A Star Is Torn

Season 16, Episode 18, Aired
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Episode Summary

The family tries to eat a total vegetarian meal and everyone except Lisa gets sick from eating the healthy meal. As they moan from the sickness Lisa sings them to sleep. The next morning they've recovered enough to go back to their old dietary habits. On television a commercial airs for a Krusty-sponsored "Li'l Starmaker" competition and Lisa's singing voice seems a natural for the competition. Of course, Lisa and every other child in Springfield signs up. When Clarissa, one of the competitors sings the same song that Lisa was going to sing, and does it much better than Lisa believes she will be able to, Homer reassures her that he will write her a can't lose song. Lisa sings the song and makes it into the final competition. Homer takes charge of her career and writes her more songs that take her into the finals of the competition; it's Lisa versus Cameron, a boy all the girls go crazy over. When Homer oversteps his bounds with his obnoxiousness, Lisa fires him. Homer retaliates by getting himself a new client, Cameron. The final competition begins and Lisa's sings a song she wrote on her own, a song about her relationship with her father. Homer tells her that he was always in her corner and that Cameron is learning the greatest lesson he can ever learn in the music business, don't trust people in the music business.moreless
7.7
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Good
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Cast & Crew

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  • Julie Kavner

    Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, and Selma Bouvier

  •

    Harry Shearer

    Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Waylon Smithers, Kent Brockman, and others

  •

    Dan Castellaneta

    Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Barney Gumble, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, and others

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

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  • Lisa sings her way through the Lil Starmaker competition with Homers help.

    8.9
    "Great"
    By WBadger42, Jun 16, 2008 Report Abuse
    I wasn't sure about this one as I read the plot, but turns out it was a great episode. I thought the parody of American Idol was spot-on, in all ways. Lisa and Homer bond throughout the episode which reminded me a bit of "Lisa the Greek", and "Lisa the Iconoclast".

    Many dallops of Krusty the Klown in this episode as he I thought was very funny as well. It got on the emotion level as well and it is a feel good episode about a father and her daughter.

    Not only was this a good episode, but Lisa really did sound good as a singer. It would be a bit unbelievable if Lisa didn't sound that good to a public audience. Excellent!

    "Were talkin Springfield where nobody sucks, except Ned Flanders"- Lisas song, written by Homer

    Hope you enjoy the review!moreless

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    1 0

  • Great parody of American idol.... Lisa singing was great.... Homer was hilarious what is not to love......

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By Iverson82094, Sep 13, 2007 Report Abuse
    Lisa decides to enter Krusty-sponsored "Li'l Starmaker" competition as her singing voice recently put her family to sleep. When Clarissa, one of the competitors sings the same song that Lisa was going to sing, Homer reassures her that he will write her a can't lose song. Lisa sings the song and makes it into the final competition. Homer takes charge of her career and writes her more songs that take her into the finals; it's Lisa versus Cameron, a boy all the girls go crazy over. When Homer oversteps his bounds with his obnoxiousness, Lisa fires him. Homer retaliates by signing Cameron up. The final competition begins and Lisa's sings a song she wrote about her relationship with Homer. Homer tells her she was always in his thoughts and that Cameron's performance has been produced so bad that he was always destined to lose.moreless

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  • 7.7
    "Good"
    By orallukeaplacia, Dec 31, 2006 Report Abuse
    There isn\'t really an episode of the Simpsons that isn\'t funny (\'cept the first couple of seasons), so this episode, like any other has definitely got it\'s moments that\'ll make you smile and it\'s moments that\'ll make you laugh. My only beef with this episode is that it\'s obviously one of those cross-network knockoffs. The contest where the episode gets it\'s name from is an American Idol contest, the guest voice is Fantasia Barrows.... can we say part of her contract? I\'m a Homercentric individual, so episodes that tend to stray too far from him tend to be less good... this episode is a Lisa/Homer crossover. From a heartstring tugging attachment it\'s nice to see these two bonding. From a humor attachment, Homer\'s presence livens up Lisa\'s otherwise boring persona. Average to better than average episode.moreless

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  • Lovely episode. Lisa's singing is awesome...

    9.4
    "Superb"
    By rahulkudva, Sep 08, 2006 Report Abuse
    Another of the few Lisa-centric episodes, and it didn't disappoint. Homer's lyrical skills mixed with Lisa's voice make for a hilarious, albeit melodious episode. The spoof on "American Idol" was funny, although maybe a guy like Simon Cowell could have been used. Homer's antics are great, as usual. But the final song sung by "Johnny Rainbow", written by Homer, was the showstealer. All in all, this episode is really enjoyable. A must watch...moreless

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  • A good Homer going nuts episode.

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By aleksas7, Jul 16, 2006 Report Abuse
    Lisa write some cool songs. I don't think that they would vomit just by eating some vegetables but what the heck. I think that Lisa actually sings beutifully. Ralph sings beutifully also (not). I especially like the one where it is about Springfield. Then Homer goes nuts just for Lisa which is kind of sweet but also scary for Lisa and others. How Lisa won wasn't very fair because Homer wrote a song for Cameron that would make him lose but it's still better for Lisa.

    In conclusion I think that this is one of the best episodes I have seen.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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  • Notes

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    • This episode received the 2005 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music And Lyrics. Edit
    • The animal activism website mentioned in this episode (www.lisa.org) is in reality a non-profit organization for the GILT (Globalization, Internationalization, Localization, and Translation) business community. Edit
    • The songs "I'm Talking Springfield," "My Kitty Died," "Always My Dad" and "Privileged Boy" featured lyrics by Carolyn Omine, music by Alf Clausen. Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Mr. Largo: (about Clarissa) When she sings a C, it's a C! Not like a certain Glee Club I've wasted my life on! Edit
    • Bart: From now on, I'm only eating food that I know had a soul. Edit
    • Lisa: But Dad, you don't need to help me by humiliating people! Homer: Oh, you love sausage but you hate to see it getting made! Lisa: I don't love sausage! Homer: Then would you like to see it getting made? Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Colonel Cool Homer's new title as Cameron's manager is a poke at Colonel Tom Parker, who was the eccentric manager of Elvis Presley. Edit
    • n/a: American Idol
      While the announcer makes the joke they're not affiliated, a good portion of the episode is a parody of the show American Idol. Edit
    • Milhouse: When a man loves a woman...
      The song that Milhouse sings on stage is "When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge. Edit

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