Rate and Review: "The Book Job" (NABF22)

[Blobulle]

November 20, 2011: NABF22 - The Book Job
After Lisa finds out that her favorite author doesn’t exist, Homer forms a literary team in hopes of writing a bestselling tween novel.

[Redem]

That was a fun change of format, although it kinda lack laugh

3,5/5

[Jesse Pinkman]

-I want to go back in mommy

+Dad, follow that dinosaur!
I’ve waited my whole life to hear that.

+Homer snoring inside that fake dinosaur

+I demand to speak to my paleontologist

+Patty speaking Parseltongue

+Do you have a computer?
Uh, yes.
You’re in.
In what?

+Lisa playing online boggle

+Moe’s green blood

+Neil Gaiman losing his accent

+Stephen King being a ‘fake author name’

+Team Schmul

+British Fonzie is right

pretty good. i laughed a decent amount of times. the last act or so was kind of boring but overall, nice. 3.5/5, maybe a 4.

[Tattooed Billionaire]

Pretty good! This one's my favorite of the season so far. The laughs were good enough, and the story was fun: "B-."

[Daria]

My list is almost tha same, but ... I didn't get this "Team Schmul"
What is it about?????

[Financial Panther]

Very good! The episode's plot was very original, and the format was interesting. The episode didn't have a huge number of laughs, but it told a strong and captivating story. However, I'm not sure if we were supposed to feel for Lisa or not while she was trying to write a book, because I certainly didn't. She kind of seemed like a jerk to me, but got better as the episode progressed. All in all, this was a really good episode, 4.5/5.

Also, I was kind of hoping that Patty or Skinner would mention their old relationship, but oh well.

[thewalkindude]

This was probably the best episode of the season, so far. Nothing stood out to me as really objectionable, and they did make decent use of Neil Gaman. I also like the fact that tween literature is overrun by vampires, because that's what the companies think will sell. I'm glad their slightly original Harry Potter ripoff succeeded in the end.

Also, I feel like the smoking dinosaurs was a direct quote of a Far Side comic.

[That Don Guy]

Written by Dan Vebber
Directed by Bob Anderson
Special Guest Voice: Neil Gaiman, Andy Garcia
Also Starring: Chris Edgerly, Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille
Overseas Animation: Akom
TV Rating: TV-PG-DLV
What's with the "really short openings" (and no gags over the title) lately?

The Rock Bottom Remainders (gee, I wonder who that one is on the far right - he's left-handed, too) were performing at the book fair - "every ticket still available".

Also, I feel like the smoking dinosaurs was a direct quote of a Far Side comic.

It was

[The Governor]

The Rock Bottom Remainders (gee, I wonder who that one is on the far right - he's left-handed, too) were performing at the book fair - "every ticket still available".

I don't have the episode to review over, but was it Matt Groening? And did they take is his tambourine away, again?

[MagicMeg]

I loved it. I can relate so, so much to how Lisa kept finding ways to avoid writing her book. Dear lord, I've been there.

Also, the format used reminds of the episode 24 minutes. In a good way.

Loved it!

[Cartoonnetwork]

Maybe it was the hype, but I didn't find it that great or funny. The whole set up seemed a little forced to me and I felt the music montages ate big parts of the episode. I kinda enjoyed The Food Wife more.

There were some very good moments, though, and at least it was creative.

I thought Neil Gaiman was very funny, also Moe's role, "You're in" "In what?" and "This is so untrolly" were really good lines, but other moments seemed a little dull to me.

I'm not sure whether I liked Lisa's role or not. It was a realistic behaviour and an interesting twist, but I'm not sure if it was totally in character for Lisa.

I liked that they used a group of secondaries, but they didn't do a lot with them, except for Moe.

Overall it was good, but I've seen better even in HD Simpsons. I still think it was second best this season after The Food Wife and better than a lot of previous season, so Matt Selman as showrunner seems like an interesting idea.

4/5

[Tubbb!]

Newer writers?

Valentina Garza's been on staff for 5 years, and she was the last one hired. Matt Selman's been on for 15 and still going. None of the writers on the show are "new", certainly not Dan Vebber, who first joined Futurama almost 13 years ago.

You mean Dan Vebber, the freelance writer who only has one Simpsons episode to his credit... that one episode being this one? Mmmm hmmmm. I call that "new." (WTF does Futurama even have to do with a discussion about The Simpsons? He wrote for Buffy The Vampire Slayer as well. Wanna work that into your argument somewhere?)
As for who made the faux pas, if it was one of the veteran writers that contributed the whole gag about T. R. Francis, it wouldn't surprise me. Ever listen to the DVD commentaries? Sometimes veteran writers can't even remember basic things about the main characters.

