Fun Simpsons Links

• Get your fill of fun Moe lines at IGN.com. Gotta love those old phone prank reactions.
• I didn't even mention the scene with Sarkozy and Carla Bruni in "The Devil Wears Nada," but everyone else did. Check out the story here.
• The top 29 Bart Blackboard lines by the Huffington Post (ex. the capital of Montana is not "Hannah." and "I no longer want my MTV" LoL)
• As an American, I don't know much about X-factor, so I'm still not really sure who Jedward is or are. But they will be on the Simpsons according to The Sun.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

photo from http://z.about.com/d/animatedtv/1/0/2/E/simp16FamilyXmas.jpg

Make sure you have a grumply, grumply christmas/ filled with grumply gru. A grumply, grumply christmas to you!!

LoL The Simpsons episode with the Grumple came on yesterday, so my song was inspired by that.

I'm still running a bit behind on news ...Simpsons arcade game and Jedward.... but I just read an small interesting story in the New York Times about the Vatican and The Simpsons. Apparently the Vatican official newspaper praised the show and its writers for its realisticness and great writing. On the other hand they also expressed their disdain for the shows language and sometimes crude topics.... umm I guess they haven't seen Family Guy... but not moments like Homer mispronouncing Jesus' name ("Save me Jebus!!!") and the renouncing his fate (can't think of a specific moment, but I remember Homer stealing cable and not wanting to go to church). But they do like that fact that Homer always "finds in God his last refuge". He does still go to church and decided not to watch the big fight on the stolen cable.

So yeah don't feel guilty if you decide to spend today having a Simpsons marathon, but I do suggest you try to stick to the Christmas episodes.

Happy 20th Birthday to The Simpsons!

It was December 17, 1989 when the first full episode of The Simpsons,"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" premiered. I don't remember when I first started watching The Simpsons, when it first premeired I was only about 2 years old. However, I do remember watching it when my brother and I matched the ages of Bart and Lisa, meaning when I was 8 years old. Since then I've watched the Simpsons on and off. It wasn't until high school that I started watching it regularly and started to pay attention to the new episodes on Sundays. Soon I started to realize how The Simpsons covers almost every aspect of life and began annoying my family and friends (and strangers) by pointing out how every situation reminded me of something "on this episode of The Simpsons." Now I am an unofficial Simpsons blogger because of my love for the show and I'm happy that I started blogging just in time to celebrate the shows 20th anniversary. Are you reliving your first memories of The Simpsons, too? Okay until next time when I get some more recaps up.

Winner of The Simpsons Character Contest

So, while I was on hiatus a winner of The Simpsons character contest was announced. According to the Associated Press, the winner is Peggy Black from Orange, CT. She created Ricardo Bomba, a casanova also known as La Bomba. Just the name makes we want to laugh so I definitely think this that this character will be a good addition to the show.

Daniel Radcliffe to Guest Star in the Simpsons Next Season

Oh wow my two obsessions are to combine in the next season of The Simpsons. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe will being playing a character named Edmund (a play on Robert Pattinson's Edward Cullen) in next seasons Treehouse of Horror XXI. According the EW's Hollywood Insider, Edmund is a boy vampire that Lisa falls for and Homer and Edmund's father Dracula work together to squash the romance. Sounds like fun to me, especially since Radcliffe is going to have to subdue his personality to the brooding seriousness of Robert Pattinson/Edward Cullen.

By the way, my two obsessions are Harry Potter and The Simpsons, but I'm also into the whole Twilight phenomena although it is nowhere near an obsession. So yeah it is an awesomeness trifecta. I just hope they let Rupert Grint play Jacob Black and Emma Watson play Bella Swan in the future. But I can't wait to this episode.

"The Devil Wears Nada" Recap

In this episode of The Simpsons the flirtation between Marge and Flanders continues and nearly goes too far. I thought it was pretty shocking, but still expected. Everyone loves Flanders don't they.

Well the opening consisted of The Simpsons in their prehistoric form. They sit on a log on a tar, they then sink and they are on display in a museum hundreds of years later.

Well the episode started with a goodbye to Homer's retiring manager Ted. Homer hopes that Burns would allow him and his friends to supervise themselves and he unvisions himself and his unsupervisable racing cars in the plant like in the Italian job. Unfortunately for Homer, Mr. Burns makes Carl the new supervisor or "King of the Morons." Instantly Carl is not as fun.

As for Marge, she is at a meeting for the Springfield Charity Chicks with the other mothers of the town. They are known for fundraising events, for example, they sold snacks in order to raise funds to combat childhood obesity. Which makes complete sense of course. This time they decide to make a historical calendar to raise money. At the photoshoot, they all get drunk start to "caliente pictures," or in other words they start to undress. Eventually, Marge gets naked which may explain her spread in Playboy LoL. When the calendar comes out it is full of risque pictures of Marge and the men of the town go crazy. Marge can't even remember taking the pictures. Bart has to deal with harassment from his fellow classmates like Nelson who say things like "I'd like to get quizzical with Bart's Mom." Like any other kid, Bart is annoyed by all of this attention.

Meanwhile, at work Homer has been promoted to Carl's executive assistant. Carl works Homer to the bone and Homer begins to ignore Marge. To make it up to Marge gets them a hotel room, but he gets a call from Carl to go to Paris for Paris Fission Week (I'm think Fashion Week would have been a little more fun:)

In her anger at Homer, Marge throws a polo stick and it accidentally hits Ned and invites him to dinner to make it up to him. At this time Homer is in a beautifully drawn Paris where he is fulfilling every need of Carl. Homer is reminded of Marge everywhere he goes in Paris and when he learns that Carl wants to stay in Paris indefinitely he decides to leave. And he is only able to do by blackmailing Carl.

Back in Springfield, Flanders goes over to Marge's house for dinner alone because Rod and Tod were punished for watching a commercial of Grey's Anatomy. LoL only Flanders. So, the whole attraction starts with Marge being turned on by Flanders wet shirt and you know Flanders is ripped. In the words of Homer, "darn sexy Flanders." Marge and Flanders nearly make out, but the moment is interrupted by the microwave bell. For dinner they have strawberries and cream...very healthy choice. Theya most kiss again, but Homer shows up. He ponders "my wife and my worst friend. Could it be?....nah."

Oh yeah and as he ponders he sees Marge and Flanders making out and rocking the house with their lovemaking and the dogs are doing the some in their dog house. I thought that was pretty gross and ventured into Family Guy territory...not my taste at all. But the episode was really good. I loved how they drew Paris with its dreary coloring, but beautiful structures like the Eiffel Tower, the Arch of Triumph (?), Notre Dame and the add ins like Le Krusty Burger. It was also a very creative story line. Hope you enjoyed it too.

Another Quick Update

Wow I'm running ridiculously late on these recaps and the amount of news to report keeps building up. I finally saw New Moon and all the newest episodes of the Simpsons, so I'm pretty much ready to write all the posts (although abbreviated) in the next few days. The news is also going to include:

• Jedward to be on The Simpsons


• Mr. Burns a top write in candidate for mayor in NYC (the pic of this post is a poster that I photographed on the street with my phone; it's been my phone wallpaper ever since :)

Okay, I still need to get recaps for Pranks and Greens and Rednecks and Broomsticks, but I will have The Devil Wears Nada up soon. Not tomorrow though. Tomorrow is all about the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince DVD and work for me, but expect the recap up soon after that.

Quick Update

It has been a while since I've written. This is because there have some Simpsons repeats and such. But I haven't written a review for The Devil Wears Nada because I just started working in a department store to make money. Still no real career jobs out there. But I'll be updating the site with that along with some other awesome stories. Here are some things I plan to address in the future.

• The Devil Wears Nada recap.
• Daniel Radcliffe playing a RPattz's vampire character in a future episode of the Simpsons
• A New Moon review from me
• Funny Moe Syzlack quotes from IGN.

Until next time. My schedule is kind of nutz because of the holiday season and I'm working Black Friday. My meet feet won't feel the same after that I am sure. Anyway I watching Pranks and Greens right now. I'll rewatch it online to take notes and expect a recap soon. Ughh Jonah Hill not much of fan, except in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. But it's nice that the Judd Apatow actors are getting there Simpsons moments.

