Rate and Review: "Lisa Goes Gaga" (PABF14)

[Tattooed Billionaire]

Pretty bad, but "This is like the night Hilary won the New Hampshire primary," got a big laugh out of me.

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

Mods... you are taking away my freedom of speech when you delete the truth... and yet others say whatever they want.

This episode was bad... why can't I say what I want... zartok just did right above me... yet you don't delete his posts, just mine.

I wasn't bullying anyone.. and I didn't say anything worse then what you would hear on Family Guy.


Fuck NHC... this is pathetic.

[cymek]

Basically, what ruins the episode is "psychic force" and pretty much everything Gaga related. Scrap Lady Gaga from the episode, develop Lisa's part of story further and you have a potentially good Lisa plot.

2/5, because I found some scenes not involving Gaga pretty entertaining, even "Lisa roulette".

[FranklinGeorge]

I agree 100% with MuchAdoAboutNothing.

I am announcing my retirement from this discussion thread.

I will NEVER post anything on this site EVER again.

Sincerely,
FranklinGeorge.

[zach]

i didn't even mind her voice acting, i thought it was good.

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

I agree 100% with MuchAdoAboutNothing.

I am announcing my retirement from this discussion thread.

I will NEVER post anything on this site EVER again.

Sincerely,
FranklinGeorge.

I can't blame you.

[kidpresentable]

this episode was worse then a coconut bagel. a perfect example of putting a guest star in for ratings.
1/5

[Jims]

Let's keep this on topic, folks.

i didn't even mind her voice acting, i thought it was good.

It was definitely a much more demanding role than they usually give their guest stars. She was able to keep a nice balance between the over-the-top moments in her show and the simple, concerned moments when she'd talk to Lisa.

[TriforceBun]

Lisa's pretty much stuck in her role of being unpopular with her peers (at least during grade school), and while numerous episodes have explored that concept, she's pretty much accepted it about herself. The main things keeping her going are her self-worth and integrity, so what if those aspects of herself were in jeopardy?

It's actually not a bad premise at all, and one that could've really gone someplace in an episode not built to be a celebrity vehicle. But alas, Lisa's storyline here is pretty much nonsensical from the start, with a "Most Unpopular Student" award kickstarting the (very) flexible reality of Springfield in this weird, weird episode. And it ends just as nonsensically, with Lisa finding some sort of catharsis from briefly (and fairly mildly) fussing at Lady Gaga. Granted, the show needed a plot somewhere, but it feels extra squandered here since this is a premise that could've worked with more care; instead, the "heart" of the episode is way too simplistic and banal.

Which leaves Gaga to carry the rest. And amidst the glam and obnoxiousness, there's just not much to enjoy. Her scenes with joke after joke about being over-the-top in some way were just grating for me, particularly when they involved metaphysical aspects. And a couple of scenes--Gaga's song and her kissing Marge--are low points in the series for me. To dust off an old Simpsons criticism chestnut, "cringe-worthy," if you will.

Incidentally, the character that's normally too over-the-top was in fine form here: Homer had a number of funny lines and scenes, such as his reaction to the countdown and climbing the wrong tree. In fact, I found a lot of the gags that didn't involve Gaga were actually pretty good, and I'm not sure why so many people take issue with Moe getting smacked by the train. He didn't explode into guts or anything, it was just a cartoony, violent moment akin to a Moleman scene. He'll be fine.

To be fair, this wasn't as bad as it could've been. But pretty much anything involving Lady Gaga fell flat (or worse) for me, and she took up plenty of the episode with some stilted lines and an irritatingly gaudy atmosphere. I liked that Lisa didn't buy into her act at first; too bad for that ending. All in all, not the worst episode ever, but maybe the tackiest.

2/5 D+ ...Bad, but not abysmal. Looks like your crown is still safe, Helter Shelter! But maybe next season, hm?

What's up with this poll, though? Can we stop with the extra options already? Sheesh.

'sigh'...Well, who am I to complain? The Simpsons is a very profitable franchise that deserves every ounce of praise it recieves. Why? Because after 23 wonderful seasons and over 500 hillarious episodes, the show has transcended criticism and anyone who feels the show isn't awesome is either jealous of the show's success, in denial, or both. Being broadcast in over 300 countries worldwide, the Simpsons is a fine slice of Americana that we can share with the rest of the world. Who doesn't love the adventures of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and little Maggie Simpson? I can't think of anyone that matters? Can YOU!?

