Notes for FABF21 (Fat Man and Little Boy)

"Fat Man and Little Boy" was quite a fun episode. At the moment, my estimation is quite high because of the fun of reading all those novelty shirts, but even when that wears off, I think we have a winner on our hands. Obviously, the episode was jam-packed with jokes of various kinds, and I'm happy that most of it wasn't the groaning kind of humor either. The actual plots seemed to take a backseat, which works well as Bart's crisis shouldn't carry much gravity anyway, and everything else stems from it; but they were well-constructed nonetheless. There were many funny moments, and certain parts were a nerd's dream. I also enjoyed the Homer and Lisa plot, even if the nuclear aspect was a tiny bit far-fetched (tiny because of the background of the show itself). I'm also enjoying this wave of non-split credits; as I've often thought, they are a good way to wrap up a show! So let's say an A...I'll probably think or be reminded of some particularly negative aspects, but nonetheless it strikes me as a strong showing.

DYN: ...the very premise of Bart's kid/adult dilemma being the solution to it, when it comes time to sell the t-shirt? (He's not a kid anymore, so he can sell them) ..."I broke some bathroom fixtures" seems to be shielded from Bart and not the waiter? ...Homer's stances on the couch mirror those of the alpha males? ...the "Are you a terrorist?" answer is done in a text field (instead of two buttons/links or radio buttons)?

Previous episode references 4F01: Chalmers has apparently ditched the Honda 1F22: Bart did write a play (and while in a different mental state, even) 3F10: Bart causes a stir with joke t-shirt(s) 4F24: Ned deals with a sloganed product in an odd way ("show me your tie") 4F12, AABF01, BABF22, CABF08, FABF21: Poochie lives! (I think Confederate Itchy should have teamed up with Ku Klux Klam, myself.) 5F17, 8F05: Novelty stores AABF21: Homer taking that ball thing from workplace 4F19: Reactor model made 1F17, CABF14, 9F14: Other diorama/science fairs entailing competition AABF19: Homer obtains plutonium from SNPP to make something work AABF18, CABF08: Other novelty shirts CBG wore (I imagine listing them _all_ would be quite a feat, as it's something of a Simpsons staple) 2F13: Pobody's [S]nerfect slogan seen (well, duh)

Meta-reference corner -Bart insists that "I'm not gonna grow up!" Well, he's been 10 years old since 1987; that seems like a good assertion. -"My attitude isn't for sale," the majority of his shirts being red (and some blue), and the idea of merchandising of Bart in general, while certainly not new in an episode, nonetheless resurfaces here, as a major plot point. -Homer's mouth jumping after his comment on the quality of Korean animation - well, that's self-explanatory, though there have certainly been a number of notable animation goofs from overseas. (This also recalls a scene in Family Guy's "Lethal Weapons (2ACX18)," where Peter's walking animation becomes exceptionally choppy after he makes a remark about the show's budget.) -Mr. Simpson will not say "Cowabunga" - also obvious... -The "Pobody's Snerfect, nethead" shirt seems to be a well-hidden dig at, well, us.

Other comments Most of us have seen those decals with Calvin (of "Calvin and Hobbes") peeing on various things (cf. the Chevy/Ford shirt in BABF10), and various other knockoff Calvin and Hobbes products. In case anyone was wondering about this, the only official Calvin and Hobbes products are the books; the creator, Bill Watterson, feels that licensing the characters for any other kind of merchandise (let alone something crude) cheapens the characters and the strip, and many other cartoonists seem to agree these days. In fact, a similar philosophy (though related to creative control, not necessarily oversaturation) is what led to OFF's creation - Matt Groening was contacted originally for The Tracey Ullman Show because of "Life in Hell," and drew up the Simpson family to protect his one-man operation. And that's the end of that chapter.

Out of 5 episodes so far this season, 4 have had full-screen credits for the entire duration - even when most of them would usually be met with a split screen + content area. (Also, 12/10's repeat of FABF23 didn't truncate or replace them for a promo.) It's very nice. I have to wonder, is there a new contract with Fox, stipulating that any extra content in the credits gets the full treatment?

Freeze frame fun (Or at least the various t-shirts, since I was in a typin' mood. Most of them are on red shirts, but some appear in different colors - just the wording is below. I know someone else is probably doing this, but just in case...)

ADULTS SUCK, THEN YOU ARE ONE

LIFE ENDS AT TEN

BORED IN THE USA

THIS SHIRT SUCKS

EVERYTHING SUCKS

SUCKING SUCKS

WAKE ME WHEN IT'S RECESS

I'VE PUKED MORE BEER THAN YOU'VE DRUNK

IMPEACH EVERYBODY

THINK GLOBALLY FART LOCALLY

WEAPON OF ASS DESTRUCTION

I [heart] [heart] ATTACKS

MY OTHER T-SHIRT IS ALSO A JOKE T-SHIRT

POBODY'S SNERFECT, NETHEAD

GET BENT

DO NOT RESUSCITATE

PROUD NUBIAN PRINCESS

JEWS FOR JEBUS

BODY BY OREO

DON'T BLAME ME I VOTED F[OR] SCOOBY [DOO]

IF YOU CAN READ THIS THE BACKPACK FELL OFF (apparently designed to be on the back)

STOP STARING AT MY MAN BOOBS

I'M NOT GETTING OLDER, I'M GETTING BITTER

WISH YOU WERE BEER

AMERICA'S LEAST WANTED

TOP OF THE DUDE CHAIN

STOP WORLD HUNGER, EAT MY SHORTS!

