Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Simpsons’ 25th ‘Treehouse of Horror’ goes to hell
It wouldn’t be Halloween without The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror.”
Of course, it would still be Halloween, but it wouldn’t be the same. The annual Simpsons spoof on the strange, bizarre, macabre and horrific has become a tradition for the show’s fans and this year it’s the 25th incarnation.
“Treehouse of Horror XXV” airs at 7 p.m. today on Fox
This year’s special features a spoof of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and several other of the director’s classics.
We’ll watch as Bart is locked in school detention (again), this time for spreading the rumor that lunch would be served by a naked lady. Once he’s alone, Bart discovers ancient Aramaic runes carved into a desk. Translating the message (Lisa has an app for that) sends Bart and Lisa to hell (euphemistically called in press material “a demon-filled alternate universe”) where there is a school.
To nobody’s surprise, Bart prospers in that school. Homer gets to sport a bumper sticker that reads “My child is an honor student in hell.”
In the Clockwork Orange segment (titled “Clockwork Yellow”), Moe is head of a codpiece- wearing gang that is wreaking havoc until Dum (Homer) falls for a girl (Marge) who wants him to give up the thug life. In a parody of The Others (look for the hilarious take on Married … With Children), the Simpsons are haunted by a family of ghosts, which turn out to be them — the Simpson family from The Simpsons original shorts, who were murdered and buried in the house.
All in all, it’s a typical “Treehouse of Horror” that we’ve come to love over the years, full of nifty pop culture references, sight gags and subversive Simpsons goofiness.
A “Treehouse of Horror” episode has aired every year since Season 2 (1990) with each having three separate segments. They’re more special because the episodes always take place outside of the usual Simpsons universe of Springfield.
More Dad! While we’re on the subject of animation, fans of Fox cartoons know that the network dropped American Dad! last year after 10 seasons. Season 11 actually began on Fox last month, but now has sidled over to TBS starting at 9 p.m. Monday.
So look on TBS for fresh adventures of the Smith family, their “routinely inappropriate pansexual” alien, Roger, and talking German goldfish Klaus. There are 15 episodes left this season on TBS and Season 12 has already been ordered.
Fair warning: In a letter to TV critics, co-creator Seth MacFarlane said, “When we created the show nearly 10 years ago, we never dreamed we’d one day be on cable where there are no rules. These are exciting times, journalist friends. Exciting. Times.
“Oh, we just found out there are some rules. Thank you in advance for your glowing reviews. You’re the best.”
More Dead. It comes as no surprise that AMC has already renewed its smash hit series The Walking Dead for a sixth season. Season 5 is just underway with the second episode airing at 8 p.m. today.
Smash hit? The Walking Dead is not only the top-rated series among the advertiser-coveted ages 18-49 demographic (and getting $400,000 for a 30-second commercial), it’s the highest-rated series in the history of cable television. Ever.
AMC has also announced a pilot for a potential companion series for The Walking Dead based on a new story and new characters from creator Robert Kirkman and Dave Erickson.
The pilot will be set in the same zombie-infested world as The Walking Dead, but feature different characters in a different location.
“There are many corners of The Walking Dead universe that remain unseen in the shadows. Being given the opportunity to shine a light into those corners and see what lurks out there is an absolute thrill,” Kirkman told Variety.
More Detective. Season 2 of HBO’s True Detective (set for January) will feature Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn. The teaser: “Three police officers and a career criminal must navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder.”
Farrell will play Ray Velcoro, “a compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him.”
Vaughn will portray Frank Semyon, “a career criminal in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner.”
CBS renewals. CBS has renewed three summer series and canceled two. Under the Dome, based on the Stephen King novel about a town trapped under a giant transparent dome, will be back for a third season. The sci-fi mystery Extant, starring Halle Berry, will return for Season 2.
Also renewed for 2015 (and 2016) is Big Brother. Reckless and Unforgettable, however, have been canceled.
New for CBS next summer will be Zoo, based on James Patterson’s novel. The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email: