Rate and Review: "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" (MABF10)

[Jesse Pinkman]

What? No, I like girls, its fine making them strong. More girl power by all the means. They just don't have to have them beat up Bart is all. You never see them picking on Nelson or Milhouse, they always only have them beat up Bart. I'm just annoyed by that is all, if they had that kind of stuff happen than I'd say oh ok its not bad all the guys in The Simpsons are weak not just Bart.

so if girls picked on nelson, milhouse, or anybody else, would it be more acceptable, simply because bart's your favorite character?

[D'ohmer]

For something like this to work there has be an element of surprise. A good example of how something remotely like this could be portrayed with cleverness? Perhaps when Lisa suddenly does thing to Bart to outline how violence is funny when it doesn't happen to you. And Marge's response to it gave the moment actual humour, which is so sorely missed in this episode.

I didn't like that joke either, as I didn't like the episode. I found it OOC for Lisa to do and I found Marge's reaction to it stupid and unnecessary.

[The Governor]

I didn't like that joke either, as I didn't like the episode. I found it OOC for Lisa to do and I found Marge's reaction to it stupid and unnecessary.

But if Bart went OOC and slapped Lisa because he was mad at her, you'd be saying it's the most clever, and emotional, just for fun episode ever made?

[D'ohmer]

But if Bart went OOC and slapped Lisa because he was mad at her, you'd be saying it's the most clever, and emotional, just for fun episode ever made?

Not the episode, but I wouldn't mind the gag because I can see Bart doing it.

[Jesse Pinkman]

Not the episode, but I wouldn't mind the gag because I can see Bart doing it.

plus you know, the hatred of lisa also magically makes it better

[D'ohmer]

plus you know, the hatred of lisa also magically makes it better

No, not with this gag.

[BartSimpsonfan17]

so if girls picked on nelson, milhouse, or anybody else, would it be more acceptable, simply because bart's your favorite character?

Look, all I'm saying is if other guys got kicked the crap of by girls than I'd be ok if Bart did too. Cuz its not just Bart getting beaten by girls. Like I said, it makes him seem weaker than most of the guys.

[Jesse Pinkman]

No, not with this gag.

i don't know, seeing lisa in pain, how could lisa-haters{unite!} not like that

[IM A BRICK]

Wow glad I voted before reading this, I liked it, not great but a bit better then average.
Loved Homers description of going to Israel. A a war zone and a desert with no gambling & no pork . Though I thought SBC was a bit annoying as the tour guide but he is not my favorite comedian anyway. 3.5 rounded up to 4 of 5

[D'ohmer]

i don't know, seeing lisa in pain, how could lisa-haters{unite!} not like that

Lisa being in pain doesn't automatically make a scene good for me.

[Jesse Pinkman]

Lisa being in pain doesn't automatically make a scene good for me.

i've just lost all faith in humanity

[hughes]

I know I don't have any right to say this, but could you guys discuss the actual episode instead of going in circles about D'ohmer's Lisa hate for the 20th time this week? Not trying to be a jerk, but this conversation went nowhere the first time and it's now been repeated so often it seems to be going backwards

[D'ohmer]

i've just lost all faith in humanity

I knew you'd say something like that

Edit: Animal, I understand it being annoying and we can stop, but our discussion actually strung from something from this episode, it's not like we're randomly discussing it. Also, this is a board, where we discuss things. Sorry if I sound rude, we can stop if you want.

[Jesse Pinkman]

I know I don't have any right to say this, but could you guys discuss the actual episode instead of going in circles about D'ohmer's Lisa hate for the 20th time this week? Not trying to be a jerk, but this conversation went nowhere the first time and it's now been repeated so often it seems to be going backwards

well technically we're still talking about the episode, as most of the lisa hate is about the scene where she beats bart {tho i wonder what the next new episode's lisa hate will be }

though i do agree, it does get tiresome

[The Governor]

I know I don't have any right to say this, but could you guys discuss the actual episode instead of going in circles about D'ohmer's Lisa hate for the 20th time this week? Not trying to be a jerk, but this conversation went nowhere the first time and it's now been repeated so often it seems to be going backwards

When the episode is THIS bad, these side debates start happening.

[D'ohmer]

It does get tiresome

[bartyboy]

must you do this every time?

[Jesse Pinkman]

When the episode is THIS bad, these side debates start happening.

i can't wait for more memorable ones for the upcoming episodes this season

[biffwestwood]

Could we just use this thread for reviewing the episode and not use it to debate only the fighting?

[Jesse Pinkman]

Could we just use this thread for reviewing the episode and not use it to debate only the fighting?

there were much worse debates/fighting in previous seasons' {i check R@R threads for other seasons}. i'm just glad these are never that bad

[BartSimpsonfan17]

When the episode is THIS bad, these side debates start happening.

Does it make things more fun?

[MunkeyBoxx]

Absolutely horrible in every since of the word. The plot to me had perfect potential and was one of the Season Twenty-One episodes I actually looked forward to. Kevin Curran's writing credits for the Simpsons is pretty bad. His record isn't exactly what I would call squeeky clean, but this has to be his worst episode....I mean this episode was puke worthy for Christ's sake.

The episode started off sloppy and I wasn't amused by Sacha Baron Cohen's character at all. This was supposed to be the utterly hilarious tour guide? Oh well hilarious isn't the word, he's best described in two words and thats Annoying F#cktard. I mean I might've gave off a slight chuckle at first but I mean...come on now. If Curran was going to write him in like this than he should've only gave him a cameo instead of a full episode presence. Disgusting.

