Thank Grog It’s Firday!
At least part of this mini update revolves around a Premium Character that I bought in a heart beat… One, might say, a “Heart Attack and Vine,” beat.
For anyone who is a fan of Tom Waits (he is in my top five favorites artists), you may or may not remember that Tom voiced Lloyd, in the episode, “Homer Goes to Prep School” (E9S24) which is where the Preppers come from. What’s interesting to me, is that this one of the lowest rated episodes (according to the rating bots at “simpsonsworld.com” where you can watch every episode online). But I beg to differ…especially in current conditions where “the end of the world” is fairly regular dinner conversation (if you live with people who give too much credence to the headlines than they should). This episode is hilarious, and could have been shot in a remote Southern Oregon town, where loads of real life “Preppers” live off of the grid…or grow pot…or both. But I digress…
Homer starts the doomsday talk with, “I guess despite all of our so-called civilization, anarchy lurks around every corner like a racially diverse street gang, on a network cop show.” Classic…
And who was in preparation for the upcoming, and inevitable anarchy? The “Preppers,” led by Lloyd…who is voiced by Tom Waits. The fact that the TSTO character is not voiced is a freakin’ tragedy…because Tom has one of the most distinctive speaking and singing voices around.
In the very next breath after his amazing quote, Lloyd says, “My friend…you just experienced WROL first-hand!” To which Moe points to the “No Acronyms” sign.
Of course those who are REAL “Preppers” know that WROL stands for Without the Rule Of Law. In Lloyd’s words, “Anarchy, the end of civilization. Coming soon to an America new you.”
And again…not giving Lloyd a voice it TSTO is just EALPish! (bite me, Moe!)
To which Homer replies, “America Can’t Collapse! We’re as powerful as ancient Rome!”
And that my friends is as far as I will go, with anything political in this post. Alissa warned me. She said, “don’t go there!”
What’s weird, is that I’m not really sure where “there” is…but, I’m not taking any chances. I’m not going ANYWHERE…which is pretty much what the whole Prepper bit is all about. Hunkerin’ and Bunkerin’ until it all blows over, blows up, or both!
This stuff is everywhere. With the advent of an unchecked Internet, it can be found with a simple Google search…and before you know it, BOOM! You’re scared spitless! As Homer says, “Oh my GOD! This unsourced, undated video has convinced me beyond any doubt!!”
Which takes us into the inner sanctum of “Herman’s Military Antiques,” where we find the rest of Springfield’s “Preppers” preparing… for EMPs (Electro Magnetic Pulse…bite me twice, Moe!).
Homer goes home…get’s exposed by Bart, who is then shown a giant list of Hollywood doomsday movies, by Homer. Asking Bart what he has learned, Bart replies, “Guys who call themselves Preacher or Deacon are very bad. Water is money, unless gasoline is money, and even though lots of things are razor sharp, nobody ever shaves.”
Again. Classic.
If we do what they do in Hollywood, and “cut to the chase,” the episode rounds out with Homer and the family running off to the compound after Homer causes an EMP and Springfield goes dark, bringing on what they believe to be the Apocalypse, but then Marge convinces Homer to go back and save Springfield, and then they find out that the EMP was short-lived and the world didn’t end, and Lloyd and the other Preppers are bummed that the world didn’t end, until Lisa says, “Can’t you see that even an imperfect society is better than the savagery of creating a new one? I for one am glad that we are done with civilization, and I think we will be, for a long, long time.”
And yes...that was the longest run-on sentence ever. You have to talk fast with the pending end coming from a zombie-encrusted meteor, which is likely to hit us soon as it bypasses the mysterious “hidden planet” Nibiru, which was supposed to happen in September…but has been moved forward, conveniently, for a few more months or years, until the author can sell a few more books.
Look…I don’t prepare for doomsday, because as far as I’m concerned, the “survivors” are the real victims. I mean, have you SEEN the 92 seasons of “The Walking Dead?”
