The Simpsons Is Weird Again

[@TheRealJims]

"Bart's Birthday" made such a big impression on me that I wanted to cover it. It hit a lot of topics covered on this channel. But knew (due to production time) I would be late to the party in making a review. So I wanted to talk about Weird Simpsons more in general: Its history, and its prominence in the past few years. (Also I kinda wanted to do a followup on my feelings after the Season 33 video and the ensuing discourse, since I didn't cover the last two years that much)

[@bmeht]

are you ClassicJames

[@srstriker6420]

Can you do a video on McBain the movie within a tv show and Disco Stu?

[@mkultra2456]

LMAO ROFL That 90's Show episode is hilarious. Fuck continuity.

[@ilovesmosh2012]

i still genuinely believed they should've ended it during the HD era. or at the least, put it on a small hiatus, maybe a year or so. I feel like their trailing along the corpses of people who've been with this show for so long, that they genuinely deserve a break from The Simpsons.

[@mkultra2456]

@@ilovesmosh2012 You gotta stop saying genuinely.

[@JesusRivera69420]

I’m gonna miss this channel. *turns off lights*

[@wills2894]

I'm gonna miss this comment.... *turns off lights*

[@eveee_luv.]

@@wills2894i’m going to miss this reply.. *turns off lights*

[@GourmetJobSim]

⁠@@eveee_luv.I’m gonna miss this reply *turns off lights*

[@emperortethysusdacertified8175]

Holy shit why is it so dark in here!? *[GlassShattering.mp3]*

[@RecoveryTurtle]

@@eveee_luv.I’m gonna miss this app *deletes KZbin*

[@Setashi]

I'm honestly just thankful that they're still producing episodes that are interesting enough to where it gets people talking.

[@t.c.bramblett617]

Yeah, I would much rather them do this that just keep repeating the same plots and tropes. 36 seasons is so insanely long, they deserve the chance to do literally whatever they want , and it makes it more interesting to the audience

[@GaryViews]

Agreed! And unlike some of the other "engagement bait" episodes they tried making before, this was clearly their best one ever by far. It has the same quality of commentary/satire that made the simpsons so GOOD, and on top of that it felt like the experimental ideas that the Oakley/Weinstein era did AND conan o brien cameoed yet again!! It's up there as one of my favorite episodes

[@WoahLookAtThatFreak]

"I'm honestly just thankful the Simpsons is still producing episodes..." is not how I'd expect any sentence to start in 2024 but here we are. 😂

[@TheBuckweat33]

The Simpsons is like Mickey Mouse. It’s IP will literally produce content until the sun blows up.

[@matti.8465]

That scene of Sideshow Bob actually killing Bart during Cape Fear might be one of the most disturbing things to come out of the show. It almost feels like an old creepypasta.

[@MrIansmitchell]

Are they making new creepypastas?

[@wouldnotpokethat840]

What scene is this? I don’t remember that from that episode.

[@hugosimpon3605]

@@wouldnotpokethat840 From the Treehouse of Horror 34 episode

[@vicaronii]

I think it’s one of the best modern treehouse of horror segments, if not one of the best segments in general, because to me it’s one of the only ones that feels like it actually fits the “horror” title (as in, being truly horrifying). it turns sideshow bob from cartoonishly evil to actually evil, & it’s so unnerving to think that’s how things could have hypothetically turned out for the remaining characters if he ever actually succeeded. it also probably has something to do with a classic “iconic” episode being shown again, but turning out so wrong, that has such an impact on the viewer.

[@kingemerald4622]

Just without the rake?

[@Sean-YEG]

"In the real series finale . . ." I think we've reached the point where what's going to kill this show is the mortality of its cast; nobody in the main cast is under 60 and Harry Shearer is 80. One day we are going to wake up to the news that a member of the main cast has died, and over the coming weeks there will be the slow realization that show is not going on and the last episode they recorded the voices for will be the end of the series.

[@njpsychopath]

I think they'll just recast at this point. They have already recast several characters and the main actors voices have changed so much over the years it's functionally almost as if a bunch of characters have already been recast.

[@PaintraSeaPea]

@@njpsychopath I actually agree with this. I feel like one of the actors dying or retiring at this point is good enough reason to recast since I think, once you're knocking at the "40 years" threshold, it's probably understood as an inevitable. Though, it would be pretty jarring if they just started getting replaced one by one across seasons.

[@jaywinner328]

@@PaintraSeaPea I tried watching a newer episode after over a decade of not watching and the voices threw me off enough that I don't think recasting would kill the show.

[@RainCloudVideos]

@@jaywinner328Marge’s voice is absolutely awful now. She needs to stop voice acting and just retire, it sounds like she’s destroying her vocal cords.

[@filmreviewer117]

Agree. To recast everyone now would full be a change fans won't embrace well.

[@retelefe]

22:25 Why a robot? Everyone knows the Simpsons finale is the reveal that Marge has long Bunny ears hidden within her hair

[@JumbleJammyJokes]

So Homer has been married to the rabbit from the Life in Hell comics all this time?? I knew it!!

[@SineN0mine3]

Have no fears, we've got stories for years!

