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Season 15, Episode 22, Aired

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Lisa is going to read a poem at the town's celebration of their natural landmark "Geezer Rock," but Homer who believes he is doing the right thing removes a bush from the landmark that causes it to fall apart. Mr. Burns is caught in the landslide and Smithers fears he is lost. Lisa is disappointed that no one got to hear her poem and Marge suggests that she get it published. To Smithers' delight, Mr. Burns has survived the landslide by slithering his way out however; he is annoyed to find out that no one missed him when they thought he was lost. He decides to buy every media outlet in town. Lisa distributes the first issue of her own newspaper "The Red Dress Press," which is a success. Now she has to get out a second issue and she enlists the help of her fellow children. Meanwhile, Mr. Burns has taken control of all the media outlets in Springfield, except one, her newspaper. Mr. Burns tries to seduce Lisa into selling out but she won't give up. Now Mr. Burns starts to play hardball, he cuts the power to the Simpson home. Principal Skinner offers Lisa the use of an old mimeograph machine, which gets her latest issue out. Mr. Burns talks with Homer to get the dirt on Lisa, that Homer readily supplies and Burns uses this information against her. Lisa is ready to give up and Homer realizing what he's done responds by printing a newspaper of his own. Homer's paper inspires others to think to begin to think for themselves and soon everyone is printing their own newspaper.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (8)

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  • Lisa defeats Burns in a battle for the media.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Hornets3, Aug 30, 2009
    Homer ruins a town celebration by defacing a public landmark, and in the process deprives Lisa of a chance to read her poetry in front of a crowd. Discouraged, Lisa decides to publish her writing in her own newsletter, which becomes under threat of corporate takeover after Mr. Burns buys all the media outlets in town. Instead of selling out to Mr. Burns, Lisa goes underground, but when Mr. Burns pays Homer to spill dirt on Lisa and undermine her enterprise, Lisa becomes disillusioned and gives up on her writing. But Homer sees the error of his ways and publishes his own work, encouraging the people to read what they want to read. This was a wonderful season finale for one of my favorite seasons of the Simpsons. I loved the ending it felt a lot like Kamp Krusty and Homer as well as the rest of the family was hilarious. This really showed us how season 15 was so brilliant. A must see episode from a must see season.moreless

  • A surprisingly funny and great season finale. But oh why did they cancel Futureama?

    8.0
    "Great"
    By Lazlo193456, Aug 20, 2008
    Lisa Versus Mr. Burns. Wow. Perfection, eh? Well, get this.. it is a battle of literary rights! With Mr. Burns owning everything book related in the town, Lisa's newspaper is hte only one standing.

    This was a great season finale and I felt we hadn't (or haven't since this one really) had such a Mr. Burns episode. This is just my opinion, however, and I lvoe this character, so seeing him pull a big one on pulishing, this was a dream come true.

    With a great Futurama refrence (the quote of the refrenc is in ym summary) I feel this was great! And I will read Ralph Wiggum's column every time it gets published!moreless

  • What a way to cap off a season!!! Lisa becomes a published newspaper writer, and Willie says a real sware word on television.

    9.4
    "Superb"
    By Iverson82094, Dec 02, 2007
    Homer ruins a town celebration by defacing a public landmark, and in the process deprives Lisa of a chance to read her poetry in front of a crowd. Discouraged, Lisa decides to publish her writing in her own newsletter, which becomes under threat of corporate takeover after Mr. Burns buys all the media outlets in town. Instead of selling out to Mr. Burns, Lisa goes underground, but when Mr. Burns pays Homer to spill dirt on Lisa and undermine her enterprise, Lisa becomes disillusioned and gives up on her writing. But Homer sees the error of his ways and publishes his own work, encouraging the people to read what they want to read. This episode was great.....It had great humor, a swearing Scottishman, and a great Father, Daughter storyline..... Its official Season 15 is without a doubt one of the best seasons in The Simpsons show....moreless

  • Lisa writes a paper.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By PerfectDark0Fan, Mar 23, 2007
    This is a funny episode where Lisa and mr. Burns squares off. In the beginning when Homer wants to keep visitors in springfield. A tree blocks a view of a face on the mountain which collapses after he moves it, trapping mr. Burns. It was weid how he excaped by eating all these bugs and sucking off an animal. The story gets really intresting when mr. Burns and Lisa squares off. I found it funny when mr. Burns tries selling Lisa by giving her ponies which she refuses. It winds up Mr. Burns stops Lisa temperaly after humiliating her but Homer writes how much he likes her. I like this episode overall.moreless

  • When a Simpson taboo is broken.

