Rate and Review: "The D'oh-cial Network" (PABF04)

[FranklinGeorge]

I am going to rate each episode this season (out of 10).

The Falcon and the D'ohman: 7
Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts: 6
Treehouse of Horror XXII: 6
Replaceable You: 7
The Food Wife: 7
The Book Job: 8
The Man in the Blue Flannel Pants: 5
The Ten-Per-Cent Solution: 4
Holidays of Future Passed: 10
Politically Inept, with Homer Simpson: 5
The D'oh-cial Network: 5

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

I am going to rate each episode this season (out of 10).

The Falcon and the D'ohman: 7
Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts: 6
Treehouse of Horror XXII: 6
Replaceable You: 7
The Food Wife: 7
The Book Job: 8
The Man in the Blue Flannel Pants: 5
The Ten-Per-Cent Solution: 4
Holidays of Future Passed: 10
Politically Inept, with Homer Simpson: 5
The D'oh-cial Network: 5

http://www.nohomers.net/showthread.p...ratings-thread

That's the thread for it mate. Also Hommer, can you please explain to us all how on EARTH this episode is a 5/5 and A+ Simpsons episode? (Unless you're being sarcastic, if so then say so)

[FranklinGeorge]

http://www.nohomers.net/showthread.p...ratings-thread

That's the thread for it mate.

Thanks. I didn't know.

[Alex_Of_Darkness]

Finally I give 3/5 to this episode and I will explain it to you on a crittic that I will do tomorrow night !

[supmandude]

Wow.... This episode was incredible! I'm still laughing.

My Grade: A+

Can't tell if trolling.

[Alex_Of_Darkness]

Okay, what the fuck does the Simpsons have with Apple ??

This season made so much publicity for Mac computer, iPhone, etc... But that's it. Now this went to far for me. One more fucking Mac in the season and I stop watching it.

I don't trust you when you say that because you already know that will happen again

[Hommer]

Can't tell if trolling.

What? I can't laugh?

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

Hommer, we would just like you to explain, doesn't have to be a very long explanation mate, what in your eyes made this episode 5/5 worthy and I assume 10/10 perfect worthy with your A+ grade? You actually thought this plot was very entertaining and engaging, the characterisation of Homer and the family was superb, what jokes made you laugh hard? etc etc

[HMS pinafore]

The entire time I watched this I could tell nohomers wad going to hate it. You guys are very obvious. The episode lacked a "heartwarming" cheese scene and had a lot of over the top gags. In other words, everything you guys hate. That being said, I laughed a lot, so I was happy. I don't cling to the classic era so I had no problem enjoying this for what I thought it was, a goofy, and fun half hour.

And come on! The Bart/Martin gag was great!

4 out of 5

Yes it was obvious that the No Homer club have to much good taste in what is funny and the importance of things like plot and characterizations to like this shitty episode.

[Brad Lascelle]

I would like to think the PABF production run can be salvaged in two weeks but then I remembered the next episode stars a sentient bar rag voiced by Jeremy Irons.
Clearly the Simpsons writing staff didn't get the memo that South Park fans HATE episodes that feature Towelie... hardly something you should want to emulate.

So now we have to wait a month until The Daughter Also Rises. Let's see if Michael Cera can sound like a plausible love interest for an 8-year-old girl.

[Hommer]

Hommer, we would just like you to explain, doesn't have to be a very long explanation mate, what in your eyes made this episode 5/5 worthy and I assume 10/10 perfect worthy with your A+ grade? You actually thought this plot was very entertaining and engaging, the characterisation of Homer and the family was superb, what jokes made you laugh hard? etc etc

I did think the plot was entertaining and engaging, and the family's characterization was very good! I liked how they were doing stuff together, and I also like how many characters were involved in the plot. Janey, Sherri, Terri, Otto, Burns' Lawyer (I cracked up in the scene with his book), and we even got a new McBain scene and Moleman death. The episode did not have one dragging moment, and I loved the Edward Gorey-esque short at the end. The only part that was bad was the Winklevoss Twins cameo, and that was still mildly funny. This episode did not disappoint me, in fact, it really delivered.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I would like to think the PABF production run can be salvaged in two weeks but then I remembered the next episode stars a sentient bar rag voiced by Jeremy Irons.
Clearly the Simpsons writing staff didn't get the memo that South Park fans HATE episodes that feature Towelie... hardly something you should want to emulate.

