ANY GIVEN SUNDANCE

SEASON 19 EPISODE 18 (EPISODE 418)

THIS IS IT:

This is the episode where Lisa makes her documentary “Capturing The Simpsons” which gets accepted into the Sundance Film Festival.  It begins with the family travelling to Springfield Stadium for “The Big Game” of American football which is Springfield U v Springfield A&M.  They are heading to the ground early, hours before the game begins, because as Homer says, “we’re not here for the game, the game is nothing, the game is crap, the game makes me sick.”  It turns out the real reason Americans put up with (attend) sport is for the tailgate party (“the pinnacle of human achievement”).  With this Homer and Bart proceed to take advantage of other people’s hospitality and stock up on barbecue.  A disagreement breaks out between Sideshow Mel (Springfield U) and Karl (Springfield A&M) while Marge takes on a traditional female role (“joining in the fun”) of washing soiled foam fingers much to the chagrin of Lisa.  At this point Lisa decides to cut loose and decides to do some homework on her video project using her “My Little Sony”.  She announces her assignment is “to film the beauty of the everyday.”  There is drama and inspiration everywhere she looks.  Back at school she shows her footage to her art teacher Mr Kincaid to gives her just 3 stars out of 5.  Off the back of such a poor grade Lisa complains to Principal Skinner declaring “the man (Kincaid) is an idiot” to which Skinner agrees stating “the film has everything: emotion, conflict, Milhouse.”  Skinner tells Lisa that she is a gift filmmaker (“its as if Ingmar Bergman and Penny Marshall had a baby”).  It turns out that cinema is Skinner’s secret passion and he has written “a screenplay or two” but unfortunately the studios have made it clear that they’re not interested in his work.  With this Skinner tells Lisa is she wants to make a documentary about her family he can help her – he gives her the key to the A.V. Cage.  She responds “this is so generous, how can I ever repay you?” to which Skinner states “if you ever win an Oscar, give it to me.”  With this Lisa begins filming her family although Homer initially displays disappointed at not being able to wear a wig in order to get the Shia LaBeouf look.  At this point Superintendent Chalmers discovers that Skinner is encouraging Lisa in her movie and after expressing disappointment at being left out expresses a desire to help out in order to show up the Springfield Creative Arts Academy.  Chalmers suggests they pool school resources (adding music and sound effects) and submit the movie to Sundance.  Then it what appears to be a year of slim pickings, Lisa’s entry is accepted.  From here they drive to Park City, Utah in a manner that reminds of The Shining.  Upon arrival Homer bumps into Jim Jarmusch as Lisa issues the family with film passes.  This creates a fish out of water situation for Marge who cannot find a movie she is not horrified by.  At the premiere of “Capturing The Simpsons” it transpires that Skinner and Chalmers have followed the Simpsons up to Sundance although they cannot get into the movie despite pleading with Bart to tell security who they are.  This is somewhat unfair as they have their name on the credits of the movie as Chalmskinn Productions.  The film is described as a “wonderful film about horrible people” as the Simpsons are describes as “like the family from Hell on acid that’s on steroids.”  The film is a success although the audience dislikes the family as Lisa comments in defence “a lot of things got changed in the editing room” just as her credit as editor appears onscreen.  After airing their concerns Lisa assures the family that nobody out of the festival will care about the movie at which point she spots Comic Store Guy posting a review on his “Ain’t I Fat News” website despite Homer’s best efforts to catch the wi-fi beams to prevent it uploading.  Feeling despondent Skinner and Chalmers briefly consider visiting the Slamdance Festival before studio types track them down with view to buying “Capturing The Simpsons”.  Skinner makes a terrible hash of negotiating but he doesn’t really notice, doesn’t really care as they gain access to the most VIP tent at Sundance (which is “Scary Hobo’s Chili Chunks”). By now the buzz of the documentary is all over the festival and when the family walks the streets onlookers point and comment that they are creepy.  As the family return to their condo hurt and rejected Lisa feels dismayed questioning whether she subconsciously wanted the documentary to hurt her family, if deep down she is the real monster.  At this point Jim Jarmusch sees Lisa and tells her how much his movies have in common with hers featuring “social misfits experiencing the dark side of the American dream”, in fact he’s doing it again in his next film: Cheaper By The Dozen 3.  As Lisa wonders if her family will ever forgive her for making them a laughing stock Jarmusch says to look for the answer in a movie.  With this they find themselves watching “Life Blows Chunks” by Nelson Muntz, which is also a product of Chalmskinn Productions (“Seymour Skinner never puts all his eggs in one basket, that’s why the call me two basket Skinner”).  It is another heart wrenching portrayal of family life in Springfield as Nelson struggles to cope with his alcoholic mother.  With this Nelson becomes the buzz and toast of the festival leaving the Simpsons to return to anonymity.  At this point Marge comments “thank god they’re not jeering at us anymore” prompting Homer to remark, “I know, I kind of miss it.”  With this Bart perks up “I know, we’ll be in another movie” causing Marge to respond “no more Simpsons movies, one was plenty” in a knowing nod.  From here Lisa asks if all is forgiven and Marge assures her “we know you love us even if sometimes you show it in a quirky way”.  The episode closes cutting the John C. Reilly pleading with Chalmers and Skinner to be in the Chalmskinn business as Skinner enquires whether he read his “Ghost Willie” script.  Reilly responds, “read it, I lived it.  I am Ghost Willie, check this out” at which point Chalmers expresses his concerns about Reilly being “needy” at which point in private Skinner says “pass” but to Reilly says “we’ll see you on the set.”  It’s a harsh lesson to us all.