I stand by my original statement.

[jbauer]

You mean Dan Vebber, the freelance writer who only has one Simpsons episode to his credit... that one episode being this one? Mmmm hmmmm. I call that "new." (WTF does Futurama even have to do with a discussion about The Simpsons? He wrote for Buffy The Vampire Slayer as well. Wanna work that into your argument somewhere?)
As for who made the faux pas, if it was one of the veteran writers that contributed the whole gag about T. R. Francis, it wouldn't surprise me. Ever listen to the DVD commentaries? Sometimes veteran writers can't even remember basic things about the main characters.

I stand by my original statement.

My point is that Vebber has tons of experience writing scripts for animation. Besides most of Futurama, he also spent years on American Dad. These shows employ a lot of the same people, with the same experience. And Futurama's similar enough to the Simpsons to make the transition a smooth one. Besides Vebber, there are at least six former Futurama staffers on the current Simpsons staff, and I'm not even counting Groening. So, I think Futurama plays well into this discussion.

After 23 years of non-stop primetime animation, there's a specific niche for animation writers in the industry. Vebber's long since become one. Buffy was merely a starting step. Case in point, what has Jon Vitti done in the past 10 years besides writing animated films?

I didn't even take the faux pas into consideration. It's beside my original point. If a veteran writer can't remember a specific fact or trait, that shouldn't be held against them. Most of them worked on 250 episodes or more. Try doing that for 10+ years, and then try to remember Skinner's favorite dish on a trivia contest. Unless you have a very photographic memory like Al Jean, chances are you're going to make a mistake.

[jbauer]

As for the review, easily the best episode produced this year. Pretty bold and original concept having this particular group of characters. The idea of mixing youth oriented novel satire with a caper plot is pretty clever.

And terrific performance by Neil Gaiman. The man's a natural at cartoon voice acting. And he was pretty well used throughout the story.

5/5

[Tubbb!]

My point is that Vebber has tons of experience writing scripts for animation. Besides most of Futurama, he also spent years on American Dad. These shows employ a lot of the same people, with the same experience. And Futurama's similar enough to the Simpsons to make the transition a smooth one.

I'm glad the man's a "script mill." Maybe he should do some research into the characters he's writing about.

Besides Vebber, there are at least six former Futurama staffers on the current Simpsons staff, and I'm not even counting Groening. So, I think Futurama plays well into this discussion.

Most of whom probably have more than one Simpsons episode under their belt. They understand the canon by now, and Vebber does not. Since you only mentioned Futurama in relation to Vebber, I don't think it matters diddly-squat. His experience with the characters on Futurama doesn't magically give him knowledge of characters, or canon, on The Simpsons.

After 23 years of non-stop primetime animation, there's a specific niche for animation writers in the industry. Vebber's long since become one. Buffy was merely a starting step. Case in point, what has Jon Vitti done in the past 10 years besides writing animated films?

Apparently sarcasm goes right over your head.

I didn't even take the faux pas into consideration. It's beside my original point. If a veteran writer can't remember a specific fact or trait, that shouldn't be held against them. Most of them worked on 250 episodes or more. Try doing that for 10+ years, and then try to remember Skinner's favorite dish on a trivia contest. Unless you have a very photographic memory like Al Jean, chances are you're going to make a mistake.

Since that was the beef I had in my OP that you first responded to, maybe you should have taken the faux pas into consideration. On the topic of Simpsons trivia, I'd take any of the writers to task on that... and I've been watching since season one of Ullman, which is much more than 10 years. Have you ever seen the Global Fanfest trivia segment on the season 12 DVD? That makes me cringe every time. Let's not even talk about the ignorance by the writers in the majority of the DVD commentaries....

As for your trivia question: Which Skinner? Seymour, Agnes, or Armin Tamzarian?

(In reality, I'm not sure it's ever been mentioned... however, in "Principal Charming," Skinner states: "Say what they will about our cafeteria, I still think they're the best tater tots that money can buy." Then he longingly savors their aroma. That would lead me to believe that "tater tots" would be your answer. You could also say "cafeteria food" in general. However, Agnes Skinner offers him lima beans as a reward for cleaning his room in "The Principal and the Pauper," then gives him poached fish for his trip to Capital City... so, who's to say? In "22 Short Films," he's clearly baking a ham at first, and in "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song" he's grilling hot dogs for Bart and himself. You've got me stumped on this one, and I eagerly await the correct answer from you!)

[jbauer]

I recall the Global Fanfest. I didn't really see anything cringeworthy on that one.

I think it's fair to say that none of the writers are required to memorize such details. That's why movies and TV shows employ script supervisors and coordinators, people whose job is to keep track of all that. It's hard enough to develop a good story without getting bogged down on the little details.

