The former is just a scene without dialogue set to music, like the scene from the Departed parody which uses a Dropkick Murphys song from the Departed soundtrack.
Or in the Halloween episode segment that parodied Hitchcock's Stranger on the Train and, at one point, used the theme from North by Northwest during an extended chase sequence.
Musical numbers, on the other hand, feature stylized dialogue in the form of lyrics.
Timing may be a problem with the new episodes, but lack of time probably isn't it. I know in one of the season 4 commentaries (the one with the juicer, I think), they talk about how the whole scene was added because they were short on time.
There's an older post around that illustrates the Simpsons' problems (but the most recent seasons seem to have improved over a huge trench (possibly even abyssal trench) of poor episodes):
I think I might be able to illustrate the difference here. Remember that first Simpsons Christmas episode when they get Santa's Little Helper?
If you don't here's a quick synopsis:
Homer doesn't get his Christmas bonus so he tries to salvage the family Christmas; Homer saves money by buying little cheap gifts (and works as a Santa); Bart is a brat but he has a rationale behind it (wants to get a tattoo with 'Mother' on it to impress Marge, not just to be obnoxious); Bart and Homer bond at the race track after Bart discovers Homer working as a Santa; Santa's Little Helper joins the family as a result of how bad he is as a greyhound and is a completely accidental 'good present' from Homer.
Here's how it would probably play out with the writers they have now:
Homer gets a bonus but blows it on some random, idiotic thing (...Let's go with dog sledding insurance); Homer does some inane crap unrelated to the plot; Bart runs into an antique store and breaks things "because he's bad, it's what he does" (forcing Marge to use the Christmas money to pay for everything); Homer strangles bart; Lisa is sad that Christmas is ruined (contradicting her normal moral and secular stances...which happens quite frequently) and Homer gets Santa's Little Helper from the pound as a dog to cheer up Lisa.
Also, I hate musicals, but the Monorail song is great.
I think in the end it has become harder to really identify with any of the characters. Family Guy suffers from this greatly also... the reason American Dad is so good is that even when they are pretty awful, most of the characters are still pretty likable. Even Roger. With the Simpson's it has just gotten harder and harder to really like any of them. I mean, Lisa is still the only one I even marginally like, and lets be honest, she's pretty awful now. Marge would be infinitely more likable if she just wasn't so accommodating of Homer and Bart. I mean, at this point she's one of those parents who end up behind bars for not being able to control their children and endangering the lives of others.
Bear in mind, this is just my opinion. The fact of the matter is, it's hard for me to really pinpoint just why I don't care for this current incarnation of the Simpson's. It's not because I want to hate them, like Cloud Eagle thinks... although I don't blame him for thinking that because I'm sure that's how it comes off. I just can't put my finger on it.
Also, a lot of the musicals are great... Who Needs the Quickie Mart from the 100th Episode Spectacular... perfect gold.
Sentry on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wrote:
When I was a little kid, I always pretended I was the hero,' Skip said.
'Fuck yeah, me too. What little kid ever pretended to be part of the lynch-mob?'
I think in the end it has become harder to really identify with any of the characters. Family Guy suffers from this greatly also... the reason American Dad is so good is that even when they are pretty awful, most of the characters are still pretty likable. Even Roger. With the Simpson's it has just gotten harder and harder to really like any of them. I mean, Lisa is still the only one I even marginally like, and lets be honest, she's pretty awful now. Marge would be infinitely more likable if she just wasn't so accommodating of Homer and Bart. I mean, at this point she's one of those parents who end up behind bars for not being able to control their children and endangering the lives of others.
Bear in mind, this is just my opinion. The fact of the matter is, it's hard for me to really pinpoint just why I don't care for this current incarnation of the Simpson's. It's not because I want to hate them, like Cloud Eagle thinks... although I don't blame him for thinking that because I'm sure that's how it comes off. I just can't put my finger on it.
Also, a lot of the musicals are great... Who Needs the Quickie Mart from the 100th Episode Spectacular... perfect gold.
Are the characters on Family Guy likable? Out of the two episodes I've seen on this thread's recommendation (the Delorean ep, and the Vietnam War re-enactment ep) none of the characters came off as really likable other than Steve. Francine is shrill and annoying, Roger came off as a prick and a half at the end of the Delorean episode, and I wanted to punch the fuck out of Roger every time he came on screen and reminded everyone about how damn effeminate he is.
