The Simpsons (TV Series) Dead Putting Society (1990) User Reviews

Funny early episode

[RovingGambler · 8/10 · 28 July 2006]

I just got through the first disc of The Simpsons, Season 2, and in my opinion this is the best one yet. Homer becomes jealous of Flanders, because him and his family seem so perfect. This leads to both of their sons competing in a putt putt tournament, that Homer takes very seriously, because he wants nothing more than his family to beat Flanders' family at something. I find the episodes involving Homer and Flanders tend to be some of the better episodes, and this is no exception.

It's a great story, and has a lot of moments with great laughs. It may not quite be up to the standards of a lot of the 4th and 5th seasons, but it's a definite improvement over the earlier episodes. I highly recommend it.

Homer Vs. Flanders!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 10 March 2014]

The sixth episode of the second season of the Simpsons is a funny early episode and one of the earliest episodes that will define the relationship between Homer Simpson and Ned Flanders. Despite golf being a key element here, this episode is more about rivalry than the sport itself. There are several great pop culture references here especially the Karate Kid one.

This episode, "Dead Putting Society," has Homer becoming jealous of Ned Flanders because of his affluent lifestyle. Homer decides to enter Bart into a mini-golf tournament against Ned's kid, Todd to see who is the best family of them all.

Overall, a very strong episode and quite funny. Not the greatest episode, but we are well along our way there. The best part of the episode is the rivalry between Ned and Homer. Never gets old. I rate this episode 9/10.

9/10!

[Analog_Devotee · 9/10 · 3 June 2021]

Every television show featuring a family has to do an episode dedicated to parents taking their children's involvement in sports (or any other activity, honestly) way too seriously. This is a prevalent episode-type simply because it's an extremely, and unfortunately, real scenario. People you wouldn't think in a million years get caught up in the moment and often ruin the fun competitive nature for their kids. Others even take it to downright disturbing lengths. We've all seen it.

Anyway, The Simpsons of course does a terrific job with this cliché episode plot. A fantastic episode in Season Two. Loved the ending.

A Good First Flanders-Simpson Episode

[TheIrishJackomon · 10/10 · 13 December 2021]

This is such a great episode, especially with how it is the first episode that really showcases Homer's hatred on Flanders. Bart & Lisa have really good roles in the episode too, with Lisa fitting well into the "Voice of Reason" role in the episode. I also like how this episode ends with Todd & Bart quitting the Golf Tournament.

Homer and Flanders, What Could Be Better

[Gerardrobertson61 · 9/10 · 23 December 2018]

I love it when a episode centres round Homer and Ned, and this one is one of the better ones. This time, it involves Homer and Ned competing Bart against Todd in a mini golf game. Not to spoil the episode, the ending is a classic with Flanders enjoying the result of the game. Classic Homer and Ned, love it

Two Bozos of Different Persuasions

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 9 April 2022]

Ned and Homer are at odds. Ned has a sickening sense of superiority. It ends up with a miniature golf confrontation between Todd and Bart. The ending is pretty soft for this show, but it was still finding its way.

Why do I get the feeling that....

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 23 June 2022]

Homer enters Bart in a crazy golf tournament to prove a point to Ned Flanders.

This is an excellent episode with the Simpsons on great form.

We are properly introduced to Ned Flanders and family, plus it further develops Homer's insecurity about his family and standing in life. Of course it's all done with fantastic humour, memorable dialogue and some excellent crazy golf related visual designs.

I think the resolution between the two boys is superb and the final scene is a great moment and includes Lisa delivering one of the best one-liners ever written.

An entertaining look at the neighbour rivalry that is Homer vs Flanders

[SLionsCricketreviews · 7/10 · 25 January 2018]

In my opinion, one of the best episodes of the first season was "The Call of the Simpsons" in which Homer, spurred on by jealousy of Ned's success, buys an RV and takes his family on a trip that ends with them having to endure in the wild. It was an early and brief look into Homer's jealousy and oft-contempt for Ned Flanders, the lovable yet irritating neighbour and was arguably my favourite element of that episode. "Dead Putting Society" takes those strengths a step further.

This isn't the greatest Homer vs Flanders episode (or perhaps more accurately, Simpsons vs Flanders) but it's an entertaining one in which Homer and Ned sign up their children (Bart and Todd) for a miniature golf tournament to see who is the better of the two. There's enough laughs, many of which are now starting to really come from Homer and there's enough heart and charm and humour elsewhere, namely the engaging dynamic of Bart and Lisa that help hold the episode together.

If there's any real criticism I have beyond the fact that this still isn't *quite* The Simpsons I love, it's the rushed and not completely convincing resolution to the conflict in which Bart and Todd agree on a tie over their miniature golf tournament. It's a moment that probably should work a lot better but the emotional aspect of the moment doesn't really ring true for me as the show will successfully pull off time and time again and even has done so a number of times up to this point in the series (see "Bart Gets an F" as a prime candidate).

Otherwise this is an entertaining episode with an engaging storyline, enough humour and a sense of charm to pull it together. The final scene is an absolute classic and the episode's final line is equally a classic. "Dead Putting Society" isa solid and early look at the conflict between Ned Flanders and Homer Simpson (most of the time spurred by the latter) and while not one of the best episodes, is still a relatively classic episode of the show's earliest days.

Karate Kid homage

[safenoe · 10/10 · 9 January 2024]

I've been watching The Simpsons since it debuted all those years ago, and for me it's the first ten seasons that are the gold standard, although some episodes post-season 10 are worthy to watch for sure. I can't believe it's taken me ages and ages and a day to post an imdb user review for Dead Putting Society, which is one that I still enjoy watching over the years. The Karate Kid homage was amazing, and worth the price of admission alone.

It's interesting to know how the current generation of viewers of The Simpsons would view the early episodes and all, but definitely worth watching this episode.

Another Homer vs. Ned rivalry

[nikitacpv · 8/10 · 22 August 2023]

It's crazy to think that The Simpsons is going to release their 35th season this October. A show that has been around since 1989!

I have been a Simpsons fan for many years now, and I will always be a dedicated fan! I decided to re-watch The Simpsons and start with the very first season. Even though I have watched season 2 on DVD many years ago (not in the '90s as I wasn't even born yet), I don't recall ever watching this episode.

I liked the episode as it shows once again the rivalry between Homer and Ned, and how their sons are victim to it. I might have seen it years ago but I can't remember so it was a first time watching for me I guess. Great episode and it's amazing to see how even after a good 35 years, the quality is still great!

If a tree falls in a forest...

[studioAT · 5/10 · 14 March 2020]

The character of Flanders wasn't completely what he would end up becoming in this relatively early episode of the show, but his squabble with Homer is funny here.

I liked the Bart and Lisa scenes, which offered up a bit of deep thinking, and there's a nice finale at the end.

A good episode overall.