The Simpsons (TV Series) Simpson Safari (2001) User Reviews

Coming to Africa

[safenoe · 6/10 · 4 November 2023]

Diamonds are forever should be the alternative title to this episode because diamonds became the punchline at the end of this episode that falls outside the golden era being in my humble opinion the first ten seasons.

Anyway, the focus on Africa draws on safaris and coups and naked prey but we don't see the full diversity at play because we don't see any of the minority white Africans. Simpson Safari has it's humorous moments but I think Bart in Europe had more humor and bite to it. Anyway, not a bad episode but it ain't for everyone really and really Simpson Safari is one to watch at least once.

The B plot is better than the A plot

[celiawatsonanime · 7/10 · 20 January 2022]

Like the bagging people striking better than them going to Africa for some reason.

Has a couple nice jokes in here, not as many as the older episodes.

I like when Homer cares more about the vehicle getting to 10 thousand miles than the view with the animals and how he's so hungry he'll eat animal crackers from the 1960s.

Would've been nice if there was more conflict with the company who stopped offering the tour in the 1960s.

Kinda silly that they aren't completely deteriorated.

Somebody light this monkey!

[votesaxon-61433 · 10/10 · 26 March 2019]

One of the funniest episodes ever! Memorable lines Great jokes A lot funnier than more recent efforts!

"The Simpsons are going to __________" (audience switch off TV)

[zacpetch · 2/10 · 17 December 2014]

This is another of those travel episodes that this show insists on doing from time to time. This worked well for the original travel episode 'Bart Vs Australia' but here it falls flat.

The reason why the family set off to Tanzania is pointless. For Australia it was because Bart almost triggered an international incident but here it's because the writers wanted to do tonnes of OTT stereotypes about Africa. Their geographically impossibly all over the continent seeing stuff with no point to them other to screw with the audience. The jokes about revolutions in East Africa come quickly before they even arrive ("It is now called 'Pepsi Presents: New Zanzibar'") and again at the end where their tour guide is the new ruler and the previous ruler is a flight attendant.

They go to Africa because of a Bag-Boy strike causing a famine since apparently nobody in Springfield is capable of bagging their own groceries. Can't they shop at the Kwik-E-Mart? Or even out of town if they have to? Anyway the family find an old box of crackers in the attic and decide to enter a competition to go to Africa (they must have food there!). Homer is refused by the company but hurts himself before leaving so they stop him suing by sending the family on the trip instead. This is one of the only funny moments here.

The second act is the obligatory sightseeing 'gags' as we see such horrors as Rhinos born from eggs and Giraffes living in burrows. Lisa points out that this is incorrect but is quickly shut-down by Homer on full Jerk-ass form before a random 'Lion King' moment and then scaring off some poachers.

The worst moment is when they join a big party with a tribe dancing round a fire. It's embarrassing to watch enough before Homer does a drum solo, eventually hitting a Hippo who gives chase. Until they get on a boat and flee (because the Hippo is scared of water. WHAT IS THIS RUBBISH?!!!?) and somehow survive falling down a waterfall.

The final act at least sees something resembling a plot as they arrive at Dr Bushwell's chimp reserve. It turns out she is using the chimps to mine diamonds. Greenpeace show up to stop her but she pays off everyone with diamonds to keep quiet about it. Cut to the family on the plane home with lots of diamonds. Cue credits. The End.

Don't waste your time with this. 2/10 because I feel in a generous mood today.

Africa awaits

[studioAT · 5/10 · 17 January 2020]

I thought this episode in which The Simpsons go to Africa would be poor. I was ready to skip it on the DVD, but ended up being pleasantly surprised.

Yes, the ending, as with a few in the 12th series, is trying to surprise you and goes too far in order to do so, but there's some really fun and funny moments here.