So a bunch of months back, Laura and I were at Edward McKay's (a used book / movies / music) store when I discovered in the bargain section a movie entitled Funky Monkey.
I know. Amazing.
So of course I bought it. And though we've not had the strength to watch it yet, the cover alone has brought me more joy than just about anything else I've ever paid four dollars for.
Anyway, I took the existence of this movie as proof that if Homer Simpson himself had not somehow come into reality and instantly gotten a job as a studio executive, then at the very least studio executives were looking for inspiration from the noted fan of Hail to the Chimp and other such high concept entertainments.
Now, though, I think there is definitive proof that someone somewhere is snagging all of their ideas from quick throwaway gags on The Simpsons. Namely: Hot Tub Time Machine. Even the description sounds like something Homer would say: "combine hot tub debauchery and the complications of time travel."
Seriously, if future reports reveal that a talking pie is somehow involved, Homer and Ron Howard should contact their lawyers.