The Simpsons: Season 11

To many fans, The Simpsons had entered middle age by season 11 (1999 to 2000). Their best years were behind them as the creative team produce dshows of inconsistent quality that started to resemble conventional sitcoms. The tongue-in-cheek zingers that the writers used to plant within episodes are sorely missing. Also gone is the feeling of family, however dysfunctional, that gave Bart and company the ring of authenticity. Instead, the characters have settled into a predictable groove, with Homer playing the idiot, Marge his enabler, Bart the brat and Lisa the do-gooder. That said, there are some fine, funny episodes here, such as "Behind the Laughter,” which satirizes the then-popular Behind The Music series. "Guess Who’s Coming to Criticize Dinner?” may not make The Simpsons Hall of Fame but making Homer a food critic was a clever idea. "Beyond Blunderdome” smartly exploits a guest cameo by Mel Gibson to lampoon blockbuster action movies. On the other hand, there are clunkers like "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily,” featuring the death of Maude Flanders (possibly the worst episode of season 11), "Eight Misbehavin’,” where Apu’s wife gives birth to octuplets, and "Saddlesore Galatica,” with Bart as a jockey that even a guest turn by Bachman Turner Overdrive can’t save. The DVD package is loaded with bonus features. All 22 episodes include audio commentary by the show’s writers, directors and other key creators. Sometimes the commentary is informative, sometimes it’s light banter. Most episodes offer deleted scenes, with or without commentary. Two episodes show us the original sketches in an animatic sequence. "The Many Faces of Krusty” is a faux-expose on the twisted life of the sleazy clown, which stands as the best bonus feature. Multiple angles are thrown in here and there. A brief featurette of Matt Groening and the stars receiving their Hollywood stars is icing on the cake. The four discs are packaged in an accordion and can be tough to pry out without damaging the glossy cardboard. The booklet however is attractively laid out and easy to use. This is still a classy package that will please fans, even if this isn’t Bart’s shining season.