Ha! A look at works inspired directly or indirectly by Stephen King’s massive novel wouldn’t be complete without this.
Even though I haven’t been a regular Simpsons viewer since 2004, all the classic episodes I’ve watched in recent years thanks to how my best friend and I have worked them into our movie nights have kept its genius from its peak years fresh in my mind. Honestly, not only is Homer the greatest fictional character in all of history, but I think the show has remained profitable for decade after decade due to the huge, hilarious community that is Springfield. I can’t imagine it would have even lasted 10 seasons if Homer’s immediate family made up the bulk of the regular characters.
The vast array of supporting characters are put to good use in this parody that is the first segment featured in “Treehouse of Horror V”, the fifth-ever Halloween special of the show. Mr. Burns owns the huge manor where Homer is hired as the caretaker, Smithers is his assistant who warns him about the possibility that “NO TV AND NO BEER MAKE HOMER GO CRAZY”, Groundskeeper Willie is the Halloran character (his fate winds up getting referenced hilariously in ALL THREE stories of this episode), Moe is the ghost bartender who does about as good a job convincing Homer to kill his family as Moe does anything else in the world, and even Chief Wiggum turns up, managing to make a hilarious joke out of a CB radio, over.
Every scene directly parodies the Kubrick movie brilliantly yet even if you haven’t seen that (as I hadn’t the first few times) this is still funny. The ability to stand on its own is of course the hallmark of quality satire.
My only qualm is that they didn’t think to feature Sherri and Terri playing the twin girl ghosts and have them taunt Bart. To paraphrase Homer in “Homer Defined”, if you looked up missed opportunity in the dictionary you’d find a picture of that reference next to it.
Oh well. Still a terrific use of about seven minutes; I’m proud to give a nearly perfect score.
Bottom line: Terrific vintage Simpsons? Woo-hoo!
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