The Simpsons Season 12 Retrospective

[@TheRealJims]

Lots of Season 11 comparisons for this retrospective video. I try to make each season's breakdown very distinct to its own year, but this was a year that tweaked the previous season's formula in a way, where I felt like they had to be more directly compared. (Also, noticed there is a lot of Homer vs Dignity in this video, in terms of the screencaps and examples. That episode really hits upon a lot of Season 12's themes, huh?)

[@Jackasaurus]

It sure does

[@Xen8008]

Your always my to go Simpsons reviewer Jims! Keep up this amazing series dude!

[@justafan3335]

Finally this series is back!

[@jeremymain7303]

"Why did you think a balloon would stop him?" That episode was a parody of the classic 60s mind trip TV show The Prisoner. In the show, a spy just decided to quit spy work and is kidnapped and wakes up on a mysterious and bizarre island with no idea of who put him there or why. Every time he tries to escape, a huge white balloon comes, sucks him inside it, and brings him back to the island. That was the joke there. They weren't commenting about someone else's idea in a writers room. It was a commentary about how strange The Prisoner is as a show.

[@OwenHalberstadt]

Please please PLEASE do retrospective of season 13

[@IsaacWhittakerDakin]

"We could remove the crayon, it could increase your brain power or it could possibly kill you." "Hmm, increase my killing power eh?" S12 still has classic quotable lines in my opinion, it's as far as I've gone up to in terms of DVD boxsets.

[@VincentGonzalezVeg]

He would have killed 100% more people that day With that decision

[@hughman9975]

Same here with the dvd boxsets

[@nickcampanella636]

"Ah, my eye! I'm not supposed to get pudding in it!"

[@snnnaaaaaakeeeee4470]

Season 12 was the last season to be quotable IMO. After that there's basically nothing.

[@freddiesimmons1394]

I binged with my fiance seasons 3 to 12, and it was on season 13 that was finally felt like taking a break.

[@spoofy8885]

Have you ever thought about doing a Simpson’s histories for character relationships/dynamics like Homer and Flanders or Bart and Marge?

[@VICTORZITOSS]

Simpsons misteries: Lenny and Carl Kinda like grandpa's histories so that it doesn't come off as too distasteful

[@Dreamcaster560]

The Bart/Marge relationship > Lisa/Homer relationship 😏

[@floydharper1216]

He kinda touches on those things anyway

[@TheRealJims]

It's a funny coincidence you mentioned that because I've been considering an offshoot of Histories to do Simpson family member relationships. I don't want to do Simpsons Histories on the family members (the topic is just too expansive). But I would love to look at smaller relationship dynamics like Homer/Flanders, Homer/Lisa, or Marge/Bart. I enjoyed writing the Lisa/Martin video so I think those topics would be fun to do

[@KahilaTheArtSlime]

Ok but something that is really interesting to me is Homer/Skinners, I swear the early-mod seasons had them paired plenty, to the point you could've sworn they were friends Hell, Homer even made Skinner a Bachelor's Party and Skinner told Hoemr he was afraid of marriage, so there must be SOMETHING there

[@Plantster15]

Ok, now I really am starting to think this mad man is gonna go through all 30+ seasons

[@PeterParker-ff7ub]

It's not that crazy

[@ollie9330]

Hope so.

[@AlkisenSuper]

@@PeterParker-ff7ub Trust me, it is. I could barely even sit through the show anymore after season 29, so covering all of it is a task I wouldn't envy him. But I sure as hell am still ready for it.

[@zs4580]

@@AlkisenSuper After season 29 is a very random arbitrary point especially considering that the show is a bit better in season 33 with Matt Selman mostly doing the showrunning.

[@Bubba__Sawyer]

@@PeterParker-ff7ub Just watching past season 15 would be a chore, let alone doing in-depth reviews beyond that point.

[@didymus3348]

Review of the seasons so far 1 - rough 2 - down-to-earth 3 - imaginative 4 - chill 5 - big 6 - intense 7 - introspective 8 - meta 9 - sketchy 10 - focused 11 - self indulgent 12 - sneaky

[@crpalstuck2966]

I can't wait to see how the rest of the seasons turn out ngl.

[@pissqueendanniella4688]

Nice!! I was just thinking it'd be interesting to see data on theme trends through the show

[@VICTORZITOSS]

9-fire

[@mickmickymick6927]

13 - Doc

[@calvinbaxter7151]

This feels like how ppl talk about phish and I mean that as a compliment to both!