But that's just me. Since it's a different show, I'm sure people judge it by different standards.
I think in the end it has become harder to really identify with any of the characters. Family Guy suffers from this greatly also... the reason American Dad is so good is that even when they are pretty awful, most of the characters are still pretty likable. Even Roger. With the Simpson's it has just gotten harder and harder to really like any of them. I mean, Lisa is still the only one I even marginally like, and lets be honest, she's pretty awful now. Marge would be infinitely more likable if she just wasn't so accommodating of Homer and Bart. I mean, at this point she's one of those parents who end up behind bars for not being able to control their children and endangering the lives of others.
Bear in mind, this is just my opinion. The fact of the matter is, it's hard for me to really pinpoint just why I don't care for this current incarnation of the Simpson's. It's not because I want to hate them, like Cloud Eagle thinks... although I don't blame him for thinking that because I'm sure that's how it comes off. I just can't put my finger on it.
Also, a lot of the musicals are great... Who Needs the Quickie Mart from the 100th Episode Spectacular... perfect gold.
Are the characters on Family Guy likable? Out of the two episodes I've seen on this thread's recommendation (the Delorean ep, and the Vietnam War re-enactment ep) none of the characters came off as really likable other than Steve. Francine is shrill and annoying, Roger came off as a prick and a half at the end of the Delorean episode, and I wanted to punch the fuck out of Roger every time he came on screen and reminded everyone about how damn effeminate he is.
But that's just me. Since it's a different show, I'm sure people judge it by different standards.
I get what you mean, because in both shows the characters do horrible things. I think the difference is that at the end of the day for me, American Dad still seems to have a character that ends up being a family and show moments of caring about each other.
But Family Guy, they just ended up going so far with all the characters that they turn into nothing but parodies of themselves-with the "Meg is hated by everyone' being the most often used example.
I think in the end it has become harder to really identify with any of the characters. Family Guy suffers from this greatly also... the reason American Dad is so good is that even when they are pretty awful, most of the characters are still pretty likable. Even Roger. With the Simpson's it has just gotten harder and harder to really like any of them. I mean, Lisa is still the only one I even marginally like, and lets be honest, she's pretty awful now. Marge would be infinitely more likable if she just wasn't so accommodating of Homer and Bart. I mean, at this point she's one of those parents who end up behind bars for not being able to control their children and endangering the lives of others.
Bear in mind, this is just my opinion. The fact of the matter is, it's hard for me to really pinpoint just why I don't care for this current incarnation of the Simpson's. It's not because I want to hate them, like Cloud Eagle thinks... although I don't blame him for thinking that because I'm sure that's how it comes off. I just can't put my finger on it.
Also, a lot of the musicals are great... Who Needs the Quickie Mart from the 100th Episode Spectacular... perfect gold.
I think in the end it has become harder to really identify with any of the characters. Family Guy suffers from this greatly also... the reason American Dad is so good is that even when they are pretty awful, most of the characters are still pretty likable. Even Roger. With the Simpson's it has just gotten harder and harder to really like any of them. I mean, Lisa is still the only one I even marginally like, and lets be honest, she's pretty awful now. Marge would be infinitely more likable if she just wasn't so accommodating of Homer and Bart. I mean, at this point she's one of those parents who end up behind bars for not being able to control their children and endangering the lives of others.
Bear in mind, this is just my opinion. The fact of the matter is, it's hard for me to really pinpoint just why I don't care for this current incarnation of the Simpson's. It's not because I want to hate them, like Cloud Eagle thinks... although I don't blame him for thinking that because I'm sure that's how it comes off. I just can't put my finger on it.
Also, a lot of the musicals are great... Who Needs the Quickie Mart from the 100th Episode Spectacular... perfect gold.
Don't forget "See My Vest"
I was a fan of "Streetcar!" - mostly because in the commentaries the writers were talking about how they had to convey what a terrible musical version of "A Streetcar Named Desire" would be like, without using more than the few words of dialogue that they got under 'fair use'. Which led to gems like:
STELLAAAAAAAA!
STELLAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Can't you hear me yell-a?
You're putting me through hell-a!