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By CraigDavidson, Dec 12, 2006
    This episode is not exactly a classic, but it is notable for two things. One, it marked the first time that a certain swear word was said, by Groundskeeper Willie at the end of the episode, and second and most important, it marked the first time a character was grounded since Marge Be Not Proud back in Season 7. That is one of the Simpson Taboos, which they had not done due to its seriousness in the Simpsons universe, yet another example on how the Simpsons is getting darker and more serious with each passing show.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (1)

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    • At the beginning of the episode, Geezer Rock does not have a tree in its eye. Yet later, Lisa just points it out and it appears.

  • QUOTES (24)

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    • Mr. Burns: Non-violence never solved anything!

    • (from "Elegy for Geezer Rock") Lisa: Postcard image, thing to see / to think of Springfield is to think of thee. / What thoughts be-pass a'hind thy mien? / Why sky art blue? Why trees art green? / And what, pray tell, did thine eyes see? / Perchance, old friend, they gazed at me. / Brought low by nature's oafish hand / thy crush-ed our reviewing stand. / And twixt thy stones glimpsed I the truth. / All things must pass. Thy face, my youth.

    • Homer: All my daughter ever did was tell people to think for themselves. I may be her father, but when I grow up, I wanna be just like her, except still a dude.

    • Burns: Now get out! Lisa: I can't! My mom's not picking me up for an hour. (long pause) Burns: So, what do you think of today's popular music scene. Lisa: I think it distracts people from more important social issues. Burns: My god, are you always on!?

    • Burns: I've bought every media outlet in town, TV, radio, even the sky writers. Brandine: Cletus what does that say? Cletus: That? That says um, I loves you Brandine. Brandine: Oh Cletus, tonight you can knock me up again.

    • Kent: The town still mourns the loss of its venerable old man. Mr Burns: Here it comes. Kent: Beloved by children. Mr Burns: Ah yes, the little ones. Kent: Thought to be thousands of years old. Mr Burns: I have been 89 for a while now. Kent: We'll miss you, Geezer Rock.

    • Homer: Wait, are you trying to get dirt on Lisa? Mr. Burns: Oh, you saw right through me. Well done! Help yourself to some congratulatory drugs. Homer: Well, if that's your custom . . . (Guzzles down drugs)

    • Mr. Burns: This town cares more for a soulless piece of granite than for me. I don't have a friend in the world. Smithers: You have me, sir. Mr. Burns: Quit being so needy!

    • Mr. Burns: Well, I guess it's impossible for one man to control all the media. Unless, of course, you're Rupert Murdoch. (Looks at camera) He is one beautiful man.

    • Mr. Burns: This calls for the League of Evil! (Sees League of Evil is nothing but skeletons.) Mr. Burns: My League, my beautiful League! All dead. Smithers: Even monsters need air, sir. Mr. Burns: oh. Gather their watches.

    • Mr. Burns: My God, I'm at war with a little girl. And I'm losing!

    • Mr. Burns: Since when are public figures fair game for satire?

    • Lisa: Nelson, what journalistic skills do you have? Nelson: I dunno, making nerds cry? Lisa: Great, you'll be our TV critic.

    • Mr. Burns: Guh, knock-kneed home-renters…can't we thin this herd with some smallpox infected blankets? Carl: We're already immune ya jerk!

    • Kent Brockman: In tonight's face-off, I'll be debating Channel 6 movie ghoulie Booberella on the subject of our new boss, C. Montgomery Burns. My view? He's a great leader and a gallant American.
      Booberella: He's got a heart as big as my (puts her boobs closer to the camera) boooobs!
      Kent Brockman: I guess we'll have to agree to agree on this one.
      Booberella:(puts her boobs closer to the camera) Booooooobs!

    • Willie: Check out the Willie world News! I've reviewed the new tractors! THEY'RE ALL SHITE!

    • Kent Brockman: Thank you Geezer Rock for doing what none of us had the courage to do. Smoosh Mr. Burns.

    • Homer: Now to do something I've never done before. Help out an old man. {Pulls tree out of Geezer Rock's eye]

    • Mr. Burns: I can't be held responsible for what my hired goons were told to do!

    • Homer: I'm gonna pull an all-nighter for my daughter! Marge! Go put on a pot of coffee! Drink it. And start making hamburgers!

    • Ralph: I wanna be a fire truck. Lisa: How 'bout a feature columnist? Ralph: Yay! I'm a feature columnist! (Runs around in circles, pretending to hold a steering wheel, makes fire truck siren noises.)

