A Star Is Burns

Season 6, Episode 18, Aired

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Springfield is the least popular town in America. They have a town meeting on how to attract tourists and Marge pitches the idea for a film festival. After they accept her idea, she searches for a film critic to be the judge and Jay Sherman is her choice. He comes to Springfield and stays with the Simpson family. Mr. Burns decides to enter the festival to boost his reputation, and makes a horribly self-indulgent film. Jay Sherman fits right in with the Simpson family, but he and Homer quickly form a rivalry. After the screenings, Homer has already made up his mind he is going to vote for the dumbest video, the one by Hans Moleman. This is an injustice to Barney's film about alcoholism, which is the best of the bunch. The jury includes Jay, Homer, Krusty, Marge, and Mayor Quimby. Mr. Burns bribes Krusty and Quimby to vote for him. Homer decides to change his vote to Barney's film, so Mr. Burns loses. What does Barney win? Why beer, of course! Mr. Burns later tries (unsuccessfully) to bribe the Academy Awards.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

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  • Film Festival!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By futuramarama, Jul 02, 2010
    Springfield holds a film festival, and Marge has film critic Jay Sherman visit. But, Homer is jealous and thinks Marge likes Jay. What will he do? Also, Barney wins the film competition, and wins beer, which is ironic because his film was about how beer has destroyed his life.

    A good episode, has some very funny parts and is a very interesting idea for an episode. It's not one of my favorites of the series but it is a strong offering from one of the best seasons of the show, I think so anyways, this episode gets an A+ from memoreless

  • When a need to boast of popularly is needed, host an event.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By Lauper_Wash_86, Jun 14, 2010
    When Springfield finds itself low in popularly, Marge's idea of a film festival gets the okay from the town. With the ability to make their films, the citizens begin the process. Marge invites Jay Sherman to the show as a judge. During the process, Burns is inform by Smithers about the film festival and realizes he can use this chance to improve his image. However, Barney was able to pull-off a win by doing a document about his alcoholism. As for Burns, not even Hollywood would help him. At least, there was a win for Homer when a parody of his favorite film, Man getting hit by football, got a Hollywood face up.moreless

  • This is definally one of the better crossover specials of any show.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By gothkid200, May 27, 2010
    It's funny to see Jay Sherman in the Simpsons universe. I liked the whole episode, espically when Jay entered, he made the episode better. It's also revealed that depsite that Mr. Burns was in WWII, he also made bombs for the nazis... "but min worked damn it!". It gives you a warm feeling when u see one of your favorite characters from one show, and it briefly goes onto another popular show. It's like if Garfield went on a Peanuts special, it would be really intresting. The scene where Homer gets shown off by Jays belching is just freakin hysterical.moreless

  • this was a good ep

    8.5
    "Great"
    By cube2k8, May 20, 2010
    in this ep of the simpsons there is a film festval comeing to springlfield and people start to make movies for it . and there is a few one by barney gumbal another of mr burns and another with mole man getting hit in the crotch with a football . and they have to vote to see who is the winner and who gets the award everyond does not want burns to win and so they all vote aginst his movie but the vote all comes down to homers who votes for moleman getting hit in the crotch which was hilrious . and mr bunrs movie gets the award a very good epmoreless

  • Money can't buy respect, Mr. Burns learns this lesson.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Sara_Marie_41, Jan 02, 2010
    Springfield was in trouble after being declared the least popular city. Mayor Quimby makes a plead to the public to attract tourists. Marge suggest a film festival and allow the townspeople to make their own films. As Marge recruits Jay Sherman, you can bet a certain someone wants to seize the chance at fame. That person is Charles Montgomery Burns, and he wastes no time on gaining respect. Burns hires a Mexican director and starts in his own film, had no choice. At the film festival, a Mole-man film gets Homer in trouble when Marge had made him a judge. Barney's film becomes the most talked about, and Burns he pays two of the judges to get his film going. However, after Homer votes for Mole-man puts the decision in a deadlock between Burns and Barney. Homer watches Barney's film and votes for it to break the deadlock. Burns tries again, but a film similar to Homer's favorite Mole-man film teaches Burns that money won't buy him respect.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (2)

