Simpsons review - Al Jean's return

[Craig Marinaro]

Al Jean's first shot as Simpsons EP aired last Sunday, "She of Little Faith," involving Lisa converting to Buddhism. The plot as a whole ran rather close to "Lisa the Vegetarian," and several of the gags seemed recycled from previous seasons (most notably, Burns ripping off the "smoke bomb" bit from the fortune teller in "Lisa's Wedding"). But style-wise, it was a vast improvement over any of the Scully stuff from the last several years. The storyline flows smoothly rather than moving in jerks; Homer is comparatively well-behaved; zany humor is at a minimum, character / story-driven jokes are much more common; and the whole Simpson family is showcased, each with at least one or two memorable scenes (even Maggie!).

The only two things that really bugged me were actually both in the same scene--the Richard Gere cameo was as shoehorned-in as any celebrity appearance in recent years (although it was thankfully much shorter than, say, Mel Gibson's); and Lenny & Carl being Buddhists seemed rather forced (I can't recall if we've ever seen either in church before?).

Still, it's a touchy subject, and it's handled with genuine sincerity--a word that I never thought I'd associate with a Simpsons episode again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the rest of the season.

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

The problem is-Lenny AND Carl were both seen in the Christian Church....but, maybe they just hated the commercialism in the Church too. (stays silent, then breaks out laughing)

It was a very good eppy, and the lines were a lot more clever. Nothing too wacky or out of this world; and the characters seemed to be all themselves again. But my other major gripe is that Lisa seems to be the one with all the major character changes in her...first veganteriasm, then Buddhist. (yes, I know she's the moral one in the family)

As for Gere, his cameo was handled well. I only hope we have some eppys *without* guest stars in them....anyone remember those days? :D

EDIT: 1300 POSTS!! BOOYAH! CHAMPANGE FOR ALL!!! (breaks it out) :D

[Narfpinky]

Originally posted by BourgeoisBuffoon I only hope we have some eppys *without* guest stars in them....anyone remember those days? :D

I do. And how I've longed for those days at times.

The old guest star network hook. As if someone who's never watched Simpsoms before will watch *this* week's show because their fav star/celebrity/musical artist is on.

If they must have a guest, I would like it if the guest star/etc. was anything else than a cartoon copy of his/her/themself. Embilish on personality; make up an attitude we wouldn't expect. Satire. That's part of the core of this show.

Anyway, last Sunday was an okay ep for me; nowhere nearly as funny as eps I recall long ago, but better than eps of late.
And with Al Jean in, I have some hope.

Narfpinky

[The Mad Hatter]

Not really much to add (since I'm trying to catch up on two day's worth of posts), but the ep was pretty entertaining. Hopefully we're on an upswing.

[DR. BELCH]

Keep in mind that Apu, a Hindu, also attends Christian services. Either Springfield doesn't have a Hindu place of worship, or he goes for the sumptuous potlucks. (Sometimes it's all that gets me out of the sack on Sunday morning, esp. when it's cold out. ;) )

Homer isn't too much of a horse's butt here--he does forget Marge's allergy to fish at one point, and seems unsure of whether to be happy or sad over Lisa's outburst in church (Marge has to prompt him), and the scene about demanding Bart to butter his bacon was a tad much, but all in all at least he wasn't stepping on, strangling, or pursuing the kids with blunt objects. And no scabs, blood, or nudity this week. There's a plus.