The Simpsons Scene It; Sacha Baron Cohen on The Simpson

Yes, it looks like there is a Scene It? for the Simpsons. This is the best news since the Scene It? for Harry Potter. I need to purchase both Scene Its. I think the cover is pretty clever with all the characters eyes all line up. To find out more information about this product check out the article here. Are you as excited as I am about this? It's only $30.

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Also, according to Jweekly, Sacha Baron Cohen will voice a tour guide on an upcoming episode of The Simpsons entitled "The Greatest Story Ever D’ohed." It is expected to air March 28th. For more info check out Jweekly.

Simpsons Scavenger Hunt; How did you do?

Hey, sorry for the lack of updates, but I just started a job in retail (stupid economy). Also, there was no new episode of the Simpsons last Sunday like I expected. However, I did manage to participate in the Simpsons Scavenger Hunt which was surprisingly easy. You didn't even really have to watch the shows in order to get the questions right and they gave you multiple chances to get it right. I managed to get two Simpsons wallpaper (the one with Maggie and the other with Homer). I hope that my assumption about watching the Simpsons to get the clues didn't throw anyone off. I got confused, but I caught on eventually. It was fun though. What did you get?

Homer on Wisteria Lane?

Yup, but not in the way they showed Homer in that Treehouse of Horrors episode where Homer was 3d character. It is actually Dan Castellaneta who will appear on ABC's Desperate Housewives as a pilot who crashes his Oceanic Airlines plane on the show. So that episode will feature 2 of my big obsessions, The Simpsons and Lost. Don't get too excited though, Oceanic Airlines is the official fake airline of ABC. That's why there was an ad for it in one of my other fave shows, Flashforward.

It would be so cool if they drew a connection between the Lost crash and this crash. I don't know who would want to fly on that airline ever again. The episode is going to air December 6th. Check out more information about the episode and Dan's appearance here.

Simpsons News Consolidated; Yankees!

There have been alot of things in the news about The Simpsons lately because of its 20th anniversary. Wired has a really good article up about all the things that are going on including Ortved's book, the Scavenger Hunt, details about the new episodes premeiring soon and just ideas about why the Simpsons has lasted this long. Check out the article here.

Speaking of Ortved, check out a review for his book The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History here. The review is pretty good, but it does state that Matt Groening and other key figures are left out of the story and that he also disregards the shows later years (definite pet peeve for me there). But I still think I will check it out and so should you. Send me your opinions on it, too.

Also Congratulations Yankees! aka the Bronx Bombers! I am so happy that they won because (1) I'm from New York and (2) The Simpsons will be on at their regular time again. In addition, the Office will also be coming on afterwards as usual. Also a new episode of the Simpsons (Devil Wears Nada) will be on this weekend. Can't wait :-)

I also cannot wait until the Scavenger Hunt next week. I need to start preparing.

Top Fake Simpsons Products

I decided to skip this story the other day, but I keep seeing it in the news. Well there is this list that has some of the most "awesome" fake Simpsons products. This includes things like the Krusty Home Pregnancy test, Nuts and Gum and Malk (with Vitamin R). People who commented on the list pointed out the list is missing really interesting Simpsons products like Tomacco and Mr. Sparkle. How about Malibu Stacy and other products that are common, but very popular in the show. Check out the list here and tell me what you think should be included.
via guyism.com

FOX Announces the Simpsons Scavenger Hunt: Release the Hounds!

As you know the Simpsons are celebrating their 20th Anniversary and FOX just announced one of the big events. In a press release entitled, "RELEASE THE HOUNDS! FOX UNLEASHES “THE SIMPSONS” ON-AIR SCAVENGER HUNT."

In the press release they explain that the Scavenger Hunt starts Monday November 9th and ends Friday November 13th (ooo Friday the 13th). Every night after watching The Simpsons episodes you log on to the www.fox.com/scavengerhunt and test your knowledge. You can win downloadable extras and enter to win the ultimate grand prize (trip to LA, table reading with the Simpsons cast and more).

I don't know about you, but I'm excited. I watch The Simpson every night as if it were a chore, so to think I can possibly be rewarded for doing just that makes me really happy. The prize it definitely worth it. I can't wait to see what the downloadable content is. I will definitely spend hours on my computer waiting for it download. I would love the opportunity to go to LA (I'm on the East coast) and be part of that awesome experience out there, too. But yeah I'll try to provide updates on the downloads and I'll also try put a reminder update on the site for the start of the contest.

To learn more about the competition and the prize check out the press relase here.

Did you Know there is a Simpsons Comic Book?

Hey Readers! Hope you had an awesome Halloween. I skipped Halloween (didn't go outside or get dressed up), but I did watch some scary movies and eat lots of candy. So, I still had fun. But welcome to November. The Simpsons haven't been on the past weekends, but there are some recent news.

Today I discovered there are Simpsons comics. I don't really know much about them, but I found out that they are having a special 50th comic drawn by Sergio Aragones. It's entitled Mad About Sergio. If you're a fan of comics and a fan of the Simpsons (I'm guessing you are because you're on this website) learn more information here.

First Look at the 20th Season DVD

Looks that the 20th season of The Simpsons will be in the Blu-ray format. I guess that is good news to all of you with Blu-ray players or PS3s. It will also be available in the DVD format as well by January 12th according to TV Shows on DVD.com. I love the cover!

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In other news, Student Life, the Washington University paper, has posted its top five Treehouse of Horror segments. The movie editor, Peggy Olsen, names "Time and Punishment’ from ‘Treehouse of Horror V’" the number 1 Treehouse of Horror segment. It's the episode where Homer gets his hand stuck in the toaster and it becomes a time machine after Homer attempts to fix it. I really like this episode. I have it on my Treehouse of Horror DVD and I have to say that it is definitely one of the best. The fifth top episode is also from V. It's entitled ‘Nightmare Cafeteria.' This is the episode where the teachers begin eating the students. I don't know what my favorite Treehouse of Horror episodes are, but I agree that these two segments are definitely up there. Okay check out choices 2, 3, and 4 here.

The Simpsons, a Nerdy Pleasure for Gervais?

According to the Guardian online website, Ricky Gervais loves the Simpsons as much as I do. LoL. Who knows maybe he loves it more, but you know I doubt it. I say this because he seems to share the same attitude I have about these later seasons of The Simpsons. In the article he says,
"When people nitpick and say, "That wasn't a very good season", I want to go, "No, it wasn't the best season. But it was still the best thing on TV that year". It's wickedly satirical, they take on everything and they nail it so that you can never go there again. It's the only thing I'm a real nerd over. " Guardian.co.uk

I think I wrote something very similar in one of old posts. I officially love Ricky Gervais. The first time I saw him was actually on that episode of The Simpsons called "Homer Simpson, This is Your Wife" not to long ago. Yup, I had no idea who he was until I saw his name at the end of that episode. Later I saw him on the Emmys where he did that really funny bit with Steve Carrell and several times after that. In addition, I just started watching The Office (the American Version). I would love to start blogging about that show....

Maybe I will... The Simpsons and The Office 430....that would be awesome :-)

Share Your Favorite Simpsons Line

Once again the NY Times arts section is discussing The Simpsons. This time it concerns viewers' favorite lines. At the moment, I can't really think of my favorite, but I do enjoy saying and shouting ,"Why do I always think of the perfect thing to say after I leave...Shut up Becky!" LoL I can't ever forget that line. Oh yeah and the whole, "I managed to pull the chip out without any Brain Damage-amage-amage." My quotes are not really accurate, but you get the idea.

Well there are some awesome ones on the site including:

“Awww, looks just like me. Ya got the stink lines and everything.” (Moe remarking on a drawing a child made of him) — Slim White

“Acchh my retirement grease!” (Groundskeeper Willie) — GK

Check out more of the quotes here and if your a student over 13 contribute some of your favorite quotes here.

Interesting Simpsons Website: Eye On Springfield

photo from Eye on Springfield--->

It seems the common belief is that The Simpsons were only good during maybe the first 10 seasons. Although I agree the quality has decreased over the years, I also accept it and don't like to talk about. I feel if we, as Simpsons fans, criticize it too much we will miss all the good things about the show. It's still good and we should encourage others to tune in. I also accept the show because I like the format and style of the Simpsons and I don't want the Simpsons to turn to different or more crude forms of humor (Family Guy I'm looking at you!).

