DIY VIRAL
The author Robert Scucci
| Published
When The Simpsons was at the height of its golden age, Critic debuted in 1994 on ABC and boasted a similar sense of humor to its yellow-skinned cartoon on the Fox Network. In my personal head canon, the series starring Jon Lovitz acts as an unofficial series The Simpsons spinoff that was canceled before it truly had a chance to flourish. While Critic sense of humor can be attributed to executive producers Al Jean, Mike Reiss and James L. Brooks, all of whom are associated with The Simpsonsthis series stayed in its lane while being subtly satisfying The Simpsons fans who needed a break from the typical family comedy format.
Suspiciously a Springfielder
Executive producers aside, the parallels between Critic and The Simpsons continue as Jon Lovitz made frequent guest appearances in the final series, such as Artie Ziff, Llewellyn Sinclair and Professor Lombardo to name a few.
Critic centers on Jay Sherman (Jon Lovitz), a bald, overweight and socially awkward yet elite film critic living in New York. Although Jay is a minor celebrity for his review show, Next attractionshis personal life is a complete mess. Recently divorced, Jay spends the weekends with his son Marty (Christine Cavanaugh) and spends the rest of his time trying to romance anyone willing to put up with his cynical face.
Occasionally, Jay will visit his eccentric and extremely wealthy adoptive estate for family dinners, where he either smacks or offers brotherly advice to their 16-year-old biological daughter, Margot, voiced by Nancy Cartwright (best known for her). Portrayal of Bart Simpson). Although the family dynamic is established Criticthe series focuses primarily on Jay's failed romantic exploits and his appreciation of the obsessed, corporeal, loose cannon of a boss, Duke Phillips (Charles Napier).
Obvious gag overlap
Critic there's no shortage of sight gags and running jokes to remind you The Simpsons if you didn't already know the staff involved in making the series. From Jay's secret conversations with his own rumbling stomach (reminiscent of Homer's conversations with his brain) to the glances he gives his daily planner, suggesting that his manic and depressive episodes are pre-planned, Critic is a series you can't watch passively because the visual jokes are as prevalent as the dialogue-driven humor in every single scene.
Like a blackboard, a saxophone, and a sofa, each on top The Simpsons episode, Critic the intro also features interchangeable tools that take the form of short awkward phone calls to Jay, and parody film reviews met Jay's catchphrase, “it stinks!”
Groening complains
But perhaps the most polarizing overlap can be found up front Critic Season 2 debuted on the Fox Network in 1995 after its cancellation by NBC. Before Jon Lovitz made his Fox debut as Jay Sherman, he appeared in the legendary The Simpsons episode, “The star is Burns”, playing a yellow version of the same character who lives in the city The Simpsons universe.
The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, who has consistently tried to distance himself from any association with Criticwas not happy when this episode was conceived and refused to participate in it. In fact, he requested that his name be removed from the credits, and he does not appear on the DVD commentary for this episode. In Groening's mind, he didn't want the public to think Critic was direct The Simpsons spinoff, and he didn't want to tarnish his legacy by promoting the series with a crossover episode.
It doesn't stink!
Critic may not be “official” The Simpsons spinoff, but it's the closest we've got despite its short run on network television. Groening may not want to be associated with the series in any way, shape or form, but that shouldn't stop any of us from enjoying it.
You can stream as of this writing Critic free on Tubi.
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DIY VIRAL
