Simpsons Q&A (Jokes We Don't Get, Which Episode, etc.)

Homer's first song (the one with the lyrics "There was nothing in Al Capone's vault, but it wasn't Geraldo's fault.") mirrors an incident in 1986 where Geraldo Riveria searches for a treasure in Al Capone's vault, only to find nothing.

not sure why theres a d'oh though

ok the lyrics now make sense (thanks), but the d'oh is still somewhat confusing

I always thought it's just that he realized it wasn't a very good song.

The end credits of "The Girl Who Slept Too Little" says it was dedicated to the memory of James "Jamie" O'Brien. Does anybody know who he was and what he did on the show?

according to IMDB, one James Matthew O'Brien worked on:
- Homer the Moe (2001) TV episode (character layout artist)

and he died in 2005

What is the name of the episode where Marge hands Homer a beer and he cuddles it and Homer says something like "I love your bubbly goodness" and then Marge says "Are you talking to me or the beer?" Then Homer says "Why you my bubbly friend" or something like that. I love that segment its so priceless I want to show my Boyfriend that clip.

Does anybody know what episode I'm talking of?

the old man and the C student, s10

and according to SNPP he says "To you, my bubbly long-neck beechwood aged lover."

This may sound stupid but could someone explain the title "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadassss Song"

It's taken from the title of the movie Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.

Thanks Charlie that was really bugging me

There is a basic mistake on the Simpsons that I've witnessed for two decades now. The use of double barreled, pump shotguns. There is no such thing as a double barreled pump shotgun, yet it appears time and again on the show.

Now I understand the recurring joke where people with pump shotguns rack the slide repeatedly without firing, and it's funny to a person who knows shotguns, but I don't get the joke on double barrel pumps.

Is there a comic element I'm missing here, or have the writers just not known about shotguns for all these years?

Originally Posted by Bombadil

There is a basic mistake on the Simpsons that I've witnessed for two decades now. The use of double barreled, pump shotguns. There is no such thing as a double barreled pump shotgun, yet it appears time and again on the show.

Now I understand the recurring joke where people with pump shotguns rack the slide repeatedly without firing, and it's funny to a person who knows shotguns, but I don't get the joke on double barrel pumps.

Is there a comic element I'm missing here, or have the writers just not known about shotguns for all these years?

Its just not funny if you don't have to pump it.

Originally Posted by Uosdwis R. Jewoh

Its just not funny if you don't have to pump it.

I see that point, and on rare occasion they use a single barrel pump shotgun, which makes sense. But the side by side double pump has never existed, except in the Simpsons realm. I guess it could just be an ongoing goof meant to mess with the minds of gun folk. The writers have always seemed rather anti-gun. And it's hard to believe someone hasn't pointed out this error to them in the last 20 years

I thought it was a cartoon thing, though I never paid much attention. check out Looney Toons.

either way to me it just seems right. it's the kind of gun to hold when you're backwoodsy and slightly touched.

Originally Posted by the real melvin

I thought it was a cartoon thing, though I never paid much attention. check out Looney Toons.

Yeah, but Looney Toons and Merrie Melodies were very old school. Their guns didn't need pumping, or reloading for that matter. In fact their barrels bent back and forth with the recoil of each shot, and could be stretched all the way through rabbit holes to point back at the shooter.

I think its probably just a matter of the shotgun visual. Most people who don't know guns probably think of the side by side break action when they think of a shotgun. Now the pump part is probably just for laughs. Also they would have to make an animation for reloading the gun after every two shots, so all around its just simpler for them.

Originally Posted by Uosdwis R. Jewoh

I think its probably just a matter of the shotgun visual..... Also they would have to make an animation for reloading the gun after every two shots, so all around its just simpler for them.

That seems probable. A more persistent break from reality, the three fingers per hand thing (except for God, who is always shown with four), is done for simplicity as well. The yellow skin must be strictly for laughs.

It still rankles every time I see that shotgun show up again though.

In "Realty Bites," Lionel Hutz is explaining to Marge how she should use certain words to convince the customers to buy houses that are otherwise hard to sell. What follows is this exchange:

Marge: That house is on fire!
Lionel: "Motivated seller"!

I feel kinda slow on the draw for this one, but I've never gotten that joke.

this is from the S22 thread, and I didn't feel like dirtying it up with 0/+ ness:

pardon my ignorance, but I can't remember for the life of me why people on the plane are wearing togas in The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed. enlighten me in my questioning, answer people!

Originally Posted by TriforceBun

In "Realty Bites," Lionel Hutz is explaining to Marge how she should use certain words to convince the customers to buy houses that are otherwise hard to sell. What follows is this exchange:

Marge: That house is on fire!
Lionel: "Motivated seller"!

I feel kinda slow on the draw for this one, but I've never gotten that joke.

A home that was actually on fire could certainly have an owner that was a "Motivated Seller" who would be willing to sell cheaply & quickly. Another joke that would fit a house on fire would be a "Unique Buying Opportunity", or "For Immediate Sale". "Motivated seller" is often used to indicate that the owner is willing to lower the selling price.

I've always liked "Handyman's Dream" for a house that is falling apart.

(I sure miss Phil Hartman.)

Thanks--I think the confusion was that I wasn't familiar with the term "motivated seller" (meaning one who is desperate to sell, indicating a lower price and better deal for the buyer).

Originally Posted by the real melvin

pardon my ignorance, but I can't remember for the life of me why people on the plane are wearing togas in The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed. enlighten me in my questioning, answer people!

Well, they were traveling to Jerusalem, which was part of the Roman Empire at one point, and Togas were the garment of the Roman Empire. So, I guess the joke was that they were ancient Romans returning home, from vacation or some such. One of those little throwaway jokes that are often hit or miss.

No, the joke was that everyone was supposed to have a 'Jesus complex', so they were all wearing the robes like Homer did.

thanks!

^That "Joke" sucked

Anyone know of the episode where UTER says in his german accent " its so sweet and tender" any help would be great

Originally Posted by iambobdole1

No, the joke was that everyone was supposed to have a 'Jesus complex', so they were all wearing the robes like Homer did.

And Dennis Miller weeps.

What episosde has that Brit author being chased by cops in high speed to the Benny Hill theme? I've got a feeling it's around season 13-14.

If i'm not mistaken it's Season 14 A Star is Born Again but I could be wrong

Edit: I checked and it was indeed that episode