Al Jean Predictions

Watching "Mom And Pop Art" this morning got me wondering about what Al Jean will be like as executive producer. I actually think that we may be in for some really emotional episodes, for once. Most of his recent work has had some sort of emotion in them, but for the most part it has been drowned out by Mike Scully's wackiness trend. For example, "Mom And Pop Art" had it between Homer and Marge, "Guess Who's Coming To Criticize Dinner?" and "HOMR" had Homer and Lisa, "Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder" had Homer and Maggie, and finally "Children Of A Lesser Clod" had Homer and his kids. Of course, these episodes didn't really emphasize it, because the emotion was somewhat drowned out by the wackiness. But, with Scully gone, and Al Jean controlling the show, where do you think it'll go?

== Mike Reed

I've always felt that any problem with an episode is the fault of the writer, not the producer. That being said, I don't think Al Jean is going to put up with so much crap. But who knows what direction he'll want to go...

I predict we're in for some season 9 type episodes. And I do hope that Scully will continue to write for the show.

I actually am hesitant about Al Jean. Jean and Reiss's 4 productions were all poor-man's episodes of the Critic, with more references and jokes than an actual storyline. His writing style is also apparent in the recent episodes he's written, and though I can't really describe it, I hope his position of power doesn't magnify the quirks he's displayed in some of his episodes.

~Paul Melnyk, too Laozi to come up with a witty nickname. "An autocrat is a facist that's loved, a dictator is a fascist that's hated."

Well, of all the writers for the more recent seasons, I think Al's managed to keep it together the best. (With the possible exception of Matt Selman.) But who knows how things will turn out... I have chosen to be optimistic.

<Well, of all the writers for the more recent seasons, I think Al's managed to keep it together the best. (With the possible exception of Matt Selman.)>

I haven't seen 'Trilogy Of Error' yet, but I do think John Frink, (of 'Insane Clown Puppy' and 'Bye, Bye, Nerdie') is one of the best writers as of now. With Al Jean, it started off ok with "HOMR", but it was such a wasted oppurtunity. More effort was put in to the animation fair then the actual plot, filled with some annoying meta-humor. "Day Of The Jackanapes" was the worst Sideshow Bob Episode ever, and a complete disgrace to it's past episodes, and even on an S12 scale it was shaky. It was full of incredibly corny pop culture references (The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Parody) and the "Maggie Shot Mr. Burns again!" joke was the most tired, blatant, annoying, beat-into-the-ground meta joke ever. All throughout, many of the jokes were off, and many loose ends. "Children Of A Lesser Clod" was worst of all. Nearly every joke was awkward and off, it seemed like it was penned in true Scully fashion, jokes taken down from a laughter session and tied together with a plot. Some might point out the comittee, but both Selman and Frink have gone beyond that.

~Paul Melnyk, too Laozi to come up with a witty nickname. "An autocrat is a facist that's loved, a dictator is a fascist that's hated."

Philip Werner wrote in message news:...

TV shows are ENTIRELY... STAFF... WRITTEN. Copy this on the blackboard until you understand.

An episode with my writing credit on it might have NONE of my work in it, whereas I might have 50 jokes in a show credited to one of my colleagues.

Out of everything that gets "pitched" in the writers' room -- all the story ideas, dialogue, gags, twists and jokes -- what actually GOES in each script is decided by the executive producer.

I'm sure that's true to some extent. The Radio-active ape in 'worst episode ever' was probably added by commitee...

But do you really think if Mr. Swartzwelder had come in with the script for 'Itchy and Scratchy the Movie' in season 12, they would have screwed it up?

And beyond that, I've disliked every episode by Tim Long, and liked every episode by Matt Selman.

Philip Werner wrote in message news:...

Then that's the extent to which you're correct in your beliefs.

Swartzwelder did not "come in" with the script for "Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie." It was drafted AT TABLE by the writing staff.

That can be the result of three things: 1. Coincidence. 2. On staff, Matt Selman is favored politically over Tim Long and thus receives the screen credit for better scripts. Screen credit for the lesser efforts is parceled out to Long. 3. Matt Selman is your nephew.