Homer to the Max Written by John Swartzwelder Directed by Pete Michels ============================================================================== Production code: AABF09 Original Airdate on FOX: 7-Feb-99 Capsule revision B (10-May-99) ============================================================================== > "TV Guide" Synopsis ============================================================================== (United States) Having the same name as a bumbling TV character prompts a name change for Homer, whose impressive new moniker puts him on Springfield's "A" list. Ed Begley, Jr. has a cameo. {bjr} (Canada) Homer is the laughing stock of Springfield when a TV character bears both his name and d'oh-pey personality. {hl} ============================================================================== > Title sequence ============================================================================== Blackboard: NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR / ABOUT MY SCIATICA Couch: Marge brings a laundry basket to the living room, where a clothesline is strung in front of the couch. She removes sheets from the basket, snaps them, and hangs them on the line, and we can see that the "sheets" really are Homer, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie. ============================================================================== > Did You Notice... ============================================================================== ... the Springfield Shopper headline reading "IT'S WAR!", along with a picture of a nuclear explosion? Cammie Brewer: ... Marge's fingers seemed a little shorter? (maybe it's just my imagination) ... Lenny had a party at his house? (remember "Realty Bites"?) Ben Collins: ... Homer calls Maggie "the baby"? ... Marge doesn't like having her breasts grabbed, even by Homer? Don Del Grande: ... the sign behind the judge says "Springfield Municiple Court" - and right when the judge tells Homer he's using the one name Homer spelled right? ... in Springfield, you can (apparently) change your name right away? (In California, it takes at least four weeks) ... when the trees knocked each other over, they managed to change directions? Yuri Dieujuste: ... SNPP affects Albany's power supply? ... the attic has an unusually high ceiling for that type of house? ... OFF goes to the mall to go to the pharmacy? Jordan Eisenberg: ... Homer looks like Dilbert with his tie thrown over his shoulder? ... we've had, quite possibly, the first nearly indisputable a.t.s. reference ever with CBG's "Worst Reading Ever?" ... that cactus in the board room was there from the start? ... "Costington's" no longer has the caption under their sign? Todd Emerson: ... Clinton doing the lower-lip-bite thing while talking to Marge? Joe Green: ... Carl's voice didn't sound right? Darrel Jones: ... this is the first Season Ten episode to reuse a Season Ten couch gag? ... Homer carries a "Mid-Season" pennant? [{je} asks, "where did Homer find a flag with the word "mid-season" printed on it? (Maybe he wrote over his "football" flag from last week.)"] ... the stupid, sidekick "Homer Simpson" also has the same body build as Chief Wiggum? ... Marge has a tattoo somewhere on her privates? (What a fox... ;) ... Homer's (er, Max's) "monogrammed" shirt actually says "Max Power"? ... the butler at the party chains himself to a tree? Joe Klemm: ... Real Homer's scarf still has a price tag on it? Haynes Lee: ... Yuppies smoking cigars? ... Quebec has the bomb?! Patrick McGovern: ... Bill Clinton showed up in Springfield's cultural elite? ... Burns instantly remembered Homer as "Max Power", whereas he hasn't remembered him as "Homer Simpson" before? Travis D. McLemore, Jr.: ... Springfield Shopper headline: "It's War!"? ... Larry Davis and his band at the party? ... Homer/Max eating a fish like a watermelon? ... hippie-strength mace? Paul Melnyk: ... Ned's different voice was a joke, but many of Hank Azaria's characters [also] sounded different? ... when they showed the people at the mall, couples seemed to be apart? (Jasper in between Mrs. + Dr. Hibbert, Nelson between Seymour and his mother?) Mark A. Richey: ... Marge humming in the couch gag? ... Admiral Baby has a buck tooth? ... Homer wasn't shaven in the attic? ... Homer is wearing his monogrammed shirt from the kitchen scene onward? ... the eagle and dolphin topiary? ... the leaves trailing behind Ed Begley Jr.'s go-cart Tom Rinschler: ... Homer/Max wears one of his embroidered shirts during the Thai food scene? Benjamin Robinson: ... the title of this episode is literally true, in that Homer becomes Max? Gary Wilson: ... Homer has apparently taken back his job at the plant? This is the first time we have seen him working there this season, as he quit in the series premiere. ... Grampa Simpsons story sounds like he might have been remembering the plot for the movie Gladys The Groovy Mule starring Troy McClure? (It's a stretch -- a big one, but think about it. He has seen "a lot of movies" and a story about a Mule saving spring break?) ============================================================================== > Voice Credits ============================================================================== - Starring - Dan Castellaneta (Max Power, Barney, Krusty, Groundskeeper Willie, Abe) - Julie Kavner (Marge) - Nancy Cartwright (Bart, Admiral Baby) - Yeardley Smith (Lisa) - Hank Azaria (Chief on "Police Cops", Chief Wiggum, Carl, Moe, Comic Book Guy, Prof. Frink, Producer #4, Producer #5 [?]) - Harry Shearer (Fox announcer, Officer #1, Officer #2, Criminal #1, Criminal #2, Lance Kaufman, "Homer Simpson", Bank Owner, Lenny, Fan #2, Producer #1, Producer #3, Judge Snyder, Mr. Burns, Trent Steele, Man at party, Lorne Michaels, Lou, Eddie) - Special Guest Voice - Ed Begley, Jr. (Himself) - Also Starring - Tress MacNeille (Agnes Skinner, Producer #2) - Maggie Roswell (Fan #1, Employee, Guest) - Karl Wiedergott (Archie, "Ned Flanders", Valet {je}, President Clinton) ============================================================================== > Movie (and other) references ============================================================================== + "Grody to the max!" {jg2} - episode title is a pun on this Valley Girl expression - "Day of the Locust" {al} - character coincidentally named "Homer Simpson," like in this episode + Fox Television promotions {gw} - the countdown to mid-season makes fun of the way Fox over-hypes everything, especially the ridiculous and pointless countdowns they have + Fox's Disaster and "World's Funniest" shows + America's Funniest Home Videos - slagged once again in "World's Funniest Tornados" ({bjr} asserts, "This is becoming comedy's answer to shooting fish in a barrel.") + All In the Family - updated to "All In the Family 1999" [See "Comments" section for more] ~ "1,000 Men and a baby" - the whole "baby and Navy" skit on the TV previews - "Family Guy" - "The Laughter Family" similar + "Miami Vice" - "Homer Simpson" and Lance Kaufman look like Sony Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs {hl} - clothes and car similar, too {tdm} + Franco-American's "Spaghetti-O's" - new "Homer's" catchphrase - "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." {jg2} - "Simp-SON!" sounds like "Pyle!" - "The Jetsons" {dj} - "Simp-SON!" sounds like "Jet-SON!" + "Psycho" {al} - image of Homer in the rocking chair at the window from this movie + Columbia Pictures {pm} - one of the hedges at the mansion shows a horse with wings similar to the one in this company's production logo + "Titanic" {tr} + "Frasier" {tr} - the TV executives wanted a show that was "Titanic" meets "Frasier" (psychologist analyzing people on sinking ships?) + "Max Headroom" {jj} - character's name (Max Power, here) taken from a sign that meant something else ~ "Austin Powers" {nd} - Homer's new name might have been inspired by the title of this movie (which was also the name of the main character). - Covington's department store - Costington's a spoof + "Goldfinger" by Shirley Bassey - Homer sings the Max Power theme to the tune of "Goldfinger" - Mexican jumping beans {hl} - the Mexican Fighting Tree sounds similar + Pro-life protesters {bjr} - "pro-leaf" sounds similar + Mace attack at Pacific Lumber Company - police try to dissuade protesters the way Chief Wiggum does [See "Comments" section for more] - "Lethal Weapon" {al} - the police car two days away from retirement, like Daniel Glover's character in this movie ~ The Tracey Ullman Show (ddg} - (maybe) Chesty LaRue