The California Raisins had a claymation Christmas special that used to air every Christmas. I haven't seen it in a while though.

You mean the Rankin-Bass Holiday Specials that made Christmas worth waiting for?!!?!?! Oh yeah, I think SOMEONE might know what you're talking about. -ohbfrank-

This is a double-spoof joke. It is making fun of the California Raisins (here called Prunes), the Rankin-Bass specials and the fact that the Simpsons are watching reruns that are SO old that they aren't even kitschy-trendy like TVLand programming or ABC Family's "25 Days Of Christmas" Programming.

This was in fact made funnier by the following REAL FOX ads to show the 1st Married with Children Christmas episode that they are billing as a "modern classic". :lol:

Also, the California Raisins beat out the Simpsons the first year they were up for an emmy. They talk about this in the commentaries.

Have the Simpsons lost their backbone!? They won't even say the California Raisins or Mr. McGoo's name. What is going on? Simpsons used to be the place that didn't allude to anything, but outright said it...even the "Blocko" episode, Bart made a "mistake" and said Lego...Why is it like this now?

This Simpsons season, so far, has been way better than the last 4-5 seasons. No?

It has been, in my opinion anyway. One of the reasons is they have their old producer back, the one who took the show through seasons 3-7. I forget his name, but he is quoted in an interview as saying that he wants to take the focus of the Simpson’s off of merely being homer acting dumb, and have more of the peripheral characters come to the forefront.

George Meyer

The result? An episode where Homer steals everybody's Christmas presents and attempts to set them afire with gasoline.

There was a good article on MSNBC.com about how this season was looking better than recent years because of the move away from "Jerkass Homer." I totally agree.

And don't forget "knocks out a little girl with chloroform". Yuk yuk.

I am all for sick, cruel humor, and left-field gags, but good lord, Homer is still supposed to be a little endearing isn't he??
Didn't like this episode much at all. Pales in comparison to even the more recent Xmas episodes, especially the hilarious Grift of the Magi.

I actually thought this was one of the funniest episodes this season. Homer in classic form. And I loved Krusty Operation.

"Oy, you just tweezed my wang!"

:lol:

X

When I read that the first time, I thought it said "better than season 4-5," to which I laughed out loud. But yes, I think this season has been better than the last few for sure. The episodes seem to have a bit more cohesivness to them.