IS IT ANY GOOD:

Yes!

WHAT IT TAUGHT ME:

The machinations of the Sundance Film Festival.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES:

Any Given Sundance is a clear reference to Any Given Sunday and Capturing The Simpsons is their equivalent of Capturing The Friedmans.  A Woody Allen is seen attempting to apologise with Soon-Yi after she overhears that he is considering adopting Scarlett Johansson.

BEST LINES:

“When you know the people you’re begging from, it’s called mooching.”  “Maybe I can finally meet Jim Jarmusch and ask him who he is”.  “Call me old fashioned but I don’t usually like movies that humiliate my family in front of the world.”  “Quirky is a grandma that gives people the finger.”  “I never wanted to be famous for being mean, I wanted to be famous for catching Santa Claus.”  “I like to cry at the ocean because only there do my tears seem small.”  “I like this movie way more than the one by that little girl because I saw this one today.”  “Hey Nelson, say something poor.”

BEST JOKES:

Bart and Lisa arguing over which word of “everything” and “anything” is stronger.  What Homer imagines a film festival to be like complete with marauding DVDs on motorcycles.

PERIPHERAL MOMENT:

Rainer Wolfcastle is a Springfield U fan.  Hans Moleman wears a barbecue apron with the title “Serial Griller.”  Seymour has written the following scripts: “When Edna Met Seymour”, “Ghost Willie”, “Killing Seymour’s Mother” and “The Principal Who Sold A Screenplay”.  Homer is regarded as “a local character of note” as displayed by a newspaper headline: “Aquarium To Stop Serving Beer” featuring a picture of him arguing with an octopus/squid.  Marge loves documentaries, especially the one that came with her Toro lawnmower (although the movie is more of a user manual to be honest).  The Springfield Creative Arts Academy is made of modelling clay (which they remodel every afternoon).  Springfield Elementary is the school with the highest hamster mortality rate.  The Sundance Film Festival: Where Parker Posey Meets Parka-ed Posers.  The movies showing at Sundance include “Regularsville”, “Candyland” and “Chernobyl Graveyard”.  Lisa makes the cover of Variety with the headline “Sundance Loves Little Backstabber”.  Nelson appears in a school play called “Kids Are People Too” playing a grownup that doesn’t think kids are people are too.  “Capturing The Simpsons” is set to be screened on select flights by Alaska Airlines and its regional partners (ok, only its regional partners).

REALITY CROSSOVER:

The angst and backlash that Lisa experiences for portraying and representing the world around her in art strongly resonates with me.  This is very much something I have encountered in writing

MVP:

Marge actually sparkles as person without any concept of understanding alternative/indie culture (“I get it every title means the opposite of what it means.”)

GUEST APPEARANCES:

Jim Jarmusch and John C. Reilly

SONGS:

“I Turn My Camera On” by Spoon.

