Note: This was sort of a half-assed effort on my part. But here you go.
5. Michael Jackson
I think we all always guess inside Jackson's "black" skinny exterior was a fat white guy. That's what is confirmed when Jackson lends his voice to the Simpson's. Jackson lends Homer advice while in the insane asylum and then help Bart write a catchy tune for Lisa's first eighth birthday. Nice job.
4. Ron Howard
Howard appeared as himself in an episode with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. While the other two get a little more air time, Howard steals the show as he spends much of the episode ripping Homer. He also has a lot funny lines as he relishes fame and fortune.
3. Rodney Dangerfield.
Dangerfield plays the part of Mr. Burns long lost son and hilarity ensues. I actually think Dangerfield had a least one movie with basically the same story line. I might be wrong, but weren't they all about him trying to get some respect. Dangerfield's over-the-top humor and wild antics plays off Burns' eccentricities perfectly.
2. Danny Devito
Devito plays Homer's lost brother Herbert Powell, a mogul in the automotive industry. Homer proceeds to ruin Powell's career. Devito's voice is perfect for the desperate Powell, who looking for the next big car. I believed he reprised the role at least once more and it's one that could pop seamlessly when they need a show idea and Devito is available.
1. Kelsey Grammer
The show needed a signature voice for underhanded, clown side-kick of Krusty, Sideshow Bob. They found one of the best in Hollywood to become Bart's long-running nemesis in Grammer. He allows Bob to take on a witty persona while walking around in clown features. It's worked every time they dust off the story line.
Showing posts with label Simpsons Lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simpsons Lists. Show all posts
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Snakesters Top 5 Simpsons Guest Stars
A very expansive selection boiled down to a top 5. It is no wonder it has taken us awhile to figure this one out.
5. Patrick Stewart - Number One: He plays the leader of the Stone Cutters, Springfield division. I have always admired his voice and it fits perfectly here. "And now the paddling of the swollen ass... with paddles!"
4. Bob Newhart - Himself: I believe the episode is title Bart the Fink. It is the one in which Krusty fakes his death to escape a large debt. At the funeral service, Troy McClure introduces Bob who happens to be wandering around the cemetery and is forced to say something. I read somewhere that Bob's mumbled speech was mostly ad-libbed which I don't know how you could write for him anyway. It is classic Newhart and it always makes me chuckle.
3. Micheal Jackson - Leon Kompowsky: This was an uncredited role to keep Micheal secret. He plays a man in a mental institution that thinks he is Micheal Jackson. I still remember this being like the first BIG guest star on the show. It includes a nice song put together to cheer up Lisa on her birthday. The twist ending puts a nice spin of reality on the whole thing.
2. Kelsey Grammer - Sideshow Bob: Every time Kelsey comes to do Sideshow Bob, it has been a good show. As stated by my other list, Cape Feare is one of my favorite episodes. The situations Bob finds himself in like a field of rakes and other slapstick scenarios bring out that grumble that is second to only D'oh!. Second favorite Bob episode is where he threatens the town from the air base with a nuclear bomb.
1. Phil Hartman - Troy McClure: You could probably debate this one but Phil was never officially a member of the show. He supplied many voices but none stick out like a good Troy McClure moment. "You might remember me from..." His shining episode was when he married Selma or was it Patty to heighten his career.
5. Patrick Stewart - Number One: He plays the leader of the Stone Cutters, Springfield division. I have always admired his voice and it fits perfectly here. "And now the paddling of the swollen ass... with paddles!"
4. Bob Newhart - Himself: I believe the episode is title Bart the Fink. It is the one in which Krusty fakes his death to escape a large debt. At the funeral service, Troy McClure introduces Bob who happens to be wandering around the cemetery and is forced to say something. I read somewhere that Bob's mumbled speech was mostly ad-libbed which I don't know how you could write for him anyway. It is classic Newhart and it always makes me chuckle.
3. Micheal Jackson - Leon Kompowsky: This was an uncredited role to keep Micheal secret. He plays a man in a mental institution that thinks he is Micheal Jackson. I still remember this being like the first BIG guest star on the show. It includes a nice song put together to cheer up Lisa on her birthday. The twist ending puts a nice spin of reality on the whole thing.