Take tonight's excitingly funny & heartwarming episode featuring the talented and beautiful Lady Gaga. Gaga and her delightfully cheery band of talented misfits and "monsters!" come to the aid of Lisa when Lisa's sadness makes Gaga's mind cry with empathy. Despite Gaga's help with much-relevant flash mobs and her truly stylish fashion sense, Lisa isn't swayed. At first shunning Gaga's help and not wanting to share the spotlight, Lisa realizes that's it's not the help of a star she needs, it's an inner-light which brings her peace in this workaday world and a sense of gratitude between her and Lady Gaga. Together, they harmonize their conflicts away as Springfield gathers in awe and wonder. (Look out, Moe!)

Like every Simpsons episode, the new episodes keep maintaining the high standards which made the series a multi-generational success. I hope they never end the Simpsons!

A "BRILLIANT" 6/5...no, 7 outta 5, because other show's don't have a Gaga!

If you hate any part of the Simpsons, it means you are hating a part of yourself!


/jbauer impression

Strawmen are typically the easiest to knock down, Jake! Let's take the high road next time, eh? I have to say, I wish this board was less "negative" as well, and I don't mean that in terms of the show. It just seems like the atmosphere here always seems to involve people disrespecting each other these days. And this is completely disregarding the quality (or lack thereof) of the show at the moment.

[Mozy]

I gave this episode a 3/5. I didn't think it was as bad as everyone had thought. There were quite a few funny parts (Frink and the calculator, Homer's pep talk towards the end) and just seemed like an overall fun episode. I thought it was funny that she was willing to make everyone feel better about themselves and yet "she's not good enough" to help Moe out, which was mildly funny. The "He sure is a dumb kid but is an above average dog" scene was mildly funny but the episode would have been fine without it. My favorite part had to of been the zingerfest between Flanders and Gaga!



Are they aiming the jokes and gags at the younger generation? I'd like to think so because I'm sure that they appreciate episodes more than we do. The simplicity of the jokes in this episode is just not typical Simpsons style, in my opinion.

[Dark Homer]

Here's an example of the brilliant, quality posts we fascist mods are depriving you of:

My favorite parts;

When Homer muff punched Lady GaGa and said: "Calm down, you big fat cunt."

and

When Beefsquatch raped and murdered GaGa... gosh, that was truly classic Simpsons.

[Financial Panther]

Well, Dark Homer sir, with all due respect...what exactly is so wrong with those posts that you have to delete them? I mean, sure I don't care for that particular post, but it's not hurting anybody; it's just a sarcastic quip, which we receive a lot of anyway. So why delete it?

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

Here's an example of the brilliant, quality posts we fascist mods are depriving you of:

Yes, I am making fun of how abysmal the show is by being an absurdist.. and saying something I feel describes how awful I feel about the show... what's wrong with that?

Of course some people willl hate it, that's a good thing; opinions are fun and good.. that's why we have message boards.

If anything I thought you'd simply ask... please, edit your posts together into one.

I know I say dumb shit; that's the point... I'm comparing how bad the show has gotten in my mind compared with the wonderful series it once was.

I wasn't being rude to you personally, but you are sure as hell being sardonic with me now, for no reason.

Sincerely, MuchAdo

[Mozy]

Is it sad that I'd rather everyone rip my review to shreds rather than the fighting? I mean, at least that would show some passion for the show...

[TriforceBun]

Well, Dark Homer sir, with all due respect...what exactly is so wrong with those posts that you have to delete them? I mean, sure I don't care for that particular post, but it's not hurting anybody; it's just a sarcastic quip, which we receive a lot of anyway. So why delete it?

It's just needlessly violent, weird and gross. There's gotta be some point where we draw the line between what posts are actually contributing to the boards and which ones are likely to turn people away from NHC. Weird Bob's Burgers/Simpsons crossover rape jokes are probably a pretty good benchmark.

Is it sad that I'd rather everyone rip my review to shreds rather than the fighting? I mean, at least that would show some passion for the show...

Eh, you reasoned it well enough. I don't agree with all the gags you liked, but I do think the episode could've turned out worse than it did. I'm actually a little ashamed of myself for not getting the 80085 the first time though.

[That Don Guy]

I especially liked the way the show made fun of the whole hashtag thing by putting up a #GagaKnowsMarge hashtag right when...wait, what? That was Fox, and that was for real?
(Yes, it was, and it's not just The Simpsons)

Written by Tim Long
Directed by Matthew Schofield
Blackboard: none
Couch: They're playing what I assume is "Couch Gag" on a Funtendo Zii, but Homer keeps missing the couch; the scene shifts to real life, where Homer misses the couch
Special Guest Voice: Lady Gaga, Kevin Michael Richardson
Also Starring: Chris Edgerly, Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, Russi Taylor
Overseas Animation: Akom
TV Rating: TV-PG-LSV

Lisa wasn't in the school band at the awards

Bart is class clown "four years out of four" - shouldn't that be five years out of five, or doesn't kindergarten count?