Well this is the only reason why I hesistated to recommend this site, but hey like I said it seems like the common belief is that after season 9 it began to suck. But I still recommend it because I love the name :-) and I really like the screencaps they posted. Check out Eye on Springfield here!

PS - it doesn't look like they update too often, so check in now and again.

The Simpsons Celebrate Their 20th Anniversary in California

Photo from the Associate Press --->

Well, recently in California there was a Birthday bash in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons. It is officially the longest running American Primetime scripted entertainment program. To read more about the festivities and interviews with creators check out the interview here.

New Book About the Simpsons

According to various sources there is a new book about the Simpsons. The book, "The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History" by John Ortved, provides an inside look at the Simpsons over the years.

Here is an excerpt from a recent interview with Ortved in the arts blog at the New York Times:

Q.
You make a number of references in the book to the decline in quality of the show. Have you ever heard of Fox or the folks behind the show pulling the plug at some point soon?
A.
In terms of its spiral, to be fair to the writers, there’s only so much you can do with a set of characters. I mean, 20 years? I don’t know how they do it. But if they’re still trying to break ground, they should have canned it 10 years ago.

Q.
What did you think of the movies?
A.
It was 90 minutes of throwaway jokes. It was about as good as a very good episode in the later seasons, but I don’t think it worked. Its kind of shocking to me that that group of writers couldn’t come up with something better...(Lisa Tozzi).

Based on his opinions I think it will be really interesting to see what kind of book he has written. I would also like to see the opinions of others that he has involved in the book.

Check out the rest of the NY Times blog interview with Mr. Ortved here.

Find another review of the book at NPR.

"Treehouse of Horrors XX" Recap

Photo from FOX broadcasting ------>

iO Cable Description: Lisa sets out for revenge against Miss Hoover; zombies overrun Springfield; after falling threw a trap door at Moes's, Homer becoming half man, half-brewing apparatus.

Well this was a good Halloween episode. I don't think the entire episode tops past halloween specials, but I really enjoyed one of the stories. You'll find out later, but I'll start with the beginning sequence.

Well since it's Halloween, a mummy, Frankenstein (or the monster to those of you who have read the Shelley's novel), a werewolf and Dracula go out because it is the one night that they fit in. However, the bullies (dressed in a black Spidey suit and Heath Ledger's joker) convince them that their costumes are of the Turner classic movie era. So, the do a quick change. For example, Frankenstein wears a Sponge Bob suit, the Mummy dresses as a Pirate of the Caribbean, Dracula is Iron Man and the Werewolf is my FAVORITE...Harry Potter! Yay!

So they arrive at Homer (Zorro) and Marge's (cat) Halloween party. Things get naughty as Frankenstein hooks up with Nelson's mom and the Mummy shares a beer with Edna. Then their monster girlfriends show up and begin to fight with their monster husbands. Homer tells them "It's not cheating when wearing a costume." As any monster lady would, they tear off his head and throw it in the punch bowl. His eyes are in the form of two X's which is a part of the Treehouse of Horror XX title.

After a celebrity shoutout for the Simpson's 20th anniversary, they start with the first episode entitled, "Dial M for Murder...or # for the main menu." Well the episode starts with Ms. Hoover picking a student for something special, I don't remember what, Lisa expects to be picked. However, surprisingly Ms. Hoover picks a never before seen Asian student named Hubert Wong. Lisa is furious and complains to the point to where she is sent to detention. Lisa tells her problem to Bart and he decides that they should do a "criss-cross." This involves Lisa pranking Ms. Krabappel and Bart pranking Ms. Hoover. They would never be suspected because they lack motive. Unless you can count doing something nice for your sibling.

So, Lisa goes to Edna's house, ensures that Bart has an alibi (mooning people at a baseball game), and she rings Edna's doorbell then runs away. Lisa tells Bart about her ding dong ditch, but Bart shows Lisa Ms. Hoover's head. Lisa is in shock because she didn't know that Bart's idea of a ding dong ditch involved killing a ding dong and dumping the body in a ditch. So, Bart encourages her to kill Krabappel because of their criss-cross deal..."criss-cross, criss-cross." So, Lisa quickly has the chance to kill Krabbapel with paper cutter, but she doesn't.

Bart confronts Lisa in the girl's bathroom. When Lisa asks him why he is there, he responds he wanted to check up on her and find out how girls pee. Definitley a laugh out loud moment there. Upon finding out that Lisa failed, he tells her that if she doesn't kill Edna, Willy will because he also was involved in a criss cross deal with Bart involving principal Skinner's head. Lisa realizes that Bart is officially a psychotic killer and decides she has no choice, but to kill him. A chase ensues and the drawings get really abstract and strange almost like a picasso work. Finally, Lisa meets Bart on a school yard spinning thing, but decides not to kill him. So she throws the knife away, but it ends up fatally hitting Bart in the head anyway. Edna is pleased. Overall, it was a really good story with a lot of laughs. My favorite of the night. I give it a B+.

The next two stories weren't as great.

The second one involved Krusty's Burger squared. It is a burger that contains the meat of a cow that was fed the meat of other cows. After taking a bite Kent Brockman is transformed into a zombie that eats people or as it is called in the episode, a muncher. When he bites Krusty, Krusty becomes a muncher. 28 days after this event, we find the Simpsons locked up in their home as the munchers rule the street, including a muncher Ralph who eats himself. Bart who is sick of eating healthy food in his home decides to sneak out to Krusty Burger for a hamburger that he sees on the table. When he returns his family assumes he is muncher so Homer attempts to hit him with a book. Lisa stops him insisiting that is the last book in world, but quickly changes her mind when finds out it's entitled Arsenio.

When they find out that Bart is not a muncher they consult Dr. Hibbert about what to do. Hibbert informs them that Bart is immune to the infection while fighting off several munchers. Soon, munchers start breaking into the Simpsons' home. Apu helps them to escape and even sacrifices his life for them to escape (or at least it seemed that way to the Simpsons). They eventually find a dead Mr. Burns on the ground. Homer teases him and he bites Homer and turns him into a Muncher. Eventually the make it to a safe zone. When they find out that Bart is immune to the disease, a person suggests that they eat Bart. Marge asks, "what people eat the flesh and blood of their savior?" To which Reverend Lovejoy awkwardly pulls at his collar. Instead they decide to allow Bart to bathe in their food and they remain healthy and immune to the muncher disease.

Overall, this episode had a few moments, but it felt like it went by too fast and I didn't enjoy the story too much. I give it a C+.

The last story was called, "There's No Business Like Moe Business." Basically the story involved, Homer accidentally falling in a trap door in Moe's and getting impailed on the liquor machine. His blood and guts cause the beer to be extra tasty. It even allows Moe to convince Marge that Homer left her because he is gay and that she should be with him instead. In the end, Marge's tears bring Homer back to life and is able to meet Marge although he is still impaled with the beer machine.

The good thing about this episode is the creativity with which it is setup. It is based on the play Sweeney Todd, so there is a lot singing, an audience, makeup artists who make Homer look like he is dying, curtains, and other cool things. Other than that it wasn't really funny and I didn't understand much of the references. I give it a C-.

I hope you enjoyed the episode more than I did.

See Your Own Simpsons Character on the Show!

-->picture of myself Simpsonized

Have you ever wanted to create a Simpsons character and see it on the show? Then here is your chance. According to Yahoo News, the show is having a contest in which you create and Simpsons character and if you win they will appear on a 2010 episode that will also include Coldplay's Chris Martin. In order to enter the contest you must be 18 years old and submit your entry to thesimpsons.com before October 23rd. The winner will be announced in November. The only rules seem to be that your character is a human (no Poochies -_-), the fit the overall coloring of Simpsons characters, and that they be funny. In your entry, you are expected "to describe the character's traits, including his or her name or nickname; age; appearance; occupation and catch phrases" (Yahoo News, Oct.14, 2009). Good luck creating your Simpsons character!