I actually enjoy Towelie, is he hated that much by the fans? I was unaware...

I'm actually looking forward to Moe Goes... because it is a Moe episode, which tend to be anywhere from okay to very strong. Guess we'll see, and yeah still nothing to add about this one.

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

To quote Peter Griffin (kinda):

"Well sir, while I may heavily agree with what you say I'll half-heartedly defend to the death your right to say it"

[That was directed at Hommer just for clarification]

[The Governor]

Wow...look at all those facebook jokes! Mark Zuckerburg must be rolling in his grave!

Okay, I'll admit making jokes about Facebook is about as easy as making toast, but this episode was so hack-written, they trotted out every damn Facebook cliche and dragged the jokes out and paraded them around like they were saying: "Look at us! We're being clever and topical, laugh!". Even the couch gag was stolen from the 5th (?) season where the family was already once on the Letterman show. (I'm guessing the staff has officially unfriended "Satire" now.)

About the only jokes that made laugh was the word-nerd blackboard quote and Lisa's "I'm setting the mood here, Ralph!" and Ralph's reply of the sad "Weee.".

This is a solid, 1.5/5.

The entire time I watched this I could tell nohomers wad going to hate it. You guys are very obvious. The episode lacked a "heartwarming" cheese scene and had a lot of over the top gags. In other words, everything you guys hate. That being said, I laughed a lot, so I was happy. I don't cling to the classic era so I had no problem enjoying this for what I thought it was, a goofy, and fun half hour.

The so-called "classic era" had jokes that were over the top and the classic era also had non-heartwarming, "JUST FOR FUN!!!" episodes. The main difference was those episodes were funny and didn't insult your intelligence. This episode was just mess of Facebook Related jokes that felt like it should get a free pass because it's on a long-running sitcom. But as a great man once said...

I hope one day to also get my labotomy and love the new Simpsons, but Im so
far down the waiting list. I mean no offense to you, it's just that my lips
have been pursed and I've been letting out my rage at small animals and
children. I hope that either the Simpsons get good or get gone, or maybe
that I will learn to love them... learn how to get dumb. The smart ass
would answer "you're already there".

[zartok-35]

That wasn't so bad! There were some great Ralph lines, such as "Daddy's gun tastes like Pennies", and the multi-car pileup sequence was sort of funny too. It wasn't THAT great, but atleast it was inoffensive, unlike last week. Generously, I'll give it a low 3/5.

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

So you describe the episode as "lame and inoffensive", thought Ralph had some great lines eventho he didn't actually say any of them and the only one you mentioned was one typed on Lisa's computer and a multi-car pileup was the highlight scene of the entire episode and yet you rate it a 3/5? Each to their own mate

[Old painty-can Ned]

So you describe the episode as "lame and inoffensive", thought Ralph had some great lines eventho he didn't actually say any of them and the only one you mentioned was one typed on Lisa's computer and a multi-car pileup was the highlight scene of the entire episode and yet you rate it a 3/5? Each to their own mate

Holy shit dude all you ever do is ask people about their ratings for episodes(with no direct criticisms) and if they don't answer you do nothing but ask them about the rating or you say something shitty about Jean/Scully(with no direct criticisms) and then in every r/r thread for a classic era episode you say 5/5 A+(or something close). What do you add to the conversation about tonight's episode? I've never actually seen you post anything worthy of reading.

[zartok-35]

"I don't know how to use the phone on my phone!"

