Review: The Simpsons “Yokel Hero”

 

 

Overview:

Carl’s birthday gets out of hand as Homer finds himself in the drunk tank for the evening. But spending some time listening to Cletus play the guitar has made Homer a new man.  

After making things right at home, Homer takes on the job of becoming Cletus’s new manager. Quickly, Cletus climbs to fame with his special brand of hick folk music. Unfortunately, popularity and money go straight to Cletus’s head. And now, Homer must make things right before Cletus forgets Brandine and their many many children.

 

Our Take:

A big week for The Simpsons! It was officially announced that the series will be returning for two more seasons. Adding to its already monumental episode count.

May this show never die!

It is no surprise that The Simpsons will be continuing its reign of primetime Sunday nights. For one, Fox has been heavily investing in its adult animation content and expanding rapidly.  The Simpsons has forever been the cornerstone of Animation Domination. But more importantly, the series has been finding new life in its new era under Disney reign, delivering some of the best episodes seen in years.

With the series fast approaching 700 episodes, it is expected that the show would step on its own toes occasionally. And that is the hornet’s nest that this episode found itself in. With Homer once again becoming the manager for a successful country music act. This time in the form of Springfield’s local yokel, Cletus Spuckler.

Thankfully, the episode does refer to Homer’s old run at managing acts. The sly remark made by Homer about the third season plot does not give the classic episode enough service though. Unfortunately, we don’t see a return of Colonel Homer or even a mention of that name. It would have been a satisfying moment for fans to see the former identity come back decades later.

This episode plays out using a more traditional approach to the fast-rising celebrity trope. Cletus being the perfect vessel for a nobody turned into somebody who becomes tainted by money and fame. And, of course, we find the Simpson family in the middle of making things right by their slack-jawed friend and his oversized family.

But that is about all this episode has to offer. There is no b-plot to keep things progressing forward. And the plot plays into predictability like Cletus can play the jug.

The episode was mostly utilized as a way of expanding on and giving screen time to, another Springfieldian. With every other side character in the Simpsons-universe being explored, eventually, you end up with episodes about one-note players like Cletus. We never needed it, but here it is.

With the big news that The Simpsons will be pushing to episode 750, this was not the best example of what new plots we can be looking forward to. Instead, this piece was a better representation of the less-desirable stories that the series fell into during the rougher years. An unoriginal plot that skews the continuity of the series. Mix in an unnecessary character exploration and this episode does not offer much past the surface humour.