NHC Weekly Episode Club 2.0

[Nauru-1]

It's funny because I usually can't stand Homer when he's a jerk. As I tried to explain in my review there was just something unique about this particular episode that separates it from, say, Scully Homer.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Again, and this is pure speculation, I also acknowledge that Homer is something of a jerk here, but the fact that this episode is genuinely and consistently funny is likely why it's overlooked.

[CousinMerl]

I mean... hitting someone with his car on purpose. The man needed an iron hip afterwards. And Homer couldn't care less.

Homer didn't intend to actually hit him; the nerds were supposed to push him aside before that but they screwed up big time and Homer did show regret afterwards and did apologize to the dean so I wouldn't say that he didn't care.

[cinco]

He obviously drove too fast for the prank to succeed. If you wanna do a prank like that, you're not gonna drive with a speed that catapults the victim into the air.
And when he did the apology, it missed some sincerity and he obviously didn't get the seriousness of the consequences for the dean.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

The scene in question happened way too late in the episode for Homer to come off as anything other than a jerk, even when apologizing, but this episode really isn't one where you think of it in that way, instead it's a gag fest. It isn't some deep character study or something which resonates emotionally like "Lisa's Substitute." If you try and turn it into something like that you'll never enjoy it, but if you need closure for the dean one of the stills in the credits shows him and Homer jamming on guitars next to a clearly pissed Richard Nixon so I'd say they patched things up and became buds

[CousinMerl]

He obviously drove too fast for the prank to succeed. If you wanna do a prank like that, you're not gonna drive with a speed that catapults the victim into the air.

Yes, he drove quite fast since I guess he got carried away with the whole scheme (I think that he figured that the faster he drove, the easier it would be for the nerds to get back into college after they saved the dean), but it did seem like he started driving on the other side of the building because the nerds did have time to have a chat so Homer did give them quite a bit of time; they could have succeeded quite easily if they kept looking out for Homer to come speeding in his car instead of talking with each other about wind resistance and turning their attention away from the dean.

And when he did the apology, it missed some sincerity and he obviously didn't get the seriousness of the consequences for the dean.

I think he was rather speechless and just said the first things he thought of; Homer has always been quite simple and never really been a very deep guy when it comes to apologies. The way he apologized to the dean and admitted the pranks he had pulled was sincere enough for me despite his jerk attitude in the episode, but I can understand if you wanted more.

EDIT: I also agree with what raspberry said above; let's not take this so far.

[zartok-35]

And when he did the apology, it missed some sincerity and he obviously didn't get the seriousness of the consequences for the dean.

Well, yeah. He still thinks the dean is evil and stuck up like in the movies! One could argue that Homer wouldn't really feel that way unless he realized how great the dean actually was, which he really didn't over the course of the episode.

[Nauru-1]

Well, yeah. He still thinks the dean is evil and stuck up like in the movies! One could argue that Homer wouldn't really feel that way unless he realized how great the dean actually was, which he really didn't over the course of the episode.

See that's probably why I buy into it. The humour is in Homer's obliviousness to how friendly the dean is and very much not like he sees in the movies. Somehow, I think it makes Homer's boorish behaviour go from unlikeable to amusing. It reminds me of the relationship of Homer being mean to Flanders despite how nice he is being treated in return, although jealousy may play a bit of a role in that case.

[CousinMerl]

Thinking of that moment at the table scene where we see Homer holding the piece of toast and is talking about the nerds, I have to agree with raspberry that that is a very poorly made shot and it instantly reminds me of that Grampa bit in 'Cape Feare' where he talks about Matlock and then about mashing corn into a paste (also a part mentioned by raspberry); those shots look so stiff and the characters' mouth movements don't match their words; I'd also like to point out that the latter looks awfully much like a looped clip and is considerably worse than the toast shot.

What is it really with the poor moments of animation in season five?; was it a turning point in the show when they started to get new animators or something?

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

When asked about it in the commentary for "Homer Goes to College" I believe Jim Reardon just says they were getting stuff like that back from Korea like too big pupils that just needed to be corrected and was obviously fixed by Season 6. Aside from that I don't really know but you can tell several episodes from Season 5 in particular stick out animation wise for the wrong reasons.

[zartok-35]

I'd say this toast scene is worse. At least Grandpa's corn scene is drawn properly.

[CousinMerl]

I'd say this toast scene is worse. At least Grandpa's corn scene is drawn properly.

Yes, but personally, I think I'd rather have a somewhat badly drawn shot than something that looks like a looped clip and is shown twice (albeit with slight differences); but each to his own, I guess.

