AWESOME
.......................................
Ricky Gervais brought a much-needed jolt to, what for a long time, was an imbalance between storytelling and humor. This episode expressed some of the best pacing in a Simpsons episode in a long time, save for ONE joke.
The premise, which takes yet another jab at reality television, now stands as the best reality-TV parody in the series. Dan Castallenetta makes his first CONFIRMED guest-appearance, but who outside The Simpsons and FOX circles still remember the Tracy Ullman Show? So many other jokes, including FOX's derivative programming rituals, were spot-on.
There was one sequence, when Charles tries to deliver a genie joke, than ran on quite long. The important thing was that it ENTERTAINED. Too often, when the Simpsons do an extended joke, they usually kill what's supposed to be a short joke, which often comes up short of being really funny.
The ending, okay...a VERY surprsing and sudden twist, reviving a revelation from last season.
I honestly thought this was going to be another "Homer and Marge fighting" episode. So wrong was I. Great story, funny jokes, and excellent pacing. It brings a struggle between good storytelling and good jokes into balance.
Oh, and one more surprise...MIKE SCULLY RETURNS!!!
5/5