[@adamisrandom3150]

When mr burns says “What are you doing man!? That’s Carl” Is one of my favourite quotes from season 12, never fails to make me laugh. Thanks for the great Simpsons content TheRealJims

[@j04370859]

Great quote, in a bad episode lol

[@adamisrandom3150]

@@j04370859 Yeah that’s a fair point

[@vinnythewebsurfer]

It’s honestly quaint thinking about how the Simpsons 20 years ago was the highlight of bizarre story pacings that go from 0-100 real quick. Nowadays shows like Regular Show make Simpsons pacing look sane

[@Mangulwort]

Even now reguler show is slow compared to newer shows.

[@ajh22895]

But for the regular show, that's the show's gimmick. There's a distinction between show that has always been wacky and show that started pretty normal.

[@MJTRadio]

Well, this is it, folks. This has got to be the first serious-minded look at The Simpsons season 12 that has ever been done. With most everyone in a state of “Hur hur, everything after season 8 bad”, it was certainly a long time coming. And is one more reason I absolutely love this channel.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

And sadly, it's present here in the comments.

[@ViktorKruger99]

season 12 is still terrible tho

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

@@ViktorKruger99 Thanks for proving my point.

[@Cecnorthernohio]

For me i enjoy things past season 8, especially into around season 15. I used to watch a lot of post 15 episodes too but i havent, although i do know some good ones (that new one where they parody a hallmark christmas movie is good, so is the one where bart is in a bomb shelter and sideshow bob finds them, and those are in the 30s)

[@TuesdaysArt]

As someone who didn't even come into existence until after season 11, it's nice to see breakdowns of the post season 9 episodes where they each get to have their own feel.

[@thatdanjamesguy.330]

I think Season 12 is the most cartoony season in Simpsons history. Almost every week, an episode reaches a level of insanity surpassing even Season 11. That’s neither a compliment nor a complaint, but it definitely makes this year stand out amongst the endless ocean of Simpsons seasons.

[@dundee6402]

I dunno. I think we're still seasons away from the popping eyes and the talking bar rags 🤷🏻

[@snnnaaaaaakeeeee4470]

@@dundee6402 Dear God I hated the popping eyes episode. I actually really liked the talking bar rag tho.

[@j04370859]

@@dundee6402 The popping eye stuff, already started in Season 10, in the first episode.

[@sonicjhiq]

@@snnnaaaaaakeeeee4470 same

[@SuperDarq64]

Praying for TheRealJims mental health having to still go for 20 more Simpsons seasons retrospectives… and by the time he is at season 30 the Simpsons will have 10 more seasons...

[@TuesdaysArt]

It makes me wonder how he's going to go about the season 20+ videos. Do seasons 20 and 21 feel as distinct as seasons 10 and 11? At least seasons 32 and 33 try to do more with the characters. Diary Queen is a genuinely good episode...even if it does make me wonder if Ned Flanders actually loves Rod or not.

[@Clean.Eastwood]

@@TuesdaysArt I'd say later seasons will be harder to compare to one another, as the show has had the same showrunner for almost 20 years.

[@austinreed7343]

Not certain, fortunately, given the aging cast and crew and rising political correctness making the series increasingly untenable.

[@Bubba__Sawyer]

He makes so few references to anything past season 15 that I can't imagine he'd wanna do full season retrospectives much beyond that point. I think he'll probably stop at like season 18, maybe 20 at the latest.

[@austinreed7343]

@@Bubba__Sawyer Later seasons could be done in batches.

[@masterrserch3971]

The surf's up ending is saved thanks to Skinner's "pose" on the surfboard... It's SO Seymour Skinner, and so hilarious, that I actually look forward to that ending. I also replicate it whenever I'm dragged into a big group photo with my friends, or have to take a "alright here we go, what a great time everyone is having!!!" pic... And let's not forget, being still, whether it's sitting or standing, is part of the 4 pillars that make science so fun!

[@SonofMrPeanut]

I also appreciate the winking of the fish.

[@javsandarts]

I don't take the simpsons very serious so I have no problem with that ending

[@masterrserch3971]

@@javsandarts hey, i feel ya, man....you're talking to a guy that thinks the "Golden years" doesn't end til like season 12, and who's all time fav episode is from season 11....AND was 10 when the Simpsons debuted, so I been watching them and LIVING them my whole life... The surf ending is a "cop out" regardless, but same here man, not a big deal for me, AND it provides me with a moment that I've imitated for YEARS in my life, laughing every time

[@SonofMrPeanut]

@@masterrserch3971 Even then, some of production S12 airs in 13.

