All is right again with the world - make that the universe - because "The Simpsons," one of the truly great television programs of all time, is back for its 15th season.
As it has been for the past few seasons, the first episode of season No. 15 is the "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween special. Another repeating trend is that the Halloween special is airing, once again, after Halloween. (There is a funny throwaway gag about this odd occurrence).
Often times, the best part of the "Treehouse of Horror" specials is that none of the segment have anything to do with one another. Here is a place where there really doesn't need to be one plot. "The Simpsons" has gained detractors in the past few years because the episodes seem to jump from one subplot to another in a matter of minutes. On the Halloween specials, it's a positive boon to the show's success.
The three vignettes on last night's episode were all particularly funny and memorable. The opening sequence, called "Reaper Madness," has a simple storyline: Homer kills the Grim Reaper, and becomes the new one. Among the little non-sequitur highlights in this segment are a "Benny Hill" parody, and Homer's humorous argument with God ("Make me human again, Lord." "No." "Oh, please?" "Oh, all right.").
The middle segment was certainly the finest, called "Frinkenstein." Dr. Frink, the Jerry Lewis-lookalike, wins the Nobel Prize. However, he wishes that his dead father could see the award ceremony, so he could finally be proud of his son. Through some complicated science, Frink brings his father back. Of course, his father is voiced by Jerry Lewis. Havoc ensues, as well as a guest appearance by Jennifer Garner.
The final segment was the weakest, which isn't a bad thing at all. Titled, "Stop The Clock, I Want To Get Off," this vignette is about how Bart and Milhouse acquire a magic stopwatch that can stop and re-start time. At first, the two troublemakers have fun with the idea (they change people's clothing, pull pants down and stick fingers up noses), but eventually, they get bored. It's too bad, then, that the entire town figures out what's been going on and tries to kill Bart and Milhouse.
Of course, it's too early to tell if the rest of the season, based upon actual plotlines, will be as fresh and hilarious as this "Treehouse of Horror" special. However, I sincerely doubt that "The Simpsons" will ever disappoint its fans.
Josh Spiegel is an entertainment reporter for the Web Devil. Reach him at joshua.spiegel@asu.edu.
