Talking Simpsons - The Old Man And The Key With Bryan Quinby

Thank ya, also from Springfield and was about to say the same thing about the Beverly hillbillies episodes at SDC

This episode feels like the most 2002 thing possible, up to and including a very 2002 sort of pointlessly mean-spirited humour. It's also another middling episode saved by its best jokes—I completely forgot that “Old Man Yells At Cloud” came from this one, but Bronson, Missouri was something I found immediately hilarious and it has stuck with me from first viewing. As someone who only knew about Ray Jay Johnson because of “Krusty Gets Kancelled”, seeing him actually appear in an episode was a little unexpected, and it felt like they were escalating an in-joke or something.

Christmas Ape

Growing up in Birmingham, AL, my Boy Scout troop [sigh] was selected to volunteer at Birmingham's Legion Field for the XFL's inaugural season -- it meant we stood at gate counters and took tickets, provided programs, etc, and then got to go watch the game. It was an interesting scene, nothing like the current-day USFL team in Birmingham. The original XFL team names were _insane_, the product was a worse version of pro football with a wide range of talent, but the thing that stuck out the most in my mind was every single one of us seeing the coin-flip replacement and as a unit sighing and saying "these dudes are going to get seriously hurt." Two players, one from each team, would sprint in a footrace and try to gain possession of a football placed at the 50-yard line rather than flipping a coin to determine possession. Literally more dangerous than almost the whole rest of the sport. I can't prove my suspicion here but I _believe_ that this rule change didn't last the season because of too many player injuries. We personally witnessed a double-concussion on that first play and noticed in a later game that the players weren't as gung-ho about sprinting and diving for a loose ball (a true shocker!) One other thing -- Birmingham's Legion Field bathrooms were godawful in 2001, and the place looked like it was falling apart, and that is still true. Avoid it as you would a swarm of bees, but also pour one out for the northside Birmingham neighborhoods that got cut up to build the newer stadium and gentrified shopping / entertainment district.

Byron Lagrone

All the talk about seniors and driving, just had to say that my grandfather only this year finally didn't renew his license at the age of 95. He hasn't driven much for years but while it's obviously safer for him not to drive, you can't help but feel bad given how necessary and culturally significant driving is in the US.

Jonathon

This episode sucks ass but it provided TWO all time classic gags that I have incorporated into my daily existence: old man yells at cloud and Bronsonville (WHENEVER someone asks me something and the obvious answer is no, I say “…no dice.” And I expect them to counter with “This ain’t ovah…”) I guess that counts for something!

SlothIsLegend

Immediate disqualification from future participation

SlothIsLegend

"I hate the Halloween episodes" Nearly ran my car off the road when he said that

PurpleComet

Noticed that the retirement castle's outgoing phone message sound a lot like the ones you get when inmates call from prison, the "joke" being that retirement homes are prisons. "Hilarious!"

PittyParty

I got your lowkey Michael Winslow/Spaceballs reference, Bob.

Ian Stratton

I live a half-hour drive from Branson and have been several times for work-related stuff covering new rides or attractions have opened and it's a fascinating (and kind of scary) place. As everyone in the Discord is sick of hearing about by now, I grew up in Wales and was raised by The Simpsons. Branson is one of those places that I learned about from the show, and when I finally got to go there it was incredible to see that the parodies were actually just barely parodies. A few things about the Pat Boone-ish Vegas that is Branson: 1. To give you a decent impression of the culture of Branson, I attended the launch of a new fall and Christmas attraction at its biggest theme park a couple of years ago. Towards the end of the announcement, one of the things the park's CEO made absolutely sure to mention was, quote: "Rest assured, you CAN say 'Merry Christmas' here!" 2. During the pandemic, Branson saw a huge surge in visitors from all over the U.S. because this area was one of the first to drop COVID-related restrictions. A few places in Branson tried (and still try) to maintain some kind of safety, but for most people there the pandemic ended halfway through 2020. 3. There is a giant sweaty cross right outside the town. (https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/local-news-local-news/giant-cross-visionary-speaks-out-about-its-significance/) 4. Saved a positive one for last. Dolly Parton's attraction used to be called "Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede". She specifically had "Dixie" removed from the name in 2018 because of its associations with the Confederacy. Further proof of her national treasure status.

abstract homer

So as a resident of Springfield MO, Branson was a childhood day trip retreat for my family. So I always love seeing something so close in a show I love so much. I could go on and on about Branson and Yakov but I will leave you all with this fun fact. So The Beverly Hillbillies do have a connection to Branson, in 1969 they filmed 5 episodes of the show in Silver Dollar City, honestly a very fun theme park located in, you guessed it, Branson Missouri.

Dagan Fish

Loved both the continuing Mr Skin lore on the podcast, and the mention of George Lopez on Nick-at-Nite As an (about to turn) 27 year old, George Lopez(and low rider) is an absolute consistently shared experience for my age group. Parts of the show absolutely don’t age well(the pro George Bush episode REALLY stands out). And it may seem like a generic 2000’s sitcom. But that’s what helped make it so accessible, and gave a bigger audience to highlight the things that did set it apart. While every single episode had -much more than needed- stereotypical jokes, it did take time to focus specifically on the experience of Americans of Mexican/cuban heritage and portraying them in a positive manner. In addition to using George to positively portray coming to grips with a learning disability (dyslexia)

Matt Martin

I can’t believe I know this, but as a Santa Monica resident, I can clarify the Linkin Park thing! The band WAS named after a park called Lincoln Park, only not the much more famous Chicago one, but the former Lincoln Park here in good ol’ SaMo, which is now called “Christine Emerson Reed Park.” Like so many things about Santa Monica landmarks, it’s incredibly confusing to explain to people “Oh, yeah; that’s Emerson Park, the band Linkin Park is named after it. . . “ and so on, but as far as I know it’s true!

Kat Heagberg

Great episode with a great guest! Not sure how plentiful they are in the US, but I see a lot of F’real machines in Canada that are essentially Blizzard vending machines. They’re sold as milkshakes, but they're so thick you might as well eat them with a spoon. You select a flavor, put it in the machine, and watch it blend. My family got a tiny Dairy Queen-licensed blizzard toy for Christmas one year — it was disgusting. The two times we tried it, it tasted like old milk and pop rock. Not fun! Also, fun fact: according to the credits, the Branson third act was storyboarded by Dan Povenmire, future co-creator of Disney’s Phineas and Ferb. He had previously worked on the show in Season 5 as a boarder of Cape Feare and Homer the Vigilante.

Dylan Mansfield