Super Cartoon Review! (Spoilers)
Sep. 11th, 2006 03:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matt_zimmerThe Simpsons: "The Mook, Chef, the Wife and Her Homer"
This was a decent episode especially considering the last few season premieres have been passable at best. I think I can think of a way to fix the Simpsons. They need to do more episodes like this which focus on characters who really haven't had major spotlights before. Fat Tony was a good choice. That way they can explore stuff on the show that they haven't before. I think I'm getting a little sick of seeing Apu's family drama or Moe's latest business venture. And Marge and Homer getting into a fight every other week really upsets me.
Quite a few good mob jokes, especially the one at the end of Kearney closing the doors. I liked the revelation at the end that Micheal was in on the murders and when he told Lisa to never ask him about his business. Funny stuff.
Fat Tony as a soccer dad was really funny especially when his "sleeping with the fishes" comment was referring to a Finding Nemo blanket.
I liked the episode but I'm not getting my hopes up. Every single time the first or second episode of the season starts out strong the season winds up going downhill anyways. I'm not going to fall for that again. ****.
American Dad "Camp Refoogee"
How wild is it that the best cartoon I saw yesterday was American Dad? Who'da thunk it?
Ever since South Park's Cartoon Wars I haven't been able to watch Family Guy and enjoy it as much as I used to. I was afraid the same thing would happen with American Dad. Unlike Family Guy however American Dad never uses random cutaways and it's jokes are always relevant to the plot and characters. I have a sneaking suspicion Cartman may approve.
I really love it when Roger is paired up with a different member of the Smith family because alone he's kind of a one note character. But seeing him mix it up with Francine was great and they really played well off of each other. Best joke of the night was Roger cleaning his glasses and then telling Francine to tell their new friends how she killed their baby. Classic.
The refugee plot was pretty funny too. I'm surprised that Stan is actually kind of likable now (I loved the soapbox bit) but not THAT surprised since Peter was a total jerk in the early FG episodes too.
Best cartoon I saw yesterday. ****1/2.
Family Guy "Stewie Loves Lois"
To anyone who thinks Family Guy is better than the Simpsons... Just shut up. You're embarrasing yourself. I am REALLY upset at South Park right now because I CAN'T enjoy this show at all. Only the character stuff on this show is watchable and considering how dependant the show is on cutaways and how little the characters mean that isn't saying much. Yes, Stewie telling Brian to stop hitting on Lois was funny. But the lame Robin and gay Sulu jokes just weren't and those kind of gags seemed more prevelant. I don't know if I'll be able to watch this show this year. **1/2.
Fantastic Four "Doomed"
Better than last week, but that isn't saying much. Maybe it's just me but the Buffyverse has ruined ANY body switching episode that doesn't have it's characters acting smart or believable for me in the future. I have absolutely NO clue why Dr. Doom was acting so suspiciously in Reed's body. You'd think the dude would watch Reed beforehand and pick up his mannerisms and ACT like him if his goal was to infiltrate Fantastic Four headquarters. The reason Faith and Angelus were able to do so much in Who Are You? and Calvary respectively is because they were smart enough to ACT like Buffy and Angel when they needed to. They still had a great deal of fun at their friends' expense but they actually TRIED to keep up the charade for as long as possible. For a "genius" Dr. Doom sure acts like an idiot by complementing himself and downplaying Reed's accomplishments.
But in his defense the Fantastic Four are stupid enough to almost fall for it. Even when Reed in Doom's body spells it out for them it's still a conundrum to these geniuses. Not that Reed actually explained what was going on in ANY clear terms whatsoever.
I have seen a LOT of stupid superhero shows but I haven't seen one with characters acting this brainless since the toy driven cartoons from the eighties (Yes, INCLUDING The Batman). EVERYTHING about this episode was a cliche and moronic. There is absolutely no justification for that kind of shabby writing after The DCAU, Gargoyles, and all of the other great superhero cartoons that have raised the stakes for children's television writing since BTAS debut. This show is bad and imbecilic. **.
A Note about the "Mountain of Madness" commentary on The Simpsons Season Eight DVD:
This is without a doubt the most uncomfortable commentary for ANYTHING I've ever heard. I felt like I was watching an episode of The Office. The contest winner being on the commentary was worth his weight in making the producers sound impatient (with them telling him where to sit and igmoring him demanding to know why John Swartzwelder never showed up for commentaries) especially at the end where he noted the Fox Security gaurds showed up to show him to his car after the producers apologized for Fox not even bothering to spring for airfare and a hotel. The absolute best part though and the thing that was so cringe-worthy was Josh Weinstein explaining how the boring mountain ranger was based on Al Gore by sayig "some of you in the audience may not know this but Al Gore was the Vice-President from 1993 to--". Matt Groeing cut him off with the most withering and dismissive voice possible (and considering this is Matt Groening it was an acheivement to be proud of) and said "God, you're so condescending." He then proceeded to tell Mr. Weinstien how great Al Gore was and that he was SO cool he had done Futurama TWICE. I seriously don't think Weinstien meant anything by it but I think the habits Al Jean and David Mirkin have had on the previous seasons' commentaries explaining every single dang joke had finally reached their logical conclusions.