2. Kelsey Grammer - Sideshow Bob: Every time Kelsey comes to do Sideshow Bob, it has been a good show. As stated by my other list, Cape Feare is one of my favorite episodes. The situations Bob finds himself in like a field of rakes and other slapstick scenarios bring out that grumble that is second to only D'oh!. Second favorite Bob episode is where he threatens the town from the air base with a nuclear bomb.
1. Phil Hartman - Troy McClure: You could probably debate this one but Phil was never officially a member of the show. He supplied many voices but none stick out like a good Troy McClure moment. "You might remember me from..." His shining episode was when he married Selma or was it Patty to heighten his career.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Snakester's Top 10 Simpsons's Episodes
Sorry this has taken so long. I had a week of vacation so I avoided the computer a little bit. As referenced by Big Red, I haven't seen many of the newer Simpsons episodes but I think most would agree that their best stuff was in the early days. Still, trying to find your 10 favorites out of 20 seasons of work is a pretty daunting task.
10. Bart's Comet - Feb 5, 1995: Bart discovers a comet while serving time with Principal Skinner. I always laugh at Skinner's screams of NO when he realizes Bart found a comment, then lets go of the weather balloon sporting his big butt and then the paper arrives noting that 'School is for losers.' The fact that one of the slides the scientists use shows the destrution of the comet to specifically include Moe's is an example of the side jokes we've come to love. Kent Brockman stating that 'Democracy simply doesn't work' and goes on to quickly scroll a list of gay people now that there is nothing left to lose. The little nugget that I always remember is Homer stating that the comet will burn up in the atmosphere and be no bigger than a Chihuahua's head. Then at the end as the pebble of a comet breaks down the cheap shelter everyone was hiding it, there happens to a Chihuahua standing in the yard with clearing a head larger than the comet.
9. I Love Lisa - Feb 11, 1993: This has all the best Ralph moments anyone could want. "Doctor said I wouldn't have so many nose bleeds if I just kept my finger out of there." And of course "I bent my Wookie." But the apple didn't fall to far from the tree, "Nothing gets chocolate out, see!" I enjoy Bart's slo-mo presentation of showing the exact moment Lisa makes Ralph's heart explode.
8. Lisa The Vegetarian - Oct 15, 1995: Looking at my list, I seem to enjoy episodes in which Lisa brings out the best in everyone. This episode has my favorite chant I still use almost on a daily basis, "You don't win friends with salad!" Nice appearance by Sir Paul McCartney to teach Lisa a valuable lesson. Homer chases the pig screaming "It's still good, it's still good!" The credits are special as you can clearing tell there is some backwards talking of a Lentil Soup recipe during Maybe I'm Amazed.
7. Mr. Plow - Nov 19, 1992: Everyone probably remembers something about this episode so I will go for a few nuggets. Linda Ronstandt wanted to sing Barney's jingle in Spanish in a reference to her own Spanish album she put out. "Are you tired of having your hands cut off by snowblowers?" As if you could do it more than once. We are shown how upstanding young Barney basically has his life ruined by Homer's insistence on having a beer. Still my favorite part is when someone calls for Mr. Plow on a delinquent payment and Homer pretends to be Tony Plow from Leave It To Beaver confirming that unnamed persons were gay.
6. Lisa's Pony - Nov 7, 1991: There are plenty of funny moments by Homer as he first tries to win back Lisa's love then tried to jungle two jobs to pay for it. His plan includes coming home sleeping for 15 minutes and having 10 minutes to bask in Lisa's love before going off to the power plant "Fresh as a daisy". The reference to the Godfather when Lisa wakes up with the horse head in her bed is classic. In a different scope, I liked how this showed how far Homer would push himself for his child and the sacrifices we all make for the good of our families.
5. Call of the Simpsons - Feb 18, 1990: I still enjoy this crude first season episode. Cowboy Bob checking Homer's credit when the siren goes off and Homer sheepishly asking if that was a good thing. "Have you ever known a siren to mean a good thing?" Nice moments in the forest culminating in Homer being mistaken for Bigfoot.