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    • Auditions for Mr Burns: Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs Captain Kirk from Star Trek Homer Bumblebee Man

    • The film festival movies: "Bright Lights, Beef Jerkey", (Apu, Snake, Chief Wiggum) "Moe Better Booze" (Moe) "Man Getting Hit By Football" (Hans Moleman) "Pukahontas" (Barney Gumble) "A Burns For All Seasons" (Burns, Bumblebee Man, Tommy Tune)

  • QUOTES (24)

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    • (Barney's acceptance speech.) Barney: I've learned that I have a gift to share with the world. From now on, I'll be a new Barnard Gumbel! Clean, sober, and hardworking. Mayor Quimby: Congratulations, Barney, and enjoy your prize--A lifetime supply of Duff beer! (The curtains pull back to reveal a Duff Beer tanker truck.) Barney: Just hook it to my veins!

    • Jay: Hi, Marge. I saw your hair from the plane. (to Homer) And you must be the man who couldn't tell if he had a pimple or a boil. Homer: It was a Gummi bear!

    • Krusty: Let's just say it moved me. To a bigger house! Oh crap, I said the quiet part loud and the loud part quiet.

    • (Singing "Moe Better Booze") Moe: Money gets you one more round, drink it down, you stupid clown, money gets you one more round, then you're out on your ass.

    • McBain: Have you ever noticed how men always leave the toilet seat up? (no laughter is forthcoming) That's the joke. Audience Member: You suck, McBain! McBain: (draws machine gun and fires several rounds into the audience) And now for my Woody Allen impression. (same voice) I'm a neurotic nerd who likes to sleep with little girls. Audience Member: Hey, that really stunk. (McBain throws a live grenade into audience; cut back to studio) Rainier: (to Jay) The film is just me in front of a brick wall for three hours. It cost eighty million dollars.

    • Homer: Look, Marge, this can has spring snakes inside but the suckers will think it's beer nuts. Heh heh heh. Mmmm… beer nuts (opens can, spring snakes attack) Aaagh!

    • Jay: Hmm. Do I really want to leave Manhattan? Rainier: (walking up menacingly) Sherman, I just realized you insulted me! Now you will die. (pulls a machine gun) Jay: Uh, hey nudnick, your shoe's untied. Rainier: From here, they appear to be tied, but I will go in for a closer look. Jay: Taxi! (jumps into one) To the airport. (later that night) Rainier: On closer inspection, these are loafers.

    • Mr. Burns: Get me Steven Spielberg! Smithers: He's unavailable Mr. Burns: Then get me his non-union Mexican equivalent!

    • Principal Skinner: I'm telling you people, the earth revolves around the sun! Grampa: Burn him!

    • Smithers: Market research shows people see you as something of an ogre. Mr. Burns: I ought to club them and eat their bones!

    • Homer: (laughing) Stop this contest is over! Give that man the $10,000. Jay Sherman: This isn't America's Funniest Home Videos Homer. Homer: (still laughing) But the ball, and the groin it works on so many levels! Roll it again.

    • Barney: Next they're gonna show my movie. Bart: You made a movie? Barney: I made a movie? No wonder I was on the cover of Entertainment Weekly.

    • Mr. Burns: Smithers are they booing me? Smithers: Uh, no sir. They are saying, "Boo-Urns. Boo-Urns". Mr. Burns: Are you saying "Boo" or "Boo-Urns"? Crowd: BOOOO!!! Moleman: I was saying "Boo-Urns".

    • (Marge announces the idea of a film festival.) Chief Wiggum: Can we make our own movies and enter them? Marge: Yes. Chief Wiggum: At last, an excuse to wear makeup!