may have been a character in one of that show's sketches ============================================================================== > Previous episode references ============================================================================== - Who Homer Looks/Sounds Like {hl} - [3F06] Dan Aykroyd - [3F10] Pillsbury Doughboy - [4F12] Poochie - [4F18] Mr. Sparkle - Cactuses on The Simpsons {je} - [8F01] Lisa has a potted cactus on her bookshelf - [8F11] Bart gets a cactus for his birthday - [9F22] OFF drive through a cactus patch, to Sideshow Bob's dismay - [4F03] Homer thinks Marge is a cactus - [4F09] Milhouse almost walks blindfolded into a cactus - [4F11] John brings OFF cactus candy - [AABF04] "Bloodbath Gulch" brochure features a cactus - [7G08] Tattoo removal {hl} - [7G12], [2F06], [AABF02] That cartoony drooping noise is heard {je} - [7F05], [3F18] Capitol City Mascot appears {pm} - [7F09] A TV show, against Marge's (cf. Homer's) will, writes a joke at that person's expense {dj} - [7F10], [8F19], [1F07] Homer is tempted by another woman {je} - [7F11], [3F07], [5F13] Strange answering machine tapes {je} - [8F03], [2F06] Jokes on TV made at expense of family member {je} - [8F09] Homer's interpretation of "House of Pancakes" is like his interpretation of the "Land of Chocolate" {je} - [9F01] Homer and Lorne Michaels {ol} - [9F03] A Simpson swings from the ceiling fan {je} - [9F06], [1F03] Ruth Powers appears {jg2} - [9F22] Name changes in the Simpsons family {ol} - [1F10] A joke about something "dying" "days before retirement" is used {dj} - [2F09] Another "Homer" {je} - [2F13] A Simpson causes an ecological disaster {jg2} - [3F09] Disco Stu doesn't advertise {hl} - [3F17] The map of nuclear power plants at SNPP is seen {dj} - [3G02] "All in the Family" parodied {gw} - [4F02] "George Steponopalos" (sp) gives advice to Clinton {dj} - [4F03] Miscellaneous, Etc. store seen {bjr} - [4F12] "Worst episode ever" said (cf. "Worst reading ever") {pm} - [4F22] Corked gator {hl} - [5F06] Lenny living in seemingly disadvantaged conditions {ol} - [5F09] Costington's appears {pm} - [5F18] Police dog traumatized a day away from retirement (again, compare with car wrecked two days before retirement) {pm} ============================================================================== > Freeze frame fun ============================================================================== - Banner at Moe's bar {bjr} TV DRINKS H O M E R S I M P S O N SENSATION HERE - People at the mall {pm} - Otto, Dr. Hibbert, Jasper, Ms. Hibbert, Squeaky-Voiced Teen, Principal Skinner, Nelson, Mother Skinner, Krusty, Apu, CBG, Chief Wiggum, Mrs. Wiggum, Ralph, Willie, Janey, Janey's Mom, Hans Moleman, Prof. Frink, Mr. Van Houten, Ruth Powers {mar} - Sign outside the "Police Cops" studio {bjr} BY THE NUMBERS PRODUCTIONS (Often, an unoriginal TV show or movie is said to be done "by the numbers.") - Things at the studio entrance {pm} - Sign saying "By The Numbers Productions", Studio building labeled with the # 7, along with "Police Cops", with life-size stand-up posters of Lance aiming gun, with 'stupid Homer' in a wacky pose with the gun. - People in the courtroom {pm} - Hans, Principal Skinner, Mother Skinner, Otto, Prof. Frink, Snake, Dr. Nick, Apu, Herman {mar}, Sanjay - Animal Hedges at Mansion {pm} - Eagle, Dolphin, Bear, Horse with Wings - Bottle of mace {bjr} MACE * * Hippie Strength - Bus banner {pm} [Oak Leaf] We're Pro-Leaf! [Oak Leaf] ============================================================================== > Animation, continuity, and other goofs ============================================================================== = When Homer makes his comment about animated shows, his body shakes like he's laughing long before you can hear him laugh. {ddg} * Regular-length episode pilots aren't usually [but not always -- Ed.] shown, especially if some of the characters have changed (mainly because they don't want to confuse the viewers). {ddg} * On the TV show, a criminal keels over after "Homer Simpson" throws a bullet into the right side of his torso. But the heart (presumably where it landed) is on the left. {dj} * There's nothing new about changing a character's personality if it doesn't do very well; for example. "The Redd Foxx Show" changed Foxx from a "lovable father figure" to "his old Fred Sanford persona". {ddg} = Ruth Powers is seen in the background at the mall while simultaneously crowding around Homer. {mar} * Why would Moe have his ceiling fan on in the winter? [Patrick M. Geahan has an explanation. See "Comments" section for more -- Ed.] {je} - We see Homer outside building #7, about to enter it, with a big "Police Cops" display out front. Then, while Homer's in the conference room, we building #7 through the window behind him. = Homer's reading glasses disappear between shots. {bc} * Judge Snyder says he'll give Homer the only name that he spelled correctly. Since Homer made up those names, shouldn't he be able to make up the spellings, too? {nd} * Marge *would not*, and probably doesn't have a tattoo on a private place. {ol} - The sun in the forest picture in the living room disappears briefly? {cb} + When they show the Costington's Logo, they don't have the memorable "Over a century without a slogan" sign. {pm} - In one shot, the Dolphin hedge at front of mansion disappears. {pm} * Quebec is still a province of Canada [as of April 1999, anyway], therefore it should be "Canada's got the bomb". [Patrick Geahan counters, "True, but Quebec has been increasingly separitistic over the last several years. I have heard Canadian newscasters refer to Quebec as practically a separate country for a long time now."] {yd} = During the "chained-to-the-tree" scene, Homer's arms go in front of and behind the chain like mad. {cb} ============================================================================== > Reviews ============================================================================== Rich Bunnell: Not a -bad- episode, but as Simpsons episodes go, this was slightly average--it contained a slew of good jokes (such as Homer shrugging off Lorne Michaels and Homer's list of names in court) but when it comes down to it, it was just another "Homer has a dumb plan" episode. Also, what happened to Police Cops after the 2nd act? And the "Hootie" joke at the end was disgusting and un-Simpsons like. Still, as I said, for each bad point there's a good point (the absurd idea of a TV show with a baby commanding a ship), so this episode gets away with a (B) Ben Collins: There's little to say about this episode. The idea is interesting, and I like some of the meta-humor, but it's generally a ho-hum affair. The Clinton gag isn't anything I haven't seen in Jay Leno's monologue. An average effort for this season. (C) Nathan DeHoff: "Homer to the Max" was the latest in a series of Simpsons episodes that are amusing in spots, but don't really go anywhere. On the plus side, the television spoofs were done pretty well. Homer's name change opening doors (including Burns remembering his name) was also somewhat clever (although similar to his new hair opening doors in "Simpson and Delilah"). The main problem seemed to be that there wasn't much of a plot, and what we did get was weak. The majority of the show was just people hassling Homer, with no real developments until the name change. After that, it was okay for a while, but the whole tree-hugging scene was pretty stupid, and a little too close to the ending of the recent "D'oh-in' in the Wind." (How many hippie jokes does one season need?) (C-) Don Del Grande: Pretty good for an episode with a "separated subplot" (assuming you consider the "Homer Simpson" bit a subplot to the "Max Powers" bit), although I may be giving Swartzwelder the benefit of the doubt a little here (B+) Yuri Dieujuste: Another mediocre episode from Season 10 that would never make it through Season 6. The storyline was screwed up completely and there was a lack of funny jokes. Also there was no theme that imitated our life. My opinion is that the episode deserves a below average grade. (D+) Jordan Eisenberg: Some funny stuff in there, like the mid-season replacement bits and Mr. Burns. And John Swartzwelder continues to come up with strange Rube-Goldberg-esque ways of furthering his stories, which I always love. The plot was a good concept, but what came of it was literally nothing more than a bunch of stuff that happened, with little conflict or an interesting story or anything. The title describes basically this whole season, which