Treehouse of Horror XXVII
"Treehouse of Horror XXVII" is the fourth episode of the twenty-eighth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, the 27th episode in the Treehouse of Horror series of Halloween specials, and the 600th episode of the series overall. The episode was directed by Steven Dean Moore and written by Joel H. Cohen. It aired in the United States on Fox on October 16, 2016.
"Treehouse of Horror XXVII"
Production[edit]
In July 2016 at San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that Sarah Silverman, Drew Carey, and Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob would appear in this episode. Silverman had appeared on the show previously as different characters.[1] In this episode, Silverman played Lisa's imaginary friend.[2][3] Donald Fagen of the band Steely Dan appeared as himself.[4]
In addition to the normal couch gag shown in the episode, an extended couch gag was made available through Google Cardboard. Google approached the producers about making a virtual reality couch gag, and they chose one they had in reserve in case an episode ran short. The extended gag features Kang and Kodos and a character from Futurama. Viewers could access the virtual reality couch gag via a URL that is shown during the normal couch gag.[5]
In honor of the 600th episode, the ending features Judith Owen, wife of Harry Shearer, singing a parody of the song "Goldfinger" while showing a selected list of television shows that Fox has canceled while The Simpsons has been on the air.[6][7]
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
The episode received mixed reviews.
Dennis Perkins of The A.V. Club gave it a B− stating, "While the annual 'Treehouse of Horror' episodes traditionally get decent ratings, and have produced some classic scenes over the decades, the expectations are lower regarding character development, plot, or general coherence. The Simpsons' Halloween tradition is for quick-hit horror and sci-fi parodies, a heap of references, some gratuitous bloodshed, and the occasional actual smidgen of heart. Grading on that curve, the 27th installment does its job, for the most part."[9]
However, Jesse Schedeen of IGN gave it a score of 5.8 out of 10, saying, "Last year's 'Halloween of Horror' proved that The Simpsons can still deliver great Halloween-themed fare. Unfortunately, the latest 'Treehouse of Horror' installment is far from great. Only one of the three segments is particularly memorable, and even that feels constrained by the seven-minute structure. The time has come for this long-running series to become more experimental with its Halloween episodes."[10]
Awards and nominations[edit]
The extended virtual reality couch gag was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement In Interactive Media Within A Scripted Program at the 69th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.[11]