Tuesday, January 31, 2012

"Bubba's Big Brainstorm"


OK, Greg, "Bubba's Big Brainstorm" is certainly no classic, but "the worst" DTVA production until the era of Quack Pack?? I can't go that far.

I completely agree with Greg and GeoX that the subtle-as-an-icepick-to-the-head anti-intellectual theme of this ep is completely wrong-headed. The ideological objections to "Brainstorm" as some sort of right-wing commentary on the fecklessness of intellectuals are, however, way off base. Why else would Frank Welker have essayed a voice-parody of William F. Buckley, of all people, as the voice of the super-smart Bubba. This was, I would assume, an attempt to make Bubba seem all the more repulsive to the (not-entirely-inconsequential) adult segment of the DT viewing audience. Actually, I find Welker's Buckley parody virtually the only thing to truly enjoy about this episode. But its use does rather undercut any attempt to fasten a "quick and neat" ideological label onto the production.

Just wait till you review "Yuppy Ducks," Greg.

4 comments:

Comicbookrehab said...

Sheesh...when I first saw this episode - age 9, I think - it looked like the only other way to go with Bubba - make him smart. I'm not sure what the decision-making behind making Bubba a regular was anyway - except that it seemed sad to leave an orphan doomed to be dino food. Maybe if they had him live in Grandma Duck's farm or something...Besides, that episode had one of the last treasure hunts featured on the show - act 3 is teriffic!

The one I didn't care for was "Bubba and Juliet" . I didn't mind "Yuppy Ducks" because that was my introduction to the word "Yuppy" and wondering 'what is that? a typo? some kind of lodge?'

Chris Barat said...

CBR,

I've always maintained that Bubba would be far more fondly remembered had he returned to his prehistoric home at the end of "Time is Money." The fact that "Big Brainstorm" could only manufacture a story for Bubba by completely changing his personality speaks volumes.

I find "Yuppy Ducks" much worse than "Brainstorm" because the NEPHEWS are the ones who are badly mischaracterized. Positively painful.

Chris

Comicbookrehab said...

By the time you get to "Yuppy Ducks", the nephews had:

1) switched Scrooge's dime with their "lucky quarter"
2) licked a bombastion pop (just Louie)
3) Tricked Scrooge into thinking it was Saturday to get their allowance a day early to buy a ghastly-looking bike.
4) Used the multi-phonic duplicator to destroy the U.S. economy and make an even bigger mess of their room
5) Accidentally lose Scrooge and Fenton in cyberspace because they wanted to play video games.
6) Tried selling water and claiming it was lemonade.

Quack Pack was inevitable. The prosecution rests. ;)

Chris Barat said...

CBR,

Inevitable? No. More likely? Perhaps.

Chris