is a shame. Hopefully, since none of February's other episodes will revolve _directly_ around Homer, he'll fade into the background for a while. (B-) Alex Foley: A funny, but weird episode. For some reason I felt I was watching a different show. But it was funny, even though the show took a dip in the 3rd act. (B-) Joe Green: A very funny outing, even if it lost steam during the second act and the climax was a bit contrived. I was surprised to see Ed Begley, Jr. poking fun not only at himself but at his pet cause. All in all, Swartzwelder seems to have redeemed himself after the worthless horror that was "Homer Simpson in Kidney Trouble". (B) Darrel Jones: An okay episode, I guess. I didn't like Homer protesting the protestors, and there weren't many truly funny jokes (like the running cactus gag, the many meta-jokes, and the names Homer wanted to use), but I liked the premise and it didn't make me want to kill the production staff. Altogether, I'd give this one a 6/10. (B-) Joe Klemm: Sadly, this episode, with the exception of the climatic chase between Homer and the cops, lacks the comedy that is usually found in an episode that centers around Homer's comical side. The main plot idea of him getting a new name started too late, and most of the jokes weren't that funny. (D) Andrew Levine: It's obvious the writers were trying, in the first act, to poke fun at our complaints that Homer's character has been drastically changed for the worse (stupider). A memorable episode in the sense that Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie was a memorable episode. I thought that there were funny parts (like the mule that saved spring break). I really did not like the ending, though. (B) Patrick McGovern: No, no! That is NOT how one makes a Simpsons ep! Easily the worst in recent memory. The first act was pretty funny, the 2nd act was very boring, and the 3rd act was damn unfunny. That "Max Power" stuffs makes me want to gag. And what was with those Clinton jokes? Or Ed Begley Jr.? Not funny. (F) Paul Melnyk: This episode had the rollycoaster feel. It looked stupid with that Clinton stuff in the previews. The first act was hilarious, it had pure Simpsons in it. It had some good jokes. The Spaghetti-O's thing was a riot, so were the TV previews, also the part where Homer's flying on the fan, with the patron's ducking reactions, and of course, the noticed-on-second-viewing voice joke. It seemed to get lame over the 2nd and 3rd acts though, providing some giggles with the episode references. The Clinton appearance was unfunny. (B-) Abhi Rey: I was surprised cause I was expecting a lot less, but this episode was still a little below standard Simpsons. Most of the humor was centered on meta-humor or network bashing, and I feel that it's starting to get really old. The first half of the episode was uninteresting and aiming for a lower grade, but the second half really picked up and contained bold twists to the storyline. The forest scene was a nice touch as well. There wasn't much of a resolution to the episode though; just Max Powers changing back to Homer. Overall, a decent episode. (C+) Tom Rinschler: This episode was a hilarious satire and deconstruction of bout OFF and of television in general. I was laughing my head of and enjoying every minute. Then the last ten minutes or so hit, and this episode sank like a rock. Rarely have I seen an episode that so completely and suddenly shifted from "good" to "bad" (the sharp cut off point was between the Burns and the monogram scenes). The best thing I can say about the last act or so that it was a bit better than "The Principal and the Pauper" (mainly because it was shorter). I was going to give this episode an A during the first part, but that rapidly disappeared as the third act progressed. (C+) Jason Rosenbaum: Pure crap. If there is a season next year, I will not watch it. The writing was pathetic, the jokes were all repeated, and the Clinton joke was simply terrible. Please, please, please, please end the Simpsons now. (D-) Gary Wilson: What started out as a great parody of TV and some great self ref jokes turned in to a stupid plot about saving trees with a bunch of celebrities. Where the hell did that come from? The clever plot just blew away in the wind. I was hoping this would be the next I&S&P, a complete parallel to the show itself. Then it had to get weird. Really weird. The plot just left me asking 'why?' And another appearance of Clinton? This is getting tiresome. Last weeks was within good fun, this weeks was just stupid. And did anyone notice the abundance of dirty jokes? Did Homer really say what I thought he did (you know what I'm talking about if he did.) Oh well. For the first half A, for the second D. What does that make? (C) Yours Truly: I'm a sucker for a good meta-joke, and this episode had lots of them. It also had quite of few jokes of the regular kind, making it more than just a one-trick pony. The last act wandered off-topic; I think the story would have been stronger (and the ending less rushed) if they had stayed on one point. In spite of this structure problem, this was still a good show. (A-) AVERAGE GRADE: C (2.12) Std Dev.: 0.9467 (29 reviews computed) ============================================================================== > Comments and other observations ============================================================================== >> I won't tell them about my what? Ellen Cohen explains Bart's blackboard punishment: Sciatica is a form of lower back injury. Stereotypically you hear elderly people complaining about their sciatica, because it's a fairly common injury. You also hear about it a lot at the chiropractor's office (my chiropractor had a sciatica pamphlet that showed a middle-aged man holding his lower back as he struggled to get out of an easy chair). Merriam-Webster's definition of "sciatica": sci*at*i*ca (noun) [Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin, feminine of sciaticus] First appeared 14th Century : pain along the course of a sciatic nerve esp. in the back of the thigh; broadly : pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or adjacent parts >> Behind the TV scenes - Mid-season excitement Joe Klemm explains the mid-season phenomenon: Referred to in the TV business as the Second Season, the mid-season in the television season usually airs new shows that replace the season starter shows that flop and are cancelled after a few weeks. Some of the best shows to air on TV actually started in the middle of the season. Among those shows, along with the Simpsons, include America's Funniest Home Videos and All In the Family, which were both spoofed at the beginning. - Pilots Joe Klemm, again: Sometimes, a television show's pilot is different than the other episodes that air after that. Among the changes that are usually made after a pilot includes cast changes and introduction to other regular characters. Meanwhile other pilots, like I Love Lucy and the Brady Bunch, are filmed way before the show is picked up, thus the characters may look younger than they first appeared. >> "All in the Family, 1999" Mark Aaron Richey: another midseason replacement (this one in 1971), the original AITF was a controversial, but very popular sitcom about a bigoted man and his conflicts with his liberal son-in-law. Very controversial for the time (hell, it would be even more controversial if it was premiering now), it nevertheless was the highest rated series for five straight years. The "revival" looks to be a very watered down version with Carroll O'Connor's Archie Bunker reduced to a lovable figure (as far as I know, O'Connor has no money problems). >> Police Car Watch Benjamin Robinson: Lance and "Homer" pull up to the crime scene in something that looks like a Corvette. The roofline looked a little screwy, although that could just be the angle from which we saw the car. John M. Daniel suggests it may have been a different car: I thought it was supposed to be a Ferrari Daytona... another reference to Miami Vice, where Sonny Crockett drove a Daytona (actually for filming the show they used a slightly doctored Vette) until he got a late-model Testarossa. Benjamin Robinson responds: I think the headlight/turn signal shape was wrong for a Daytona. The dash seemed Daytona-like in a vague sort of way. By the way, wasn't Crockett's Daytona a Spyder? The "Police Cops" car was a hardtop. >> And you thought it was just for ambience Patrick M. Geahan explains why Moe's ceiling fan might be turning in winter: This isn't horribly