"The Simpsons", man do I love them. They're funny, memorable, clever, likable, and are still on to this very day. I can't say if that's good or bad because I stopped watching it for a while. Not because I heard it wasn't doing well, I just don't watch the channel Fox. However, after seeing a few episodes from "The Simpsons" marathon that was shown recently, I'm going to review the show. I don't know if I will cover all seasons, I mean there's a lot to cover, and god knows if I'll be still writing on this blog, or if "The Simpsons" will still be on by the time when I finish reviewing every Season. However, I'm going to give it a shot, starting with their debut on...
Before "The Simpsons" became a cartoon show, it started out as 30 Second bumpers on "The Tracey Ullman Show" that were shown before and after commercial breaks. These shorts are under 5 minutes, so expect most reviews on each short, to be very short and brief. To make this an even special treat, and to not waste time, I'll review all 3 Seasons. So lets get started!
GOOD NIGHT SIMPSONS
This is probably going to be the only longest review, compared to the other shorts, because I want to dive into a little history and trivia with the show. The short that started "The Simpsons" was a short about the kids having trouble sleeping because of the things that their parents say to them, while tucking them in. For example, when Marge says to Lisa "Don't let the bed bugs bite", she gets scared, fearing there might be bed bugs in her bed. The funniest moment for me, is when Marge sings "Rock-A-Bye-Baby" to Maggie, as Maggie pictures herself falling off a tree in a cradle. That literally had me laughing hard. It's just a shame that the first joke, which is told by Homer wasn't that funny, but at least the rest of the short makes up for it.
Now the animation in this short (As you may have noticed) are really crudely drawn, freaky, rubbery, and awkward looking, and in many respects (And without comparing them to the show we know and love) it is. In fact, even giving the characters yellow skin, looks creepy, than it is as plausible and iconic, as it is now. The reason for this mediocre animation is because creator Matt Groening drew them crudely hopping the animators would neaten them up. Instead, the animators just traced over them. For those of you who are wondering why "The Simpsons" were given Yellow Skin, was because it was to attract audiences and channel hoppers, which indeed surprisingly worked. The Simpsons are voiced by the actors who still voice them today, and for the most part sound accurate to the voices that we all know and love, except for Homer's voice, which was because voice actor Dan Castellaneta was trying to impersonate Walter Matthau, and while it's not bad, the voice that he went with later is funnier, and I'm not just saying that because of how familiar and iconic Homer's voice is today. By the way, this is the first time in "Simpsons" history when we hear Maggie talk, which I thought they would keep her silent until the sketch got popular.
While being creepy looking and starting out with a joke that wasn't that funny; It's still has a few good jokes, the voice acting is good, and it's not really that bad of a start to the franchise as I thought it would be. It's not like "The Simpsons" we all know and love, but remember this is just when it was first starting out, and on top of it, it was before it became a hit show, so I'm not going to hold how great and iconic the show is now against it, when it was just a short TV cartoon sketch.
RATING 4/5
WATCHING TV
This short is just about Bart and Lisa just randomly fighting; Maggie keeps changing the channel; Bart and Lisa are being lazy; to ending with the family sitting together watching TV, which would of course become an iconic image to the show. I praised the last short for its jokes and voice acting, but this short is awful compared to the previous one. The jokes aren't funny in the least; the voice acting isn't as good or funny as the previous one; and seeing The Simpsons looking angry, looks scarier, than they already are! It looks like something out of my nightmares. We started off with a good short, to a short that's scary and not funny in the slightest.
RATING 1/5
JUMPING BART
This short is about Homer trying to help Bart overcome his fear of falling on his head, by having him jump into his arms, however, Homer constantly gets distracted, which leads to Bart failing every single time. The concept does sound stupid (Even the character Bart knows how stupid it is), but the short has fun with it, and the slapstick and scenarios of Homer being distracted are funny. The voice actors even have fun with it! The only problem I have with this short is there is no resolution, but other than that, it's just as funny as the first one.