[@Kstang09]

​@SineN0mine3 maybe Moe gets a cellphone.. has bart ever owned a bear?

[@Shantari]

@@Kstang09 I see great story potential in Moe getting a cellphone.

[@Morbing_Time]

​@@Kstang09 I think yes?

[@angelthingjenny]

I completely agree with your takeaway, honestly. "Good again" is inevitably going to lead to comparisons to the past that aren't worth making. Honestly, that video from Super Eyepatch Wolf's final sentiment (The Simpsons not being "good" as in "classic Simpsons", but "good" as in "we are entering an era that is its own kind of good") was pretty strong itself. My worry now, however, is that considering how much buzz these meta episodes are getting, it might accidentally swing the balance too hard. I've seen a lot of talk about Bart's Birthday, and I haven't seen any mention of the episodes that have come out in the weeks since; I can't help but worry that they might start chasing people talking.

[@stryke-jn3kv]

See as someone who used to be in the Simpsons is dead crowd Simpsons needs to be full throatedly defended as being good or lapsed fans will keep on dismissing it as being bad. I genuinely thought that there hadn't been a good episode after s10, and I stopped watched in s11. It took some real convincing that the show could manage to be good, and I certainly didn't think it could ever be as good as the classic Simpsons again. So I vibe more with Super Eyepatch Wolf's summing up than calling it weird, cause weird to me wouldn't have convinced me to come back, and I'm really glad that I did because the show _is_ good. It's not excellent or top tier like classic Simpsons was but after 35 seasons it managing to be good is pretty dang impressive.

[@TheGerkuman]

​@@stryke-jn3kv I think Jims has been pretty good in highlighting that The Simpsons has, from the most part, declined comparatively rather than objectively and that there are nuggets of gold throughout. I've gone back to re-watch episodes sometimes that hadn't caught me right at the time but the reviews from channels like this one have had positive takes on.

[@turnonmyaxel]

​@@stryke-jn3kvI half agree with you. It's frustrating you cannot speak about Simpsons at all without someone saying it's bad now or cancel it. It was so frustrating to see some of the best episodes in years be full of comments of people who don't watch it begging them to cancel the show. Selman really embodies what I think the show needs. The Simpsons is here, and it will continue going till it become unprofitable so let's get weird with it and have some fun. Though I do worry saying it's good now won't persuade people to leave those of us enjoying the show still alone and just spread moments like the DJ crazy times bit rather than the wonderful midchildhood episode.

[@nomarsenrab]

As someone who watches every episode, you have to recommend specific episodes. You can't say, "The Simpsons are back. Go check it out." Odds are high that they'll watch a stinker. You have to be a guide. At same time we don't need to drag people back to the show who do not want to give it a chance. Some people will never be satisfied with what the show has become. Its stories over jokes now. They are looking at the characters we know in interesting (and weird) ways. Not say classic Simpsons didn't have stories or vice versa. The show is written differently now and some just want to stick to the 1st 10 seasons.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@turnonmyaxel I haven't watched them yet, though there's rumours of my being gifted a few months of Disney+ so maybe I'll check them out then. But even just from the talk (from people who actually saw it) I can tell Selman's been a real mode shift. I just wish it'd happened 5-10 years earlier!! Then maybe a lot of the jaded fans wouldn't be so hard to convince. Like, right now, I'd still not be sad if there was a cancellation announced (I'd just be glad it managed to end on a high note).

[@girlbike]

I loved that the season premier ended with that instrumental version of “They’ll Never Stop The Simpsons”

[@ArizonanSummer]

But now I have fears because they really do have stories for years

[@TheBuckweat33]

The Simpsons is an IP. It’s Mickey Mouse. The original run might end, but they’ll literally never stop it.

[@seatspud]

Which was based on "We Didn't Start The Fire" by Billy Joel. Man, the things that are already being forgotten.

[@JraffYT]

@@seatspud Is it? Different tune, IMO

[@stupidusername9109]

@@JraffYT Yeah it's a parody in style but not actually the same tune

[@ToonrificTariq]

Man… you are SOOO good at writing videos 😭😭

[@TheRealJims]

Thanks Tariq. I struggled mightily (and I mean *mightily*) with this particular script and it means a lot to hear that you thought it came out well ❤

[@lizardandbone]

You doing tricks on it

[@nelumboandrews6762]

Doing tricks on it justifyably bc this video is so good!

[@mkultra2456]

@@TheRealJims Too bad your voice sounds kind of gay. No offense.

[@cleb6720]

​@@mkultra2456lmao as a gay man wtf r u talking about bro

[@JediTempleToys]

In the perfect timeline, Phil Hartman would be with us, and the finale episode would have been hosted by Troy McClure. "You might remember me from series finales such as 'Rascals' and 'The Presidents Neck is Missing: The Series'"

[@greywolf7577]

AI could very easy fake his voice if they wanted to do that.

[@KookShanty]

@@greywolf7577 That would be pretty disrespectful and lame.

[@JediTempleToys]

@@greywolf7577 no AI please.

[@SpedeVesku]

​@@greywolf7577 Ew, no .