4. Treehouse of Horror V - Oct 30, 1994: This is by far my favorite Treehouse maybe simply for the parody of The Shining. "No TV and no beer make Homer something something." "Go crazy?" "Don't mind if I Do!" But I enjoy the spoof on the days of the week the drive takes as Marge reminds Homer about the locking the doors and finally leaving Grandpa at the gas station. The alternate Ned Flanders controlled world & Principal Skinner grinding up children for lunch are also high level!
3. Cape Feare - Oct 7, 1993: This is my favorite Sideshow Bob episode perhaps because of the time when Bob walks through all the rakes and the multiple times we get to hear Kelsey Grammer's grumble. I love that even though most don't. The second opening of The Thompsons is a classic. The fact that Bart distracts Bob by getting him to act out the HMS Pentifore is very funny to me for some reason.
2. King Size Homer - Nov 5, 1995: Ok maybe I am a little juvenile with this one. It is a dream to work from home but I don't think most people would take it that far. Yes cheap fat jokes but I enjoyed them. Homer trying to weigh himself and realizing his fat was on the towel bar or how overjoyed he is to wear a mu mu. I think it showed that being at home and not at the plant didn't make a difference as he became too lazy to even do that instead employing the drinking bird instead. I still sometimes find myself typing asking "Where's the any key?"
1. Lisa on Ice - Nov 13, 1994: This is one of the first episodes I always think about when I try to think of my favorites. I think it is because I don't seem to see it that much in syndication. It is all Homer completely contradicting everything Marge says to console Lisa. I find myself chanting "Sports, sports, sports!" But it houses my single favorite line that was a staple of my daily high school life. The episode begins with an assembly as Principal Skinner unveils his new academic alerts. Ralph is called and exclaims that he won but is told he is failing English. "Me fail English? That unpossible!"
Honorable Mention:
Homer's Enemy - Homer fights with new power planet employee Frank Grimes
Oh Brother Where Art Though - Homer discovers a half-brother and ruins his life
Dead Putting Society - The first blood feud between Homer & Flanders
Homer They Fall - Homer shows he can take a punch to a certain degree
10. Bart's Comet - Feb 5, 1995: Bart discovers a comet while serving time with Principal Skinner. I always laugh at Skinner's screams of NO when he realizes Bart found a comment, then lets go of the weather balloon sporting his big butt and then the paper arrives noting that 'School is for losers.' The fact that one of the slides the scientists use shows the destrution of the comet to specifically include Moe's is an example of the side jokes we've come to love. Kent Brockman stating that 'Democracy simply doesn't work' and goes on to quickly scroll a list of gay people now that there is nothing left to lose. The little nugget that I always remember is Homer stating that the comet will burn up in the atmosphere and be no bigger than a Chihuahua's head. Then at the end as the pebble of a comet breaks down the cheap shelter everyone was hiding it, there happens to a Chihuahua standing in the yard with clearing a head larger than the comet.
9. I Love Lisa - Feb 11, 1993: This has all the best Ralph moments anyone could want. "Doctor said I wouldn't have so many nose bleeds if I just kept my finger out of there." And of course "I bent my Wookie." But the apple didn't fall to far from the tree, "Nothing gets chocolate out, see!" I enjoy Bart's slo-mo presentation of showing the exact moment Lisa makes Ralph's heart explode.
8. Lisa The Vegetarian - Oct 15, 1995: Looking at my list, I seem to enjoy episodes in which Lisa brings out the best in everyone. This episode has my favorite chant I still use almost on a daily basis, "You don't win friends with salad!" Nice appearance by Sir Paul McCartney to teach Lisa a valuable lesson. Homer chases the pig screaming "It's still good, it's still good!" The credits are special as you can clearing tell there is some backwards talking of a Lentil Soup recipe during Maybe I'm Amazed.
7. Mr. Plow - Nov 19, 1992: Everyone probably remembers something about this episode so I will go for a few nuggets. Linda Ronstandt wanted to sing Barney's jingle in Spanish in a reference to her own Spanish album she put out. "Are you tired of having your hands cut off by snowblowers?" As if you could do it more than once. We are shown how upstanding young Barney basically has his life ruined by Homer's insistence on having a beer. Still my favorite part is when someone calls for Mr. Plow on a delinquent payment and Homer pretends to be Tony Plow from Leave It To Beaver confirming that unnamed persons were gay.