[@masterrserch3971]

@@SonofMrPeanut what? I'm sorry I don't understand what you said...

[@trush0t1]

I love this season. Being in middle school I spent every Sunday night watching this and Family Guy. Those were the good ol days...

[@apocrypha5363]

"Don't worry about this temporary lapse in quality, they'll be back to the glory days in series 13, I'm sure..."

[@pavlotverdokhlib7627]

Big fan of this season, panda assaults notwithstanding. "Financial Panther" is one of my all-time favourite Simpsons jokes.

[@BB-te8tc]

I've been rewatching the show from start to finish recently, and I noticed this was around the point where pretty much every episode had one or two musical montages or brief scenes featuring licensed music. It really started to happen in Season 13 especially.

[@slamjackson2137]

Season 15 has at least one in nearly every episode, gets old fast.

[@LostCosmonauts]

Oh boy, this is the season where Homer gets raped by a panda. 'Homer vs. Dignity' indeed.

[@Glidus]

hey i know you

[@unstoppableExodia]

That one time homer lost his innocence to a panda for bursie’s amusement 😬

[@BirdsElopeWithTheSun09]

If it wasn't for that episode, I'd rate this season higher than S11.

[@samuelterry6354]

Unpopular opinion; I like that episode.

[@ToyotaKudoFan]

I really enjoy this season (don't care if it's due to nostalgia or not) but that was indeed a low point for the show.

[@jonathanrich1612]

"Trilogy of Error" is the best episode of season 12.

[@BirdsElopeWithTheSun09]

Not just of Season 12, but it's probably the best episode since Season 9.

[@mathieuleader8601]

fun fact Jim Carey was going to voice the hobo in the Tall Tales episode but did not have time to record the part due to scheduling issues

[@pass_]

season 12, aka "its better than season 11 at least"

[@ivorydungeon909]

As someone who about Bart's age when the show first launched, I "grew up with the Simpsons." S12 is always distinct for delivering me the first episode that I found irredeemable - Tennis the Menace. I had seen plenty of episodes that I did not love but that was the first one where I really felt like it was the product, rather than my taste, that was the issue. I kept watching the show and I still do. I' sure Tennis the Menace is not as bad as I remember it but it made me feel like a lot of people seemed to feel about that Lady Gaga episode - bleerrggchh

[@EinDose]

I always feel like Tennis the Menace is one of the first universally agreed-on 'Bad Episodes', and while I agree that it's bad, I do wonder how much of that association comes from how they colored that episode. It was a pilot attempt at working with digital coloring, and as a result it just LOOKS wrong. It's grossly out-of-place visually, almost being more like what you might blindly assume more modern Simpsons looks like without seeing much of it. So suddenly the rose-colored glasses are ripped off, and you can just plainly see that it's not good.

[@ethansloan]

@@EinDose As he was showing screencaps from Tennis in the video, I kept thinking, "man, the color is off on this one."

[@theccarbiter]

I always enjoyed tennis the menace

[@freddiesimmons1394]

@@EinDose watching all four of them get uncharacteristically mean spirited and then upstaged with no set up or payoff was pretty not good

[@maganhassan2627]

That episode is meh I do like how it looks

[@Jackmarmar]

Definitely one of my favorite seasons. That episode with the three perspectives is an absolute gem.

[@carlyskolnik296]

Same

[@MrGrass97]

Words can’t describe how overjoyed I am that the only time Patrick McGoohan ever reprised his role as ‘Number Six’ was on The Simpsons.

[@Lord_Thistlewick_Flanders]

The prisoner and Patrick mcgoohan. It's a winning combination.

[@PaintraSeaPea]

Nothing in this show quite matches the experience of being familiar with the panda scene, but not knowing what episode it's from, only to be hit with that haunting establishing shot when youre already halfway deep into it

[@jpfischer6003]

Yvan Eht Nioj lives in my head rent free to this day.