uncommon for two reasons. First, in a bar, or any other crowded place, it probably gets damn hot at times. Second, on most ceiling fans you can change the direction of the fan. This is supposed to keep the hot air, which would rise, circulating through the room. >> Max Speed If you need proof that "Simpsons" fans scrutinize the show closely, then here's some excellent evidence from "jibberuski@aol.com": When Homer walks into the cactus the first time, the frame rate is 30 frames per second. This was the first time I have seen this on The Simpsons. The usual rate is 24 or 12. A TV's speed is 30 frames per second, so it can't go faster than that. TV shows generally use 24 frames per second since that is what movie cameras use. When this is done, every fourth frame is repeated. You can tell if this is done by watching it in slow motion. Todd Emerson replies: Well, as Max himself said, "There are three ways of doing things: the right way, the wrong way, and the Max Power way!" (Which is the wrong way, but faster!) >> Mace gets in my eyes Alan Hamilton explains the mace-swabbing reference: The pepper spray bit is a clear reference to an incident that happened in 1997. Environmental protestors went to the office of then-Congressman Frank Riggs (R- California 1) to protest the congressman's pro-logging position. [{ah} says another group was chained up at the offices of Pacific Lumber Company.] When the protestors refused to leave, Riggs' security officers applied liquid pepper spray on their eyes. The protestors sued, insisting it was "cruel and unusual punishment". Riggs stood firmly by his officers, who won a victory in the California State Supreme Court. The whole story got national attention, and public response to the security men's actions (including in Riggs' district, which runs along California's north coast) was mixed. >> Meta-reference corner It's a festival of meta-references! The "second season", the time when the networks launch the shows to replace the shows they launch in September. Now stretching from October to April, most replacement series get dumped by May (anyone remember last spring's "The Closer"? How about "House Rules"?). However, a surpassing number of replacements catch on. Among the replacements currently on the air are "The Practice", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Just Shoot Me", "NewsRadio", "3rd Rock From the Sun", "Dawson's Creek", "Homicide: Life on the Street", "Walker, Texas Ranger", "King of the Hill", and yes, OFF. {mar} [{ol} adds, "The Tracey Ullman Show, which ultimately launched Simpsons in the first place, was also a mid-season series on a mid-season network.] Homer says networks like animation because they don't have to pay the actors, referring to pay dispute the network and the actors had last summer. {bjr} Just then, Ned walks by mentions that voice actors can be replaced without anyone noticing. (Evidently he didn't catch on to the fact that his own voice had completely changed.) During the pay dispute Fox threatened to hire replacement actors. This strategy collapsed when the voice actor community, in a remarkable show of solidarity, told Fox to go jump in a lake. {bjr} [{mar} notes the actors secured big raises, to boot. Also, see "[?]"] Lenny asks Homer to "act stupid, like you do on TV." That one shouldn't be too hard to get. {bjr} A character named "Homer Simpson" becomes dumber as the series runs longer. That one shouldn't be too hard to get, either. {bjr} Lisa consoles Homer by saying producers often change some characters and push others to the background. As though to emphasize her point, Mr. Largo and the Capital City goofball stroll by the kitchen window. (Don't the Simpsons mind people trespassing on their property?) {bjr} [{nd} notes, "The Goofball was somewhat of an odd choice for this gag, since he was never really a major character."] On "Police Cops," Homer Simpson is the comic relief, just as on another show I'm familiar with. {bjr} Homer tells the mall crowd that they've confused him with a "fictional character on TV." {bjr} Wiggum identifies Homer as "the stupid cop from TV." You ought to know, Chief. {bjr} The Comic Book Guy wants an audio recording of Homer saying his catch- phrase. In real life, Dan Castellaneta and Yeardley Smith have both done answering-machine recordings. (Mr. Castellaneta's wound up on the radio, Ms. Smith's are just for her friends.) This could also be a comment on how the Internet fans want audio files of just about everyone on the show. {bjr} Comic Book Guy deems Homer's reading as the "worst ever," although at least this time he may be right. {bjr} Krusty tells Homer, "Once they get a taste of you, they want more." A couple years back, people were clamoring for more of "our" Homer. (Be careful of what you ask for...) {bjr} Marge tells her husband, "Your growing insanity is starting to worry me," which echoes this newsgroups concern about Homer's increasingly loutish behavior. (Ironically, in this show Homer acted more like his usual self.) {bjr} >> Maybe they =can= replace the actors, after all Nicolįs Di Candia explains why foreign-language viewers get to the tell the diddely-ifference whether they want to or not: The English version of "The Simpsons" does not, fortunately, suffer that common practice in cartoons. But foreign versions do. The Spanish version that I believe is dubbed in Mexico gets new voices for almost all the minor characters in each episode. They even changed Bart's voice beginning with "Bart Carny". Plus, the dubbing actors do not "act" the lines, they just read them (I am beginning to think that that's why I disliked some episodes last season). There are no two episodes, for instance, in which Lionel Hutz has the same voice. And, intrestingly, Poochie's voice in 4F12 was (obviously) Homer's, but in AABF01 it was COMPLETELY different! Another thing that keeps happening is that the names of the characters vary (Dr. Nick is now called Dr. Sables). >> What's in a name? A number of brand-name celebrities were seen or mentioned on tonight's show. Here's some quick background Anthony Michael Hall: Former member of the Brat Pack who briefly rose to stardom in the mid 80's thanks to roles in "National Lampoon's Vacation", "The Breakfast Club", "Sixteen Candles", and "Weird Science". Unfortunately, his career soon nose-dived (starring in drek like "Johnny Be Good" didn't help), and his most recent appearances have been in such films as "The Grave", "Exit in Red", and "Trojan War" (yes, I've never heard of them either). {mar} A.M. Hall was also a cast member on Saturday Night Live during the 1985-86 season when Lorne Michaels returned as executive producer of the show. Also on the writing staff of SNL that season - AABFO9 writer John Swartzwelder. (BTW, Swartzwelder's fellow Simpsons writer George Meyer was also an SNL writer that season) Given the jokes made at the expense of Hall and Michaels in this episode, one guesses that they may not have been Swartzwelder's favorite co-workers. In any event, this bit of trivia can be added to the vast number of in-jokes that made this episode enjoyable. {tc} Marlon Brando: Heavyweight (in every sense of the term) actor. He was the head honcho of a bizarre compound in "Apocalypse Now," and not the comic relief, unless you have a really dark sense of humor. {bjr} I'm not sure what movie Marge was watching, but Brando's appearance in this deeply dark 1979 film from Francis Ford Coppela was most certainly not comic relief. Brando played Colonel Kurtz, the highly decorated, and highly insane, military leader who had become the ruthless ruler of a group of Vietnam natives. His scenes were among the darkest in the film (maybe she confused Brando with Dennis Hopper, who played a drugged-out photojournalist who stayed at the compound. He provided the few light moments during the last twenty minutes of the film). {mar} Annie Potts: Comic actress who has been on a number of cancelled shows, including "Love & War" and "Dangerous Minds." She looks a little like the lady smoking a cigar at the garden party, although that isn't her. {bjr} Potts is the former star of "Designing Women" who, since the end of that series, has starred in several disappointing shows, "Over the Top", "Dangerous Minds", and currently, Lifetime's "Any Day Now". {mar} Jeremy Piven: Known for the recently-cancelled "Ellen," where he was Ellen's cousin, and the soon-to-be cancelled "Cupid" (ABC's giving it the ax right before Valentine's Day). [{al} points out he was also in "Grosse Pointe