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Which seasons do you think are best?
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What episodes are best? If you like episode Such-and-Such and itβs not in a good season - I can download just that episode.
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I thought I had a third question. Maybe Iβll edit that later.
I would like to take this opportunity to dissect one of the greatest joke writing in modern TV history (and thereby ruining it)
Homer Simpson (to a car full of completely disinterested kids): βNow, Grand Funk Railroad paved the way for Jefferson Airplane which cleared the way for Jefferson Starship.β
The first layer of the joke is Homer being a typical uncool dad, talking about bands that were cool when he was growing up to kids who really didnβt care. Itβs relatable, and in line with Homer not being cool. Most people can relate to this, it works on a surface level as a joke for the plot.
The second layer of the joke is that what he said doesnβt make any sense, Jefferson Airplane predates Grand Funk Railroad by 4 years. Itβs in line with Homer being stupid and/or misremembering key facts while heβs confidently lecturing kids about something seemingly important to him. The second layer of the joke for people who know about classic rock history.
The third layer of the joke is that heβs talking about the band names: Railroad > Airplane > Starship. He was never talking about the music of the bands he was listing to disinterested kids, he was talking about the modes of transport in the band names. The third layer of the joke is probably missed by most people upon first viewing even if they caught the second layer of Homer stating something wrong as a fact to children he was trying to educate.
All this in less than 10 seconds. The line works for the scene, helps progress the plot, is in character both for Homerβs intelligence/misplaced confidence as well as feeling uncool and dated. This isnβt even the funniest thing golden age Simpsons pumped out nor the best episode overall.
God what a great TV show.
βYou kids donβt know Grand Funk? The wild shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher? The competent drumwork of Don Brewer? Oh, man!β
The best part is that these jokes are all seamlessly integrated into a heartfelt story of a father trying to connect with his children.
Every single line there, too.
Describing not the voice or appearance, but lyrics as shirtless
Describing something as bong-rattling to your 8 and 10 year old children and their classmates.
Describing Don Brewer as competent after all the other outlandish compliments to the other band members
Such a good show.
Early Simpsons is Season 1 - 8 which almost everyone thinks is good except for people who think Season 1 is too wonky (the wonkiness comes from some Season 1 episodes more resembling longer Tracey Ullman shorts than actual Simpsons episodes) or purists who think Season 8 was when the Simpsons started to run out of ideas. Seasons 9 - 12 was when Mike Scully is showrunner, and itβs a contentious 4 seasons. Most Simpsons fans would say that the decline in quality was underway by the time Scully was showrunner. The argument is mostly when. Did the decline began in the second half of Season 8, did it happen in Season 9 with that infamous episode with Skinner, did it happen at the end of Season 10, did it happen in Season 13 when Al Jean took over showrunning duties, and so on? Everyone has their own hot take.
Iβm a traditionalist. The Tracey Ullman shorts are awesome although mostly interesting as a historical curiosity if youβre not a Simpsons fan, Season 1 - 8 are the good seasons, the Scully years are hit and miss, with more hits in Season 9 - 10 and more misses in Season 11 - 12, and Al Jean taking over showrunning duties is when the Simpsons became what many people term Zombie Simpsons. The movie is whatevs and while many Simpsons Youtubers swear by the newer seasons not sucking as hard, especially since Al Jean is no longer a full-time showrunner, I canβt find myself caring after all these decades. Plus, itβs very painful hearing Margeβs VA these days.
The episode which introduces Frank Grimes is memorable. Think what would happen if a person outside the Simpsons universe moved into Springfield and became Homerβs coworker.
I dont remember which episode this is, I think itβs season 3 or 4, but the one with the power plant softball tournament and all the baseball celebrities kills me every time I watch it.
Barneyβs argument with Wade Boggs from that episode is great. I actually only just learned about Boggsβ drinking feats when I got to that episode of IASIP, which makes it even funnier on a rewatch.
I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
Iβm a huge Simpsons fan and I agree that seasons 1-12ish are peak TV. The show stays good until like season 15 but definitely starts to slip a little after 12. Nearly all the Treehouse of Horror episodes are really fun. Iβm also partial to the Sideshow Bob episodes like Cape Feare where the family has to change their identity and relocate because of him & Sideshow Bob Roberts where he runs for mayor. Nearly every episode is a banger though, the show had so much heart back then.
