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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 27, 2004 14:45:30 GMT -5
Scandal in Springfield: For a gay old time, Bedrock has nothing on 'The Simpsons' hometown
By Mark A. Perigard
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
“The Simpsons” will out a longtime character in an upcoming episode of the Fox animated hit - in an episode ripped from Hub headlines, in which the animated town of Springfield legalizes same-sex marriage.
At a panel discussion at the Comic-Con International in San Diego over the weekend, the show's creators revealed the gay plot twist but refused to identify which character will be taking a step out of the two-dimensional closet.
While the evidence may point to Waylon Smithers, slathering lackey to billionaire Montgomery Burns, the producers warned against rushing to judgment.
Show creator Matt Groening even joked it would be Homer, according to the Associated Press.
In the episode, which a Fox representative said yesterday will probably air in January, the town legalizes same-sex marriage to raise money and habitual screwup Homer obtains an Internet license to marry gay couples.
As for who will be coming out, we don't have a clue, but consider these Springfield residents and the odds of them making a special announcement:
Barney Gumble: Could his drinking be fueled by a love that dare not burp its name? Odds: 10-1.
Professor Frink: The town's resident inventor could only love a Borg. Or a really nice George Foreman grill. Odds: 50-1.
Nelson Muntz: Beneath that bully's exterior lies the heart of someone just waiting to grow into a bigger bully. Odds: 125-1.
Comic Book Guy: Everyone knows comic book geeks are babe magnets. Odds: 500-1.
Carl: What do we really know about Homer's fellow nuclear technician? Not much - except he is inseparable from best buddy Lenny. Odds: 5-1.
Waylon Smithers: Collects Malibu Stacy dolls, favors cutoffs on his day off, lives in the gay part of town and has a crush on his boss. By “Simpsons'“ standards, this is circumstantial evidence. Odds: 1,200,037-1.
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Post by Fenril on Aug 3, 2004 0:25:51 GMT -5
Hmm.
I don't think it would be Smithers, as he has pretty much been "out" for a long, long while.
I should think it'd be Carl, but then all of this is probably just another excuse for a "gimmicky" episode.
No, now, is it just me or have the last (as in last two or three) seasons of this show pretty much sucked?
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Aug 3, 2004 7:02:23 GMT -5
Hmm. I don't think it would be Smithers, as he has pretty much been "out" for a long, long while. I should think it'd be Carl, but then all of this is probably just another excuse for a "gimmicky" episode. Smithers has never "officially" come out, it's just been implied, but I don't think it'll be him because it's too obvious. He'll probably stay in denial forever. They might surprise us and make it one of Marge's sisters. It's just you. I think "sucked" is a little strong. True, it isn't as great as it once was, but I still find myself laughing out loud quite a bit. A "pretty good" SIMPSONS is still better than some other show's best episodes. |
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Post by Bartwald on Aug 11, 2004 5:56:31 GMT -5
Comic Book Guy. That would be a shock, huh?  |
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Post by Fenril on Aug 14, 2004 0:17:20 GMT -5
It's just you. I think "sucked" is a little strong. True, it isn't as great as it once was, but I still find myself laughing out loud quite a bit. A "pretty good" SIMPSONS is still better than some other show's best episodes. You are right, "sucked" IS pretty extreme, and yea, even the worst episodes at least have two or three good jokes / lines / visual jokes and whatnot. But you know, I'm actually not the only one who thinks that the quality of this show has gone way down in the last three or four seasons. This is partly because, well, that happens to EVERY show after a certain number of years on the air. Also because the older this show gets, the weirder the plots seem to get. And the halloween episodes (which were my favorite every season) seem to have stopped being funny horror parodies and mutated into outlandish fantasy riffs. Not all of them, true, but most. Smithers? We have seen him dancing with other men in a gay club. We have seen him divorcing his wife when she complained about Mr. Burns. We have... etcetera, etcetera. But yeah, it'd be way too obvious. Patty Bouvier. Now, that would be a true twist. I voted for Carl because of the idea that he and Lenny once kissed (off screen) presented in a sort of "Behind the scenes" episode (remember that one?), or because Homer once deemed him "too handsome" to pair up with Selma. But of course it's all wild guessing we'll have to see. Oh, the Comic book guy --you know, it'd be a greater twist if we finally did found out his name, but that might take away part of his charm. |
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Aug 14, 2004 9:12:20 GMT -5
"But you know, I'm actually not the only one who thinks that the quality of this show has gone way down in the last three or four seasons."I know, and I tell them the same thing. "Sucks" is a little extreme. ;D "And the halloween episodes (which were my favorite every season) seem to have stopped being funny horror parodies and mutated into outlandish fantasy riffs. Not all of them, true, but most."On that we can agree. The Halloween episodes are not nearly as good as they used to be. "Patty Bouvier. Now, that would be a true twist."I was thinking the same thing. Who says the gay character has to be a man? "Oh, the Comic book guy --you know, it'd be a greater twist if we finally did found out his name, but that might take away part of his charm."You know, I think he already has an actual name, but I'm not sure if it was mentioned in an episode or I read it somewhere. Wish I could remember it now, that'd be a great trivia question. On the whole, I'd say that "yes", the show is not as good as it used to be, but I'd be lying if I said that it doesn't still make me laugh from time to time. For a show to be on as long as it has and still do that, my hat's off to them! And if an episode is a "turkey", it's only 30 minutes that I wasted, not two hours like with a bad movie. 