20th Anniversary of the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror

--> Photo from FOX Broadcasting Company

As you might know this Sunday is the annual Treehouse of Horror episode of the Simpsons. But you might not know that is the 20th anniversary of the special show. I got an email from FOX stating that:

"THE SIMPSONS scares up three new bone-chilling tales of the strange, spooky and supernatural. The frightfest begins with an homage to classic Hitchcock films. Then, the scare-ific tricks continue in a parody of the horror film "28 Days Later." In a nod to the Broadway musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," Moe serves the bar flies a delicious microbrew mixed with Homer's blood in the third final frightening fable" (FOX Newsletter, FOX Broadcasting Company Oct. 2009).

Sounds interesting. I have not seen any Hitchcock films or the Sweeney Todd (I'll put that DVD on hold as soon as I post this), so I don't think I'll get all the jokes imbedded within the episode. So, yeah don't expect my review to be stellar.

I enjoyed last years Treehouse of Horror, especially that one with the Grand Pumpkin. I leave you with some of my favorite dialogue in the episode.

Grand Pumpkin: I dont care thats a yellow pumpkin
Nelson: huh you're a racist!
Grand Pumpkin: I dont care at least I admit it...Pumpkin segregation forever!

"The Great Wife Hope" Recap

iO Cablevision Description: The men of Springfield becom obsessed with mixed martial arts; Marge and her friends decide to stage a protest.

Couch Gag: This is the same couch running away from the Simpsons. They follow its tracks and they finally find it in space and it meteors down to the house.

The episode starts at the Ladies Crazy bowling night. Marge was bowling with oven mittens, Lu-Ann (? or just Mrs. VanHouten) wore a blindfold and the others wore crazy accessories of their own. They then realize there are no men in the alley, only the crazy lady bowling her cats. We then see that the men are not at Moes, in the stadium, or at the police station.

We soon discover that allll the men are at the UPKCC or the Ultimate Punching, Kicking, and Choking Championships. After watching a fight, Homer urges Bart not to try what he has seen at home, but encouraged him to try to fight in the school yard so they can sue the school, the county, and the state. LoL.

So, of course all the boys are fighting in the school yard the next day. Nelson beats up Milhouse, but Bart manages to get him in a leg lock. When Marge comes to pick up the kids from school, she asks Lisa about Bart and Lisa encourages her to follow the "die, die, die" chant coming from the playground. Marge finds Bart fighting Nelson and immediately breaks them up. She warns him that if only her father knew that he would be in trouble, but then we see Homer cheering him on at the side of the scene.

Marge is upset and vents that "ultimate makes everything worse." Otto counters except frisbee...i have to disagree I had deal with a bloody finger after an intense game of ultimate frisbee in high school. She decides to do something about. So she leads a group of picketing mothers outside the nex UPKCC event. After seeing no quick results she decides to go inside the event...perfect opportunity for the other moms to turn talk crap about Marge and they take full advantage...Mrs. Hibbert questions why Maggie never talks and they assume that she has gone through some type of trauma.

Meanwhile Marge enters the fighting area, the Septagon, and the people worry when they realize that she has natual breasts ("that can't be good"). Marge then asks the owner to get out of the business and donate their profits to charity. The owner, Chett, agrees to shutdown the company if Marge fights him 1-on-1 and wins. Marge surprisingly accepts the challenge.

So, Bart and Homer encourage her not to fight, but Marge decides she will fight. Even Lisa ask Homer, against all the feminist bones in her body, "Can't you control your women?" Marge begins to prepar by rhythmic gymnastics...you know the kind with the ribbon? Yeah, I love it, but it's definitely not great practice for a fight.

Luckily, Marge gets some better training in. Homer asks Carl to hook him up with Drederick Tattum. Carl is upset because Homer assumes that he would know Tattum just because they are both black. Luckily for Homer he met Tattum at a party that for Bleeding Gums Murphy at Dr. Hibberts house (LoL remember when they were all driving to work together). So, Marge trains against Drederick Tattum by working the tattoos on his body, the Chinese guy who almost killed Homer with that poison blowfish, and "wrestles" Mr. Burns. She even gets pointers from the bullies who allow her to use their punching bag (Martin and Skinner are tied up inside). In a last ditch effort to stop the fight, Homer dresses up as Marge. But the only person who believes his imitation is Moe who takes him to his reunion.

After all of these efforts Marge is still set on fighting Chett. Homer urges her not to get, but as soon as the match begins Marge is knocked down by a single punch from Chett. Chett acknowledges that this is the "1st time a hit a woman I didn't love." Umm can someone say abuser, reminds me of the Chris Brown and Rihanna situation. Anyway, Bart enters the Septagon to save his mom, but Chett easily overpowers him and this time says "I'll fight anyone not my own size." So yeah Chett is a bully, too. The mother in Marge is awakened when she sees her child hurt and she quickly pins him.

After the fight Marge takes the opportunity to preach nonviolence, but the audience already left to watch two drunks fight in the parking lot. So yeah no one really learned anything from the ordeal except that Marge is the #1 nag.

The episode ended with Lisa and Bart about to fight in the septagon. After a black screen we see Lisa beat Bart with a single punch. I didn't expect that. Overall, I enjoyed this episode in its originality. It also had some good laughs. What did you think? By the way, Chett was played by Chuck Lidell...who is that?

Until next time readers :)

Marge Simpson Poses for Playboy?

Photo from the NY Post -->

Say it ain't so. Well unfortunately it is. Marge Simpson is posing for Playboy!

I just went on Twitter not too long ago and I saw that the name Marge Simpson as a trending topic. Initially, I was excited. I thought something awesome has happened for Marge to be popular. Then I began to think the worst. Oh no the lady who played Marge's voice must have passed away (I was wrong). I then clicked on the trending topic and saw that most posters were claiming that Marge was going to pose for the November issue of Playboy. So I had to check on google and looks like it's true. You can see from the pic of this post.

The prude in me is saying "what?! why is this happening? Why is this necessary?" Then I thought, "wait who would care to see a Simpsons character naked? We already saw parts of Bart that we never saw in the Simpsons movie and that wasn't too interesting. Just a little shocking. Who would enjoy this?" Finally, I thought a Simpsons character is a trending topic on Twitter and it showed that this is giving the Simpsons A LOT of publicity. Also there may be a crazy story behind it on the Simpsons and I think that everyone will love to see that episode.

According to the NY Post, there won't be any actual nudity, but implied nudity (makes me think of the episode where Homer and Marge were running around naked and stopped in front of yard pieces). Playboy are basically trying to attract younger readers to the magazine. I hope to see the pics, but I'm not buying the magazine.

Update:

The scans of Marge in Playboy are now online. It looks like Homer and Marge took these pics while they were living in Alaska after The Simpsons Movie. All I have to say is so much for "implied nudity." Check out the pics HERE.

"Bart Gets a Z" Recap

I/O Cable Description: Bart and the rest of his class decided to teach Mrs. Krabappel a lesson when she confiscates their cell phones.

Chalkboard: Chalkboarding is not toture.

Everyone has been annoyed at their teacher, but would you go as far as to replace her coffee with alcohol in order to mellow her out? That is the question of last Sunday's episode of the Simpsons. But I've gotten ahead of myself.

The episode starts with Mrs. Krabappel waking up grading papers like any normal stressed out teacher. She says mantras in the mirrors ("today will be a good day") and drives to work while listening to million year old songs. However, she is faced with something that is relatively new, kids texting on their cell phones in class. She eventually confiscates all the student's cell phones.

The students decide to find a way make Edna a more enjoyable teacher. This leaves the students with the only one choice, to get as much liquor as possible (some get it from their parent's secret stashes while Bart takes the easy route with internet site Ebooze) to put in Edna's coffee. After replacing Edna's coffee with a crazy cocktail creation, she becomes a lot more fun (she wobbles down the hallway and hits on the music teacher). However, her behavior at the Goodbye to Exchange Students Ceremony is unacceptable and Skinner is forced to fire her.

Bart, who feels guilty for getting Edna fired, takes it upon himself to check in on Edna. When he discovers a broke and depressed Edna in her apartment he decides to help her. After drinking hot chocolate with Milhouse in the local coffee house, Bart learns about a book called the Answer. It provides the reader with the Answer to achieving their desires. Bart buys the book and decides to give it to Edna to help cheer her up.

