Last night's episode of "The Simpsons" (my favorite show) featured a homage to the film that introduced me to Kate Winslet (in her film debut), Peter Jackson's "Heavenly Creatures." For those who haven't seen the film, do yourselves a favor and watch it like, now! For those who love and admire the film, enjoy the episode, which guest stars the brilliant Emily Blunt:
Thanks to the creators of The Simpsons. I don't know how they have managed to stay so relevant for so long.
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15 comments:
I think I know why this place shut down. People don't want to drive into the middle of the woods to eat seafood.
LOL classic. I also loved:
"Equalia! Where everyone is equal...but we are in charge...because someone has to be"
"I call computer!"
"I call doorbell!"
Ah, The Simpsons. Other shows are fulfilling comedy's esoteric, surrealist destiny ("Squidbillies") but The Simpsons proves time and time again that good old-fashioned skeptical satire is just as effective as ever.
Funny, though, I don't know too many women who like the show (no offense). When I was courting my to-be wife I was showing her a lot of classic love stories, but one night (after we'd just seen "The Red Shoes") the Simpsons almost sabotaged my entire scheme. The Gabbo episode was on in syndication and when Krusty introduced Eastern Europe's favorite cat and mouse team the poor girl beside me witnessed a conniption of laughter while not having any clue as to what was going on. Oh, well. Worker and Parasite aren't for everyone. At least we still got married, so who's complaining...
Worker and Parasite für immer! Seriously, the Gabbo episode is quite high in my list of top ten episodes. I often find myself singing "You're gonna love me!" to no one in particular. Very odd.
I hear you about the Simpsons and the gender gap (though in my own experience I've met quite a few girls who truly enjoy it). For better or worse, I grew up with an older brother who force fed me his tastes early on. A steady diet of "Star Wars," "Scarface," black and white films, and many, many animated series made me who I am today. Which reminds me, I should thank him.
Did you try showing your wife "Bart's Comet"? It usually does the trick.
Interesting about your brother...I have two younger sisters, the second of whom I more or less did the same with, and I'm proud to say she's followed me through the fandom fire of The Critic, Futurama, Arrested Development, and many other shows (Simpsons included).
You're right, "Bart's Comet" IS pretty accessible (and great..."Let's tear down the observatory so this never happens again!"), although I think the one that finally turned the wifey over to the dark side was "Secrets of a Successful Marriage"...
"I can tell the difference between butter and I can't believe it's not butter."
"No you CAN'T, Mr Simpson, NO ONE CAN!"
She still doesn't get one of my favorite eps, though, the Valentine's Day/President's Day special with the deliciously funny school play. "An evening of entertainment and picking up after yourselves!" Then again, my wife was also born in Honduras, so all the pop culture is occasionally an obstacle.
I think we're onto a phenomena of sorts here -- my brother and I are huge fans of The Critic and especially Arrested Development (sadly, I didn't share his enthusiasm for "Futurama," not because I didn't like it, but because I never got the chance to watch it). He also introduced me to The Office (UK) and Extras, both of which I consider outstanding shows. It works both ways though. I introduced him to "Mad Men."
Love all those quotes there. For some reason, I like a lot of the campier moments (Homer's monologue about "what's to be done with this Homer Simpson???", and Bart reading aloud from his play after falling off the tree: "Kippers for breakfast, Aunt Helga?", JFK appearing to "Liser")
But I think I watched the Kamp Krusty episode more than I care to admit. The theme song, the death marches, the Ben-Hur crafts-making. It's insanely good. And don't get me started on The Bloodening ("And now you're thinking 'I hope that's shepherd's pie in my knickers'")
And I agree with the cultural gap as well. I grew up in Puerto Rico, but we're pretty Americanized anyway so I can pick up on a lot of stuff (plus all the years of watching old films, tv shows, etc.) I will say, though, that whenever I go back home I watch the episodes in Spanish and they've done a terrific job in replacing some of the least accessible references with related stuff Latinos will pick up on. Very clever and true to the spirit of the original.
Why is this show still so good after all these years?
I don't tune into it regularly anymore, but every time I do I think "Man, I should watch this show all the time..."
"Worst. Couch gag. Ever." ahahahahaha
Dorothy, I highly recommend Futurama...not as funny or as cynical, but still an excellent show. Another great, similarly-minded favorite is "Home Movies," if you're not aware of that one. And yeah, I'm down with the Gervais canon and seriously need to catch up with Mad Men.
I especially enjoy when the Simpsons get to the heart of some grand historical misunderstanding, such as the episode where Chester Lampwick is revealed to have created Itchy (ie the Disney/UB Iwerks controversy). It's so delightfully left-fieldian. And all I have to say about the campiness is... "You're right, it DOES look like Al Gore!"
or maybe "What are you talking about? Embiggens is a perfectly cromulent word!"
and finally "And I'll make Ted Kennedy pay / if he fights back, I'll say that he's gay."
Craig, I have a theory: Matt Groening sold his soul to the devil. Is that too outlandish?
Jon, yes yes yes! Get on "Mad Man" stat. It's truly remarkable and worthy of all the hype. Good to see we're on the same boat with Gervais/Merchant. I can't wait until their next project.
I love the Lampwick episode; I think that's the one that ends with a very random sequence involving Lisa and Bart's doppelgangers (I think the girl is Eliza, lol).
And The Amendment Song!!! "Then I'll crush all opposition to me..." The hits keep on coming. I honestly do not get tired of the show because it's so damn multi-layered. Even episodes I might not like upon first viewing always win me over.
I have to say this (no Simpsons convo would be complete without it) Sideshow Bob's rendition of the HMS Pinafore is thrilling.
Also, I'll have to add Futurama to my queue. I'm always on a quest for good entertainment.
"To the extent you can trust the word of a Belgian" is what got me.
I totally guffawed at that one, k.
And how fitting is it that he would be Belgium?
Goddess D, I'm SO sorry that I didn't say good night to you when we were all taking off after the live blogging of the SAGS the other night.
I saw k's comment and Craig's. But I didn't see yours.
Just wanted you to know that I would NEVER slight you. I adore you far too much. Plus I don't have a mean bone in my voluptuous Winslet like bod.
Unless I lose this fabulous Irish temper...and then all bets are off.
Hah hah.
So THE SIMPSONS is your favourite show???
That's too cool...
Ah, Miranda! No worries, please! It was pretty hectic there at the end with everyone and their goodbyes. Please know that even the thought of being slighted in any way did not cross my mind :)
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