[@stryke-jn3kv]

In an attempt to predict the top ten: 10 Pokey Mom 9 Bye Bye Nerdie 8 Lisa the Tree Hugger 7 Worst Episode Ever 6 New Kids on the Blecch (I'd rate this higher, probably at 4 myself, but for some reason I don't think Jims is a fan) 5 HOMR 4 Skinner's Sense of Snow 3 Hungry, Hungry Homer 2 The Computer Wore Menace Shoes 1 Trilogy of Error (no doubt whatsoever)

[@chrisbrookes7422]

HOMR in 2nd place for me

[@Killermike2178]

I would swap "HOMR" and "The Computer Wore Menace Shoes" for 2nd and 5th place respectively. "HOMR" feels like a soft retelling of "Lisa the Greek" with Homer's and Lisa's roles reversed and intelligent stuff replacing football stuff, and has a very poignant, but bittersweet ending, whereas "The Computer Wore Menace Shoes" gets just a little too cuckoo bananas in its second half to be considered upper-tier even for this season. As for "New Kids on the Blecch", sadly that episode has aged rather poorly. I'm guessing if it makes TRJ's Top Ten List, it will barely be #10, and he will probably say something to the effect of this: "Alright, New Kids on the Blecch, let's just rip this Band-Aid off right now: 80% of you is hot trash. The whole boy band plot in and of itself felt dated when this episode first aired in 2001, the N*SYNC guest appearance is so in-your-face shoehorned in that it makes Aerosmith's appearance in "Flaming Moe's" feel dignified and earned by comparison, and the fact that the now-defunct Mad Magazine is the biggest threat to Party Posse's staying power just seems laughable and pathetic. But, I needed a 10th place entry on my list, and you had one thing that 11 other episodes this season didn't have, and that's this: YVAN EHT NIOJ That's right, you're only making this list because the whole premise of a boy band bring used for subliminal messages for the Navy is just downright hilarious, and also, shout-out to L.T. Smash for bring such a rockstar in this episode: "A Navy tattoo?! You know how crazy that sounds?!", the reveal of his actual name, Lieutenant L.T. Smash, and, of course, superliminal messaging: "Hey, you! Join the Navy!" He's not anywhere on the same level as Hank Scorpio or Sideshow Bob as a formidable Simpsons villain, but he'll do in a pinch. Now, let's do the next episode before N*SYNC enlists me in the Navy. What? NOOOOOOOOO!"

[@BuddhaBot]

The area code episode is where I first learned of The Who and they’ve been my favorite band ever since. So, I’ll always have a spot in my heart for that episode, even if I don’t think it’s the most hilarious.

[@danadams6697]

Would love to see a 'simpsons history' based on specific businesses in Springfield, and how they've been used in the show over time - for example, I seem to associate the Androids Dungeon with the very early seasons, and it seems to have made a bit of a revival in terms of relevance to the show, probably due to modern pop culture and nostalgia!

[@FletcherReedsRandomness]

Oh yeah, the season where Homer gets the entire front of his torso ripped off by a badger, and it’s somehow NEVER ADDRESSED (A Tale of Two Springfields, in case you were wondering).

[@strawberrysoulforever8336]

That's one of my least favourite episodes of the season.

[@quenotedariayo]

The wacky sh*t meter goes through the roof in that scene. Ew.

[@animfan98]

That was definitely a "point-of-no-return" moment concerning the standards of the show.

[@mathieuleader8601]

Originally Krusty's daughter Sophie was originally going to be Homer's illigitmate daughter but that plot was deemed to be too implausible so it was switched to Krusty which is interesting when to consider that Krusty was meant to be Homer's alter ego originally

[@myfellowsonicfans7131]

That would’ve been very strange considering the already did the same thing for Abe.

[@Ineedgames]

That was have been stupid. Unless it was with his Vegas Wife.

[@matti.8465]

Yeah, I much prefer the idea that Homer has never had any sexual partners or serious romantic relationships outside of Marge. The "father with illegitimate daughter" role fits Krusty much better.

[@morningblue84]

I'm surprised you were so positive with this season. I always considered season 12 the first "bad" season of the show, even though I liked a few of its episodes well enough. Disney+ rewatching made me appreciate it a bit more, though.

[@Rhewin]

These seasons are nostalgic to me. I don’t care if they’re not the best, they’re still good and I too have been liking them more on rewatch. If anything they work better binging.

[@lanceuppercut_]

Seasons 21, 22 and 23 are the only ones I would call "bad" but everything else is mediocre at worst, and even those have some great episodes

[@Rhewin]

@@lanceuppercut_ I can agree with that. I never understood the people who think “not as good” equals “trash”

[@Delightfully_Bitchy]

I think he's just trying to best positive to the seasons during the retrospective itself: Multiple of his "worst episodes" are from this season and he's been on record on like more down-to-earth narratives.

[@royalblanket]

@@Delightfully_Bitchy He was even pretty relaxed when talking about co-dependence day, which I think he said was his least favorite episode Jims gets a little sarcastic at times, but I don't think I've ever seen his tone get obviously angry or negative, the retrospectives are a bit more objective feeling imo

[@flippy7035]

I appreciate how none of these retrospectives are necessarily positive or negative. Just exploring how the series evolved every year.

