B+
The Simpsons finds the sweet spot as Grampa confronts an old wrong
“Nothing turns me on more than basic competence.”
B-
A trio of sweet religious tales sees The Simpsons finding goodness, if not greatness
We’ve met God before, of course. He of the four fingers, and the booming voice, and the seriously requited love for Ned…
B-
Another retcon of Marge and Homer's marriage leaves us wondering who these impostor Simpsons are
“It’s like I know you’re not listening to me, and I’m not mad at you!”
B
Bill Hader helps The Simpsons stick it to that Banacek guy, who must work there or something
“I can only solve impossible crimes if I’m seducing an amazing woman. It’s my process.”
B-
A fitfully funny Simpsons comes tantalizingly close to takeoff
I’ll say one thing for “Frink Gets Testy:” It’s unsatisfying in a different way than usual for latter-day Simpsons.…
B+
The Simpsons brings back Sideshow Bob for an episode that ticks all the right boxes
“What did I tell you about blood-toasts, Bob?”
B
The Simpsons does some lightly effective political satire when Marge runs for mayor
“Reenactment probably did not happen.”
B-
The Simpsons gets pointlessly medieval all over its season 29 premiere
The Simpsons is back! That’s season 29, people, and what better way to plant your flag as the longest-running scripted…
C+
The Simpsons goes to the dogs in a high concept season 28 finale
Over its impossibly long run, The Simpsons has done just about everything well. It’s also done just about everything…
B+
Marge and Homer’s relationship troubles resonate in a well-plotted Simpsons
In an anything-can-happen setting like The Simpsons’ Springfield, it’s a good creative move to establish some rules.…
B
Bart’s just a gigolo as The Simpsons hunts for some heart
Pulling off a heartwarming Bart story is hard to do these days, and “Looking For Mr. Goodbart” almost manages it. Back…
C+
The Yale-Harvard war bogs down in an overstuffed Simpsons
The Simpsons’ ties to a certain Ivy League school are deep and storied, with some two dozen Harvard alums serving turns…
B+
Everyone gets a trophy on a sweetly well-crafted Simpsons
It’s the moment Bart loses that watch that does it. “A Father’s Watch” improbably winds together three story strands…
B
The Simpsons shifts into sports documentary mode for its amusing “22 For 30”
“22 For 30” dresses up The Simpsons’ formula in the gym togs of ESPN’s 30 For 30 sports documentary series, and, as far…
C-
The Simpsons brings back the writer of a classic episode, but the sequel is awfully Krusty
Well, no one can accuse The Simpsons of trampling all over one of its all-time best episodes. Actually, wait—I can, as…
C+
Patton Oswalt is Bart’s conscience on a disjointed Simpsons
“The Cad And The Hat” is the first credited Simpsons script from Ron Zimmerman, and, while bringing in new blood to the …
C+
Homer swallows his feelings on a half-baked Simpsons
“Fatzcarraldo” sees all of Springfield’s fast-food joints go healthy, leading to Homer rediscovering the train-car…
B
The Simpsons’ “super-sized rap Gatsby episode” is best in its low-key charms
For all the hype about “The Great Phatsby” being The Simpsons’ first-ever hour-long episode, and the understandable…
B-
Homer remembers he owns a pig as The Simpsons squanders some good ideas
Of all the Simpsons’ associates that were really important that one time but hardly get referenced ever again, Plopper…