Dan Castellaneta is not Homer. He is an incredibly versatile comic performer with timing and delivery so unique it makes you laugh even after you've heard it a dozen times. And Deb Lacusta (Dan's real-life wife) may not b... more »e Marge Simpson, but she is a wickedly funny comedienne, whose mellifluous voice belies an acid wit beneath. Together they are a latter-day Nichols and May, skewering modern media and couplehood in this entertaining and engaging CD. Besides which, you get to hear Dan as Homer, Grampa, Barney, and the embittered Scotsman Groundskeeper Willie sing the catchy tune "So Dumb (Homer's Lament)." How cool is that? Doh!« less
Dan Castellaneta is not Homer. He is an incredibly versatile comic performer with timing and delivery so unique it makes you laugh even after you've heard it a dozen times. And Deb Lacusta (Dan's real-life wife) may not be Marge Simpson, but she is a wickedly funny comedienne, whose mellifluous voice belies an acid wit beneath. Together they are a latter-day Nichols and May, skewering modern media and couplehood in this entertaining and engaging CD. Besides which, you get to hear Dan as Homer, Grampa, Barney, and the embittered Scotsman Groundskeeper Willie sing the catchy tune "So Dumb (Homer's Lament)." How cool is that? Doh!
CD Reviews
Where's the funny?
Classic Sitcoms | 05/20/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I got this cd for a long drive, hoping to be amused in the car. It's the most un-funny thing I've ever heard. Dan and his wife are a one-trick pony. Talk radio hosts can be over the top, but why waste several cuts on the same thing? I'll save you some money - the one funny line comes from Dan playing a real loser, responding to a life coach who asks, "What are you strengths?" (Pause) "I know my weaknesses." That's it. No more funny.
Castellaneta should thank his lucky stars for the brilliant writers on The Simpsons. He may sound good, but they make him funny."
Homer does Brian Wilson
Classic Sitcoms | Los Angeles, CA United States | 05/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although he's achieved global fame as TV's Homer, there may well be a fan or two of this versatile actor who aren't aware that Dan Castellaneta got his start as a quick change artist on the stages of Second City and other improv venues across the country. But this album of sparkling sketches (and one epic pop song) returns Dan to his roots as a character comic capable of lightning fast shifts in mood, voice and attitude in this series of well polished comic portraits created and performed with Dan's longtime partner in comedy, Deb Lacusta. Together, Deb and Dan skewer marriage, childhood, the media, hero worship and a few dozen other sacred American institutions in eight lively sketches that would alone be worth the price of admission without the added bonus of a Homer Simpson original. As for Homer's pop song--it's a gem of production written and performed by Dan using most of his best known Simpsons voices in a grand hommage to Brian Wilson in all his "Heroes and Villains"-era splendor. Need I say more?"
Least funny CD - ever
James Huber | Oakland, CA | 06/13/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"The first 8 tracks are sketch comedy featuring Dan and his wife Deb. In each track Dan does one or more characters. Deb does one character (though not the same character in each skit). In most of the sketches one of his character's bickers with her character. The overall effect is something like a low-rent Stiller and Meara. Nothing was truly horrible, and some of it is slightly amusing, but there wasn't anything I actually laughed at. Dan is a great voice talent, and Deb is competent, but as writers I'd say they rank no higher than talented amateurs: your really funny friend from high school is probably funnier.There's nothing in any of these first 8 tracks that has anything to with the Simpsons, nor anything Simpsons-like. The 9th track is a song about how dumb Homer is. Dan sings it as Homer with a little bit of Barney, Willie, Grandpa and Krusty thrown in. The song isn't sung well, isn't funny and doesn't say anything interesting.Honestly, I don't think this CD would have been made if Dan wasn't the voice of Homer Simpson. The only reasons to buy this are morbid curiosity or a collector's need to own everything that has anything to do with the Simpsons."
"Mmmmmmmm.... Funny...."
James G. Brasch | Illinois | 02/12/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you outside of the loop, Dan has been around for years and has been just as funny then as he is now on this album. Perhaps best known for the multitude of voices he provides for "The Simpsons" (most notably, as the titular Homer), Dan shows off the comic genius that brought him to the attention of the producers for the show. On this album Dan provides several more voices (with a little help from his wife, Deb Lacusta) to inhabit the strange characters in his equally strange world. Although Dan mostly limits his skewered observations and commentaries on the AM radio circuit, he has enough fodder here to provide some true gems of comedy (standout tracks include "Badger Baseball" and "Drive Time" - the latter concerning a husband/wife morning zoo crew who've been married for perhaps a little too long). Dan's timing and delivery is on par with perhaps the best comedians and although his sketches can run long, it's fascinating to hear what he'll do next and what bizarre direction the sketch will take. Although a bit out of left field, the disc does contain at least one prerequisite track for fans of Dan's work from The Simpsons. Here you'll see just how much Dan contributes to that show, but it's even better to hear the beginning tracks to see how he got just so damn good at comedy..."
Dan Castellaneta: The Other Side of His Comedy Maddness
Michael Crane | Orland Park, IL USA | 07/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a really funny CD. Eventhough I knew that it wasn't going to consist of just Simpsons bits, I had a good feeling about this CD. Dan Castellaneta's (how the hell do you say that name, anyway?!) "I am Not Homer" gives us a chance to see that he is just as funny outside of the world of the Simpsons.This CD contains sketches written and performed by his wife. They are well planned and well thought out, brining out some of the most funniest moments you will hear on a comedy album. From getting som therapy on the radio to trying to be a successful salesman, this CD is hillarious. My favorite tracks are "AM therapy," "badger baseball," "Citizen Kane," (I agree with his wife on this subject) and "drive time." I also like the track, "so dumb," which features Dan using his many voices heard on the Simpsons show.All in all, a very funny album. Why are you reading this? Check it out and see the other side to Dan's comedic brilliance. Very good CD."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1