EPISODE LINKS:

Late on Marge makes reference to “one Simpsons movie was more than enough.”

PERCULARITIES:

Whatever happened to Chalmskinn Productions after these two successes?

BART ON THE BLACKBOARD:

There is no blackboard.

OTHER:

Ralph pops up early on showing his dad how he was invented the “Ralphwich” which is basically his hand in a burger bun (“it taste hurty”).

FINAL WORDS:

Another affirmation of indie culture from The Simpsons.  Always a pleasure, never a chore.

HOMER’S BARBERSHOP QUARTET

SEASON 05 EPISODE 1 (EPISODE 82)

THIS IS IT:

This is one of Homer’s many forays into music cover his spell as a member of acapella group the Be Sharps.  The episode opens at the Springfield Swap Meet that includes such stalls as Handcrafts By Moe and free religious trading cards from Ned Flanders.  While rummaging through the various stalls Lisa eventually discovers an LP entitled “Meet The Be Sharps” which features her dad on the cover.  Cue flashback to when Homer recorded the album (“it was only eight years ago”, which it turns out was the magical summer of 1985).  Our first glimpse of the Be Sharps (Skinner, Homer, Chief Wiggum and Apu) is of them singing in Moe’s Tavern.  Their audience is Barney.  Rock and roll and had grown stagnant and “Achy Breaky Heart” was seven years away so something had to fill the void and that something was barbershop.  They go on a whirlwind tour of playing the local old people’s home, the prison and church and their popularity soars.  A theatrical agent called Management By Nigel (“Stars Discovered, Fortunes Made, Hats Block”) approaches Homer to represent the Be Sharps on the proviso that they get rid of Wiggum (“too Village People”).  After driving Wiggum to the middle of nowhere and dumping him the next day they begin auditioning for his replacement including Grandpa Simpson, Groundskeeper Willie, Jasper and an in disguise Chief Wiggum but it just proves “one lousy applicant after another” until they hear Barney singing in Moe’s bathroom while looking for his toothpick.  And with that he is in the band.  Initially there is protest from fans of Wiggum but once Barney begins singing the crowd of Moe’s Cavern is won over.  By this stage the band does not have a name but Apu soon comes up with the suggestion of the Be Sharps.  At this point the episode resumes with the family driving back from the swap meet and Homer boasting of making some money selling their spare tyre.  Immediately they experience a puncture and while Marge heads off to get the spare replaced (12 miles away) Homer continues telling the kids about his time in the Be Sharps.  At this point Homer is struggling to write new material but while agonising over lyrics featuring Al Capone and Geraldo Rivera, Marge shows him the Baby On Board sign that she has bought for the car so that “people will stop intentionally ramming our car.”  With Skinner on banjo they record “Baby On Board” and it proves a hit.  They are next spotted at John F Kennedy Airport 1986 fielding questions at a press conference where they field such questions as (to Apu) “isn’t it true that you are really an Indian?”, (to Barney) “how did you join the group?” and “Principal Skinner you’ve been referred to as “the funny one”, is that reputation justified?”  Their gig at the Statue Of Liberty Centennial has Ronald and Nancy Reagan in attendance.  At the same time Chief Wiggum is becoming the butt of showbiz jokes as demonstrated by Johnny Carson making a joke at his expense and referring to him as a castaway.  In response Wiggum attempts to shoot his TV but misses all four times.  Unfortunately when he changes channel it is to Joan Rivers ripping on him too.  By this stage in real time Marge has returned with a new tyre and it putting it on their car while Homer continues his story at the fame and story stage.  Here we rejoin proceedings at the 29^th Grammy Awards where David Crosby presents them with the award for Outstanding Soul Spoken Word or Barbershop Album Of The Year.  At the after show party Homer experiences the greatest thrill of his life as George Harrison points him towards a big pile of brownies.  Later Homer phones home where he asks Lisa if she saw daddy on the Grammy’s to which she responds “you beat Dexy’s Midnight Runners.”  After the call while looking out at the Hollywood sign and an advertising billboard for Happy Family Brand Bourbon it hits Homer how much he is missing his family.  At this point a bottle of champagne is delivered to his room but when he has no change to give the hotel employee he hands him his Grammy (“wow, an awards statue”), which is promptly dismissed as being only “a Grammy” and thrown off the hotel room balcony.  Below it hits a stranger who promptly throws it back (“hey, don’t throw your garbage down here”) which hits Homer square on the head.  Returning to the real time the family are now back home where Homer digs out a box marked “Be Sharps Stuff” which he dusts off and opens to reveal a lunchbox, coffee mug and funny foam dispenser.  At this point Lisa and Bart ask why the band is no longer popular.  Bart asks if they screwed up like the Beatles and said “they were bigger than Jesus” at which point Homer responds “all the time.  It was the title of our second album”.  The truth was that the band was experiencing burn out.  While Apu, Homer and Skinner continue to record they do so devoid of gusto and material (Apu to Homer “this is worse than your song about Mr T”) elsewhere Barney is with his new girlfriend the “Japanese conceptual artist”.  Dressed in all black like Beatniks his girlfriend possesses more than a passing resemblance to Yoko Ono.  With this Barney brings his own suggestions to the table as “barbershop is in danger of going stale, I’m taking it to strange new places”.  His offering however features just his girlfriend repeatedly saying “number eight” while he belches.  Then comes the day they know they are finished: Us Magazine prints it’s “What’s Hot, What’s Not” issue (with Alf on the cover) and the band are not hot.  With that the band go their separate ways returning to their old lives and becoming the people we have grown to know and love ever since.  In his absence Homer was replaced at the nuclear plant by a chicken, which Homer promptly cooked and ate.  In reflection Homer will never forget his five and a half weeks at the top.  Feeling nostalgic off the back of the story Homer calls up and gets the Be Sharps back together for a rooftop reunion gig at Moe’s.  Skinner comments he cannot remember the last time the band was last together but Apu reminds him it was “last year on that stupid Dame Edna special”.  With this the band performs “Baby On Board”.  Their performance coincides with Springfield’s Human Fly attempting a stunt and George Harrison passing by and commenting “its been done”.  As a crowd builds the police arrive to break things up with Wiggum agreeing that it is pretty before telling his department to get the tear gas but not before Homer jokes to the crowd “I hope we passed the audition” (a reference lost on Barney).

