Clown in the Dumps
And now season 26. This is not the last season I watched but this getting to where the memories of me having seen them are getting very foggy. I do remember this one a little though. It's weird because this is an episode that was marketed with a character death and... I feel like I just can't imagine this show being marketed anymore. Granted, it's because I'm just not in the space where it is anymore. I don't use traditional TV anymore. The only time I do see Simpsons marketed are couch gags and as a strange recent blip, the Death Note Simpsons parody. But it really doesn't need it; the show was JUST renewed for two more seasons. So now I'm committed to a 36 season watch. I'm glad the show is getting better but the march of time is hurting my heart.
In this episode, Krusty reacts badly to a roast and it hurts his feelings. Krusty tries to get some reassurance from his father, Rabbi Krustafski, but when the Rabbi is trying to give some criticism, comparing him unfavorably to humour of Rabbi Rudenstein, he dies, his last word being an unimpressed "eh". This haunts Krusty and eventually he is so demoralized and broken he quits his show. Bart tries to cheer up Krusty but it only makes him face the fact that he's regurgitated his own bits for years. Krusty tries wallowing in booze and drugs and even doing good deeds like his father would have wanted. Bart arrives to take Krusty to temple, presided over by Rabbi Rudenstein, who is actually using Krusty's bits. Krusty theorizes his father really did appreciate his humour but couldn't tell him.
Clown in the Dumps is an OK episode of the show and I think it helps a lot that despite going over VERY well-trod territory (Krusty struggles with his hack-level of talent and his father's approval) it does feel emotionally rich in certain areas. Yeah, it's a re-hash but it's a quality rehash, like adding interesting spices to bland leftovers. I think the best part is Krusty seeing "Eh" at the funeral, which isn't the show's most unique visual but I think it pops thanks to the use of sound and sound cues. There's a specificity to it. But I also think this is a better "Krusty isn't funny" episode because it is also about regret and the idea that we don't always get closure. In fact, if anything, the ending is sweet but it does walk it back maybe a little much for what I liked in that messaging.
And I think that's because it really does live in a zone where we do get put in Krusty's shoes just feeling completely hopeless. I also think that this is an episode about grief and regrets and even in it's funnier bits, it's actually rather quieter in bits, like the fairly funny therapist office scene. And I also feel like there are bits but aren't laugh out loud funny but has a couple good visuals. I really like the therapist and former clown who is shown being comedically stomped by an elephant and we see that the elephant's foot is now his foot stool. There are Simpsons, especially in the first 15 seasons, that work purely comedically but as it grows older, the show works better on an emotional level and finding the comedy there rather than simply coming up with a string of scenes for gags. So this episode is not bad, an episode that isn't perfect but on the right track and has a few good lines. I do think that the themes of the episode are done much better in Bojack Horseman, a show that completely looked like it was going to be the funny horse show that pokes fun at 90s sitcoms (remember them) and ended up becoming a very bold, dark series that was never afraid to question it's characters and even at times itself.
The b-plot is also not bad in putting Lisa in a very distressing headspace as she worries about Homer's health. Similar to the episode where Lisa ends up getting environmental anxiety, the show acknowledges this is a real, actual problem and actual concern is healthy but being solely focused on this can be really unhealthy. Lisa's fears are justified but Marge is similarly correct when she says her eight year old daughter shouldn't be concerned. Well, half-correct. I mean, kids are allowed to be concerned for the welfare of their loved ones but at the same time the anxiety is so unhealthy for her. I think the problem with a lot of these Lisa stories, though, is they lead strong and then fall into some platitude like solution. Homer says "Well, I could die tomorrow or a hundred years from now" and it's kind of hand-waving away Homer is so dangerously unhealthy, he stops breathing for five minute increments at night. I wish they could land these better.
Other great jokes:
"Krusty, would you like a therapy dog?"
"Yeah, with extra relish. I still got it, huh?"
"Yes, if by it you mean reflexive denial of your inner sadness."
*sadly* "Hey hey."
"I don't need the pre-recorded applause of children long dead."
"I LIKE IKE!"
"...Only time will tell... which is true for all news stories, I guess. This is Kent Brockman, adding no information."
Other notes:
Remember when Comedy Central was all about Roasts for people we don't like? Wasn't the point in the old days for loved ones to bust their friend's balls?
Maurice LaMarche is getting a lot of play lately.
Pretty great Don Hertzfeldt opening.