[@edoardoturco8780]

@KookShanty I don't think so if it's a tribute... They did the same thing in the Star Wars spin-off for the Grand Moft

[@mightyfilm]

I also take Bart's Birthday as a way for the writers to say that ANY series finale would be deeply unsatisfying for this show. They spend the episode tearing down every old sitcom ending trope possible, even the "everyone that's ever been in the show pops up at the end" bit. What really makes the episode work is that, unaltered and without the host segments and meta references, this very well COULD have aired as a finale with the subtext of "what were you expecting?" That said, I still think Lisa the Boyscout owed quite a bit to Rick and Morty's "Morty's Mindblowers" episode.

[@Masterge77]

The fact that the episode was the first episode of the season AND openly stated it was a "series finale" was already enough to tell you it wasn't going to be that. Yes I'm one of those people who thinks The Simpsons should have ended a long time ago, but it definitely feels like the writers are aware that this show has gone on for far too long.

[@mightyfilm]

@@Masterge77 It's obvious this was all going to be a meta commentary episode and not a true finale. We knew it was already reported it had been renewed for a couple more seasons, and any actual news about it being a finale would have spread like wildfever at least a year or so in advance. Having it as a season opener works to the narrative of the episode saying "we're just going to keep going." And I prefer that they start the season on something wild than just a common episode. I'd be mixed on the season premier being that Black Lotus parody. Plus, it speaks to the fact the show is beyond cancellation, being a cultural phenom the way Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live are. Something that would leave a massive crater if the show ended. And seeing Fox's animated offering that follows the Simpsons, the cheap, pathetic, and disposable "Basic Income Guys," you'd hate to see what replaced it if it did go away.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

I like that loop idea for ending. End with the first episode from christmas 1989

[@terriblecertainity]

ok, this right here convinces me to finally give HD era Simpsons another chance. Thanks for the great video

[@emilyjades]

Same here

[@SineN0mine3]

There's a video on this channel pointing out some of the best episodes from the new seasons, that's a good place to start if you don't want to watch them all in order (some might be better skipped!)

[@Rilea_]

You tweeted about feeling a little unsure about the quality of this video, so I'm writing this comment to say it's brilliant and insightful (as always)

[@TheRealJims]

Thanks! After so long working on something, it's easy to question yourself on whether it works

[@Rilea_]

@@TheRealJims Oh yeah, I know that feeling - creativity and self-doubt are often best friends :))

[@mongoose1billion]

I've read that "Behind The Laughter" was written to be an unofficial series finale. At one point, Lisa even asks "Is the end of our series...of events?"

[@tornadochaser2457]

That line is from the episode, "Brawl in the Family", after the family's therapist healer creates harmony for them, just before Homer and Ned's secret Vegas wives show up to create substantial havoc. When Lisa says, "Is this the end of our series?", the family looks worried and concerned, and then she says "... of events?", and the family all have smiles on their face along with a look of relief. Interesting plot inducing events may not occur, but the series will still continue - HOORAY! The episode is two seasons after "Behind The Laughter" (season 13).

[@carlosemilio5180]

​@@tornadochaser2457 Noway Brewl in ze Family reference

[@Max_The_Flower]

Impossible, if Bart's Birthday taught us anything it's that whenever Homer gets severely injured there was an original version where he dies and the show ends. He never gets injured outside of archival footage or aftermath footage of the archive footage so it can't of been a series finale.

[@MandrakeHorse]

I'm guessing this theory might have arisen because of how Behind The Laughter ends with a sneak peek at a supposed upcoming episode with a mediocre premise ("The Simpsons are going to Delaware!") and Homer simply commenting "This will be the last season." It's made even funnier by the fact the subsequent Season 12 finale (the one that's an anthology of American folktales) actually opens with The Simpsons travelling to Delaware and repeating the same dialogue. What's interesting is that Behind The Laughter was actually the last ever episode of The Simpsons to be broadcast on the BBC before the UK syndication rights were transferred to Channel 4, which further reinforces its reputation of being an "Unofficial Last Ever Episode", or at least as a good stopping point if you're binging Classic Simpsons.

[@ShockwaveFPSStudios]

I heard the future Christmas special was an attempt at making a finale. Probably because of the parallels to the first episode.

[@maxr5799]

When you’re on the air for 35 years, you can get away with changing the format up a lot

[@samp.8099]

When you've been on the air for 35 years, changing the format is the ONLY way to remain interesting.

[@kacperprzysiezny3185]

At this points I Hope for Poochie comeback episode where New writer of the show , will try to bring Poochie back and say that he was wasted.

[@eveee_luv.]

i was thinking about this yesterday! also one thing: is there a petition to get a poochie comeback? we really need one. (another thing: could there be a whole treehouse of horror where poochie actually didn’t die and gets revenge on the writers who killed him off?- like coming out of the TV or something idk)

[@TheRealJims]

I would love a Poochie Comeback episode. It would be funny/weird if he were a 90s nostalgic relic that Homer remembers that they are trying to push again to Bart and Lisa

[@eveee_luv.]

@@TheRealJims yes!! let’s put all of these ideas together and see if we can make it an actual episode (what if in the credits it says “idea from a few youtube comments” or something like that?)

