To be fair, a lot - a LOT - of “Simpsons” jokes are references to things.

Also, “The Simpsons” broke at a time where a lot - a LOT - of humor was increasingly based in references to things.

Shit - I read the book when I was a teenager (after seeing the movie, natch) and I’m not sure I even picked up on that.

I was a pretty dense kid sometimes. :/

There are a lot of things the Muppets do to give the characters life that, once you notice that not all puppetry uses them, point to the reasons these characters are so engaging.

One is “shooting” - slightly moving the head of the puppet forward while it speaks, especially to emphasize certain words or emotional beats.

…

This is honestly probably the first I’ve thought about “Heroes” in like 10 years and I’m sorry it was for this reason.

“Larter ‘starred’ as a fictitious actress named Allegra Coleman, who was, in the magazine’s words, ‘Hollywood’s next dream girl.’”

I don’t even know how to parse this.

She “starred” not in a TV show or a movie, but in real life... or at least “real life”?

I dunno - I’m definitely in the “Bring Back ‘Hannibal’” camp, but this might be OK.

“eco-friendly high-quality PVC material”

Uh... how is PVC “eco-friendly”, exactly?

“eco-friendly high-quality PVC material”

Uh... how is PVC “eco-friendly”, exactly?

“I guess the human equivalent would be for us to eat chimpanzees or orangutans, but please take a moment to imagine sitting down to dinner where a whole golden, roasted chimp lies on a platter before you.”

Humans do in fact sometimes eat chimps, gorillas, and other primates.

“First, it proves anthropomorphic ducks like Scrooge—who I will refer to as capital D Ducks, for simplicity’s sake—evolved from regular, Earth-style ducks. Just as humans evolved from apes on our world, certain ducks evolved over time to walk upright, use tools, develop speech, and build civilization as Ducks.”

I suggest the combination of high-level complex cognition and vigorous activity in multiple environments indicates Mon Calamari are likely endothermic. ;)

This was quality overall, but an extra point for the “Bat Out of Hell” reference. 

I would’ve loved to see her with a red Afro, with the tips of the bat ears just peeking out, but this works too!

Really? It occurs to me I haven’t seen their stuff in a while, and... shit.

Boy, did I.

Can’t upload a photo of Yrcanos, though, strangely.

(Nods approvingly.)

“Unless they’re painting Maslany green, that might involve some expensive CG.”

Actually, they’ll be forgoing both makeup and visual effects - Maslany will accomplish the transformation purely through acting ability.

I was stumping for Aisha Tyler. But Maslany is amazing.

(weary sigh)

He had a “deal” that required him to fly a small plane from Miami to Costa Rica, over a vast stretch of water... and people feel the need to spin some wild spousal murder story? C’mon.

YES. Both are wonderful in their own ways.