Bonfire of the Manatees (GABF18)
... the family photos are clearly visible in some shots of the adult film? ... judging by her reaction, Marge knew what "Gentleman's Relief Productions" was and what they were doing at her house just by looking at the truck? ... Carl wears Marge's robe? ... Marge refers to the kitchen as "the room where we do puzzles"? ... Bart, instead of Lisa, notices the jet skiers headed towards the manatees? ... other than Moe, Fat Tony and his gang, Lenny and Carl, no recurring characters outside OFF are seen in this episode?
Bonfire of the Vanities (book) - title
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Lick-It: "A Series of Horny Events" spoofs the title of this Jim Carrey film/book
Farenheit 9/11 (Michael Moore documentary) - "Farenheit 9 on 1" spoofs the title
Looney Toons - Carl sports a tattoo of Foghorn Leghorn
How Stella Got Her Groove Back - Marge exclaims that she's gotten her groove back
Homer is left to do the parenting while Marge ... [7G11] ...takes bowling lessons [8F14] ...takes a stress break at Rancho Relaxo [9F20] ...goes to jail [1F08] ...gambles [GABF01] ...works at Moe's [FABF18] ...works with manatees
[7G11] Marge considers leaving Homer for another man [8F12] football betting gets Homer in hot water with a Simpson woman [1F15], [EABF19] a Simpson aids a large mammal in survival [4F06] Marge Simpson aids the cause of environmentalism [4F13] a Simpson child is placed in a pet carrier [5F03] Bart says "rubes" [5F19] Alec Baldwin guest stars [AABF18], [GABF15] Evergreen Terrace becomes the setting for adult entertainment [BABF06] betting on football leads Homer to trouble with Fat Tony
Manatees cannot move on dry land, like the ones in this episode did.
Tonight's outing was a disappointing start to what will hopefully be a much better season. The main problem was just that it did very little to differentiate itself from the standard Homer/Marge conflict, other than spout a few meta-references that acknowledged this fact. There were points where they were coming close to actually taking it in an interesting direction, introducing elements that, had they been explored more, could have added an interesting or original light to this episode, like Marge trying to find herself, or the fact that Marge keeps expecting Homer to change, but then abruptly dropped in favor of strict adherence to the formulaic Homer/Marge fight story we've become all too accustomed to. That said, the episode was fairly funny, and I enjoyed most of the stuff with Homer's cousins, at Santa's Village, and various other assorted moments ("If anything, I'd be the guy who took it too far", Fat Tony getting mad at Homer for mentioning Professor Pigskin repeatedly, Lisa's comments about eating at restaurant chains she's never heard of) made me laugh as well. All-in-all, it was okay, but I think this premise definitely deserves a rest for a while if they're not going to do anything worth watching with it. (C/C+)
Alec Baldwin's performance as marine biologist Caleb Thorn marks his second guest spot on the show, and the first time he has played a character other than himself. In doing this, he joins the ranks of other such two-time guest stars as Larry King, Ron Taylor, Danny DeVito, Jackie Mason, Glenn Close and Steve Allen, though he is the first to have played himself and another character, if I'm not mistaken. Since his last appearance, he has split with former wife Kim Basinger, who co-starred with him in his last appearance on the show.
The scene in the episode where Marge leaves Homer with the kids had a slightly altered bit of dialogue from the promo. In the promo, Homer and Bart's exchange goes like this:
Bart: I've never seen mom _this_ mad. Homer: She's not that mad. Look, she's coming back already!
Promo 1:
[NOTE: I cut out the part of the promo that was irrelevant to OFF.]
Announcer: The new FOX Sunday is coming, and our husbands are much more desperate. (Homer is shown standing in front of OFF's house with the kids, arguing with Marge who is sitting in the driver's seat of her car.) Homer: Who's gonna watch the kids? Marge: You are! Homer: But I'm the _father_! (Cut to Homer in a backroom having his knuckles hammered by Louie as Fat Tony looks on.) Announcer: First, Homer is forced into snuggle films, on The Simpsons Season Premiere, too hot for TV. (Scenes are shown of Homer, Fat Tony and the film crew in the kitchen and in the living room, setting up a shot with two female actresses dressed in astronaut's outfits. Cut to Homer in bed where he is seen tugging at his collar and making the accompanying noise, twice.) Announcer: [...] The new FOX Sunday premieres September 11th.
Promo 2 [more of a general S17 promo than GABF18, but still]:
(Kent Brockman is seen at his desk delivering the news.) Kent: Kent Brockman, here with "The Simpsons" new season update. Homer is caught making adult snuggle films... (Scenes are shown of Homer, Fat Tony and the film crew in the kitchen and in the living room, setting up a shot with two female actresses dressed in astronaut's outfits. Cut to Lenny and Carl walking in on this.) Carl: What is this, a reunion of "Fahrenheit: 9 on 1"? (Cut back to Brockman in the studio, where a clip of Homer in a lizard costume at a podium can be seen.) Kent: ... town idiot runs for mayor... (Cut to OFF's family room where Homer and Lisa sit watching TV.) Lisa: I will be your campaign manager! Homer: And I'll find out what a mayor does! (Cut back to Kent in the newsroom, where a clip of a large church service can be seen.) Kent: And a religious revival sweeps Springfield. (Cut to Homer in a lively church, grasping at his leg as he walks down the aisle to Marge and a sickly Maggie.) Homer: Praise the Lord, I can walk again! (Cut to Marge giving him an angry look and murmur.) Homer: What? My foot fell asleep. (Cut back to Kent.) Kent: If we don't hear it first, it's news to us! The Simpsons new season begins Sunday, September 11th, on the only place for all-new episodes: FOX!
Promo Three:
(Kent Brockman is seen at his desk delivering the news.) Kent: The Simpsons Season Premiere has lights, camera, and plenty of action... (Caleb is shown removing his shirt as Marge looks on. Cut to Fat Tony talking to a scared Homer in a dark back room.) Fat Tony: We would like to use your home to shoot an adult film. (A scene of Fat Tony and his film crew shooting a scene in OFF's living room as Homer looks on worriedly is shown. Cut back to Kent.) Kent: ... And there's only one person who won't be watching. (Cut to the outside of OFF's house, as Marge drives away furiously, with the rest of the family looking on.) Bart: I've never seen mom _this_ mad. Homer: She's not that mad. Look, she's coming back already! (Marge's is seen coming back down the street and pulling into OFF's driveway, ramming Homer's car repeatedly in the process. Cut to a scene of Caleb and Marge on the beach as Kent does the voice-over.) Kent: Alec Baldwin guest-stars! Announcer: The Simpsons Season Premiere at 8/7c, followed by the premiere of "The War at Home", FOX Sunday.
Promo Four (virtually the same as 3):
Announcer: FOX Sunday, The Simpsons premiere is too hot for TV, when Homer is caught making adult snuggle films. (Scenes of Marge and Caleb on the beach, Homer crying in a diner as a waitress serves him, Homer, Fat Tony and the film crew in the kitchen, Caleb removing his shirt as Marge looks on, filming in the living room and Homer in bed where he is seen tugging at his collar and making the accompanying noise, twice, are shown. Cut to the outside of OFF's house, as Marge drives away furiously, with the rest of the family looking on.) Bart: I've never seen mom _this_ mad. Homer: She's not that mad. Look, she's coming back already! (Marge's is seen coming back down the street and pulling into OFF's driveway, ramming Homer's car repeatedly in the process.) [...] Announcer: The new FOX Sunday Premieres at 8/7c.