Really nicely done. I laughed pretty consistently throughout this episode (Marge's fetish comment, changing from Christian rock to pop music, cutting Rachel's hair, the orphan's cough). The visions of Heaven were just right, I only wish we had a chance to see Mrs. Krabapple's. It was great to see such an unusually Helpful Homer. I kept waiting for him to screw everything up, but instead he was the good-intentioned if occasionally clumsy neighbor, although I got a huge laugh from him looking at his watch and his alteration of Ned's wedding portrait. Great work from Shawn Colvin ("It's a wig. Now let's never speak of it again!") and a really sweet ending help give this episode a B+.
Supernintendo Chalmers was also eating ice cream in the background. My question is, who's the kid dressed just like bart but taller and fatter and with a more realistic face? He was in a few scenes in the background, I've never seen him before. Sincerely, Little Girl
He also rubbed his eyes in amazement. There were an awful lot of supporting characters who made an appearance today, either in the background or criticizing the park, or what have you. This was the list that I submitted to [email] yesterday:
1) Professor Frink (with an instant ice-cream making cow) 2) Tex (sells Ned Storytime Village) 3) Dr. Nick (says "Bye-bye everybody" as he leaves the park) 4) Mr. Largo (leaving the park) 5) Legs (leaving the park and criticizing it) 6) Manjula (with Apu as they leave the park) 7) Captain McCallister (comments, as he leaves the park, "Yar, she blows!") 8) Luanne Van Houten (leaves the park behind Dr. Hibbert-- hmm, no Gyro! perhaps there's something afoot)
In the crowd, and amazed at the floating mask:
9) Raphael 10) Jasper 11) Sideshow Mel (criticized the park, and in the crowd, amazed at the floating mask) 12) Squeaky-voiced Teen 13) Bumblebee Man 14) Ruth Powers 15) Homer's bespectacled co-worker from SNPP 15) Homer's gray-haired, mustached co-worker from SNPP- the one who goes, "He said it. Let's get him, boys!" during the union episode.
More people who just show up:
16) Superintendent Chalmers (comments and rubs his eyes in amazement) 17) Kirk Van Houten (in the crowd, amazed at the floating mask, and upset at the end) 18) Mrs. Glick (in the next shot of the crowd, amazed at the floating mask) 19) Mrs. Hibbert (crowd shot)
Disco Stu (has a vision of Heaven)
Comic Book Guy (getting more important with every episode)
Patches (collecting funds for the orphanage)
Poor Violet (collecting funds for the orphanage)
Gavin's mother (without Gavin OR Caitlin in tow, as far as can be seen)
Cletus (sharing wine with Mr. Burns and Smithers)
Brandine (sharing wine with Mr. Burns and Smithers)
Dolph (breaking bread with nerds)
Jimbo (breaking bread with nerds)
Kearney (breaking bread with nerds)
Data (breaking bread with bullies)
There's also a quick goof when the second time we see Luanne Van Houten, she's wearing a different outfit than the first time we saw her leave (behind Dr. Hibbert).
After seeing the union episode, I know I'm wrong about this guy having said the "Let's get him, boys!" line. Can you come up with a better reference for him? He's this stoop-shouldered gray haired man with a mustache and glasses, and he wears a suit jacket. He looks like Hollis Hurlbut would if he was much older.