OK. There are only 7 seasons so far…with 8 coming soon. But, it is SOOOOO BORING! Blow up the dead guys before they eat your brains. “Night of the Living Dead” was scarier, and only ran a little less than 2 hours! Sheesh! Die. Get on with it! I’m not gonna hang around and watch. But, I digress, again…
The fact is, I just don’t worry about the apocalypse. I lived through the 60s, which had loads of lethal political riots, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam war, and three major assassinations. The current state of affairs is child’s play comparatively. Been there…done that.
So, I prefer to just get a chuckle from Tom Waits…who always sounds something like a survivor of the end times. But, man…what an amazingly creative mind.
Don’t believe me? Check out this hilariously weird interview with David Letterman (who had Waits on fairly regularly) describing something that a real PREPPER may want to use in the end times…
Or this one, where he coins a phrase that my wife Debbie, actually came up with a year prior…but once it’s on national TV, making money with it is over…Free The Glutons! (happens at around 5:30)
And finally…a song that was sung on Letterman’s last week…that really feels like a “Prepper’s Lament.”
Man…that guy can write.
Anyway…if you think LLoyd isn’t worth 150 donuts…then you don’t know the whole story. And yes…he isn’t voiced, and doesn’t bring in a ton of Bonus %. But I didn’t hesitate. Because if I end up surviving the insanity that many believe is on the way, I want Tom there…even if I have to keep him silent to keep him from tipping off the zombies about my whereabouts.
And just in case you think Tom is one dimensional…he’ll break your heart. One of my all time favorite Tom Waits songs…
And if you STILL doubt this guy’s range of talent… check out the amazingly funny movie, “Down by Law.” About a Pimp, a Disc Jockey and an Italian Tourist who end up in the same jail cell. Not doomsday…but it is hilarious.
Trust me on this…Tom…Lloyd…whatever… It’s always worth “One Last Look.”
Never heard of this guy, but after listening to 10 seconds…
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Makes bob Dillon sound like the 3 tenures!
Yes! Down by Law, one of the best films I know! But I am surrounded by people who won’t watch a black and white movie on principle…
Yikes! That blocks out a ton of great movies!
That’s what I like to tell them… But if it is not in HD, or in black and white, or with subtitles, it’s a no-go. Kids these days…
Loved Tom Waits in Mystery Men. Definitely an underrated movie.
Why does the cartoon say “Homer needs to this guy”?
Just to see if anyone actually READS the caption! The missing word? “Listen”
Ahhh, Tom Waits! He is often described as THE musician’s musician. So unique and so many great songs!
He is truly unique… one if a kind mind.
A heads up, here in the UK, and I guess this goes fo our Australian friends who’ve lost the channel that had the Simpsons too, but worth a try.
( or a VPN / IP mask ? )
Try to visit simpsonsworld.com and all you get is…
Thank you for your interest in FX Networks.
The content you are trying to access is not available in your region.
Damnit, a minor drawback to another excellent post, that I’ll revisit when sound is an option as well as the results from looking up Tom and his music.
Say what you want about America.. But we have great TV & streaming options..
Yeah, we finally got s29 ep 2 yesterday so when you watch the latest tomorrow spare a thought, and I’ll do the same for all those who’re snowed in
“as far as I’m concerned, the “survivors” are the real victims. I mean, have you SEEN the 92 seasons of “The Walking Dead?””
LOL!! Best line I’ve heard/read all week.
Also, Thank you!! I’ve been saying this to my sister (prepper and Walking Dead head) for years! Only the way you say it is a lot funnier than me 🙂
Thanks! Glad to be of service!
Patric, as someone who has seen only 1 more year than you, (we’ll be the same age until the 12th), I agree about the about The Walking Dead.
