The beginning of this episode is a little slow, but the marge-Lisa dynamic is one of the least explored on the show so it's nice to get these two working together. It's a sweet episode between them and the jokes hit for the most part. The ending play is very funny too.
7 Reviews
Another fantastic episode on season 29.
leolinsimp9 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This was a really good episode and probably the best one Tim Long has ever written. I loved the bonding between Marge and Lisa when they were working on Sad Girl, and I especially liked the characterization of Marge in the first half episode, shown as a woman who has talents but is unappreciated. Then it switches and all the attention is given to Marge, which I liked as well; she deserved some time in the sun. The jokes weren't top-notch in this one, and a couple fell flat on their faces, like the Bechdel Test jokes on the screen. Still, this was a very sweet episode to watch. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
It just won't get better
manpe-7594114 October 2017
I am sick and tired of Lisa episodes. The Simpsons just keep getting worse and worse. And the freaking guest cameos my God. Just stop already! Nothing but dull, boring, unnecessary things about this show. And judging by the upcoming episodes there's gonna be even MORE Lisa episodes, now won't that be just FUN? Focusing on a character that's already been beating a dead horse for the last seasons and not have any focus on other characters?
Season 29 looks awful as of now.
Season 29 looks awful as of now.
Another emotionally great Simpsons episode for the modern day! Do you know how rare it is for Marge or Lisa-focused episodes to be great, now and even back then?
adampkalb8 October 2017
Lisa is feeling very sad and talks about her depression problems with a therapist in training from college. The therapist in training suggests Lisa draw pictures of her problems. Since Lisa can't draw very well, she has Marge illustrate her comic. The title of it is Sad Girl. It accidentally falls out of Lisa's backpack on her way inside, and Kumiko Nakamura wants to publish it at Comic Book Guy's store as a graphic novel. At first Lisa wants her to burn every copy, but changes her mind when lots of girls read it and can relate to the Sad Girl story. It's still far from being a full parody of American Splendor's plot because Lisa doesn't see other artists/illustrators even though she really wanted to do so.
The writer of this episode really made it an effort to make it the best that it could possibly be. If this episode's rating is underneath 8, those low-raters are not giving it enough credit just because it's in a newer season. So unfair. When Bart and Homer see how well Marge and Lisa bonding, they do another bonding thing Bart wanted to do in a homage to The Andy Griffith Show's opening. There was another fun gag where Homer orders PM Pizza and AM Waffles to eat with Maggie while Lisa and Marge work on their Sad Girl all night long. The episode also did good satire of...how certain parts of society may want to see certain things differently and only going through different parts of the vision. A writer panel only gives attention to Lisa's writing and a Broadway play maker only gives attention to Marge's illustration.
I was actually worried about how good or bad this episode could become. Thankfully, it didn't turn out like A Father's Watch that has social commentary on whether kids deserve trophies or not without a point or payoff where Marge doesn't agree with Lisa's middle ground option. They actually got along really well at the end and Marge figures out how to make Lisa feel better so they can both get what they want. How does she do it? Well, I'm not going to spoil it. You have to watch the episode by yourself to know it. It's still really good and you really need to check it out. I got no doubts that this is the best new The Simpsons episode since Halloween of Horror, which was the best new The Simpsons episode since Dark Knight Court, which was the best new The Simpsons episode since Holidays of Future Passed, which was almost the show's final episode before the voice actors all took a pay cut. I'm glad that Rachel Bloom got to be in Sounds of Silence on Friendship is Magic a year later.
P.S. Have you ever felt so sad that you weren't even part of your own life?
The writer of this episode really made it an effort to make it the best that it could possibly be. If this episode's rating is underneath 8, those low-raters are not giving it enough credit just because it's in a newer season. So unfair. When Bart and Homer see how well Marge and Lisa bonding, they do another bonding thing Bart wanted to do in a homage to The Andy Griffith Show's opening. There was another fun gag where Homer orders PM Pizza and AM Waffles to eat with Maggie while Lisa and Marge work on their Sad Girl all night long. The episode also did good satire of...how certain parts of society may want to see certain things differently and only going through different parts of the vision. A writer panel only gives attention to Lisa's writing and a Broadway play maker only gives attention to Marge's illustration.
