[8.1/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] This episode is funny, and that gets it by. Sure, Homer is a little dumber and more misguided than even his usual standards permit, but jokes about field trips, local newspapers, criticism, and zany food assassin plots all land with a hit-to-miss ratio much better than a lot of double-digit Simpsons episodes.
Ed Asner’s guest turn as Homer’s editor is welcome, between his similar roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Spider-Man: The Animated Series. And the episode is a chance for the rest of the cast to shine, from snooty critics to a murderous French pastry chef. The episode is, admittedly, pretty out there. Marge even acknowledgements when she remarks that only Homer could turn a part time job at a local paper into being the target of international assassins. But the humor quotient is good, which helps the zaniness go down easy.
At the same time, there’s at least a bit of pointed commentary and character insight into this one. The story of Homer giving everything a rave until told he has to be mean to get respect in the world of criticism, and his getting egotistical until he realizes that he’s useless without Lisa are both solid bits. It’s clear that writer Al Jean doesn't think much of critics, but it’s at least amusing when delivered through the lens of Homer, and there’s some good Homer/Lisa material in this one to boot.
Overall, “Guess Who’s Coming to Criticize Dinner” is, like a nice light pastry, not exactly the most substantial episode of The Simpsons, but it’s good as quite enjoyable empty calories, particularly given its post-golden years timing.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2019-05-17T21:43:52Z
[8.1/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] This episode is funny, and that gets it by. Sure, Homer is a little dumber and more misguided than even his usual standards permit, but jokes about field trips, local newspapers, criticism, and zany food assassin plots all land with a hit-to-miss ratio much better than a lot of double-digit Simpsons episodes.
Ed Asner’s guest turn as Homer’s editor is welcome, between his similar roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Spider-Man: The Animated Series. And the episode is a chance for the rest of the cast to shine, from snooty critics to a murderous French pastry chef. The episode is, admittedly, pretty out there. Marge even acknowledgements when she remarks that only Homer could turn a part time job at a local paper into being the target of international assassins. But the humor quotient is good, which helps the zaniness go down easy.
At the same time, there’s at least a bit of pointed commentary and character insight into this one. The story of Homer giving everything a rave until told he has to be mean to get respect in the world of criticism, and his getting egotistical until he realizes that he’s useless without Lisa are both solid bits. It’s clear that writer Al Jean doesn't think much of critics, but it’s at least amusing when delivered through the lens of Homer, and there’s some good Homer/Lisa material in this one to boot.
Overall, “Guess Who’s Coming to Criticize Dinner” is, like a nice light pastry, not exactly the most substantial episode of The Simpsons, but it’s good as quite enjoyable empty calories, particularly given its post-golden years timing.