The Simpsons (TV Series) The Great Phatsby (2017) User Reviews

I give up

[teamxtreme1107 · 2/10 · 20 February 2017]

I have been the most faithful Simpsons fan all these years, watching every single episode, no matter the lows (which there have been more & more over the years). But watching this episode, I officially give up. They flat out need to cancel this show. There was no consistent plot, basically zero laughs for the entire episode, and the show couldn't decide what it was trying to parody. & to top that all off, they decided to make this an hour long episode. It blows my mind that the once great show could swing and miss so badly. I don't think this is the worst episode they've ever done (although I'd put it in the bottom 10), but it just shows the writers have absolutely no idea what they're doing.

I've been coming on IMDb for over a decade now & this was the first time I ever felt the need to review something on here. This show has no need to go past season 30 (let's be honest, it will get to 30), they don't have anything new to add, and at this point the show has been mediocre to bad for well over half of its run. It's disappointing since I consider this one of the all time greatest shows, but its time to end it.

Very Refreshing Simpsons, Unlike Any Other,

[lesleyharris30 · 9/10 · 15 June 2017]

The Great Phatsby is a terrific Simpsons episode with a very well written plot and a ton of very funny moments. This is truly groundbreaking, it does so much different from any of the 600+ episodes that came before it. Firstly, it handles rap in a very mature, sensible manner, not parodying or giving unlikely characters rap numbers, which is exactly what one would expect from a "Simpsons rap episode", it handles it with class and prestige. As well as that, it is the first time the show has ever done a one hour episode. It is not broken up in to two parts, but literally runs for 60 minutes. There have been many times in the past where I thought the weight of a Simpsons plot could have had great potential to be stretched out beyond twenty minutes, I am happy they have finally seen this themselves, not restricting the amazing ideas they have, I hope to see more in the future.

I was a little disappointed, however, that there were not any full blown rap numbers in this. There are bits and pieces throughout, but I would love to have seen a few from Mr. Burns and Maxwell, would have really added to the plot and overall tone of the episode.

This episode makes the best use of its guest stars in ages. Kevin Michael Richardson, a regular guest on the show, really shines as Maxwell Flinch, his best role on the show to date. He is also joined by a really great comedic part in Keegan-Michael, and several talented rappers, such as Snoop Dogg and Common, playing themselves.

It is one of the most refreshing Simpsons in a while. Very funny and different, The Great Phatsby is a stellar Simpsons.

Mr. Burns starts to relive his glory days as a musician after befriending an admirer of his work.

Obnoxious, drawn-out, dull!

[nathanjhunt1 · 1/10 · 3 April 2020]

It's the straw that broke the camel's back - the Simpsons episode SO bad, I finally gave in and created an account just to review it!

No one denies the downfall in quality over the years. I pride myself in having watched every single Simpsons episode. But this one is particularly bad.

The plot line is questionable, boring as hell, and so damn obnoxious. Oh look, it's Kevin Michael Richardson voicing another character with exactly the same voice. Am I the only one who can't stand his voice? Lets make a show about rappers spending money on pointless things... I can just hear the producers - "hello fellow kids, this is what kids like to watch isn't it?"

But for the love of god, why did they have to make this train wreck 40 agonising minutes long??

So if you're like me and insist on watching every Simpsons episode at least once... be prepared for an annoying snooze-fest.

Different in a refreshing way

[wgreaney · 10/10 · 17 January 2017]

Its refreshing to see the show try something completely out of left field. This was the same old story line that seems to be used week in and week out. An hour episode was also a welcomed breath of fresh air. With the additional time, the plot line was able to fully develop and mature and not feel rushed like it can tend to at time with a 30min slot.

Story line aside take for instance every scene that the character JG was in. There was some sort of beat always going on. It set a tone for each scene with out adding any spoken words or imagery. Im not sure how you would repeat this successfully. Kudos to the producers for taking advantage of the music themed characters and story line.

Yikes!

[FlorianLaur · 1/10 · 14 July 2020]

We all know the Simpsons were best in the early season. The seasons after that? Well, if you can lower your expectations and basically don't expect much, some episodes are still ok. But lately? Why do we need episodes about Lady Gaga, Elon Musk or whoever this episode is about? Remember when a guest star was subtle or the story was actually about the Simpsons?

This episode was just...I don't even know. It was so boring I rather write this review. Something happened so Mr. Burns went somewhere. He went broke. He does something. Rapper, rapper, lots of buzzwords...the end? Honestly, I don't give a damn. And that annoying goose? Sigh...

I can understand that the story lines are just gonna repeat itself. That happens to most shows. But maybe they should do what the Rugrats did and let the characters age? Why not change the Simpsons? I mean, at this point, we got so many inconsistencies, who cares anymore? Like Patty or Selma's baby grows up, Maggie doesn't? Some characters age(Apu's nephew anyone?), most don't? Let them jump in the future. It worked well for Desperate Housewives. They could change the tone. We don't expect the old Simpsons. But this?

One of the worst episodes I have ever seen in my life of anything.

[markcasa-63624 · 1/10 · 25 April 2018]

I'm reviewing part 2 as well:

Around after season 25, was the point where I first got into the simpsons. My parents were fans of the show, but I liked Family guy more, but I liked it. But when I began watching the older seasons, I found out that later episodes of the show were just resting the same concept from older episodes. And it happens a lot.

These are some examples.

1) Lisa, Bart, fall in love with somebody, but break up at the end of the episode. 2) Homer gets fired and gets a new job. 3) A new character comes in and that said character leaves and we never see or hear of that character again, because there played by a guest star. 4) The family gets something cool but loses it at the end of the episodes.

But this is just an awful episode.

I remember before this episode came out, Family guy aired a similar episode. Though on like this one which is a modern day retelling. That episode stuck more closely to the source material even if they cut out a lot of scenes and subplots. It was still funny and they did it 5 minuets. This episode is 44 minuets. And it doesn't need to be. It combines all of the reused plot points above. Like Lisa fall in love with another character. And it is just so cringe to sit threw. I haven't seen this in a long time. Marge opens up a buesness on the rich peoples island and it goes down hill so quickly. But this isn't a surprise because this stupid plot point has been done so many times in earlier episodes.

The episode drags on for way to long. This would've been better if it was just a one parter, but it isn't. In the second part are main characters decide to beat the main antagonist. Who is played by Kevin Micheal Richardson by doing the most epic rap ever made. So they bring together a bunch of African American rappers together, and have them sing the most epic song rap song ever in this like 3-4 minuet montage. And it was so cringe for me to sit threw that I just wanted to rip my ears of. Oh and then its revealed that the rappers were all working for the antagonist. That entire cringe induced montage was basically completely pointless.

So of course everything gets resolved in the end by basically impossible or improbable means and every one lives happily ever after agin. I f-cking hate this episode so much.

Conclusion: To me this was the final nail in the coffin when it came to me watching the simpsons. And while it was nice to Homer and Mr. Burns work together. The episode just drags on for way to long, and most of it is just so cringey. I hate it. This show should've just ended after season 25.

This is one of the worst Animated tv show episodes, Ive ever seen. And for good reasons to.