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Post by Unbend5440 on Aug 16, 2004 21:52:28 GMT -5
I'll disagree with almost everybody and say that I DO think the show sucks now. I don't laugh at it anymore and the stories barely hold my interest. The humor has gotten too outrageous and unoriginal for me. Family Guy is much better now.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Aug 16, 2004 23:20:09 GMT -5
"Family Guy is much better now."
FAMILY GUY isn't even on the air now. Unless you're counting reruns. And I'm also not sure about calling the plots of THE SIMPSONS "outrageous" while defending FAMILY GUY. FG is funny, but can be equally outrageous. Anyway, isn't that kind of the point of doing a show like THE SIMPSONS or FAMILY GUY or SOUTH PARK or FUTURAMA in animation anyway? To do outrageous stories that you couldn't possibly do with live action? If you're going to do "traditional" sitcom plots then you might as well build a set, hire some actors and fire those animators.
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Post by Unbend5440 on Aug 24, 2004 18:47:49 GMT -5
I don't have any problem with outrageous humor in animated shows, my problem is that Simpsons has become TOO outrageous. Being outrageous has become the main focus of the show, not being clever and funny. I mean, they had an episode where The Simpsons were on a reality show I think the show is too focused on celebrity voices and pop culture references.
Plus I disagree that animated shows can't be realistic traditional sitcoms. King of the Hill is a great example.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Aug 24, 2004 19:18:07 GMT -5
I mean, they had an episode where The Simpsons were on a reality show I think the show is too focused on celebrity voices and pop culture references.
Well, we're just gonna have to agree to disagree because I feel you're criticizing THE SIMPSONS for the same things that you seem to admire about FAMILY GUY.
FG have pop culture references in just about every single episode too. And in fact, there's are much more obvious, tending to be spoofs of TV shows or movies that the family is sitting around watching on TV. THE SIMPSONS are usually more subtle with their pop culture references.
The sitcom "realism" of KING OF THE HILL is probably why I never really got into that show.
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Post by Unbend5440 on Sept 3, 2004 0:13:58 GMT -5
I guess the difference I see in Family Guy and Simpsons is that Family Guy started off that way, and The Simpsons didn't. I loved it when The Simpsons still told stories in the episodes too. Maybe if Simpsons had debuted 5 years ago in it's present form I'd find it funny. Other than having the same characters I don't see any similarities between The Simpsons now and The Simpsons of the 90s. Even if they just toned back on the celebrity voices I might enjoy it again. I don't know, I've heard this past season was an improvement. If I had the choice I'd still rather watch the first 6 seasons of the Simpsons over any animated show or sitcom on TV.
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Post by Sybillness on Sept 10, 2004 9:11:16 GMT -5
I'm going with Carl. Smithers is just way too obvious. Of course, my true guess would be Dr. Hibbert. sp? His wife and kids are all just a sham, man!
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Sept 30, 2004 23:34:35 GMT -5
Well, all the votes were wrong!
From IMDB:
Hit cartoon series The Simpsons is pushing for gay marriage rights in America with a shocking episode featuring chain-smoking twin Patty wedding another woman. Animated father Homer is ordained as a minister and marries Marge's sister to her dream woman in the eagerly-awaited show, which criticizes American President George W Bush's refusal to allow homosexual marriage.
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Post by Fenril on Oct 2, 2004 14:46:28 GMT -5
Odd thing is, Heineken, you and I actually hit on the right one, but had dismissed it.
What was Selma's reaction to all this? Anybody who saw that episode could tell us?
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Oct 2, 2004 19:33:03 GMT -5
Odd thing is, Heineken, you and I actually hit on the right one, but had dismissed it. What was Selma's reaction to all this? Anybody who saw that episode could tell us? Yeah, I was quite proud of us. ;D Actually, the episode hasn't aired yet. I think it airs early next year. Not sure why they went ahead and spoiled the surprise. |
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