Alfred Hitchcock tribute - I loved this, but I'm a total cine-snob. I thought this skit alone redeemed the last few horrible Treehouse of Horrors and getting them a little closer to being back on track. It was pretty witty, faithful, and fun all around.

28 Days Later - This was all right, but I hated the ending. I did like the minor sight gag at the end that they didn't cure nor kill Homer, they just kept him in a cage. I assume it was a sight gag because it was on screen for about a second before it cut to a commercial.

Sweeney Todd / Phantom of the Opera tribute maybe - The thespian in me came out; I really dug this one. Yeah, the songs weren't up to snuff, but I like how they did it and made it clear it was a show. I loved the cheap gags like Homer throwing Moe's rag doll body. Made it all the more authentic terrible theater.

I've hated the last five Treehouses at least and this really was the first one in a long time that I didn't want to turn off the TV instead while watching. Not classic like the first six or so, but I think they went in the right direction.

Thanks guys!

Off the Simpsons, I kinda dig these new HD episodes. I just think the writing's sharper than the previous, what, ten seasons? Still not as good as when it was at its peak, but at least the downward slope is leveling off.

GPFontaine wrote:

Tebor wrote: Thanks guys! Off the Simpsons, I kinda dig these new HD episodes. I just think the writing's sharper than the previous, what, ten seasons? Still not as good as when it was at its peak, but at least the downward slope is leveling off. Do you think the format change had anything to do with the output? Did they hire more/new writers because they were upgrading the medium? It is conceivable, but I guess I wouldn't have expected it. I must agree though, the HD episodes on the average have been pretty good compared to the last few years.

Know what I think it really was? The movie. I think that rejuvenated the writer's room for the remaining staff. The switch to HD also makes the show look better and makes the staff want to live up to it IMO. I think they also hired better writers, but I'm not sure what additions there's been for the past couple of seasons.