Ok, ok. It was not a comedic episode. So what!? It was relatable to our current situation. We all work more than our parents did, and have less to show for it than ever before. I'm not saying I agree with the political views portrayed, but the message is clear nonetheless. The middle class is dead, and it'll take a miracle to revive it. For that, I have to rate it higher than the rest of you.
33 Reviews
Poorhouse Rock
studioAT11 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This was a weird little episode indeed.
I thought it started well. It was very nice to see a Homer and Bart centred storyline, and this was well-written.
I can even go along with the elongated musical number (padding out what was obviously a short episode. They even use a couch gag, and goodness knows they haven't featured much in Series 33).
However, I did feel this episode was then needing a sweet moment at the end to tie it all together. What we ended up with instead was a very long musical number and then not much resolution.
Yes, there's a scene during the credits, but this doesn't do that.
I can see why people disliked this episode. I went along with it, but did want that moment at the end.
Overall, despite tailing off at the end, the 33rd series has been a good one.
I thought it started well. It was very nice to see a Homer and Bart centred storyline, and this was well-written.
I can even go along with the elongated musical number (padding out what was obviously a short episode. They even use a couch gag, and goodness knows they haven't featured much in Series 33).
However, I did feel this episode was then needing a sweet moment at the end to tie it all together. What we ended up with instead was a very long musical number and then not much resolution.
Yes, there's a scene during the credits, but this doesn't do that.
I can see why people disliked this episode. I went along with it, but did want that moment at the end.
Overall, despite tailing off at the end, the 33rd series has been a good one.
Im tired
adamation9323 May 2022
So this episode was written by Tim Long, who's been with the show for a while. A number of his shows I've liked. This one however seems to have fallen into the modern Simpsons hole of tackling societal issues with little-to-no cartoony-cushion to surround it with. It feels like too many new episodes put an agenda over the jokes and story itself. There have been muscial episodes in the past, some better than others- and this one sadly falls in the others category for me. It just feels like they made it a musical to really emphasize the subject matter vs for comedic effect. For the sake of the plot, Bart seems to have completely forgotten that Homer's job sucks which really makes no sense (flexible reality yeah yeah). It just feels like the retcons and reimaginings to serve the plot of a single episode are out of control as of late. I guess the show wants to try to say some important things on it's way out the door (I really feel like it's coming soon) but the show didn't get to where it is today by being a podium for every facet of society to broadcast their grievances. Maybe if it was done in a more classic Simpsons comedy way I wouldn't mind as much but as it is- I find almost every new episode harder and harder to sit through and it makes me sad.
Strange to see anger towards this.
thirty-seconds-to-mars12 June 2022
It was a solid episode with a good LONG musical number.
Many people feel squeezed and stuck. Many young people see the future as a trap. So the show made them something that they can relate to. Who is your angry review for? Get a grip.
Many people feel squeezed and stuck. Many young people see the future as a trap. So the show made them something that they can relate to. Who is your angry review for? Get a grip.
Reality check in the form of a rap
hebg29 May 2022
Average episode with simple commentary on the state of the economy in America and the future of the younger generations. I think they intended viewers to be inspired and take action on these important issues but it comes off as depressing- adults and teens like me who watch cartoons probably don't want to be thinking about current events lol. Viewers who don't like the musical episodes might pass on this one. Shows a sweet relationship between Bart and Homer for once :)
First episode I couldn't finish watching
geekoutmetal27 May 2022
It was way to hard to Robert Reich pretend that he doesn't vote for the same politicians as well as advocate for them all the time while earning US$500K a year writing books on how bad politicians are.
His type of advocates against right to self determination and anti-capitalism rhetoric is so tried and boring.
Its a wonder this actually got made.
His type of advocates against right to self determination and anti-capitalism rhetoric is so tried and boring.
Its a wonder this actually got made.
The truth hurts...
hhena00223 June 2022
But it doesn't stop it from being the truth... This is the 1st episode in a long time that I stop what I'm doing to watch in admiration since as of late the Simpsons had become background noise. The wit, humor and satire involved in this episode was refreshing to see again in the Simpsons as I had moved on to Family Guy for that kind of intellectual stimulation. The only surprising thing was that Fox allowed for it to air.
Who in the Simpson Universe approved this ?
neilthor-5541023 May 2022
This may be the most left-sided Simpson's episode ever. I can't believe the powers behind The Simpson's and script approval thought this was a good idea. It basically said "Free Market is bad and socialism is required to fix everything". I'm only shocked that Trump was left out of the preaching.