RATING 4/5
BABYSITTING MAGGIE
Bart and Lisa are left in charge to watch over Maggie, however, the kids are distracted by watching TV, and Maggie gets into one bad situation after another, but would be alright in the end. The premise is fun and traditional; the voice acting is good; the dangerous situations with Maggie are funny; and the final joke is great. The only criticism I have is Marge's design, because she looks freaky, compared to what she looked like in the first episode. Nether the less, it's still a good one, I just wish Marge didn't look so horrifying.
RATING 4/5
THE PACIFIER
Bart and Lisa take away Maggie's pacifier to help her grow up, but Maggie keeps finding ways of getting it back. I dare not give away anything in this short because it's really funny from beginning to end. Some fans might disapprove Lisa being mean as Bart, but remember, this was only when the show was first starting out. This is one I highly recommend you see!
RATING 5/5
BURPING CONTEST
Bart and Lisa have a burping contest, while Marge tells them to stop. This one is sadly just as unfunny as the "Watching TV" short. It's just them burping, which really isn't all that funny. The burp sounds aren't funny; the facial expressions aren't funny; it's just not that funny. However, the voice acting is decent, even though they're not funny, and at least Marge doesn't look as creepy as she did in her last appearance. Still, it's really not funny in the slightest.
RATING 1/5
DINNERTIME
This short is about our favorite family having dinner, and we go from one joke, after another. Not really much to say, because I don't want to spoil it for you, but this is another really funny short.
RATING 5/5
MAKING FACES
Much like the "Burping Contest" short, the kids are making faces, while Marge tells them to stop. In the last short, the animation looked better, but here it isn't. It's not as awkward or horrifying as some of the previous shorts were, in fact, I found the faces really funny, then scary as I was expecting it to be; it just seems that the creators are taking a step backwards instead of forward. Also, The joke at the end, wasn't that funny either. Not a bad short, but there are a few things that could have made it better.
RATING 3/5
THE FUNERAL
The family's Uncle Herbert has passed away, and they go to attend his funeral, as Bart misbehaves, but some how Lisa and Maggie get blamed for it as well. The animation got slightly better than the previous episode, but sadly the jokes are really poor, so poor that even the voice actors can't make them sound funny.
RATING 1/5
MAGGIE'S BRAIN
Bart and Lisa interact with Maggie in her crib, and wonder what she's thinking, and how she sees them. Aside from the animation looking awkward at times, I found myself laughing at every single joke. This is another short that I recommend you see.
RATING 5/5
FOOTBALL
Homer makes a deal with Bart, that if he catches the Football, he'll treat him and kids for chocolate Milk Shakes (Which, the Milk Shakes themselves look like Strawberry flavored Milk Shakes, than chocolate). This is another short that has one gag after another, and is so funny that I will not spoil it for you.
RATING 5/5
HOUSE OF CARDS
Bart tries to make a house of cards, but Lisa and Maggie keep ruining it. What could have been a funny short, it sadly isn't. It was entertaining, the voice actors try to make it funny, but the jokes that were set up to see Bart constantly fail at building a house of cards fail. Not bad, but it could have been funnier.
RATING 2/5
BART AND HOMER'S DINNER
(NO IMAGE AVAILABLE)
With Marge taking Lisa and Maggie to a ballet, Bart is stuck at home, as Homer gives him a disgusting dinner. This short, is pretty much like the previous short. Entertaining, but not funny, and very dull with its humor, that gets predictable at points. Only time I laughed is when Homer keeps yelling Bart's name, as if he were a dog. Again, not a bad short, but it could have been funnier.
RATING 2/5
SPACE PATROL
Lisa and Maggie torture Bart as they play pretend. The short series is back on track with being funny again. Just seeing Lisa and Maggie torture their annoying bratty brother as he has a jug stuck to his head is so funny, that I will not give the rest away. Another one I suggest you see.
