# 12/15 Simpsons (SPOILERS, if one can spoil something this rancid.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 16, 2002, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989 "2002-12-16T01:40:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/21 "2002-12-16T07:12:51Z")
I liked it. The stilt gag was great. And Chief Wiggum: “Where on this badge do you see the word ‘Protect’?” Lou: “Right here, chief. Second word.” ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/22 "2002-12-16T07:28:37Z")
Admittedly, I was only half watching it, but I liked it. However the “outlive their children” joke was not that funny, only because it has been used about three or four times before. I specifically recall Grandpa saying it in the first flashback episode; the one where Homer had several heart attacks. And I know that Homer himself has said it at least twice before. I just groaned when I heard it again. ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/23 "2002-12-16T07:32:53Z")
Oh, and the best line in the episode was: > [@](#): > > \*Originally said by Jimbo \* > **Our only king is Jesus.** LOL ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/24 "2002-12-16T08:14:23Z")
agreed, **Muad’Dib** Worst. I-hate-this-weeks-episode-thread. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/25 "2002-12-16T14:17:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Otto \* > \*\*Golly, I laughed pretty much all the way through. I hought it was the best episode of the season (realizing that this isn’t saying much but still). I liked the excessive shock joke, just like I liked the excessive “Bob steps on rakes” joke from the episode of “The Thompsons.” I liked the enemies list. “I’m a people person…and I drink.” I liked everyone dropping by to whale on the Homer dummy. I liked Bob and Apu waxing nostalgic. I didn’t care much for the "Frank Grimes Jr. gag but since “who’s trying to kill Homer” didn’t really matter it didn’t really bother me. What, like it was going to be a regular or recurring character? > > Oh, and before I forget…you know that button on your remote control that’s marked “off” or “standby” or whatever? If you aim the remote toward the TV at 7:59 PM Eastern time on Sundays, you can prevent the show you loathe so much from leaking into your home. Perhaps you could use that half hour to find something else to bitch about because really, “[Comic Book Guy]Worst. Episode. Ever.[/Comic Book Guy]”, while an _excrutiatingly_ funny and _uncannily_ original Simpsons critique, kind of loses its charm when seemingly **thousands of people post it every frigging week.** \*\* Bravo. Couldn’t of said it better myself. Let me add my own enjoyment of this one. Not top notch- but still quite fun. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/26 "2002-12-16T14:20:38Z")
There WAS some funny stuff. The line paraphrased: Bart: Dad your not really going to sacrifice me to save yourself are you? Homer [patronizingly] : Bart, some day when you grow up and have kids you’ll understand. AND Homer asking “Oh yeah how is old Frank?” when he just reflected on his suicide. ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/27 "2002-12-16T14:24:57Z")
I think that i liked it because it was one of the few episodes in a long time to actually stick to a single plot. ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/28 "2002-12-16T15:31:38Z")
maybe so, **Muad’Dib** , but doesn’t it seem like the writers run out of steam before they get to the ending? It seems every week I’m saying to the TV, “_that_ was the best they could come up with??” And to **Otto** , **Neurotik** , and everyone else that keeps asking, “if you hate it so much why do you keep watching,” well, the best answer I can come up with is, “because we think that _this week_ it’ll be good.” Maybe we’re all just deluding ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/29 "2002-12-16T15:39:56Z")
I’m still surprised that this thread keeps cropping up. This was a first-class episode; plenty of good stuff going on. I think too many people start out thinking “Simpson’s jumped the shark” and just look for reasons to nitpick (and refuse to laugh even if something is funny). The last few weeks of the Simpsons have been just fine, and better than anything else on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/30 "2002-12-16T15:45:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by iamthewalrus(:3= \* > \*\*Chief Wiggum: “Where on this badge do you see the word ‘Protect’?” > Lou: “Right here, chief. Second word.” \*\* “Thanks a lot, Princeton Pete.” ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/31 "2002-12-16T16:14:15Z")
