Syndication Cuts That Improve the Episode

[Dr. Spirograph]

We all know that episodes get butchered during the syndication process, but I've noticed a few instances where an extra cut actually improved an episode:

* 'The Thing & I' segment in 'THOH VII': After Marge gives birth to the Siamese twins, we see a shot of Dr. Hibbert chopping a paper cutter...and it's revealed that he's just cutting some medical forms. But in the syndication version, that reveal is removed, which made it exactly 95% more awesome.

* 'The Homer They Fall': Marge at the Sharper Image: "Anyone who needs this kind of status symbol must have some terrible emotional problems," and we see Homer talking about the "World's Best Jacket.' In the syndication version, it just goes directly to Comic Book Guy, which makes Marge's remark about "quote-unquote sir" instead.

* 'Hungry Hungry Homer': The entire "Mayor of Albuquerque" ending is dropped in reruns, letting the episode end on a more uplifting note.

Anyone notice any others ones? If you're more familiar with an episode from a rerun, it's great to see the jokes that were cut on DVD...but sometimes, the opposite scenario can happen.

[lionelhutz123]

Tale Of Two Springfields - The whole badger ending is cut. Just a pan out of the town listening to The Who.

[Granto]

pretty sure we have different syndication cuts than in the US but i'd disagree from the sound of things that it would improve the joke from The Thing And I. I've also always found the ending to Hungry Hungry Homer one of the best bits

[Charlie]

pretty sure we have different syndication cuts than in the US but i'd disagree from the sound of things that it would improve the joke from The Thing And I. I've also always found the ending to Hungry Hungry Homer one of the best bits

The cuts that Ten makes aren't actual syndication cuts - they cut things out of PG/M rated episodes so that they can air it in the G-rated 6PM slot. This is why the cuts we see here are generally more gory, controversial, or adult moments.

[Granto]

yeah ok that actually makes sense. they also have a good habit of cutting to an ad in the middle of a joke or even sentence

[Charlie]

I don't know if Ten does it, but back before I lived in Perth, WIN was airing THOH 15, and they cut literally the last minute out of every act. It made for a very weird viewing experience, especially when it was the first time I had seen it. When I saw it again on FOX8 it was as if I was seeing a totally new episode.

[Billy]

The UK until about ten years ago cut out every 'ass' and 'crap' from every episode. For the most part it wasn't noticeable, but both the "haul ass to Lollapalooza" lines were removed in Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming.

So for years, the episode ended with Grandpa driving a motorcycle, saying "Hi, everybody!" and the Simpsons saying "Here we go again!". It made absolutely no sense (even less sense than the original) and was absolutely hilarious.

[The Sovereign]

When Flanders Failed: Instead of having homer choke and Flanders saving him for the first act break, it just ends with Homer laughing manically, which is awesome

[Snaked]

Marge vs Everyone: Still horrid overall but at least you don't get to see Homer ordering Marge (as Rudy Giuliani while holding a portrait of him) to forgive him.

The Mansion Family: Again another terrible episode but at least they remove Homer's jelaousy speech over the closing credits.

[Agent Polar]

The cuts that Ten makes aren't actual syndication cuts - they cut things out of PG/M rated episodes so that they can air it in the G-rated 6PM slot. This is why the cuts we see here are generally more gory, controversial, or adult moments.

I remember watching Itchy and Scatchy Land at 6pm and there were some really annoying and unnecessary (apart from more ad time) cuts. The shot of Bart and Lisa just staring at Scratchtasia after the robot had broken through the wall was removed. I probably hadn't seen the ep much on dvd, but that never made sense to me until I had.

[J Dog]

My complaint about that episode is that they cut out the one scene where a guy in a SCRATCHY outfit gets messed with by Bart, sending the implication that it really doesn't matter the character costume: they're all the same (in syndication, it feels as if Bart and Homer are specifically targeting guys in Itchy suits).

I agree with Hungry, Hungry Homer as the best example of synidcation improving an episode.

[iambobdole1]

Wow, I nearly forgot about that one from Treehouse VII. Guess I've just seen it on TV so many times, I've gotten used to it being shown that way instead of the original joke.

[Xt'Tapalatakettle]

One instance that syndication really hurts one of my favorite jokes is in Two Bad Neighbors. The townspeople are chasing after former president Bush as he jogs. Santa's Little Helper goes after him as well and Homer says "I guess you might say he's barking up the wrong Bush."

The part they cut out is right after, Homer's brain says, "There it is, Homer: the cleverest thing you'll ever say and nobody heard it." To which Homer replies, "D'oh!"

So upset they took it out.

'Hungry Hungry Homer': The entire "Mayor of Albuquerque" ending is dropped in reruns, letting the episode end on a more uplifting note.

Marge vs Everyone: Still horrid overall but at least you don't get to see Homer ordering Marge (as Rudy Giuliani while holding a portrait of him) to forgive him.

Wow, I really like both of these. I can understand where you're coming from with the first, but I love the line "For I am the mayor of Albuquerque!"

Also, the Rudy Guiliani bit really worked when the episode came out, as at that time, Rudy Guiliani could seemingly do no wrong after the 9/11 attacks.

[i'mbatman]

I don't know about the US, but here in Australia they completely ruin the tone of the scene when they cut it off. I mean, I dont know who they've got working in the syndication department, but they really ruin it for me. Like, I remember in the episode when the town was snowed in and the kids were stuck in the school, they cut off so many gags, including the ones with the hamster which were the best

[Charlie]

I don't know about the US, but here in Australia they completely ruin the tone of the scene when they cut it off. I mean, I dont know who they've got working in the syndication department, but they really ruin it for me. Like, I remember in the episode when the town was snowed in and the kids were stuck in the school, they cut off so many gags, including the ones with the hamster which were the best

Read what I posted at the start of the topic, the cuts made in Australia are so the episodes can be aired in the 6PM G-rated spot - obviously "chew through my ball sack" is a bit more than G-rated

[HRH Sir Prince Charles]

you did it Network Ten, now censor my ball sack

[i'mbatman]

Oh, I had no idea about the rating. But they let a tonne of crap fly, yet they cut some things out. It's not done consistenlty at all...