'The Simpsons' is a tough act to follow

The most amazing thing about this year's "Treehouse of Horror" episode on "The Simpsons" is the Roman numeral.

It's XX. As in 20. As in this is the 20th time the "Simpsons" writers have been unleashed from the (relatively few) constraints upon them and allowed to just go wild.

Well, sort of wild. But, after 20 years, it just doesn't seem as wild as it used to.

Remember back in the early days — like II, III and IV — when there were people out there who were upset about the gore and violence in the "Treehouse" episodes? So Marge would give us a warning about what was to come.

Nobody needs the warnings now.

Anyway, this year's Halloween episode (Sunday, 7 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13) follows the by-now familiar pattern. There's a brief opening bit, followed by three separate and unrelated tales.

The first is in black-and-white, believe it or not. Bart and Lisa re-create the classic 1954 film "Dial 'M' for Murder." (This one is subtitled "Or Press '#' to Return to Main Menu.") There are some rather clever takes on several Alfred Hitchcock films.

(And, I don't want to give too much away, but in the context of the tale, it's hard not to appreciate Mrs. Krabapel getting to say, "Ay caramba, you little snot.")

Then it's on to the zombie takeoff — "Don't Have a Cow, Mankind." And last up is a musical that's sort of reminiscent of "Sweeney Todd."

But "The Simpsons" have done better musicals before. And that's sort of the feeling of "Treehouse of Horrors XX" overall.

It's OK, but it's all been done before. And done better in other episodes.

That's the danger of a show that's in its 21st season. When you're on your 445th episode and so many of the previous 444 have been so good, it's hard to live up to your own reputation.

e-mail: pierce@desnews.com