Over the past few years, I like many others had noticed a steady decline in the quality of Simpsons episodes. This is kind of to be expected with a show that’s lasted longer than anyone could have imagined. I had expected that it may have gotten to the stage where the production would have been driven into the ground and replaced by yet another Seth MacFarlane cartoon (3 is more than enough).

But realistically, that wasn’t likely to happen, and thankfully Season 22 has opened with a real gem of an episode. The basic plot is that Krusty is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Homer and Bart travel with him to the ceremony in Oslo, leaving Lisa feeling left out. Marge anticipates this and secretly enrolls her to a week of Performing Arts camp to make it up to her.

It plays out like any typical Simpsons plot, but what really sets this episode apart is it’s star cameo. The parody-folk duo Flight of the Concords play a pair of Counselors  at the Arts Camp and provide some of the most enjoyable music numbers that show has had in living memory.

The cameo itself is also above par. Unlike most celebrities who manage to get themselves onto the show, Flight of the Concords don’t seem to use the appearance as an opportunity to pander to their own egos. Instead they actually play Springfield characters, who in turn seem to be heavily based on their characters in the short-lived ‘Flight of the Concords’ sim-com.

In conclusion, a very funny episode and hopefully a good omen of things to come this season.

-Rawr