Forget the annual ‘Treehouse of Horror’ anthology-styled episodes of “The Simpsons,” this past Sunday FOX aired a real Halloween-themed episode of the animated series.
It took 27 seasons for the writers of “The Simpsons” to finally do a Halloween episode that wasn’t part of the ‘Treehouse of Horror’ series. In fact, I haven’t really enjoyed a ‘Treehouse of Horror’ since its inception nearly 25 years ago.
It was refreshing to see the characters of “The Simpsons” – in their own universe – actually celebrate and enjoy Halloween. Being how popular the holiday is in pop culture, this opened many doors for homage – from haunted attractions to musicals.
In ‘Halloween of Horror’, “When Lisa (Yeardley Smith) becomes scared at the Krustyland Halloween Horror Night, Homer (Dan Castellaneta) is forced to take down his Everscream Terrors decorations. Halloween pop-up employees seek vengeance on Homer for causing them to lose their jobs, and rob his house while Homer and Lisa hide out in the attic. Homer and Lisa light up their stored holiday decorations to attract attention and stand up to the intruders. Nick Kroll and Blake Anderson make guest-voice appearances.“
Considering we’re in the 27th season, it was an okay episode, but still made me giddy to see them finally take the holiday serious. Also, John Carpenter was immortalized in a “Simpsons” episode when Homer and Lisa whistle the Halloween theme!
For those of you who look forward to ‘Treehouse of Horror,’ don’t fret as ‘Treehouse of Horror XXVI’ will air on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT. “On the annual fright fest Halloween episode, Sideshow Bob (Kelsey Grammer) finally kills Bart (Nancy Cartwright), only to reanimate him; Homer (Dan Castellaneta) wakes up with short-term memory loss; and Lisa (Yeardley Smith), Bart, and Milhouse (Pamela Hayden) get super powers from radiation.“
CR: FOX