IS IT ANY GOOD:

Yes, the music episodes tend to be strong and this is such a sweet pastiche of The Beatles with spot on references that would have fitted comfortably in The Rutles.

WHAT IT TAUGHT ME:

How creative differences can tear apart bands and friendships.  Also beyond the Nirvana song, this was where I first witnessed a swap meet.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES:

The Be Sharps existence exhibits many of the highs and lows experienced by The Beatles.  While routing through a cheap 5 cents bin Homer discovers a copy of Action Comics #1 which he dismisses as junk.

BEST LINES:

“Dad, thanks to television I can’t remember what happened eight minutes ago” – Bart.  “That’s my son up!”, “What the balding fat ass?” “What?  No, er the Hindu guy”. – Grandpa to friend.

BEST JOKES:

“This enormous woman will devour us all.”  “You beat Dexy’s Midnight Runners.”  Happy Family Brand Bourbon.  Marge compensating for Homer’s absence with a Homer made of balloons and a bucket head.

PERIPHERAL MOMENT:

We found out original big-breasted Malibu Stacy dolls originate from 1958 and that Seymour Skinner was prisoner number 24601.  We also learn that Krusty released an album called “S’Wonderful, S’Marvellous, S’Krusty”.  Also much like the British Invasion there was also a Rodent Invasion in the early sixties that featured acts such as Melvin And The Squirrels.  Moe’s Tavern used to be called Moe’s Cavern.  Willie once made millions in software but lost it at the track.  Apu charges twelve dollars for a quart of milk.

REALITY CROSSOVER:

Off the back of this episode the term “Baby On Board” is now very much owned by The Simpsons.  There is no doubt that it existed before this episode but now every time I spot a pregnant person on the tube wearing a “Baby On Board” badge it conjures up memories of the Be Sharps and this episode of The Simpsons.

MVP:

Homer Simpson.

GUEST APPEARANCES:

David Crosby and George Harrison.

SONGS:

The aforementioned “Baby On Board” by the Be Sharps

EPISODE LINKS:

Marge actually has one of her paintings of Ringo Starr from episode “Brush With Greatness” up for sale.

