Stuck at Home(r): Season 7

7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns Part II The conclusion of the The Simpsons two-parter has some classic moments with a guilt stricken Smithers and an enraged Homer. Maggie as the villain feels like letdown, but I loved the Twin Peaks reference, Tito Puente, and Lisa’s detective work. 7.2 Radioactive Man Bart and Milhouse audition for… Continue reading Stuck at Home(r): Season 7

I was told there’d be flying cars: A look back at 2010

In 2010, Conan O’Brien was fired as host of The Tonight Show; The Burj Khalifa became the tallest man-made structure in the world; The XXI Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver; The eruption of Mount Eyjafjallajökull disrupted air traffic throughout Europe; The Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform exploded; The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis… Continue reading I was told there’d be flying cars: A look back at 2010

Stuck at Home(r): Season 6

6.1 Bart of Darkness As summer vacation begins, Bart breaks his leg and can’t enjoy the Simpsons’ new pool which becomes a neighborhood attraction causing Lisa’s popularity to swell to an all time high. Meanwhile, Bart thinks he sees Ned killing Maude (a la Rear Window). When Martin installs a bigger pool at his house,… Continue reading Stuck at Home(r): Season 6

Little Mac Richard in a pit of snakes

Nosferatu (1922) Max Schreck inhabited the role of vampire Count Orlock so completely in this beautiful nightmare, he inspired a cottage industry of conspiracy theories casting him as an actual vampire. These theories eventually inspired their own film. Director F.W. Murnau, whose other credits include The Last Laugh (1924) and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927), died tragically… Continue reading Little Mac Richard in a pit of snakes

Once upon a time, I wrestled while you slept

The Wrestler (2008) For those of us who remember wrestling in the Hulk Hogan heyday, this is a powerful counterpoint, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of being a wrestling performer. Constant touring, being away from your family, broken bones, and concussions are only a few of the features of the profession. And most wrestlers aren’t… Continue reading Once upon a time, I wrestled while you slept

Stuck at Home(r): Season 5

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 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