[@ethansloan]

@@TheRealJims That should have been the plot of that episode with Homer and the pizza robots that weirdly became about Hollywood reboots. Make it about someone trying to reboot something that the audience actually relates to.

[@buranflakes]

If they do another Poochie episode I hope beloved Simpsons family member Roy makes an appearance

[@ringkunmori]

Modern Simpsons are definitely taking notes from fans making surreal memes out of the early seasons of Simpsons. Dark Simpsons, Bartkira, etc. I suppose the show started as satirical, became main stream and then now turned subversive.

[@AluminumFusion22]

It helps that newer writers grew up with the show and most likely were involved with the fandom at one point. SpongeBob and South Park have writers that either grew up with their shows or were involved with the fandom.

[@taylord5381]

If that's true, then I for one am definitely looking forward to the SimpsonsWave episode.

[@Pencilman246]

Not just the writers, but the showrunner himself. The fact that Al Jean had the reins for so long meant that he inherently kept things the way they wuz for decades. With Matt Selman, there’s finally someone who wasn’t there from the beginning and which is a fan.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@Pencilman246 he really was kept on for far too long. I respect his earlier work, but, no artist can have a healthy relationship in charge of something that big for that long.

[@jessaminemanchester]

Bart's Birthday is among my favorite Simpsons episodes, not just of the current era, but ever. I love that it's an episode that couldn't be made at any other time in the show's history, and that it uses that history to actually say something rather than just trying to stay relevant. You hit the nail on the head with the comparison of seasons 33-36 with the Oakley and Weinstein seasons-it brings back both the experimental edge of season eight, but also the return to the introspective family dynamics we got in seven. Not every episode is going to be this bizarre meta deconstruction, but in between we're also getting episodes like "Pixelated and Afraid" which really take a look at what the characters mean to each other. Also, I just wanted to add that I experienced really intense burnout last week after working nonstop on my own creative projects, and while I was taking the time to recover I rewatched all your season retrospectives and almost every character history. I'm doing much better now, so thank you so much Jims for giving me something to focus on while I was mentally recovering. Your analysis is always so well written that I find myself coming back to videos again and again

[@Hamzakarim-1]

Your videos are one of the few things that i look so forward to in youtube these days

[@pass_]

I'm pretty hesitant about current era Simpsons, I don't really see it as the grand return that others do from the few episodes I've seen (I didn't think it was bad tho) but this one actually seems pretty cool so I gotta check it out

[@HBarnill]

The general consensus is that The Simpsons has been a lot better recently but it's still not as good as the golden age and should end soon.

[@JankyBruv]

Nawww... season 31 proved to me that they still got it.

[@doomfeast1102]

Well, I'm gonna miss this comment section.

[@ninja_boy]

Season 31 is terrible. Lol. I don't know that this era is a "grand return", but Seasons 33+ have felt different, at least with a few good Selman-run episodes. The "different" episodes stand out and don't feel like they're just trying to re-create the classic era.

[@JankyBruv]

@pass_ Good! That's the whole point... they are a malleable commentary on the current status quo. They SHOULD change if they want to remain relevant and entertaining. That's true with essentially everything. Just as South Park has done... they have their foundational structure (their universe/setting/tropes), and they can dance all around that with whatever moves the world is grooving to at the time. As a matter of fact, in regards to the Simpsons, that has been proven to go both ways. And 31 was a phe-diddily-nomenal season, by golly.

[@lizardlord4k]

The Simpsons nowadays is kinda like that one part of Groundhog Day, when there's no threat of consequences or cancellation, what's stopping you from doing anything you want?

[@jtszabo1691]

I almost spit my drink on my phone when you made that rise of Skywalker joke. I needed that laugh after a long day.

[@MatecaCorp]

I really liked the episode! It got consistent laughs out of me and the concept was pretty fun. I noticed that the lining for the characters is thicker than previous seasons, which is an improvement. These last few seasons have, for the most part, been downright excellent.

[@OttoTalksAi]

I was waiting for you to speak about Bart’s Birthday episode mocking Ai

[@topmandog1]

Im really gonna miss this comment! *turns off internet*

[@benmalsky9834]

Yeah, I thought that was actually pretty genius.

[@Pleebus]

I really appreciate your comments on how “weird” is the best word to describe it as opposed to good again like a lot of people claimed, as someone who is a diehard classic era fan and started watching the new episodes from Season 35 onward I can veeeeeery much admit that it’s not in the same levels as those golden years and is kinda just setting it up for failure by comparison when doing so.😭 The show can never be what it was back in the 90’s and that’s a fact you kinda have to accept at a certain point! However practically every episode I’ve found interesting in some way or another where I probably over analyze some different parts but can always appreciate that effort it’s got right now to actively do more surreal and experimental stories. When you talk about that whole idea in the end here and how it’s so admirable for a show to be that interesting in its 36th season you kinda just took the words out of my mouth lol, big props on this video man I feel verrry validated seeing someone else agree like this after getting to it.🙏

[@luistoses]

Your video essays and analysis are among the best quality content around the whole mainstream internet.

[@luistoses]

My English sucks, sowwy 🥺

[@TheRealJims]

Thank you!