RATING 5/5
BART'S HAIRCUT
Bart goes to get his haircut, but it's cut so short, that Bart tries to find ways to hide it, and by ways, I only mean 2 ways, which neither of them are funny, nor is the short funny either. The short is very dull, and doesn't really get creative with this concept that you could do so much with.
RATING 1/5
WORLD WAR 3
Homer keeps giving World War 3 drills in the middle of the night, that annoy the family. I was hoping that this short was going to build up to a clever joke, like World War 3 actually happening, but sadly its just the same joke over and over again, and the last joke sadly wasn't all that funny. The short has no pay off and the joke is so repetitive that you're just as annoyed as The Simpson's are instead of laughing at them.
RATING 1/5
THE PERFECT CRIME
Marge just foolishly keeps leaving fresh baked cookies for Bart to grab, even though she keeps telling him not too take them, and most of Bart's attempts fails. It started out funny, but sadly kept getting less and less funny, and more stupid as it went on. I mean seriously, Marge doesn't tell Bart to leave the kitchen, or go to his room, after his many attempts. It was entertaining and had its moments, but failed as it kept going.
RATING 2/5
SCARY STORIES
Bart tells Lisa and Maggie scary stories in the dark, but they keep getting scared silly, including Bart. This is another funny short full of gags, and my only criticism is why did Bart keep turning off the lights, if Lisa requested the lights to be on. Bart didn't seem to mind, but then when he does it again, after a fade away later, Lisa is suddenly cool with it. Aside from that, its a really funny episode with its writing, voice acting, and sound effects.
RATING 4/5
GRAMPA AND THE KIDS
This short is basically the kids listening to Grampa Simpson talk about the old days, and while it marks the first appearance of Grampa Simpson, the only good joke that this short has is when he tells a scary story, that's it. Nothing much to say, but see it for Grampa Simpson's first apperance, and its last joke.
RATING 2/5
GONE FISHIN'
Homer and Bart go fishin, and crazy things begin to happen. The concept is great, the relationship between Bart and Homer is fun, and the jokes themselves, especially the reactions on the characters faces are funny. It's not die hard funny, as some of the others, but it still funny.
RATING 4/5
SKATEBOARDING
Bart showoffs his Skateboarding moves to Lisa and Maggie, however, they seem to out do him every time Bart performs a trick. All I can say is, it's another funny short, that hits a bulls-eye with every joke.
RATING 5/5
THE PAGANS
On their way to Church, the kids start acting like Pagans, which pisses off Homer. Aside from the first time that Homer says "Why You Little", to really saying "Why Those Little" , its really not that funny. It's cute, the jokes are decent, but its really not the strongest of the shorts.
RATING 2/5
CLOSETED
Bart hides himself in the closet to avoid doing chores, and now he's stuck in there. While, the jokes are funny, it was the end that made it so great. Just see it, to know where I'm coming from.
RATING 5/5
THE AQUARIUM
Homer takes the kids to the Aquarium, but finds out that Bart is swimming in a tank with a shark. The situation and concept is already funny enough, and the jokes, and feud between Bart and Homer is what makes it so funny.
RATING 5/5
FAMILY PORTRAIT
The Simpsons try to pose for their family picture, but keep messing it up. Again, another concept that works really well with its humor, as well starting the trademark between Homer and Bart, when Homer strangles Bart shouting "Why You Little"! Definitely check this short out, especially for starting the classic joke between Homer and Bart.
RATING 5/5
BART'S HICCUPS
(GOD DOES LISA LOOK SCARY IN THIS PHOTO)
Bart has the hiccups, and Lisa and Maggie are trying to cure him. What should have been as funny as the previous shorts I just reviewed, with its concept, it fails miserably. The only funny joke is when Maggie makes her face look like Homer's, but sadly that's been done already, and looks boring here. If you think Bart gets cured in the end, he doesn't. This is probably the worst of the shorts I reviewed, and if I find one worse than this, it'll be a miracle.
