New dvd purchase

With some Christmas money I went shopping for something I had long awaited. This December saw the release of the Simpsons' season 7. I bought it for one episode, but discovered that the season had numerous classic bits. The espisode I wanted is called "Lisa the Iconoclast" which I have used in class for years. This homage to Liberty Valance has Lisa Simpson researching the town's origin myth. It is a great way to get some discussion going in class about historical memory.

But what else is on this collection, you ask? Well, part two of the "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" which only really means that I have to now buy season 6. But what about "Radioactive Man" where Millhouse becomes a child star and Wolfcastle utters my favorite line: "The Goggles! They do nothing." Or the next episode where the Simpsons kids end up in foster care with the Flanders. Or the one where Bart sells his soul (an episode that SOF originally thought was quite sweet and interesting). Next we have Lisa's decision to become vegetarian, which may include the best fake school films (Bovine University, anyone?).

Season seven also has Homer's decision to beome morbidly obese so he can claim work disability; the return of Homer's mother; Sideshow Bob's attempt to force Springfield to give up television; Homer's bowling team; and even the episode where George H.W. Bush moves in across the street from the Simpsons.

But those are not all. Bart accidently exposes Krusty's tax fraud; Bart and Abe Simpson go after WWII loot in the Raging Hellfish episode; and in one particularly great episode, Homer replaces Mr. Smithers for a short vacation:

Homer: Here are your messages:
"You have 30 minutes to move your car",
"You have 10 minutes",
"Your car has been impounded",
"Your car has been crushed into a cube",
"You have 30 minutes to move your cube".
[phone ringing]
Homer: [answers] Yello, Mr. Burns' office.
Burns: Is it about my cube?

And finally, one of the best episodes on politics and society when Springfield votes on Proposition 24 to rid the town of immigrants:

Apu: Seven years, but I don't--
Lisa: There's an amnesty that was declared for people who've lived here
as long as you. You can take the citizenship test!
Marge: But the vote on Proposition 24 is on Tuesday. You'll have to
pass the exam before then.
Apu: Oh, that is not nearly enough time to learn over 200 years of
American history.
Homer: Oh, it can't be that many. Come on, Apu. I'll be your tutor.
[everyone looks worried]

Homer teaches Apu facts about American history, like that the 13
stripes on the American flag are for good luck, and the electrical
college, while Chief Wiggum and boys prepare to deport the
immigrants. The day before the exam, Homer asks Apu to study his
9th-grade history notes. Apu tries to study, but falls asleep after
reading two words: Cotton Mather.

And let's not forget Homer's further wisdom regarding democracy:

"When are people going to learn? ... Democracy doesn't work!"

Oh man, what a season!