Meanwhile at the school Bart's class has been assigned a young hip, Tufts graduate teacher named Zach. He drinks Blue Bronco (a play on Redbull) and texts the children their homework. His first assignment asks for 20 minutes of twittering. All the kids like him and Homer loves him because he advises him relax and allows him bawl loudly.

Bart, however, still feels guilty and helps Edna to find the Answer. The first step is to write her dream on the Index Card of Fate (owning a muffin shop), breaking down the desire into wishes and then converting them into wishable actions. In the end, Edna gets her muffin shop called Edna's Edibles and Bart gets Flame Vision. Bart decides this is the time to admit that he got the students to put alcohol in Edna's coffee that crazy morning. Edna is furious. She complains that although she achieved her dream, she is a ton of debt and that she moved onto the most muffin shop populated block in town (Muffin Marts, etc). In addition, she tells Bart that she thought he had a spark of decency, but admits she was wrong and tells Bart that he is also bad on the inside.

Bart is hurt and asks his dad if he thinks that he has a kernel of good in him. Homer remarks that a kernel is probably too big LoL. In order to prove that he has decency, Bart decides to tell Skinner that he was responsible for Edna's actions (as opposed to his initial plan that involved Zach's Blue Bronco and even more liquor). Skinner understands, but says that he will reward Bart's honesty in the form of a severe punishment and explains with the unions and stuff it is virtually impossible to fire Zach. But before they even finish conversing they hear Zach singing an "I Hate Children" song in the hall. He admits that he mixed his own Blue Bronco with Vodka. Zach is eventually escorted out by Willie, but he leaves with many awful messages (like school is a waste of time and many other ideas that seem kind of true once you're out in the real world).

Edna is soon reinstated and forces the children to eat stale muffins as revenge.

Overall, I thought it was a good story, not too funny, but still good. It definitely had heart this time and I enjoyed that it addressed contemporary issues like electronics and texting in the classroom.

Seth Rogen Voice Actor and Writer?

Hey, can't wait until Sunday, but until then just wanted to give a mini news update.

Well according to the Associated Press, he also co-wrote the latest episode ("Homer the Whopper"). He is the second person to both act and write in an episode. The first was Ricky Gervais in 2006 (I loved that episode).

Okay head back to my blog for a recap of the next episode.

"Homer the Whopper" Recap

Welcome to Season 21 of The Simpsons! I'm so excited that I/we will be seeing new episodes The Simpsons every Sunday. But how bout I start with the recap for this episode....

But first, the IO Cable Episode Summary: Comic book guy casts Homer as the lead in a feature film.

Well, this was quite an episode. A nice opening for the 21st season. It was definitely creative and its funny moments. I cannot say that it was moving, but it is definitely a typical commentary on current lifestyles that the show has been examining lately. But enough of that lets get to the details.

Coach Gag: The Simpson family is waiting at a the 1239 subway station. The train arrives with their couch as the seat and they all enter and take a seat.

The episode starts with Bart telling Milhouse that he will show him how to make a loser go crazy. So they enter the comic book store and Bart begins making preposterous statements in the presence of Comic Book Guy. First, Bart acts surprised by the fact that Spiderman was actually a comic book before it became a movie and goes on to ask to buy the original Amazing Spiderman Comic for its advertised 12 cents. And as Bart predicted, it drives Comic Book Guy nuts and he stumbles into a pile of extra Hulk Hands (left only...it's crazy because I got one for free at school many months after the movie came out).

As Comic Book Guy finds his way out of the extra Hulk hands, Bart and Milhouse find an Everyman comic. It is about a UPS delivery guy named Avery Mann who transforms into Everyman and is able to absorb the power of other super heroes by touching their comic book. In this comic, he uses the powers of Superman, Iron Man, and Plastic Man to stop a robbery. Surprisingly, Bart and Milhouse enjoy it ("who knew a troubled person could be creative") and Comic Book Guy decides to publish the hundreds of comics he has already written. The Everyman Comics are an instant hit among the children at Springfield elementary and even astronauts are reading them in space.

The movie producers are immediately trying to buy the rights to the film, but Ginormous is the lucky company that gets the rights to produce the film. All they need is an the everyday man (who Comic Book Guy describes as unappealing and dumpy) to play the lead actor.

After some failed auditions, Homer enters the room looking for change...and a dollar and Comic Book Guy decides to cast him as the Everyman. Homer offers to take off his clothes to which the producers respond that there is no nudity in the movie and Homer simply asks "what movie?" The usual good stuff from Homer.

Once at home, Homer asks everyone in the family to describe one great thing that happened to them that day. Not one to listen to others, Homer quickly lets them know that he is the lead in the Everyman film.

In a meeting, the producers inform Homer that he should slim down for the part. Homer is worried because he is a yo-yo dieter ("yo hotdog man, yo pizza guy!"). So, they get Homer a trainer named Lyle McCarthy (Seth Rogen). One of the producers worries about messing up Comic Book Guys original vision, but the other responds that he has gone Hollywood. They then show Comic Book Guy in a hollywood mansion with a Cambodian child. So typical hollywood. When Comic Book Guy tries to get involved in the film later security throws him the trash with unwanted studio heads.

So they skip ahead one month and Homer is in great shape. Marge is surprised to find her other hand when she hugs him. Lyle, on the other hand, is getting annoying calls from Tobey Maguire who he describes as a "total wuss." They are obviously trying to say this is the same trainer that got Tobey in shape for Spiderman. So Homer starts filming the movie, but once Lyle leaves for another gig (by gliding off a roof to abus stop) and Homer starts to binge eat again. In order to lose weight to please the studio execs, Homer goes to the Kwikee Mart in search of something that will make him throw up (Homer is officially bulimic LoL). Apu finds some milk from 1961. He warns Homer not to chew the chunks, but Homer does and spews chunks all over the store.

Homer continues filming the movie in his heavy state. Consequently at the movie premiere, many of the audience members (including a reptilian form Doctor Connors from Spiderman) complain about continuity errors (one second Homer is muscular and the next second he is as heavy as ever). Lyle asks Home-alone/Homerun/Homer what happened and Homer explains it is because he left him, but Lyle cannot promise that he won't leave again (he's helping Turtle from Entourage). The movie producers ask Comic Book Guy to hype the film anyway and offer to allow him to direct the second movie in exchange. Comic Book Guy goes home on his blog and describes the movie as essentially the "Worst Movie Ever." I guess he won't be directing the second.

Okay I cut out some moments, but I got to the important points. Overally Seth Rogen was okay, but the episode was missing the heart they were struggling to put in last seasons episodes. Still I can't wait to see it again. Well, I hope you got the jist of the episode and that you check out the episode on hulu.com or fox.com. What did you think of episode?

Fall Season Premeires

Are you enjoying the Fall season premeires as much as I am?

Currently my shows of choice are Survivor, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, 90210, The Vampire Diaries, Project Runway and The Office.

I am waiting on shows such as FlashForward (I can't watch it tonight, but I will watch the repeat on Friday), The Amazing Race and MTV shows like the Hills (I'm gonna try to watch it) and the City (I'll have to try with this one, too).

Overall, I'm excited, but I am most excited about the Simpsons season premeire this Sunday! I'll have a recap ready for Monday. I think it's going to be hilarious. Make sure you tune in a check out my blog for a recap.

In other news, I added another blog to my blog list. It's MTV's Hollywood Crush. It's full of Twilight clothing updates and other interesting pop culture news.

From the VMAs to Animation Domination

Well a lot has happened since my last post. There have been a lot issued apologies and twitter topics, but I feel that it is time to move on.

Okay, I just got an email from FOX stating the following:

SUNDAY SEP 27 at 8/7c
Now the longest-running comedy in television history, THE SIMPSONS continues to celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a season premiere at 8/7c, co-written and guest voiced by Seth Rogen.

All I have to say is yay can't wait til next, next Sunday! Animation Domination!

New Moon Trailer

During the VMAs they premiered the New Moon extended trailer. I already saw it on Youtube, but it was nice seeing it on the big screen. I thought the trailer was pretty good. I'm really looking forward to this movie. It was the best book of the series and it will probably be the best movie. Can't wait til November 20th.

