[The long of it]
Since the mid-1950s, it's been an article of faith among moviemakers that every suburb is a secret cauldron of marital infidelity. No marriage, no matter how seemingly happy or long-lasting, was immune. "The Simpsons" has adhered to this unwritten rule. Even as far back as the first season, Homer and Marge have been sorely tempted to cheat on their vows, and each other. Each time, thankfully, they have passed the test.
Now it's Apu Nahasapeemapetilon's turn, and he doesn't do as well. In "The Sweetest Apu," he crosses the line that Homer and Marge approach (in "The Last Temptation of Homer (1F07)" and "Life on the Fast Lane (7G11), respectively). Yes, Apu has succumbed to the feminine wiles of Annette, the attractive lady who replenishes the syrup in Apu's Squishee machine.
An episode about such serious subject matter ought to have a strong impact. After all, people still occasionally mention Homer's flirtation with Mindy, and that was a story about *resisting* an affair. Yet, "The Sweetest Apu" didn't connect with me on that level. Earlier "affair"-type stories built tension with the will-he-or-won't- he factor. Consider "The Last Temptation of Homer." We know, for the sake of the series, that Homer will not dump Marge and run away with Mindy to some tropical island. What we don't know is how far he'll go. Will he flirt with Mindy for a while before coming to his senses? Or will it go further before he decides to break up? Or will he not break up at all until Marge catches him? The show was funny, but this serious undertone gave it extra importance, and made it riveting watching.
"The Sweetest Apu" could have had this same factor, except that Homer catches Apu and Annette in the act. Okay, so we know Apu will go through with the affair, but now the show can be about whether Homer will tell anyone. Except that Marge quickly pries the secret out of him. Okay, so now the show will be about whether or not Manjula discovers the truth. Except that she finds out in the first half of the show. So now the show will be about whether or not she'll leave Apu. Except she decides a minute or two later that she'll stay. What we're left with is the question of how Apu and Manjula will reconcile, which lacks the tension of "Last Temptation," and isn't as humorous, either. I'm not saying his part is unfunny, but somehow getting back in someone's good graces isn't as inherently funny as being tempted in the first place.
There are some good moments in tonight's show nonetheless. I liked the drawn-out reaction Homer has when he sees Apu and Annette. Apu and Kirk have a brief but funny scene together. Homer has a terrific "mmmm" line. In the first act, he finally gets his chance to take part in a Civil War re-enactment. This one rewrites history a little, though, showcasing a battle between North, South ... and East.
On the other hand, in the time it took me to watch "Malcolm in the Middle," rewind my "Simpsons" tape, and get ready for my second pass at the show, I had forgotten about the Civil War subplot. To me, this can't be a good sign. I can remember "Life on the Fast Lane" vividly twelve years after it aired. "The Sweetest Apu," perhaps because it lacks that dramatic tension I mentioned, isn't as memorable.
It's an amusing show, but I guess it wasn't an affair to remember.
[The short of it]
A Springfield marriage is tested, but this time it's Apu and Manjula who must deal with the aftermath of an affair. An episode about such serious subject matter ought to have a strong impact, but this show doesn't have the dramatic tension to make that happen. "The Sweetest Apu" does have some good if not blockbuster jokes, like Homer's reaction shot and the Civil War re-enactment that opens the show. That's enough to keep this from being a lackluster episode, but not enough to make it truly memorable. (B-)
[DYNs]
... the octuplets appear to be getting older? They were newborns when we first saw them, and now they appear to be toddlers. ... when Apu babbles, he says "mahatma" repeatedly? ... the bachelor apartments have street number 3557? ... Manjula goes through the trouble of neatly typing her list, and printing it on a laser printer? ... Jan Hooks did not reprise her role as Manjula?
[References]
"cancellation" rumors - Bart's blackboard punishment alludes to recent rumors that the show will end soon [See "Personal Comments & Observations" section for more -- Ed.]
