WhileThe Simpsonsseason 36 has been full of pleasant surprises, episode 7 proves that one of the show’s newest changes could bode well for its future.The Simpsonsseason 37’s renewalhasn’t been announced as of November 2024, but the show’s future is still looking very bright. After seasons 30-33 were viewed as something of a critical low point for the long-running animated family comedy,The Simpsonsturned around its critical reception with seasons 34 and 35. The character-centric comedy and more focused writing of these seasons won over critics across the internet, fromVulturetoYouTube.
The Simpsons Just Did A Sequel To A Classic Episode From 28 Years Ago (But With A Twist)
The Simpsons season 36 secretly includes a sequel to one iconic Golden Age episode, but the outing’s perspective flip ensures it still feels fresh.
Whilethe Simpsons may never age, the show has gone through some rough patches in terms of critical reception.The Simpsons’ terrible season 12 Thanksgiving episodesignaled the critical decline that lasted until the show’s twentieth season and, although some defenders argued seasons 20-30 were an improvement, seasons 30-33 were singled out as some of the worst ever. Thankfully,The Simpsonsseason 36’s experimentation has resulted in a creative resurgence for the show. Almost every episode of season 36 has an interesting narrative hook, as epitomized in theshort films of episode 6, “Women in Shorts.”
The Simpsons Season 36’s Ray Bradbury Tribute Proves Non-Halloween Treehouse of Horror Episodes Work
The Simpsons Spoofed Three Of The Legendary Genre Author’s Stories
While “Women in Shorts” proved thatThe Simpsonscould pull off a followup to a beloved Golden Age outing like season 7, episode 21, “22 Short Films About Springfield,” the next episode proved something just as important. Season 36, episode 7, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” proved thatThe Treehouse of Horror banner no longer needs to be limited to Halloween episodesfor the future ofThe Simpsons. WhenThe Simpsons’ tribute to the work of sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury was first announced, the project seemed like an intriguing but risky proposition for the series.
“Not It,” was a success since it was a horror-centric parody of Stephen King’s It that was released before Halloween.
On the one hand, Bradbury wrote forThe Twilight Zoneand that classic anthology series famously inspired some of the best early Treehouse of Horror stories. On the other hand,The Simpsons’ season 36’s second Treehouse of Horror episodedidn’t arrive until late November. The first “Treehouse of Horror Presents” episode, season 34, episode 5, “Not It,” was a success since it was a horror-centric parody of Stephen King’sItreleased before Halloween. The episode had a single focus on one of the twenty-first century’s biggest horror blockbusters, and its timing was perfect. In contrast, Bradbury’s tribute was a risk.
The Simpsons Pulled Off Non-Halloween Anthology Episodes Before
“Thanksgiving of Horror” and “Simpsons Christmas Stories” Hinted At This
However,“Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” was an unqualified success forThe Simpsonsseason 36. There isn’t a weak link in the episode’s trio of stories, which adapt both well-known Bradbury works and less famous stories. Parodying the short stories “The Screaming Woman” and “Marionettes, Inc.,” before ending with a spoof ofFahrenheit 451, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” proved thatThe Simpsonscould devote an episode to an author and pull this off with wit and creativity.BloodyDisgusting’s Daniel Kurland agreed, and this success shouldn’t come as a surprise to long-time viewers.
These holiday outings all worked because they adopted the structure of the Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials but adapted it to new subject matter.
Well beforeThe Simpsonsseason 36’s earlier Treehouse of Horror episode, various holiday anthology episodes that weren’t linked to the Treehouse of Horror brand provedThe Simpsonsexceled at this. Season 17, episode 9, “Simpsons Christmas Stories,” and season 31, episode 8, “Thanksgiving of Horror,” were stronger than the Treehouse of Horror outings from their respective seasons. Meanwhile, season 22, episode 8, “The Fight Before Christmas,” is one of the most underratedThe SimpsonsChristmas episodes. These outings worked because they adopted the structure of the Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials but adapted it to new subject matter.
“Treehouse of Horror Presents” Changes The Simpsons’ Anthology Episodes
The “Treehouse of Horror Presents” Episodes Center Specific Authors
Whether it is Thanksgiving or Bradbury’s back catalog,The Simpsonsjust requires a subject to provide inspiration, as season 36’s second Treehouse of Horror proves again. Although season 36’s earlierTreehouse of Horror episode changed the show’s animation, it is “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” that can substantially alterThe Simpsonsgoing forward. Like “Not It,” this special shows thatThe Simpsonscan highlight an author and pay tribute to their work in a standalone special. A parody of Stephen King’sItwas always more likely to prove successful, since the novel and its screen adaptations are both incredibly famous and popular.
The Simpsons’ Bradbury tribute, on the other hand, conclusively proves that the show’s risk paid off.The Simpsonscan branch out and adapt the work of less internationally famous authors, safe in the knowledge that it is the show’s character comedy and consistent humor that makes these episodes work. Going forward,The Simpsonsdoesn’t need to parody the most famous media possible to ensure a large audience. This was part of what held back “Women in Shorts,” which sawThe Simpsonspointlessly spoofBarbieeven though the 2023 blockbuster was already a self-aware comedy that sharedThe Simpsons’ sense of humor.
The Simpsons Can Adapt More Writers In Future “Treehouse of Horror Presents” Episodes
The “Treehouse of Horror Presents” Style Is An Exciting Opportunity For The Simpsons
Like the show’s recentVenomparody, this spoof of a famously funny blockbuster felt superfluous. Going forward,The Simpsons should adapt the work of other writers in new Treehouse of Horror Presents episodes. “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” proves thatThe Simpsonscan make comparatively obscure parodies and unusual premises workprovided the show commits to them wholeheartedly. The show’s Bradbury spoof was wise to begin not with a spoof ofFahrenheit 451, Bradbury’s most famous novel, but a parody of a radio-play-turned-short-story that fewer viewers were likely to know. This meant the segment’s jokes had to stand on their own.
Lisa getting lost in Soho was compelling thanks to the episode’s focus on her perspective, while the Scorsese nods were a fun addition.
Similarly,The Simpsonsseason 36’s earlier homage to Martin Scorsese’sAfter Hoursworked well whether viewers recognized the episode’s many references or not. Despite theplot holesThe Simpsonscontinues to ignore, the show has enough internal consistency with its characters and their personalities to make its plots work. Lisa getting lost in Soho was compelling thanks to the episode’s focus on her perspective, while the Scorsese nods were a fun addition. This, like “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” proves just how much prioritizing character and story has elevatedThe Simpsonsseason 36.