[@justjoannak]

I have to agree

[@tarvinneekomainitakaan]

7:15 Bart Gets Famous could also count as the first true meta episode since it's largely a commentary of the Bartmania phenomenon of the early 1990s. At least it's the most notable predecessor of the Poochie episode in the first seven seasons.

[@Superdavo0001]

Man they really took inspiration from that Don Hertzveldt couch "gag" huh

[@sven_bender]

10:44 "Pre-cancellation Lizzo" had me rolling, well done

[@MiloTheMightyDude]

I will always feel that getting weird with it is the best way to keep a show fresh. I learned that all the way back with The Simpsons seasons 7 and 8. Also Phineas and Ferb Seasons 3 and 4, but this channel isn't about that.

[@michaelguerrieri3486]

Quirky is a decent word.

[@clouder2098]

You now its a good day when TheRealJims uploads a new video!

[@benmalsky9834]

It sure is.

[@fakename2956]

I always thought of that one Treehouse of Horror segment with AI Marge as a reference to her “becoming a robot”. Maybe it would be cool to do a video on all the times stuff from that song has *sorta* happened in the show now like that, Grandpa dating one of Marge’s sisters, that time Moe referenced his cell phone etc.

[@topmandog1]

sorry for the clip show!

[@ShemPayne]

I haven't watched the Simpsons in twenty years, but I do enjoy Simpsons commentary videos.

[@sylvisnt]

Same

[@smokedogg19821]

I haven't watched any of the Simpsons reboot. When the show ended after season 10, I quit watching.

[@Evie1228]

And Bart celebrated his birthday with the help of....Oh lets say Moe

[@rethall2308]

I'm really going to miss TheRealJims *Puts a blanket over the sleeping Yoshi.*

[@lisamajor]

Julie Kavner's voice being "noticeably raspier" is the understatement of the century LOL

[@topmandog1]

and harrys voice is getting so bad burns sounds his age and smithers and skinner not far behind

[@TheRealJims]

Was definitely being overly tactful there, lol

[@benmalsky9834]

At this point, I’m surprised she hasn’t been recast by this point.

[@mightyfilm]

Rhoda (Julie's first big role) was all the way back in 1974. It's 2024 now, she's been playing a raspy voiced character since the shorts were in Tracy Ulman episodes in the late 80's. It's 2024 now. I think we can forgive someone aging.

[@mightyfilm]

@@benmalsky9834 What did Deadpool say? They're going to make them do this until they're 90. And then they'd get crap for daring to recast her anyway. Remember the big to do when Harry Shearer threatened to quit?

[@pallokko]

Wow, very interesting lecture on the Simpsons episode structures, well, the more unusual ones. Another less unusual but maybe more quirky episode structure is The Springfield Files episode, which is a story being told to the audience by Leonard Nemoy, but ends with the squeeky-voiced teen asking us to "Watch the skiis....SKIES, skies...."

[@buzzytrombone4353]

Episodes like Flanders' Ladder are the reason why I still check in on The Simpsons every now and again because they relax my mind.

[@BuddhaBot]

As a Jockey Elves Apologist, I appreciate this weird direction The Simpsons is going.

[@TackDanzi]

I'm gonna miss this channel... *Turns off subscription*

[@TackDanzi]

Only kidding, lol

[@TheRealJims]

I set myself up for that one 😂

[@coffee5981]

2024 Homer would have been a baby at the time of the Tracey Ullman shorts

[@ashleytwo]

I realised a few years ago I was Maggie's age when the show started. I'm not far off Homer's (current) age. By the time the show is cancelled I may be Abe's age.

[@turnonmyaxel]

​@ashleytwo there was an episode called Mr Lisa's Opus or something and I kinda loved how it was written as Lisa was born in the late 90s and was going off to uni at the same time I was. It was quite bittersweet as I a gen z move into getting closer to season one homer and marge age

[@burgertim7878]

I'm much closer to his age than I'd like to admit.

[@laragallahue7127]

Bart’s Birthday is one of the best meta episodes. It's just a shame - all the clickbait around it The Simpsons doing meta gag about the final is perfect topic for the show

[@treedrama]

Fantastic video as always. Gave me a new appreciation for the forms they've experimented with over the years .

[@mac_dale]

Jim this video is beyond extraordinary, I'm truly blown away by its quality

[@G4neralTuga]

The way the video began felt like a Simpsons mystery for me, to the point that I was wondering where was the music he always uses

[@DaGhost141]

This is probably my favorite videos of yours! The episode is also one of the best ones in my opinion and it really makes you think about the show and its themes.

[@arcticridge]

One of my favourite gags is in Trilogy of Error, when Flanders' mailbox gets repeatedly pulled out of the ground by the garbage drivers, it gets funnier each time!

[@TheMajinHermit]

How about just the background Springfield elementary students as a whole for Simpsons histories? Like the kid with the weird glasses and the girl with the pigtails

[@phineas81707]

As far as I'm aware, she has been named *once* in series history- in the opening of the video game "Virtual Bart", Bart walks past her exhibit, which is captioned "Nina Skalka."

[@kieranocity]

frosty chocolate milkshakes :3

[@bill-bath9621]

Hehe, Classic

[@ryandelaney3547]

mosty frocolate chilkshakes :\

[@Zeno2806]

foxy chocolate milkshakes

[@Boco_Corwin]

You mean Krusty-brand, partially gelatinated, non-dairy, gum based, beverage?