STELLAAAA STELLAAAAAA!
Wait, was this started by the thing I said? Because I'm not talking about the musical numbers, I love those.
I'm talking about a musical montage. Several cuts of tiny gags with an unoriginal song over it. Example: Nelson and Lisa doing faux-drug chocolate to the track "Ever Fallen in Love" in the episode Love, Springfieldian Style.
I think in the end it has become harder to really identify with any of the characters. Family Guy suffers from this greatly also... the reason American Dad is so good is that even when they are pretty awful, most of the characters are still pretty likable. Even Roger. With the Simpson's it has just gotten harder and harder to really like any of them. I mean, Lisa is still the only one I even marginally like, and lets be honest, she's pretty awful now. Marge would be infinitely more likable if she just wasn't so accommodating of Homer and Bart. I mean, at this point she's one of those parents who end up behind bars for not being able to control their children and endangering the lives of others.
Bear in mind, this is just my opinion. The fact of the matter is, it's hard for me to really pinpoint just why I don't care for this current incarnation of the Simpson's. It's not because I want to hate them, like Cloud Eagle thinks... although I don't blame him for thinking that because I'm sure that's how it comes off. I just can't put my finger on it.
Also, a lot of the musicals are great... Who Needs the Quickie Mart from the 100th Episode Spectacular... perfect gold.
Don't forget "See My Vest"
I was a fan of "Streetcar!" - mostly because in the commentaries the writers were talking about how they had to convey what a terrible musical version of "A Streetcar Named Desire" would be like, without using more than the few words of dialogue that they got under 'fair use'. Which led to gems like:
STELLAAAAAAAA!
STELLAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Can't you hear me yell-a?
You're putting me through hell-a!
STELLAAAA STELLAAAAAA!
Can't believe how pissed off New Orleans got at that opening song number.
So with Bob Burger's coming out next month, where is that fitting on the schedule? I have a feeling it will bump American Dad to the pre-Simpson timeslot of death.
I'm pretty sure when they announced "Bob's Burgers" they said they were moving American Dad to the pre-Simpsons time slot.
Sucks, but Bob's Burgers will die, as will Napoleon Dynamite (which will inevitable knock American Dad off again), and so on for eternity.
I really don't know why they bother. They can't possibly think any of the shows they've replaced American Dad with are going to be successful. One focus group would tell them it sucks.
But I guess if they didn't learn from 'Til Death, Suns of Tuscon and about five billion other shows I don't even remember the names of, they aren't going to learn now.
I think in the end it has become harder to really identify with any of the characters. Family Guy suffers from this greatly also... the reason American Dad is so good is that even when they are pretty awful, most of the characters are still pretty likable. Even Roger. With the Simpson's it has just gotten harder and harder to really like any of them. I mean, Lisa is still the only one I even marginally like, and lets be honest, she's pretty awful now. Marge would be infinitely more likable if she just wasn't so accommodating of Homer and Bart. I mean, at this point she's one of those parents who end up behind bars for not being able to control their children and endangering the lives of others.
Bear in mind, this is just my opinion. The fact of the matter is, it's hard for me to really pinpoint just why I don't care for this current incarnation of the Simpson's. It's not because I want to hate them, like Cloud Eagle thinks... although I don't blame him for thinking that because I'm sure that's how it comes off. I just can't put my finger on it.
Also, a lot of the musicals are great... Who Needs the Quickie Mart from the 100th Episode Spectacular... perfect gold.
Are the characters on Family Guy likable? Out of the two episodes I've seen on this thread's recommendation (the Delorean ep, and the Vietnam War re-enactment ep) none of the characters came off as really likable other than Steve. Francine is shrill and annoying, Roger came off as a prick and a half at the end of the Delorean episode, and I wanted to punch the fuck out of Roger every time he came on screen and reminded everyone about how damn effeminate he is.
But that's just me. Since it's a different show, I'm sure people judge it by different standards.
I get what you mean, because in both shows the characters do horrible things. I think the difference is that at the end of the day for me, American Dad still seems to have a character that ends up being a family and show moments of caring about each other.
But Family Guy, they just ended up going so far with all the characters that they turn into nothing but parodies of themselves-with the "Meg is hated by everyone' being the most often used example.