Anyway, it's Thursday today and I wonder what episode Darren.Erg has in mind for this weekend. Here's the list again:

Financial Panther- Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious
Percy Wellington- The Lastest Gun In The West
D'ohmer- The Computer Wore Menace Shoes
Oh, that's raspberry- Treehouse Of Horror III
Squeaky Voiced Teen- Homer Goes To College
Darren.Erg-
Comicshow Molemanbob-
Zartok-35-
NumberZone-
The Wiggs-
Nauru-1-
Veganpunk-
Zombies Rise from the Sea-
hughes-
hammster-
cinco-
Blobulle-

[Zombies Rise from the Sea]

Ah. Homer Goes to College, one of the high points of the fourth season of the Simpsons.

I wrote a review for this episode a while back, that's the long version. The short version of this is that Homer + College + Conan + Mirkin = Instant Classic.

[CousinMerl]

If Darren hasn't shown up in this thread and stated his choice in a post by tomorrow evening, I say we move on to the next member on the list, Comicshow Molemanbob; anyone else agree?

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Yes, but calm down Zone I've already left him a message he'll give it eventually. Not everyone has to give the episode out Wednesday morning.

[Old painty-can Ned]

This is the third and last episode penned by the infamous Conan O’Brien . It sort of seems like a rather weak way to go out considering the first two episodes he wrote are both amazing. As I consider Marge vs. The Monorail the best episode ever. While I do agree that this episode has so funny moments I do find the plot rather thin and filled with many moments that were very jerkass Homer and the humour isn’t strong enough to hold it up. This is probably in the bottom tier of Season 5 which is a phenomenal season so that’s not saying it’s a bad episode.

I do find this episode to be the birth of jerkass Homer. Many of you will say he acted stupid in previous episodes but most of those are just common Homer traits. Him chasing the squirrels and making a stupid prank call are not good Homer jokes and don’t really belong on the show. I do find the way he acts very seasons 9-12 esque. Everyone if forced to play as his straight man to his moronic antics and it’s just too Homer centric. While I do love a good Homer episode I don’t agree with vastly changing someone’s personality for an episode. I don’t mind it for a good joke or two but not a whole episode. But I do think the episode could’ve worked if they didn’t solely focus on Homer’s twisted expectations of college life. I am well aware that it is somewhat Homer to think television provides the reality but in the case of this episode I feel they dragged it out for far too long and most of the scenes felt more like little skits and a fully fledged episode. I mean would the Homer we all love run someone over in his car or fantasize about throwing someone off a bridge? Also most of the great jokes revolved around characters that aren’t Homer. Mr. Burns was undoubtedly the funniest character in this episode. He has many classic Burns moments including the Maltese Falcon and the Untouchables references as well as the beginning of the episode with the lets make a dead parody. I do think the episode goes up a bit when they go to the Simpsons house just because I think the nerds are actually funny here. The rock tumbler gag is probably the best gag involving the nerds. But the episode falters the most at the ending. I feel it’s too rushed and it had to be extremely rushed because they wasted so much time on gags involving Homer’s stupidity. Lastly the animation is probably the worst of the classic era sans season 1. The characters eyes are just way too distracting and many scenes looked weirdly done (Zartok does a much better job with animation than I do).

Overall I think there is enough humour to save this episode from being one of the worst of the classic era. But I do think there are many aspects of this episode that really falter. I don’t know I just expect much more from the writers of this show. Its gag crazy Homer centric episode just can’t hold up in comparison to some of season 5’s classic episodes (Cape Fear/Marge on the Lam/Rosebud/Sweet Seymour etc.) and I am surprised everyone has given this episode such high grades. I actually think I like Futurama’s attempt at making a college episode much more appealing.

Grade: B

P.S I'll pick my episode later today and I also never really cared for the I am so smrt joke. I think it's pretty quotable but i don't find it to be that strong of a gag.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Interesting view Darren, and I agree for the most part. The only thing I think I'd disagree on is my enjoyment of a couple of more gags such as that squirrel joke for its simplicity, but I can see why it might not be for everyone. I definitely prefer Futurama's first college episode to this.

[CousinMerl]

Yes, but calm down Zone I've already left him a message he'll give it eventually. Not everyone has to give the episode out Wednesday morning.

I am calm, I was just saying what I think we should have done if he hadn't shown up any time soon.

Anyhow, good review of 'College', Darren; looking forward to see your choice.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

No need to get sarcastic I know, I was being half-hearted...

[CousinMerl]

No need to get sarcastic I know, I was being half-hearted...

I didn't intend to sound sarcastic so I am sorry I came off as being so.

[Squeaky Voiced Teen]

is it too late to toss together a review for this episode, or should I just wait until the next episode? Just been busy with life. I'd do it tonight prob.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Realistically you still have all of Friday so go for it. That's why I try to insist that we hold off discussing the next episode until Saturday.