[@Tails97]

Freaky chocolate milkshakes

[@IntelligenceCorn]

...It might be time. I think I'm going to have to catch up on the last 24 seasons of The Simpsons.

[@AdvancedDefense]

I currently have a 16 season gap, and shrinking.

[@jackcharlotte25]

21:53 Woah woah woah, back up. When did the Simpsons homage "Planet of the Bass?" 😂

[@TheRealJims]

Season 35 "The Tipping Point" (It's a pretty weird parody)

[@totallytravicious]

​@TheRealJims its SO weird seeing DJ Crazy Times in an episode of the Simpsons. I thought the music video peaked when he appeared on jacksfilms lmao

[@ShockwaveFPSStudios]

That “Niceass Homer is dead” joke gave me a chuckle. It’s like AI was responsible for giving us Jerkass Homer and Niceass Homer.

[@stewiegriffin4828]

While I’m disappointed the Simpsons is not ending with its remaining dignity intact, your video places this gimmicky episode in a wider context of the show’s history and explains it so well. Videos I have seen so far just recap the episode and then say something like “I’ll miss The Simpsons” and then do the predictable twist (the feigned surprise that the series isn’t actually ending). But you didn’t, and you explained so well how this is an extension of a new approach in the series, and for that, you are one of the best if not the best Simpsons commentators in KZbin.

[@danieltodorov7753]

It's always such a surreal experience to see a deluded og fan like your self, the opinions you hold are so far removed from reality it's fascinating.

[@stewiegriffin4828]

@@danieltodorov7753 The Simpsons is being meta and weird like many other franchises that just won't die. What The Simpsons is doing now is different from what it has done for the last 30 years, but is no different from what other milked franchises are doing. The series has gone from groundbreaking to emulative. It's surreal to watch fans like you heap praises on the so-called best episodes of the new seasons, and then when I watch them, they're mediocre at best. I know you Modern Simpsons fans don't want to be negative, but what if a show is mediocre, then it is mediocre. Just because you find merely several episodes a bit better than the last few seasons doesn't mean the show has truly returned to the Golden Age or "OMG, the show is good again!". You need a better argument than just calling me "deluded."

[@stewiegriffin4828]

@@danieltodorov7753 The Simpsons is being meta and weird like many other franchises that just won't die. What The Simpsons is doing now is different from what it has done for the last 30 years, but is no different from what other milked franchises are doing. The series has gone from groundbreaking to emulative. It's surreal to watch fans like you heap praises on the so-called best episodes of the new seasons, and then when I watch them, they're mediocre at best. I know you Modern Simpsons fans don't want to be negative, but what if a show is mediocre, then it is mediocre. Just because you find merely several episodes a bit better than the last few seasons doesn't mean the show has truly returned to the Golden Age or "OMG, the show is good again!". You need a better argument than just calling me "deluded."

[@stewiegriffin4828]

@@danieltodorov7753 The Simpsons is being meta and weird like many other franchises that just won't die. What The Simpsons is doing now is different from what it has done for the last 30 years, but is no different from what other milked franchises are doing. The series has gone from groundbreaking to emulative. It's surreal to watch fans like you heap praises on the so-called best episodes of the new seasons, and then when I watch them, they're mediocre at best. I know you Modern Simpsons fans don't want to be negative, but what if a show is mediocre, then it is mediocre. Just because you find merely several episodes a bit better than the last few seasons doesn't mean the show has truly returned to the Golden Age or "OMG, the show is good again!". You need a better argument than just calling me "deluded."

[@MothmanBePraised]

I love your content so much Jims. I not actively keeping up with the Simpsons but because of you I will start again

[@nickdavis9978]

Love this! Massive tingles from the book tapping! And great to see Broken Crayons featured…thank you!!

[@paulisaperson0516]

I was desperately waiting for you to cover this since it came out

[@dyll_pyckle]

So glad I randomly stumbled onto this channel! I haven't watched the Simpsons in ages, so I'm glad to see it's as weird and meta as ever. Keep up the great work!

[@lanternsown3525]

Thanks for this Lovely video essay The Real Jims! You've made my Day.

[@bongislandicetea8100]

i've been watching season 35 over the past few days and having a really good time with it too! following your channel has reignited my love for this show, no exaggeration 🫡 i feel that for a lot of people it's hard to keep an open mind and engage with the more experimental episodes. some probably can't get rid of the nostalgia glasses. personally i'm glad the show's not trying to imitate the "golden years". society and media have changed so much over the last three decades, it would be a shame if the show didnt reflect that.

[@Goremaid]

Not gonna lie I’m getting a parasocial crush on Selman. Like characters aren’t just sociopaths like they could be in Scully and pre-movie years, there’s weirdly more depth and reasons to why they’re like this, not just in the family but everyone else too. It’s this really cool blend of season seven and seven eight with modern ways of being creative. Also not that I need “nice characters” really, but Homer now and Homer in s10 is night and day. Plus how he’s playing with the choking joke too! It’ll always be around, but it can be a bait and switch hug, or a frankly nightmarish (how it’s set up! The glitching!) joke about setting the status quo back to normal. Love that.

