Simpsons 10/14: "I Don't Wanna Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" (SPOILERS)

Cafe Society
1

Steve Bucemi (or, as Homer calls him, “the guy who got thrown into the wood chipper in Fargo”) guest-voices as a criminal who robs a bank. Hostage Marge makes a promise to see him once he’s behind bars, but soon has regrets. Also features Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Snake’s girlfriend and Ted Nugent as himself, in a recorded message asking voters to vote “no” on a proposition that would ban crossbows in schools.

I thought this was a good episode. Marge has befriended a criminal before (in “Pokey Mom”), but in this case, I believe her reaction her was more believable. She only said “yes” under pressure, and had the remorse I’m sure anyone would have in the situation. Plus, it was funny. The Barry Bonds-inspired Itchy and Scratchy was good (I especially liked the Canadian fighter planes attacking D.C.), and it turns out Homer made good on his promise to miss the Father/Daughter Dance.

In the film Marge watches, A Kiss Before Frying, Johnny Stabbo’s prisoner number is JABF19- the production number for this episode.

Heard at Plaster Mountain as background music for the Dilbert’s Flying Cubicle ride is the theme song to his short-lived show, The Dilbert Zone, written by Danny something-or-other.

Is Gil gone for good? Who knows?

2

I think I’ll stay away from Snake’s Wikipedia entry. :smiley: Pretty cool to have Julia Louis-Dreyfus drop in again for what was basically a throwaway cameo too. Nice episode.

3

I had a hearty laughoutloud when ol’ Gil showed up for his first day at the new job. Yep, Gil finally hit the good life. And maybe get a lick of that shiny gold ring.

4

Pretty much a better version of Pokeymom, yes. My favorite moment was Dwight coming out of the sewage pipe, seeing the ‘pure mountain spring water’ pipe, and shouting “Damn it!”

Steve Buscemi was really a good sport about all those bug-eye jokes. I’m glad they wrote a better role for him than the little cameo in Brake My Wife, Please, where he didn’t get to do anything.

5

Those weren’t Canadian planes. The planes themselves had no markings, and the pilot-Itchy’s helmet had the Rebel Alliance insignia from Star Wars.

6

You’re right- I thought they were Canadian maple leafs.

7

Loved Steve Buscemi’s character and how he must have been fine with all the jokes picking fun at him.

The “Negotiator” gag had me cracking up. I’ve seen that movie so many times and those actually were the chapter names.

8

I had a feeling about that. That’s really funny.

9

Oh right, one other thing: I loved that Homer’s cell phone had Marge listed as “Big Blue.” The dye pack gag was good, too.

For the second time this season, I think, we had a cutaway scene and an Itchy and Scratchy. I like the efforts to get back a little of the classic Simpsons flavor this year.

10

Heh, I thought the planes were Canadian, too.

11

We also had a conversation between Homer and his brain, which I don’t think we’ve had in a while. I liked Homer’s attempt to strangle his own brain.

12

I was disppointed that the dye wore off before the next scene. He should’ve stayed blue for at least a couple of days.

13

True- on the other hand, they did actually have him take his shirt and some of his stained clothes off.

14

This was the first new Simpson’s episode I’ve seen in . . . years, I guess.

It was ok, but it felt very fast; like they were speeding through dialogue and gags so they could fit in as many punchlines as possible.