The Simpsons has been, and probably will always be, a cultural phenomenon. It's one of those shows that you can quote to anyone and guarantee that they'll get the reference. This was never more true than in its first ten years (read good ten years) during the 1990s. What then were the writing team thinking when they decided to do an episode set in the 1990s?!!!? Maybe someone suggested it as a joke and was shocked when this actually got written?
The problem lies in the fact that if you want to go back and reference a time period you'll have to fill it with cultural references but in the 90s that means The Simpsons. However that will always be off limits to this show. Instead we get Homer in a grunge band undergoing a not-especially-subtle parody of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. Also, Marge has her hair done to resemble Rachel from Friends for no apparent reason.
This pukes all over the established history of the show. What about the Be-Sharps? What about Homer and Marge at prom? What about how Homer married Marge because he'd got her pregnant? All classic episodes. This ignores them entirely and gives us a boring story where Marge considers leaving Homer for a university professor. I'm pretty sure there are rules against staff-student relationships like this one, aren't there?
Professor August turns out to be one of those left-wing "marriage is bad for women" sorts that everyone hates and Marge decides to get rid of him and go back to Homer, who turns out to be suffering and taking drugs. These drugs turn out to be insulin. Why has Homer suddenly got diabetes?! You'd think it would have come up at least once before at some point?!
There are a few passable jokes scattered throughout ('Margarine' is one of the best Simpsons parody songs out there) but the fact that this tarnishes so many fan-favourite episodes en route is inexcusable. Avoid this episode at all costs.
The problem lies in the fact that if you want to go back and reference a time period you'll have to fill it with cultural references but in the 90s that means The Simpsons. However that will always be off limits to this show. Instead we get Homer in a grunge band undergoing a not-especially-subtle parody of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. Also, Marge has her hair done to resemble Rachel from Friends for no apparent reason.
This pukes all over the established history of the show. What about the Be-Sharps? What about Homer and Marge at prom? What about how Homer married Marge because he'd got her pregnant? All classic episodes. This ignores them entirely and gives us a boring story where Marge considers leaving Homer for a university professor. I'm pretty sure there are rules against staff-student relationships like this one, aren't there?
Professor August turns out to be one of those left-wing "marriage is bad for women" sorts that everyone hates and Marge decides to get rid of him and go back to Homer, who turns out to be suffering and taking drugs. These drugs turn out to be insulin. Why has Homer suddenly got diabetes?! You'd think it would have come up at least once before at some point?!
There are a few passable jokes scattered throughout ('Margarine' is one of the best Simpsons parody songs out there) but the fact that this tarnishes so many fan-favourite episodes en route is inexcusable. Avoid this episode at all costs.