[@polishhockeyfan]

Time for some comfy content to start my week with!

[@Joseph_Drew_III]

I like this formula. Having a slow start makes it that much funnier when the endeavors crash and burn.

[@Rubberman202]

Wait... I think I actually remember watching this season when it was still new. Most Simpsons episodes I watched were reruns. So surreal to look back on a lot of these, since I ended up watching them a lot. I remember liking a lot of them, especially "New Kids on the Blecch". Yvan Eht Noij!

[@Darksomnium]

always happy to see a notifcation for your channel! :)

[@co81385]

Yes! Nothing like a new RealJims video! I can't watch the whole video now, but I'm looking forward to watching it later!

[@ashleyleckwold5091]

Not gonna lie, New Kids on the Blecch is still one of my all time favorite Simpsons episodes. When I was younger, it was because of NSYNC, but I definitely grew to love the goofy satire of it as I got older. It’s kind of ironic it came out the same year as Josie and the Pussycats when they both have extremely similar plots and ideas.

[@carlyskolnik296]

Good choice

[@timothybogle1461]

The Computer Wore Menace Shoes, Tennis the Menace and Children of a Lesser Clod are some of my favourite episodes of the series.

[@moss8807]

I gotta say I’m always surprised by how many episodes I kinda like in season 12. On rewatch I always enjoy children of a lesser clod, hungry hungry homer, and, for whatever reason, new kids on the blecch. Huh, looking at this list maybe I just enjoy when they change up the character models 🤷

[@carlyskolnik296]

Same love those episodes but I am also a big fan of homr, tennis the menace, and the Computer wore menace shows (since that was the first episode I ever seen fully and it’s very memorable and still holds up) and many more of the series

[@WouldNotPokeThat]

Hungry Hungry Homer is honestly a genuinely great episode. That, HOMR, and Trilogy Of Error are standouts.

[@rowdy2063]

“Always keep us off balance” *shows the statue of Maude* I see what you did there, Jims.

[@goodshowmanythanks]

Spotted an editing error: at 12:56, you show a picture of Bart's friend, but you call him "Millhouse". Who is Millhouse? That is very clearly Bart's friend. I'm quite upset that your previous dedication to your craft appears to be slipping, Jims.

[@TheRealJims]

dang

[@mechajay3358]

Season 12 I say is where the show really strike a balance between being related and wacky at the same time. Beware of Druggings and Kidnappings.

[@JennyGeistVids]

I love seeing full analyses of the 'post-classic' seasons that are actually pretty nuanced and informed instead of just 'lol zombie Simpsons.' Season 12 is far from my favorite but it's nice to see its qualities legitimately examined.

[@candelorimoraglia]

I'm much more of a Season 11 than Season 12 guy. I appreciate that Season 11 went all in on the wacky plots, and I find Season 12 kind of wishy-washy with it's identity. Some of the episode swerves feel very half-assed. That being said, I think Season 10 is the King of the Scully era, just because I'm such a big Homer fan

[@e-122psi3]

Yeah, I'm not big on Season 11 either, but Season 12 just seems to just roll with it without much thought. There's only so much being self aware of the bad writing actually makes it better.

[@crazyguy32100]

"Definitely a badger all right, or possibly a griffon. Bart do you have any dynamite in your room?" "Tons!" "Get it."

[@lakituscamera1508]

I actually really adore season 12, and it's probably in my top 3 seasons of the series. I think its only bad episode is "Homer vs. Dignity" and everything else is either okay at worst or amazing at best. I get that others may not be a fan of the darker tone, the shifting plots, or the wackiness that the Scully seasons are infamous for, but there's just too many highlights here for me to ignore and it's still mostly funny as hell. Easily my favorite season of the Scully era.

[@jaredgaston3305]

I get Simpson’s Safari is number 1 on the top 10! I mean Bart saw a warthog!

[@dogood8750]

Season 12 was so insane that I can't believe the real Jim had to compare it to event post 9/11

[@jacksonpb]

And now we wait for the Season 13 retrospective, in which there is an absolute borderline between the holdovers from Season 12 (CABF), and the entirely new episodes showrun by Al Jean (DABF; the first one to air was SHE OF LITTLE FAITH, first one produced was BRAWL IN THE FAMILY). I feel everything falls out for real there in an interesting way (I give personal exceptions to the only Scully episode within DABF, HOW I SPENT MY STRUMMER VACATION). And now, for my guilty-favorite joke of the Season 12: "That's corn, Bart."