There's a difference between being a writer and being a fan, especially a devoted one. And that's why I'd spare the writers on that issue, especially with 493 episodes already aired.

And as for the question, I was definitely referring to Tamzarian...

[Tubbb!]

And as for the question, I was definitely referring to Tamzarian...

Good 'ol Principal Tamzarian!

[The Governor]

I recall the Global Fanfest. I didn't really see anything cringeworthy on that one.

I think it's fair to say that none of the writers are required to memorize such details. That's why movies and TV shows employ script supervisors and coordinators, people whose job is to keep track of all that. It's hard enough to develop a good story without getting bogged down on the little details.

There's a difference between being a writer and being a fan, especially a devoted one. And that's why I'd spare the writers on that issue, especially with 493 episodes already aired.

I don't care if the show is 215 years old and has 8,155 episodes, its not the viewer's responsibility to give the writers a free pass to suck. You might find something noble to revere the staff, but its their job and because we don't work in the tv industry doesn't mean we cannot be critical of their work.

[lionelhutz123]

what has Jon Vitti done in the past 10 years besides writing animated films?

He's a writer on the office.

I never got around to doing a review! I liked this one and not for the sake of it being a decent parody, but I thought the story worked very well. When I first heard the description that they were going to tackle "tween" literature or whatever it's called with their own fantasy novel, I thought of that twilight THOH segment from last year and was just like "bleh, please don't", but what we got here was pretty neat. It was actually an original idea that was plausibly created by the characters and it felt like a fun and successful jab at the whole harry potter/twilight craze. It was really good satire for once, which turned real when it showed the struggle of the writing process. Kind of a compromise that it's not as easy as pulling the ideas out of your ass. Also, as the story progressed, I was actually rooting for the characters, especially when they all realized that they cared more about their creation more than the money. Also it was funny on several occasions. The best one was the gag many have mentioned which is the recruitment of Professor Frink. The quick back and forth between him and Homer was hilarious. The only weak part was the dinosaur intro, but even that at least was quick and unoffensive. Anyway, much better than the Selman episode that aired before it. 4/5

Oh and about the continuity with T.R. Francis....it's pretty obvious the author we saw here is the daughter T.R. Francis who writes for the rest of the Angelica Button series ever since her mom passed away.

[jbauer]

He's a writer on the office.

I was aware of that. I usually make an exception for Greg Daniels-produced TV shows, since they employ a lot of the same people, like Futurama and The Critic.

Greg Daniels developed The Office, and brought Simpsons and King of the Hill staffers to work on it. Brent Forrester, Daniel Chun and Jon Vitti all have written for it, and Mike Scully also worked on Parks and Recreation. And now, there'll be an upcoming episode of The Office written by Dan Greaney, even though he's still on The Simpsons.

[Commander Flanders]

5/5 and not ashamed of the rating.

A coherent plot with plenty of funny one-liners that somewhat restored my faith in the series.

[Brvtality]

Found myself laughing a lot at this one, definitely one of the better newer episodes. Lots of good jokes and no particularly out of character moments. More like this please!

[NoOneFamous]

What's with the "really short openings" (and no gags over the title) lately?

Its a good thing... it means they're actually writing more content instead of relying on a ridiculously long intro/couch gag to eat up minutes.

[Redem]

Me of think the simpsons has a positive view of collective writting cause tv writting tend to be associate with a team of writter rather than singular autorship

[Semaj]

I guess Matt Selman really is set to take over for Al Jean.

The setup was kinda interesting, though it got really messy towards the end.

3.0/5

[Hommer]

An excellent episode, with tons of humor. Neil Gaimain played a good role, and seeing Shelbyville again was a nice treat.
5/5

[zartok-35]

Not bad, I like this more than the norm. Dan Vebber doesn't fail to please, unlike some of his other ex-Futurama troopers, but I still think he's better on American Dad. A very generous 4/5 tonight.

[Brad Lascelle]

You can add me to the "best of the season" thus far, crowd.
I have literally nothing to complain about this week. Although I WILL complain if Dan Vebber doesn't get asked back to write another episode.

This season has been unexpectedly solid, thus far (provided you ignore that first horrific THOH segment). Hopefully we won't sink back into mediocrity next week.

[biffwestwood]

2/5

Not as good as I thought. There were too much going on and a lot of unnecessary padding especially the use of those black screens with those written cues. There was that double twist ending that had me speechless. Bringing up the Angelica Button series was just another one of those pointless callbacks. I did like the opening scene at the stadium regarding the audiences reaction to the dinosaurs and Homer's choices on who to help him out in their quest at writing.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Oh crap, I forgot about this one. Is there any set rerun?