THIS is why I like the crash scene. I just love the way Lenny is smashed through the radiator of his car. It looks funny and painful. If Clem can setup scenes this well, he needs to to it more often.

[Tubbb!]

Looks like it's just me, Hommer, and zartok-35 this time around. Still liked it on the second viewing. Maybe I'm still suffering shell shock from last week's episode?
HOWEVER... I'll agree with the folks who say there's a lot of over-used facebook and Apple jokes. (I will admit the Apple jokes are getting old... VERY old.)
I noticed even more the second time around.
Lisa uses an antiquated Apple computer known as the "Lisa," plus all the disused iMacs in the computer lab...


...I still think the "alcoholic hippo" run was great. I don't get the hate for it, but to each his own.

Quick edit referencing my missing the "Ask Jeeves" joke in my initial post:
Hmmm... that's more of a Family Guy kind of joke. I missed it the first time around, but watching the second time... that joke doesn't belong in The Simpsons world.

THIS is why I like the crash scene. I just love the way Lenny is smashed through the hood of his car. It looks funny and painful. If Clem can setup scenes this well, he needs to to it more often.

I'm wondering why Carl is pantsless!
(Never mind! He's not pantsless... but it sure looks like it!)

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

Holy shit dude all you ever do is ask people about their ratings for episodes(with no direct criticisms) and if they don't answer you do nothing but ask them about the rating or you say something shitty about Jean/Scully(with no direct criticisms) and then in every r/r thread for a classic era episode you say 5/5 A+(or something close). What do you add to the conversation about tonight's episode? I've never actually seen you post anything worthy of reading.

If you look back to the end of page 1 I did make a fairly lengthy contribution to this episode you asshole. I just put forward what he said about the episode and queried whether it was worthy of a 3/5, that is all. You've never seen me post anything worth reading? AHAHAHAHAHAHA this is beyond ironic coming from you Darren Erg. Honestly you are the most pathetic poster on here, atleast when me and Financial Panther have had discussions about ratings, he made his point in a dignified manner.

[Bartesque]

I honestly forgot all about it until it randomly showed up at the end, was it a reference to The Social Network or something?

When The Simpsons names an episode after something, it doesn't mean it's going to parody that thing. Elementary School Musical for instance, had nothing to do with High School Musical. Or South Park.

[That Don Guy]

2/5 - the only reason I didn't give it a 1 was because of the "Show's Too Short" Story

Written by J. Stewart Burns
Directed by Chris Clements
Special Guest Voice: Armie Hammer, Dave Letterman
Also Starring: Chris Edgerly, Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, Russi Taylor
Special Musical Guest: The Tiger Lillies (who perform the closing theme)
Billboard: Winter at Squidport - Dead Seals Wash Up Daily
Blackboard: WE DO NEED NO EDUCATION
Couch: Everybody rushes through the streets of New York City to get to the couch, which is on the set of Late Show with David Letterman (which is different from the opening of 1F07 and 1F19)
Overseas Animation: Akom
TV Rating: TV-PG-DLV

In the school's computer room, Lisa uses a Mapple Lisa; there is also the Mapple version of the original iMacs. (But since when did the Apple Lisa have a green screen monitor?)

The screen on Lisa's Lisa:

Initializing IDE Controller
Primary Master: IF-ATA/122 GB
Primary Slave: not present
Secondary Master: not present
Secondary Slave: not present

Mounting IDE Drives:
Drive 1: Partition 0 on Primary IDE Master - size 2048KB
Drive 2: Partition 1 on Primary IDE Master - size 5120KB
Drive 3: Partition 2 on Primary IDE Master - size 5120KB
Drive 4: Partition 3 on Primary IDE Master - size 2048KB
Drive 5: Partition 4 on Primary IDE Master - size 2048KB
Drive 6: Partition 5 on Primary IDE Master - size 5120KB
Drive 7: Partition 6 on Primary IDE Master - size 2048KB
Drive 8: Partition 7 on Primary IDE Master - size 2048KB

Please wait - initializing...