[@Dircashede]

I have a soft spot for season 12 as it's the first season I remember watching each episode premiere week by week. The first 11 seasons were all blurred together on re-runs so animation quality aside, I often have a lot of trouble remembering what's in which season there. Also burned into me is Fox 8 in Australia's promos for each new episode. It's kind of interesting that in a year of so many act 1->act 2 swerves, the promos often had a habit of 'spoiling' the main content, so Homer turning an episode into tennis didn't get a chance to surprise. On the other hand, the promo for I'm Goin To Praiseland was pretty much all isolated to the first 3 minutes so a part of me always thinks of that as 'the ice cream episode'. Maybe the most peculiar one is them spinning Lisa The Treehugger into solely being about Homer pretending that Lisa is dead, a plot point that lasts all of about 3 minutes near the end of the episode.

[@picblick]

The more seasons there are, the more the meh seasons morph to good ones.

[@j04370859]

This was better than season 11 though.

[@Skelig]

I wouldn't say "good" but yes the prospect of watching a season 11 or 12 episode is now divine intervention compared to the crap they're making now

[@austinreed7343]

Can a shit season morph to a meh one?

[@austinreed7343]

Plus some of the shit seasons have become meh by now.

[@andreagrubaugh9301]

As we start getting into the middle of the series, I really hope you do a vid on some of the Simpson anthology episodes, since it seems like we get a lot of them during this period. You've got Simpson Tall Tales, Wettest Stories Ever Told, Revenge is a Dish Best Served Three Times, Margical History Tour, Simpsons Bible Stories, Four Women and a Manicure, Simpsons Christmas Stories, and that one where they do Homer's Odyssey and Lisa is Joan of Arc. It's just kinda interesting to me that after roughly a dozen season of ToH, they're just like "Hey, let's just do anthology eps every once in a while." Some of them are hit and miss, but I remember really enjoying Wettest Stories, Revenge and Christmas Stories as a kid. Plus it's always just fascinating to see the characters in a different time period or universe without there needing to be a horror element forced in.

[@sleepyninjarin7971]

I have waited so long for this

[@carlyskolnik296]

Same

[@ElStink4K]

Honestly this season has some pretty memorable episodes

[@LetsCrashThisParade]

So excited to jump in on a new one! I just found these recently and have binged through the playlist, literally caught up yesterday and then I was sad that I didn't have anymore... Well in 18 minutes I'm about to be sad again 😂

[@justinc.5591]

Just remember: Lenny = white Carl = black

[@TuesdaysArt]

For me, just the names are enough for me to remember which is which (though that could just be because I know a lot about the show in general). It's hard to describe, but the sound of their voices fit their names? Lenny's is the best example, where I associate the name with his nasally tone.

[@dundee6402]

If season 11 felt like Family Guy, this season definitely feels like South Park. It's full of conspiracy theories and shocking twists and turns and even some violence. I definitely can see episodes like Computer Wore Menace Shoes, Great Money Caper, New Kids on the Blecch and Hungry Hungry Homer being SP episodes.

[@carlyskolnik296]

Computer wore menace shoes is one of my all time fave episode

[@troywright359]

I like you mentioning the OG ending for Praiseland, those deleted scenes are often underappreciated (along with the dvd commentary) for Simpsons. I especially like the original ending of 'surfs up' where they get a stand in for Lisa's voice. "Now what do we do?"

[@ShadowWarriorLuke]

Computer Wore Menace Shoes is one that always stood out to me. On the one hand the stuff with the early internet lampooning is good. On the other, there's the whole Prisoner parody, which always felt like a Treehouse of Horror plot they incorporated into a regular episode for some reason.

[@ivratsdargy955]

As much derision the panda bear scene gets, the scene after where a dazed Homer says "am I glad to see you guys, ya gotta call..." To a group of skunks always gets me.

[@AllTheMimsy]

When this season aired, I remember a feeling like a lot of episodes just weren't clever and well-structured anymore and they relied on randomness to be "funny." The winking nods to their weird story structure felt like they didn't care at all. "Tennis the Menace" in particular was the first "bad" episode from start to finish for me, where I felt like I wasn't watching The Simpsons anymore. It's like the first 11 seasons had primed me to be on the lookout for quality humor and joke set-ups/pay-offs in episodes so I was really taken aback when so much of the season was so lackluster. It has bits and pieces of brilliance, but even the best episodes have major flaws due to this lack of focus. Also, maybe I'm squeamish, but so much of the random gore in these episodes was really off putting. (I've never rewatched "Children of a Lesser Clod" for this reason.)