PERCULARITIES:

Despite having previously been in a Grammy winning act the Be Sharps never seem to acknowledge each other as being former band mates in other episodes.  Aren’t band members brothers for life?  Also the way in which Marge cries when Homer is ordered professionally to deny her existence (even though it is until the end of their tour of Sweden).  Then finally Bart and Lisa hit Homer with a torrent of questions at the conclusion of his tale.

BART ON THE BLACKBOARD:

I will never win an Emmy.

OTHER:

You’re given to wonder whether Ralph inherited his father’s musical genes.

FINAL WORDS:

The music episodes tend to be particular favourites for me.

BURNS, BABY BURNS

SEASON 08 EPISODE 04 (EPISODE 157)

THIS IS IT:

On a fresh autumn day the Simpsons go on a family weekend outing to the Mt Swartzwelder Historic Cider Mill (“Now 40% Quainter!”), its only game seven of the World Series.  Meanwhile in New Haven, Connecticut Mr Burns and Smithers are returning to Springfield on the train following the Harvard v Yale football game.  Suddenly a discarded sofa causes the train to violently stop in Waynesport which allows a local souvenir vendor Larry Burns to approach the train with his wares (including a googly eyed walnut, a googly eyed rock etc) where he spots Mr Burns, the man in an old photograph of his long lost father.  With this he enquires to the guard where the train is headed and upon hearing “Springfield” he replies “which state?” to a muffled response (at this point it felt we would never know).  Rejoining the Simpsons they are now on their way home from the cider mill when they spot Larry attempting to hitchhike his way to Springfield.  After procrastination (and outright refusal from Marge) just as the Simpsons get back to Evergreen Terrace Homer turns around to pick up the hobo (“the best idea I ever had”).  Upon getting in their car it is soon established he is looking for Mr Burns and before long he is dropped off outside the Burns mansion (complete with “walk-in letterbox”).  After first Burns is sceptical of Larry but upon the discovery of similar liver spots concedes that Larry came about after a Yale Class Of 1914 reunion and consummation with Lilly Bancroft in front of four stuffed Eskimos (and a janitor) in the Peabody Museum Of Natural History.  The following morning Homer awakes at his work desk to discover an assistant in the form of Larry.  Initially alarmed Homer is soon won over by Larry’s lazy attitude (“I’m so lazy I took lessons on a player piano.”)  With this they soon become best buddies as Homer talks enthusiastically of his new friend over the dinner table to a boring degree hogging discussion as during the day Bart finds a diamond, Lisa breaks her left arm and Maggie wins a Cutest Baby contest.  Before long Larry begins to worry and disappoint Mr Burns who attempts to enrol him in Yale to unsuccessful results.  Meanwhile Larry is in Moe’s asking everyone why they dislike his dad before taking Homer back for dinner.  To make Mr Burns love Larry again Homer suggests a phoney kidnapping but Larry sets out to clean up his act with no more joking around, slacking at work or booze.  This then cuts to Mr Burns opening a kidnap letter and the Simpsons house where Marge is winding so many appliances are plugged to the basement.  Upon stepping down she discovers her family sharing the family couch with Larry as they hide out.  The whole family proceeds to bust her chops Dangerfield style.  Meanwhile as the search for Larry led by Chief Wiggum continues Homer phones in a ransom demand disguising his voice with a kazoo.  With this Mr Burns offers £5000 then £6000 for his son’s safe return.  Of course this is not enough.  The call is traced but when the number is revealed to be a 555 number it is dismissed as phoney.  While the Simpsons and guest remain hiding in the basement Marge discovers from a Kent Brockman report that Larry is actually believed to be kidnapped and with this she orders them to report to the police and end the nonsense.  Unfortunately their exiting Evergreen Terrace coincides with Brockman hovering over their house and suddenly a televised pursuit ensues (“appearing in broad daylight with police everywhere, ladies and gentlemen there is just one word for that: idiocy”).  Soon they desert Homer’s car soughting refuge in various Springfield locations such as the abandoned warehouse that’s not so abandoned (“stupid economic recovery”) and Springfield Costume Shop (where two lookalikes emerge while they attempt hiding in the store’s toilet).  Eventually they wind up in the Aztec Theatre which is showing Too Many Grandmas! starring Olympia Dukakis and Bo Derek.  Fortunately it proves “emptier than a Scottish pay toilet” save for Hans Moleman sat behind them who they proceed to throw popcorn at who then goes to report their behaviour/conduct (with Homer saying “you don’t like it, why don’t you call the cops”).  The self fulfilling prophecy is realised when police surround the cinema and as Marge, Bart and Lisa watch Kent Brockman reporting live from the scene including a computer simulation of Homer being shot to death trying to get away.  They also come up with a simulation of him being killed with a barrage of baseballs.  In their effort to escape Homer and Larry wind up on the roof of the theatre and just before the snipers take them out Larry confesses that the whole thing was a set up.  From here Homer gives a speech about what it’s like to be a father (“sometimes my kids can be obnoxious, or boring, or stinky but they can always count on my unconditional love”).  At this point Mr Burns briefly welcomes Larry back into his heart before reverting to norm and rejecting Larry at which point he remembers his own family who he told “I’m going for coffee” a week ago.  It ends with Mr Burns expressing how it is good to know that “there is another kidney out there for me”.  With this Larry is handed a cocktail and announces “hey, while everybody’s here, let’s party!”  Suddenly there is music, suddenly there is liquor.  “It’s a party; it doesn’t need to make sense.”  And with that we get our last ever sight of Larry Burns as he dances on top of the Channel 6 News truck and on of the most upbeat endings in Simpsons history.

