Customer Reviews

The Simpsons: The Eleventh Season (Collectible Krusty Head Pack)

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

I thought the Homer Head box was the pinnacle of stupid in this series, but this one takes the grand prize as the absolute worst DVD packaging I have ever seen. The discs are imprisoned in incredibly tight cardboard sleeves. It is impossible to get the discs out without either bending the cardboard artwork, getting your finger prints on the bottom of the disc, or scraping the disc across the cardboard in a desperate bid to remove and watch them. The whole travesty is then folded up tight, accordion-style. Unfolding the packaging simply makes the discs impossible to remove. You have to jam your fingers into the folded version and hope you don't ruin the disc just trying to get it out.

Whoever designed this mess should be fired.

The limited edition box has a 3D krusty head glued to the front of the box the way the episode guide is glued to the back, otherwise they are the exact same box - crappy cardboard boxes that are sure to give your dvds plenty of scratches. The limited edition box also has a coupon to get to the front of the line on the Simpsons ride at Universal.

To all passive Simpsons fans, you will instinctively have knee-jerk, post-season 8 attitude towards the show. Many find the work that Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein on seasons seven an eight to be a peak for the series. Truly, their voices did help to restructure the possibilities within the series. Their focus on creating 'non-traditional' episodes (like 'Who Shot Mr. Burns' '22 Short Films About Springfield' and 'Simpsons Spin-off Showcase') actually reinvigorated a show that had begun to become an institution in television.

We must remeber that there was much discussion as the series turned ten as to when the series should end. Fans and critics were worried that the show would become rather repetative and stale if it continued. Many of the original writers who nursed the show to perfection left to prusue other projects. Season 10/11 was the same year that Futurama premiered, taking David X. Cohen, Matt Groening, Josh Weinstein and Bill Oakley away from the Simpsons. So, the wonderful Mike Scully took over as show runner for seasons 9-12. These three years were definitely transitional in nature, as the series had transcened its efforts in creating a rich cannon of consistency into toying with both its content and perception by these fans who questioned the quality of the show. This is greatly illustrated in two episodes in season 11: Saddlesore Gallactica and Behind the Laughter. The first was a deliberate foible to shatter all expectations towards the show, it used the continuous gag of Jeff Albertson (aka Comic Book Guy) to be the self aware voice of reason: "The Simsons already had a horse, which forced Homer to work extremely long night shifts at Apu's store, with hilarious consequences." What we get is a direct aim at critics who questioned the use of similar story arcs as the series aged. It was as if the creators were saying 'Yes, we know we did play with this idea before, but the show was not the same then, and we're in charge, and we think this stuff is hillarious.' Not exactly what die-hard fans want to hear, and there was considerable backlash upon this episode's airing by the fan community (Ian Maxtone-Graham is noted as directly attacking this blossoming backlash by the fans: "That's why they're on the Internet and we're writing the show"). But this kind of sparring actually helps this episode seem much more relevant today, with ten years time gone by. We know now that this episode and this season were no where near the low of the series and it actually stands out as a great absurdist template, one that the show would play with at greater detail as the years progressed.

Now Mike Scully did have quite a task on his hands in these years, and there were a few stumbles. However these pale in comparison to the number of complete misses during the following era, the Al Jean years, which we still currently reside in. Season 11 actually is one of the last consitently good seasons the series offered. To those who believe that Ten is a magic number in gauging quality in seasons, as though that was the tipping point, you are sorely mistaken. The tipping point was season 13, when Jean took over, and the series seemed to unfortunaltey suffer as it appeared irrelevant in the Bush 43 era. It is seasons 13-18 that are the hits and misses years, with 18 serving as the absolute worst season ever put out. Yet, season 19 seems to be turning another corner for the show, following its great departure to the big screen last summer. Perhaps, the voices behind the show have rediscovered the passion and interest in the characters yet again. But my opinion, is that the writers of the series these days grew up with the show as children, and have a definitive passion to these characters and this universe. The show has been on for 20 years, and yes it has stumbled at times, but there is always a rediscovery, and new approach to the series that seems to recharge the show. But these characters have penetrated so many wonderful comedic minds of our time that there is a definite love and passion towards this world shared by a huge community of talented aspiring writers. And that is enough, because that means there will always be great voices to fuel the series beyond its occasional dip into mediocrity for ever. And this is one show that could quite possibly last another decade. Seems unlikely, but no one sees an end in sight, which means there is still a passion to use the show as a forum for wit and social commentary that is much appreciated. Do yourself a favor and buy season 11, any hessitation will be put out of your mind upon the first episode, 'Beyond Blunderdome.' A notably strange entry, because it proves there is no way better to end a story than by cutting to the dog with the shifty eyes.

This is the worst packaging EVER.

The heads were bad but at lest the DVD's were protected inside. This is the worst thing ever. The box cannot be put on the shelf with the other seasons due to the irregular shape. Inside the box, the DVD's are in cardboard sleeves. My whole package is scratched out of the box.
They should fire the guy(s) who had these ideas.

