For the most part, I enjoyed this. Once I realized it was going to be a bit of a meta show (perhaps the intro should have been a bit of a giveaway), I was able to settle in with such expectations. Perhaps there's a bit of the writers' room to thank for this, but I'm glad that Ricky Gervais avoids putting all manner of catch phrases and predictable behavior in, like so many crappy fanscripts (not that I particularly feared it either). Both Homer's story and Marge's took a little awkward time to get going, and probably about the only unfortunate thing was that there wasn't enough time to explore the consequences a little more. I was surprised to note that the premise didn't feel overdone or easily dated - but as I said last week, only time will tell. I'll end by noting two minor things: I enjoyed the die/dye/Di run, and I am baffled at the way the awkward pause in the credits was resolved (yeesh). See ya next week!
DYN: ...Lenny's and Homer's HDTVs don't appear to be widescreen (Lenny's could be, in some shots)?
Previous episode references DABF13: Dan Castellaneta appears as himself, basically (excepting Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls in 8F21, are any other cast members willing to do that?) DABF21, DABF22 (among others): Simpsons appear on reality TV 1F20: Charles is an "elbow man," which is some foreshadowing for his attraction to Marge; also he knows that she dyes her hair DABF04: A few similar plot elements BABF10, CABF19, EABF12, FABF09: Guest star does self-aware credits business (also CABF12, DABF22 sort of)
Notes Meta-reference: In addition to the many obvious things (e.g. Castellaneta, Fox jabs, act break stuff), Homer's DVD features him in a pose similar to that on the "Simpsons Gone Wild" single-disc release, though he's wearing a bra on the real life version.
Live opening: Most Simpsons fans who use the Internet regularly have downloaded, seen, or at least heard about the recent live-action opening sequence. (I believe it was made to promote a season premiere in the UK.) Here are just a few differences I noticed between that version and the one aired tonight... this one: -is pan and scan, whereas the other is in widescreen (unless maybe it was broadcast in WS for those who can view it?) -uses slightly different sound editing (both are shortened, each taking out different small pieces) -has more prominent "d'oh!" and "waaagh!" in the driveway scene, but not Marge's car honking -flips the shot of Marge and Maggie driving to fit the US driving style (wide shot only) -of course puts the clouds at the start and credits at the end I also notice that the actors in it are not credited anywhere.