The other thing is that FG doesn't even have likable supporting characters. Tom Tucker's an ass, Carter's an ass, Joe's an ass, Quagmire's a rapist, Adam West isn't even really a character. That leaves who, Bonnie? Jillian's gone. Diane's dead. The Goldmans are barely even on the show anymore, and Death's been MIA for a while.
This was in 2005. How many more shows can we add to this list in the last five years?
Bazillions. Then again, networks have always canceled bazillions of shows each year.
It's pretty much the equivalent of Jay Leno making a lawyer joke that was old when your grandmother heard it the first time in 1926.
While I respect your right to a dissenting opinion of what constitutes comedy, opinion and hyperbole to do not constitute fact.
In my personal experience the first time I saw that joke I thought it was funny, and now 5
years later, I'm still laughing.
Eh, while I agree they deserved to take a shot at Fox, they just went for a tired old combination of two out of the three jokes the show knows how to tell (unaltered pop culture references and jokes that go on for waaaaaay too long).
I find it hilarious that Robot Chicken beat them to the punch AGAIN.
At this point, considering how much Seth Green and Seth McFarlane do voice work for each others Star Wars episodes it's seriously much more like a collaboration now then a competition.
Sentry on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wrote:
When I was a little kid, I always pretended I was the hero,' Skip said.
'Fuck yeah, me too. What little kid ever pretended to be part of the lynch-mob?'
I find it hilarious that Robot Chicken beat them to the punch AGAIN.
At this point, considering how much Seth Green and Seth McFarlane do voice work for each others Star Wars episodes it's seriously much more like a collaboration now then a competition.
Seth is the best damn voice for Emperor Palpatine.
When I was a little kid, I always pretended I was the hero,' Skip said.
'Fuck yeah, me too. What little kid ever pretended to be part of the lynch-mob?'
Vader! How's my favorite Sith?... Whoa whoa whoa... whoa, whoa. Just - slow down. Huh? What do you mean they blew up the Death Star? Fuck! Oh, fuck! Fuck! FUCK!... Who's "they"?... What the hell is an Aluminum Falcon?
TexiKenDammit!That fish really got me!Registered Userregular
edited December 2010
In It's a Trap!:
Klaus is Admiral Ackbar (and wants to put the Ewoks in relocation camps)
Roger shows up at the beginning to talk with Stewie about the Death Star:)
Rollo is that weird alien guy who co-pilots the Falcon with Lando
It was a funny special, I've always liked them. There is one really drawn out part about nodding heads that seems to be their simply to fill time, but the constant theme of Seth Green bashing and then Seth McFarlane bashing works well.
Yeah, despite some tedious parts (the nodding scene being the biggest one) I would say that this was probably the best of the three. The Seth Green/Seth McFarlane jokes were pretty good.
Sentry on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wrote:
When I was a little kid, I always pretended I was the hero,' Skip said.
'Fuck yeah, me too. What little kid ever pretended to be part of the lynch-mob?'
Posts
The former is just a scene without dialogue set to music, like the scene from the Departed parody which uses a Dropkick Murphys song from the Departed soundtrack.
Or in the Halloween episode segment that parodied Hitchcock's Stranger on the Train and, at one point, used the theme from North by Northwest during an extended chase sequence.
Musical numbers, on the other hand, feature stylized dialogue in the form of lyrics.
https://twitter.com/Hooraydiation
-Not on your life, my Hindu friend!
There's an older post around that illustrates the Simpsons' problems (but the most recent seasons seem to have improved over a huge trench (possibly even abyssal trench) of poor episodes):
Also, I hate musicals, but the Monorail song is great.
Bear in mind, this is just my opinion. The fact of the matter is, it's hard for me to really pinpoint just why I don't care for this current incarnation of the Simpson's. It's not because I want to hate them, like Cloud Eagle thinks... although I don't blame him for thinking that because I'm sure that's how it comes off. I just can't put my finger on it.
Also, a lot of the musicals are great... Who Needs the Quickie Mart from the 100th Episode Spectacular... perfect gold.
Are the characters on Family Guy likable? Out of the two episodes I've seen on this thread's recommendation (the Delorean ep, and the Vietnam War re-enactment ep) none of the characters came off as really likable other than Steve. Francine is shrill and annoying, Roger came off as a prick and a half at the end of the Delorean episode, and I wanted to punch the fuck out of Roger every time he came on screen and reminded everyone about how damn effeminate he is.