Back to Amazon it goes...

As far as the show goes, it's The Simpsons. I love 'em and the episodes are great. But here's a warning: the packaging is the cheapest, most poorly designed, pain-in-the-a$$ packaging ever thrown together for a dvd release. Folks, it's just awful. First you have the co-called "collectible" head case, which is made of thin, cheap plastic which scuffs amazingly easily. Also, because of the weird shape and size, it is impossible to stack on your shelves with your other dvd's. I have steadfastly avoided these awful head case packages since Fox has been producing them.

But the really awful thing, which is a consistent factor with both the head case and the traditional case, is the terrible design. No plastic spindles to keep your discs separate and secure... no, here they are jammed, tightly, into an awful foldout cardboard sleeve. So tightly are they packed in there that trying to slip your finger into the sleeve to retrieve the disc without tearing, bending, or otherwise breaking the package is virtually impossible. What's worse is that the backing in these sleeves is not smooth and slick, it is instead rough and fibrous and is guaranteed to scratch the discs all to hell. Even the outside slipcase is cheaply made, bending and crinkling with no more than a withering glance. You should probably stay away and rent it from Netflix.

And with this terrible downgrade in the quality of the packaging, you might expect a lower price. HA! Not a chance! To the nitwits at Fox, we Simpsons fans have supported you for 20 whole years, and this is the best you can do for us? You need to start having a little respect for the fans who shell out their hard-earned money for your products.

I'd love to give the set five stars, but with this poorly designed, bound to fail, cheap-a$$ packaging I can only manage two. And I'm being generous.

Ok. This is the Simpsons season 11. You already know if you like the series. Regardless about how you feel in regards to the eleventh season of this series, DO NOT BUY THIS.


Fox has changed the packaging and managed to create one of the worst and least protective boxes for a DVD ever! Seriously, it's a damn cardboard folder that you slip the discs into a sleeve. I've seen $5 computer software come in better cases than this. Between this and the horrible Futurama movie cases, Fox is trying hard to make the chintziest cases around. It must end!

Welcome to the eleventh (!) season of "The Simpsons", one of the best and longest lasting shows on television! With this season you get some of the greatest episodes, including one of my personal favorites, "Behind the Laughter". Of course you also get some wonderful commentaries, which are always entertaining, and the usual raft of extras. All in all, a great set, with one notable exception.

The packaging bites. Totally bites.

The producers of "The Simpsons" and "Futurama" seem to have got it into their heads that making "green" packaging for their DVD's is somehow better. This is also seen with movies such as "There Will Be Blood". Basically what it boils down to is "cheap, cardboard packaging that is almost guaranteed to damage your DVD's when you remove them."

The packaging for this season of "The Simpsons" is particularly notable for this failing. The disks are jammed inside tight cardboard sleeves. When you remove them, you're almost going to have to grip them by the top and bottom, promising tons of fingerprints. Unless you're very careful, you're also likely to scratch them.

I understand the idea of wanting to not fill up our landfills with tons of plastic, but really, people. How many of you bought the previous seasons of the show on DVD and then threw away the plastic trays that the discs were in? Not many, I'm wagering.

So five stars for the show and, much as it pains me to do it, only one for the packaging. Thus the set gets a sad little three stars and no love.

This DVD set was obviously designed by someone who doesn't use it. The poster below summed it up. We've been supporting Fox for 20 years and we get this. No more.

Paper is a stupid medium for DVDs. They aren't cheaper. They aren't eco-friendly - laminated cardboard. And they scratch the discs!!

Use recycled plastic Amaray cases. Durable, replaceable, common sense. No more digipaks either. The spindles break on those too.

Amazon needs to state what type of packaging is provided (Amaray plastic case, digipak, cardboard).

They better not screw up Blu-Ray. Their snap case works. Vote with your wallet stop buying poor products.

When Bender's Big Score came out I was shocked to find the disc half inserted into a cardboard sleeve (not to mention all the boxes had dents).
Now I am offended I payed thirty bucks and I get my discs in more cardboard. To add insult to injury you can but barley get them out with out ripping the whole thing apart. If being eco friendly was the attempt, then why is the whole outside plastic with a plastic slipcover? Two slim cases with 2 discs in each would have worked perfect. Great everything, just not the packaging! Maybe Season 12 will come with sandpaper, or a cardboard shaped razorblade.

I'm not even going to talk about this season of episodes, I gave the rating a 4/5 because I feel the rating should reflect the show.

However, I just got the limited edition DVD boc st (when I ordered it, it's the only version I saw on Amazon), and I can't even get the DVD's out of the side of the cardboard. I have to try and find a way to slide them out gently, then I guess I'll have to find an alternate case to put the DVD's in because I'm not going to slide them in and out of there and scratch them up doing so. Seriously, the WORSY packaging I've ever seen for a DVD set. Did anyone even think before slapping this together?