6. Lisa's Pony - Nov 7, 1991: There are plenty of funny moments by Homer as he first tries to win back Lisa's love then tried to jungle two jobs to pay for it. His plan includes coming home sleeping for 15 minutes and having 10 minutes to bask in Lisa's love before going off to the power plant "Fresh as a daisy". The reference to the Godfather when Lisa wakes up with the horse head in her bed is classic. In a different scope, I liked how this showed how far Homer would push himself for his child and the sacrifices we all make for the good of our families.
5. Call of the Simpsons - Feb 18, 1990: I still enjoy this crude first season episode. Cowboy Bob checking Homer's credit when the siren goes off and Homer sheepishly asking if that was a good thing. "Have you ever known a siren to mean a good thing?" Nice moments in the forest culminating in Homer being mistaken for Bigfoot.
4. Treehouse of Horror V - Oct 30, 1994: This is by far my favorite Treehouse maybe simply for the parody of The Shining. "No TV and no beer make Homer something something." "Go crazy?" "Don't mind if I Do!" But I enjoy the spoof on the days of the week the drive takes as Marge reminds Homer about the locking the doors and finally leaving Grandpa at the gas station. The alternate Ned Flanders controlled world & Principal Skinner grinding up children for lunch are also high level!
3. Cape Feare - Oct 7, 1993: This is my favorite Sideshow Bob episode perhaps because of the time when Bob walks through all the rakes and the multiple times we get to hear Kelsey Grammer's grumble. I love that even though most don't. The second opening of The Thompsons is a classic. The fact that Bart distracts Bob by getting him to act out the HMS Pentifore is very funny to me for some reason.
2. King Size Homer - Nov 5, 1995: Ok maybe I am a little juvenile with this one. It is a dream to work from home but I don't think most people would take it that far. Yes cheap fat jokes but I enjoyed them. Homer trying to weigh himself and realizing his fat was on the towel bar or how overjoyed he is to wear a mu mu. I think it showed that being at home and not at the plant didn't make a difference as he became too lazy to even do that instead employing the drinking bird instead. I still sometimes find myself typing asking "Where's the any key?"
1. Lisa on Ice - Nov 13, 1994: This is one of the first episodes I always think about when I try to think of my favorites. I think it is because I don't seem to see it that much in syndication. It is all Homer completely contradicting everything Marge says to console Lisa. I find myself chanting "Sports, sports, sports!" But it houses my single favorite line that was a staple of my daily high school life. The episode begins with an assembly as Principal Skinner unveils his new academic alerts. Ralph is called and exclaims that he won but is told he is failing English. "Me fail English? That unpossible!"
Honorable Mention:
Homer's Enemy - Homer fights with new power planet employee Frank Grimes
Oh Brother Where Art Though - Homer discovers a half-brother and ruins his life
Dead Putting Society - The first blood feud between Homer & Flanders
Homer They Fall - Homer shows he can take a punch to a certain degree
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Big Red's 10 favorite Simpsons episodes
Note: I consulted a Simpson Archive to get show names and dates and that’s when I realized just how long it has been since I actively watched new seasons of The Simpsons. At some point in 2000 or 2001, I just stopped and I don’t really know why. Anyways, this list reflects that as all of my picks come from the period before that.
I also noticed the synopsis the website gave for episodes changed over time. For most of the first seven or eight seasons, a show could be adequately described with a sentence or two. For shows after 2000, it takes six to eight sentences to describe the plot of the show. I thought that was kind of interesting. Anyways, here you go.
10. Brother’s Little Helper – Oct. 3 1999
I learned in college that when dealing with storylines, writers very rarely bring in random things for no reason. With that in mind, I think The Simpsons pulled a fast one on the viewers and Major League Baseball with this episode.
The plot involves Bart taking medication to IMPROVE his mental PERFORMANCE. Which brings about the great line from Bart, “Lisa did you know that the average human uses 10 percent of their brain. I am now one of them.” Anyways, the psychological drugs took in large doses by Bart create undesired SIDE EFFECTS of paranoia for Bart who develops a theory that MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL is spying on everyone in order to evaluate it’s fans. In the end he seems to be right after knocking a satellite out of the sky. That brings on MARK MCGWIRE (who actually does the voice), who hides the evidence and distracts the crowd by hitting HOME RUNS.
