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Culture Vulture

 I'm vulnerable to ads, especially ads for TV shows. Again and again, I think I've stumbled on a major entertainment offering, because this is what the breathless trailer tells me. "The Penguin," "Salem's Lot," the reboot of "Perry Mason." Again and again, the product is *not* the item in the ad.


So I feel for Homer Simpson, who becomes confused by a large animatronic character called "Lard Lad." The Lad holds a Colossal Donut, larger than an actual building--and Homer mistakenly believes that any card-carrying human can *purchase* a Colossal Donut. Chaos ensues.

Many Halloween shows think solely about how to frighten the viewer, but John Swartzwelder, of "The Simpsons," makes a comment about America. Homer *seems* to learn a lesson about consumerism, and empty calories, but at the end of his segment, he forgets every moral and endangers his community. The reason for his foolishness? Lard Lad has a new sign: "Now With Sprinkles."

I identify with Homer, who is Joe Maplewood, by another name. John Swartzwelder is an inspiration.







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