Tag Archives: Treehouse Of Horror

by Ben Trube | October 22, 2015 · 12:15 PM

The Simpsons – Best Episodes for Writers

People who know me well, know that I try to keep up an encyclopedic knowledge of The Simpsons, and have a belief that a list of episodes can be created for just about any topic imaginable (something I often do at holidays or whenever some topic comes up in conversation, most often with my wife *sorry*).

Writing isn’t a topic you’d think would be well covered on The Simpsons, but actually there are a number of references to almost every member of The Simpson family putting out a book or two.

Bart Gets Famous – Season 5 Episode 12

A future jump ahead finds Lisa at the typewriter as a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist with Bart polishing all her awards. Best quote “Impaled on my Nobel peace prize. How ironic” after Lisa gives Bart a swift kick.

They Saved Lisa’s Brain – Season 10 Episode 22

Several episodes involve impassioned letters by Lisa to the populace of Springfield, this one inspired by the riotous behavior at a low-fat pudding gross out contest. Her plea for more dignified discourse earns her a place in the local chapter of mensa.

Treehouse Of Horror VII (The Thing and I) – Season 8 Episode 1

Though not officially canon, unsold copies of Homer’s autobiography are seen in the attic. Apparently the book wasn’t very popular.

Bart of Darkness – Season 6 Episode 1

Bart is trapped in the house with a broken leg, and TV is all reruns. Apparently his only alternative is writing his own play. “Is it St. Swithens day already? Tis!”

Diatribe of a Mad Housewife – Season 15 Episode 10

Marge writes a popular romance novel in which Homer is portrayed as a boor, and Flanders her sexy lover. Confrontations at the edge of cliffs ensue. Apparently all you have to do to succeed is write and you’ll immediately be popular.

I’m sure there’s many I missed. Any other flavorites?

Halloween Traditions

I was out walking my dog early this morning, which frankly at 5am can be a little spooky with just the baseline chill and darkness. But something happened between Monday and today to make the world a more mysterious and deadly place, Halloween decorations.

Now I’m explaining to my dog that the tombstones in someone’s yard are not a threat, and that the flashing light across the corner is not gunfire, but someone’s idea of fun. I walk under street lights and by orange strands of the nightmare before Christmas lights. And I have the resist the urge to literally punch a cackling skeleton pirate at the thrift store yesterday. It was right by the checkout aisle and was continuously being set off (while some of us where just trying to browse for CD’s). If I worked in that place I would have beaten that thing to a plastic pulp after a few hours of that maniacal laughter.

Now don’t get me wrong, I like Halloween, specifically the candy and movies part. On Beggar’s Night I will sit on my porch, playing spooky music out of my laptop (or watching the classic Trek episode Catspaw), and handing out chocolate (because that is the best candy no matter what anyone tries to tell you). I will complement people’s costumes, and reward the unique and the strange with extra candy. Fair warning, Power Rangers and Twilight characters get nothing. Also teenagers above the age of 14 should be handing out candy, not asking me for it (if you hand it out, you still get to eat it).

In the month leading up to Halloween I will make a point of watching It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Young Frankenstein, the aforementioned Catspaw and all 25 Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror episodes (including the new one). I’ll equally throw in a couple of the Home Improvement Halloween episodes, Boston Legal, Community and maybe Garfield (though frankly that one is kinda bad).

I will even succumb to eating a little candy corn which is like eating candle wax but is strangely irresistible each year.

But decorating for Halloween like it’s Christmas, this I can do without. Actually you can do whatever you want, but if you have a ghost on your front lawn that spooks my dog, don’t be surprised to find it chewed to bits the next morning 😉

What are your Halloween traditions (and am I way off about the decorating thing being weird)?

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Tagged as Candy, Halloween, Star Trek, Tombstones, Treehouse Of Horror

by Ben Trube | October 7, 2013 · 7:01 AM

Top 15 Treehouse Of Horror Segments

It’s Halloween (in three weeks-ish), so that means it’s time for The Simpsons Halloween special, better known as the Treehouse of Horror. This year marks the 24th installment in the annual horror-fest. I have a deep and abiding love for The Simpsons, and these episodes in particular, so I thought I’d share with you my personal top 15, Treehouse of Horror segments:

15. The Homega Man (TOH VIII) – Despite the implausibility of France destroying the world, an enjoying romp in post-apocalyptic Springfield. I would probably spend my time the exact same way Homer did.

14. Starship Poopers (TOH IX) – Maggie is an alien! Jerry Springer solves nothing! “Look Marge. Maggie lost her baby legs!”

13. House of Whacks (TOH XII) – They probably would have gotten into less trouble if they had stuck with Matthew Perry. Pierce Brosnin goes all Hal 9000 on Homer and tries to seduce Marge.

12. Reaper Madness (TOH XIV) – Homer is Death, which is pretty fun. But will he fulfill his duty to kill Marge?

11. It’s the Grand Pumpkin, Milhouse (TOH XIX) – Milhouse brings a pumpkin to life with the power of belief, promptly unleashing killer havoc upon the town. Parody of the Schultz classic.

10. How to get ahead in Dead-vertising (TOH XIX) – Mad Men parody titles. Only unfortunate bit is how gruesome the Krusty death is, but this is made up for with the “Pyscho Killer” montage. The wife and I were singing that at random moments for years after this episode.

9. There’s No Business like Moe Business (TOH XX) – A musical featuring Moe, and terrible special effects. Who knew Homer’s blood went so well with beer?

8. The Genesis Tub (TOH VII) – Lisa creates a miniature civilization from her tooth and some soda. Bart is the anti-christ. “Oh my God! I’ve created Lutherans!”

7. Desperately Xeeking Xena (TOH X) – Bart and Lisa are superheroes stretch dude and clobber girl, and must save Xena from the clutch of The Collector! “I didn’t know Xena could fly! I’m not Xena, I’m Lucy Lawless!”

6. Send in the Clones (TOH XIII) – Homer clones himself with a magic hammock. Soon a horde of cloned Homers is destroying the nation. Best bit by far is when Homer tries to desert clones. “Anyone know the way home?”

5. Time and Punishment (TOH V) – A ridiculous amount of visual gags (From Peabody and Sherman, to the Flinstones to a sphinx of Bart. Homer forsakes his paradise dimension “Donut? What’s a donut?” This episode has one of my favorite opening premises ever. “Dad! Your hand is stuck in the toaster!”

4. Citizen Kang (TOH VII) – It’s amazing how little politics has changed. “Abortions for some, miniature American flags for others!”

3. The Raven (TOH) – Classic Poe as read by James Earl Jones. One of my teachers actually showed this segment in class as an introduction to Poe. Quoth the Raven “Eat My Shorts!”

2. Stop the World, I want to goof off (TOH XIV) – Bart and Milhouse get a watch that stops time. They use their power to keep Home from eating Donuts, humiliate the mayor, and start all sorts of mayhem. Isn’t this every kid’s fantasy?

1. The Shinning (TOH V) – “Shh! Do you want to get sued?” “No beer and no TV make Homer something something.” Need I say more?

What about you? What are your favorites? And if you don’t particularly care for The Simpsons, what’s your favorite Halloween tradition?