It's becoming impossible for The Simpsons to not reference its glory days anymore, huh?
It's a nice jab at fandom but this was really awful.
Even by the shows now very low standards this is bad!
Surely Fox just keep it on air for records now, nobodies enjoying these episodes
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2023-04-29T03:27:38Z
[5.5/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] Ahhhh, I’m so conflicted on this episode. I really like what it’s trying to do. The Simpsons used to be great at commenting on things that were of the moment. Addressing not just pop stars, but the wash of stan culture and parasocial relationships that have emerged in their wake in the modern era is a worthy target of the show’s satire and insights. In contrast to the potholes of Lady Gaga’s guest turn on the show, skewering the likes of Taylor Swift and Beyonce rather than fawning over them is the show in the right mode. And I love the fact that at the end of the day, for all the cultural commentary infused into the episode, this is ultimately a story about the family, what they mean to each other and how parasocial relationships shouldn't mean more than real relationships.
But goodness, it’s so unfunny. It tries, god help me, it tries. But the writers can’t really generate laughs from a setup ready-made for chuckles at least. There’s not much in the way of searing insights about fan culture. Everything is pretty surface level when it comes to Swifties or Beyhive or whatever else. The spoofs of popular songs/music videos didn’t really have an extra layer of humor or commentary to them; they just smashed Simpsons stuff into existing works.
Even the family material is tepid. Bart and Lisa bonding only to be driven apart by their respective mobs is an interesting idea! But it’s disposed of in less than a minute of screentime! Homer realizing his kids are working against him could be great material, but it’s made cartoony and over the top. Even the final music video, which strings together many of the show’s most heartwarming moments, feels hollow and empty since Our Favorite Family have largely felt like, well, cartoon characters rather than real people in the build to that crescendo. You can’t just paper over a goofball episode about outrageous fan armies and a suburban family rubbing elbows with superstars by dredging up fond memories from older, better episodes.
On the whole, this is a missed opportunity and a misfire, but a well-intentioned one. So I can’t recommend it, but I don’t hate it either.