The Simpsonian: Recent Episodes
gchagares
Two yellow-brained Simpsons nuts discuss, decipher, debate and debunk all things Simpsons. Co-hosted by Anthony Angelico and Gus Chagares.
We open up discussing tactics for surviving Midwestern winters before getting into all the ways the Simpsons have predicted the future - from politics to technology to grease bandits. Later, Anthony dishes some Brockman's Bullets about how Homer will no longer strangle Bart and we talk about how censorship can affect comedy. Finally we bust out Spin That Marge and ask some difficult trivia questions along with a few doses of Anthony's amazing Simpsons impersonations.
Sorry for the audio popcorn scattered through some of the episode - our engineer monkeys are hot on the task troubleshooting fixes for next time. Thanks for listening!
With The Simpsons going on their 35th season, we open the show discussing the pros and cons of a beloved show that may never end. Anthony then summarizes the sad state of affairs at Springfield Elementary - lowlights include drunk, inappropriate teachers, inmates inside classrooms, and circus animal meat for lunch. Anthony then posits an original theory about Ralph Wiggum possibly being on the autism spectrum. We wrap up with Brockland's Bullets featuring a fun Lizzo appearance in the Season 34 finale where she voices an imaginary elf and pulls out her flute to accompany Lisa for a riff on the Simpsons theme.
This episode we pull back the curtain on The Simpsonian and give an update on what's been going on for the last 6 months and why we haven't posted in so long. Gus complains and laments his struggles with technology and his ancient Macbook. The Listen Lady episode is discussed along with a failed Moe suicide attempt. Mr. Sparkle, Fishbulb, and Flanders in the monkey pit also come up. Then we Spin That Marge and Anthony hits me with a Presidential Simpsons trivia question to finish things off.
First we discuss whether we prefer Halloween or Thanksgiving and why. Anthony recollects the Treehouse of Horror episode "Hell Toupee" and we reminisce about our early memories of ToH episodes. We then breakdown the season 31 episode "Thanksgiving of Horror". After that Anthony has a Brockman Bullet which sheds light on why the Simpsons have their distinctive yellow hue. Finally, a spirited round of Spin That Marge closes things out and we give our thanks.
Special guest and family member Joel McHale joins us for an episode recorded from the green room of Des Plaines Rivers Casino. We do some catching up before quickly introducing Joel to the Chicago tradition of Malört, with surprising results. Joel then gets a well deserved scolding for not yet appearing on Hot Ones and Anthony divulges his recipe for home-made Mike's Hard Lemonade.
Anthony then puts Joel on the hot seat by reminding him that he skipped our most recent family reunion and Joel's recent voice acting on an animated Mortal Kombat series is discussed. We eventually meander into Simpsons talk and play some highly confused rounds of Spin That Marge (spoiler alert - Joel doesn't win.)
To wrap up Anthony asks Joel some hard hitting Simpsons questions like whether he would want to voice himself or an original character, Joel reminisces about being young when the Simpsons blew up and gives several of his favorite quotes, and relates a time when he gets booed off stage ala Krusty.
We'd love to hear from you! Send suggestions for topics, guests, or trivia to TheSimpsonianPodcast@gmail.com
This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
An obscure Stooges video game sound bite opens the show. Anthony gives us a cliff notes version of Stooges history which includes a theory about pie-induced strokes. We discuss the obvious impact of The Three Stooges on the writers of The Simpsons and the creation of some characters (i.e. Homer). We reminisce on how we each of us came to know the legendary slapstick group.
The Simpsons + Video Game discussion begins by distinguishing between actual real-life video games based on The Simpsons (Road Rage, Hit and Run, etc.) and video games that exist WITHIN The Simpsons (BoneStorm, Hockey Dad, Escape From Grandma's House, etc). We wrap up the show by fondly remembering The Simpsons side-scrolling beat 'em up that took arcades by storm in the early 90's.
This episode is all about the people you can't live with and can't live without - family. We touch on Cletus and Brandine's hayseed brood, the international Flanders Family Reunion, and the revelation Lisa has when Homer rounds up all the Simpsons in Springfield.
This episode also features multiple family members stopping by for our first ever guest appearances and multiple rounds of Spin That Marge. This episode was truly a delight. Thanks to all who made it possible.
Our shiny new theme song opens the show along with a round of Spin That Marge. Then we deep dive into the controversy surrounding Hank Azaria's voicing of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon by revisiting the most Apu-heavy episodes and looking at how the character of Apu was portrayed over the years. Apologies for the drop in audio quality...fixed for next episode
We open the show recreating Principal Skinner and Super Nintendo Chalmers talking kitchen fires and the Northern Lights. Then a new piece of podcast hardware is revealed and it leads to a colorful new segment. Gus reads a Brockman Bullet about censorship involving Disney+ and China and we recap an episode that pulls no satirical punches regarding Chinese culture and history. Lastly, Anthony reveals a sinister yet plausible fan theory involving early childhood trauma and Ralph Wiggum.
2 years has passed and we briefly de-brief about COVID getting in the way of podcasting. Then it's onto a new segment, Dark Secrets, where we explore the hidden dark side of a particularly pious Simpsons character. We transition into a Brockman's Bullets segment featuring a Simpsons/Marvel crossover and finally tease a segment for next time called Deep Thoughts with Otto Mann.
The last podcast recorded in the pre-COVID era features Brockman's Bullets discussing the Simpsons + Disney Plus relationship, some Tender Moe-ments including Drederick Tatum + Fan Man Moe, and a fan theory hypothesizing a connection between a Mr. Burns goof and a horrifying futuristic device seen on Futurama.
Those early Tracy Ullman Simpsons episodes sure were rough. You might find some similarities here as your greenhorn hosts fake it until they make it. Tune in for Simpsons banter and super-high production values. Comic Book Guy already sent in his review: Worst. Episode. Ever.