(long) A late review of "The Girl Who Slept Too Little (GABF16)"

[I was on a business trip when this first aired, so I didn't get to see this show until just now. Here's my review; I haven't read anyone else's review yet, so some (if not most) of this may have been mentioned already -- BJR]

[The long of it]

It's fitting that one of Lisa's favorite books should play a pivotal role in "The Girl Who Slept Too Little." This episode has the feel of a children's tale, the kind where something that's frightening at the start turns out not to be so bad, after all. It's educational, it's touching, and there's enough of the usual "Simpsons" edginess to keep this story from straying too far into "Care Bears" territory.

The story gets underway when Homer protests the construction of a stamp museum on the vacant lot next door. Perhaps he should be careful what he wishes for -- the city moves the museum site to the city cemetery, and the cemetery is set up next door. That's especially bothersome for Lisa, who has a fine view of the graveyard. Her rational side tells her there's nothing to be afraid of but, as any child knows, rational thought isn't much comfort when the headlights of every passing car cast spooky shadows on your walls. The writers (led by John Frink) and Yeardley Smith combine to do an effective job of making Lisa's fright believable and familiar to anyone who was ever in her position.

The animation also played a big role in setting the atmosphere. The cemetery is an appropriately dreary place, all gray, black, and purple tones and shrouded in nightly fog. Lisa's dream (or maybe nightmare would be more appropriate) in the final act has a nice surreal touch. The animators even get to explore a different drawing style; two scenes borrow the style of Maurice Sednak (or Sendak; I don't feel like looking it up right now). And while it doesn't have anything to do with the episode proper, the Claymation couch gag was adorable.

"Girl" has enough humor to keep it from getting treacly (or too scary, for that matter). Shortly after the cemetery goes in, Bart and Lisa have a hilarious discussion about surviving a zombie attack. (Bart's comforted to know that when the zombies inevitably attack Lisa, her screams will give him plenty of warning.) Homer provides a big chunk of the humor, with his remote control toy helicopter, his "I Spy" game with Lisa, and the visit to the psychiatrist's office. I also liked Lisa's brief meeting with a security guard at the cemetery and her confrontation with her inner demons in the final act. Gravedigger Billy, Groundskeeper Willie's cousin, injects some macabre humor to the story.

Over the years, it's been repeatedly pointed out that "The Simpsons" isn't strictly a kiddie show. And indeed it isn't, but "The Girl Who Slept Too Little" has a lot to offer to both children and adults. It's both a nice bedtime story, and a funny take on childhood fears. That's a nice thing to curl up with before going to bed. Good-night, everyone.

[The short of it]

"The Simpsons" isn't a children's show, but this episode has the feel of a good bedtime story. It's touching, it has a lesson to offer, and it has just enough edge to make appealing for people old enough to have children of their own. The writing and acting combine to make Lisa's fright believable and familiar to anyone who was ever in her position. The animation helped, too, from the effectively spooky graveyard to the varying drawing styles. Lisa's third-act dream sequence has a surreal touch and provides a good ending. Most of the humor worked, too, with Bart and Lisa's zombie discussion being a highlight. Overall, this is a nice story to curl up with before going to bed. (A)

[DYNs]

... Alexander Bell's patent number is 174,465? ... the audience for "Cats" consists primarily of dogs? ... there is one "Life in Hell" style rabbit in the audience? (Perhaps it's Binky?) ... Scratchy didn't die as a result of something Itchy did? ... this episode was dedicated to the memory of James "Jamie" O'Brien?

[References]

"Gumby" (children's TV series) - Gumby joins the Simpsons on their couch

"make love, not war" (anti-war slogan) - one of the protest signs reads, "Make War, Not Stamps"

"Where the Wild Things Are" (children's book) - "The Land of the Wild Beasts" has similar artwork - this might be coincidence, but the book's author and artist (Maurice Sednak [sp?]) also animated a Jell-O commercial

the Hillside Strangler (serial killer) - Burkhart's art used in commercial for Hillside Wrangler restaurant

TV Land (cable channel) - Lisa watches "Bonanza" on Rerun Land channel

Jack in the Box (restaurant chain) - one of the offices psychiatrist's row is "Quack in the Box"

Spider-Man (comic-book superhero) - Dr. Nick pretends to be super-villain Dr. Octopus - he aims to get an "upside-down kiss with Mary Jane," like Spidey did in the first "Spider-Man" movie

"Scooby Doo" (TV series) - the owl and bats that spook Lisa in the cemetery are similar to the ones that scare Scooby in the series' opening credits

[Previous Episode References]

[7G04] Shot of Homer's face distorted through gelatin [FABF20] Homer asks, "What man would want you now?" [9F15] Lenny has a diamond in his tooth (cf. navel in this episode) [9F08] Homer's homemade bed for Bart doesn't work out as planned

[FFF]

Stamp museum construction site sign:

    future site of
    [mom, pop, and]
    [ baby stamp  ]
    [ walking to  ]
    [   museum    ]
     stamp museum

Museum protest signs:

    CANCEL       MAKE       SPRINGFIELD
     THE         WAR          DOCENT
    STAMP        NOT           LIKE
    MUSEUM      STAMPS        MUSEUMS

Homer's protest sign:

      DEATH TO
      -AMERICA-
    STAMP MUSEUMS

["America" is crossed out on the sign]

Homer's other protest sign:

    JIGGLIN'
      FOR
    JUSTICE

Oilcan label:

    CREAK
     OIL

Lenny's parking sign:

     STAMP MUSEUM
    <- PARKING $20

Lenny's hose sign:

       DRINK FROM
    LENNY'S SPIGOT -
       ONE DOLLAR

Banner in museum:

        and Mothers
           ^
    FATHERS OF INVENTION

First book Lisa read:

THE LAND OF THE WILD BEASTS

Lecture-hall title slide:

THE ART OF MILTON BURKHART

Restaurant blurb:

           HILLSIDE WRANGLER
    NOW IN ONE INCONVENIENT LOCATION

Signs on "Psychiatry Row":

        PSYCHIATRY           99�
           ROW              SHRINK
    [man on analyst's]
    [     couch      ]

QUACK IN THE BOX Sit 'n' Weep

Videotape label:

    Little Lisa -- Milwaukee Bucks
     Cleveland Cavaliers Pre-Game

Psychiatry book:

    OVERCOME
    CHILDHOOD
      FEARS

    A TEN-WEEK
     PROGRAM

Dr. Nick's bag:

    BODY
    PARTS

Headstone at the cemetery:

    [rose]
    LOVING
     AUNT
    SO-SO
    MOTHER

[Personal Comments & Observations]

This protest slogan has a double meaning. When you snail-mail a letter, the post office marks it (usually with a set of wavy lines) to prevent people from removing the stamps from the envelope and using them again. This mark is called a "cancellation." Get it?

For foreign viewers: The Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers are teams in the North American National Basketball Association.

Only one review of last Sunday's episode? What is happening to this board?

in case you didn't notice last sunday's episode was a rerun

Ahhhh... I knew that Milhouse of Sand and Fog was a rerun, but thought this latest was a new one. It was a new one to me, but then I was out of the country for a couple of weeks when the season started.

"tieus" wrote in message news:[email]...

Would anyone like to read a review of the episode that played in my head after I had my "special" mushrooms?

To Darren Hayes Cds

Why?

Cause he's JUST that good