The Simpsons: One Step Beyond Forever

While us Simpsons fans are waiting and anticipating the release of the Seventh Season on DVD, the latest guide book on the 13th and 14th seasons came out before Halloween. I’ve been reading it off and on so that’s why my review is a bit late.

As expected, this book delivers the goods as its previous three volumes courtesy of Matt Groening’s guidance. Now some say the show has been in decline for years (yet they disagree at which season or show was the “shark-jumping moment” which the book also explains). At times I would reluctantly agree because some episodes have been disappointing upon the first viewing. The book renews my faith and enjoyment of the show though. Why? There were a couple shows I thought were not worth remembering and when they appeared on DVD, I’d end up having them to be a completist. Then I read the sections of isolated dialog from the weaker episodes. Many of them are still gut-busters and made me look forward to watching them when they’re released on DVD.

This book is definitely a must for fans and fanatics of the show. But again, thanks to Groening’s guidance, this guide doesn’t take advantage of the fans’ devotion. It’s well made, very colorful, contains screen shots and model sheets, lyrics to the songs and listings of the couch jokes, chalkboards and what Homer says “Mmm…” to.

So here’s a stocking stuffer suggestion from me.

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