The Simpsons - The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show

[nakak]

My friend taped me this episode not so long ago, and I was wondering what you think of it.

IMO, this wasn't the best episode, but Poochie's "death" made me laugh. Also, Krusty commenting on replacing "Itchy and Scratchy" with a Chinese cartoon, but deciding not so because he's a "lazy, lazy man" ala gangster.

I admit, even though Roy was introduced as a joke on how TV shows introduce unimportant characters, I thought it would've been neat if he was in Simpsons for at least few more episodes.

One final comment, was this episode edited in syndication? I read a script on the internet where Krusty said something about how cartoon characters come back to life after dying, but his lawyer showed the kids proof that Poochie will be dead forever.

The version I saw just cuts back to the Simpsons after Krusty says "Poochie's dead!!!" and the kids cheering.

[HellCat]

My friend taped me this episode not so long ago, and I was wondering what you think of it.

IMO, this wasn't the best episode, but Poochie's "death" made me laugh. Also, Krusty commenting on replacing "Itchy and Scratchy" with a Chinese cartoon, but deciding not so because he's a "lazy, lazy man" ala gangster.

I admit, even though Roy was introduced as a joke on how TV shows introduce unimportant characters, I thought it would've been neat if he was in Simpsons for at least few more episodes.

One final comment, was this episode edited in syndication? I read a script on the internet where Krusty said something about how cartoon characters come back to life after dying, but his lawyer showed the kids proof that Poochie will be dead forever.

The version I saw just cuts back to the Simpsons after Krusty says "Poochie's dead!!!" and the kids cheering.
That scene airs in the UK. It's basically like you said- Krusty shows off a legal document they got to confirm Poochie will never come back and his lawyer (the blue haired lawyer who also represents Mr Burns) steps in and confirms it.

I made a thread about the episode a year or two ago. You can see it here if you're interested- http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=87536&highlight=Poochie

[TrogdorNyimbhat]

I saw that episode so long ago. This thread reminded me, it's a very good one.

I don't really think the cast and crew own the audience, but that both sides are pretty important. Though that episode makes more fun of producers, so it's fair.

[Fone Bone]

If anything the episode will go down in history as introducing the phrase Worst. Episode. EVER. Fanboys will be using that phrase until the end of time.

[SirLemming]

I do remember that scene you mentioned. Just about every episode has something taken out in syndication.

[Elven Moon]

Poochie's death is the best. My friends and I reference it and laugh about it a lot. For instance, saying 'She/he died on the way back to their home planet. The end' ;)

[Jave]

One of the funniest episodes in the whole series. I just love it. The jabs at the fans were hilarious, it was full with funny quotes ("I'm talking to you, Mr. Cutter") and one of the best endings ever.

Yeah, that scene you mention is cut in syndication. Also removed is a scene near the begininng where Mel asks Krusty to make a donation for a museum and the "no cutting" scene I mentioned (this last cut makes the scene that follows completely pointless)

Now I must go, my planet awaits me.

[Peter Paltridge]

If anything the episode will go down in history as introducing the phrase Worst. Episode. EVER. Fanboys will be using that phrase until the end of time.According to snpp.com, the phrase was frequently used on alt.tv.simpsons. No matter what the episode, someone would always post "WORST EPISODE EVER!!" The Comic Book Guy response was supposed to be a zap back at internet nerds, but it became his catchphrase and spread into overuse from everyone.

[Fone Bone]

According to snpp.com, the phrase was frequently used on alt.tv.simpsons. No matter what the episode, someone would always post "WORST EPISODE EVER!!" The Comic Book Guy response was supposed to be a zap back at internet nerds, but it became his catchphrase and spread into overuse from everyone.Wow, and seasons seven and eight were arguably still part of the golden years.

Do I smell a trend?

[Underdunkt]

I was reading a somewhat old ATS(alt.tv.simpsons) post recently where the author actually tracked the first use of "worst episode ever" on that newsgroup. It was for "Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie" from season four.

So yeah, there's definitely a trend there. People have been complaining on the internet since season three at least, with intensified complaints during seasons four and five (you should see the posts about "Homer Goes to College", hoo boy...). Bill Oakley used to post episode spoilers and such around 1993/1994, but by 1997 or so was so fed up that he made some disparaging comments about the 'net fans in an interview. So that's largely where the CBG scene comes from. Not that the people on the show aren't open to legitimate criticism, but they got fed up with the hypocritical, prentious bull%&*# that they've had to put up with for so many years.

[Fone Bone]

I was reading a somewhat old ATS(alt.tv.simpsons) post recently where the author actually tracked the first use of "worst episode ever" on that newsgroup. It was for "Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie" from season four.