Either everybody at Springfield Elementary is totally clueless, or they were setting Lisa up when they didn't realize (or at least acted that way) that she was the one posting all of those messages.

LYRICS

"Monster" - Music by Rex Promise; Lyrics by Tim Long
----------------------------------------------------
When they're young, all little monsters learn that they're scary
Ugly, stupid, shunned by Cupid, overweight and hairy
But every monster needs to find that secret deep inside
That transforms Dr. Jekyll into sexy Mr. Hyde
All my monsters are beautiful
Disco Stu-diful, square root-ical, old coot-ical
Monsters don't need implants or a bitchin' monster car
Monsters only need to love the monsters that they are
(Gaga, Dada, Jawa, Peace)

"Super Star" - Music by Rex Promise; Lyrics by Tim Long
----------------------------------------------------
I used to think that I was stupid
Worthless, weak, and wrong
A mockingbird without a song
I was small inside, and lacking pride
On a one-way train to be Milhouse's bride
I love NPR and jazz guitar
Someday I'll design a solar car
That's right - I'm Lisa Simpson, superstar
You've got a great big heart
It's at the top of my chart
Lisa Simpson, Lisa Simpson, Lisa Simpson, Superstar
Lisa Simpson, Lisa Simpson, Lisa Simpson, Superstar
You're a superstar

"Homer Face"
------------
I love my Homer face
Yeah, that's what I said
Right where it should be
On the front of my head
Stubble, muzzle, overbite
Two eyes that really bug
These are the components
Of my Homeriffic mug
D'oh-ohohohohoh, D'oh-ohohohohoh
I shave it close
Trim hair from my nose
D'oh-ohohohohoh, D'oh-ohohohohoh
I clean my ears
'Cause that's how I hears
I like my, I like my
I really like-a my Homer face

[zach]

that's why we message have boards.

.

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

I feel Al Jean has raped my childhood.. is not as fun to write.

But okay... I see your point.

The boards are becoming such a joke now... I am poking fun at them as well;
vulgar.. for the shake of how vulgar everything has become... the show... these boards.

Anyway there is an ignore list here people... if you don't like my posts... just put me on ignore.

Peace and what not.

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

DEERRPPPP.

Really, I just made a typo dude.

[The Governor]

Strawmen are typically the easiest to knock down, Jake! Let's take the high road next time, eh? I have to say, I wish this board was less "negative" as well, and I don't mean that in terms of the show. It just seems like the atmosphere here always seems to involve people disrespecting each other these days. And this is completely disregarding the quality (or lack thereof) of the show at the moment.

Well the show hasn't given us a reason to have a multilateral debate for quite some time. Bitter old cranks like me remember when the show having a coherent plot, down-to-earth characters and actual satire was an asset instead of a liability. Now, the younger fans see the Simpsons as nothing more than a generic cartoon with a profitable name, and if you have any problems with the aforementioned assets "you shouldn't be worried about" or "things like "characterization" that only nerds care about" (and don't forget the "it makes money, so your complaints are groundless") you're swiftly reminded "it's a cartoon!", which kills any real discussion. It's like the trend with the newer fans is "let's ignore 80% of the bad parts and call it a good episode!".

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

The quality of these boards currently reflects the quality of the show as we know it today.

[zach]

...around and around and around...

[Mozy]

Now that the season is over, what the hell do we all have to argue about for the next couple of months?

[Lionel Hutz]

Now that the season is over, what the hell do we all have to argue about for the next couple of months?

Episode Club 3.0 starts soon. That'll keep us busy

[Lionheart]

This was better than I expected. The scenes without Gaga in it were OK for the most part. That's not to say it was a good episode though. I mean, THE PANDERING! I have never seen anything or anyone pander that much. I actually like Lady Gaga most of the time too, but her cult-like following scares me. I had so much secondhand embarrassment for most of the episode. 2/5 D+

[The Governor]

Goddamn Pander Rape.

[Bartesque]

Episode Club 3.0 starts soon. That'll keep us busy

Indeed.

MuchAdoAboutNothing, why leave now, when we won't have a thread like this dissecting another episode of Zombie Simpsons for months?

[jbauer]

The quality of these boards currently reflects the quality of the show as we know it today.

Rango is the voice of reason.

This thread should be about the episode, not about cheerleading for other posters. That's what the 'like' button is for.

[The Governor]

This thread should be about the episode, not about cheerleading for other posters.

.

Quoted for truth.

[Matlock]

"Message boards are never wrong."

I kind of thought that could be a shot a NoHomers,as Jean is obviously aware of the general sentiment on here towards the episodes he has helmed, but its a pretty vague "joke".