VMA 2009: Be Careful What You Wish For

Okay...if you read my last post I wished for something "wild" to happen during the VMAs. I guess I spoke too soon because barely a half hour into the show Kanye West obliged my request.
He totally embarassed Taylor Swift by stealing the microphone during her VMA acceptance speech and declared that the award should have gone to Beyonce.

As much as I agreed, I could not agree with his actions. I cringed and was completely disgusted. I actually had to run away from the television because the moment was so awkward and sad. It was typical Kanye, but I think we are all getting a little sick of it. Well I guess I learned my lesson. Next time I'm going to hope for a milder moment. But you never know if Kanye is present. Luckily in the end Beyonce gave Taylor her moment.

And it didn't end there. At the conclusion of the show, as Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed, Lil Mama got on stage. That was so confusing and shocking for me. I understood her wanting to join whole New York moment, but this was a moment for Hip Hop and R&B royalty. In other words, not a moment for a one hit wonder who managed to get a hosting gig on America's Best Dance Crew. She ought to be ashamed for embarassing NY like that.

VMAs 2009 tonight!

If you've looked through my blog you might've noticed that I love MTV award shows and that I like New Moon. Well those two interests will combine again at tonight's Video Music Awards in New York City.

It has been an exciting week in New York with the start of Fashion Week, Fashion's Night Out to encourage shopping, and now the VMAs. I participated in Fashion's Night Out and watched as celebs excited the Fashion Week tents, but I will not be outside Radio City Music Hall to eye some celebs because I want to catch everything at home. I hope there is something interesting this year. I missed the year with Britney's awful performance because I was studying abroad in London and many other crazy moments because I was didn't cable. Other years that I've watched have been just plain boring. Hopefully, I will be able to witness something wild live.

Also I hop the New Moon trailer is worth watching and contains something new.

Enjoy the show! I'll update later and there is EW.com is going to live blog, so make sure you follow that.

Simpsonized Hip Hop Artists

As I was checking Kanye West's blog today I was shocked to find a collection of Simpsonized Hip Hop Icons. Format Magazine "No Homer" simpsonizes "[Kanye West], Lil Wayne, Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Flava Flav, Eazy E, Andre 3000, Eminem, and Fat Joe alongside iconic O representations for each artist." I think this creation exemplifie the way in the Simpsons has influenced multiple cultural forms in the nationally and internationally. I included some of my favorites below, but check out Kanye West's blog for all of the included artists.

Early Emmy Win for Dan Castellaneta

BBC News has reported that "Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson, won his fourth Emmy in the voice-over category. "

Isn't that awesome! I mean Dan's voice is so special and has entertained us for soo many years, so I think that we can all agree he deserved it. Season 20 has had it's ups and downs, but you can always count on Dan for an awesome performance.

New Moon News: Volturi Pics

As you might know, I am a slight Twilight fan. By this I mean I enjoyed Twilight (the movie and the book) and loved New Moon. On the other hand, I don't even remember Eclipse , I think they were fighting over Bella in this book, and I struggled to finish the awful Breaking Dawn. My disdain for the other books probably explains my excitement for New Moon.

Well as the subject line shows there a new pics of the Volturi. Check out my faves below and check out the rest at EW.com.

In this first pic Jane of Dakota Fanning is leading Edward (RPattz) to the Volturi.

Jane posing alone.

One of the Volturi (Demetri) holding Alice (Ashley Greene).

All photos from EW.com

Rest in Peace DJ AM

DJ AM or Adam Goldstein was recently found dead in New York. After surviving a plane crash with Travis Barker in South Carolina, he was found in his apartment surrounded by drug paraphernalia. So sad. This is one rough summer for celebrities.

Season 21 of the Simpsons; Season 12 DVD reviews

So, Season 21 of the Simpsons is only about a month away. As you may know many of the descriptions of the seasons episodes are already available on wikipedia or tv.com, but above is a pic from the first episode guest starring Seth Rogen. This picture was taken from an MTV article that looks at the references to Comic Book movies that can be found in both the Simpsons and Family Guys upcoming seasons. Homer is cast as Everyman, the hero from Comic Book Guy's new comic book and Rogen is the trainer who whips Homer into shape.

This isn't the first time the Simpsons have covered comic book movies. Remember, the Radioactive Man movie? Exactly. Nevertheless, I can't wait to for the new season!

---

The DVD reviews of Season 12 are also in. I didn't buy it, but I did look at the reviews I trust they are accurate.

IGN.com gives the DVD 8 out of 10 overall, 7 out of 10 for Video and Presenation, and 7 out of 10 for Languages and Audio. They note that season contains my favorite episode of the Simpsons "The Trilogy of Errors." But overall they believe there is a overall decline in the series by this season. However, the extras make the DVD worth the purchase. Wish I had the cash to buy it. Check out the complete IGN review here.

Examiner.com gives the Simpsons DVD a rave review. They t.hink that this season is the just as good as its predecessors. They also think that the extras are incredible and give the viewer a good look into the series. Check out the full review here.

...just got an idea. I forgot that I actually borrowed a season of the Simpsons from the library. I guess I'll have to do the same for this season until I get my money right.

Okay enjoy the countdown to the new Season of America's Favorite Animated Comedy by watching the nightly episodes and buying the DVDs...if you can afford them...it is a recession.

Until next time....Best....Blog....EVER!

The Simpsons Get Africanized; Season 12 DVD; Pop Culture News: Big Brother and the Real World Cancun

Remember back when The Simpsons Movie came out and you could go the simpsonize me website and turn yourself into a Simpsons character? Well if not you can just look at my profile picture to see what it was like. Well now the Simpsons have become Africanized or have been changed in order to look into the typical Angolan family in order to celebrate the Simpsons being shown on Africa's digital satellite television service DStv. They gave Marge dark hair, Lisa braids, Maggie a pointy afro and Bart something like a slanted high top. I love the look. They will obviously keep their original looks in the series. This is the first time that Africa's digital satellite television service DStv and the first time series will broadcast on the African continent. Congrats Africa. I am happy to know that when/if I travel to Africa I will be able to enjoy the Simpsons. That is the only reason I survived studying abroad in London. What do you think of the new look?

In other news, Season 12 of the Simpsons, the best season ever (according to Comic Book Guy), just came out on DVD Tuesday. If you don't have it buy it now! I have yet to purchase any of the DVD sets for the Simpsons, but I plan to in the future when I get a good job and some financial stability LoL.

Pop Culture News

So do you watch Big Brother? Right now season 11 is airing on CBS and I have to say it is the craziest season yet. There was a overzealous player who lied not only to win, but just to tell lies. There were athletes who were controlling the game until America's Favorite Player was given a power (Coup D'Etat) that got rid of the strongest athlete. Next thing you know the athlete's followers were crying as if their evicted friend had just died and one got so fed up and broke soo many rules that the producers had to kick her out. Then during a later competition one of the followers got so drunk she went a drunken and hood tirade. This led to one of the nicest guys in the competition blowing up in anger. Did I mention super mean eviction speeches I mean I would write in more detail, but you're just gonna have to watch the show. Catch the full episodes on CBS.com.

What about the Real World Cancun? Talk about awkward. There is this girl named Jasmine on the show who continually throws herself at a guy who doesn't want her. When she realizes for the umpteenth time that the guy isn't interested, she decides to make moves on his seemingly gay cousin. It is so sad and pathethic. Be prepared to cringe if you watch this show.

Summer of the Simpsons and Big Brother

Wow it has been a while since my last blog post. Since I have to blog from my home, I've found it hard to find time to actually blog. I'm more used to watching the Simpsons as opposed to writing about them at home. At the moment I'm more involved with Big Brother. If your don't watch Big Brother start watching it now on CBS. You may have missed the best parts of the season, but I think the rest of the season should be stellar as well. But anyways as a result of this I never got a chance to write about the "Stark Raving Dad" episode. I'm not sure if I still will ever write it, but check back in the future and you might find it here.

But I'll just write about some recent Simpsons news. The newest development is the some of the casting for this upcoming season. The voices includes Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill Anne Hathaway, Neve Campbell and the late Eartha Kitt. That is some stellar casting. Rogen will guest star during the season premeire as Homer's celebrity trainer. I guess the big guy is going to try to lose some weight once again. Can't wait to see how that works out. The 21st season begins on FOX on September 27th.

