I always saw the forgotten opening plots as gags themselves honestly rather than complain about it. My and my sis tend to jokingly make fun of it in a way we ask eachother how the main plot came to be in the first place.
The Simpsons
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I've come to terms with what the Simpsons have become, and manage to enjoy the new episodes for what they are for the most part. Anyone who says the quality hasn't declined is simply lying or in denial, (The classic era had guys like Brad Bird and Conan O'Brien working on episodes- it's hard to top that) but it's not a crime to still like the show.
What annoys me is people who criticize the show based on inconsistent continuity. It's a 22 year old show with characters that don't age. Some things are obviously going to conflict eventually.
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What annoys me is people who criticize the show based on inconsistent continuity. It's a 22 year old show with characters that don't age. Some things are obviously going to conflict eventually.
Loose continuity is one thing. But sliding timeline is weird. Homer and Marge now met in the 80's, for instance.
Inevitable perhaps, but weird.
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@RobbyBevard:
Loose continuity is one thing. But sliding timeline is weird. Homer and Marge now met in the 80's, for instance.
Inevitable perhaps, but weird.
it is weird and I always try not to think about it. Just gives me headaches. But on the other hand, what can they do? Without the sliding timeline, Bart and Lisa would be in their twenties. Yeah, no.
Regarding the celebrity thing, it always depends on what they do with the celebrity. Celebrity playing an original character = good. Celebrity playing themselves can be really good, too, as long as it isn`t just a "Oh look, we have Tony Blair on the show!" thing. For a good use of a celebrity playing himself, see for example Stephen Hawking in They saved Lisas brain. Cracks me up everytime.
@Cyber-Robin Hey, do you also listen to the audio commentaries on the DVD sets? Or am I the only one crazy enough to do that
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@RobbyBevard:
Loose continuity is one thing. But sliding timeline is weird. Homer and Marge now met in the 80's, for instance.
Inevitable perhaps, but weird.
Yea it's definitely strange, I'm not denying that. But I prefer them to embrace the sliding timeline like they do rather than just cover really vague topics. For example, seeing Homer and Marge being a young couple in the nineties, when the first season of the Simpsons started in 1989. It's definitely weird, but it would be just as weird if you showed them as a young couple in the seventies in an episode airing in 2009. I like that they don't let the timeline stop them from making episodes like that in the newer seasons.
There was an episode that depicted Lisa's wedding in the future, which would have happened last year. Like Riddler said, if you think about it too much it gives you a headache.
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@RobbyBevard:
Loose continuity is one thing. But sliding timeline is weird. Homer and Marge now met in the 80's, for instance.
Inevitable perhaps, but weird.
Ugh. I really hated that episode for doing that. It never should have been made. End of. They do not need to cover that period of their life any further. I refuse to acknowledge that episode, just like i refuse to acknowledge that episode when Principle Skinner is really Arman Tamzarian. Horrible.
Also, i've noticed how characters have changed since the older episodes compared to now. Principle Skinner used to be this respected Vietnam war vetran, a highly educated intelligent educator of a Elementry school. Now he's become a pathetic mama's boy and a big joke.
I also don't like how they have Homer trying to make too many clever jokes or stuff for that matter. I liked it when he's being stupid or a real jerk as was the case in the earlier days - when he wished Flander's leftorium would fail.
I find my self watching new Simpsons and i see Homer do something or say something i just kinda cringe - becuse its not him. It doesn't work for him. Maybe i'm the only 1, but i have been watching it for like 18 something years, i know what i likes.
I still love it and always will. I hope they make a 2nd movie - assuming they can come up with a great story for it./end rant
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it is weird and I always try not to think about it. Just gives me headaches. But on the other hand, what can they do? Without the sliding timeline, Bart and Lisa would be in their twenties. Yeah, no.
Yes because actual evolution of a setting in a show is simply unorthodox !
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Ugh. I really hated that episode for doing that. It never should have been made. End of. They do not need to cover that period of their life any further. I refuse to acknowledge that episode, just like i refuse to acknowledge that episode when Principle Skinner is really Arman Tamzarian. Horrible.
I wouldn't mind that episode realy, if it weren't a giant loop around to the starting point.
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@No:
Yes because actual evolution of a setting in a show is simply unorthodox !
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I wouldn't mind that episode realy, if it weren't a giant loop around to the starting point.
No, you're alone witht that btw. I remember how Homer was slowly transformed from being caring but simply absent minded to someone who knows he will fail his family horribly, and anounces it beforehand.
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@No:
Yes because actual evolution of a setting in a show is simply unorthodox !
