Simpsons Roundup!

Hello hello and happy new year!

Okay now that that's outta the way, time for another Simpsons Roundup! New episodes have been few and far between of late but next week ought'a make up for that in a big way with the 450th (yes, you read me right), episode extravaganza, featuring an hour-long documentary hosted by Supersize Me's, Morgan Spurlock to commemorate twenty friekin' years of the yellow first family.

Onto the ep...

Entitled, "Thursdays with Abie", the story centers around much-maligned Grampa, (Abe), Simpson and a new twist on a long-running gag. For years, Grampa has gone on and on about anything and everything in his life, real or imagined, (he once saved Christmas with Mr. Burns and Santa Claus), to an audience of largely deaf ears - and I don't just mean Jasper. In this ep, after a lackluster visit to the Wet'N' Wack World (formerly the John F. Kennedy Naval Museum), Abe parks himself on a 'shark' bench while the family head to the show featuring Slimu the octopus, (some funny bits in there too). On the bench, he meets up with a young reporter, Marshall Goldman, who not only likes Abe's stories, but wants to feature a weekly column around them. Oh my!
The story is somewhat of a parody of "Tuesday's with Morrie", a popular book about a young reporter and a dying man, by Mitch Albom, who turns in a fine guest spot in the episode. (He wanted to steal Abe away for himself, but settled on Ralph instead. Good choice.)
Anyway, as the column gains more notoriety, Homer becomes jealous, having the gall to wonder why Grampa never shared any of his stories with him, like the time he met Clarke Gable, (depicted in classic flashback fashion), and convinced him to read Gone With the Wind. With a little snooping, Homer uncovers a dastardly plot by Goldman to murder Abe in an effort to up the drama and, no doubt, the planned-book sales, (bastard). Never fear though, cuz, good son that he is...eventually...Homer comes to the rescue and together, he and his old dad stop the evil Marshall Goldman and meaningfully reconnect. (tear)
There's also a sub-plot about a stuffed lamb from Mrs. Krabappel's classroom, which Bart takes home - and Lisa accidentally destroys. It's not quite as strong, to be honest, (though experience tells me time and many repeat viewings will make it a whole lot funnier), but it's always nice to see Mrs. K and the 4th grade gang, particularly Nelson, (who sports a fairly unhealthy attachment to the lamb, poor guy), Martin and, of course, Milhouse! (Whazzup!).
Have no fear, faithful readers. All ends well, though, with Grampa letting Homer take the lead in non-sensical whimsy that night around the dinner table.
That's out grampa.

As I said earlier, next week should be a pretty snazy affair. Might have to brush off the old tux and tophat. I can't wait to bask in all the syrupy Simpsons love.

Till then,

D.A.