The shots were rather broad: Republicans rich, Dems can’t govern, much like the banners seen in that episode from years ago, when Bart’s pet elephant Stampy escapes and goes tromping thru first the Republican then the Democratic convention (these scenes were clipped when the episodes were sold to syndication; get the DVD’s to see them).
And like the DJ 3000 said, “How…about…those…clowns…in…Congress? What…a…bunch…of…clowns!” To which Marty’s inane response was “How does he keep up with the news like that?” At one time The Simpsons was making fun of generic political humor, now they’re producing it.
It appeared in a rerun of “Stark Raving Dad,” two days after Bush made the speech. (I can only think of one other rerun in which something special was added that wasn’t a tribute to a deceased guest star- a rerun of “Radioactive Man” aired opposite the final episode of The Cosby Show ended with Bart commenting on the show’s cancellation: “If I had a TV show, I’d run it into the ground!” Despite some misfires over the years, you haven’t gotten there yet, Bart.) The “Waltons” clip appears as a special feature on the Season 4 DVD alongside a story about how the producers helped Marge write a letter to Barbara Bush after she called the Simpsons “The stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.” Marge wasn’t fazed, saying that if they were the stupidest thing she’d ever seen, then all the stories she’s heard about Washington musn’t be true. Barbara wrote a nice response back, even adding that Homer “looks like a handsome fellow!”
Exactly. Plus that old episode, like all the old, good episodes, concentrated on character not zaniness. It setup Bart & Bush Sr. as Dennis vs. Mr. Wilson (my favorite line from that one, “Bar! My motor’s gone loco!!”) It derived its humor from the clash of their’s and Homer’s personality, not just wacky gags.
For me, the funniest thing in this last episode was Dan Rather cartwheeling into his news van. Not sure why, just thought that was really funny.
Not to sidetrack the thread, but I think comments like that are a little overstated. The best episodes of yesterseason were often really zany. People love Cape Feare - I know I do - and it’s zany as all hell. Not too much character development in that one. Marge vs. the Monorail? More zany than not. I think Bart’s Inner Child is a much-overlooked, very funny episode, and that’s pretty wacky - and the best moment is a Roadrunner parody. List goes on.
In those days, there was just a mix of zaniness with respect for the boundaries of the characters that faded over time. I think it’s returned somewhat, in a different form, in the last two years or so.
Depends how you define around. Jon was born approximately 10 years before John was created, but John was in comics approximately 20 years before Jon was on TV.