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I wouldn't mind that episode realy, if it weren't a giant loop around to the starting point.
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No, you're alone witht that btw. I remember how Homer was slowly transformed from being caring but simply absent minded to someone who knows he will fail his family horribly, and anounces it beforehand.
It was 1 of the most pointless episodes ever made, along with that Bart to the future thing when Lisa becomes president, or that Future predicting machine created by Prof Frink fastforwarding to when they were teens. That wasn't really a good episode either. Marge dating Krusty the clown - seriously??? Well..okay maybe that part was bad, the rest was pretty decent…
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Yea it's definitely strange, I'm not denying that. But I prefer them to embrace the sliding timeline like they do rather than just cover really vague topics. For example, seeing Homer and Marge being a young couple in the nineties, when the first season of the Simpsons started in 1989. It's definitely weird, but it would be just as weird if you showed them as a young couple in the seventies in an episode airing in 2009. I like that they don't let the timeline stop them from making episodes like that in the newer seasons.
There was an episode that depicted Lisa's wedding in the future, which would have happened last year. Like Riddler said, if you think about it too much it gives you a headache.
They sliding timeline makes stuff even more illogical though. In the past, the 1 major thing you had to accept with the simpsons was that they stopped aging at the start of the show. Everything from episode 1 onwards was frozen, but before that they aged in real time.
Now you have to accept their lack of aging AND a sliding timeline.To me that's even more confusing. And wikipedia claims that later episodes use the 70/80s backstory anyway. can anyone confirm this?
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I realy have to ask.
Would the world end if the characters got slightly older afte two decades ?
Would it ?
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I just remembered the episode that I was so let down by.
Flaming Moe. The episode begins with a sub plot about Smithers earning Burns' respect, but it just ends up with him spending the whole episode standing around and complaining. I didn't even see him manage the bar in one single scene that he was in it, his only job there was to be moraly outraged.
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Simpsons Shipuden. Coming soon.
Moving time forward is never a good idea for shows like this. See Rugrats: All Grown Up, or any lighthearted sitcom where the main characters move from high school to college.
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Simpsons Shipuden. Coming soon.
Moving time forward is never a good idea for shows like this. See Rugrats: All Grown Up, or any lighthearted sitcom where the main characters move from high school to college.
Thing is, in those other shows, it was a decition to bring back a dead franchise or simply move the story forward because they felt like it.
Here, it seems to be the only choice for the plot and humour to not endlessly repeat themselves and the characters being just as sad and pathetic as 22 years ago, real time.
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Its kind of like when King of the Hill had one of the kids hit puberty. For a while I thought the show was actually going to do something interesting and move in real time, but no… Bobby remained 12 years old for 11 years. To keep the VA in place, I realize, but...
They do get points for actually letting Cotton die and children be born and for there to be marriages and whatnot though.
Really, at this point it wouldn't kill the Simpsons to let the cast age a year or two. Not ten years major time skip everything is totally different... just a year or two. (Hell, Apu has a family now... and Sideshow Bob gets out of jail annually... Or I guess every three weeks given the sliding time.) Let Maggie start being a character, and let Bart go to middle school with an entirely new set of teachers. Lisa will still remain behind with Skinner and Crabapple and Willie.
Being a standstill never aging comedy show would be fine... if they didn't randomly flash back or do celebrity cameos that instantly date it all so often. Comic books have the same sort of problem... how many Marvel characters were involved in WW2? That just aren't now because it was so long ago?
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Maggie does stuff, but I think I'd like some more full episodes based on her little misadventures(something that does not involve Homer's parenting skills). It would be a good break from Lisa episodes… I always seem to see her episodes whenever I catch a rerun. How many does she have?
One of the things I don't like is how the The Simpsons treat developments for side characters. That episode where Barney quit drinking held no major significance at all. Did the fans complain about his change in life? sigh Now these days we have some episode where characters change and immediately return to normal... just for a moment to show what a character's dream in life could be if they can change. The recent ones I remember was Comic Book Guy hitting it off with one of his own comics, Cat Lady being a model citizen, and Willy becoming a gentleman. It's like I don't have a reason to care about these kind of eps if I know how they are going to end.
I'm guessing Simpsons isn't one of those shows that wants to grow with thier audience. It's over 20 years old now afterall and still has a strong inconic following worldwide.
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@RobbyBevard:
Its kind of like when King of the Hill had one of the kids hit puberty. For a while I thought the show was actually going to do something interesting and move in real time, but no… Bobby remained 12 years old for 11 years. To keep the VA in place, I realize, but...