[@WplusMouse1]

I LOVE weird Simpsons and it has made me very much enjoy the latest seasons. It's so refreshing. Also I am totally fine with them doing these kind of identity crisis episodes, because I'm almost as old as the show and its like... yeah, me too guys...

[@AnEveryManJack]

Thank you for comparing Homer's Enemy and Principal and the Pauper. Even without the commentary track, I could see the parallels as meta episodes, yet so many people take it seriously.

[@stephaniewilliams6756]

Would rather they plan and execute a sincere and not ironic ending very soon before any of voice actors in the family pass away than wait to be caught off guard and end on a random episode :(

[@petofiarkwright3236]

What a ride... I love your channel so much, and I'm hoping you can still cover old episodes or any other stuff you want to do, I have been diving into these for a looooong time and they are always amazing

[@EmployeeAMillion]

I really liked your final point about whether “The Simpsons is Good Again” was an apt headline for this era. From what I’ve seen, they can still make very good episodes, but people have been using that line ever since Al Jean returned to the showrunner position 23 years ago. It’s hard for outsiders to take seriously when it’s been spouted for well over half the show’s existence. I think the issue with this cycle is that The Simpsons has never become a truly awful show. There’s been bad seasons, but if it sunk too low, a more elaborate retooling would’ve been undertaken years ago. So some people who expect it to be awful will be stunned when it’s the same as ever, just not as fresh. I think these weird Selman episodes are useful in shaking things up, but like you said, they’re still only a fraction of the newest seasons. Many other episodes are getting the same reactions they always did in the Al Jean era: either “Wow, that was a new Simpsons episode that didn’t kill me” or “Humph, that was a new Simpsons episode that didn’t save my life”. Expectations vary wildly while the show keeps trucking along.

[@KJM87189]

Perfect video describing Modern Simpsons, I thank you greatly for getting more people into it!

[@VenCorbin]

thank you for this breakdown. i missed this episode and felt like i missed a piece of history.

[@sirawesomenessi1796]

I love the touch at the end where they played a new version of “we’ve got stories for years” over the credits

[@giovanniorellana2200]

That "Series Finale" was so good! 😊

[@Game_Hero]

It's actually interesting how many episodes intended as possible series finales there are and how well-received they are compared to the reaction to the average episode of their respective season : Eternal moonshine of the simpsons mind, Behind the laughter, Holidays of Future Passed and now Bart's Birthday. Still would like the vision of the original writers wanting the show to become about Springfield as a whole and not just the Simpsons to become a reality after an actual finale so that old writers can come back join the new writers into making episodes with the best of both visions.

[@theLonelyLemnn]

Lmao the ending to the Itchy & Scratchy Doppelganger episode creeped me out as a kid 😅

[@HahaDamn]

I think you are missing the weirdness that happens in the straight stories where massive stylistic changes to the art and colour scheme happens, this ends around season 8-9

[@MCKennaXC]

Appreciating the Mario RPG music you chose

[@KyleHarrisonRedacted]

I’ll tell ya one thing. Barts Birthday made HEADLINES when it dropped. I’d all but barely remembered the show existed were it not for being subscribed to your channel, but Barts Birthday was evvvveeerrryyywhherre across the news feeds. I liked it so much I watched the next episode. I liked that one so much I can’t wait to watch the next episode whenever it comes out on D+

[@guy1091]

I’m good with what the simpsons are at this point. They put beloved characters in mostly unique situations, and aren’t afraid to try new things. It won’t please the “simpsons hasn’t been good in 25 years” crowd, but I think it’s good for a lot of the fans who have consistently been watching.

[@Hayamaneko]

This channel almost makes me watch past season 12. Almost.

[@Game_Hero]

At least watch Holidays of future passed, Eternal moonshine of the simpsons mind, Barthood and 23 minutes. They are really good.

[@Poyostar]

Y'know, I'm really gonna miss this- wait, someone else did that joke? We'll, guess I'm not missing anything after all, then. Great video! It's a genuinely sweet look at the most bizarre and experimental episodes of The Simpsons, old and new!

[@ultraexcalibur1728]

0:41 IS THAT FRANK GRIMES!?

[@sombat2788]

I got so excited for a second, then I remembered he had an identical son. Not sure why he'd innocently attend Bart's birthday, though, since he had it out so badly for Homer. Maybe that's his way of 'moving on' (that, and aging closer to Frank Sr., thus needing glasses).

[@danielmallory4687]

Probably frank grimes the third or 5th​@@sombat2788

[@ultraexcalibur1728]

@@sombat2788 well at least his legacy lives on

[@ericpenner6375]

Bart's Birthday is the first The Simpsons I rewatch many times in decades. I did recently watch Lisa the Boy Scout and enjoyed it as well. The fluid continuity is needed for Bart to still be 10 since 1987. I will like the true finale to be as much of as regular with few guest voices in character roles. Just give a great finale episode.

