While it might not appear as a perfect bell curve, the 19-season trajectory of The Simpsons follows a steady ramp-up through “kinda funny” to a blissful peak of “hilarious and surreal” and then a steady settling back into “kinda funny”. Sure, the show still offers the occasional hilarious moment—such as Bart and Lisa’s elaborate cardboard fort battle with hundreds of brown-uniformed delivery workers who stream into the backyard like a horde of orcs from The Lord of the Rings—but the show’s not side-splitting anymore, and certainly not as quotable.
Part of the problem might be that, after so much time, the show’s once daring humor seems more like an enjoyable old friend than the vibrant pioneer of animated comedy it used to be. It’s not for lack of ambition on the show’s part, though, especially regarding the musical numbers. Recent seasons have seen an American Idol parody, a full-on Evita homage, and even a stab at My Fair Lady with Groundskeeper Willie at its clearly enunciated center. But the musical segments now seem to suffer the same malaise as the show’s regular comedy, often starting off with a good idea, but rarely flashing that special spark of absurdity that takes it over the top. Alf Clausen’s arrangements are still top-notch, but the lyrical content just doesn’t seem as sharp.
Consequently, Testify, covering Seasons 10 through 18, rarely satisfies. Nothing here equals past favorites like “We Do (The Stonecutters’ Song)”, “See My Vest”, “Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel”, or “Dr. Zaius”. In fact, you forget many of Testify‘s tracks right after you hear them.
Part of the problem might be that, after so much time, the show’s once daring humor seems more like an enjoyable old friend than the vibrant pioneer of animated comedy it used to be. It’s not for lack of ambition on the show’s part, though, especially regarding the musical numbers. Recent seasons have seen an American Idol parody, a full-on Evita homage, and even a stab at My Fair Lady with Groundskeeper Willie at its clearly enunciated center. But the musical segments now seem to suffer the same malaise as the show’s regular comedy, often starting off with a good idea, but rarely flashing that special spark of absurdity that takes it over the top. Alf Clausen’s arrangements are still top-notch, but the lyrical content just doesn’t seem as sharp.
Consequently, Testify, covering Seasons 10 through 18, rarely satisfies. Nothing here equals past favorites like “We Do (The Stonecutters’ Song)”, “See My Vest”, “Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel”, or “Dr. Zaius”. In fact, you forget many of Testify‘s tracks right after you hear them.
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