New York's "Nine Latter-Day Simpsons Episodes That Match Up to the Early Classics"

[Dark Homer]

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment...-classics.html

New York writer Matt Zoller Seitz put together a slideshow of 9 "post-classic" episodes "that stack up against sainted entries in the Meyer/Swartzwelder/O'Brien glory days"

Here's the list if you don't want to click:

"Tales From the Public Domain," Season 13
"How I Spent My Summer Vacation," Season 14
"Moe Baby Blues," Season 14
"Today, I am a Clown," Season 15
"All's Fair in Oven War," Season 16
"Treehouse of Horror XVII," Season 18
"Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind," Season 19
"Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson," Season 23
"Holidays of Future Passed," Season 23

my thoughts:

public domain - uh, ok. it's not bad for a simpsons play dress-up episode, but still
strummer vacation - hell no
moe baby blues - sure, why not. I still kinda like it even though I hate sensitive moe
today, I am a clown - kind of a weird choice
all's fair in oven war - really? come on.
treehouse of horror XVII - the golem story is good, but the other two are just lazy filler. I would've gone with XIV
eternal moonshine - there's no way this wasn't going to be on there
politically inept - you've got to be kidding me
holidays of future passed - ehh. whatever

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Interesting choices, but this really just shows how varying people's opinions can be. I mean I consider Strummer Vacation absolute trash, and many of these as merely okay or maybe good. Really only Moe Baby Blues and Eternal Moonshine don't surprise me and seem like common responses when this topic is ever brought up. Holidays of Future Passed is wonderful, but a bit too recent to already be getting such a high status.

[Zombies Rise from the Sea]

Huh, I guess magazine critics have weird taste. I like one or two of the episodes on that list but this does show how varied the opinions are when it comes to newer episodes.

[Real Melvin]

I like that they didn't have ten

[Safety Inspector]

I agree with Tales From the Public Domain," "Moe Baby Blues," and "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind".
THOHXX much better than XVII, Smart and Smarter- than Today I'm Clown and Future-Drama- than All's Fair in Oven War

[cloneasaurus]

The only one that even slightly matches up to the early classics on there is Moe Baby Blues which is sorta like an average classic episode (ie. great). Some of the others could achieve "bad classic episode" status, but the others are just plain ol' 'post classics' ranging from ok to downright awful (politically inept).


interesting to see the comments on the article...

Many People have said that THE SIMPSONS "jumped the Shark" (a reference to TV's Fonzie, on "Happy Days") long ago, but I do not believe this is the case. It is always FUNNY when Homer Simpson belches and farts, plus the "celebrity guests" never gets old. They should have a Celebrity Guest of Danny Most (who was Ralph Malph of "Happy Days")-that would CERTAINLY keep the show fresh!

The Politically Inept episode mentioned in the slide show has a ton of laughs.

[rkell48]

Ummm How I spent my Strummer Vacation?

Wtf

[MagicalManFromHappyLand]

I remember when I first saw How I Spent My Strummer Vacation, the first few minutes felt like they could've been in the classic era, but as soon as Homer gets to Band Camp the episode goes downhill.

I'd say Moe Baby Blues, HOMR, Trilogy of Error, Special Edna (maybe), 24 minutes, Eternal Moonshine, The Debarted (maybe), Coming to Homerica (maybe), The Book Job and Holidays of Future Passed.

[Bert Stanton]

I'd say Moe Baby Blues, HOMR, Trilogy of Error, Special Edna (maybe), 24 minutes, Eternal Moonshine, The Debarted (maybe), Coming to Homerica (maybe), The Book Job and Holidays of Future Passed.

That's pretty damn close to what I would have said

[Friz]

Tales From the Public Domain - I remember very little of this. I think it ended with them doing a Ghostbusters dance.
How I Spent My Strummer Vacation - Executive Producer Mike Scully
Moe Baby Blues - Eh.
Today, I am a Clown - Krusty has a bar mitzvah then takes the piss then Mr T arrives and his Dad is annoyed. Meanwhile, Homer's on Telly.
All's Fair in Oven War - Are you kidding me.
Treehouse of Horror XVII - The best post-classic Treehouse of Horror is XX. Hands down.
Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind -This, basically.

