From Newsgroup: alt.tv.simpsons
On Wednesday, December 24, 1997 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-5, Aaron Varhola wrote:
[5F07] Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
Review: This episode wasn't as bad on repeated viewings, but it shows
a major fault of recent Simpsons episodes; the gags and one-liners in
this episode were on target, but the story falls apart after Bart
confesses. Compare this to the successful "Bart vs. Thanksgiving" and cringe. The "Jeopardy" scene was wasted; it could easily have been a subplot. D+
-- This episode is the epitome of what has been frustrating serious
Simpsons fans; the show is still one of the funniest shows on
television (although a DISTANT second to "South Park"), but it's
obvious that the show is cruising on its reputation.
Viewers were attracted to OFF by its somewhat realistic, but
skewed take on American family life in the Nineties. Repeated
viewings rewarded attentive viewers, and sophisticated viewers would
pick up references to high and popular culture in every episode. Now
OFF is a very good sitcom. And that's a damn shame. We had something special, what Barry Diller called "lightning in a bottle". This show
had profound effects on my generation's maturing, and shaped our sensibilities and personalities. Now it has degenerated into a mere diversion.
A better ending to this episode might have been, instead of the
town pitching in to help the Simpsons, Marge would have gone on
"Jeopardy!", but would have been nervous. Bart would have gotten
guilty watching Marge suffer through the game, and confessed after the
game was over (with Homer getting worried, falsely, that they owed
Trebek & Co. the amount Marge was in the hole).
Homer would have been angry, but Lisa would have defended Bart,
saying that he destroyed the Christmas presents accidentally, and that
she forgave him for somewhat intentionally destroying her Thanksgiving centerpiece. Cooler heads prevail, and the ending scene is Bart and
Lisa playing their Christmas present.....the Jeopardy Home Game, with
Lisa winning decisively, and crowing about it to Bart.
DYN:
-- TV-G? "Craptacular" and the two drug references (the
"pharmaceutically enhanced" seniors and Krusty and Otto looking to get
the Simpsons' prescriptions) would point to a TV-PG rating, not to mention.....
-- ...what Lisa does to Bart after Homer takes over choking him. Look
where all four of Lisa's kicks land. OUCH!
Aaron
That would be his testicles.
SEEN-BY: 2320/105 154/30 2320/100 0 1 227/0