FOUND: Parallel Printer Port
FOUND: AT Keyboard Controller
FOUND: IDE Interface Controller
FOUND: Directory Interface
FOUND: RAM access utility

Hmmm...that looks an awful lot like a boot-up screen for a PC, doesn't it?
(And if the partitions only add up to 25 MB, what happened to the other 121.975 GB on the drive?)

The code on Lisa's laptop (when she shuts down the site):

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=784 border=6 bgcolor=134G 65B 0R fill> enter
begin
      procedure create_subcat_file; write (subcategorystring) compile directory//edit
put_prompt(initialize this directory (Y/N) ? y=12 n=6 12 go to n4; 6 go to G5) BD
put prompt(open directory) remove alternates, reduce size subcategory listing C1-E6 sub
input_string(forward 19, 22, abanback false) assign(sc, subcategory string)eliminate
end;

procedure create_subcat_file; display program info; clear buttons gotoxy (5, 12)
center string=crown begin procedure;write(authorized user only) exit_save and copy A
padV0 account[n=C y=100,000,000] (subcat string)reduce create=add produce
sringface titlebar xy=w7.8403 h.5127
put_prompt(open directory)reduce size subcategory listing roo+per; merge dock exit all

Burns's Lawyer is named "Burns' Lawyer."

The court's sketch artist is left-handed. In a previous episode, left-handed Matt Groening was the sketch artist, but drew right-handed,

The MappleCare ambulance had "ambulance" along its front, but it wasn't in mirror image (so it could be read in a rear view mirror).

Let's count the problems in that Olympic rowing race, shall we?
One - if Patty and Selma started only a week ago, how did they qualify?
Two - how did the USA get more than one entry in a rowing race?
Three - while the event is both a men's and a women's event, men don't race against women
Four - rowing is done in lanes, but lane markers are not visible

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

When The Simpsons names an episode after something, it doesn't mean it's going to parody that thing. Elementary School Musical for instance, had nothing to do with High School Musical. Or South Park.

I'm well aware Bartist, I just wasn't sure if maybe the Social Network somehow magically ended with a similar pointless scene.

[The Wiggs]

What the hell did I just watch? 1/5

[Tubbb!]

I'm well aware Bartist, I just wasn't sure if maybe the Social Network somehow magically ended with a similar pointless scene.

I think you and I both need to watch "The Social Network..." you know, just in case it gets referenced in "Moe Goes From Rags To Riches" on the 29th.

Seriously, anybody want to take bets on whether or not it gets referenced again this season?

[Zombies Rise from the Sea]

The D'oh-cial Network

For the umpteemth time this season, we have a parody of a movie but this is no ordinary parody. This is a parody of a movie that came out about a year or two ago and everybody has seen it; it also won some awards so it's definitely ripe for parody right. Well yes but it's not ripe for The Simpsons to parody it. This episode is a prime example of what's wrong in the Simpsons today.

First off, I have to list three things which I feel are relevant.

1. I don't care about Facebook.
2. Dramatic movies are okay but they're hard to parody IMO.
3. I feel that determination and hard work pays off over laziness.

Now then, let me get to the main point of the episode; the parody which takes up the main plot of the episode. I've watched The Social Network and I thought it was okay, it isn't as special as they say it is but it is good and they did get the drama and the characterization to feel natural and compelling; forget that you're watching a documentary about the growth of Facebook. Watching this episode just made me remember the tons of stuff that could of been parodied and the plot points that could of been manipulated to work as parody; case in point, while they get the primary plot points right, they parody the obvious simple stuff such as the dramatic stuff, the obviously recognizable scenes in the movies, the need to be well known and the court scenes which are just plain pathetic and serve to waste time and remind people of what has occurred. You know, we don't need four acts of reminders.