Blank" -- Ed.] {bjr} Jeremy Piven is one of the crew members who unexpectedly had to jump ship from a TV series, struggling to find a lifeboat elsewhere on primetime. He played Ellen's cousin Spence on ABC's "Ellen" and joined the show around 1995. Now he has a new show on ABC that was actually picked up for midseason called "Cupid." Being the forgettable cog of an actor he is, it's no surprise Homer nor the executives would know who he is. {ol} Piven has been in a lot of roles on both TV ("The Larry Sanders Show", "Ellen", "Cupid") and the movies ("Grosse Pointe Blank", "Very Bad Things"), and has a very recognizable face, but his name is not as well known (Homer would probably know him if he saw him). {mar} Woody Harrelson: Harrelson is a committed environmentalist, as well as committed to the legalization of industrial hemp (the plant that marijuana is derived from), and is often seen in public wearing clothing made from hemp. {mar} [{bjr} adds, "The pro-hemp forces claim the fiber can be used for practical things, like clothing in addition to its, ahem, recreational value."] Slight correction: although industrial hemp and the version grown for marijuana are technically the same species (Cannabis sativa), industrial hemp cannot be used to make the drug. Similarly, although the Chihuahua and the Rottweiler are very different in appearance, temperament, and almost everything else, they are both the same species, Canis familiaris. {bc} Ed Begley, Jr.: The only famous person whose voice appears in this episode, Mr. Begley is noted for his work on "St. Elsewhere," and with the environment. He strongly supports solar power research, hence his little demonstration with the pinwheel. {bjr} [{mar} adds, "He starred in 'St. Elsewhere' during the 80's, and even was briefly a leading man in the movies. Lately, however, he has been content to guest star on TV shows, and make straight-to-video films."] Ellen Cohen adds, I saw something about him on cable. He drives an electric car, has a solar-powered house, and recycles everything into a compost heap or recycling center except used tissues! :Ž Dennis Miller once commented in a stand-up act, "I'm happier than Ed Begley Jr. driving to the recycling center in an electric car with a bag full of empties!" Or something to that effect. {bjr} President Bill Clinton: Okay, you don't really need me to tell you who he is. I just thought it was funny that the writers featured him prominently in this episode, while last week [for "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday (AABF08)"] they weren't certain he'd still be in the White House. Good thing the GOP impeachment trial bogged down, or the writers would be up @#*$! Creek without a paddle. {bjr} Lorne Michaels: Producer of "Saturday Night Live," a show that isn't as hip as it was eight years ago. If Mr. Michaels wanted to impress his fellow partygoers, he might have mentioned his involvement with "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." {bjr} George Stephanapolous [sic]: He isn't mentioned by name, but Clinton's aide looks like him. He was Clinton's press secretary, but quit several years ago. I guess the animators don't know what his replacement looks like. {bjr} >> Contribution for a rained-out ballgame Andrew Gill has an interesting story: Well, seeing as I don't have much more STUFF for this episode, I might as well add something tangentially related A man named Fred Koch changed his name a few years ago, to reflect the correct pronunciation of his name. Unfortunately, Coca-Cola didn't appreciate the fact that Mr. ``Coke Is It'' was infringing on their trademark. I'm not sure of how the subsequent court case turned out. >> Tattoo You Benjamin Robinson: Marge has a tattoo of Homer's name? It beats me as to where -- we saw just about everything there was to see of her in "Natural Born Kisser (5F18)," and I certainly didn't notice any body art. This might explain why she was so dead set against Bart getting a tattoo, though. >> He who steals my purse steals trash, but he who steals my name ... Ondre Lombard explores Homer's legal options to regain his name: If Homer wanted to sue for having his name used without his permission, he could have a lawyer motion to have it taken to trial, depending on if opposing counsel moves to challenge the claim. In any case, Homer would likely lose if he didn't have a good lawyer, since no show doesn't include a page with the copyright credits that explicitly stipulates that All persons and events depicted are fictional, and any similarities to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. However, if Homer decided that he had evidence that the character was indeed based upon him (such as with the scene of "Homer" pleading for dignity), he would have a case. >> As though being named "Homer" wasn't difficult enough Benjamin Robinson: Turnabout is fair play. Homer has the misfortune of sharing a name with a dumb TV character. Here in the real world, there are people who can sympathize with his plight, since they are named Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, and yes, Homer Simpson. "TV Guide" did a story featuring some of these people in 1991, shortly after the series moved to Thursday. This universe's Homer is a seventy-something guy (or he was in 1991) who fielded a lot of prank calls asking for the "other" Homer. Incidentally, he said the number of calls dropped after Fox moved the show to Thursdays, suggesting the ratings may have taken a hit. Also at about this time, a man named Bart Simpson ran for office in Texas. His opponent accused him of capitalizing on his newly famous name, which was probably a well-founded charge. No matter, as it turned out Bart Simpson couldn't win an election in this universe, either. >> Miscellaneous, Etc. The Haynes Lee alterna-title for this show is: Homer Power Ranger Jordan Eisenberg's Alterna-alterna-title: "'Power' is a Pow-Pow-Powerful Name" Don Del Grande: How many Simpsons characters have been voiced by two (or more) different actors? The ones I can think of are Lurleen Lumpkin, Mrs. Glick, and Roger Meyers, Jr. Yuri Dieujuste: George Stephonopolus is a former advisor to President Clinton. He is now a professor at Columbia University and a political advisor to ABC News. Gary Wilson writes about "All In the Family 1999": This version appears to have been "political corrected" for a modern audience. In the real show, Archie Bunker was predigest against pretty much everyone slightly different than him. This type of character probably wouldn't sit easy on Network TV now a days. >> And now, for a =really= personal note Andrew Gill ventures into ... "The Twilight Zone": Does this family sound familiar? Three kids, the older two separated by 8 years, while the younger two are separated by 2 years. The younger two are the same gender, and the older sister (a psychologist) has a middle name of Marie. The older brother has a middle initial J. That's right, it's my family! Now, there's one more similarity: my father's name is Max, which is not short for anything. Coincidence? I think...so. ["It's like they saw our lives and put it right up on screen!" -- Bart, 8F20] ============================================================================== > Quotes and Scene Summary {jo} ============================================================================== % On the Simpsons' TV set, the Fox network broadcasts a countdown, % starting at 206 seconds. The family has all gathered to watch. Announcer: The start of television's second most exciting season -- midseason -- is just two hundred exciting seconds away! Homer: Door? Marge: Locked! Homer: Phone? Lisa: Unplugged! Homer: Dog? Cat? Bart: Taped and corked. Homer: Perfect. -- "Homer to the Max" % The first, program, "America's Funniest Tornadoes" shows a shovel- % carrying farmer get hit in the groin with a stop sign during a tornado, % for a big sure-fire laugh chuckle. Announcer: And at nine-thirty, "All in the Family 1999"! Archie: Aw, jeez, they got me livin' with an African-American, a Semite-American, and a woman American there, and I'm glad, I loves youse all! I love everybody! I wish I'd saved my money from the first show. -- Maybe then you wouldn't have to do anti-drug P.S.A.s about your son, "Homer to the Max" % Homer, holding a pennant that says "Mid-Season", holds up a scorecard % with two columns -- "Excellent Shows" and "Very Good Shows". Homer: Oh, I can't wait. Look, Marge, I got a scorecard printed up at that all-night scorecard place. Lisa: Isn't mid-season just a