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The Simpsons Season 19 Episode 8

Funeral for a Fiend

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8.4

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 11/25/07

Sideshow Bob returns, this time with his entire family, and sets in motion a complex diabolical scheme to finally kill Bart.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (30)

Ummm...

4.5

By tigerdude22, Apr 08, 2012

Sideshow Bob returns, this time with his entire family, and sets in motion a complex diabolical scheme to finally kill Bart. Okay, I wasn't too crazy about this episode. Not that it's a bad episode because it isn't but it just wasn't that good and it's probably the weakest episode of Season 19. Sideshow Bob returning except with his family this time sounded like it had the potential to be a fantastic episode but it turned out to fail at that. I also didn't laugh much here. I remember only laughing at like 5 parts and that's it which isn't bad since those 5 laughs were really good. I knew all along that Sideshow Bob wasn't gonna be dead and how it was just another plan of his to kill Bart. The episode, itself, also wasn't very original either. I knew that as soon as Bart walked in the funeral home to visit Sideshow Bob (who is dead but is NOT actually) that Sideshow Bob would pop out of the coffin and put Bart in the coffin instead. So yeah, I wasn't too crazy about this one and not really an episode I would watch again. Overall, this was a poor episode of "The Simpsons"... not the worst episode I've ever seen but it's most likely the worst episode of Season 19 in my opinion. 4.5/10moreless
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Sideshow Bob tries once again to kill Bart. This time, Bob has brought in his family members to help him in his plan for revenge.

8.5

By meathead704, Nov 11, 2011

I have mixed feelings about Sideshow Bob's appearances on The Simpsons. I know how every episode will end: Bob's plan for revenge will fail yet again. However, the episodes where Sideshow Bob appears are among the funniest of the entire series. As with other Sideshow Bob episodes I just could not stop laughing. This episode has some of the best dialouge in years. Kelsey Grammar is excellent (as usual) as the scheming Sideshow Bob. Two of Grammar's former Frazier castmates, David Hyde Pierce and John Mahoney, are terrific as well in their small parts. I hope Bob returns soon!moreless
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Sideshow Bob's Tenth Attempt!

9.5

By jimbo_001, Jul 17, 2010

Sideshow Bob episodes are always hilarious and from the start with Marge's Tivo obsession (not quite as funnier as an earlier Homer quote – "Quiet, the commercials are on. If we don't watch them it's like we're stealing TV") and the revelation of yet another ingenius and elaborate Bob plan (which fails quickly) and Homer's slowness in want of ribs, this is a great episode, with the slideshow of Bob's dream bubble, the insanity trial and the gloating speed of the coffin along with Homer perming his two hairs and circling the funeral home while Lisa explains the scheme.

There are laughs galore in this episode, all the way to the bitter end with the locked up family of Terwilligers and Bob in a strait jacket.moreless
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much to predictable

6.6

By bender21345, Jun 19, 2010

the episode is another sideshow bob episode but this was terrible it was predictable and unoriginal.

the episode starts off at a technology stores and Homer decides to buy Tivo but the problem is marge gets hooked on it and now she cant stop skipping commercials Tivo until keith oberman covinces her to stop.

after watching a restraunt commercial the simpsons go to the grand opening of sideshow bobs most predictable scheme.now the family finds out that sideshow bib has tricked them and trys to kill them with a computer battarey but his plan fails and is arrested.

while at the trial sideshow bob dies of a heart attack and bart is now the most hated person in springfield.moreless
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Good, but not too original... or even good for that matter.

6.5

By Southparkfa, Jun 19, 2010

In this episode, Sideshow Bob attempts to kill Bart Simpson yet again, this time with the aid of his whole family. What happens is that Bob tricks the 9Simpsons to their doom yet again, until Lisa tricks Bob (or does she), causing his scheme to backfire again. At his trial his dad, a doctor, testifies that he has a congenital heart disease, and when he pulls Nitroglycerin out, Bart knocks it away from him, causing him to into a dead state (or at least it seems that way.) I've always enjoyed Sideshow Bob and his episode, but I honestly was disappointed in this one. It feels way too boring and predictable compared to others like "Cape Feare." And I could many of the plot events coming from a mile (I knew Bob wasn't dead.) Overall, there were genuinely funny moments, like the odes to him, especially Krusty's, but it doesn't weigh out the bad of this episode really. 6.5/10 Dmoreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Dan Castellaneta	Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Barney Gumble, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, and others
Julie Kavner	Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, and Selma Bouvier
Nancy Cartwright	Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, and others
Yeardley Smith	Lisa Simpson
Hank Azaria	Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Lou, and others
Harry Shearer	Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Waylon Smithers, Kent Brockman, and others