I saw a B&W movie in my teens called “Five” about a nuclear apocalypse, which scared the hell out of me. At night I awoke in fear when planes went overhead, worried that the bombs were about to fall. I didn’t live on edge like that for long before realising that I have to live my life without worrying about things I have no control over.
These days I worry much more about the next financial crisis. I’ve witnessed a few of those, and we can all be very sure another one is on the way, eventually…
Regards
Tom Waits is fantastic, and it’s a shame he wasn’t voiced. How many donuts you want to bet he wasn’t even asked? I bet he’s down for it. Look, if Tom Waits can get a song in a Disney movie, surely he’s cool with voicing a small part for TSTO right? Cuz I would have bought him if he was voiced. Great voice! The best voice! Best voice you ever heard!
Well…it’s even lazier than that… And that dialogue for the game is mostly pulled from dialogue from the show. It would’ve been easy to pull a few great lines to Voice this character.
Honestly I think EA should give it a shot. Maybe give him a skin that is voiced, and see if Tom would be intersted. I’m sure this game is profitable enough that they could pay him. Super huge hint, EA! Fans are asking!
Hadn’t heard of him before down in Australia. Liked his humour a lot. But his singing voice?! Has he been eating hoarse radish 🤢
He has what is sometimes referred to as a “whiskey soaked” voice. Fits in perfectly with “The Piano Has Been Drinking” and “Step Right Up”.
Anybody else having problems with the game?
About 36 hours ago I loaded the game and a whole bunch of mini events from 2016-2017 triggered. The buildings associated with those give the event currency (Tire Fire, Hootenanny Barn, Claw machine, etc) but I already completed those.
The IRS effect radius seems like the level 1. The money mountain looks like the level 1 but with the crane. Lost the 3 hour insanity pepper in cletus farm.
The interface is also broken. The top left go to character button does nothing. The Rail Yard interface misses the tabs and says I’ve completed everything but still takes stuff.
Already made a support case to EA with the mayhem ID, I don’t expect it to be fixed before Monday since it happend Thursday evening and made the case on Friday.
Yes. Woke up to this exact problem yesterday (Friday) morning. Put in an email request to EA no word back. When did they stop using chat as an option?
So disappointed I can’t access “ Simpsonsworld.com” in France 😫😫 but to my mind Lloyd is a bit overpriced…
You might as well get used to 150 donuts as the standard price for a character abr a building. It seems to be the new suggested retail price for everything in that category.
Yeah I agree but to my if it was a character that I loved the price won’t be the most important thing…
LONG LIVE Tom Waites. And Patric. Thanks for the recognition of this amazing artist, and all around character.
Thank you for knowing who he is!!
Great minds…
Tom waits is the soul we all want to have
King of kool…
I had a friend in college who was planning to buy himself a piece of a mountain to ride out the coming nuclear war. I told him “when the bombs start falling I am grabbing a bag of marshmallows and climbing to the roof. I really don’t want be around afterwards.” I think I convinced him to drop his plans.
BTW, the Walking Dead is not about the zombies (they just make it more interesting).
On this we will agree to disagree. Just not a fan.
There are no zombies in The Walking Dead, only walkers. 🙂 It seems the word zombie doesn’t exist for some unknown reason! But Charles is right, the ‘zombies’ play a peripheral part. I write this whilst, at the same time, having just sat down to watch a marathon of Fear The Walking Dead!
nah,TWD is supposed to show us the real monster is man. Instead we see them find safety, someone blows it, they trudge along until they find safety again..lather, rinse, repeat.
Got old for me by season 4.
Unlike the “zombie” movies, which are about zombies, the Walking Dead is about interactions between people, the stories of loss and growth with plenty of exciting action sequences. The Carol arc is great. It is question of how due you survive when civilization breaks down. When is OK to kill someone not in your group? When do you help someone you don’t know? If you can settle down, what kind of society do you establish? What does it take to survive and even flourish? What would your place be in this world?
best TW interview. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5dtJeCZW3CE
The piano has been drinking, not me!
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