Behind the Laughter

Season 11, Episode 22, Aired
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Episode Summary

A la VH-1's Behind the Music, a behind the scenes look is taken at the Simpson family's rise to fame, their successful years together and then their feud which resulted in a breakup and solo careers for the family members.
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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 (15)

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  • Really Good.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Sami5118, Aug 02, 2011 Report Abuse
    Great end to a mediocre season. In the episode you see the rise and fall of the Simpson family. It starts out with Homer starting a TV show in the 80's and they become famous and end up wasting all the money they earned from that. Homer becomes addicted to painkillers after getting injured filming a scene for their show. Then everything starts to fall to pieces and they end up breaking up and going their seperate ways. In the end, they end up getting back together again. I think it was pretty funny and it was definitely one of the best ones from this season. 9.5/10moreless

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  • Perfect

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Southparkfa, Aug 20, 2010 Report Abuse
    In this behind the scenes look at america's favorite family, we get to see the rise of the simpsons, the inside break-up, and the famous reconcilliation. I liked how they made the family seem real enough to get it's own "behind the music" sort of show, yet keep the surrealism of the show. I liked how they talked about how the guest stars were there just to pull in ratings, and yet they still continue to do it today. To be staright I liked this episode alot. Overall, a very good episode to end off a mostly mediocre/bad season. 10/10 A+moreless

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  • Strong end to a bad season

    10
    "Perfect"
    By futuramarama, Aug 19, 2010 Report Abuse
    A really good episode, one where you don't necessarily have to see what is being parodied to enjoy it. At least I didn't.

    A lot of the jokes were metaphors made by the host. Some good, some bad.

    The thing I always find ironically funny is the part where they talk about "big guest stars were shamelessly in to grab ratings." Obviously you would think they would stop doing this, but they haven't. Maybe that was the joke. I just like that a lot.

    So, a strong ending to a mostly bad/mediocre season. This is certainly the most creative episode of the season.moreless

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  • Was the dream really over? Yes it was. Or was it?

    10
    "Perfect"
    By ZaladoidFilms, Aug 04, 2010 Report Abuse
    Wow. I don't know where to begin. I think this is my second favorite episode of all time, after "22 Short Films About Springfield". "Behind the Laughter" is so funny because the content in it is half real and half fake! Narrated in a documentary-style, this episode touches on the rise and fall of the "first family of American laughter", The Simpsons. Not to mention the original storyline, this episode has some of my favorite Simpsons quotes of all time:
    "In a way, fame was like a drug. But what was even more like a drug were the drugs."
    "The dream was over. Next on Behind the Laughter: Was the dream really over? Yes it was. Or was it?"
    "Would Willie bring an olive branch of hope, or would it be pecked apart by Woodpeckers of Mistrust?"
    "For The Simpsons, everything was coming up roses. But those roses contained ready-to-sting bees."
    Etc. Truly an amazing episode, give it a watch!moreless

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  • A parody of Behind the Music in which we get to see "behind the scenes" what the Simpsons are really like.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Hornets3, Aug 04, 2010 Report Abuse
    This has to be one of the most intelligent episodes in the whole series. So much so that the University of California Berkley actually studies this episode in a sociology course. This episode has numerous references to both pop culture and history. This is why the Simpsons is one of the most intelligent shows in the history of TV. One of my favorite quotes from the episode is when Homer says: " The fame and laughter were like drugs but what was more like a drug were the drugs." Also at the end of the episode when Huckleberry hound reveals that he is gay LMAO. All in all a great and intelligent episode. Keep up the good work Simpsons!moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • It's revealed that the Simpsons are from Northern Kentucky. Edit
    • Walk of Fame stars near the Simpsons include: Milton Berle (with a symbol of a TV), Joan Jett (a typewritter), Nelson Mandela (a race car), and The Cheerios Honey Bee. Edit
    • Tee Simpsons records that go mega-platinum are Simpsons Boogie, Lovely to Love Your Lovin, and Simpsons Christmas Boogie. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Blackboard Joke: I will not obey the voices in my head. Couch Gag: The couch is now a vibrating bed and jiggles the family out of frame. Edit
    • In 2000, this episode won an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or Less), as well as the 2000 Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Television Production. Edit
    • It is revealed by the Narrator at the end of the episode that the Simpson family lives in .... [ Editor's note: Lots of discussion on this lively topic is documented at the Simpson's Archive. ] Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Bart: The funniest stuff came right out of real life. (Flashes back to shooting a scene with Homer) Homer: Son, let's go out for frosty chocolate milkshakes. Bart: Cowabunga, dude! Director: And... cut! Bart: Dad, I've never said "cowabunga" in my life. Your script sucks! Homer: Why you little... (begins to angrily strangle him) Director: Hey, that's funny! (The two stop, then Homer and Bart continue with a fake strangling as they make mock grunting and gagging noises.) Edit
    • Narrator: The Simpsons' TV show started out on a wing and a prayer. But now the wing was on fire, and the prayer had been answered by Satan. Edit
    • Homer: It was the best Thanksgiving ever. I mean, emotionally, it was terrible, but the turkey was so moist! Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Narrator: The Simpsons' star continued to rise, like a plastic bag caught in an updraft. The shot of the plastic bag caught in an updraft is similar to the video Ricky Fitts shoots in the 1999 film American Beauty. Edit
    • Homer: I'm king of the world! This was one of Leonardo DiCaprio's lines from the movie Titanic. Edit
    • The scene with the young female "Simpsons" fans in the Hysteria Ward is accompanied by the Beatles' song "Twist and Shout." Edit

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