DVD Review - The Simpsons: The Complete Twelfth Season

There’s something about The Simpsons that makes you realize Matt Groening can do no wrong. After 20 seasons and 441 episodes, The Simpsons is still a household name. You may not watch it every week, but if you find yourself channel surfing on Sunday night and land on Fox, chances are you’ll find yourself fondly entertained.

“The Simpsons: The Complete Twelfth Season” is filled with several entertaining episodes, a smorgosborg of guest stars, jokes only a well-read person can understand, pop-culture references and plot lines long forgotten that finally coming to a close. Comic Book Guy is on the cover of this DVD release, and he’ll be a prominent character throughout the season. Not only does he fall in love, but he also joins Sideshow Bob as one of the Springfield characters sent to jail as a result of Bart’s actions. The longstanding triangle feud between Sideshow Bob, Krusty the Clown and Bart Simpson finally comes to a close in season 12.

This DVD set opens up with “Treehouse of Horror XI.” This may be one of the worst Simpsons Halloween specials ever, but still finds a few fun and quirky moments as Homer tries to make his way into heaven after choking on broccoli. In typical Matt Groening fashion, several episodes poke fun at American Society. In “A Tale of Two Springfields,” The Simpsons enter an economic civil war when the phone company introduces two area codes to Springfield. This episode features “The Who” and pokes fun at the Berlin Wall. Serena and Venus Williams also make an appearance in “Tennis the Menace.”

The DVD set comes in a box set, but the actual DVD casing on the inside is a cardboard-comic-book-style-slip case. I can see several people complaining about this packaging, since it is a little cheaper than the jewel case norm. However, it does what’s necessary and keeps your DVDs secure.

The Simpsons Season 12 is far from the best Simpsons season of all time, but it features everything you love about the gang from Springfield. You don’t have to be a long-time follower to pick up The Simpsons and quickly become addicted. It’s surprising that we’re still only 12 seasons into Fox’s DVD release schedule for their hit series. I was actually hoping for more special features on this release, but it looks like I’ll have to wait for The Simpsons to make the Blu-ray transition for that.

Disc One Episodes:
- Treehouse of Horror XI
- A Tale of Two Springfields
- Insane Clown Poppy
- Lisa the Tree Hugger
- Homer vs. Dignity
Disc One Additional Bonus Features Include:
- Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
- Illustrated Commentary: Lisa the Tree Hugger
- Animation Showcase: Treehouse of Horror XI
- Deleted Scenes
- Special Language Feature: Homer Vs. Dignity

Disc Two Episodes:
- The Computer Wore Menace Shoes
- The Great Money Caper
- Skinner’s Sense of Snow
- HOMR
- Pokey Mom
- Worst Episode Ever
Disc Two Additional Bonus Features Include:
- Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
- Deleted Scenes
- Comic Book Guy: Best. Moments. Ever. featurette
- Illustrated Commentary: HOMR

Disc Three Episodes:
- Tennis the Menace
- Day of the Jackanapes
- New Kids on the Blecch
- Hungry, Hungry Homer
- Bye Bye Nerdie
- Simpsons Safari
Disc Three Additional Bonus Features Include:
- Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
- Deleted Scenes
- Animation Showcase: Day of the Jackanapes

Disc Four Episodes:
- Trilogy of Error
- I’m Goin’ to Praiseland
- Children of a Lesser Clod
- Simpson Tall Tales
Disc Four Additional Bonus Features Include:
- Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
- Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Executive Producer Mike Scully
- Global Fanfest
- Sketch Gallery
- Illustrated Commentary: I’m Goin’ to Praiseland
- The Commercials