Interesting for the first time interestIng
milesarmstrongnz30 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It was slightly more ham and fisted than I would've liked. Some genuinely catchy and funny lyrics. That made some good points and made me as a firm socialist. Think about it, and I was forced to do more research and understand my opinion more. It was engaging. I looked up from my computer screen. Sure it's not the same as old Simpsons, but old Simpsons was for different time. And I did find it frustrating how they didn't touch on the Democrats and how frustrating they have been. But then again there are people here complaining about how long the musical number was imagine how long it would've been if they covered all of the issues. One thing I absolutely love is when Homer gets his chick cashed and he gets a rather extortionate fee, placed upon that they never bring it up again, and it almost works against the first half, but it's perfect. Kind of bringing in the banking industry into very good and very funny. Lisa almost hanging this over him, makes sense for her character that has recently been lost as she's kind of this turned into complete Miss morals.
She can be a jerk if she wants to be. In classic Simpsons at one point Homer asked Lisa if it was okay for women to do something I don't even remember what it was and she said yes and then made a whipping sound effect.
Really fun characterisations in this. Good modern references funny misleads I think this is The Simpsons we need for the modern era.
She can be a jerk if she wants to be. In classic Simpsons at one point Homer asked Lisa if it was okay for women to do something I don't even remember what it was and she said yes and then made a whipping sound effect.
Really fun characterisations in this. Good modern references funny misleads I think this is The Simpsons we need for the modern era.
For the first time
eazyseen15 June 2022
Watching Simpsons for 30 years, I've never turned an episode off. I've sat through hundreds of bad episodes.15 Minutes into this episode and that changed. This was unbearable. If there is ever another episode this bad I'm done.
A true sign of the decline
Blue-Kaoru23 May 2022
People have said for years that The Simpsons are on a decline and some episodes are worse then others while some are still good. This is probably the worst The Simpsons have ever gotten recently. A definite low point.
Loved it!
Beaupedia1 September 2022
There's delicious irony in the fact that those who call others "snowflakes" seem to get the most upset when their viewpoints are challenged. Lots of "I'm done watching! Too biased!". Who are the real snowflakes?
This was an excellent episode and my favorite in many seasons. There were many facts in Lisa's song, and they are indisputable. Calling them opinions, as some reviews have done, doesn't make them any less true or factual.
The episode was clever and witty throughout and Bart's appreciation for Homer in the first half of the episode was touching. As for the rest of the episode, as another review stated, sometimes the truth hurts.
This was an excellent episode and my favorite in many seasons. There were many facts in Lisa's song, and they are indisputable. Calling them opinions, as some reviews have done, doesn't make them any less true or factual.
The episode was clever and witty throughout and Bart's appreciation for Homer in the first half of the episode was touching. As for the rest of the episode, as another review stated, sometimes the truth hurts.
The reviews are shockingly bad, I loved it
gekynrd19 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
My favorite song and bit ever. I was shocked and amused, it's also extremely relatable, (I'm a millennial born in '93, the school system is terrible) and hilarious, Bart becomes a fireman because fire will always exist. I mean there are so many fires right now, the summer of '22. Feel like people who dislike this episode are those millennials who don't watch the news and spend all their time on social media to know what's happening in the world or even care. Simpson's really know what they are doing. I love learning how the world is through sitcoms. It fascinates me. I hope Simpson's never end, ever. Good show, decently better than South Park or family guy.
First episode I turned off, had to catch my breath, then finish.
Deadprix27 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I loved the beginning of this episode, it was actually kind of cute to
see Bart actually admiring Homer for a change, obviously that cannot stay because that's how the Simpsons works. But how they did it? Absolutely awful.
For starters: ( spoilers ahead ).
Bart was happy and honestly carefree looking up to Homer and actually looking toward the future, then Lisa started to pry into Bart's happiness by mocking him subtly. Then as the episode progresses Lisa not only shoots down her brothers happiness, she tears apart any dreams he ( or the viewers ) have for the future. Talking about how there's no hope, and one of the final lines delivered is " The only way to fix the system is to Burn it down. " That was just stupid.
I'm 29 I'm a millennial, I know the system is messed up, but this kind of crap? This was not in ANY way funny or humorous at all. This is a comedic show, if I wanted this? I'd of watched a drama. Way to insult your viewers Tim long. I sincerely hope you never write another episode again.
For starters: ( spoilers ahead ).
Bart was happy and honestly carefree looking up to Homer and actually looking toward the future, then Lisa started to pry into Bart's happiness by mocking him subtly. Then as the episode progresses Lisa not only shoots down her brothers happiness, she tears apart any dreams he ( or the viewers ) have for the future. Talking about how there's no hope, and one of the final lines delivered is " The only way to fix the system is to Burn it down. " That was just stupid.
I'm 29 I'm a millennial, I know the system is messed up, but this kind of crap? This was not in ANY way funny or humorous at all. This is a comedic show, if I wanted this? I'd of watched a drama. Way to insult your viewers Tim long. I sincerely hope you never write another episode again.