dumping ground for second-rate shows that weren't good enough for the fall schedule? Homer: You're thinking of all the other years. This year's shows are classic. There's "The Laughter Family" -- that's animated. Networks like animation 'cause they don't have to pay the actors squat! Ned: [voice slightly off] Plus, they can replace them, and no one can tell the diddley-ifference! -- They wish, "Homer to the Max" % "Admiral Baby" kicks off the night. On the deck of an enormous ship, % two officers talk with each other. Officer #1: We're taking the entire sixth fleet to Candy Island? Officer #2: Those are the Admiral's orders! [The Admiral is revealed to be a diapered baby in a crib wearing the appropriate hat and jacket. He loses balance and falls over to a laugh track and funny noises, while the Simpsons look on uninterestedly.] Marge: It's hard to believe someone that young could have risen to the rank of Admiral. -- Marge the beetle-browed viewer, "Homer to the Max" % Homer, much to his amazement (and ours), thinks the show is a bit % dumb. He looks through the TV Guide and finds "Police Cops," which % holds some more promise. Homer puts down the TV guide and changes % channel to a show where some crooks are using a crane to lift an entire % bank onto a truck. Criminal #1: Let's get this bank back to our hideout and we'll break into it later. [suddenly, a red sports car pulls up.] Criminal #1: It's the cops! Criminal #2: Worse. The Police Cops. -- "Homer to the Max" % The two detectives in the car pull their guns out and start taking % criminals out left and right; one of them tosses a crook into three % others, destroying them all in a large explosion. Bart: This isn't bad. Homer: Isn't bad? Tell me one thing mankind has ever done mankind's ever done that's any better? Lisa: The Renaissance? Homer: This is better. -- "Homer to the Max" % The Police Cops have two crooks cuffed; they slam their chins against % the hood of a police car. Kaufman: Let's book 'em and roll Simpson: And that's the end of that chapter. Bank Owner: You men saved my bank! I'd like to donate forty dollars to charity in your honor. But, uh ... I don't know your names. Kaufman: Lance Kaufman. Simpson: Simpson, Detective Homer Simpson. [the Simpsons all can't help but be a bit shocked by the character's name. Homer, however, can barely control his excitement] Homer: [long, slow gasp] He's named like my name!! -- "Homer to the Max" % On the TV show, two women come to Homer Simpson's side; the Police % Chief comes to talk to him. Chief: I don't get it, Homer. You're a millionaire, and you've got all the babes you want. Why aren't you living it up in your palace in Europe? Simpson: Well, let's just say I ... hate crime. -- "Homer to the Max" % One of the criminals stirs from his resting place in the middle of % the street; he grabs a gun and takes a shot at Homer, who catches the % bullet between his fingers and tosses it back at him. The bullet % lodges in the criminal's chest, killing him. "Arrest that guy!" he % commands, as if that were necessary. As the camera drifts away from % the scene, the message "Blood Provided By American Red Cross -- Give % Blood Today!" pops up on the screen. Homer: Wow. They captured my personality perfectly! Did you see the way Daddy caught that bullet? Lisa: That's not really you, Dad, he's just a fictional character who happens to have the same name. Homer: [long pause] Don't confuse Daddy, Lisa. Marge: Homer, it's just a coincidence. Like that guy named Anthony Michael Hall who stole your car stereo? Bart: Right ... coincidence. -- "Homer to the Max" % Later that night, the phone rings while Homer and Marge lay in bed. Marge: Mmm ... another person wants to congratulate you for having a famous name. Homer: [takes phone] Hello? Yes, this is the original Homer Simpson. Who is this? The Debbie Pinson, who was the Homecoming Queen at high school? [pause] Yes, I'm still available. Marge: [takes phone] No, he's not! [hangs up phone] Homer: Marge, that was Debbie Pinson! Deb-bie Pin-son!! Marge: No dating! Homer: Oohhh! -- Then what's the point of being famous? "Homer to the Max" % At the uclear-nay ower-pay plant cafeteria, Carl shows Homer a copy % of the Springfield Shopper. Carl: Hey Homer, Homer! Check it out! Bottom of page twelve. Homer: [reading] "Local Man Has Same Name" ... A TV character has the same name as Springfield resident Homer Simpson! Lenny: Hey, you're famous! Homer: [tosses tie over shoulder] And that's the end of that chapter. Lenny: Wow! Carl: [laughs] Hey, Mr. Simpson, sir, can I get your autograph? Homer: All right, what's the name? Carl: Uh, Homer, we've worked together for ten years. Homer: [blinking, no response] Carl: It's Carl. Homer: [scribbles on notepad] Carl: [reads notepad] You only wrote my name. Um, I wanted yours. Homer: Take it or leave it ... [reads notepad] Carl. -- "Homer to the Max" % At Moe's Bar, a sign hangs outside: "TV Sensation Homer Simpson % Drinks Here". Inside, Homer and the usual gang gather to catch the % start of Police Cops". Moe wonders if TV's Homer Simpson was based on % the "real" man. Homer insists he is, and to emphasize his point tosses % a scarf over his shoulder, the way the TV character does. % % The show starts; Lance Kaufman punches a man in the stomach, sending % him to the floor. He puts his foot on his chest, when the Chief walks % up. Chief: Nice beating, Lance. Especially around the eyes. Eh ... say, where's your partner, where's Homer Simpson? Simpson: Coming, chief! [a man in a police uniform with mismatched gear and a missing boot stumbles in] Chief: Now what've you done, Simpson? Simpson: I was supervising the guns for toys program! Chief: It's "Toys for Guns"! Simpson: Now you tell me! Chief: [sighs] Simpson!! [the bar patrons at Moe's laugh] Homer: Hey, what's going on? That guy's not Homer Simpson! He's fat and stupid! Lenny: Hey, looks like they changed the character into a bumbling sidekick. Homer: No, no, he can't be! I know, maybe he's just acting stupid to infiltrate a gang of international idiots! Yeah, that's gotta be it! Chief: [back on TV] You destroyed that drug shipment? Simpson: Yes, indeedy! Chief: That was my insulin! Simpson: Uh, oh, Spaghetti-O's! [Moe's bar laughs] -- "Homer to the Max" % Homer might be horrified, but the new "Homer Simpson" is a big hit % with the bar crowd. They ask Homer to do something dumb, like on TV. Homer: Shut up! I'm not your clown! Don't diminish me! Gentlemen, I bid you fare ... [tosses his scarf, which gets snagged in the blades of a ceiling fan] Ooh! [Homer, hanging from the fan, screaming, is getting a lot of laughs. Finally, the scarf gives way, and he flies out the door and into the street in front of Moe's] Ow! Ohh! Lenny: Jeez, what an exit! Carl: Oh, man, what's he gonna do for an encore? Moe: [looking outside] Whoo ... I don't think he'll be doin' no encores for a while. Hah, hah! Hah! -- "Homer to the Max" % [End of Act One. Time: 6:19] % % On a bright Springfield morning, Homer can only stare at the bacon % and eggs on the plate in front of him. Homer: I don't understand what happened. Why did they change Homer Simpson's character from cool to stupid? Lisa: The first episode was just a pilot, Dad. Producers fiddle with shows all the time! They change characters, drop others, and push some into the background. [while Lisa talks, Mr. Largo and the Capital City Goofball stroll by the Simpsons' window] Marge: Your character provides the comic relief! Like, oh ... Marlon Brando in "Apocalypse Now". Homer: Wish I hadn't bought a hundred of these. [Homer pulls the scarf off his neck and tosses it onto a pile of boxes next to the refrigerator labeled "scarves"] -- "Homer to the Max" % At the power plant, Homer sits at his station, trying to do his job. % His co-workers have gathered in a nearby hallway to watch him. Lenny: [whispering] Get ready, everybody. He's about to do something stupid. Homer: Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you gentlemen, but you seem to have me confused with a character in a fictional show. Now, if you'll excuse me, my fondue is just about ... [spills a fondue pot, which had been resting on the control panel] D'oh! [an alarm sounds, and the crowd watching him laughs. On a map of the U.S., the state of New York blinks and an alarm buzzes] Lenny: [laughing] There goes Albany! Carl: [laughing] Uh, oh, Spaghetti-O's! -- "Homer to the Max" % Things are even worse for Homer at the Springfield Mall; Homer is % watched and laughed at by people lining the