. Anyway, i will get it in time, maybe after the first price cut.

[Fox Executive]

I'll buy the DVD anyway, but I don't like this season. Sure, it's better than s11, but everything is better than s11...

[Tomacco]

Thank God, the last of the Scully seasons. The commentaries are so lackluster in these past couple DVD sets, I can't wait to move on to season 13 if only for that reason.

[Tyler]

once again, the season really isn't much. most episodes are miss, but there are a few good ones.

Treehouse of Horror XI: B, better than most from recent years. the dolphin segment was really weird, though.
A Tale of Two Springfields: B, a lot of people dislike this episode, but i've always found it as one of my favorites from this season. a lot of funny stuff, and although i still think the plot is really disjointed, its not a bad episode as people make it out to be.
Insane Clown Poppy : C-, this episode, from my memory, wasn't great overall. it was really interesting to look into Krusty's life a bit more.
Lisa The Tree Hugger : N/A, haven't seen this one in years, so i can't say much.
Homer vs. Dignity: C, there are a million things wrong with the episode, but some gags aren't that bad. i'm not gonna get into panda rape though.
The Computer Wore Menace Shoes: B-, haven't seen in a while, from what i remember it was a pretty nice episode. i kinda wish they had some jokes referring to simpsons websites, like snpp. that would have made the episode for me.
The Great Money Caper: N/A, one of the few episodes i've never seen.
Skinner's Sense of Snow: A-, one of the better episodes from the season. typical scully episode, you take what you get. plot wasn't bad, kinda got weird around the end though. jokes were pretty good, if i remember correctly.
HOMR: B, didn't deserve the emmy, that goes a few episodes down. overall a above average scully episode, with the plot and jokes clicking, really making the episode watchable.
Pokey Mom: N/A, once again, season 12 is something they don't show often in my town.
Worst Episode Ever: N/A, same thing i said above.
Tennis the Menace: D+, one of the worst from the season. can't remember anything really good from the episode, aside from a few gags.
Day of the Jackanapes: A-, a pretty good one. i was waiting for another sideshow bob episode around this time, and the episode really delivered. cool story, great gags, all around a better episode than much of the season.
New Kids on the Blecch: D, no. no just no. i don't have to give an explanation.
Hungry Hungry Homer: A, haven't seen in a long time though. once i get the DVD set, i'll judge then. but i remember the episode as really funny.
Bye Bye Nerdie: C, something i remember seeing as a rerun on fox in mid 01. haven't seen it since then. from what i remember, not really funny at all, nor interesting.
Simpson Safari: N/A, another one i have really, really wanted to see.
Trilogy of Error: A+, best of the season. a really interesting episode, keeps my attention each time i see it.
I'm Goin' To Praiseland : N/A, i know i've seen it, but way too long ago to remember.
Children of a Lesser Clod : D, i really hated it. the whole episode was really just uninteresting.
Simpsons Tall Tales : B, some people might hate me for that grade, but i've loved it. the first few non-trilogy episodes aren't too bad, up until about "margical history tour". plus i saw it on it's original airing.

[WBadger]

Some forgetful ones in this boxset, but S12 is special to me, and features some episodes I really enjoy, which include:

A Tale of Two Springfields
Lisa the Tree Hugger
Skinner's Sense of Snow
Worst Episode Ever
Trilogy of Error
Simpsons Tall Tales

[Thrillho]

Not a great season, but better than 11. Anyways I'm still planning on buying the boxset (or headset)....

[Ryan]

This has this gigantic nostalgic factor for me that will be only surpassed once we hit S13. This being near the height of my fandom, I'm eager to hear the commentaries.

But man, this season has some stinkers. After S11 aired, I watched a shitload of syndicated classic era Simpsons over the summer just to come back to "A Tale of Two Springfields". What a disappointment THAT was after months and months of anticipation. Oh well, at least "Trilogy of Error" will be worth it...

[The Governor]

Treehouse of Horror XI - C+
A Tale of Two Springfields - F
Insane Clown Poppy - B-
Lisa The Tree Hugger - B-
Homer vs. Dignity - C+
The Computer Wore Menace Shoes - C
The Great Money Caper - C-
Skinner's Sense of Snow - C+
HOMR - D-
Pokey Mom - C
Worst Episode Ever - C+
Tennis the Menace - F
Day of the Jackanapes - D
New Kids on the Blecch - B-
Hungry Hungry Homer - A-
Bye Bye Nerdie - C
Simpson Safari - F
Trilogy of Error - A
I'm Goin' To Praiseland - D+
Children of a Lesser Clod - C-
Simpsons Tall Tales - C

Another winning season! A solid D+.

