Questions from a guy who hasn't watched Simpsons in years

[Stu]

Hey, now that the new season is beginning, I figured I'd give the show a try again. I stopped watching a few years ago after I got hooked on The Amazing Race. But right when that moved to Friday nights, I started watching Once Upon a Time. But now that show sucks. So someone catch me up to speed.

1: Has the show introduced any new recurring characters? The last one I recall is that stupid jerk who says "Yeeessssssssss"

2: Did Smithers ever come out of the closet? Or is the majority of Springfield still oblivious that he's gay?

3: Is Barney still sober?

4: What year did Homer and Marge meet, was Bart born, etc?

5: How many times has Selma been married since marrying Sideshow Bob, Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz?

6: Did the Simpsons Movie have any long-term impact?

7: Was that Simpsons/Family Guy crossover any good?

8: Has Ralph gotten even more stupid in recent years?

9: How many more jobs has Homer had?

10: Is the show even worth watching outside of the Treehouse of Horror episodes?


Thanks a lot!

[Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast]

Sept 29, 2016 19:45:46 GMT -5 Stu said:

1: Has the show introduced any new recurring characters? The last one I recall is that stupid jerk who says "Yeeessssssssss"

2: Did Smithers ever come out of the closet? Or is the majority of Springfield still oblivious that he's gay?

3: Is Barney still sober?

4: What year did Homer and Marge meet, was Bart born, etc?

5: How many times has Selma been married since marrying Sideshow Bob, Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz?

6: Did the Simpsons Movie have any long-term impact?

7: Was that Simpsons/Family Guy crossover any good?

8: Has Ralph gotten even more stupid in recent years?

9: How many more jobs has Homer had?

10: Is the show even worth watching outside of the Treehouse of Horror episodes?


Thanks a lot!

1. I haven't watched much, but I know they gave Cletus' kids more characters, and Comic Book Guy has a Japanese wife.

2. It was pretty much well known to everyone, but they did do an episode about him coming out to Mr. Burns sorta
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burns_Cage

3. Not really.

4. I don't recall many more takes on the past since "That 90's Show"

5. I don't recall any other marriages, though there was an episode where she dated Grampa.

6. Other than Spider-Pig appearing a couple times, I don't believe so.

7. If you like the writing style of Family Guy, yes I guess? If not don't bother. It's not very good.

8. yes.

9. A bunch more.

10. There are some good ones. The non-TOH "Halloween of Horror" episode is actually a really really good one worth the watch.

[Urethra Franklin]

Sept 29, 2016 19:51:35 GMT -5 Alyce: Old Media Enthusiast said:

10. There are some good ones. The non-TOH "Halloween of Horror" episode is actually a really really good one worth the watch.

That is legitimately one of my favourite episodes of all-time. It was fantastic.

Also, the Lego episode from a couple of years back is worth going out of your way to find. It got misty as hell at my place during that episode.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Bart and Lisa are always 10 and 8, so they are always born ten years before our current year. I think the last retcon puts them born like 2004 or so.

Homer and Marge don't age either, but still graduated in the 70's.

[Deleted]

I thought the Simpsons/Family Guy crossover was awesome.

[Mr PONYMANIA Mr Jenzie]

i have legitimately laughed HARD at some episodes of the last three seasons, and that hasn't happened since the likes of season 16!!!

[sternrogers01]

They finally pulled off a semi-decent "future" episode in Barthood that I enjoyed immensley...might just end up topping "Homer's Enemy" as my preferred headcanon finale for the show (and it helps also Lisa winds up with Nelson at the end of it...next to Ralph, he's the only other person I can picture her with)

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Sept 30, 2016 12:55:10 GMT -5 sternrogers01 said:

They finally pulled off a semi-decent "future" episode in Barthood that I enjoyed immensley...might just end up topping "Homer's Enemy" as my preferred headcanon finale for the show (and it helps also Lisa winds up with Nelson at the end of it...next to Ralph, he's the only other person I can picture her with)

I love the exchange

Bart: Why is grass green?
Homer: So you can find your damn golf ball.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Sept 29, 2016 19:45:46 GMT -5 Stu said:

Hey, now that the new season is beginning, I figured I'd give the show a try again. I stopped watching a few years ago after I got hooked on The Amazing Race. But right when that moved to Friday nights, I started watching Once Upon a Time. But now that show sucks. So someone catch me up to speed.

1: Has the show introduced any new recurring characters? The last one I recall is that stupid jerk who says "Yeeessssssssss"

2: Did Smithers ever come out of the closet? Or is the majority of Springfield still oblivious that he's gay?

3: Is Barney still sober?

4: What year did Homer and Marge meet, was Bart born, etc?

5: How many times has Selma been married since marrying Sideshow Bob, Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz?

6: Did the Simpsons Movie have any long-term impact?

7: Was that Simpsons/Family Guy crossover any good?

8: Has Ralph gotten even more stupid in recent years?

9: How many more jobs has Homer had?

10: Is the show even worth watching outside of the Treehouse of Horror episodes?


Thanks a lot!

Ok, now that I am on the laptop, I'll answer you better

1. Has the show introduced any new recurring characters? The last one I recall is that stupid jerk who says "Yeeessssssssss"

Yes, Bart has had several girlfriends who have reappeared at various points, most notable being Mary WrestleMania Spuckler. Yes, that's her full name.