I like this five year gap right here.

Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson - Urm. The two good Season 23 episodes are The Food Wife and The Book Job. (My opinion only, perhaps).
Holidays of Future Passed - One of the best episodes of Futurama ever.

[Mr. Krikt]

Well since everybody's doing it.

Tales From the Public Domain: I barely remember this so it's doubtful.
How I Spent My Strummer Vacation: Really? This one as second on the list? This is typical celebrity filler.
Moe Baby Blues: It's not offensively bad but it's not that good. Full of boring segments and it's really desperate Moe which isn't that entertaining.
Today, I am a Clown: Terrible. Another case of Homer becoming a celebrity and the bar mitzvah is cringe-worthy.
All's Fair in Oven War: Oh right, this is the one where it jumps two years into the future and no one has aged.
Treehouse of Horror XVII: They pick this one? Really? The one where Jewish-sounding words are funny just because? No, thank you.
Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind: Probably the best one in the list so far but "as good as the early years"? Nope.
Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson: Who wrote this list? This is actually probably one of the worst episodes. Whoever chose this must sit at home, clapping because they're so clever that they recognize Tea Party/Glenn Beck references, because there's nothing of merit in this one.
Holidays of Future Passed: Definitely not a patch on earlier episodes but it's probably one of the better ones. They went way over the top with the future jokes.

Really pathetic. Whoever compiled this list must have started off with two and picked the rest randomly.

[The Spruce Moose]

I'm guessing whoever wrote this really really hates the classic run?

[Hommer]

I liked Strummer Vacation more than Kamp Krusty, to tell the truth. It had more plot.

[Lionel Hutz]

Not a great list.
Assuming it's just Al Jean's episodes
Mine would look more like this (in no particular order)

Poppas Got A Brand New Badge
I Doh Bot
Dad Who Knew Too Little
Moe Baby Blues
Seemingly Neverending Story
24 Minutes
Weekend At Burnsies
Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Sleeping With The Enemy

Keep in mind I haven't seen Eternal Moonshine in a while, so I didn't include it

[Rich Uncle Skeleton]

I liked Strummer Vacation more than Kamp Krusty, to tell the truth. It had more plot.

*does Nelson laugh*

[Financial Panther]

Tales From the Public Domain: Actually one of my favorite, if not my favorite trilogy episode. I think this is a really good choice.
How I Spent my Strummer Vacation: No thanks. There's a couple parts that I laugh at, but overall, a below-average episode.
Moe Baby Blues: Very strong episode that I said in another thread appears season seven-ish. I like seeing the sweet, sensitive Moe, and Maggie could always use more screen time.
Today, I Am a Clown: What?? This is among the most forgettable episodes of the series. I literally had to look it up to remember the complete plot.
All's Fair in Oven War: Fairly good episode. I like both the main plot and the subplot, and it keeps me interested. But in no way is it a classic.
Treehouse of Horror XVII: Adequate. You Gotta Know When to Golem is a very good segment, but The Day the Earth Looked Stupid is terrible and Married to the Blob is right in the middle.
Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind: Definitely one of the most unique episodes ever to air. I don't find it amazing, but it is a solid offering.
Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson: Upon a rewatch, I didn't find it as bad as I did the first time; however, the pace of the episode is way too fast, and I don't see how anyone could consider it a classic.
Holidays of Future Passed: Indeed a good episode with some funny future gags. The plot is a bit shallow, but overall, it's very good.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Terrible choices.

[zartok-35]

Never knew there was so much hate for 'Strummer vacation'. It's not that bad.
'Politically Inept' has no business at all being in any list of this sort.

[biffwestwood]

I checked imdb.com on which Latter-Day episodes are the top nine and this is what they have.