"The Sweetest Taboo" (song) - title spoofs this Sad� song
"The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" (TV series) - after Apu complains about his lack of lovin', Homer says "Hi- yo!" like "Tonight" sidekick Ed McMahon
Mary Todd Lincoln - former first lady was mentally unstable, hence the "go Mary Todd" remark
"Wild Wild West" (movie) - Frink's mechanical spider appears to have been inspired by this movie
"Inside the Actor's Studio" (TV series) - this is the show Ranier Wolfcastle appears on, with deadly results
"Mad" Magazine - the clod from Apu's reincarnation chart is Mad mascot Alfred E. Neumann
drama queen (figure of speech) Brahma (upper caste of Indian society) - Manjula calls Apu a "Brahma queen" when she catches him with the noose
[Previous Episode References]
[2F09], [3G03] Homer finally gets to do his Civil War re-enactment [AABF11] Badminton played at the Simpson place [5F04] Marge reviews tapes of Apu and Manjula's wedding [CABF21] Someone says "Mmmm, that's good ____" in a goofy voice [5F04] Someone crudely imitates Ganesha [BABF03] Homer's penchant for peeking on the Nahasapeemapetilons' lovemaking
[FFF]
Banner at park:
REMEMBERING WWII
Keg:
THIS
Keg
HAD DENTS
APOOSign at apartment building:
+-------+
|VACANCY|
+--------------+
\ SPRINGFIELD |
\BACHELOR APTS.|
+--------------+
+---------+
|OUR BEDS |
| ARE THE |
|MURPHIEST|
+---------+Apu's penitence list:
Break up with squishee girl.
Lose weight.
Get cartoon published in The
New Yorker. Legally change name to 'Slime Q.
Slimebag.'Wear nametag that says same.
Fix carburetor.
Eat light bulb.
"My Fair Lady" pe-----ed with
all-octuplet cast. [We never see all eight items at once. One shot shows the
first five, while a later shot reveals the last three. Dashes
indicate part obscured by Manjula's hand.]Caption for Apu's cartoon:
"It's been on my list for a long time."
[Oops!]
Even using blanks, shooting yourself the way the Lincoln impersonator did can be very harmful. Remember Jon-Erik Hexum?
[Personal Comments & Observations]
Earlier this week, "The Financial Times" (I think) published an interview with "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening. Commenting on the longevity of the show, Groening mentioned that it was getting harder to find new ideas, and that the show would probably end sooner rather than later. If you've been paying attention, you'll notice that he (and other producers) has been saying this same thing for the past five years. This time was different. Somehow, someone interpreted Groening's words to mean, "'The Simpsons' will be cancelled soon." This version was picked up by other news outlets, such as CNN, causing a stir in the television industry and among "The Simpsons'" many fans. Groening eventually had to do *another* interview affirming that the show wasn't going away, that it will probably outlive us all, etc. The writers quickly decided to use potentially wearisome situation as material for this week's blackboard gag. Nice to see they're on their toes.
For years, the generation of people that endured the Great Depression, fought World War II, and raised the baby boomers lived in relative obscurity. Disinclined to seek out the spotlight or take credit for their accomplishments, they were sometimes called, "The Silent Generation." That changed when NBC news anchorman Tom Brokaw wrote a book called, "The Greatest Generation," which gave these men and women their due. It was a huge best-seller, and was credited with prodding the younger generations into paying their respects. Since then, Brokaw's been popular on the lecture circuit, and in places like Springfield's picnic where veterans congregate. Ironically, the extra attention may have stripped the Greatest Generation of the very modesty that in part made them so appealing. They haven't gone around demanding foot rubs and news anchor worship. At least, not yet.
* Mrs. Dash is a salt substitute, sort of. It's a collection of herbs and spices that's supposed to perk up the taste of your food.
* Speaking of household products, Windex is a brand of window cleaner sold in the United States. (And probably Canada, but I don't know about other countries.)
* Lorne Michaels is the executive producer of NBC's "Saturday Night Live." He gets zinged even more viscously on his own show than he does in tonight's episode.