They do get points for actually letting Cotton die and children be born and for there to be marriages and whatnot though.
Really, at this point it wouldn't kill the Simpsons to let the cast age a year or two. Not ten years major time skip everything is totally different... just a year or two. (Hell, Apu has a family now... and Sideshow Bob gets out of jail annually... Or I guess every three weeks given the sliding time.) Let Maggie start being a character, and let Bart go to middle school with an entirely new set of teachers. Lisa will still remain behind with Skinner and Crabapple and Willie.
Being a standstill never aging comedy show would be fine... if they didn't randomly flash back or do celebrity cameos that instantly date it all so often. Comic books have the same sort of problem... how many Marvel characters were involved in WW2? That just aren't now because it was so long ago?
I fully agree with you Robby.
This is what I mean. Just a little change so you can think up new scenarios and new jokes.
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Maggie does stuff, but I think I'd like some more full episodes based on her little misadventures(something that does not involve Homer's parenting skills). It would be a good break from Lisa episodes… I always seem to see her episodes whenever I catch a rerun. How many does she have?
One of the things I don't like is how the The Simpsons treat developments for side characters. That episode where Barney quit drinking held no major significance at all. Did the fans complain about his change in life? sigh Now these days we have some episode where characters change and immediately return to normal... just for a moment to show what a character's dream in life could be if they can change. The recent ones I remember was Comic Book Guy hitting it off with one of his own comics, Cat Lady being a model citizen, and Willy becoming a gentleman. It's like I don't have a reason to care about these kind of eps if I know how they are going to end.
I'm guessing Simpsons isn't one of those shows that wants to grow with thier audience. It's over 20 years old now afterall and still has a strong inconic following worldwide.
The Willy episode I saw recently, and it's pretty much one of those "talent/skill" episodes, especialy how it's retconned.
One person I would like to see more of on the show is Lisa's music teacher. He left in "Flaming Moes" I know, but this was the first time I found out he was gay, and for a guy all the way from the original opening, I don't remember him having any screentime.
Kind of like the Bumblebee Man, but worse.
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There was an episode about the cat lady. XD i wanna see that.
and burn's death already happened. …and then things went back to normal. remember. they won't do that again.
I like the idea of lisa moving up a few grades. Wonder how her and crab apple would interact. maybe lisa will re-instil in her, a passion to teach. or maybe lisa will complain about lack of a good teacher and cause a lot of hoopla within the school. skinner's mom dying; hmm. how would that effect skinner.This reminds me of them talking about aging Dorra a few years back. They had a character design of her around 10yrs with flowing hair and a pretty little dress. Everyone complained. She's supposed to be an explorer, an adventurer not a barbie wanna be. Which I thought was a valid point.
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I kinda got bored of this series a while back and never had time to catch up. But i've seen a few recently that made me laugh a fair bit.
It went down hill. Then had the movie which didn't do it much favours….but somehow its working its way back.
For me it went down hill after they started trying to substitute its roots with randomly filling it with celebrity walk-ins. Chances are I'll just randomly drop in on the series every now and again if I hear something goods come out like most of the old animated series.
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Skinner has to let go of his mother issues sometime. When I think about it, his situation is completely reverse from Homer even though they both have mother issues. Skinner's mom is always on his back and it gets in the way of any big independent developments, but he has a respected enough job and history. Homer's mom was never always around but got himself his own wife and family(still keeping his crappy reputation and non-respectable job). Killing off Skinner's mom could be good. It would be interesting to see he he takes it, especially since Homer lost his mom as well. There can also be room for something to actually work with him and Crab too(like marriage or something… i dunno. they been on and off too long now, and I kinda sympathize with Crab sometimes).
And Burns. I know he died once. Well. He died many times. But he has to go sometime ._. Even though I would not know what can happen as a result of him dying. Who would take over the plant? Smithers? Hahah. Nah, his son... if he's not dead(can't remember what happened to him).
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Skinner has to let go of his mother issues sometime. When I think about it, his situation is completely reverse from Homer even though they both have mother issues. Skinner's mom is always on his back and it gets in the way of any big independent developments, but he has a respected enough job and history. Homer's mom was never always around but got himself his own wife and family(still keeping his crappy reputation and non-respectable job). Killing off Skinner's mom could be good. It would be interesting to see he he takes it, especially since Homer lost his mom as well. There can also be room for something to actually work with him and Crab too(like marriage or something… i dunno. they been on and off too long now, and I kinda sympathize with Crab sometimes).
