Merry Easter

A little late for Easter, but Merry Easter anyway!

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This is going to be a slight continuation from the previous post. Last week I had a few screen shots from "Bugs Bunny Gets The Boid." This week we are going to do The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror V. One of the very few Simpsons episode where you will find Homer looking like this:

Fans of The Simpsons will instantly recognize this scene from Treehous of Horror V "The Shinning." It is one of the most memorable moments from the series. My theory on why is because Homer was allowed to look crazy, he was allowed to look like an animated cartoon verses the "always on model" look you get in every episode. I think John Kricfalusi (Ren and Stimpy) said it best when he recently mentioned on his blog that The Simpsons "is perfect." I agree, it is perfect. This may explain why one of my favorite seasons of the series is the first season.

The first season just plain looks strange. The way the characters developed from the first to the second season is remarkable...and they haven't changed a bit since then. There are oddities in the first season, the characters are not 100% "on model" but this gives the first season a unique feel that no seasons since have had. I'm strictly talking from an animation stand point, there are definite staples in each season that define it, but I feel that stems more from the writing and stories. Fans of the series can tell a "2nd season" episode from a "3rd season" episode, but nothing sticks out more than a "first season" episode. I have another great example from The Simpsons of Homer being allowed to just look crazy, to really annimate. I will find it soon and post it. If anyone has some good examples please let me know or add them in the comments or something.

Love,
Doug