I thought that this episode had it's nice moments, and I thought it was a bold, but good idea to have an episode that barely featured the Simpsons, as we've had 600+ episodes with them already. Definitely a season highlight.
12 Reviews
A nice change
kostasomorfopalikaris15 February 2021
This was surprisingly pretty good. I love that they are giving other characters some focus with forcing the Simpsons family in the story. The character interactions are great,there are a few really funny jokes and the message was handled pretty well. Best episode of the season and easily on of the Top 10 best after season 20 episodes
It took only 32 seasons but they finally "do" Cincinnati
paul-allaer16 August 2021
Let me state upfront that I have lived in Cincinnati since 1987, so roughly 2 years longer than "The Simpsons" have been around. And they finally get around to "doing Cincinnati" on "The Simpsons". The premise is that Chalmers and Skinner are going to an education conference in Cincinnati, where Chalmers will give the keynote speech. Of course then all kinds of trouble ensues...
Couple of comments: This first aired in November, 2020 (22 min.; episode 8 of season 32). As is often the case, you probably need to see the episode two, if not three, times to catch all of the jokes. There are so many references to all kinds of things related to Cincinnati that even for me, who has lived in the Queen City since 1987, it was impossible to grasp them all. Yes, there are the obvious references to Pete Rose and to Skyline Chili, just to name those. I love the reference to Air Cincinnati (fictitious, obviously). And at the very end of the episode, while the closing credits roll, there is a musical reference to the 1980s TV show "WKRP In Cincinnati", still the most Cincy-centric TV show to date. As for Skyline chili, the episode shows people eating it from bowls. Except that Skyline (or any other Cincinnati-style chili) is NEVER served in a bowl. Last but not least, there are several geographic clues in this episode as to which "Springfield" the Simpsons live in. At the beginning of the episode, it says "Cincinnati 800 miles". That happens to be the exact distance between Cincinnati and Springfield, MA. Except that Chalmers and Skinner are clearly driving from somewhere west eastward to Cincinnati... Let the guessing continue!
"The Road to Cincinnati" episode is a hoot, and shows that the Simpsons remain relevant, irreverent and funny, even 32 seasons in. If you love the Simpsons, or have any direct or indirect connection to Cincinnati. I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: This first aired in November, 2020 (22 min.; episode 8 of season 32). As is often the case, you probably need to see the episode two, if not three, times to catch all of the jokes. There are so many references to all kinds of things related to Cincinnati that even for me, who has lived in the Queen City since 1987, it was impossible to grasp them all. Yes, there are the obvious references to Pete Rose and to Skyline Chili, just to name those. I love the reference to Air Cincinnati (fictitious, obviously). And at the very end of the episode, while the closing credits roll, there is a musical reference to the 1980s TV show "WKRP In Cincinnati", still the most Cincy-centric TV show to date. As for Skyline chili, the episode shows people eating it from bowls. Except that Skyline (or any other Cincinnati-style chili) is NEVER served in a bowl. Last but not least, there are several geographic clues in this episode as to which "Springfield" the Simpsons live in. At the beginning of the episode, it says "Cincinnati 800 miles". That happens to be the exact distance between Cincinnati and Springfield, MA. Except that Chalmers and Skinner are clearly driving from somewhere west eastward to Cincinnati... Let the guessing continue!
"The Road to Cincinnati" episode is a hoot, and shows that the Simpsons remain relevant, irreverent and funny, even 32 seasons in. If you love the Simpsons, or have any direct or indirect connection to Cincinnati. I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Absolutely terrible
Near-L30 November 2020
Road trip
safenoe17 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Whilst for me the golden era of The Simpsons is the first 10 seasons, there are some golden episodes beyond that. The Road to Cincinnati is kind of a golden episode in that it focuses on two supporting characters voiced by voice legends Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer. Hank voices Superintendent Chalmers and Harry voices Principal Skinner.
It's kind of a buddy movie that could have been a contender, and the well-deserved and sharp jibes to the scofflaw cyclists was hilarious and very politically incorrect that all cyclists should watch. Anyway, The Road to Cincinnati is worth watching at least once.
It's kind of a buddy movie that could have been a contender, and the well-deserved and sharp jibes to the scofflaw cyclists was hilarious and very politically incorrect that all cyclists should watch. Anyway, The Road to Cincinnati is worth watching at least once.
I didn't think I'd be saying this, but this is the best episode of the show I've seen in a long time
nickscheetz6 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I'm just going to say it, Skinner and Chalmers are one of my all-time favorite parts of the show (mostly because of Steamed Hams). I've always loved the dynamic between these 2, it's an underrated character-duo in cartoons.
However, at the same time, I did find it frustrating whenever Skinner had to answer for bad things that happen at Springfield Elementary for so many years, because Chalmers (despite not often giving him any extreme punishments) still always treated Skinner horribly. It's at this specific point that what the staff has been building up for the last 25 years before this episode came out finally arrives and feels so rewarding.
To compensate for all the Springfield Elementary disasters, Skinner always tried his "hardest" to show that he's at least still loyal to Chalmers, he never gave up no matter how much Chalmers shot him down, yet very rarely has Chalmers ever shown any "genuine" appreciation for all Skinner has done for him. It's at this specific point, where Chalmers plans to promote another principal and then fire Skinner that actually drives Skinner himself to put his foot down and tell Chalmers off for years of intimidation and disrespect despite all Skinner has done for him.