walkways. Homer: People are laughing at me, Marge. Let's get outta here! Forget the baby's medicine! Marge: But her forehead's on fire! Homer: Fine. I'll be in the car. Driving home. Wiggum: Well, if it isn't that stupid cop from TV. [scratches his ear with his gun barrel] Oh yeah, that got it. -- One stupid TV cop to another, "Homer to the Max" % More people come up to stare, including the comic nerd. Comic Book Guy: Your catchphrase is hysterical. Please say it clearly for my answering machine tape. [hits "record"] Homer: [unenthusiastic] Uh, oh, Spaghetti-O's. Comic Book Guy: Worst reading ever. -- Don't worry, no one ever calls you anyway, "Homer to the Max" % Despite Homer's lackluster reading, his fans continue to crowd him. Fan #1: How about an autograph? Fan #2: Picture, mister? Frink: Can I shine your shoes? Homer: Come on, people! Enough is enough! Krusty: [taking Homer aside] Ah, it's never enough. Not for them! Once they get a taste of you, they want more, and more, and more! That reminds me, you mind if my nephew kicks you in the belly? Homer: Okay ... [some big red-headed teenager comes up and lays his foot into Homer's stomach, knocking Homer to the mat] Krusty: Oh, the flash didn't go off! Got another one in you, Josh? [Josh nods] -- "Homer to the Max" % Later, Homer has resigned himself to the attic, to sit in a rocking % chair and watch the world from a window. Marge, carrying a tray of % food, stops at the edge of the attic hatch to watch him. Homer: The whole town's laughing at me. Even that cat out there! Bart, kill that cat! Bart: [shouting, from elsewhere] Okay! Homer: And that big yellow flower! Marge: [walking up] Homer, your growing insanity is starting to worry me. Why don't you talk to the producers of the show? Maybe they'll make your character suave again. Homer: Hmm ... I guess I could. But while I'm gone, keep an eye on that weird-looking kid down there. Marge: Bart? Homer: Yeah. [makes air-quotes] "Bart." -- "Homer to the Max" % At "By The Numbers Productions", Homer walks into a building painted % with the characters of "Police Cops". Inside, he sits down on the % opposite end of a table from thirteen grim-faced studio execs. Homer: Uh ... so, I just wanna know how come you made your Homer Simpson character so ... Producer #1: Stupid? [laughs] Well, I can assure you, it happened organically. Homer: It better have! Producer #1: The thirteen of us began with a singular vision -- "Titanic" meets "Frasier". Producer #2: But then we found out that ABC had a similar project in development with Annie Potts and Jeremy Piven. Homer: Who's Jeremy Piven? Producer #3: We don't know. Producer #4: But it scared the hell out of us, so we slapped together a cop show instead. Homer: Police Cops. Producer #5: Uh, no, actually, it was called "Badge Patrol". Producer #1: But the network idiots didn't want a show about high- tech badges that shoot laser beams! Producer #2: So we asked ourselves, "Who's behind the badge?" Producer #3: Police ... Producer #4: Cops ... Producer #5: "Police Cops." Homer: Yeah, but why does the Homer Simpson character have to be so stupid? Producer #1: Oh, he's not stupid. He's a street-smart fish-out-of- water in a world he never made! Homer: I'm begging you! I'm a human being! Let me have my dignity back! [the Producers nod at Homer; he gets up and walks off, face-first into a cactus] D'oh! -- Leading by example, "Homer to the Max" % On next week's show, the Homer Simpson character's coat is caught on % top of a flagpole. "Let me down, Chief," he begs, "I'm beggin' you! % I'm a human being, let me have my dignity back!" % % The ball on top of the flagpole finally breaks, and Homer Simpson % falls, crotch-first, onto a cactus below, for a big sure-fire chuckle. % That's the last straw for Homer. He goes to make his case in the % courts. Homer: Your honor? I'd like to sue the producers of "Police Cops" for twenty million dollars for improper use of my name. Judge: Court finds in favor of "Police Cops". Next case. Homer: [shuffles papers] Then I'd like to legally change my name! Judge: What name would you prefer? Homer: Any of these will be fine. Judge: Hmm. "Hercules Rockefeller". "Rembrandt Q. Einstein". "Handsome B. Wonderful". Huh, I'm going to give you the only name you spelt correctly. From this day forward, your name shall be ... [cut to a shot of Lisa, reading from a sheet of paper on the Simpsons' couch] Lisa: "Max Power"? Homer: Dynamic, isn't it? Bart: I love it, Max. Marge: You changed your name without consulting me? Homer: That's the way Max Power is, Marge. Decisive. Uncompromising! And rude! Abe: Oh, wait a minute. The family name is my legacy to you. I got it from my father, and he got it from his father, and he traded a mule for it! And that mule went on to save Spring Break! -- Then thanks for New Orleans last year, mule, "Homer to the Max" % Marge has some reservations about her husband's new name. Marge: But this will be so confusing! The mailman won't know what to do. Did you think of the mailman at all before you did this? Homer: Yes, briefly. Marge: And what about the tattoo on my you-know-what? Homer: Oh, Honey, they have acids that can burn that off. Marge: But I fell in love with Homer Simpson! I don't want to snuggle with "Max Power"! Homer: Nobody snuggles with Max Power. You strap yourself in and feel the "G"s! Marge: Oh, Lord. Homer: And it doesn't stop in the bedroom. Oh, no. I'm taking charge! Kids, there's three ways to do things. The right way, the wrong way, and the Max Power way! Bart: Isn't that the wrong way? Homer: Yeah, but faster! [turning and walks face-first into a giant cactus] Lisa: We should really put that in the corner. -- That was pretty fast, though, "Homer to the Max" % [End of Act Two. Time: 11:46] % % Homer sits at his station at the nuclear plant, singing a song about % his new name. Homer: [singing] Max Power, he's the man who's name you'd love to touch! But you mustn't touch! His name sounds good in your ear, but when you say it, you mustn't fear! 'Cause his name can be said by anyone! Burns: Ah! Max Power! How's every little thing? Homer: You remembered my name! Burns: Well, who could forget the name of a magnetic individual like you? Keep up the good work, Max! Homer: Mr. Power. Burns: Yes, of course. Mr. Power. -- "Homer to the Max" % At Costington's, Homer shops for something to complete his dashing % new image. Homer: So I want the monogram to read "M-A-X P-O-W ... " Employee: Sir, traditionally, a monogram is just initials. Homer: Max Power doesn't abbreviate. Each letter is as important as the one that preceded it. Maybe more important! No, as important. Employee: [sighing] Very well. Homer: And if you've got enough room, add some exclamation points and a pirate flag. Trent: [walking up] The man knows what he likes. Homer: Just taking care of business. Trent: If you don't, who will, huh? Trent Steele. Homer: Homer Si ... uh, Max Power. Trent: Oh, hey! Great name! Homer: Yeah, isn't it? I got it off a hair dryer. Trent: [laughs] I like a man who can poke fun at himself. [looks at his watch] Ooh, hey, my one o'clock cancelled. Eh, you had any lunch? Homer: Yeah, but I usually have three or four. Trent: So where to eat? You like Thai? Homer: Tie good. You like shirt? -- "Homer to the Max" % Homer, returning home in a monogrammed blue shirt, drops a few bags % of food from "Thai Palace" on the table. Homer: Marge, this is Thai food. From now on, I want it morning, noon, and night. Marge: When did you start liking Thai food? Homer: When Trent Steele bought me some. Marge: Who's Trent Steele? Homer: He's Max Power's oldest and dearest friend. Lisa: What's this wrapped in a banana leaf? [sniffs] Mmmm, smells like mint! Homer: Oh, I spit my gum in there. Lisa: Ew. [drops leaf on table] Marge: Where'd you meet this Trent Steele? Moe's? Homer: No way, he's a winner. He has a company that makes computers, or, a computer that makes companies. Anyway, you wouldn't understand. Marge: Well, I guess your new name is really opening doors for you. Homer: For all of us. Look! Marge: [reading] You are invited to a garden party this Saturday. Homer: This is our chance to rub elbows with Springfield's young, hip power couples, like me and Debbie Pinson! Marge: Mmmm ... -- "Homer to the Max" % A few days later, Homer and Marge drive up to a beautiful home in % Homer's beat-up pink car. Marge is impressed by the fact the house % number is spelled out. Homer hands his keys to the valet, who is % aghast at having to park such an antiquated