RATING 0/5
THE MONEY JAR
Marge tells the kids not to steal from the Money Jar, and the kids have to fight temptation from stealing money. The humor and concept is really weak, and the only joke that works is when we see Bart comfort his temptation. Aside from that one funny joke, the short is weak, but is worth a look for that one joke.
RATING 2/5
THE ART MUSEUM
The Simpson's go to the Art Museum, but the kids mess it up. The short is pretty much like "The Funeral" short, it has a good set up, but it's weak with its jokes, and follows basically the same formula, However, the animation for the art is nice, and this is the first time when we hear Bart say "Don't Have A Cow". Not a good one, but it's still worth a look.
RATING 2/5
ZOO STORY
The Simpson's go to the Zoo, and see Monkeys that looks like them, which was funny at first, but then overstayed its welcome. It was entertaining, and I like that it's the monkeys causing trouble than the kids, but it was not one of the better shorts.
RATING 2/5
SHUT UP, SIMPSONS
There's really no plot in this one, its just them making noise, arguing, making peace, to strangling each other. The animation has really gotten better, and when Homer, Bart, and Grampa strangle each other is hilarious, but sadly there's not much going for it.
RATING 2/5
SHELL GAME
Bart nearly gets caught in the act with stealing the cookies, but manages to fool them by playing the Shell game. It's funny, but it's not laugh out loud funny, and is kind of weak. However, it was still fun and entertaining, of course Maggie at the end was great.
RATING 3/5
THE BART SIMPSON SHOW
Homer turns off the kids favorite show "Itchy And Scratchy" and Bart decides to entertain Lisa and Maggie himself. This short is not only funny, cute, and humorous with its slapstick, but it also marks the first apperance of the famous "Tom & Jerry" parody "Itchy And Scratchy", who are outrageously funny here, as they are in the show. Highly recommend this one!
RATING 5/5
PUNCHING BAG
Bart and Lisa take out their frustration with a punching bag, with Homer's face on it. The short really doesn't have much going for it, except that one joke with the punching bag. However, there are two things I did notice. With the acception of Homer's voice, these characters are really slowly developing into the characters we are all familar with. On top of it, this is the first time when Homer says his iconic classic TV catchphrase "D'oh"! Originally, his grunt was going to be longer by having him say "d'ooooooh", which was inspired by Jimmy Finlayson in "The Laurel And Hardy" films. However, since the cartoons were so short, he shortened it, by saing "D'oh", and history was made. The short had a lot of ups and downs, but it's still worth your time.
RATING 3/5
SIMPSON'S CHRISTMAS
This short, I'm going to skip, and save it for my 12 Days Of Christmas Reviews, I'm planing to tie it in with my review of The Simpson's pilot episode, which was a Christmas episode. So don't worry, that review is on the way.
THE KRUSTY THE CLOWN SHOW
The kids see a live showing of their favorite TV character Krusty The Clown, however, Bart thinks Krusty is an imposter. This short, marks the first apperance of Krusty The Clown, and while not being as developed as our main characters, he's still funny, especially when he loses his cool. I also love seeing our kids go through a disappointing yet humorous situation, which I did indeed found to be a really funny concept. What can I say, it's a great short with a funny concept, and a first apperance of a famous reccuring Simpson's character.
RATING 5/5
BART THE HERO
Bart goes for a run, but stops by at a candy store, only to find out that the place is being robbed. I'm not going to give anything away, just see it, because the situation alone is funny.
RATING 5/5
BART'S LITTLE FANTASY
The kids are forced to clean their room, but Bart decides to slack off, and tell Lisa a story. Much like the last short, I don't want to give anything else away, but trust me, it's a funny one.
RATING 5/5
SCARY MOVIE
(NO IMAGE AVAILABLE)
The kids go to see a cute kids movie, but Bart instead buys them tickets to see a scary movie instead. Not much to say, except the shorts payoff is great!