Remember this is before the steroid scandal really started to pick up steam, and while it’s easy to get caught up in Bart’s episode with psychological medications and his eventual switch to Ridilin, what is this show really saying with the inclusion of MLB.
9. Last Exit to Springfield – March 1993
This episode is fresh in my mind because I just saw it the other day. It’s he classic “Lisa needs braces” episode right when Mr. Burns takes away the dental plan at the Nuclear Plant. Homer becomes the union chief, the company goes on strike and hilarity ensues as Homer does the negotiations. A lot of good lines and a strong story line from beginning to end.
8. Two Bad Neighbors – Jan 11, 1996
Homer and Bart versus former President George Bush. It’s a funny sequence of events with allusions to Dennis the Menace. Bush moves in across the street from the Simpsons and from the start there is a rivalry between the two. Bush eventually leaves replaced by Gerald Ford, who Homer immediately hits it off with.
7. Dead Putting Society – Nov. 15, 1990
The Homer and Flanders rivalry takes off in this episode for the first time as Bart and Todd Flanders square off in a putt-putt golf tournament. This one has a great segment where Lisa teaches Bart inner peace and where Homer goes out of his way to make sure he has none. The play-by-play guy during the tournament is also a great spoof on Golf announcers. This was probably one of the early episodes that hooked everyone in.
6. Mr. Plow – Nov. 19 1992
“What’s that name, it’s Mr. Plow.” This has a lot of great spots from Barney chasing after the diaper he’s wearing, to the hilarious commercials Homer and Barney come up with for their snow plow busnesses to Marge getting turned on by Homer in his “Mr. Plow” jacket. I love it when this one comes on in syndication.
5. Homer the Great – Jan. 8, 1995
Who makes Steve Gutenberg a star? The Stone Cutters do and that’s the group Homer temporarily becomes the leader of after a birth mark is discovered. He eventually ruins the group and they kick him out forming the “No Homer’s Club.” The song for the Stone Cutters is funny along with the stone of shame they make Homer drag naked.
4. Homer’s Barbershop Quartet – Sept. 30 1992
I love this episode mainly because it’s a complete knock off on all the Beatles stuff that people talk about all the time. It even ends with them performing on the roof with George Harrison driving by saying “It’s been done.” It’s one of those episodes where you can catch something new everytime you watch it.
3. Colonel Homer – Mar. 26, 1992
This is the awesome show where Homer discovers country singing sensation Lurleen Lumpkin played by National Lampoon wife Beverly D’Angelo. Homer becomes Lurleen’s manager, Marge becomes jealous and hilarity ensues. Lurleen eventually puts the moves on with her “Won’t you bunk with me tonight” song and Homer runs back to Marge.
2. Homer at Bat– Feb. 20, 1992
A spoof on “The Natural,” this was probably the first episode to include a plethora of guest stars as Mr. Burns hires a bunch of MLB stars as ringers for the company softball team to win a bet. Homer had carried the team after making his own bat. The many ways each ringer is knocked out of action is great (Ken Griffey’s gigantic head, Don Mattingly’s sideburns, etc.). It’s all great when you’re “Talking softball.”
1. Homer the Heretic – Oct. 8 1992
I guess 1992 was a really good season for me. Anyways here’s where Homer starts his own church because he doesn’t want to get up and go to his old one. I think every guy can relate to not wanting to get up early on a cold Sunday. Homer stays home, watches football in his robe and slippers while Marge and the kids brave a blizzard. He forms a new religion to stay out of church, but alas his home burns down and he is forced to return to the church.
I also noticed the synopsis the website gave for episodes changed over time. For most of the first seven or eight seasons, a show could be adequately described with a sentence or two. For shows after 2000, it takes six to eight sentences to describe the plot of the show. I thought that was kind of interesting. Anyways, here you go.
10. Brother’s Little Helper – Oct. 3 1999
I learned in college that when dealing with storylines, writers very rarely bring in random things for no reason. With that in mind, I think The Simpsons pulled a fast one on the viewers and Major League Baseball with this episode.