So yeah, there's definitely a trend there. People have been complaining on the internet since season three at least, with intensified complaints during seasons four and five (you should see the posts about "Homer Goes to College", hoo boy...). Bill Oakley used to post episode spoilers and such around 1993/1994, but by 1997 or so was so fed up that he made some disparaging comments about the 'net fans in an interview.This is part of the reason I can't really take new Simpsons bashing THAT seriously. Sure, they've put out a few crappy recent episodes here and there but "fans" are using the exact same wording they did to describe season four which is easily the greatest season.

[Classic Speedy]

It's kind of ironic that this episode became what it was parodying seven years ago. Which makes the episode even better and funnier than when it aired.

[Master Moron]

I'm surprised no one mentioned yet that Poochie DID come back, several times. He still sounds like Homer, though I have no idea if Homer actually voices him still. They've never shown Homer going in and doing more lines.

Kind of weird that they made a big deal about him never coming back...only to have him come back. Still, I'm glad he does show up occasionally. I like him.

[nakak]

Yeah. I think there was one Halloween episode where Bart and Lisa goes inside the Itchy and Scratchy world and Homer joins them as Poochie. But since the Halloween episodes doesn't count as the regular Simpsons world, it won't count.

[TimTwoFace]

I'd stick around and write a longer, more informative post, but I have to go now - my planet needs me.

-Tim

EDIT: *TIM DIED ON HIS WAY BACK TO HIS HOME PLANET*

[ToOn~g@l]

I'd stick around and write a longer, more informative post, but I have to go now - my planet needs me.

-Tim

EDIT: *TIM DIED ON HIS WAY BACK TO HIS HOME PLANET*
Awww now I'm sad. :( :crying:


Any way I like this episode. I espeically like the part where the kids are being tested on what they liked and the lawyers were hiding in the back and one sneezed and I remember Ralph saying. "Why did the wall just sneeze?" or something like that.

[SirLemming]

Yeah. I think there was one Halloween episode where Bart and Lisa goes inside the Itchy and Scratchy world and Homer joins them as Poochie. But since the Halloween episodes doesn't count as the regular Simpsons world, it won't count. No, he's definitely shown up in other episodes.

As for whether the bashing of new Simpsons episodes is really just the same as the bashing of old episodes when they first aired... not quite. The show has definitely changed, you can't deny that. Some people like it and some people don't.

[MonkeyFunk]

He was shown going to Scratchy's funeral in one cartoon...

[Aztec]

This is certainly one the best episodes in the entire series. I still remember laughing my ass off the first time I saw it. Wow, do you guys remember when The Simpsons was actually good?

[SirLemming]

This is certainly one the best episodes in the entire series. I still remember laughing my ass off the first time I saw it. Wow, do you guys remember when The Simpsons was actually good?I rate that cheap-shot a 6 out of 10.

[Dark Fact]

That episode of The Simpsons was a testament to how other shows bombed or suffered in ratings due to new characters being introduced. We've had Cousin Oliver, Scrappy Doo, Coy and Vance, etc. who were introduced to liven up a show only to cause it to backfire in the ratings. If anything, this episode taught us that new characters don't always make a show better, they could actually make it worse!

[Master Moron]

Yeah. I think there was one Halloween episode where Bart and Lisa goes inside the Itchy and Scratchy world and Homer joins them as Poochie. But since the Halloween episodes doesn't count as the regular Simpsons world, it won't count.

Actually, we saw Poochie just last week I believe(no wait, Simpsons wasn't on last week...or the week before, must have been the week before that). It was that episode where Bart made t-shirts and Krusty had a bigger t-shirt stand. He had Itchy and Scratchy shirts and he started naming all the characters on the shirts and one had Poochie on it.

[simpspin]

This is part of the reason I can't really take new Simpsons bashing THAT seriously. Sure, they've put out a few crappy recent episodes here and there but "fans" are using the exact same wording they did to describe season four which is easily the greatest season.
"Here and there", IMO is too kind. Personally I feel the show is half-crap, half-watchable, with the occasional, gut-busting episode. As for the old fans, when are you modern 'fans' going to realize THAT IS HOW THE PEOPLE FELT IN THE EARLY 90'S!?! These people were not being eletist thugs, they were only comparing the new episodes to what was currently available.

Imagine yourself in 1993 coming off the first three semi-realistic seasons and being introduced to the more 'wacky' side of the Simpsons for the first time. You'd be saying 'what the hell?", too.

[Viceroy]

That episode of The Simpsons was a testament to how other shows bombed or suffered in ratings due to new characters being introduced. We've had Cousin Oliver, Scrappy Doo, Coy and Vance, etc. who were introduced to liven up a show only to cause it to backfire in the ratings. If anything, this episode taught us that new characters don't always make a show better, they could actually make it worse!
It's also a pretty funny indictment of when the suits get involved in creating characters ("Make him edgy, but don't alienate anyone!"). I remember reading a post on rec.arts.animation from an animator on Space Jam telling how the original idea for Lola Bunny (cheerful and whacky in the Tex Avery style) was rejected by the Warners manangement, who said "We want a character with attitude!"