For more information about the celebs who will lending there voices check out Entertainment Weekly.


Info from EW.com

Simpsons Anniversary Special Jan. 14th 2010

Are you excited for this? I know I am. Morgan Spurlock has been called on to produce The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice. It is a documentary special that celebrates 20 years of The Simpsons. I officially can't wait til next year! Can you?

www.ew.com

Harry Potter Excitement and the Simpsons MJ Style

I really enjoyed the latest Simpsons episode with Michael Jackson, AKA John Jay Smith...I think. Still not sure it was really him, but I love that song "Lisa It's Your Birthday." I'll do a recap tonight or tomorrow.

In other news, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is out in couple days. I'm so excited. There are a lot of events going on in New York City that I'm going to be attending after work. I can't wait. If you can't wait just look at the counter I added below. It won't be long before it's out.

The Simpsons to Commemorate the King of Pop

I'm back. The Simpsons are making news again and this time it has to do with Michael Jackson. EW is reporting that this Sunday, Fox will air the 1991 episode “Stark Raving Dad,” the episode where Homer meets a mental patient who claims to be Michael Jackson. According to the source, Michael Jackson actually voiced the character (this was news to me). I thinking this a fitting/Simpsonized tribute to the King of Pop.


I am soo excited to write the recap for that episode especially with MJ being in the news all day everyday. I will miss his presence, but his music will live on.


Okay, the episode airs this Sunday at 8pm.

...In other news Big Brother 11 begins next week! So EXCITED!!

No Recap for this Sunday's episode

First I want to say RIP to Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Billy May.
Definitely a tough week for Hollywood.

In other news, no Simpsons recap for this Sunday's episode. I will be watching the BET awards, so if you like the Hip Hop, R&B, or music in general I suggest you watch it. I heard they are going to honor MJ, so all you MJ fans may want to tune in.

I would promise a recap during the week, but I start my summer job this week and so I might be tired to go online at all.

"No Loan Again, Naturally" Recap

Well like I said in the previous post this episode was difficult to keep track of because I had to think of a way to recap and not make the post super long. I really don't like looking at all those words when I post it, but here I go. First I will start with the episode description on IO:

"When Homer and Marge's adjustable rate mortgage skyrockets, they have to put their house up for sale."

Couch Gag: the couch dies of wear and tear and is buried. They go to find a new couch from the ranch. Homer attempts to ride one and ends up hurt. They take home the cow spotted couch and Homer sits on it with a full body cast :)

And on to the recap...
Well the episode starts with Homer preparing for his annual Mardi Gras Party. Bart gets the Zydeco music while Grandpa lays in a coffin as the funeral procession plays and joins in by playing a trumpet. Mayor Quimby opens the party and Homer rides around in a huge dragon float and throws frisbees. One of which hits Flanders. Marge forces Homer to invite Flanders, which he does with his head through the fence. As he talks to Flanders through a fence people stick their heads through to vomit on the lawn and even Moe and Nelson's mom put their head through to make out. Which is funny because she thinks that he is a kind talking dog. All in all Flanders decides to join the party and in the end ruins it with a 12AM announcement of Ash Wednesday.

As the guests leave Lenny asks Homer how is he able to afford the party and Homer explains that he uses the home equity and the house ends up paying for it. I don't know much about home mortgage rates and all that stuff, but when Lenny said he didn't think that was how it worked, I could't agree more. Soon Marge gets a letter from the bank stating that their loan has been readjusted and they go to see their lender. Who is their lender you might ask? None other than Gil. I personally would prefer the blonde working women with the short hair.

So yeah they go to see Gil and he promises to help them because America takes care of their middle class....umm sure. So of course, with all the fees they find that they can't afford their new monthly payment, eventually their home is foreclosed, and put up for auction. Marge feels horrible and Gil encourages her to learn to make soup form rocks and grass and use the sun and hobo fires to cook it LoL. Gil obviously has experience in that area. So Marge being the strong one cries while Homer attempts to hang himself from a tree that thankfully falls over from his weight.

At the aunction, Mr. Burns tries to buy the house for his shoes, but Flanders outbids him and agrees to rent the home to the Simpsons. They are all so greatful that they turn a sign that says "Screw You, Ned!" to "Bless You, Ned!" But Flanders is not ready for the type of tenants that the Simpsons are. They force him to make dozens of repairs and when he refuses to do one they complain that he only comes to see them when the rent check is late...event though it was late. They even call the news station in a "Help Me Harry" style to complain about the kind of Landlord he is and characterize him as "Evil Ned" and as the "Worst Person Who Ever Lived." Umm didn't he just save them from homelessness?

Anyway, Flanders nails a notice to vacate on the Simpson's door. As they wonder what it is, Lisa guesses that maybe the document is theses to which Homer replies "ill thats gross" LoL I loved that joke...you know...because theses sound like feces...lol good stuff. So, the Simpsons search for a loophole and discover by moving granpa they can't get evicted because he is a senior citizen. Eventually, they decide to leave him at home to get ice cream, but they find that their stuff is out on the street. It turns out that Flanders moved Grandpa to his house.

The Simpsons are forced to go to a homeless shelter which is pretty sad, but hey they were jerks. But Flanders being the Christian he is allows them to move back in by denying a Flanders like family who decide to sue Flanders because he took back the offer. Flanders agreed that they should and would be a great way to keep in touch...Flanders is weird. So yeah the Simpsons moved back and the neighbors all decide it's time to move out. Homer reacts by saying...I really hate this neighborhood.

Overall, it was an okay episode. I didn't really like it but it had some funny moments and that heartbreaking scene in the homeless shelter. I think that by returing to those more serious moments it can make the Simpsons more like it used to be. But thats just my opinion. I hope you enjoyed the episode, too.

Simpsons Recap and Pop Culture News on Alice in Wonderland Pics Coming Soon

Hey last nights episode of the Simpsons was a bit complicated so my recap/review will be short because I can't include all the details so I won't. That will be up tomorrow.

In PoP Culture news, I am going to do a small post on Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland because the pics are terrifyingly inspiring :)

I'll get it posted later, so come back soon.

Update: Here is the pic!

Tell me that doesn't make you want to see this movie. When a movie stars Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp you know it's going to be haunting. Lets not forget the taste of Tim Burton's style. When they cast Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter I knew she would be dark and sadistic like her character. Even Anne Hathaway looks enchantingly eerie. You can tell that this movie is going to be rich with color and fun and a bit spooky. Alan Rickman is going to play the voice of the Caterpillar so that makes two Harry Potter stars in the movie. Oh well, we'll have to wait til 2010.

Well tomorrow I might see a Transformers Revenge of the Fallen in IMAX screening, so I might have a review of that tomorrow along with my Simpsons Recap if I can get around to it. Are you excited for the Transformers movie to come out? I am; especially if I could go for free.

Until tomorrow!

Namaste

Would You Take Directions from Homer Simpson?

Well, if you answered yes to this question I know a product for you. The line of TomTom GPS devices for your car now offer Homer's voice (played by Dan Castellaneta) as an option for the GPS. It cost $19.95 to dowload his voice from the website. So if you have a TomTom and are a huge Simpsons fan download it now!

Blog Post: "Gone Maggie Gone" Recap

Well here is the recap of the latest Simpsons rerun. The couch gag of this episode was Ralph hitting the couch as a pinata and the Simpson family eventually falls out. I like anything that involves Ralph :)

So, the episode starts with a solar eclipse. As a result, sunscreen company employees are jumping off their office building and solar powered cars stop working. Homer breaks his eclipse viewer box and Marge lends him her own. Unable to resist the temptation to look at the eclipse, Marge eventually looks up at it and her eyes are quickly burned my the emerging sun. As a result, Doctor Hibbert bandages Marge's eyes and encourage her family not to stress her out or her eyeballs would explode like in those old cartoon shows.

When Marge arrives home, things immediately go wrong without her help. Reminds me of the episode where Marge leaves Homer and the house immediate runs a mock. In this case, rats have taken over the kitchen. Homer thinks that this would have Ratatouille results, but he forced to buy poison. When returning home with the poison, Homer accidentally drives off a bridge and is forced to leave Maggie in front of a church in order to get Santa's Little Helper and the Poison across a river. Maggie is taken in by the Nuns of St. Theresa and they refuse to give Maggie back.