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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David Hyde Pierce	Cecil Terwilliger	Guest Star
John Mahoney	Mr. Terwilliger	Guest Star
Keith Olbermann	Himself	Guest Star
Kelsey Grammer	Sideshow Bob Terwilliger	Recurring Role
Tress MacNeille	Agnes Skinner, Brandine Del Roy, Dolph and others	Recurring Role
Pamela Hayden	Milhouse Van Houten, Rod Flanders, Jimbo Jones, and others	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (9)
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- "Wes Doobner's World Famous Family Style Rib Huts" is an anagram for "Sideshow Bob's World Famous Family Style Return".
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- Sign seen at the Springfield Funeral Home: "Same Low Price, Even For Fatties!"
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- Bart is featured in on the front page of the Springfield Shopper after "killing" Sideshow Bob. The headline reads: "Boy Shames Region."
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- Goof: During Sideshow Bob's trial, when the camera quickly pans over to Bart, Bob's father, Dr. Terwilliger, can be seen in the gallery, even though he is actually supposed to be on the witness stand.
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- While shopping for batteries, Homer considers "Ever-Ready" batteries ($6) and "Sometimes Ready" batteries ($3) before settling on "Dead Already" batteries (50 cents).
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- While Homer shops for batteries at Circuit Circus, a "Max Power" brand of batteries can be seen. A possible reference to Homer's adopted name from the season 10 episode, "Homer to the Max".
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- The members of the jury in Sideshow Bob's Trial are: Cletus Del Roy, Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon, Kirk Van Houten, Luigi Risotto, Miss Hoover, Gil Gunderson, Moe Szyslak, Lindsey Naegle, Kearney Zzyzwicz, Bernice Hibbert, Hans Moleman, and Carl Carlson.
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- In one commercial that Marge watches former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf is endorsing a floor mop.
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- While skipping over the television advertisements with the Simpsons' new TiVo, we can see Santa's Little Helper's Duff Beer commercial from "Old Yeller Belly", the Turbo Diary commercial from "The Dad Who Knew Too Little", the Funzo commercial from "Grift of the Magi", Homer's commercial for SpringShield from "Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge", the Mr. Sparkle commercial from the episode "In Marge We Trust", and Sideshow Bob's commercial for Wes Doobner's World Famous Family Style Rib Huts" from later in the episode.
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QUOTES (8)
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- Sideshow Bob: Let's not tarry. As Shakespeare said, "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere best it were done quickly." Power on!(turns on the laptop and laughs maniacally) This time I've made no mistakes.
  Lisa: Actually, you made one. What Shakespeare really said was, "'Twere well it were done quickly."
  Sideshow Bob: Yes, I'm sure you've studied the immortal bard extensively under your "Miss Hoover." (leaves and shuts the door)
  Lisa: Macbeth, act one, scene seven. Look it up.
  Sideshow Bob: (re-enters) I shall! (takes the laptop) Come on, Wikipedia. Load, you unwieldy behemoth! laptop explodes Oh, dear. Sideshow Bob, "Hoist on his own petard."
  Lisa: It's "hoist with his own petard."
  Sideshow Bob: Oh, get a life.
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- Sideshow Bob: Before you die, perhaps you'd like to know how I engineered my ultimate revenge.
  Homer: I'd like to know if Wes Doobner is aware of what you're doing in his restaurant!
  Sideshow Bob: I'm Wes Doobner!
  Homer: Mr. Doobner, I have a complaint: I work hard and when I go out with my family I expect a certain level of basic--
  Sideshow Bob: Shut up!
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- Kent Brockman: America has a tradition of turning outlaws into legends after their deaths: Billie the Kid. Bonnie and Clyde. Jesus Christ.
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- (Krusty plays the piano and sings in mourning at Sideshow Bob's funeral.)
  Krusty: Farewell, Sideshow Bob
  Your shoes are empty and the stage is dark.
  Bart stole your nitroglycerin
  And then your heart, it barked.
  
  And it seems to me your loyal fans
  Oughta buy this DVD
  (Holds up a Best of Sideshow Bob DVD.)
  Of all your best-loved sketches
  On The Krusty Show.
  
