Wheels and the Legman

[vovat]

The Simpsons episode had a decent premise, but the ending seemed a little rushed. I guess I should give it credit for tying up the loose ends, but it was just a little too quick and obvious. Still, it did make me want to see Nelson succeed at his business, so that's something. The episode loses a few more points in that Abe giving his family their inheritance while they were still alive was already the catalyst for "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy." I guess it's possible that he earned that $200 since then, though. The Homer and Marge plot didn't really go anywhere, but the scene in the restaurant and the Chris Hansen appearance were amusing enough. So overall, I guess it was okay. Hooray for adequacy!

Family Guy was kind of weird, in that Rush Limbaugh actually playing a major part on a typically left-leaning show was unexpected and a little awkward. It seems like the writers made an effort to be careful with the dialogue, because they really didn't do much to make fun of him, and instead presented him as a nice enough guy who just happens to believe different things. I suppose that would be fine if Rush weren't all about getting people to agree with him without thinking about it beforehand, which is exactly what he came out against in the episode. But hey, I guess he should get some credit for even agreeing to do the show, even if it was just for the money. And I think it did do a good job of exposing the side of Brian that's been hinted at in other episodes, which is that while his beliefs are quite close to Seth MacFarlane's own (and mine, for that matter), he often holds those beliefs without really thinking them through. It's odd how he's developed from being the voice of reason on the show into kind of a shallow jerk who's largely a self-parody of Seth, but I guess all the characters have changed quite a bit. Well, maybe not so much Peter, although I think even he comes across as more disconnected from his family than he was in the early days of the show. He was never a good father, certainly, but with a few exceptions it seems like he now has pretty much no emotional attachment to his kids whatsoever.

I'm glad American Dad is back for another season. Only occasionally do I come across people talking about it, and I didn't like it much myself at first, but it grew on me. I appreciate that there's more of an effort to keep the style of humor distinct from FG. Sure, there are similarities, but it doesn't have the same "hey, it's the same show with some different characters" vibe that the Cleveland Show does. Hayley getting married was an interesting development, but one that I don't think will alter the show that much. Also, I was just thinking of Stan's best friend who became a Satanist, so it's weird that he would reappear, even if it was just to die. I have to wonder if they'll do anything else with the principal having gone crazy in later episodes. Probably not, but it would be interesting if they did.

Comments

[vovat.livejournal.com]

It's not that I didn't think last night's Simpsons episode was intelligent, just that it was predictable and not one of their better efforts (while also being far from their worst).

[vilajunkie.livejournal.com]

Ah OK. I guess the current writers figure that as long as people keep watching "The Simpsons", no one will care or notice that the episodes are predictable and mediocre. And it's been on so long I guess they figure only hardcore fans will remember the early episodes enough to know they're recycling plots.