matt_zimmer | Reviews!

Reviews for the latest episodes of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy, American Dad, Heroes and the pilot of Reaper.

The Simpsons "The Homer of Seville"

'Bout time they did an episode where Homer gets a stalker. Could be comedy gold if it was done right.

This was only done ALL right. First the beefs. Homer was supposed to sing better than Pavarati. But Pavarati wiped the floor with him and they acted like he didn't. To be honest, that was the kind of gag there was absolutely no way they could have pulled off.

Maya Rudolph as the stalker was great because I couldn't place her voice. I liked Lenny and Carl being Homer's entourage. I also liked how mad Marge got that Homer was flirting with old ladies. I like that Marge has such low confidence in herself that she actually believes a slob like Homer doesn't wake up every day thanking God that he got a catch like her and would find a tryst with a sixty year old tempting. Right.

The "is that a real thing?" gag paid off great at the end.

The episode was better than last week's. Still could have been better though. ***1/2.

King of the Hill "Bobby Rae"

This episode had me worried but it turned out wonderful. I was afraid they were going to go for some of the show's tired trademark hippie bashing but they went in a completely different direction with Hank telling the kids JUST how committed hippies actually were to the their causes in terms spoiled aught kids couldn't even comprehend.

I hope Bobby gets back together with Connie at some point. The show is resetting itself back to where it originally started and COULD be trying to turn into The Simpsons. If Nancy goes back to John Redcorn I will stop watching.

The teachers actually getting their vacation at the end was another nice twist. The show needs more endings like that.

Dale's quote-book subplot went absolutely nowhere.

I really liked the episode. ****1/2.

Family Guy "Movin' Out (Brian's Song)"

Speaking of shows resetting back to the status quo I was bummed that Brian broke up with Gillian. But other than that the episode was hilarious. I loved Peter bonding with her at Disney on Ice (his Donald Duck costume was hilarious) and I loved how he basically forced Brian into moving in with her.

Brian is the new Meg but I HAVE to admit: Lois BRUTALLY laughing at his novel idea was the funniest bit of the night.

Well, we kind of guessed Stewie was turned on by Brian and this episode basically confirmed it. Creepy. Him telling off Herbert though was gold.

I loved Chris bonding with the convenience store guy (H. Jon Benjamin). Pure Clerks-esque dialog. Chris also trying to get the guy to rehire Meg by tantalizingly saying he had just seen Event Horizon was funny too.

Good episode. ****.

American Dad: "Vacation Goo"

The Smiths are idiots. The goo is the greatest vacation idea EVER! They can go anywhere they want, any time they want and they Francine always insists on a "real" vacation. How'd that work out, Frannie?

"You put us in the goo again!" Funniest line of the ep.

The ending was a little too dark for my tastes and didn't really work. American Dad can SOMETIMES get away with really dark endings if the entire episode is messed up. I felt the episode was too light-hearted for such a dark ending and I thought it seemed a little bit unearned. ***1/2.

Heroes "Chapter Two: Lizards"

Really fun episode. I was unsure about the two new characters but now I'm wondering if they are connected to the virus plot. If so it's a brilliant idea. If not... then I'm back to unsure.

I want to know exactly what is in the box. It seems Peter DID absorb Niki and DL's powers. Oooh, I HOPE DL survived. I think we'll find out one way or another next week (although death is NEVER permanent in comic books).

Loved Suresh tricking Bob and helping Bennet hide the Haitian. It's interesting that Claire can regrow limbs. She right that that's an interesting talent to have. West knows now but I suspect she'll find out his secret soon enough. I wonder how (or even if) his ability to fly is connected to Nathan in any way.

Speaking of Nathan, the scene where he and Matt witness Angela being brutalized by the unknown murderer was chilling. She's lucky she's still alive. I wonder what her power is. I noted that she was able to keep Matt out of her head once she realized what he was up to. Does SHE have powers related to the mind? I also thought it was interesting that she used to hook up with Hiro's dad.

Speaking of Hiro anyone want to bet against the idea that HE is the Kensei of legend? No takers? I didn't think so. And yes, this theory would be easier to prove if Kensei HAD died this episode after all but the fact that the timestream in the present hasn't been changed at all leads me to believe Hiro was MEANT to be there.

A really good episode. I can't wait for next week. ****1/2.

Reaper "Pilot"

I usually only watch shows that have been on the air for a year or longer so I won't get what I called "Foxed" (I only started watching Heroes because I knew it wouldn't get canceled anytime soon.) But the idea of this show got me REALLY curious. Not that it's groundbreaking, but I heard it was a LOT like Buffy (it is) and comes from Kevin Smith and two producers of Law and Order: SVU. If that wasn't wild enough it stars Ray "Leland Palmer" Wise as the Devil. How could I NOT check it out?

Best TV pilot I've seen since Lost. REALLY hilarious. Sock is the funniest sidekick EVER and the show is funny, touching, cool and in places scary. I'm definitely tuning in tomorrow. I hope the show is a HUGE hit. If enough people actually saw the pilot I'm confident it will be but if the Pilot didn't get a huge audience I'm worried that CW isn't promoting it enough. Best new show of the season in my book. *****.