Dingo and the Baby

[vovat]

Last week's Simpsons episode was a good start for the season, but last night's was a not-so-good continuation. I thought the premise was interesting, and it's nice to see Bart actually stick with something and get good at it for a change, but the way it all worked out was pretty lame. There were some pacing problems, with some scenes (like the White Stripes bit and other musical interludes) dragging on, yet the ending still coming across as abrupt. The Lisa subplot was really far-fetched, and unoriginal to boot. The Simpsons having an unusual pet was already covered in "Bart Gets an Elephant," which was both a lot funnier and more realistic. It also didn't help that the jokes based on the professional jazz guys seemed strained. Their building up and then dashing Lisa's hopes was based on a classic Simpsons formula that's worked many times in the past, but here it fell kind of flat. Same basic deal with their constantly forgetting about the benefit concert. What DID I like about this episode? Well, Chief Wiggum riding the ostrich was cute, and the long list of jazz musicians was funny (although Krusty actually CALLING them "funny names" kind of spoiled the joke).

Family Guy was better this week than last, although still hardly of classic status. Peter going through a second childhood with a new parental figure was pretty much the same thing that was done with Homer and his mom in "My Mother the Carjacker," but I think it actually worked better with Peter. I could see someone thinking the radio sound bite segments went on too long, but I don't think it would have been as funny otherwise. It struck me as a pretty accurate parody. I mean, I don't listen to the radio much, but I've occasionally come across stations where they would simply repeat their call letters over and over for about a minute. Still, the episode probably could have done without repeating that same basic joke so many times.

Hmm, anything else? Well, I bought tickets to see Jenny Lewis and the Decemberists (not together) in Philadelphia, so that should be fun. I understand there's a new Decemberists album coming out in October, which is cool. I was beginning to think that Weird Al's new album would be the last one I would have to look forward to this year.

Comments

[kristenjarrod.livejournal.com]

Simpsons was tolerable last night...but Family Guy was gold to me.

I liked American Dad last night. I liked Steve and Roger falling in love with that chubby girl.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I did like the AD episode. I didn't like the show much when it first started, but it really does seem to have improved a lot over time.

[gizmohigh69.livejournal.com]

i got to see the first few minites of simpsons the white stripes intro was cool i liked otto saying "woh trippy" it made me smile

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I didn't like the White Stripes bit much. It was too long and repetitive. I guess I can see how a White Stripes fan would have enjoyed it, though.

[gizmohigh69.livejournal.com]

well ive never heard any of the white stripes songs i just liked the otto part because i like otto a thirty year old bus driver that listens to every rock n roll song on the planet

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Wait, was Otto even in that segment? I can't remember.

[gizmohigh69.livejournal.com]

go to myspace and ask for the clip video somewhere in there they have it but ya hes like awsome

[dave-noisy.livejournal.com]

Funny, i thought the Simpsons was about the worst i've ever seen..heh..i think i liked last weeks FG better tho. ;)

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I don't know about the worst, but it was definitely on the lower end. I'm not sure what I would call the Worst Episode Ever, but that African safari one from a few years back was pretty bad, as was the one with the jockey trolls.

[revme.livejournal.com]

I loved this week's Family Guy, but then again, I work in Radio, so... makes sense, i suppose.