God, I love Matt Groening. He always tells it like it is and is not afraid to be disdainful of anything and everybody including himself. This was both the best Simpsons commentary and the worst Simpsons commentary I have ever heard.
This was a decent episode especially considering the last few season premieres have been passable at best. I think I can think of a way to fix the Simpsons. They need to do more episodes like this which focus on characters who really haven't had major spotlights before. Fat Tony was a good choice. That way they can explore stuff on the show that they haven't before. I think I'm getting a little sick of seeing Apu's family drama or Moe's latest business venture. And Marge and Homer getting into a fight every other week really upsets me.
Quite a few good mob jokes, especially the one at the end of Kearney closing the doors. I liked the revelation at the end that Micheal was in on the murders and when he told Lisa to never ask him about his business. Funny stuff.
Fat Tony as a soccer dad was really funny especially when his "sleeping with the fishes" comment was referring to a Finding Nemo blanket.
I liked the episode but I'm not getting my hopes up. Every single time the first or second episode of the season starts out strong the season winds up going downhill anyways. I'm not going to fall for that again. ****.
American Dad "Camp Refoogee"
How wild is it that the best cartoon I saw yesterday was American Dad? Who'da thunk it?
Ever since South Park's Cartoon Wars I haven't been able to watch Family Guy and enjoy it as much as I used to. I was afraid the same thing would happen with American Dad. Unlike Family Guy however American Dad never uses random cutaways and it's jokes are always relevant to the plot and characters. I have a sneaking suspicion Cartman may approve.
I really love it when Roger is paired up with a different member of the Smith family because alone he's kind of a one note character. But seeing him mix it up with Francine was great and they really played well off of each other. Best joke of the night was Roger cleaning his glasses and then telling Francine to tell their new friends how she killed their baby. Classic.
The refugee plot was pretty funny too. I'm surprised that Stan is actually kind of likable now (I loved the soapbox bit) but not THAT surprised since Peter was a total jerk in the early FG episodes too.
Best cartoon I saw yesterday. ****1/2.
Family Guy "Stewie Loves Lois"
To anyone who thinks Family Guy is better than the Simpsons... Just shut up. You're embarrasing yourself. I am REALLY upset at South Park right now because I CAN'T enjoy this show at all. Only the character stuff on this show is watchable and considering how dependant the show is on cutaways and how little the characters mean that isn't saying much. Yes, Stewie telling Brian to stop hitting on Lois was funny. But the lame Robin and gay Sulu jokes just weren't and those kind of gags seemed more prevelant. I don't know if I'll be able to watch this show this year. **1/2.
Fantastic Four "Doomed"
Better than last week, but that isn't saying much. Maybe it's just me but the Buffyverse has ruined ANY body switching episode that doesn't have it's characters acting smart or believable for me in the future. I have absolutely NO clue why Dr. Doom was acting so suspiciously in Reed's body. You'd think the dude would watch Reed beforehand and pick up his mannerisms and ACT like him if his goal was to infiltrate Fantastic Four headquarters. The reason Faith and Angelus were able to do so much in Who Are You? and Calvary respectively is because they were smart enough to ACT like Buffy and Angel when they needed to. They still had a great deal of fun at their friends' expense but they actually TRIED to keep up the charade for as long as possible. For a "genius" Dr. Doom sure acts like an idiot by complementing himself and downplaying Reed's accomplishments.
But in his defense the Fantastic Four are stupid enough to almost fall for it. Even when Reed in Doom's body spells it out for them it's still a conundrum to these geniuses. Not that Reed actually explained what was going on in ANY clear terms whatsoever.
I have seen a LOT of stupid superhero shows but I haven't seen one with characters acting this brainless since the toy driven cartoons from the eighties (Yes, INCLUDING The Batman). EVERYTHING about this episode was a cliche and moronic. There is absolutely no justification for that kind of shabby writing after The DCAU, Gargoyles, and all of the other great superhero cartoons that have raised the stakes for children's television writing since BTAS debut. This show is bad and imbecilic. **.