2: Did Smithers ever come out of the closet? Or is the majority of Springfield still oblivious that he's gay? As mentioned, yes, Years before, he helped Moe turn the tavern into a gay bar and Homer, Lenny and Carl have tried to set him up in the past. He's been out for a quite a while, but they don't really focus on it. Mr. Largo is the one taking the brunt of the crazy gay/transgender jokes.

3: Is Barney still sober? No. Not for like ten seasons now or more.

4: What year did Homer and Marge meet, was Bart born, etc? I answered it. Homer and Marge still 70's, Bart was born in 2006, Lisa 2008.

5: How many times has Selma been married since marrying Sideshow Bob, Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz? The grandpa dating is the closest.

6: Did the Simpsons Movie have any long-term impact? Not really, the first episode of the season after the movie the opening credits were changed to reflect the ending of the movie. Spider-Pig is aroud more. Dr. Nick was killed in the movie, but apparently survived.

7: Was that Simpsons/Family Guy crossover any good? I liked it. It's a Family Guy episode, not a Simpsons episode, so while the Simpsons style is there, it's Family Guy in Springfield.

8: Has Ralph gotten even more stupid in recent years? Yes. He's just spouting gibberish now.

9: How many more jobs has Homer had? You quit, like ten years ago? So, 250 episodes ago? About 100.

10: Is the show even worth watching outside of the Treehouse of Horror episodes? I still like it. It's not classic, but every episode still has one or two damn good jokes. Few episodes are stinkers, but it's fine.

[Father Dougal McGuire]

Is it as good as the classic seasons? No.
There are some really bad episodes in the middle seasons 15-20, episodes like Pranksta Rap and That 90's Show for example, but it has picked up after the Movie got released. The last 2 or 3 seasons have been really good. Not classic by any means, but worth it if you have access to the FXX app or webpage that has every Simpsons episode besides the current season online.

[schizo]

I hate how they made Ralph a one-note joke charater now. I liked it better when he actually had a charater other than "Iam a 'something random' now!"

[sternrogers01]

(warning: toxic 'shipper spiel best reserved for tumblr in progress)

That's why I liked the one where he's made a Presidential candidate...he still utters random nonsense, but he is also badly affected by the publicity he gets, and it prompts Lisa to spring to his defence, then, while still being irreverent, he makes a few good points about wanting to use the system to his benefit, which impresses Lisa so much she admits it wouldn't be so bad if he were President and even likes the idea of being his "first ladle".

Those two don't get nearly enough episodes like this together. Usually it's just mean-spirited "Ralph is toxic to be around socially" moments, but there's the rare instance which reveal that, yes, she does love him and those dreams she had once of being his wife will probably come true one day (though probably without the obesity or loss of intelligence)

[Dragonfly]

Five newer episodes worth watching, aside from the Halloween one:

Moe'N'a Lisa (Season 18, ep 6) - Lisa helps Moe turn his ramblings into poetry. While there are a handful of author cameos, the relationship between Moe and Lisa takes center stage.

Lisa Simpson, This Isn't Your Life (Season 22, ep 5) - Lisa worries that she'll end up like Marge; Bart accidentally becomes the new school bully. It's a fairly standard episodes, but has some really memorable moments. ("It's not Milhouse!") My wife and I still reference Homer's terrible "seven of clubs" magic trick.

The Nedliest Catch (Season 22, ep 22) - Mrs. Krabappel dates Ned. It's sort of a gimmick episode thanks to the ending, but a damn good one. They also do a good job showing how Ned and Edna work as a couple.

The Food Wife (Season 23, ep 5) - Marge, Bart and Lisa start a food blog, much to the chagrin of "fun dad" Homer. While there are plenty of "foodie" jokes (and guest appearances from both Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay), the main draw here is Homer and Marge.

A Totally Fun Thing Bart Will Never Do Again (Season 23, ep 19) - In an attempt to break their daily routines, Bart convinces the family to go on a cruise. It's funny, slightly silly, and really, really sweet. Honestly, it's one of my favorites, period.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Oct 2, 2016 14:08:36 GMT -5 Dragonfly said:

Five newer episodes worth watching, aside from the Halloween one:

Moe'N'a Lisa (Season 18, ep 6) - Lisa helps Moe turn his ramblings into poetry. While there are a handful of author cameos, the relationship between Moe and Lisa takes center stage.

Lisa Simpson, This Isn't Your Life (Season 22, ep 5) - Lisa worries that she'll end up like Marge; Bart accidentally becomes the new school bully. It's a fairly standard episodes, but has some really memorable moments. ("It's not Milhouse!") My wife and I still reference Homer's terrible "seven of clubs" magic trick.

The Nedliest Catch (Season 22, ep 22) - Mrs. Krabappel dates Ned. It's sort of a gimmick episode thanks to the ending, but a damn good one. They also do a good job showing how Ned and Edna work as a couple.

The Food Wife (Season 23, ep 5) - Marge, Bart and Lisa start a food blog, much to the chagrin of "fun dad" Homer. While there are plenty of "foodie" jokes (and guest appearances from both Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay), the main draw here is Homer and Marge.

A Totally Fun Thing Bart Will Never Do Again (Season 23, ep 19) - In an attempt to break their daily routines, Bart convinces the family to go on a cruise. It's funny, slightly silly, and really, really sweet. Honestly, it's one of my favorites, period.

A Totally Fun thing was a good episode and it watching it now in syndication I think so, but at the time I was bothered by the gimmick they laid it on and used in the media for 5 seconds of attention, It is good, though.