Homer was a dumbass as usual and that doesn't bother me because Homer's my favorite character and unlike some fans I don't really get repulsed by him much. Ned was in character but Curran could've actually utilized him for some kind of emotional balance in the episode. The many failed attempts at jokey "emotional" occurances ruined by Homer was far from funny.

Bart vs. the Tour Guide's daughter to me had comedic potential. I mean I could see how Curran tried to make it funny but idk....it felt a little rushed, a little un-needed and just overall wasn't executed well. Another failed joke.

Homer caring-less about Holy-landmarks was very much expected. But I mean again it wasn't funny at all. Poorly executed and went on for to long. It started to get a tad bit irritating.

What happened to Homer's full fledged Jersualem syndrome? I think I might've dosed off on that part. Again, this could've easily been used to create both a comedic and emotional atmosphere.

This was one of the most boring Simpsons episodes I have ever seen in my life. What the hell man? Al Jean said this season was one of the best I think, right? The Season started off pretty solid and dwindled down a lot once it got to Pranks and Greens. Jeez....

1.5 / 5 (D-)

[Jesse Pinkman]

What the hell man? Al Jean said this season was one of the best I think, right?]

he has to say that, he's not going to say to the fans, the general public "Yea, this season is pure crap"

[Ramier Wolfcastle]

That.Episode.SUCKED.

And I usually don't say that about an episode of The Simpsons. I think this is the first time I've seen an episode have mostly 1/5's on the Rate/Review thread.

Let's see ... it started with Ned Flanders having a prayer service in his house only for it to be interrupted by Homer with no pants on. So Ned decides that the Simpson family should go to Jerusalem for a slim chance of turning Homer into a better man.

Then Homer acts like he's on vacation and not interested in the history of the Holy Land. Then he thinks he's the Messiah. Oh, and throw in Dr. Hibbert thinking he's suffering from "Jerusalem syndrome." How the heck were Homer and Ned at peace at the end of the episode???? It made no fucking sense!!!!!!

The only good parts were the karate scenes with Bart and the tour guide's niece, and the fact that Ned and Krusty on the trip as well. Everything else was just horrible. I didn't understand the tour guide at all. Sacha Baron Cohen was horrible.

Overall: 1.5/5, rounded up to 2/5. This could very well be the Al Jean era's "Kill the Alligator and Run." (I couldn't vote 1/5 because I'm not an atheist. But the tagline "why have you forsaken me?" was exactly what I was thinking after the episode aired)

[The Wiggs]

I thought this episode was really bad. I really hope that sometime we get a good travel episode. 1/5. I have high hopes for the next two episodes though. The plots sound really good. Especially "Chief of Hearts" where Homer and Chief Wiggum become friends. Its about time we get a Wiggum-centric episode. I feel that this season's about to go on an upswing.

[jayleno]

I would've liked it better if Skinner was the one bringing Bart over to Israel, but this one worked just as well. Gee! These travel-logs sure are swell!.. I learned a lot.
Homer gave the holy lands a good going over! 5/5


"אין כזה תנין כמו אלוהים שלנו

...Jesus Christ....

[Jims]

The episode started off sloppy and I wasn't amused by Sacha Baron Cohen's character at all. This was supposed to be the utterly hilarious tour guide? Oh well hilarious isn't the word, he's best described in two words and thats Annoying F#cktard. I mean I might've gave off a slight chuckle at first but I mean...come on now. If Curran was going to write him in like this than he should've only gave him a cameo instead of a full episode presence. Disgusting.

I agree with this review completely.

I think this was an Albert Brooks situation gone wrong. Occasionally, the writers will come across a guest performance that they love so much that they'll just keep cramming in as much of the character as possible. In the case of Albert Brooks' characters, who are generally much better written and delivered, they can get away with it. This one? I'm not sure what the writers saw here.

It was clear that they must've really loved this performance a lot, since the episode was practically wanking off over the character. Maybe his adlibs and stuff was amazing, and you had to be there at the time... But, in this medium that we are watching, he came off as being annoying, unfunny, and pointless. It's pretty sad when you're watching a Simpsons Vacation Episode, which often contain the most awful stories the series ever does, and you're wishing they would go back to the typical tourism jokes. They just kept dragging this character back into the limelight, ultimately dragging the episode down with him.

Most all of the jokes in general were pretty poor. The only two I really liked were the Veggie Tales parody and the joke about chicken at the end... And those jokes came pretty late into the episode.

The only credit I will give the episode is that they tried to actually do a story for a vacation episode with the Homer/Ned dynamic. Oftentimes the reason for their vacations are so frivolous and contrived that it was nice that they tried to make it more character-based than usual. The story, although in the background, seemed to make sense for the first couple acts, but was kind of ruined by the left turn they made into Wacky 4th Act Land. So the execution of it wasn't exactly there... Still, they get some imaginary Concept Points for trying to do something more than the typical Vacation Episode.

1.5/5. Oy gevalt.

[Toon~g@l!]

What.
The.
Hell.
Was.
That?

Never in my life did I want to strangle a character more than the that tour guide. The most annoying character I have ever encountered in the history of the show, and I thought the parson in Wedding for Disaster was terrible but this guy, geeze enough was enough.

Yeah I agree with everyone else too, this episode was one of the worst, the jokes were like that of Family guy and Homer was just annoying throughout. Definitly rate this one a 2/5. There were some laughs but not enough to make this episode enjoyable

[That Don Guy]

Well, at least we disagreed on something (as usual); the tour guide was the only reason I rated it 2/5 instead of 1/5.

What was with that whole Porky Pig scene?

-- Don

[Gatorgod]

...Jesus Christ....

The Jews think he's a great prophet, but are still waiting for the real messiah!