A Note about the "Mountain of Madness" commentary on The Simpsons Season Eight DVD:
This is without a doubt the most uncomfortable commentary for ANYTHING I've ever heard. I felt like I was watching an episode of The Office. The contest winner being on the commentary was worth his weight in making the producers sound impatient (with them telling him where to sit and igmoring him demanding to know why John Swartzwelder never showed up for commentaries) especially at the end where he noted the Fox Security gaurds showed up to show him to his car after the producers apologized for Fox not even bothering to spring for airfare and a hotel. The absolute best part though and the thing that was so cringe-worthy was Josh Weinstein explaining how the boring mountain ranger was based on Al Gore by sayig "some of you in the audience may not know this but Al Gore was the Vice-President from 1993 to--". Matt Groeing cut him off with the most withering and dismissive voice possible (and considering this is Matt Groening it was an acheivement to be proud of) and said "God, you're so condescending." He then proceeded to tell Mr. Weinstien how great Al Gore was and that he was SO cool he had done Futurama TWICE. I seriously don't think Weinstien meant anything by it but I think the habits Al Jean and David Mirkin have had on the previous seasons' commentaries explaining every single dang joke had finally reached their logical conclusions.
God, I love Matt Groening. He always tells it like it is and is not afraid to be disdainful of anything and everybody including himself. This was both the best Simpsons commentary and the worst Simpsons commentary I have ever heard.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-09-12 01:25 am (UTC)Family Guy isn't bad because cutaways are bad. It's bad because the cutaways are bad.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-12 03:17 am (UTC)South Park sucks. I was able to enjoy Family Guy despite it's flaws and now I can'r. And for a show that has questionable messages every week the law of averages shows that once in a while they are bound to get it right. Jerks.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-12 04:07 am (UTC)Be original.
Respond to my damn email
Date: 2006-09-12 04:09 am (UTC)I want to find out if you like it well enough for me to go to the trouble of getting Season 2 on Netflix and copying it. I'll do it, if you'll start watching Season 3 in October, but don't want to waste Netflix space if you won't.
My life would be much simpler if everyone in the world would watch Battlestar Galactica.
Re: Respond to my damn email
Date: 2006-09-12 02:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-12 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-12 02:11 am (UTC)American Dad - I was thinking the same thing about Stan. He was oblivious in this episode, but not in a jerk/dismissive/I'm-always-right kind of way.
Family Guy - I thought it was a funny episode, I liked that pirate tree dude and all the finger stuff. I am reminded of South Park and do cringe occationally when the jokes are supposed to make you laugh just because they are references to other things, like Robin and Sulu.
Fantastic Four - You don't even need to compare it to Buffy, Reed and Doom switching bodies has been a staple, and this is maybe the 4th time I've seen it. And it didn't capture any of what makes it special. Doom messing with Reed's journal to make his family thing he purposely exposed them to cosmic rays? Good. Doom obviously acting out of character and just sort of wandering around and insulting the rest of the FF? Meh. It was better than last week's, but why are they showing us these episodes out of order? Establish Dr. Doom before you switch him around!
"Mountain of Madness" Commentary - I am now afraid to listen to this thing.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-12 03:24 am (UTC)Agreed.
"American Dad - I was thinking the same thing about Stan. He was oblivious in this episode, but not in a jerk/dismissive/I'm-always-right kind of way."
I'm actually stating to like Stan. What kind of crazy topsy turvy frickin bizarro world did I wake up in?
"Family Guy - I thought it was a funny episode, I liked that pirate tree dude and all the finger stuff. I am reminded of South Park and do cringe occationally when the jokes are supposed to make you laugh just because they are references to other things, like Robin and Sulu."
See, it MIGHT have been a funny episode. I can't tell anymore. I am really pissed off at South Park now. They choose THIS issue to be right. Where was their sense during the godawful Hurricane Katrina parody? At least the episode wasn't COMPLETELY right, as they chose to portray Bush in a semi-positive light. Still, I can't enjoy the show anymore, or at least the new episodes. I can still stomach the reruns though so that's something.
"Fantastic Four - You don't even need to compare it to Buffy, Reed and Doom switching bodies has been a staple, and this is maybe the 4th time I've seen it. And it didn't capture any of what makes it special. Doom messing with Reed's journal to make his family thing he purposely exposed them to cosmic rays? Good. Doom obviously acting out of character and just sort of wandering around and insulting the rest of the FF? Meh. It was better than last week's, but why are they showing us these episodes out of order? Establish Dr. Doom before you switch him around!"
To be honest, I was afraid the Fantastic Four comics were this stupid. Glad to know that isn't really the case.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-15 08:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-16 10:11 pm (UTC)