Another thing, focusing on Lisa specifically and replacing Harvard with Springfield Elementary just doesn't work out. I mean sure, it's been the place for many movie parodies before it but for a "The Social Network" parody? Really? This just draws attention to the fact that the show considers these characters to be interchangeable movie character parodies rather then actual characters... Actually, scratch that; they seem more like shells trying to be characters but failing. There are tons of moments where the characters at like themselves but they only serve to carry the jokes which lack in execution, wit and ingenuity. Case in point the weak Angry Birds joke which will surely be the second in a line of jokes which reference this game mostly because it's the flavor of the moment. Jamie; you were right. Season 23 is the season of Angry Bird jokes.

Speaking of jokes, I know I said this time and before but why do they extend the jokes and/or show us what they mean? I mean we had a gag where a bully is beating up Bart but then Martin Prince appears and they beat him up instead, it could of ended on the bully beating up Bart and it would of been acceptable. Another example, Ask Jeeves! the infamous search engine of the 90's. A mention would of been nice but they just had to show the Jeeves character going outside in sadness and shame and leaving the courthouse just so we know what they're talking about. I don't know why this has to be evident in the episodes they produce and why they have to treat us as if we're not going to get the joke. I mean millions of people watched The Simpsons in the classic-era and the writers weren't concerned about whether or not the people would understand the jokes; hell, the Audience didn't care as well. The smartest people would appreciate when a joke they understood came their way, because they know that the writers respected them enough not to underestimate their intelligence. I know that this is a different era and people may not be "in the know" but they should still respect our intelligence and not pander to the people who don't know any better.

They should also stop trying to parody real-life stuff that happens in real life. I mean this stuff has been going on in parking lots before, we all know what happens; why would we need to see it happen on The Simpsons. Moments like these make the show seem less like comedy and more like watching events you could encounter if you'd just go outside in your home. Who needs to drive to a shopping center or a theme park when you can just watch The Simpsons and catch our version of it?

The parody is also twisted somewhat in order to stuff in a lesson about the dangers of online obsession and the fact that there is the outside world. This was evident in "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge" but that was to reflect the power TV has over kids and the world outside they've never experienced; mainly if you force something away due to your own views, the kids will have no choice but to go outside because of a lack of anything compelling. Here, it's like we're shown the obvious consequences which is Springfield focuses on Springface, loses track of the real world, chaos happens, Lisa deletes the source code and shuts down the site for a lack of an apparent reason, everybody realizes they don't need Springface, bam!; lesson learned except in a different and more obvious context. It's admirable but it's ultimately a waste.

Let's not forget about the characterization. Most of the characters here are their usual selves, which is to say they're out of character, awkward and just plain bad. The main star of the attraction Lisa becoming the main star attraction of the movie it's parodying. While she does retain some of her personality, that personality is Zombie-based and even then she does more of the parody rather then the character; this was done the same way as in the previous parody "The Man with the Blue Fannel Pants" and the result was exactly the same, it doesn't work out. We also have to witness Bart trying to be cool/bad, most of Springfield sprouting out lines which are just dragged out and not funny and the Blue-Headed Lawyer who is just basically useless at this point.

We are also subjected to shameless Mapple Apple promotion. We get it, they're products are mainstream and everybody uses them and they're mostly disposable. I also get that they're trying to increase the number of references to technology in the show. I mentioned before in a thread that the point of Springfield was that they're technologically inept; having them use technology (including Homer) as if they were pros defeats the point and makes the people behind the Simpsons look like as if they were desperate to be hip. I'm guessing the next couple of episodes we'll see Homer being hired to hack a rival power plant or something.