  It's full of extra features
  And deleted scenes.
  Like when you fell and split your pants
  And we saw your "Frank and Beans."
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- (At Cirucit Circus.)
  Homer: (to Bart) Now ignore all the fancy shmancy thingamajigs, boy. We're just gonna get a camera battery and go home.
  Salesman #1: Interested in a car stereo?
  Homer: No, thanks. Just here for a battery.
  Salesman #2: Big special on camcorders!
  Homer: All I want is a battery.
  Saleswoman: Care to make love, sir?
  Homer: Battery, battery, battery!
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- (At Sideshow Bob's trial.)
  Sideshow Bob: Your Honor, I choose to represent myself. And let me say... I did try to kill the Simpsons. I truly did.
  (The entire courtroom gasps in shock.)
  Prosecutor: (to Homer and Marge) Okay, if he doesn't say "but" right now, we are home free.
  Sideshow Bob: But--
  Prosecutor: Damn!
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- (The family watches a commercial for a new restaurant.)
  Wes Doobner: Howdy, folks! Are tired of family arguments over where to go for dinner?
  Homer: Sometimes I think about gettin' on a bus and never comin' back.
  Wes Doobner: Why not try Wes Doobner's World Famous Family Style Rib Huts? The rib joint with somethin' for everyone!
  Homer: Good luck with my finicky appetite!
  Wes Doobner: We've got ribs--
  Homer: Sold!
  Wes Doobner: Plain noodles.
  (Marge sighs.)
  Wes Doobner: With butter.
  Marge: Yowza!
  Wes Doobner: Texas tofu!
  Lisa: Yummy, yumma!
  Wes Doobner: And the easiest place mat puzzle in the state.
  Bart: Let me at it!
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- (Lisa explains how she figured out Sideshow Bob's scheme on the way to save Bart at the funeral home.)
  Lisa: Bob planned this from the beginning.
  Homer: Uh-huh.
  Lisa: He wanted to be captured at the restaurant.
  Homer: Yes.
  Lisa: He would never get a Shakespeare quote wrong.
  Homer: No.
  Lisa: His mother was a Shakespearian actress.
  Homer: Oh, yeeh!
  Lisa: His father was a doctor.
  Homer: A doctor, huh?
  Lisa: So when Bob collaspsed in the courtroom...
  Homer I remember.
  Lisa: ...his father could take that opportunity to inject Bob with a powerful drug that simulated death.
  Homer: Uh-huh.
  Lisa: It was a diabolical scheme and every member of his family played a part!
  Homer: Are you done? 'Cause I've been circling the funeral home for 10 minutes.
  Lisa: (Begrudgingly) Yes.
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NOTES (4)
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- John Mahoney has now played father to Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce in two separate series: Fraiser and The Simpsons.
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- Itchy & Scratchy: "Spherical on 34th Street" While Scratchy enjoys a Thanksgiving day parade, Itchy sneaks up behind him and stuffs the hose from a hydrogen tank into Scratchy's mouth. Scratchy rapidly inflates and floats up into the sky, much like a parade float. Itchy then grabs a bow and arrow from an Indian/Pilgrim themed float, lights the arrow on fire and shoots down Scratchy who crashes in a ball of flames. A reporter mouse comments, "Oh, the hilarity," a la the Hindenburg disaster.
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- This episode marks the first appearance of Sideshow Bob's parents: Dr. Terwilliger and Dame Judith Underdunk.
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- Blackboard Joke: None.
  Couch Gag: A magician stands alone in an empty Simpson family living room. With a flick of his red cape, the couch suddenly appears and with another flick, the family appears on the couch.
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ALLUSIONS (7)
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- The Oprah Winfrey Show
  Marge watches an episode of Opal, a parody of the TV Mega-star, Oprah. They even reference the suspiciously long-running courtship of her supposed boyfriend Steadman named "Straightman"; a wink towards questions regarding the couple's sexuality.
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- Candle in the Wind
  The song played by Krusty the Clown at Sideshow Bob's funeral is a parody of Elton John playing his modified version of the song "Candle in the Wind" at Princess Diana's funeral.
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- Miracle on 34th Street
  The title of the Itchy and Scratchy episode, "Spherical on 34th Street", is a parody of the classic 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street.
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- Sesame Street
  Moe chases a van in which the passengers are watching watching Grover from the children's TV show Sesame Street, he even mentions Big Bird, another character from the show.
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- Circuit City
  The electronic store "Circuit Circus" is a parody of the Circuit City chain.
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- Itchy: Oh, the hilarity!
  Itchy's comment, as he watches a hydrogen inflated Scratchy crash and burn, refers to Herbert Morrison's exclamation during his radio broadcast when the Hindenburg crashed on May 3, 1937; "Oh, the humanity!" Morrison's broadcast remains one of the most famous in history.
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- Elton John
  The title of this episode is a play on the the title of the Elton John song, "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" from his two-part album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
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