DON'T WAKE ME I'M WORKING

RICH BITCH

I'M NOT FAT, I'M ENORMOUS

ah mad magazine we met again

I thought Barts one tshirt reads Pobodys Sherfect Nithead? Im pretty sure it was an H not an N?? I checked the 2nd viewing at 8pm

yes, it was slightly better than others, but still is obviously an attempt by the writers or somebody to ruin the show. There is no reason, given the $ they have that the show should be so poorly made

They sure seemed to infringe hard on SpongeBob, wonder if they had agreed/permission from Viacom?

If I could be in charge, Id make the writers watch the 1st thru 3rd seasons and build in something that fit in.

And stop bashing Christianity, they used to make fun of religion, now only one. The Flanders character? killing off of his wife years ago? It goes deeper than somebody resigning.

I like the episodes where Homer tries to be normal, not just making him be the total clown 24/7

Some episode months? back had Homer and Marge taking an airline to escape, Bart and Lisa chase them? The artistic scenes and music? A line became stairs, they went up, etc? That was really good. There I said something good.

"Matt Garvey" wrote in message news:[email]...

Bradley1234 wrote:

HUH? You must be watching OFF in a parallel universe.

escape,

became

something

Oh, you mean the parody of the credits to "Catch Me If You Can?" - now don't you realize how much the writers ARE trying to ruin the show?!

So that was a parody, thanks I didnt know that. When they parody something its usually good. Its funny when Homer is Dr. Smith from Lost in Space, they could do more with that.

And really, they found something to talk about on Meet the Press since 1947 even running in 2004? Thats a lot of years, fifty something. The Simpsons writers are one of two possible things, either they are trying to ruin the show to get it cancelled by some calls for help, deviating 180* from norm and melting characters into garbage? Or the other possibility which is far less likely, they are deluded to near insanity, nobody gives them any feedback from reality, they are tapped out of ideas and put junk onto one of the best shows ever made; Nobody tells them how bad the ideas are, and they just sink; Unlike the pressure from the first season? no pressure, nobody double checks the work, nobody dares challenge them? and the show sucks more and more, they cant even make good Halloween episodes. Then they are rich, spoiled and dont care anymore, drunk/hungover they push the story line into the gutter, daring anyone to say anything, not caring if they are fired, since they have money.

I could make the show better and funnier

wrote in message news:[email]...

The title is the most grim reference yet for the Simpsons - to the code names of the two nuclear bombs dropped on Japan, ending World War II.

Which, if I'd gotten my reading caught up first, I would have seen has been pointed out a couple of other times already.

Herb Kauhry wrote:

Oh please, let's not get melodramatic. I didn't see anything that referenced Japan or World War II. Even Cookie Kwan was missing.

"Fat Man" is supposed to be Homer (or perhaps Chief Wiggum or Comic Book Guy--both had references to their weight in this episode) and "Little Boy" refers to Bart, who is going through a "change of life" in this episode.

** Captain Infinity

Somebody claiming to be Captain Infinity wrote in news:[email]:

Cookie Kwan is Korean.

In message "Ted S." wrote:

Lets not let facts about other cultures get in the wait of prejudice, k?

The Time Has Come, Ted S. said To Talk Of Many Things...

Now you're saying that the U.S. bombed Korea in World War II? That's crazy talk! We fought Korea during the Vietnam War. I remember because I saw it on M*A*S*H.

** Captain Infinity ...or was that Merlin we fought then?

I'd love to, but first I have to perform surgery.

When will the killing stop?

STAY AWAY FROM THE WEST SIDE!

Or, I guess, the South Side.

"Captain Infinity" wrote in message news:[email]...

No, while the show itself has nothing to do with World War 2, the title is still a pretty direct reference... those were the code names for the first two atomic bombs, Little Boy being dropped on Hiroshima, and Fat Man being dropped on Nagasaki. http://www.atomicmuseum.com/tour/dd2.cfm

The Time Has Come, Chris F said To Talk Of Many Things...

I've watched this episode three times. There's *nothing* in it about Hiroshima or Nagasaki or any other town in Korea. This is The Simpsons, man...it's a cartoon, not a travelogue! The fat man is Homer and the little boy is Bart. How plain can that be?

<Snort> Again, that movie has *nothing* to do with The Simpsons. It's about some housing projects in Manhattan. Who would want to watch a movie about housing projects?

Seriously, I don't think you know what you're talking about. IT'S A CARTOON!! RELAX!

** Captain Infinity

code

II.

title is

first

being

Simpsons,

movie.

It's

Are you disputing the fact that the bombs are what the show's title referenced? That's ridiculous, the bombs are well known parts of history. They just happen to correspond to the plot, like "She Used to Be My Girl" or any other straight, pun-less title reference in the show's history. That's definitely the reference.

Having seen a number of other posts, checking the episode, and kicking myself, I offer some amendments...

Matt Garvey wrote:

So it's "Pobody's Sherfect, Nithead" - makes more sense (for that initial S was confusing me), though definitely edgier.

Cancel that meta-reference. It does look like that, though, since it's always shown in tiny letters.

If anyone's using _my_ list...you know what to do.

Hey Matt, thats awesome that you keep such excellent reviews, impressive.

I remembered this morning when I woke up to be sure and complain about something Marge said about 10 min? into the show;