[8.3/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] This one has a nice riff on the “Dad Jam Band” concept, which is, in a rarity for this show, an area they haven’t really explored. While its poked fun at rock in general via “The Otto Show” and Homer’s rock band camp, the middle-aged garageband is fruitful territory for the show to get off some good gags.
The episode (penned by substitute showrunner Matt Selman) also has a lot of fun at the expense of washed up 80s rock bands, and puts together a really nice Homer and Apu story. The tripartite tale of Homer being suckered into becoming a bass player (by a guy named Stick at thin parody “Guitar Central”), finding fulfillment in his cabbage festival-performing cover act, and then being jealous when Apu is plucked from obscurity to front the actual band they’re aping (“Sungazer” a perfect title for that sort of outfit). Apu is a nice addition, between his pre-show jitters to his wanting to get off the road to be with his family again. Selman’s the kind of writer who always adds a nice human element to balance out the humor and zany gags, and this fits the bill.
The resolution is a little easy (Kwik-E-Mart-based food poisoning), and the Sammy Hagar cameo is pretty pointless, but on the whole there’s good material for the show to make fun of, a nice story about Homer and Apu to make it all matter, and a number of nice gags and line-deliveries throughout. Definitely a winner among late-season entries.
Shout by Michael ScheuVIP 8BlockedParent2023-12-04T23:50:16Z
Two Colorado references, a Be Sharps reference, and Bart knows the best era of Genesis.