[@j04370859]

Those problems you had, were very apparent in season 11.

[@caleb1413]

@@j04370859 even in some season 10 episodes, though 11 was in my opinion the first to have those problems through and through.

[@j04370859]

@@caleb1413 Yeah, it was just getting worse.

[@RobiticDuck]

"I can't see through metal Kent!"

[@Nando75549]

Season 12 is honestly my guilty pleasure.

[@maxordman4100]

Your retrospectives are always very entertaining. Season 12 is a fantastic time for action and excitement! I fully enjoy the zaniness of it all. I love The whacky endings and the silly b-plots! There are plenty of good guest stars this season too! I’m very happy with the season 12 flavor!

[@TheNVTrashMan]

I forgot how many interesting episodes this season is packed with!

[@despoinaeleni5962]

Great video 😊 it'll be nice to see a top ranking of episodes of characters i.e. top episodes of sideshow bob,mr burns, Flanders,moe,marge, Lisa ect.

[@EmployeeAMillion]

I tend to think of Season 12 as a pretty violent, family unfriendly season of the show. Its DVD set was the first to recieve an M rating down here (equivalent to a PG-13), which I don’t think was just for leaving the F word uncensored in one of the deleted scenes. Homer getting mauled by a badger and having his organs exposed is quite a way to get the season rolling, not counting the already edgy TOH. You’re completely right about the stories being a little more clever with the more surreal elements, either having them cap an episode off or be more aggressive with them. The gassings and explosions are still things that would never have happened to the Bankses or Taylors in a thousand years, and it’s no wonder people were starting to miss the Season 2/3 vibe of the show just being about a snarkier version of that sort of cast. I really don’t mind all this if it’s still funny and makes sense. They usually get the first part right in Season 12, it’s up to the individual episode to see if they can accomplish the second. IMO about half the season’s output is good to great, with the rest being average to awful, so I can’t wait to see how our top 10 lists differ.

[@icecreamhero2375]

The surfs up ending is one of my favorate endings. The thing that brings the episode down is Homer calling his own daughter sucker.

[@lanceuppercut_]

Can't wait for the top 10, here are some of my favorites (no particular order) Skinner's Sense Of Snow Trilogy Of Error HOMЯ A Tale Of Two Springfields The Great Money Caper

[@aly.baba88]

Tale of two Springfields is the last appearence of Lionel Hutz. His final scene is him climbing up the wall.

[@AlessandroAltosoleChannel]

Dont know why, but this video is making me think of joining the navy.

[@haveaniceday.productions]

These videos make me get weirdly invested in which side characters are getting the most screen time. Great stuff as usual!

[@Lucky_9705]

Seasons 12 and 13 had the best animation of the entire show in my opinion. These were the last two seasons to be fully cel-animated. But at this point, the animators truly knew these characters. So everything looks more refined, but the movements and expressions still have that hand drawn charm to them to make the animation more fluid and interesting.

[@HotzombieVids]

Season 12 really feels like the last Hurah of the show. Most of the episodes in this season are certified gold, but at the same time the cracks that started forming in Season 10 are really starting to grow. Honestly that's probably the best way to describe all of middle Simpsons. Still has great moments, but the writing is becoming more, and more, questionable as the seasons go on. The silver age of the Simpsons for sure.

[@generationwhyentertainment2455]

I have sort of a soft spot for season 12, it was really one of the last seasons that I watched on a weekly basis and its the one i remember airing new the most as a kid. Although i dont own it on DVD and probably will never go out of my way to watch it. its definitely more enjoyable than 11 or 13 imo

[@Tadicuslegion78]

That Panda moment is in the Hall of Fame of worst Simpsons moments

[@kamikazechickenx4245]

This is honestly the most memorable season for me for some reason... i guess it was just always on or something

[@ToyotaKudoFan]

Season 11 and 12 I think were the first seasons I remember being able to catch all the new episodes as they aired in real time, and I'm surprised at how well they hold up. Homer being violated by the panda and the scene of him getting mauled by the badger were definitely low points however.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

And yet, that's all people seem to remember of it, explaining why they hate it.

[@moviebanta8113]

I think season 12 is when Simpsons fully jumped the shark for me. The stories were so wacky and weird but I can't really blame them after a few years of diminishing returns - at least they tried something new. It's certainly more memorable than other seasons even if its not always for the right reasons.