    • Barney: You're very kind. Woman: Excuse me, did something crawl down your throat and die?! Barney: It didn't die.

    • Jay: How do you sleep at night?! Reinier: On top of a pile of money with many beautiful women. Jay: Jeesh, just asking!

    • Homer: Marge, do you respect my intelligence? Marge: … Yes. Homer: Okay. Wait a minute, why did it take you so long to say yes? Marge: … No reason. Homer: Okay. Wait a minute, are you humoring me? Marge: … Yes. Homer: Okay. Wait a minute, that's bad.

    • Homer: My ears are burning. Lisa: I wasn't talking about you, Dad. Homer: No, my ears are really burning. I wanted to see inside, so I lit a Q-tip.

    • Grampa: The metric system is the tool of the devil! My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead and that's the way I likes it!

    • Barney: My name is Barney and I'm an alcoholic. Lisa: Mr. Gumbel, this is a Girl Scout meeting. Barney: Is it, or is it that you girls can't admit you have a problem?

    • Captain Kirk: Exc…EL…ent Mr. Burns: Next! Hannibal Lecter: Excellent. (sucking noise) Mr. Burns: Next! Homer: Exactly. Heh, heh, heh. D'oh! Mr. Burns: Next! Bumblebee Man: Excelente! Speilbergo: Es mui bueno.

    • George C. Scott: (In "Man Getting Hit By Football") Ow! My groin!

    • (Bart talks with Jay Sherman.) Bart: Hey man, I really love your show. I think all kids should watch it. (Shudders) I suddenly feel so dirty.

    • TV Announcer: Coming up next, "The Flintstones Meet The Jetsons." Bart: Uh oh. I smell another cheap cartoon crossover. Homer: Bart Simpson, meet Jay Sherman, The Critic!

  • NOTES (1)

    ADD NOTES

    • Blackboard Joke: none Couch Gag: The family runs onto the couch, but their sizes are reversed. Maggie is now the biggest and Homer is the smallest. A special TV credit screen appears that only includes the names James L. Brooks and Sam Simon (because Matt Groening disagreed to the Critic crossover since he hated the show, so he removed his name from this credit and the end credits).

  • ALLUSIONS (10)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Homer: This contest is over, give that man the $10,000. Homer is confused about his role as a judge for the film festival, and is referring to America's Funniest Home Videos, a TV show where they give cash prizes for the funniest videos.

    • Four Weddings and a Funeral The title of the Itchy and Scratchy cartoon, "Four Funerals and a Wedding" is a play on the title of the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

    • Star Wars In the overhead shot of Mr. Burns in his office, the Darth Vader theme from Star Wars can be heard playing.

    • Mr. Burns Film: "A Burns for All Seasons" Mr. Burns film has references to three films; 1952's ¡Viva Zapata!, 1982's E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, and 1959's Ben-Hur.

    • Episode Title: "A Star Is Burns" The title is a take on the 1954 film A Star is Born starring Judy Garland.

    • A Man For All Seasons The title of Mr. Burns' film, "A Burns For All Seasons," is an allusion to Robert Bolt's play "A Man For All Seasons," which is about Sir Thomas More and his differences with King Henry VIII.

    • Cabaret Moe's song is a reference to the song "Money (Makes the World Go Round)" of the 1972 musical Cabaret. Moe also wears excessive makeup in this scene. Excessive makeup is often used on the emcee of the Cabaret musical.

    • Sonny James The title of the movie submitted by Snake, Apu and Chief Wiggum, "Bright Lights, Beef Jerkey," is a take on a 1971 Sonny James No. 1 country hit, "Bright Lights, Big City."

    • The Lost Weekend / Pocahontas The title of Barney Gumble's movie, "Pukahontas" (inspired by 1945's The Lost Weekend) is a play on Disney's Pocahontas.

    • The Rocky Horror Picture Show In one scene of this episode, Dr. Hibbert is dressed like Dr. Frank 'N' Furter from 1975 musical/film The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

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