I was actually worried about how good or bad this episode could become. Thankfully, it didn't turn out like A Father's Watch that has social commentary on whether kids deserve trophies or not without a point or payoff where Marge doesn't agree with Lisa's middle ground option. They actually got along really well at the end and Marge figures out how to make Lisa feel better so they can both get what they want. How does she do it? Well, I'm not going to spoil it. You have to watch the episode by yourself to know it. It's still really good and you really need to check it out. I got no doubts that this is the best new The Simpsons episode since Halloween of Horror, which was the best new The Simpsons episode since Dark Knight Court, which was the best new The Simpsons episode since Holidays of Future Passed, which was almost the show's final episode before the voice actors all took a pay cut. I'm glad that Rachel Bloom got to be in Sounds of Silence on Friendship is Magic a year later.
P.S. Have you ever felt so sad that you weren't even part of your own life?
Another episode churned out with no real care
nathanjhunt14 April 2020
What a boring tiresome episode - so typical of modern Simpsons. The writers have openly admitted the episodes are just churned out for broadcast to keep the money flowing in for Fox.
What a sad series this has turned into. It baffles me how anyone can give this a 10/10 rating.
What a sad series this has turned into. It baffles me how anyone can give this a 10/10 rating.
Inventive, Sweet and Fun,
lesleyharris309 June 2018
Springfield Splendor is a terrific Simpsons episode with a really well written plot and plenty of brilliant moments. It is a really inventive episode as we follow Marge and Lisa bringing illustrations of Lisa's school days to life, taking on a really interesting stylistic choice that made for an experience that is vastly different from any other episode.
One thing I will say about the episode is that it could have dived a little deeper in to Lisa and Marge's relationship. It was made abundantly clear that it is troubled, but it felt like they were beating around the bushes, not creating a genuine conflict brtween them.
Martin Short also appears in this episode as one of my favourite guest roles on the show in a long time. Playing a very over the top theatre practioner, he serves as a terrific catalyst for Lisa and Marge's conflict, he puts great energy in to the role. I much prefer when the guest stars play characters, rather than themselves, while there are many great exceptions, it usually makes things more fun and interesting.
Very unique episode. The twenty ninth season has gotten off to a solid start and is taking some exciting risks, Springfield Splendor is of no exception.
Marge and Lisa turn Lisa's sad experience in to a graphic novel turned Broadway show, but they soon struggle with creative differences and ego.
One thing I will say about the episode is that it could have dived a little deeper in to Lisa and Marge's relationship. It was made abundantly clear that it is troubled, but it felt like they were beating around the bushes, not creating a genuine conflict brtween them.
Martin Short also appears in this episode as one of my favourite guest roles on the show in a long time. Playing a very over the top theatre practioner, he serves as a terrific catalyst for Lisa and Marge's conflict, he puts great energy in to the role. I much prefer when the guest stars play characters, rather than themselves, while there are many great exceptions, it usually makes things more fun and interesting.
Very unique episode. The twenty ninth season has gotten off to a solid start and is taking some exciting risks, Springfield Splendor is of no exception.
Marge and Lisa turn Lisa's sad experience in to a graphic novel turned Broadway show, but they soon struggle with creative differences and ego.
Better than the average post-Golden era episode
safenoe27 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, for me the golden era of The Simpsons is the first 10 seasons, with some honorary mentions beyond that. I'd say though that Springfield Splendor was definitely a notch above the average post-golden era episode. Finally there was a pointed reference to Community (one of the best TV comedies of all time) with Dan Harmon providing a cameo appearance! Perhaps more Community stars can provide cameos in The Simpsons.
The parody or homage to American Splendor was impressive, and the Marge-Lisa relationship gained another dimension. The broadway play at the end was absolutely hilarious and pure Simpsons.
The parody or homage to American Splendor was impressive, and the Marge-Lisa relationship gained another dimension. The broadway play at the end was absolutely hilarious and pure Simpsons.
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