The plot involves Bart taking medication to IMPROVE his mental PERFORMANCE. Which brings about the great line from Bart, “Lisa did you know that the average human uses 10 percent of their brain. I am now one of them.” Anyways, the psychological drugs took in large doses by Bart create undesired SIDE EFFECTS of paranoia for Bart who develops a theory that MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL is spying on everyone in order to evaluate it’s fans. In the end he seems to be right after knocking a satellite out of the sky. That brings on MARK MCGWIRE (who actually does the voice), who hides the evidence and distracts the crowd by hitting HOME RUNS.
Remember this is before the steroid scandal really started to pick up steam, and while it’s easy to get caught up in Bart’s episode with psychological medications and his eventual switch to Ridilin, what is this show really saying with the inclusion of MLB.
9. Last Exit to Springfield – March 1993
This episode is fresh in my mind because I just saw it the other day. It’s he classic “Lisa needs braces” episode right when Mr. Burns takes away the dental plan at the Nuclear Plant. Homer becomes the union chief, the company goes on strike and hilarity ensues as Homer does the negotiations. A lot of good lines and a strong story line from beginning to end.
8. Two Bad Neighbors – Jan 11, 1996
Homer and Bart versus former President George Bush. It’s a funny sequence of events with allusions to Dennis the Menace. Bush moves in across the street from the Simpsons and from the start there is a rivalry between the two. Bush eventually leaves replaced by Gerald Ford, who Homer immediately hits it off with.
7. Dead Putting Society – Nov. 15, 1990
The Homer and Flanders rivalry takes off in this episode for the first time as Bart and Todd Flanders square off in a putt-putt golf tournament. This one has a great segment where Lisa teaches Bart inner peace and where Homer goes out of his way to make sure he has none. The play-by-play guy during the tournament is also a great spoof on Golf announcers. This was probably one of the early episodes that hooked everyone in.
6. Mr. Plow – Nov. 19 1992
“What’s that name, it’s Mr. Plow.” This has a lot of great spots from Barney chasing after the diaper he’s wearing, to the hilarious commercials Homer and Barney come up with for their snow plow busnesses to Marge getting turned on by Homer in his “Mr. Plow” jacket. I love it when this one comes on in syndication.
5. Homer the Great – Jan. 8, 1995
Who makes Steve Gutenberg a star? The Stone Cutters do and that’s the group Homer temporarily becomes the leader of after a birth mark is discovered. He eventually ruins the group and they kick him out forming the “No Homer’s Club.” The song for the Stone Cutters is funny along with the stone of shame they make Homer drag naked.
4. Homer’s Barbershop Quartet – Sept. 30 1992
I love this episode mainly because it’s a complete knock off on all the Beatles stuff that people talk about all the time. It even ends with them performing on the roof with George Harrison driving by saying “It’s been done.” It’s one of those episodes where you can catch something new everytime you watch it.
3. Colonel Homer – Mar. 26, 1992
This is the awesome show where Homer discovers country singing sensation Lurleen Lumpkin played by National Lampoon wife Beverly D’Angelo. Homer becomes Lurleen’s manager, Marge becomes jealous and hilarity ensues. Lurleen eventually puts the moves on with her “Won’t you bunk with me tonight” song and Homer runs back to Marge.
2. Homer at Bat– Feb. 20, 1992
A spoof on “The Natural,” this was probably the first episode to include a plethora of guest stars as Mr. Burns hires a bunch of MLB stars as ringers for the company softball team to win a bet. Homer had carried the team after making his own bat. The many ways each ringer is knocked out of action is great (Ken Griffey’s gigantic head, Don Mattingly’s sideburns, etc.). It’s all great when you’re “Talking softball.”
1. Homer the Heretic – Oct. 8 1992
I guess 1992 was a really good season for me. Anyways here’s where Homer starts his own church because he doesn’t want to get up and go to his old one. I think every guy can relate to not wanting to get up early on a cold Sunday. Homer stays home, watches football in his robe and slippers while Marge and the kids brave a blizzard. He forms a new religion to stay out of church, but alas his home burns down and he is forced to return to the church.
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