The Simpsons: Christmas 2

For my part, I'm a little puzzled at the people who rail against Fox for releasing this kind of themed compilation. Speaking as both a die-hard Simpsons fan and the father of two small kids, I'm pleased as punch that these compilations are out there, because I flat out don't have the money to buy all the complete season box-sets. Rather than accusing Fox of being greedy (let's grow up people, they're a for-profit business whose purpose it to make money), I think they actually deserve some credit for realising that there are customers looking for smaller portions to feed our habit and hopefully get some of our favorite episodes. And, hey, if I don't like the episodes they put on a particular set, the wonderful thing is that I have the choice to say, no I'm not going to buy this. Maybe it is the greatest TV show ever, but it is still just a TV show, and a little perspective never hurt anyone (except maybe that Tron-like computer-ish perspective Homer got in that one Treehouse of Horror segment, that is).

I sure hope they change the name of the disc, because 'Christmas 2' just doesn't sound interesting.

Anyway, once again, this is FOX's attempt to suck more money from Simpsons fans while they're waiting for the box sets to release. Also, only two of the four episodes on the set are Christmas episode. So with that, this set's stars deplete. But, these episodes aren't as bad as the ones picked for "Simpsons Gone Wild," so, I'll cut it some slack and give it two stars. The episodes? Well, break it down:

Homer vs. Dignity (Season 12):

Kwik Synopsis: In money troubles, once again, Homer becomes Mr. Burns' "prank monkey" to get some extra cash.

This episode is pretty bad. The plot alone is pretty farfetched and, while Burns provides a few laughs, wasn't that funny. There was a "sub-plot" about Smithers acting in a Malibu Stacey-themed musical. THAT would have been great to see more than a one-minute scene of. But instead, we have Homer get raped by a panda. You heard me. A panda has his way with him. I wish I was making this up, but I'm not. I guess this episode was picked because the Thanksgiving Day parade at the end had the Santa float, in which Burns throws fish guts at everyone. But still, "Marge Be Not Proud" was an amazing Xmas episode. Why isn't that on this disc?

Skinner's Sense of Snow (Season 12)

Kwik Synopsis: The kids are snowed in the school right before winter break, and they turn on Skinner.

Probably the best episode of the disc. There's a lot of good jokes in this episode, although it takes a hit when Homer comes in. He takes a hunk out of Ned's roof to make a snow plow. The two drive to rescue the kids, but hit an fire hydrant, and the water freezes up instantly, and Homer hallucinates about exotic dancers and... it was all just really weird. But it was still a good Xmas episode. Good work everyone.

'Tis the Fifteenth Season (Season 15)

Kwik Synopsis: Homer tries to do good this Xmas, and ends up competing with Flanders as the nice guy.

A nice Xmas episode. There is a lot of funny stuff in this episode, but it's sort of pointless, as you know Homer will go back to being his lazy selfish self in the next episode.

Dude, Where's My Ranch? (Season 14)

Kwik Synopsis: The family goes to a dude ranch to escape a song Homer wrote that was playing ad nauseum on the radio. There, Lisa falls in love with a teenager.

Atrocious. The first act was alright. But once they got to the ranch, the humor crashlanded. Lisa is in love with someone 5 years older than her, then ends up endangering his sister's life thinking she's his girlfriend. Have we forgotten that she's 8? Out-of-character, much? Yes! And Homer and Bart try to stop some beavers from building a dam, I dunno. Completely unusual and crazy and bad episode. And what exactly does this have to do with Christmas?

This will most likely have a featurette, but I don't know what character it'll be on.

All and all, you've got two good episode, an OK episode, and a bad episode. So altogether, you have an average set of episodes, roughly a 2 1/2 stars. But you can't do halves, but it wouldn't matter, because it loses it with the complete pointlessness of this set's production. Only for an completist Simpsons fan.

Don't get me wrong, I generally love the Simpsons and I had a few good laughs from this DVD, but overall it wasn't as funny as I expected.
(Just a side note, the Treehouse of Horror collections I bought from here are freakin' hilarious!)

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 19 reviews  3.9 out of 5 stars