RATING 5/5
HOME HYPNOTISM
(NO IMAGE AVAILABLE)
Homer and Marge try to Hypnotize to kids to becoming good kids, but it backfires. Without giving anything away, the payoff is poor. Not for a second did I find it funny. "Bart's Hiccups" short, is still worse though.
RATING 0/5
SHOPLIFTING
Bart steals candy bars and gets caught for it. I find it weird, since he got dozens of candy bars a few shorts ago, but I guess countinty doesn't matter with these shorts. However, the short isn't funny, and the black store owner looks like an offensive racial stereotype. Close to being worse than "Bart's Hiccups" short, but at least this one had a bit of a resolution. However, it still bombs.
RATING 0/5
ECHO CANYON
The Simpsons stop by a tourist attraction called Echo Canyon, and what should bring plenty of comical opportunities, it sadly doesn't. Even the giant boulder joke, was a huge cheat. In the words of Lisa's echo "BBOOOORRRIIIINNNNGGGGGGG"!
RATING 1/5
BATHTIME
Homer forces Bart to take a Bath, however, Bart causes mischief while taking a bath. While not as creative as some of the shorts, its still funny, has nice animation for the underwater sequence, and Bart and Homer are really hilarious here.
RATING 5/5
BART'S NIGHTMARE
After getting a stomach ache from having too much Cookies, Bart gets a cookie nightmare. While funny, and having nice animation, it sadly doesn't go all out creative with its dream sequence, we're mostly in the vortex with Bart, that's it. Not bad, but could have been more creative.
RATING 4/5
BART OF THE JUNGLE
The kids go wild outside pretending to be a jungle tribe, which pisses Homer off. The short started out ok, but got funny once Homer started chasing them, however, I wish the creators did more with this concept of running away from Homer. Not bad, just wish the short did more.
RATING 4/5
FAMILY THERAPY
The Simpsons go to family therapy, and things don't go well. I won't give anything away, but I'll just say that I love the therapists reaction towards their behaviors.
RATING 5/5
MAGGIE IN PERIL
In this two part short, Bart and Lisa are left in charge to watch Maggie, but they get destracted, Maggie gets away by chasing after her ball with Bart's skateboard. Despite being a 2 parter, I'd rather not give anything away, since the concept is funny, and the misadventures that Maggie goes through are funny.
RATING 5/5
TV SIMPSONS
(NO IMAGE AVAILABLE)
In their final short, Homer turns off the kids favorite TV show "Itchy And Scratchy", so he can watch his show, and tells the kids to go fly a kite, which sadly backfires. The concept is funny, Itchy And Scratchy are funny, and its a great conclusion to this series of shorts.
RATING 5/5
OVERALL
While the shorts have plenty of hits and misses, the ones that are funny are really funny. The ones that are not funny, man are they not funny, however, at least they're mercifully short and do have an entertaining quality to them even if they do bomb. The animation as a whole is not that good, especially when comparing it to the actual TV Show. However, it still is really creative and funny when it wants to be, and going through all these shorts, the animation does progress and get better. What made these shorts work aside from the occasional good writing, and animation, are the Simpsons themselves. I really loved spending time with these characters in these shorts. They're funny, likable, memorable (Without comparing them to the show), and the voice acting is great! I mean, these characters are so fun and likable, that for the most part, you're willing to overlook the crappy animation (Not to say that its all bad). If I never watched the actual the show, or if a show never spun-off from these shorts, I would still love to see a full length animated TV show with these characters, so I can spend more time with them, see more humorous and creative gags, and see more of the world that they live in, and that's exactly what happened next. Not only was this the start for "The Simpsons" TV Show, but even if a show didn't hatch from these shorts, I still think they're funny. There are indeed plenty of hit and misses, so that's why I'm giving it a love or hate rating, however, if you are a Simpson fan, definitely check these shorts out, especially the ones that I highly recommend! Even if you're not a Simpsons fan, or that you barley watch the actual show, still check them out, because I'm sure you'll at least be entertained, if not laughing your ass off.
RATING 3/5
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