Peer into 'THE SIMPSONS' 'YELLOW MIRROR'

Yellow Fever Dream

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

27 Mins. Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Patti Harrison & Demi Moore. Screenplay: Carolyn Omie & Kai Omie. Director: Matthew Faughnan. On: Disney +.

Why do birds, suddenly appear, every time, Homer's hairline is near...the forehead he slapped it off with many a DOH!? What seemingly starts off as another shameless clip show segues into a classic concept from the cartoon. Do you know that Curry Barker's 'Obsession', not only one of the biggest and best films of the year, but also of the horror genre, all-time, was originally conceived and inspired by an episode of 'The Simpsons'' legendary, yearly 'Treehouse Of Horror' episodes by the flashlight? Now, the monkey's paw holds up two more fingers for a special episode of 'The Simpsons' called 'Yellow Mirror' that riffs on Charlie Brooker's legendary 'Black Mirror' anthology series of dark, dystopian, futuristic horrors. All as Bart falls through that iconic chalkboard gag to run some new lines.

This Yellow Submarine like trip through the subconscious is the yellow family's sixth exclusive episode on their Evergreen Terrace like streaming service home of Disney +. Not to mention all those shorts and NFL and Fortnite specials. Aaaaaand the fact that the sitcom series is closing in on its 40th year and season. Take that, 'Family Guy!' The last one being their talented take on 'Ripley's' game for the black and white 'Simpsley'. But after more Christmas specials ('O C'mon All Ye Faithful'), Halloween ones ('The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year'), and even a National Geographic spoof for their new neighbours ('Yellow Planet'), this marvel of a what if has more in common with the what could have been in the 'Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition' and the time travel of 'The Past and the Furious', as 'The Simpsons' take on more shows and families.

Directed by Matthew Faughnan, off a screenplay from the Omie's (Carolyn and Kai), the usual, legendary suspects are back (Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer) for this 27-minute epiDOHde. But in this special, they are also joined by 'The Substance' of Golden Globe winner, and Oscar nominated icon Demi Moore (in a cool cameo) and the 'Together Together' talent of Patti Harrison as an A.I. overlord lauding over our children's development in the latter reflection of this mirror. A clever concept by the tablet (you should see all the things it sticks and applies itself too), although a little late in the game following 'Toy Story 5's' take on the rise of artificial intelligence with 'Past Lives' and 'Tron: Ares' star Greta Lee's Lilypad. But it's still classic, Trump on an escalator, before its time Simpsons, doh.

It's the first cut that's the deepest, mind you, as Homer gets burnt by a lamp just as touching as the ball bouncing Pixar one. There is sweet sentiments in both halves of these spiritual sci-fi's (like a classic 'Futurama', that is also back as we speak, week-by-week), but the first one has much more epic and emotional stakes. Not to mention, a legendary parody on show creator Matt Groening. In 'The Way We Weren't', Homer hits his head back in high-school in a bathroom stall (remember? Yeah, neither did I, that's what the reruns are for), and the life as he knew it is forever changed. To reveal more would simply spoil the good and meaningful nature of one of the best stories 'The Simpsons' has spun in seasons, treehouses, exclusives, or actual episodes. But there won't be a dry eye on the couch. Going back to that they do best. It's all about love and family, and what that means to you and me. The very reflection of who we are.

Further Filming: 'Simpsley', 'Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition', 'The Past and the Furious'.

RICKY GERVAIS' 'ALLEY CATS' gets all the cream

Top Cat

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

6 Episodes. Starring: Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley & Diane Morgan. Screenplay: Ricky Gervais. Director: Ricky Gervais. On: Netflix.

Or is that, "top tw@"!?  Because look what the Ricky Gervais show dragged in. An animated black comedy about cats on Netflix. A six-episode mini-series that claws at social commentary, dark sarcasm and an inspired irreverent humour that the actor/writer/director milks for all it's worth. In-between doing exactly the same thing on his stand-up specials for this streaming service as a classic comedian. Around 15-minutes of fame each episode, the Brylcreem and black t-shirts are ditched for a Garfield like character you could tab as the love-kitten of Bagpuss and the Cheshire cat from 'Alice In Wonderland'. This one will have you grinning all the way to the saucer, too.

You'll cry laughing and spill your milk as Ricky brings along the lion's share of his 'After Life' gang (Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley and Diane Morgan) for the darkest comedy that will also tug at those heartstrings when it's not scratching what remains of its balls in-front of the telly for the title-card. This fat cat and his crew of c##ts (oh, sorry, that's cats, but then again, if you watch this show long enough) take it to Tom, Felix, Sylvester, Tigger, Lion-O, and any other kitty they'll say hello to. They're greeeeat. Even if this is not the animation your parents want you to see, swimming with adults and lapping up all the swear jar coins it knocks off the shelf. Because after all...it's a cat.

Tom Basden is Niles Crane in 'Frasier' perfect as Ponce, a sophisticated Chartreux who would rather go by his actual given name, Rupert, but is bearing the brunt of Ricky's Bengal, with tiger blood, and cheese wiz, in his veins. Just like he did in the 'After Life'. 'Derek' star Kerry Godliman, the on-screen musing apple (or is that fish?) of Gervais' eye, and the unmistakable voice of Diane Morgan also clean their fur up nice, but it's 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'The IT Crowd' actor Andrew Brooke's rough and tumble cat that will claw your eyes out. Looking like a big bouncer in tuxedo black and white. Add the ratty Havana Brown of Kev himself, David Earl, and you're bound to Puke. Especially when he tries to get a bee to sting him. Because bee stings make everything swell up twice their size...everything! But if all that's all a little too much, just wait until a moving moment between Ricky and his on-screen feline mother, played by no other than Sonia from 'EastEnders', Natalie Cassidy.

Purr-fection comes with the great Jo Hartley ('Dead Man's Shoes', 'This Is England', 'Adolescence') who joins the Gervais gang as a 'Puss In Boots' doe-eyed, cute as a button kitten who just wants to find her way home. And yes, this Derek, Shush Creative and Blink Industries classic cartoon is part 'Homeward Bound' too, making its way up and down the estate. TESCO even has a cameo, because every little...oh, never mind. This sweet and sour sitcom, with a sensational soundtrack, gross-out gags and more roasts than a Golden Globes monologue, is exactly the "fat p####" James Corden ordered ("he was in 'Cats', too"). Hunting for mice and searching for strokes from the dear elderly. The catnip scene is a trip, too. Critics may claw and paw, but the 'Fawlty Towers' of 'Monty Python's' very own legendary John Cleese loves it. Just don't mention the reviews. Then it's in the bag!

Further Clawing: 'After Life', 'The Ricky Gervais Show', 'Top Cat'.