Even though that plot took up the main plot, we're still subjected to timewasting gags and scenes which are stretched out to fill time in the episode because they couldn't come up with anything compelling or even in-depth. I mean it's obvious from the couch gag which tries to copy the David Letterman gag from an episode before but failing at it and being even more pretentious then before; I'm sure David Letterman will pimp this out on his show just because he was in it. We're also subjected to an attempt to copy the magic of the segment that was featured in "The Front"; except in this case, the episode was good, the jokes were good and no one really minded that the episode was being stretched out. The Flanders segment was simple, down-to-earth and more importantly, funny and timeless. While the animation in this is really good, the story just doesn't hold up, the moments are not as timeless and it borders towards gimmicky rather then brilliant. All the animation in the world doesn't matter if the story isn't enticing; true fact. It'll be praised on the TV critic sites as a classic though, so there's nothing we can do to avoid that.

In closing, this episode is bad; in fact it may be one of the worst episodes of the season. This episode proves that they need to stop doing movie parodies, stop trying to be clever and stop trying to regain past moments. Season 23 is proving to be the season where the writers have lost it and the they have set their goals towards trying to get on the front page of any website that gets more then 5,000,000 hits daily; getting on the front page is fine and all but does anybody remember that stuff the day after, does anybody really care that you have 15 minutes of fame and you managed to gain the 15 minutes repeatedly. Does anybody really care?

2.5/10

[The Governor]

Quick edit referencing my missing the "Ask Jeeves" joke in my initial post:
Hmmm... that's more of a Family Guy kind of joke. I missed it the first time around, but watching the second time... that joke doesn't belong in The Simpsons world.

The joke would've been funnier if after the lawyer said "Remember Ask Jeeves?" and instead of the attention being on the "Jeeves" character, we just see him walking away whimpering in the background.

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

Well said Zombies, I agree that it is one of the 2 worst episodes of this season (along with THOH XXII)

[The Governor]

The D'oh-cial Network

For the umpteemth time this season, we have a parody of a movie but this is no ordinary parody. This is a parody of a movie that came out about a year or two ago and everybody has seen it; it also won some awards so it's definitely ripe for parody right. Well yes but it's not ripe for The Simpsons to parody it. This episode is a prime example of what's wrong in the Simpsons today.

First off, I have to list three things which I feel are relevant.

1. I don't care about Facebook.
2. Dramatic movies are okay but they're hard to parody IMO.
3. I feel that determination and hard work pays off over laziness.

I think the "Social Network" (parody) could've been a great backdrop to help develop the "relationship" between Milhouse and Lisa...Milhouse comes up with the idea of "Friending" people because he's a loser and can't make any friends in person so, with Lisa's nerdy connections and Milhouse's ability to appear to be cool hiding behind a SpringFace profile, he ends up making too many friends and loses Lisa in the moment of ego driven insanity and has to prove he's a real person beneath it all.

If the characters are worthless like a bunch a mass of Facebook friends, all the jokes, puns and 'wit' doesn't mean a damn thing.

[Brad Lascelle]

I think the "Social Network" (parody) could've been a great backdrop to help develop the "relationship" between Milhouse and Lisa...Milhouse comes up with the idea of "Friending" people because he's a loser and can't make any friends in person so, with Lisa's nerdy connections and Milhouse's ability to appear to be cool hiding behind a SpringFace profile, he ends up making too many friends and loses Lisa in the moment of ego driven insanity and has to prove he's a real person beneath it all.

If the characters are worthless like a bunch a mass of Facebook friends, all the jokes, puns and 'wit' doesn't mean a damn thing.

Your idea would have been a far better approach to parodying The Social Network than anything explored in this week's episode.

Make Milhouse the Zuckerberg counterpart and have Lisa serve as somewhat of an Eduardo/Erica combo - let Milhouse's obsession over SpringFace's success consume him as he loses the only thing in his life that ultimately matters (Lisa). You could even bring in Timberlake as Milhouse's SpringFace backer (for the obligatory celeb VA spot) and they could even subtly reference Justin's prior stint on the show in New Kids on the Blecch.

Clearly delivering anything of substance wasn't a priority here.