And Burns. I know he died once. Well. He died many times. But he has to go sometime ._. Even though I would not know what can happen as a result of him dying. Who would take over the plant? Smithers? Hahah. Nah, his son... if he's not dead(can't remember what happened to him).
Speaking of Homer's mom I didn't exactly like the way they chose to do away with her. Maud was at least mourned and had a service. Homer's mom had her ashes intentionaly clog up one of Burns' machine engines or something. Felt a tiny bit too goofy.
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Lenny takes over the plant if Burns aint there lol. Or wasn't there one where it was revealed that a bird was in charge of the plant? I don't think he needs to die tho. He's one of the few chars left that constantly makes me laugh.
Somebody mentioned Barney becoming Sober. When I was on a Simpsons kick a month or so ago I looked at a lot of fan forums and for a lot of people the Simpsons 'died' when that episode aired. I did like how they kept him sober for a few years however. (I believe he's back as a Drunk. I'm sure it says in season 20 that he had a relapse)
I think they are focusing too much on the same chars over and over. Aside from the Simpsons family we sometimes get Grandpa but the likes of Burns and Moe usually get episodes every season. Most are the same (Moe is depressed or trying to win a girl.) And like people say. What happened to the likes of Mr. Largo (Lisa's Music Teacher) or Herman (One-Armed Millitary guy)
Skinner is weird for me too. I thought he was one of the best characters in the first few seasons. Then he just kinda became a jackass and a mommy's boy. (Although one of my fave scenes was the one with Skinner looking out of the window at the house and saying 'But I'm allowed here! it's a School!' or something lol
And to the person who asked. Yes I have watched all the commentary on 1-13 DVDs lol. Normally I never bother but I watched it on series 13 and they were kinda interesting. I learned that if there is a crowd scene and they need someone to say a single line they'll nearly ALWAYS pick Sideshow Mel.
Oh hey, I do videos on figures and manga and stuff: https://www.youtube.com/thatmanhismerch
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Lenny takes over the plant if Burns aint there lol. Or wasn't there one where it was revealed that a bird was in charge of the plant? I don't think he needs to die tho. He's one of the few chars left that constantly makes me laugh.
Somebody mentioned Barney becoming Sober. When I was on a Simpsons kick a month or so ago I looked at a lot of fan forums and for a lot of people the Simpsons 'died' when that episode aired. I did like how they kept him sober for a few years however. (I believe he's back as a Drunk. I'm sure it says in season 20 that he had a relapse)
I think they are focusing too much on the same chars over and over. Aside from the Simpsons family we sometimes get Grandpa but the likes of Burns and Moe usually get episodes every season. Most are the same (Moe is depressed or trying to win a girl.) And like people say. What happened to the likes of Mr. Largo (Lisa's Music Teacher) or Herman (One-Armed Millitary guy)
Did Barney even have any episode dedicated to him in the past 22 years ? He is only one of Homer's best friends, besides maybe Moe (with whom it fluctuates between being earnest and dejected to being solely after Homer's money).
I kind of didn't include Lenny and Karl there, but they seem to get a lot more scenes.
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He had the one where he stopped drinking. I consider Mr. Plow, Homer In Space, and the Barbershop Quartet to both be pretty huge episodes for him.
He more-or-less got replaced by Lenny and Carl.
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Barney has gotten a 1 or 2 episodes, which most notable Simpsons characters have gotten, but he's more like a character that's there for jokes, like the Sea Captain or Disco Stu.
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Has Chief Wiggum gotten any episodes for himself? He seems like a big enough character to deserve a few, but I can`t think of one.
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Has Chief Wiggum gotten any episodes for himself? He seems like a big enough character to deserve a few, but I can`t think of one.
He had the spinoff one lol. I don't think he's got any just about him but there's been a lot where he's been a main char. Like the ones where he gets fired and then re-instated.
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The one where he and Homer become best friends has to count as a Wiggum episode.
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He had the one where he stopped drinking. I consider Mr. Plow, Homer In Space, and the Barbershop Quartet to both be pretty huge episodes for him.
Don't forget A Star is Burns.
Barney: My name is Barney and I'm an alcoholic
Lisa: Mr. Gumble, this is a girl scout meeting
Barney: Is it? Or is it that you girls can't admit you have a problem?
And the lamb lies down on Broadway
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lol yeah I recalled that one after I made the post. But wasn't so sure it counted lol.
Does the Capitol City not count as one? Aside from the family Barney probably is the other char to get the most spotlight.
