Dial 'N' for Nerder

Season 19, Episode 14, Aired
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Episode Summary

Bart and Lisa pull a prank on Martin Prince that goes terribly wrong and they become burdened with guilt over Martin's untimely death. Meanwhile, Marge hires an investigative television show to follow Homer around after she suspects him of cheating on his diet.
8.6
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EPISODE RATING: Great
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Fan Episode Reviews (22)

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  • While out for a bike ride in Springfield National Park, Bart and Lisa pull a prank on Martin Prince that goes terribly wrong and struggle with their consciences over what they have done. Meanwhile, Marge suspects Homer of cheating on his diet (D'uh).moreless

    8.0
    "Great"
    By meathead704, Nov 30, 2011 Report Abuse
    I am giving this episode a high rating because there are many laughs throughout. From the clever dialogue to the video tribute to Martin, you will laugh a lot while watching this episode. However, this episode is hurt buy the very predictable storyline. From the second Martin fell into the ravine I knew he survived the fall uninjured (Though I will admit finding out how he survived was hysterical). How could anybody possibly think Homer would not cheat on his diet. This episode is flawed, but it's many laughs and clever dialogue help overcome those flaws. Season nineteen has been good.moreless

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  • Did Bart and Lisa commit murder?

    8.5
    "Great"
    By futuramarama, Nov 10, 2009 Report Abuse
    Bart pulls a prank on Martin when Bart and Lisa are riding their bikes out in the forest. Unfortunately, the prank nearly kills Martin, sending him off a cliff. Bart and Lisa run away, because they are scared for what might happen if it was revealed it was them who killed him. Nelson however, becomes suspicious, and tries to solve the clue {he realizes Martin was afraid of heights, so why would he be on top of a cliff?}. In the end he realizes it was Bart and Lisa. But before he can do anything, it is revealed Martin has been alive the entire time.

    Another strong offering from a strong seasonmoreless

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  • Its in my top ten. Great Thinking, simple and entertaining.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Arran1346, Jun 10, 2009 Report Abuse
    This was a fantastic episode. because it is unusual that bart and Lisa are hanging around with Martyn prince in a national park riding there bikes. this is the episode when finally bart and Lisa pull a prank on Martyn prince and they think they've killed him. the tittle for this episode is great 'dial n for nerder ' This has turned out to be a classic simpson episode, it is: funny, entertaining, mystery and fantastic. And finally at every simpson review I write about what was my favourite quote, but this time it wasn't a quote it was a scene which was when the school band was playing at his school funeral. but there is one mystery with this episode. where was his parents?moreless

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  • Predictable, but entertaining, with Martin dieing and Homer dieting (Linguo wouldn't like that grammar, not sure if the pun was worth it).

    8.5
    "Great"
    By jimbo_001, Sep 10, 2008 Report Abuse
    While this episode is predictable, especially the fact that Martin wasn't dead, it was still funny, with great scenes like Bart trying to irritate Martin, and Homer's affair with food, though that was admittedly exaggerated to the extreme.

    Lisa and Bart trying to cover up the manslaughter, and the unlikely detective on their heels, Nelson, who finds clues between burning ants and playing lutes, was a funny plot, and Martin's ridiculous survival was hilarious, but as usual Homer shines in this episode.

    While I've never heard of a cheating reality show, though it seems like one step further into the reality show epidemic, the spoof is always welcome, with Homer yet again cheating on a diet, continuing the trend of never finishing what he starts, and both plots are a great example of what The Simpsons' comedy is all about.moreless

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  • Good episode.

    8.0
    "Great"
    By McKellars, Aug 31, 2008 Report Abuse
    There really wasn't anything special about this episode, there were a few funny moments here and there but nothing worthy of a laugh out loud moment. The writing for this episode was very clever though. I really don't want to say any more because I don't want to spoil the ending for any of you who have not seen it. I really didn't know what was going to happen but the ending came as a bit of a surprise to me. This is a perfect example of what this show can still do to this day, which is to be funny.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • The motel where Homer cheats on his diet is called the Sleep Eazy Motel. In season 9's "The Cartridge Family" Marge and the kids stayed at the same motel. Edit
    • The butterflies that Martin Prince raises are Monarch butterflies (Danaus Plexippus) Edit
    • Music From This Episode "I Will Remember You" by Sarah McLachlan (Played during the video tribute to Martin.) "Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)" by the DeEtta Little & Nelson Pigford (Played by the school's band at Martin's memorial.) "Prelude in C Minor" for lute (BWV 999) by Johann Sebastian Bach (Performed on guitar and transposed to D minor; played on the Sanyo cassette player and by Nelson inside Martin's butterfly chamber.) "Sabre Dance" by Aram Khachaturian (While Homer is getting amorous with the rotisserie meat.) Edit

  • Notes

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    • Blackboard Joke: None Couch Gag: Five capsules rest on the couch as Professor Frink walks into the room and places a drop of water on them, resulting in a replica of each family member instantly expanding from them. Frink then has to throw the rest of the pail of water on Homer's to expand it out to full size. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Principal Skinner: Martin Prince was known by many names. Martin Priss, Martin Princess, Fartsin Prince, Martin the Brown-Nose Reindeer... Dolph: That was mine. Edit
    • (over a walkie-talkie as Homer enters a restaurant) Host: The pig is in the sty. Cameraman: (sighs) You know, I used to make documentaries about coal miners, migrant workers--things that mattered. Host: (impatiently) Yeah, yeah...we're all whores, just get in there. Edit
    • (Martin and Lisa are excavating for arrowheads.) Martin: Care to make it a trio, Bart? You can brush and I can blow. Bart: Well, I agree you blow. Martin: Then it's a plan! Bart: A lot of people blow, but no one blows like you. Martin: High praise indeed! Bart: When you look up "blow" in the dictionary-- Lisa: Bart, he's not gonna get it. Bart: Fine. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Puttin' on the Ritz The restaurant where Homer is caught breaking his diet is called Pudding on the Ritz, a reference to the 1929 song and 1930 film of the same title Puttin' on the Ritz. Edit
    • Cheaters The show Marge hires, Sneakers, is a takeoff of the syndicated show Cheaters and it's host Joey Greco. Edit
    • Bart: The bone's the very thing, methinks, to prank my sister and the dink. Bart puts a twisted take on the famous line from Shakespeare's Hamlet, "the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." Edit

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