IS IT ANY GOOD:

Yes!  The Rodney Dangerfield guest spot as Larry Burns is one of the best in Simpsons history.

WHAT IT TAUGHT ME:

The difference between apple juice and cider: “if it’s clear and yellow, you’ve got juice there fella.  If it’s tangy and brown, you’re in cider town.”  Thanks Ned.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES:

Its all about Caddyshack as Larry attempts to fit in Al Czervik style during a function at Springfield Glen Country Club.  Then at the close of the episode a party akin to the Czervik golf course party occurs.  Elsewhere in the playroom in Burns’ mansion the actors are performing Death Of A Salesman (although it was “supposed to close last week.”)  Also Homer has a Snoopy jigsaw puzzle at work.

BEST LINES:

“Customers thank god, papa needs a new pair of everything” and “C’mon, if this stuff is too nice for ya, I’ve got some crap” from Larry.  “Can’t they get a pole for that sign?” from Homer.  “The only car that stopped was the hearse that thought I’d fallen out” more Larry.  “He spelled Yale with a 6”.  “This is some party, if it gets any livelier a funerals gonna break out” Larry over dinner before Mr Burns enquires to Homer “you, Foodbag, do you have a son?  Is he a constant disappointment?  Does he bring home nitwits and make you talk to them?” to which Homer responds “oh all the time, have you ever heard of this kid Milhouse?”  Even Lisa to Marge “Buckingham Palace called, they want their hat back.”

BEST JOKES:

Lisa picking up on Marge mispronouncing “foliage” is a subtly great bit.  Maybe Marge isn’t from Springfield after all…..  Also Homer collapsing as his brain escapes his body.

PERIPHERAL MOMENT:

Mr Burns’ old Yale roommate Dink – who knew he went to Yale?

REALITY CROSSOVER:

The customary Rodney Dangerfield banter channelled through Larry Burns (“he’s great at pointing everyone’s foibles”) are not mean spirited words or harsh critique, as is the usual way I accept such comments in my waking life.

MVP:

Larry Burns.

GUEST APPEARANCES:

Rodney Dangerfield as Larry Burns.

SONGS:

“Any Way You Want It” by Journey.

EPISODE LINKS:

The Aztec head from “Blood Feud” pops up in their basement.  Later when asked if they know who Mr Burns is Lisa references “Two Dozen And One Greyhounds”, Marge references “Marge Gets A Job”, Grandpa references “Lady Bouvier’s Lover” and Homer references “Brush With Greatness”.

PERCULARITIES:

It is one of those great episodes where the ending is short, sharp and doesn’t really make much sense.

BART ON THE BLACKBOARD:

There is no blackboard.

OTHER:

Lots of peripheral joy in this episode and many minor Springfield elements are in place.

FINAL WORDS:

Larry Burns was a great character who would have been welcomed back time and time again.