Are you kidding? Homer on pot was one of the best episodes ever!
At one point Alcatraz or whoever did call Bart a “yellow cracka”.
Mostly unfunny episode. I saw 8 Mile and you did need to see it to appreciate how much this episode sucked. Sure there were a few amusing lines (Lou - You’re promoted to Chief…Eddie - you’re promoted to Lou) but the premise of the episode was so dumb.
I didn’t like this episode much either. I’ve been one of those people who have defended The Simpsons every year no matter what, but this is going too far! The episode had a few good moments, but most of it was utter CRAP.
I will say, however, that it was a step up from the surreal mish-mash of an episode that followed the Super Bowl. What the hell was that about?!?
I was amused by this episode. The bit where Milhouse is playing frisbee with himself was funny, but was even funnier when he said, “Usually Bart watches me do this.” (or something to that effect).
The past couple of seasons have been lackluster, I admit. But I do chuckle at something from each episode. It’s still funny, just not in the traditional Simpsons way. In fact, even the characters don’t seem like “themselves”. I can’t put it into words, but the show doesn’t feel like The Simpsons at all any more.
I haven’t commented in any of these Simpsons episode threads before, but this comment hits the nail on the head perfectly for me. This is how I would describe the show for the last probably 5 years.
I remember watching the show and feeling delighted. That just doesn’t happen anymore. Perhaps age has dulled the feeling, but I think what it really comes down to is that the Simpsons lack charm now. There is no charisma left in the show. It seems more like Aerosmith’s or Bon Jovi’s or Britney Spears’s music: committee-created, checklist-driven tripe. It’s like a group of people who actually believe market research get together at a table and come up with plots and stories that match a computer-generated “how to make a hit show that will appeal to x demographic” print-out. Then the writers have to put it together, and do so, and occasionally sneak in clever lines and witty sight gags that may make you laugh but don’t come together cohesively enough to be anything special. It’s disappointing and even quite sad.
I’m glad they abandoned the rap thread early on (and when they revisited it at the end, the faceoff between Wiggum & the Posse was funny), but I was disappointed that it resembled a much better episode nobody’s mentioned yet: the fake kidnapping of Burns’ son! It even ended the same way, with a non-sequitur party that defiantly left things unresolved. Not bad, overall, but nothing special.
Does this mean Kirk will continue to be a jailbird? It would be nice to see him & Snake tussle on occasion, plus his chances of remarrying have now improved dramatically.
Meanwhile, I was reminded of the episode that featured Bart’s “kid down the well” prank.
The show is still often funny (including this episode), but it has descended into pastiche.
How many of those rappers were real? I recognized Fi’ty Cent, but not Al Catraaz (sp).
Other than 50 Cent, all the other rappers mentioned were fictional.
“Yo, yo, yo! Here now da nizzews! The top artists in hip-hop are comin’ to Springfield! Dis all-star concert, dubbed Murder 4 Life, features Da Glock Pointerz, Romeo Smoove, Queen Bootyshaka, MC Champagne Millionaire, and Assault Weapons Magazine’s Man of the Year, Alcatraaz!”
I thought this episode was slightly-above-average. I liked the fact that instead of focusing entirely on rap (which I feared it would), it just poked fun at the stereotypical pastiches of rappers-dey got lotsa bling, they love dem hos, they kill people, etc.
Bart: Jeepers! It’s 50 Cent!
50: Yo, Biyart, you throw down on stage! Wanna join my world tour?
Bart: Sorry, Fi’ty. I have school tomorrow.
50: Ya right- the more you know, the further you go- and that’s one to grow on. (to agent) Does that count as community service?
Agent: No.
50: A’ight, take me to the park.
I agree completely with your post - except for the parenthetical statement. That scene was sad. I used to play frisbee with myself, but I, at least, had the sense to realize that if you throw it in a certain way it’ll boomerang back to you.