> [@](#): > > I think too many people start out thinking “Simpson’s jumped the shark” and just look for reasons to nitpick (and refuse to laugh even if something is funny). The last few weeks of the Simpsons have been just fine, and better than anything else on TV. Not to get to flamey but that attitude reminds me of Star Trek fans who would defend Voyager in the exact same way. “People started out wanting to hate it so they’re looking for flaws. So it wasn’t as good as it could have been, it’s still better than just about anything else on television! Weak Star Trek is better than no Star Trek!” It just side steps the issue that the appeal is gone and the low quality is driving away many long time fans. People don’t go “Aha! I’ll get the Simpsons this week. ‘Worst. Episode. Ever.’ Ha ha, I’m so clever!” Take a look at the “Boy the Simpsons Suck Now” threads; they’re not being started each week by the same people though the same people come in with the same statements for and against over and over again. People have reached their breaking point with the series and painfully bad episodes like this week’s or the breast implants episode just helps solidify that for more and more people. If those were the first two episodes of the season I’d just give up altogether and not bother watching anymore but the fact that there were some things in the other two episodes that aired mean that I’ll continue watching when I’m around for it for at least a little while longer, but I’ve got better things to do than watch an unfunny comedy. ---
**Author:** ![mblackwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mblackwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mblackwell)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/32 "2002-12-16T16:57:59Z")
I liked the episoded. Was I the only one who thought. “Hey, thats Frank Grimes” when he was towing Homer’s car? ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/33 "2002-12-16T17:17:15Z")
I’m mostly with **Otto** and **RealityChuck** on this one; it was a fine episode and most of the complaints here are of the “hipper than thou” variety: “I’m too cool to still like _The Simpsons._” I will say, however, that the “gulping in anxiousness while tugging at one’s collar” gag has been beaten to death and then further beaten into jelly, and I very much wish they’d put it to bed. ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/34 "2002-12-16T17:32:28Z")
As long as we’re being nitpicky geeks, didn’t Bob get the death penalty last time he was on the show? They were carting him off to be executed right at the end of the episode. (“Isn’t it customary to have a trial?” “Oh, a wise guy, huh?”) Not that I seriously expected them to kill off everyone’s favorite criminal mastermind, but they could have at least acknowledged the break in continuity, as has been done in the past… ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/35 "2002-12-16T22:01:20Z")
Add me to the “hey, it was pretty good, what are you all whining about?” camp… my favorite bit: “used turtles” ---
**Author:** ![Wumpus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8c91f0/32.png) [@Wumpus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wumpus)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/36 "2002-12-16T22:41:58Z")
Not only did they use the gulping-in-anxiousness-while-tugging-at-one’s-collar gag, they also had the “Yeesssssss?” guy in this episode. This is an homage to old time radio star Frank Nelson, and it was funny–the first time they did it. But they’ve reused this 50-year-old gag \*seven or eight times \*now. My theory is that Fox fired all the Simpsons writers and hired the Krusty the Clown writers instead. Coming up: Bart discovers selzer bottles, Marge bakes cream pies with hilarious results, and Homer buys a bucket of molassas at the general store! ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/37 "2002-12-16T22:59:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fiver \* > \*\*I will say, however, that the “gulping in anxiousness while tugging at one’s collar” gag has been beaten to death and then further beaten into jelly, and I very much wish they’d put it to bed. \*\* Although Homer’s gulp of anxiousness did sound like “D-ohhhh…” thereby combining his trademark and Charles Nelson Reilly’s. ---
**Author:** ![NailBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@NailBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NailBunny)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/38 "2002-12-16T23:17:20Z")
My personal favourite part was Dr. Ma-Suess. I would _so_ go to a health spa with that feature!!! My husband had the Frank Grimes Jr. plot nailed about ten minutes into the show. Still funny, although I was also confused about when Bob suddenly became evil again. ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/39 "2002-12-17T01:45:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wumpus \* > \*\*Not only did they use the gulping-in-anxiousness-while-tugging-at-one’s-collar gag, they also had the “Yeesssssss?” guy in this episode. This is an homage to old time radio star Frank Nelson, and it was funny–the first time they did it. But they’ve reused this 50-year-old gag \*seven or eight times \*now. > > \*\* Yeah, Just the way Jack Benny did. That’s the frickin’ _point_ of the gag, for "Yeesssss?"to pop up when you least/most expect it. ---
**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989/40 "2002-12-17T01:59:05Z")
I thought the whole joke with the tugging on the collar was that Homer wasn’t wearing a collar. I have a feeling that for me this will be one of those episodes I don’t think well of at first but grows on me like so many of them have. My main example of that was Bart vs. Australia which when I first saw it I thought was horrible, but now I love it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-simpsons-spoilers-if-one-can-spoil-something-this-rancid/142989.md?page=3)