ride. % % Inside the beautiful garden where the party is held, Homer and Marge % are among some of the most famous and powerful in the world. Marge: Oh, look, it's Woody Harrelson! Man: [to Woody, laughing] I can't believe those pants are made entirely out of hemp. [Woody's pants look like a bunch of pot leaves sewn together] Marge: And there's Ed Begley, Jr.! Begley: And this one solar collector can gather enough energy to run this colorful pinwheel. [Begley, holding an immense solar panel above his head, watches as his pinwheel slowly turns, then stops] Begley: Wait. Wait, I got it, I got it. -- What famous people do for fun, "Homer to the Max" % President Clinton congratulates Begley on his invention. Homer and % Marge, hanging back, notice the president. Homer: Marge! President Clinton. Marge: Oh, my Lord! I feel like Cinderella. Homer: Me too. Let's sing the Cinderella song. Marge: Eh, maybe later. Homer: Uh, oh. Here comes Lorne Michaels. Pretend you don't see him. Lorne: Ah, Max Power. Trent said I absolutely must meet you. This is fabulous ... Homer: Anyway, Marge, how do you feel about the economy? [Lorne walks away dejectedly] -- "Homer to the Max" % Later, Homer smokes a cigar with some other guests, sharing stories. Homer: So I said, "If this is the House of Pancakes, how come I can't eat the walls? Trent: Oh, you are too much, Max. Guest: I thought I knew all the players in Springfield. Where have you been hiding yourself? Homer: Well, I spent a lot of time on the couch. -- "Homer to the Max" % Elsewhere, Marge dances with President Clinton. Clinton: I know you don't think you're good enough for me. But believe me, you are. Hell, I done it with pigs. [laughs] Real, no-foolin' pigs! Marge: Are you sure it's a federal law that I have to dance with you? Clinton: You know, I'd change that law if I could, Marge. But, I can't. Aide: [whispers in Clintons' ear] Clinton: Aw, shoot. Quebec's got the bomb! Well, I gotta go, but ... look, if you're ever near the White House, there's a tool shed out back. I'm in there most of the day. -- "Homer to the Max" % Trent taps his glass with a spoon and steps on a chair. Trent: Attention, please, attention. Um, I just wanna say how thrilled I am with this turnout. I'm proud to share my home with Springfield's best and brightest. Homer: [eating a raw fish] Hey, no problem. Trent: We've all been blessed with privilege and success. Homer: Whoo! Privilege! [twirls fish in the air] Trent: Uh ... but with privilege comes grave responsibility. Homer: [spitting out fish] What? Trent: We all have to give something back to the world that's been so good to us. Homer: Give something back? Boo! Get a haircut! Trent: I'm talking, of course, about our endangered forests. [crowd members talk with each other in agreement] We have to protect them, because trees can't protect themselves, except, of course, the Mexican Fighting Trees. Homer: Could somebody buy this guy a tree so he'll shut up? Trent: Can we let the wanton destruction of our nation's forests continue? Crowd: No! Trent: If a tree falls in the forest, will you make a sound? Crowd: Yes! Trent: To the protest bus! -- "Homer to the Max" % Marge and Homer, not really enthusiastic about getting on the bus, % are pushed on by the crowd of Springfield elite. Trent, not sensing % their reluctance, tells them they're going on a trip to save a stand of % redwoods. Homer screams and pulls on an Emergency Exit handle. Marge % shouts out the window at Ed Begley, Jr. Marge: Aren't you coming, Ed? Begley: I prefer a vehicle that doesn't hurt Mother Earth. It's a go- cart, powered by my own sense of self-satisfaction. [Begley attaches a wired-helmet to his head and quickly drives off] -- "Homer to the Max" % Later, Homer, Marge, and the rest of the party-goers have themselves % chained to trees. Homer: Oh, this is the worst party ever! Marge: I don't know. Remember that New Year's Eve at Lenny's? He didn't even have a clock. Homer: Oh, Marge, I thought it would be fun to be on Springfield's "A" list. But these people are nuts! Marge: You can't blame them for having a social conscience. Homer: Sure you can. Bunch of no-good do-gooders. Begley: Hang in there, Max. Saving the environment is a hard, grueling job. Homer: That's what I'm saying! See Marge, this guy gets it. -- At least somebody there does, "Homer to the Max" % Chief Wiggum pulls his car up next to the redwoods, alongside a few % idle bulldozers and their operators. Wiggum: All right, what's going on here? Begley: We can't allow you to destroy these beautiful trees, which have the same rights you have! Wiggum: Man, I have really had it with you tree-huggers. Homer: [laughs] Tree-huggers! Wiggum: Something funny, nature boy? Homer: No. I just thought it was cute when you called him ... Wiggum: All right, "Max Power". Eddie! Swab this joker's eyes with mace. Marge: Swab? I thought it was a spray? Wiggum: Okay, she's second! -- "Homer to the Max" % Eddie dips a long cotton swab into a jar of Hippie-Strength Mace and % brings it toward Homer's eyes. Trent tells Homer not to give Wiggum % the satisfaction of screaming. Homer doesn't even plan on giving % Wiggum the satisfaction of being swabbed with mace, however. He starts % running circles around the tree, trying to escape. Eddie chases him. % Providing backup, Lou joins in the chase, but runs directly behind % Eddie in the same direction. Lou: Eh, you better call for back-up, Chief. Homer: Just leave me alone! Go swab Begley! He likes it! Eddie: Slow down, punk! -- "Homer to the Max" % While running around the tree so many times, the chain around Homer's % waist has dug into the flesh of the tree so far it falls. As it goes, % it takes other trees out like dominoes. Yelling "I'm free!", Homer % tosses his chain into the air, knocking a bald eagle out of the air. % As trees begin falling, crushing what's left of the entire forest, one % falls on Wiggum's police car, which was just two days away from % retirement. % % When the dust clears, there's nothing left of the forest except for % some logs on the ground and Springfield's elite crawling out of the % ruins. As Trent surveys the damage, Homer sheepishly asks where the % party bus is headed next. He is met with angry glares. % % Sometime later, Homer lies in bed with Marge. Marge: Well, I'm glad you changed your name back to Homer Simpson. Homer: Yes, I learned you gotta be yourself. Good night, honey. Marge: Good night. [Homer flips off the lamp, but then flips it back on] Homer: Oh, I almost forgot. While I was at the courthouse I had them change your name. Marge: To what? Homer: Chesty La Rue. Marge: Chesty La Rue?! Homer: Just try it for two weeks! If you're not completely satisfied, you can be Busty St. Claire. Marge: I don't want to be Chesty La Rue, or Busty St. Claire! Homer: Fine, Hootie McBoob it is. Marge: Good night, Homer. [Marge reaches over and turns off the lamp] Homer: Sleep tight, Hootie. Marge: Let go of those! -- "Homer to the Max" % [End of Act Three. Time: 20:32] ============================================================================== > Contributors ============================================================================== {ah} Alan Hamilton {al} Andrew Levine {bc} Ben Collins {bjr} Benjamin Robinson {cb} Curtis Gibby {ddg} Don Del Grande {dj} Darrel Jones {gw} Gary Wilson {hl} Haynes Lee {je} Jordan Eisenberg {jg2} Joe Green {jj} John Jensen {mar} Mark Richey {nd} Nathan DeHoff {ol} Ondre Lombard {pm} Paul Melnyk {tc} Tim Curley {tdm} Travis D. McLemore, Jr. {tr} Tom Rinschler {yd} Yuri Dieujuste ============================================================================== > Legal Mumbo Jumbo ============================================================================== This episode capsule is Copyright 1999 Benjamin Robinson. It is not to be redistributed in a public forum without consent from its author or current maintainer (capsules@snpp.com). All quoted material and episode summaries remain property of The Simpsons, Copyright of Twentieth Century Fox. All other contributions remain the properties of their respective authors. The transcript itself is Copyright 1999 John Ogan. This capsule is a By the Numbers production. This work is dedicated to Raymond Chen, James A. Cherry, Ricardo Lafaurie, Frederic Briere, and all of those who made episode capsules what they are today. Many thanks to Dave Hall and Frederic Briere, who provided me with alt.tv.simpsons archives when needed. This capsule wouldn't be nearly as complete without their invaluable help.