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The way they have developed Homer's friendships with Lenny/Carl, Moe and even Flanders has kind of left Barney by the wayside. I thought Barney getting sober was a pretty decent episode, but then it basically killed his character for the rest of the series.
I would not mind a Barney episode sometime in the future.
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I really liked Sunday's episode. I don't usually give the episodes my full attention while I watch, because they doesn't interest me enough, but this last one was weirdly compelling.
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Me losing track of time made me miss the premiere. Dammit. I'll catch it online though.
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I really liked Sunday's episode. I don't usually give the episodes my full attention while I watch, because they doesn't interest me enough, but this last one was weirdly compelling.
Did Flanders and Edna end up together? Leaving it up to an internet poll was such a crass way to go about potential character development.
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@RobbyBevard:
Did Flanders and Edna end up together? Leaving it up to an internet poll was such a crass way to go about potential character development.
! Yeah, they did.
! I'm happy about it. I voted yes, but I was expecting most to not want it. I think a lot of new stories are possible with this now. -
@RobbyBevard:
Did Flanders and Edna end up together? Leaving it up to an internet poll was such a crass way to go about potential character development.
Wait, Edna "Sex in janitor's closet" Krabappel and Ned Flanders, the man whose religious devotion single handedly destroyed a young priest's optimism and positive outlook in mere days ?
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@No:
Wait, Edna "Sex in janitor's closet" Krabappel and Ned Flanders, the man whose religious devotion single handedly destroyed a young priest's optimism and positive outlook in mere days ?
Yes, that was pretty much the turmoil involved.
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@RobbyBevard:
Yes, that was pretty much the turmoil involved.
I admit this is an interesting development.
Now the only thing I want to know is when is Lisa's teacher gonna be important ?
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Flanders and Krabappel? So…..are they married or just dating?
And the lamb lies down on Broadway
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Flanders and Krabappel? So…..are they married or just dating?
The fans are meant to decide.
WHAT!!!
GO AWAY!!
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@bartholemew:
The fans are meant to decide.
I thought they already did.
Or are they staging a vote on every major plot development ? I understand they obviously forgot how to handle these naturally, but come on >_<
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their was ep of nedna in the final of last season, so they vote during the all time…
BTW the season premiere ep was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! -
What the? I sure didn't see this coming. I can't say I'm happy with it, I really liked Skinner and Krabappel as a couple, and their break-up was awfully forced. Skinner deserved some happiness too I thought, I feel kinda bad for the way he's been depicted lately.
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@The:
What the? I sure didn't see this coming. I can't say I'm happy with it, I really liked Skinner and Krabappel as a couple, and their break-up was awfully forced. Skinner deserved some happiness too I thought, I feel kinda bad for the way he's been depicted lately.
You had an opportunity to vote against it back in May.
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I voted for it just because it felt like great potential for some fun story lines.
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@The:
What the? I sure didn't see this coming. I can't say I'm happy with it, I really liked Skinner and Krabappel as a couple, and their break-up was awfully forced. Skinner deserved some happiness too I thought, I feel kinda bad for the way he's been depicted lately.
He did get to spend several weeks boning that hot new hot music teacher.
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@No:
He did get to spend several weeks boning that hot new hot music teacher.
He was a respectable character long time ago - now he's a mamma's boy and a joke. Its been a long fall for that Vietnam vertran & once respected Principle.
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He was a respectable character long time ago - now he's a mamma's boy and a joke. Its been a long fall for that Vietnam vertran & once respected Principle.
But he isn't. He's just some guy PRETENDING to be Skinner.
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@RobbyBevard:
But he isn't. He's just some guy PRETENDING to be Skinner.
Hit the deck everybody !
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@RobbyBevard:
But he isn't. He's just some guy PRETENDING to be Skinner.
As far as i am concerned, that episode never happenned. I know the shows writers feel the same way as well.They even regreted having made the episode.
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@RobbyBevard:
But he isn't. He's just some guy PRETENDING to be Skinner.
Didn´t they said, as a joke, in that episode that every habitant would forget that and would be punished if they brought that up again? I remember Judge… i don´t remember his name, saying it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Principal_and_the_Pauper <–-here it is (well, it´s wikipedia but...)
I love this scene by the way
Working thru some stuff. Dunno how long i will be here.
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Didn´t they said, as a joke, in that episode that every habitant will forget that and would be punished if they brought that up again? I remember Judge… i don´t remember his name, saying it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Principal_and_the_Pauper <–-here it is (well, it´s wikipedia but...)
I love this scene by the way
lol. "Cool…I broke his brain" Hah. Great scene.