But that's just me. Since it's a different show, I'm sure people judge it by different standards.
I get what you mean, because in both shows the characters do horrible things. I think the difference is that at the end of the day for me, American Dad still seems to have a character that ends up being a family and show moments of caring about each other.
But Family Guy, they just ended up going so far with all the characters that they turn into nothing but parodies of themselves-with the "Meg is hated by everyone' being the most often used example.
Don't forget "See My Vest"
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
I was a fan of "Streetcar!" - mostly because in the commentaries the writers were talking about how they had to convey what a terrible musical version of "A Streetcar Named Desire" would be like, without using more than the few words of dialogue that they got under 'fair use'. Which led to gems like:
STELLAAAAAAAA!
STELLAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Can't you hear me yell-a?
You're putting me through hell-a!
STELLAAAA
STELLAAAAAA!
I'm talking about a musical montage. Several cuts of tiny gags with an unoriginal song over it. Example: Nelson and Lisa doing faux-drug chocolate to the track "Ever Fallen in Love" in the episode Love, Springfieldian Style.
Can't believe how pissed off New Orleans got at that opening song number.
edit: also:
https://twitter.com/Hooraydiation
https://twitter.com/Hooraydiation
So yeah, one of the MacFarlane Bunch is getting bumped.
I predict it will be American Dad.
I also predict Bob's Burgers will be cancelled after 3 episodes.
Sucks, but Bob's Burgers will die, as will Napoleon Dynamite (which will inevitable knock American Dad off again), and so on for eternity.
I really don't know why they bother. They can't possibly think any of the shows they've replaced American Dad with are going to be successful. One focus group would tell them it sucks.
But I guess if they didn't learn from 'Til Death, Suns of Tuscon and about five billion other shows I don't even remember the names of, they aren't going to learn now.
relevant.
Of all the infinite ways a show could have addressed an issue like that, that was possibly the least funny.
I much preferred Futurama's Torgo's Executive Powder.
This was in 2005. How many more shows can we add to this list in the last five years?
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
Bazillions. Then again, networks have always canceled bazillions of shows each year.
It's pretty much the equivalent of Jay Leno making a lawyer joke that was old when your grandmother heard it the first time in 1926.
While I respect your right to a dissenting opinion of what constitutes comedy, opinion and hyperbole to do not constitute fact.
In my personal experience the first time I saw that joke I thought it was funny, and now 5
years later, I'm still laughing.
The other thing is that FG doesn't even have likable supporting characters. Tom Tucker's an ass, Carter's an ass, Joe's an ass, Quagmire's a rapist, Adam West isn't even really a character. That leaves who, Bonnie? Jillian's gone. Diane's dead. The Goldmans are barely even on the show anymore, and Death's been MIA for a while.
Eh, while I agree they deserved to take a shot at Fox, they just went for a tired old combination of two out of the three jokes the show knows how to tell (unaltered pop culture references and jokes that go on for waaaaaay too long).
My bluray copy is supposed to arrive today...
I had honestly forgotten I preordered and why I did (I think it was going to be a gift, but I got them something else instead).
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
At this point, considering how much Seth Green and Seth McFarlane do voice work for each others Star Wars episodes it's seriously much more like a collaboration now then a competition.
Fixed. And though I don't like his shows, Seth MacFarlane makes a damn fine Emperor Palpatine.
Seth is the best damn voice for Emperor Palpatine.
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
Vader! How's my favorite Sith?... Whoa whoa whoa... whoa, whoa. Just - slow down. Huh? What do you mean they blew up the Death Star? Fuck! Oh, fuck! Fuck! FUCK!... Who's "they"?... What the hell is an Aluminum Falcon?
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
Fix Fixed?
Also, not enough lime.
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
Klaus is Admiral Ackbar (and wants to put the Ewoks in relocation camps)
Roger shows up at the beginning to talk with Stewie about the Death Star:)
Rollo is that weird alien guy who co-pilots the Falcon with Lando
It was a funny special, I've always liked them. There is one really drawn out part about nodding heads that seems to be their simply to fill time, but the constant theme of Seth Green bashing and then Seth McFarlane bashing works well.
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
Should we tell him?