5.1 Homer’s Barbershop Quarter “Baby on Board” is a great song and I love the parody of the Beatles (including Barney’s Yoko lookalike and a rooftop concert). I love Wiggun’s attempt to finagle his way back into the band and their Grammy win. The throw away gags at the beginning at the swap meet are… Continue reading Stuck at Home(r): Season 5
Stuck at Home(r): Season 4
4.1 Kamp Krusty Bart pledged to get Cs on his report card if his parents would let him go to Kamp Krusty. Of course, he fails, but Homer agrees to let him go to get rid of him for the summer. There’s a lot early in this season about Homer’s inconsistency as a parent and… Continue reading Stuck at Home(r): Season 4
Stuck at Home(r): Season 3
3.1 Stark Raving Dad Michael Jackson’s cameo legitimized the show in a way ratings couldn’t. However, thirty years later, it’s now such an embarrassment to the show they’ve tried to ram it down the memory hole. It’s a solid episode and Michael does phenomenal work, especially for a non actor. The song he composed, “Lisa… Continue reading Stuck at Home(r): Season 3
The year before the world turned upside down: A look back at 2019
In 2019: Pope Francis became the first pontiff to visit the Arabian peninsula; The Republic of Macedonia renamed itself the Republic of Northern Macedonia; Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met for the second time in Hanoi, Vietnam; Disney bought 21st Century Fox; Robert Mueller concluded his report into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and… Continue reading The year before the world turned upside down: A look back at 2019
Stuck at Home(r): Season 2
2.1 Bart Gets an F I appreciate the focus on Edna, I like Martin’s role and Mayor Quimby’s debut, but stories which show Homer’s growth are much better than ones focusing on Bart. The snowstorm at the end is a little too cute. It’s one of the weaker episodes of the season. 2.2 Simpson and… Continue reading Stuck at Home(r): Season 2
Stuck at Home (r): Season 1
1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire So many things are jarring to now, especially Homer’s voice. The tone of the show is more like animated Roseanne or Married with Children. In these early episodes it’s more sitcom than animated. 1.2 Bart the Genius The structure is more straightforward and linear instead of the very… Continue reading Stuck at Home (r): Season 1
One small step: A look back at 1969
In 1969: Rupert Murdoch bought The News of the World; The New York Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, The Beatles performed for the last time together on the rooftop of Apple Studios; The Stonewall Riots took place in New York City; The United States withdrew the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills… Continue reading One small step: A look back at 1969
The wall came tumbling down: A look back at 1989
In 1989: The Nissan Infiniti and Toyota Lexus debuted; George H.W. Bush was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States; Ayotollah Khomeini issued a fatwah against author Salman Rushdie; The Exxon Valdez ran aground and spilled 240,000 barrels of oil; Chinese students began massive protests in Tiananmen Square; Nintendo released the Gameboy;… Continue reading The wall came tumbling down: A look back at 1989
The Quest – Episode 70
In this episode Ben and close out my quest and discuss my 10,000th movie: Avengers: Endgame. In two parts:
Everything that follows is older than Willow Smith: A look back at 1999
In 1999: The euro was established; US President Bill Clinton was acquitted in impeachment proceedings; Nunavut became Canada’s third territory; Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and one teacher at Columbine High School; Napster debuted; The US Women’s team defeated China to win the Women’s World Cup; Kiribati, Nauru, and Tonga joined the… Continue reading Everything that follows is older than Willow Smith: A look back at 1999