Clown in the Dumps
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"Clown in the Dumps"
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Episode Information
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"Clown in the Dumps" is the first episode of the season 26. It orginally aired on September 28, 2014.
Contents
Synopsis
- "When Hyman Krustofsky dies during a comedy cable channel's roast of his son, Krusty, he decides to retire. Lisa becomes worried about Homer's deteriorating health."
Production
This episode was dedicated in memory of Louis Castellaneta, the father of Dan Castellaneta, who died in August 2014, aged 99.[1]
Character death
A major character who regularly teamed up with Bart was said to die in this episode.[2] The character appeared more than twice in the show and will be voiced by an Emmy Award-winning voice actor who won an Emmy for the role as the character. As Al Jean said[3], it wouldn't be Edna Krabappel, due to Marcia Wallace's death[4] and Hank Azaria confirmed that it wasn't one of his characters.[5] Homer was ruled out.[6] There is scene that will feature Lisa worrying about Homer's health as he struggles with a sleep mask.[6]
The character who died was Hyman Krustofsky.
Reception
The episode received 8.5 million viewers on its premiere, the highest for a season premiere since Season 20's "Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes", and the highest rated episode since the ninth episode of Season 25, "Steal This Episode", from January 2014. It also received a 3.9 18-49 rating.[7]
The episode received mixed reviews from critics. The A.V. Club awarded it a "C", saying "The Simpsons returns for its 26th season with a nondescript, anti-climactic premiere whose overstuffed cameos and would-be big character death amount to little more than a disspiriting confirmation that its best days are, indeed, long gone," and that "this inability to weave the A- and B-stories into a unified episode has become pretty glaring," before praising the episode's couch gag, calling it "brilliant stuff".[8] Den of Geek said it was "a bittersweet episode" and picked up on how "The Simpsons always make you care for their characters. There is a sweetness inherent in the most egregious traits," and in the end awarding it 4/5. BubbleBlabber's review started out with anger at "[...] which character died. I'll tell you who: Rabbi Fucking Krustofski – the guy I predicted would die in this episode over FOUR months ago," but then ultimatally praised the episode for "the amount it resembled Simpsons episodes of the classic era," then saying that "[...] all these elements [how it resembled its classic era, its cast and couch gag] nevertheless combined for a fantastic premiere to the show's 26th season," and in the end, awarded it 8.5.[9]
The NoHomers forum users were less sympathetic to the episode, which as of late, holds a majority 2/5 on a poll, with one saying it was "a mediocre, forgettable episode," another critizing how "[the] character death [being] way overhyped was [the] biggest flaw," yet another praising the episode saying "[the] couch gag was great" and "the ending was sweet." [10]
Gallery
- Clown in the Dumps promo 1.jpg
- Clown in the Dumps.jpg
- Clown in the Dumps promo 3.jpg
- Clown in the Dumps promo 4.jpg
Promotional Videos
- Promo for "Clown In The Dumps" at YouTube
- Roasting Krusty from "Clown In The Dumps" at YouTube
- Cancelling The Bit from "Clown In The Dumps" at YouTube
References
- ↑ Father of ‘Homer Simpson’ voice actor dead at 99 - Chicago Sun-Times
- ↑ Metro - "And the next Simpsons character to be killed off is…"
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly - "'Simpsons' producer on mystery death in Springfield: Even the actor doesn't know yet"
- ↑ The Independent - "Simpsons character death hugely narrowed down following Hank Azaria tip"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 SDCC2014 Panel
- ↑ [http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/09/29/tv-ratings-sunday-once-upon-a-time-the-simpsons-family-guy-return-way-up-csi-premieres-down-madam-secretary-falls/307745/ TVbytheNumbers - TV Ratings Sunday: 'Once Upon A Time', 'The Simpsons' & 'Family Guy' Return Way Up, 'CSI' Premieres Down, 'Madam Secretary' Falls]
- ↑ The A.V. Club - "The Simpsons: "Clown In The Dumps""
- ↑ BubbleBlabber - "Review: The Simpsons – 'Clown in the Dumps'"
- ↑ NoHomers - Rate and Review: "Clown in the Dumps" (SABF20)