As there are always so many (justified) complaints about the weird and stupid endings of todays episodes: what would you say was the best ending an episode ever had?
There are a couple of really great endings especially in the first years but I�d say the best ending ever was the one from "Mother Simpson" when Homer sits on the car and looks sadly into the sky and the slow music plays. Second best ending is maybe the one from "Old Money" when Grampa says "Dignity is on me".
What is your favourite?
Chris
P.S. When would you say started the writers to lose the ability to bring episodes to a satisfying end? I�d say it was in season 8.
I totally agree. Another good one is when Maggie says "daddy" instead of "homer". I really hope they end the series with that kind of tone, not some sarcastic destructive way...
More in keeping with the genre of endings, I always had a soft spot for early episodes that ended with Marge and Homer in bed, kissing as they turned out the light. Precisely because it was so formulaic, it spoofed the classic sitcom motif of resolution.
Three that spring to mind (forgive me not giving episode names, but I'm not at home):
(1) the Mr. Bergstrom episode, when Homer wins Lisa back with the baboon impression, soothes Bart over the loss of the election, and returns Maggie's pacifier to ease her troubled sleep. "Talk about your parenting!"
(2) the 'Colonel Homer' episode, when Homer takes off his cowboy outfit while Lurleen sings of how he remained faithful despite her temptation.
(3) the 'Mr. Plow' episode, when Marge asks him to put the jacket back on.
There are more (practically all of the early ones), but considering that the genesis of the show came at the time of the Cosby show, there are nice paralleles.
Speaking of which, has anyone read the article in, (let's see now), I beleive the journal for the study of communications, which compared Cosby to the Simpsons? It's main conclusion was that the depiction of family, conflict resolution, interaction, parental involvement, etc., on the two shows were about evenly matched. I'll see if I can track down that reference. Damn, I hate not being at home.
Back on topic, I also like the ending to 'Mom and Pop Art' - there's something quite beautiful about the flooded streets. It's not great as a resolution to a piece of comedy, but if the episode is about notions of beauty and aesthetics, it serves its purpose.
"Ian Bernard Brodie" wrote in message news:[email]...
On 9 Aug 2001, Chris Pfeiler wrote:
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More in keeping with the genre of endings, I always had a soft spot for early episodes that ended with Marge and Homer in bed, kissing as they turned out the light. Precisely because it was so formulaic, it spoofed the classic sitcom motif of resolution.
WHAT? that is the most stupidest thing i have ever heard! those endings plain sucked!
okay, one or two is ok, but nearly every episode? aaaaaaaaaah!!!!
there's definitely a split between 'nice' endings and 'bad' endings...for example:
'nice' endings: Homer and Apu ('there's still a couple of seconds left, lets hug him again!') Homer Goes to college ('well i guess its back to college for me, and you know what that means guys?' 'party?' 'YES!' Marge needs a holiday: (they each fall asleep one by one in the same bed, Maggie last, so sweet) One fish two fish three fish blowfish!: 'from now on i vow to live life to the full!' (cut to Homer eating potato chips watching bowling)
'bad' endings: Homer's Enemy ('change the channel Marge!' horrible!) Bart and Ralph ('ya know what to do now? burn it down!') the one with the baby lizards the 200th episode (although the U2 bit at the end makes up for it)
Actually, I was thinking the other day, if they cut out the last minute of all the episodes from season 12, more of them would be pretty damn good. For example, the badger ending ("Tale of two Soringfields") the family moving back to the island ("The Computer Wore Menace Shoes"), Sideshow Bob being killed [wasn't he?] ("Day of the Jackanapes"), the 'merry christmas' message from lisa the camel ("Skinners' Sense of Snow"), the awful Nsync ending, talking to the audience ("New Kids on the Blecch") and there's the awful, awful surfung ending from "The Great Money Caper".
Virtually every season 12 episode was ruined by the last minute or two. I would have also said the radioactive monkey ending "Worst Episode Ever", but i thought that was quite funny.
Also, some episodes don't seem to end at all, such as "Faith Off" - Hibbert just says 'more money for me' and the episode ends.
However, there were some good endings in Seasons 11 and 12:
Beyond Blunderdome - the dog with the shifty eyes Pygmoelian - the end credits cutting into what moe says "It don't make no -" Homer Vs. Dignity - Homer gets his dignity back, and actually seems to learn something from this episode. Hungry Hungry Homer - Homer runs eating every thing the crowd throws at him.
My favourite ending would have to be either:
"Stark Raving Dad" -- the song with Michael Jackson, "Lisa, it's your birthday" or "Marge Be Not Proud" -- the golf game ("You have selected 3 wood, may i suggest putter... 3 wood")
It wasn't right for the episode, though. When Homer ran around the stadium, succesful, it was the finest moment in Scullydom. I felt moved for the first time in years by a Simpsons episode. Homer strove out to do something good, and through struggle, he achieved his goal. It was the finest moment, and the cheap joke killed it.
~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."