    • Bart: What's the big deal about a rock that looks like a dude? I've got a dad that looks like a monkey! (Homer is humped over, scratching his crotch and eating a banana.) Homer: (Scoffs) Bart! You promised you'd stop making that comparison! (Grabs Bart to throttle his neck.)

    • Lisa: But I didn't get to read my poem! Homer: Here's one, run fast or lose your ass!

    • Pimple Faced Teen: Why did they cancel Futurama?! (jumps off Mt. Geyser and lands on a boy who was making out with a girl) Girl: You crushed my boyfriend! You'd better be good at making out. (She makes out with him)

  • NOTES (3)

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    • This episode was nominated for the 2005 WGA Award (TV) for Animation.

    • Blackboard Joke: None. Couch Gag: There is no living room and the couch is replaced by a bench at a Japanese bus stop, where the family's TV is also located. The various family members fly on screen dressed as different characters from popular Japanese shows: Homer is Ultraman Tiga; Bart is Astroboy, Lisa is Sailor Moon; Marge is Princess from Battle of the Planets and Maggie is Pikachu from Pokémon.

    • Itchy & Scratchy: "What's Nuked, Pussycat?" Written by Mr. Burns, Scratchy jabs Itchy through the chest and then explains the benefits of nuclear power. Scratchy explains that nuclear power allows orphanages and hospitals to remain open (Itchy variants standing outside, tending to injured Scratchy lookalikes). When Scratchy questions his adversary and notes that wind power is safer, Itchy drives the hapless feline into a windmill's rotor, beheading the cat. Burns (appropriately, as a vulture) flies down and reminds viewers that "nuclear energy is our friend." Itchy closes: "God bless America!" then quickly, "This cartoon was made in Korea!"

  • ALLUSIONS (13)

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    • One of Homer's Playdude magazines says on the cover, "The Girls of Kent State: Four Nude In Ohio." This is a rather tasteless reference to the Kent State Massacre of May 4 1970, in which 4 students protesting the Vietnam War were fatally shot by National Guardsmen. Neil Young wrote a song about this that contains the repeated line, "Four dead in Ohio."

    • :
      Geezer Rock is also similar to Grandfather Rock, a tourist attraction in North Carolina.

    • Homer's newspaper: My daughter, the hero.
      An apparent reference to the movie "My Father, the Hero" starring Gérard Depardieu and Katherine Heigl.

    • Lisa: Dont call me chief!
      This is a line often said by Perry White in the syndicated "Superman" television series from the 1950s, his comment was usually addressed to Jimmy Olsen.

    • :
      When Lisa says that Ralph was poached by the Chicago Tribune and holds up a copy of the paper, Ralph's column is called "Ralphlings". That is a parody of an actual Chicago column where columnist Michael Sneed titles her gossip scoops "Sneedlings". The difference is that Sneed's actual column appears in the Chicago Sun-Times instead of the Chicago Tribune. I assume they used the Tribune since it is more well known nationally.

    • :
      Episode soundtrack: "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls; and "Incense and Peppermint" by Strawberry Alarm Clock.

    • :
      The title of the Itchy & Scratchy short, "What's Nuked, Pussycat?" is taken from the song title of Tom Jones' "What's New, Pussycat?"

    • Booberella: Mr. Burns' heart is as big as my booooo-bs! The character Booberella is a parody of TV horror movie hostess Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (Cassandra Peterson), who's known for making continuous references to her big breasts.

    • :
      Burns' brain drops out of his ear and falls to the floor, and he pops it back in through his ear. This is reminiscent of a gag on the REN & STIMPY episode "Svën Höek", in which Stimpy treats his brain in a similar fashion.

    • :
      The title of this episode is a play on the 1987 film "Broadcast News," which was uncoincidentally written and directed by Simpsons Executive Producer James L. Brooks.

    • Suicidal Teen: Why did they cancel `Futurama?'
      Before the teen jumps off the ledge he yells "Why did they cancel 'Futurama?', a sci-fi cartoon series also by Simpsons creator Matt Groening. This is the third reference to Futurama this season after "My Big Fat Geek Wedding" and "Catch 'em if You Can" and has sparked rumors that Fox is considering bringing back the show.

    • :
      The destruction of "Geezer Rock" is similar to the 2003 collapse of New Hampshire's Old Man of the Mountain, a rock formation with an apparant nose, mouth, and chin.

    • Multiple: Newspaper titles
      "The Lenny Saver" is a takeoff of "The Penny Saver," a publication of mainly classified ads. "Willy World News" is based upon the "Weekly World News," a supermarket tabloid famous for its less than credible reporting.

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