[Green Man]

Treehouse of Horror XI--A-
A Tale of Two Springfields--C+/B-
Insane Clown Poppy--C+
Lisa The Tree Hugger--C-
Homer vs. Dignity--B+
The Computer Wore Menace Shoes--C+
The Great Money Caper--C+/B-
Skinner's Sense of Snow--B+
HOMR--B+/A
Pokey Mom--B-
Worst Episode Ever--C+
Tennis the Menace--C-
Day of the Jackanapes--C+
New Kids on the Blecch--D+
Hungry Hungry Homer--B+/A
Bye Bye Nerdie--B+
Simpson Safari--D-
Trilogy of Error--A+
I'm Goin' To Praiseland--B+
Children of a Lesser Clod--A
Simpsons Tall Tales--B+

Horrible season, but I'll buy the DVD anyway. I think tha Apu or Burns should be on the cover this time.

[Jims]

You know, part of the fun of these boxsets are trying to remember the exact reasons why you hate some of these episodes so much. It turns a vague "I hate Simpsons Safari!" statement into "I hate Simpsons Safari because of _____ and _____ and ______" in your mind.

One of the most shocking moments of Season 11's boxset was when I realized KTAAR was worse than I remembered it.

[Thrillho]

I think that Apu or Burns should be on the cover this time.

+1

Anyways, my ratings:

Treehouse of Horror XI: B-
A Tale of Two Springfields: B-
Insane Clown Poppy C+/B-
Lisa The Tree Hugger: B-
Homer vs. Dignity: C
The Computer Wore Menace Shoes: D
The Great Money Caper: B-
Skinner's Sense of Snow: B+/A-
HOMR: A-
Pokey Mom: C+
Worst Episode Ever: B+/A-
Tennis the Menace: C
Day of the Jackanapes: B-
New Kids on the Blecch: C+
Hungry Hungry Homer: B
Bye Bye Nerdie C
Simpson Safari: C-
Trilogy of Error A-
I'm Goin' To Praiseland C-
Children of a Lesser Clod: A-
Simpsons Tall Tales C

OVERALL: C+...meh

[Charlie]

You know, part of the fun of these boxsets are trying to remember the exact reasons why you hate some of these episodes so much. It turns a vague "I hate Simpsons Safari!" statement into "I hate Simpsons Safari because of _____ and _____ and ______" in your mind.

One of the most shocking moments of Season 11's boxset was when I realized KTAAR was worse than I remembered it.

I remember I didn't see KTAAR for the first time until about a year after I first joined here. At first I was like "ooooh, so THAT'S why they hate it so much!"...each subsequent time I watch it the episode just seems to be so much worse and worse.

[The Governor]

They should put a picture of a Panda on the cover.

[Charlie]

And the theme should be Homer getting raped by said panda.

[sung]

Putting a panda on the cover could appeal to customers... for those who do not know what was the deal with "Homer vs. Dignity"

anyways, I presume that they'll go with another popular secondary character-themed box art since that they had Krusty-themed one in S11.

[Fox Executive]

Yup, I'm pretty sure that they'll bring an Apu or Moe box.

[Importer-Exporter]

Maybe they should have a Ned head, because of "I'm Goin' To Praiseland", no secondary character except him is major in this season. Season thirteen needs to be a Mr. Burns head, because he's one of the most prominent in that season. For season fourteen should be a Moe head because of "Moe's Baby Blues". That is if they base box covers on season content, which I don't think they will.

[The Sovereign]

anyone got a date for this? or even an estimated one?

[Thrillho]

Possibly August/September 2009?

The Complete First Season: September 25, 2001
The Complete Second Season: August 6, 2002
The Complete Third Season: August 26, 2003
The Complete Fourth Season: June 15, 2004
The Complete Fifth Season: December 21, 2004
The Complete Sixth Season: August 16, 2005
The Complete Seventh Season: December 13, 2005
The Complete Eighth Season: August 15, 2006
The Complete Ninth Season: December 19, 2006
The Complete Tenth Season: August 7, 2007
The Complete Eleventh Season: October 7, 2008
The Complete Twelfth Season: August-September 2009?

[Kill Ron Whitey]

I spent a long time thinking about this.
Its my first post on this forum, having just joined after 20 years of fandom. Sweet.

01 - B
02 - B
03 - D+
04 - A+ :ninjas are cool
05 - A
06 - B+
07 - A-
08 - B-
09 - A+ :"de-fence!! de-fence!!"
10 - B-
11 - B+
12 - C+
13 - A
14 - C+
15 - A-
16 - C-
17 - C+
18 - B+
19 - B
20 - B+
21 - B-

[Otis P Jivefunk]

I predict August 2009...

Anyway I'm looking forward to this season. Much better than Season 11. A lot of good eps including one of my all time faves "Trilogy Of Error"...

[D'ohmer]

Maybe they should have a Ned head, because of "I'm Goin' To Praiseland", no secondary character except him is major in this season. Season thirteen needs to be a Mr. Burns head, because he's one of the most prominent in that season. For season fourteen should be a Moe head because of "Moe's Baby Blues". That is if they base box covers on season content, which I don't think they will.

There was no Krusty episode in season 11, so I don't think they will in the future, unless Krusty was an exception to promote the new ride.