[@Ripple406]

Hey, I’m a pretty new subscriber and you may have answered this Simpsons mystery in a past video sometime but I have a good idea for a video. What happened to the Powers Family and Laura powers and why Laura never appeared again (with speaking role)/ why Ruth was rarely utilized. I think there are tons of episode ideas they could’ve used with a more expanded neighborhood and character parings that could have been very interesting. I couldn’t find a very satisfying answer on Simpsons wiki to answer my questions and the only thing I can think of is answers in the commentary of dvds for the Laura episode and the few Ruth episodes. Laura also briefly appears in the movie. I’ve been going down this rabbit hole a bit lately and I’m pretty lazy and your content is very good so hopefully you read this comment lol. Thank you if you read this and please consider my idea.

[@mechajay3358]

Talk about finding "Non-closure" with thos episode. I still don't know how I feel about it. It was pretty cool having Conan O'Brien in the episode specifically since whe was a former writer on the series, but I felt "Series Finale" was being a bit too Meta for its own good, especially compared to other ones.

[@JavanAnime]

You should do a comparison of all the season premieres. I would be watching.

[@HayaoMiyazakiGaming5417]

22:10 The Boy And The Heron mentioned! 🗣️ 🔥 🔥

[@ruikamo]

they are so good at imitating the hand made old look of the series. I lowkey wish they would just go back to that ^^'

[@kingemerald4622]

Never heard of you

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

I can't help but appreciate the Super Eyepatch Wolf style thumbnail. Chef's kiss.

[@ShaunShaffer-i6w]

This is the best damn video you've done in QUITE some time,Jim,and it's the first one in quite some time I've watched all the way through! Still waiting on the Season 19 stuff though.

[@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho]

A great Simpsons finale would be an episode that starts out as a “lost episode” from the golden age (Seasons 1-10) but slowly starts displaying several “blemishes” from later seasons (Maude’s absence, certain characters sounding different, and other oddities). Homer, Bart and Lisa notice some of these oddities and, with the aid of Flanders, Frink and Doctor Nick (Hi, everybody!), go back in time to correct them. Hilarity and chaos ensue, with the Simpsons bungling Flanders and Frink’s efforts to mend things that “went wrong”, culminating in Frink deciding to reset things and trap the Simpsons in a closed loop timeline that prevents the show from ever leaving the 90s/prevents them from causing any future damage to Springfield and its denizens.

[@AluminumFusion22]

One of Al Jean's many ideas for a Simpsons finale was the final episode would be building up to "Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire", thus establishing that the series is in an infinite loop. I think the idea was reused for Futurama's reboot run from 2010-2013. I don't count the Hulu revival.

[@Club_Weeg]

Catch my Bartesque breakdown for when the RealJims ends his future youtube retirement video with "Im really gonna miss this place."

[@Charlie-gk1uq]

Despite its obvious decline, I watched the show religiously until about season 24. Since then, I only peeked in periodically. I’ve never expected it to return to form, but I’m enjoying these latest seasons; as hit and miss as they can be.

[@bubsimodragon]

You know it’s a good day when Jims uploads

[@daniellemaguire2013]

Honestly love how you ended the video with THAT line from “Bart’s Birthday” and then showing a bunch of them 🤣 Also, I actually like how experimental Simpsons has gotten! It makes every episode a new experience in a show that used to be stale.

[@jacksonsay37]

You should do a video similar to "Ralph the Viking" but with "Ever see someone say goodbye to a shoe?" "Yes, once."

[@cicitrout6266]

Hell Yeah new Jims!!!

[@sarysa]

I just watched it after watching your video... ...and my favorite gag in the entire episode was Milhouse saying he takes meds that don't allow him to feel anything anymore. 😹

[@gavinleser992]

Was already having a good day and then saw a RealJims video! Lets go!!! 😎🔥

[@captainjoss5447]

I definitely find *modern Simpsons pretty awesome- I’ve been enjoying the weird Simpsons- because I think the show is balancing its own commentary and satirical nature in the present context, and its own characters progressions

[@VaporYTVideo]

Mid-Childhood Nights Dream is easily one of my favorite episodes because of how interesting it is as well as just how warm and happy it ends. It’s a very real story with the perception in fantasy and whimsy

[@Ribulose15diphosphat]

Finally someone gets 2 points: 1. The Episodic Format makes the Show Work. Adding Continuity is "Jumping the Shark" for SItcoms. Shows that Work with Continuity (like Breaking Bad) are Dramas in Streaming, and not Sitcoms on TV. 2. Weirdness-induced Drama works better in a show grounded in Reality. Futurama has a lot of Weird things dicussed here, but it hits much softern in the Science-Fiction Setting.

[@D0NU75]

Springfield is the Maine Stephen King always wanted to have

[@eatatjoes6751]

O.K. So, I think the Simpsons is weird - yeah, but this seems different. It’s *”we’ve been here long enough, goddamn it, and we’re PROUD of that! No matter how many people try and force us to quit, quitting isn’t in our DNA, man. Until one of you dies, we’re here, we’re yellow, GET USED TO IT!”* And that’s really inspiring, at least to me.

[@SineN0mine3]

We're here! We're queer! We don't want any more bears!

[@danieltodorov7753]

Well said.

[@greywolf7577]

They can just use AI to replace anyone who has died, until every character is voiced by AI.