It does to me, too, if we're talking about waiting for Christmas or something. But to start a school, though?

I think one of the really great aspects of this show is how unlikable it's willing to make its characters. Like, almost everyone in this show (with the exception of Rickie) is so incredibly self-absorbed, and the series is really great at showing how the mix of egocentricity and confusion can make adolescents act…

Ditto. As someone who was too young to be discerning about The Simpsons at the time of its transition into non-golden years, and as a kinder-than-most defender of latter-day Simpsons, I'd really love to read some well-informed criticism on those second-decade seasons.

I completely agree. Best all season, for sure. I'm really surprised at this review.

I also have nothing against the other classic seasons, but I'm right there with you. I think Season 8 is on-par with Season 4, and almost as good as Season 2 (which is my favorite).

Okay, so, Sims talking about the Scully takeover got me thinking: maybe this has already been discussed in this feature, but just how far into The Simpsons is Simpsons (Classic) going to go? I'm guessing at least through season 9, but after that?

I know. It's crazy how wildly this show fluctuates between absolutely brilliant and face-palmingly stupid these days.

I agree that it's a completely ridiculous idea for them to start a school, but wasn't it the lack of schools that specialize in teaching kids like Max that made A&K want to start the school? They had that whole conversation about the different schools available to them and how each of them didn't work for Max. So I…

A school?! A motherfucking school?!? Come on, Parenthood. Seriously, Adam and Kristina are worried about Max going to high school, which, as they said tonight, will happen in less than one year's time, and their solution to that problem is that they start a school, which they would have to start up in LESS THAN ONE…

That was the part when I really lost it. So freaking hilarious.

This is kind of assholish of me, but it bothers me that he says that the B-52s
and R.E.M. were partnering to make pop hits "by the end of the ’90s." "Shiny Happy People" is like from 1991. Other than that, I don't really have anything productive to add to this discussion.

There are always the exceptions. Cheers, Seinfeld, the X-Files (which, for the record, should have ended at 8, but who's counting?), and I'm sure a few others. I still think 7 is generally a breaking point, though.

Well, if they hadn't married each other, we wouldn't have gotten "Fancy Party." The world would be a much sadder place without "Fancy Party."

Losing Chris Pratt would indeed be a pretty mortal blow for this show. Andy contributes an energy that is really missing in the episodes without him.

Agreed. Even though Parks and Rec isn't as sharp as it used to be, it hasn't made me retroactively dislike the characters in previous seasons, so it's got that on the US Office so far.

I tend to agree that 7 season is the absolute longest sitcoms (heck, dramas, too) should last. That being said, it would be interesting if P&R took some cues from Cheers and re-examined the balance of its cast members, its thematic focus, etc. I've heard a few people talk about a possible future shift in P&R…

For real! When I was watching last night's episode, I was thinking about how nice it is to have Parenthood be one of the best shows on TV again.

Larry choking on the cracker during the proposal was funny enough, but him trying to use a second cracker to wash the first one down was what took it to the next level.

The best Community since "Remedial Chaos Theory" for sure. That was just wonderful.

I'd like to think that when Jimmy Jr. grows up, he invents a time machine, goes back to 1980, and beats Nick Andopolis at the disco dance contest in the Freaks and Geeks finale.