The fist fight they get into and Skinner quitting afterward feels earned, because it was never until now that Skinner actually tried to stand his ground, he always just sat there and took every beating no matter how frustrating it might've been. Godspeed Skinner, Godspeed.
Even after the well-earned fight when Chalmers starts to realize the value in Skinner, it doesn't feel like the writers are hitting the reset button for the status-quo. It feels deeply genuine when Chalmers starts to see the errors of how he treats Skinner and that he was the only one who actually seemed to care about him. Them hugging it out and having lunch at a chili diner together by the end, was the cherry on top for this long-awaited day.
This was the act of character-development we all needed. Not only did Skinner overcome his fear of Chalmers' intimidating nature, but Chalmers finally saw the true value in Skinner, thus turning their once mutual relationship, into a genuine one.
However, at the same time, I did find it frustrating whenever Skinner had to answer for bad things that happen at Springfield Elementary for so many years, because Chalmers (despite not often giving him any extreme punishments) still always treated Skinner horribly. It's at this specific point that what the staff has been building up for the last 25 years before this episode came out finally arrives and feels so rewarding.
To compensate for all the Springfield Elementary disasters, Skinner always tried his "hardest" to show that he's at least still loyal to Chalmers, he never gave up no matter how much Chalmers shot him down, yet very rarely has Chalmers ever shown any "genuine" appreciation for all Skinner has done for him. It's at this specific point, where Chalmers plans to promote another principal and then fire Skinner that actually drives Skinner himself to put his foot down and tell Chalmers off for years of intimidation and disrespect despite all Skinner has done for him.
The fist fight they get into and Skinner quitting afterward feels earned, because it was never until now that Skinner actually tried to stand his ground, he always just sat there and took every beating no matter how frustrating it might've been. Godspeed Skinner, Godspeed.
Even after the well-earned fight when Chalmers starts to realize the value in Skinner, it doesn't feel like the writers are hitting the reset button for the status-quo. It feels deeply genuine when Chalmers starts to see the errors of how he treats Skinner and that he was the only one who actually seemed to care about him. Them hugging it out and having lunch at a chili diner together by the end, was the cherry on top for this long-awaited day.
This was the act of character-development we all needed. Not only did Skinner overcome his fear of Chalmers' intimidating nature, but Chalmers finally saw the true value in Skinner, thus turning their once mutual relationship, into a genuine one.
un watchable
williamkelly-128104 December 2020
A fantastic example of a non-simpson family focused episode
TheIrishJackomon6 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is AMAZING, I just really enjoyed this episode and its an amazing exploration of Skinner & Chalmer's relationship. As the title suggests, this is a fantastic example of a non-simpson family focused episode as all of them having a minor role. Bart is the one who inspires Skinner, but he then disappears until the end of the episode when Skinner returns, along with Lisa. Also, Bart is the only one who interacts with the main two characters of the episode, and its only Skinner who he interacts with, while Lisa just appears in the background playing skipping rope with Janey, Sherri & Terri (aka, one VERY few times where Lisa is seen with friends in Modern Simpsons). While Marge, Homer & Maggie don't appear until the end of the episode, with Marge suggestion to see a play, which connects to an earlier scene in the episode with Chalmers & Skinner.
Amazing episode
taylorabrahamse-0424627 February 2021
You have no taste if you don't like this. The pacing, the storytelling, the care, the effort... its Planes, Trains & Automobiles with Skinner & Chalmers and expertly crammed into 21 minutes. What more could you ask for? Fabulous episode.
Really good
bobharler21 June 2021
Funny and a Simpsons Episode that Stands Out
AnimatedCritic29 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I was actually looking forward to this episode of the Simpson's. I thought it would be nice to see Skinner and Chalmers in their own episode. This did not disappoint. Chalmers was originally going to take Mr. Finch to the assembly, but when he got sick, he had to take Skinner with him. I liked how this episode was like a road trip episode. Some of it felt a little bit like filler, but it was enjoyable. This was one of the more funnier episodes of modern Simpson's. I liked how Chalmers appreciation for Skinner grew overtime. But then Skinner finds out that when Chalmers took Mr. Finch, they were going to fire him. Then Skinner reveals that he was the one that got Mr. Finch sick, and they had a big fight, with the song Ballroom Blitz playing. It was interesting to learn more about Skinner and Chalmers friendship. Then, Skinner delivers Chalmers speech that he lost. It was nice to see Chalmers finally appreciate Skinner. The episode was heartwarming and funny, amazing for a modern Simpson episode. The end of the episode was completely pointless and totally unrelated to the plot. It was not interesting, and it was not needed. Other than that, this was a very good episode of the Simpsons.
Not a bad episode on this season - so far
burteriksson19 June 2021
This is not the worst episode on season 32 this far. But it's not an unforgettable instant classic either. There are some cute jokes and scenes that I liked. But there are some huge problems too, the biggest being Kevin Michael Richardson - a black person - doing the voice for a white character. I thought "The Simpsons" was over this kind of conduct. They obviously are not, as this was not the first time for Richardson doing voices that are not appropriate for his race.
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