Simpsons Trip Down Memory Lane

I popped in the eleventh (one louder) season of The Simpsons after flying through the twelfth (I didn't notice until I was done) and marvelled at not one, but three moments that blew my mind.

First of all, let me point out that this is the Mel Gibson episode. Now please let me also point out that this episode aired September 26, 1999. Back when VCRs were my recording device, I watched this episode and referenced it constantly. (I even pointed out my misquoting it in The Evolution of a Quote. Plus the shifty eyed dog is classic.) Considering the most recent Mel Gibson racist tirade, I figure that there is no need to point out the complete surreal feeling of watching Mel Gibson be normal and beloved.

I suspect the dog.

Now during the episode the family sans Homer goes on a tour of stars' homes and see where Ellen DeGeneres and Anne Heche live. Oh me oh my. How the times have changed.  But the real hit for me was the movie scene shoot out of Robert Downey Jr. and police being filmed......with Bart not seeing any cameras. This was the huge moment. Mel Gibson in full A-list role and Robert Downey Jr. a punchline. I find it amazing what eleven years has done.

A few episodes later, a vision of the future has Lisa being elected president beating Chastity Bono. Oops. I guess Bart did manage to change the future.

It blew my mind. I know I should take all this with a grain of salt, but I hate that it shakes me so much that I can say "I remember when" with The Simpsons plotlines. And ones that I had at one point committed to memory. I guess I want to live in Homer's world where it is possible to still get the rights to Indiana Jones.