[@dontoverthink4766]

ahhhh season 12 by far the best season of post classic simpsons, so many good episodes.

[@j04370859]

Ehh, no Season 9 and 10 were better, everything bad about the Scully era, was getting worse after each season, though I thought 12 was an improvement over 11.

[@mongoose1billion]

2:19 That image is going to be all over social media when season 37 rolls around

[@n.abookgirl2457]

Loved this, Jim... can't wait for your next episode ranking video. Very interested to see what you have to say about Day of the Jackanapes? 🤔😁👍

[@stevelewis5174]

I absolutely love this channel. Always excited to see a new video. And your retrospectives and countdowns are my favorite themes you conquer. Also really enjoy your character studies of the minor characters. An interesting video might be discussing the layout of Springfield, similar to how you dissected the floorplan of 742 Evergreen Terrace.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

Also, giving a chance to seasons past the ever-changing "Golden era".

[@blobbem]

Season 12 is a fine season, but it's no more than that. Despite that, however, the quote "IT'S NSYNC!" is surprisingly used often in my household.

[@RosebudKane41]

These are always so good dude, seeing a new one in the notifications is like an early Xmas gift. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@gwivongalois6169]

Badger, my ass. It's probably Milhouse

[@michaellombardi1620]

Threres still a few "classic era Simpsons" feeling episodes sprinkled throughout this season. Maybe the last season to have that.

[@6sKi6z6]

This was the last Simpsons DVD I ever bought. For as many bad episodes there are here, there's a couple good ones. I once looked at season 13 in a store. I read the episodes and said "Nope. Not a single good episode."

[@lanceuppercut_]

Really? Not even Jaws Wired Shut? Angry Dad? The Blunder Years? Little Girl In The Big Ten?

[@escaperoutebritish]

Was honestly expecting some subconscious messaging like LENNHAC EHT OT EBIRCBUS

[@carlyskolnik296]

One of my fave seasons also my fave episode from this season is The computer wore menace shoes because it’s the first episode I ever saw and it’s random trippy and funny and still holds up and I’m so excited for this top 10 list! Also the computer wore menace shoes is one of my all time fave episodes!

[@jamesflynn3278]

Getting dangerously close to the realm of jockey elves and The Simpsons' house going over a waterfall.

[@AlvinFlang69420]

As strange as it is, Homer vs Dignity is my favorite of the entire season. It's such a low brow and poorly done season that when they finally said "screw it" and went full bananas they somehow stuck the landing. The Long Island Tea joke gave us one of the best Dark Simpsons minisodes though.

[@j04370859]

Ugh, Homer getting raped by a panda, that was when I officially knew that this show was dead.

[@matti.8465]

You can totally appreciate the episode because of how far they take it. Like, I don't think the panda thing is that funny. What's funny is the fact that they actually went there.

[@tootslootandshoot]

season 12 is one of my favorite seasons personally

[@squadalaguydc]

I dunno if this was brought up in the comment section, but the ending to the grifting episode was originally going to end traditionally without the random "SURF'S UP" gag. According to the DVD commentary, they felt like it was more dull to have it end with the characters explaining why the plot twists were a thing, and decided it was best to end on a random note much like the genre/type of story they were making fun of.

[@WouldNotPokeThat]

12 is a little more restrained than 11 and has some hidden gems (I genuinely think Hungry Hungry Homer is a great episode), I feel like I can roll the dice on a 12 episode and like my chances better than 11. Not exactly a super season of TV but they still managed to squeeze something out of the show at this point. Not sure how much longer that will last, though I'm kind of nostalgic for the early teen seasons as that was when I was last watching the show live. Great video as always.

[@thecyuber558]

I guess you could say that season 12 wanted us to... Seymour Skinner

[@vincentlorusso689]

I wish this guy had a patreon or something. We should all contribute to this level of analysis.

[@randomguyontheinternet7940]

Man I was really exicted waiting for this. This is definetly an interesting Season to look at. One of the most-if not THE most subversive Simpsons season.

[@filmreviewer117]

12 truly was the year of tricking the audience with a big twist in episodes.

[@crowapples]

Season 12 is the last season I can watch all the way through. I’ve tried to watch the full run of the series at multiple points over the last 15 years or so but I always peter out in S13. I’ve seen lots of later Simpsons, but 13 is where it becomes an uphill battle to keep watching and I’ll inevitably either give up or start skipping a lot of episodes. I also fall into the group that does prefer 12 to 11 on average. I think that’s probably due to the return of some shadow of working class groundedness- even if it’s mostly just there to be subverted.