I counted season 11 episodes as the earliest since a large number of season 10 episodes rank above the 9th place post-season 10 episode.

1st "Trilogy of Error" season 12
2nd "Holidays of Future Passed" season 23
3rd "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind" season 19
4th "24 Minutes" season 18
5th "The Book Job" season 23
6th "Behind the Laughter" season 11
7th "The Computer Wears Menace Shoes" season 12
8th "Treehouse of Horror X" season 11
9th "The Debarted" season 19

Only two episodes (HOFP and EMOTSM) appear on both lists.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

That's a good list there. Agree with that one.

[Gladys the Groovy Mule]

Tales from the Public Domain - 8/10
How I Spent My Strummer Vacation - 6/10
Moe Baby Blues - 8/10
Today, I Am A Clown - 2/10
All's Fair in Oven War - 6/10
Treehouse of Horror XVII -7/10
Eternal Moonshine of the Simpsons Mind - 10/10
Holidays of Future Passed - 7/10
Politically Inept, with Homer Simpson - 4/10

If that's the best the show can do it's time to take Homer and put him out of his misery

[Bartesque]

In unrelated news, the water supply in New York was found to be laced with LSD.

[The Governor]

To paraphrase Homer:

'My nine, modern episodes I claimed are as good as classic era episodes are SOOO random, you'd think I suffered brain damage!"

[TriforceBun]

Weird list.

Tales From the Public Domain: Good trilogy ep, not hilarious but decent.
How I Spent my Strummer Vacation: Pretty middling, about an average Scully ep.
Moe Baby Blues: Great episode, deserves to be here.
Today, I Am a Clown: Just okay.
All's Fair in Oven War: Fairly entertaining subplot but not much else of note.
Treehouse of Horror XVII: Huh? THOHXX is a much better choice.
Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind: Great episode, quite unique.
Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson: What? I thought this was terrible.
Holidays of Future Passed: Not one of my favorites, but it's well done.

I guess my own list would be more something like...

Half-Decent Proposal
Little Girl in the Big Ten
Moe Baby Blues
The President Wore Pearls
'Tis the Fifteenth Season
The Way We Weren't
Home Away From Homer
Springfield Up
24 Minutes
Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind

So it's ten.

[Alex of Insomnia]

"Tales From the Public Domain," - I haven't seen this one in years
"How I Spent My Summer Vacation," - This one was never any good
"Moe Baby Blues," - Yes this one of my favorites. I would put this here too
"Today, I am a Clown,"  - Meh this one was only okay
"All's Fair in Oven War,"  - Actually pretty good
"Treehouse of Horror XVII,"- Now I know most people hate this one but I actually liked it propably cause it was better than 21
"Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind," - Yes I love this one
"Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson," - WTF NO JUST NO!!!
"Holidays of Future Passed," - Meh I really didnt care for this one

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

In unrelated news, the water supply in New York was found to be laced with LSD.

To paraphrase Homer:

'My nine, modern episodes I claimed are as good as classic era episodes are SOOO random, you'd think I suffered brain damage!"

Damn, I wish I could be as funny as you guys.

[irvine_11]

"Tales From the Public Domain," - I don't agree. The stories were entertaining enough, but this episode is far from classic.

"How I Spent My Summer Vacation," - Uhh... what???

"Moe Baby Blues," - A kind of sweet episode, but far from classic.

"Today, I am a Clown," - I thought this was a rather bland, mediocre episode.

"All's Fair in Oven War," - Meh. It was okay, but still far from classic.

"Treehouse of Horror XVII," - Hell no.

"Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind," - I agree.

"Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson," - What. The. Fuck?

"Holidays of Future Passed," - Also agreed.

[The Governor]

How I Spent my Strummer Vacation is an unwanted "Season 11-esque" episode dropped in the Early Jean era.

IMO, Moe baby Blues, Eternal Moonshine, and Holidays are the only episodes that are decent in that list.