Good message and feels relatable, but not perfect
aviatorcyan22 July 2022
This episode, overall is pretty good. I agree with the message in the episode and find it relatable, and I found a lot of the gags funny. Robert Reich cameo is pretty awesome. Would have liked some more comedic cushioning similar to that of 90s Simpsons but oh well, I still liked this episode good enough. Of course not as good as classic Simpsons (any season in double digits never will be) but a pretty solid episode. Excited for Season 34. Hope we finally meet Graggle.
not funny
riverotter6823 May 2022
I'm thinking guest star Robert Reich wrote this episode. It was a preachy economic screed, not comedy. If you want real satire, watch South Park. The Simpsons pointing out the cast of the take off of Bridgerton was funny, but after that, the laughs stopped and the economic preaching began.
Quit your whinin'. That's a paddlin'
exuberantloquacity30 December 2022
What is wrong with reviewers? This wasn't socilaist propaganda, it was an observation of the fact that corrupt politicians have sold out the people, dissolving the middle class, and that children growing up will not end up having wha their parents had. For all the whining about it not being funny: the last 5 seasons or so of South Park have been acerbic social commentary, directly criticising both the Democrats and Republicans. It's pure gold to watch, and much better than the old toilet humour of the show. For The Simspsons to make an episode that starts off feeling like a classic episode, then ends up being strong social commentary, this shows me the show has still got it. It's not a failure, it's a success. Satire is meaningless without making a point. This show makes a point. A good one. Those who think it's socialist to look after people should look at every democratic, caputalist country other than the USA. We all look after our people. At the very least, giving unemployed people welfare stimulates the economy. Australia gave people a thousand dollar tax refund in around 2010. The result was we didn't experience the Global Financial Crisis. Just think, people. Quit your whining. Use a dictionary before you talk about socialism again.
I'm out
lrrrofomicronpersei23 May 2022
Not for me anymore
hhirschse22 June 2022
Once the thing you love slips below a certain profit margin, the members of the executive diversity and inclusion committee will take over the writers room and use the stories we overly-entitled fans loved, and tack their radical politics onto a husk of the original property, in order to make it a "teachable moment", and if you don't like it well, "X isn't for you anymore".
Time to hang the boots up
tyscarce1 June 2022
I've watched the simpsons my whole life and this is by far the worst episode I've pushed myself through, as good as this show can be it's just nothing of what it used to be. I think it's time it was cancelled. No more episodes, no further seasons. Please.
Another musical disaster
jimbob2553 June 2022
How do the modern writers misjudge their audience so much ? They persist with musicals that no one enjoys, are not funny and are just plain tedious. After all these years, i think i will stop watching. Am fed up with the continual disappointments and pc nonsense that is killing everything. I will watch the ld one's with m children, way better.
Tiresome indoctrination is not entertainment
er_ouz11 June 2022
I really love the simpsons, and they always had a left wing slant, but it was usually done with charm and humor, and in small doses, while occasionally allowing for conservative coubter arguments into the satire to make for a compelling and entertaining show.
This isn't the case for this episode, which descends into almost communist propaganda and brainwashing, allowing absolutely no counter arguments ("this isn't even contreversial, these are facts" sings Lisa, as she spews more contreversual and false opinions).
More than anyhting else, thus makes for poor entertainment and is more suitale to the USSR Pravda paper than for TV.
This isn't the case for this episode, which descends into almost communist propaganda and brainwashing, allowing absolutely no counter arguments ("this isn't even contreversial, these are facts" sings Lisa, as she spews more contreversual and false opinions).
More than anyhting else, thus makes for poor entertainment and is more suitale to the USSR Pravda paper than for TV.
Bart, underage, references OnlyFans.
sdcfxcdm16 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Who's idea was to reference Bitcoin and OnlyFans from the mouth of a 10 years old?
It began kinda interesting (the Simpsons formula of doing 2 parallel stories, marge's party and Bart with Homer) but suddenly the Marge line disappears and the political musical begins for 10 minutes. There's a commercial pause and even then it continues with 'rap' until the end of the episode.
Someone in the staff thought it would be funny to reference an adult web site and that Bart should be the one saying it. Just creepy to think what else is in their mind that believes kids should know about those things. The Simpsons is transmitted on family time in other countries and young people are the ones who watch it.
It began kinda interesting (the Simpsons formula of doing 2 parallel stories, marge's party and Bart with Homer) but suddenly the Marge line disappears and the political musical begins for 10 minutes. There's a commercial pause and even then it continues with 'rap' until the end of the episode.
Someone in the staff thought it would be funny to reference an adult web site and that Bart should be the one saying it. Just creepy to think what else is in their mind that believes kids should know about those things. The Simpsons is transmitted on family time in other countries and young people are the ones who watch it.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