In order to get Maggie back, Lisa joins the convent ("how do you feel about kneeling?"). A bitter nun, who doesn't like the fact that she is not able to play quarterback during the all nun football games, reveals to Lisa that the nuns want a certain gem. After figuring out the first 2 clues easily (playing heart and soul on a organ and reading every other word of the second clue) she discovers that she has to find the biggest ring in Springfield. This initially leads her to a clock tower. She is hesitant to go inside when she reads the sign "Do Not Enter," but enters anyway when reads the secondary sign that states "I'm a Sign Not a Cop." Inside she encounters the Brethren of the Quest (Skinner, Comic Book Guy and a Quest minivan) who are also after the gem. Eventually, Lisa figures out that the biggest ring is the "RING" in the SPRINGFIELD sign.

When they get to the sign they encounter Mr. Burns who also wants the gem. On the sign they find clues on the letters that read out "Great Crime Kill Holy Sage." Lisa figures out that it is anagram. Burns tells Lisa to figure it out and orders the Brethren to dig their own graves (Comic Book Guy calls on Superman to help him...dig the grave). Lisa figures out the anagram, "Regally, the rock gem is Lisa," but once they arrive at the church the nuns inform her that anagram actually states, "It's really Maggie Sherlock." Lisa accurately points out that this would only make sense with her first guess...I guess it's all part of the prophecy. As the gem child Maggie sits on the "throne" of the church and brings happiness, prosperity and rainbow light to Springfield.

Marge who hasn't been fooled by Homer and Bart's attempts to act as Maggie and Lisa arrives just in time to claim Maggie thus removing all the good that Maggie has brought the church. Marge doesn't think God would ask a mother to sacrifice her child for the good of humanity...again. Homer leaves Bart as a gesture of kindness and once Bart is on the throne the floor of church splits to reveal hot lava and the roof collapses with raining fire. Overall, it was a strange episode. The Brethren in their hoods and nuns in the Catholic church all connect to the Davinci Code which is also mentioned in the episode. Since I have neither read the book or seen the movie I couldn't really make any connections. The episode had its funny moments, but it was not memorable and that anagram sucked. Can't wait until the next rerun :)

Futurama Returns!

Soooo yeah, I'm not really a huge fan of Futurama. I watched a few times because of the Simpsons like animation and Matt Groening's general involvement, but I never really liked it. I thought the robot was annoying and that the one eyed women was weird. Eventually it got canceled and I did not really care. However, I am very interested in the fact that it has returned. It kind reminded of me an animated show that shall not be named that was initially cancelled, but is now a huge hit...okay the show is Family Guy (not a fan of this show because I prefer wholesome humor and not it's crude counterpart). So yeah Futurama might have the same future.

Fox has recently ordered 26 new episodes of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's emmy award winning animated show (O'Neil). Hope all you die hard fans are excited.

O'Neil, Tom. "Emmy Champ 'Futurama' has TV future! Bender will drink to that!" LA Times. 11 June 2009. <http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2009/06/futurama-tv-news-8369152704-story.html>

Recap of Sunday's Episode, "How the Test was Won" coming soon :)

Hey a recap will be up soon for the first rerun I have seen since the season finale. Check back later.

Update :
Finally, time for the recap. I removed my acrylic nails so now it is much easier for me to type. My fingers might not be lookin' good anymore, but Sunday's episode of The Simpsons sure did. It was entitled, "How the Test was Won" and consisted of 3 main story lines. However, it began with a first day of school party held by Marge and Homer. The kids were now the government's problem as Homer put it. I wonder what kind of summer they had with Bart and Lisa? Well, after the party the story was sorted into 3 story lines.

Marge asked Homer to mail the insurance bill which led to the first story line. Homer failed to deliver the insurance bill and became liable for the injuries of anyone on there property. Which eventually led to a injury prevention fiasco. Do regular people really get this type of insurance? is what I was left asking. But after watching the montage of Homer getting hurt ("what a week") I was convinced that it's necessary for some people.

The second story involved the VPAT test that all the Springfield elementary students were required to take as a result of the No Child Left Alone act, a play on the No Child Left Behind Act. As a result of this new standardized test the teachers began to teach students to pass the test, but to an insane degree. Krabopple taught common answer keys (ACACA-DABACA-ACABA) while the gym teacher used bombardment to help the answers to sink in.

Before the actual exam the school administered a practice exam that Lisa felt she aced and that Bart felt was pointless and bubbled in answers to form the words "Slurp My Snot." Lisa was shocked and complained to Homer that Bart was throwing away his future to which Homer responded in a sarcastic tone, "Oh no! Now who will sell oranges on the off ramp?" That has to be one of the funniest lines in Simpsons history. It was even funnier when Bart and Homer laughed at the statement. Gotta luv the Simpsons.

So the day of the test comes and Bart is informed by Principal Skinner that due to his amazing score on the practice exam he didn't have to take the test, but instead would get a helicopter ride along with all the other "Superstars." Turns out the helicopter was really a the school bus and that superstars included the bullies and Ralph. Bart immediately realized that this was a sham or a "con air"and Chalmers revealed that it was a way to keep the underperformers from messing up the test averages. Superintendent Chalmers sent Skinner along with the students to Capital City where Ralph got lost at MLK Jr. and Ceaser Chavez Way (ay carumba!)...in other words the hood. Skinner heroically saves Ralph from a garbage barge using the theory of angular momentum (i think) and the "Superstars" learn the importance of education and physics. Lisa who found herself struggling on the test was happy when Chalmers threw the test out as a result of Skinner's discovery that children learn from the real world.

Now back to the 1st storyline. When Homer finally realized that he forgot to mail the letter, he quickly sent it the insurance company. But he knew he wouldn't be insured til three, so he struggled to keep the people at the book club safe. There were hidden dangers everywhere. He succeeded until Burns got hit in the head with a knife and blood spewed from his ears and nose. Marge learns that she should never trust Homer with a simple task.

...did I mention ends with a Footloose performance in the cafeteria used for testing. I really liked this episode. Many classic lines and such, but it was kind of forgettable. Overall, can't wait to see it again.

Simpsons News: Simpsons, Stamps, and Smoking?

The Simpsons have been in the news lately for two main reasons. I'll start with the first reason.

This is probably old news to all you other superfans of The Simpsons, but the recently the United States Postal Service has recently released stamps in honor of the comedic, yellow family. Each of the stamps has one of the five family members with different brightly colored backgrounds. They can be purchased in your local post office or here online. I would buy some, but I have to save money with the recession and all.

Now for the not so great news. Recent online sources, such as the Age, have been citing an Australian study that has found that smoking imagery in The Simpsons, such as scenes of Selma, Patty, Krusty the Clown, and Mr. Teeny smoking, may encourage young viewers to smoke. The article provided some interesting statistics.

"... [of the] 400 episodes of the first 18 seasons of the show...They found a whopping 795 instances of smoking or references to smoking...More than half involved male characters, a fifth female characters, and about 16 per cent non-gender characters such as animals...Smoking was mostly portrayed in a neutral way, but in 35 per cent of cases it had negative connotations and 2 per cent of the time it was shown to be positive" (Medew).

They also add that regardless of the context, including those characters who show the negative consequences of smoking, the image of a character smoking would encourage smoking among young adults. Although the study cites the Simpsons as an example, other studies have shown that this applies to any character smoking in a television context. As a person who majored in Psychology in college I know that these type of studies should be taken with a grain of salt. Any correlation found between viewing Simpsons characters smoking and the amount of youth who watch the show who smoke may be caused by anything including just a possible overall increase in the amount of young adults who smoke in Australia.

Nevertheless, it is still very interesting to think about the amount of times smoking is shown and referenced in The Simpsons and that maybe it maybe time for a decrease in these instances. But hey if you don't care and want to indulge in the smoking imagery (like I wanted to do yesterday) check out the episode of the Simpsons entitled "Smoking Ballerina."

Source:

Medew, Julia "Simpsons 'may prompt' smoking." The Age. June 2009. <http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/simpsons-may-prompt-smoking-20090531-brpp.html>