The Simpsons

Season 4 Episode 12

Marge vs. the Monorail

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Episode Summary

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Marge vs. the Monorail
AIRED:
Springfield holds a town meeting to decide what to do with the $3 million fine Mr. Burns was forced to pay for illegally dumping toxic waste. Despite Marge's opposition, a sly salesman, Lyle Lanley, convinces the town to build a monorail transportation system.

Fan Episode Reviews (25)

SUBMIT REVIEW

  • I Don't Love It As Much as Most People...

    8.5
    By futuramarama, Nov 01, 2011
    Don't get me wrong, this episode is easily one of the funniest of the series, almost every joke had me laughing hard. It's just... I don't know, I don't like the plot a lot. And for me to fully enjoy an episode, I need to enjoy the plot AND laugh a lot. This episode only did half of that. It's one of the funniest episodes of the series, but the plot just does not do it for me... so I can't give it an A+, because to me, plot is probably the most important thing. Overall though, it gets a B or so.moreless

  • When Burns dumps toxic waste in the park, the town holds a meeting on what to do with the $3 million fine

    10
    By fenway98, Jun 08, 2011
    I love this episode!!!!!!!! When the town holds a meeting on what to spend the 3 million dollar fine for Burn's disposal of toxic waste in the park for, they decide to spend it on a monorial system(due to a catchy song). Monorail!!!! Monorial!!! Monorial!!!! Monorial! Marge is the only one against the monorial, due to how unsafe it is. She gets help from a citizen from a town with a former monorial system. Right when the monorial is going haywire, Marge arrives. Is she too late? No!!! Homer saves the day for throwing an anchor on a donut statue. "Donuts! Is there anything they can't do?"moreless

  • Runaway Monorail

    10
    By sh811a, Nov 15, 2010
    It's no supprise if I say this is one of my favorate episodes of the Simpsons ever. Everything about this episode is just perfect there is just not one dull moment.



    There are just so many things that are funny about the episode. From the first half when Marge states something that Springfield should spend their money on which is on a street that looks like it's days are just about numbered, damage was caused because of everyone's carelessness or plain stupidity, love how Homer was a big contribuitor on that as well as seeing the popcorn truck fall into a giant pot hole, blow up, and be filled with popcorn.



    The character Lile Landle is a great antagonist (played well by the late great Phil Hartman)he's just this smooth talking silver tounged sleezy con artist heck his first name is rather ironic. How the heck he can afford to pull off a con that expensive is anyones guess; White Collar criminals most likely. My favorte moment with him was seeing him create that music number which I'll admit is catchy. As well as seeing his blue prints for his sceme which look like a grade schooler has drawn them, that little detail tells me he's the kind of guy that is all flash but no substance. Down to the final half when the Monorail gets out of control, sort of reminds me of the action film "Runaway Train". Love the fact Lenard Nemoy guess stared, he was dryly hillarous because he played it straght but dryly exagerated his persona like seeing his reaction to Quimby's ignorance, seeing him save Krusty the Clown, or even when he energized away at the end what his mission on the Monorail was I don't know may'be what I stated eariler to save Krusty. And Homer whom is great as usual even though his role isn't very big in the episode he once again exercises his usual heroic side which I don't see him do much anymore, but it's at it's best in this episode. Liked that conductor get up which is sort of a Darth Vader outfit only thing missing is the mask. But of course I love what he does to stop the train which is to create and use an anchor, logically and in physics it wouldn't work but oh well it's a cartoon just roll with it; I find where the anchor lands at the end to be rather ironic.



    And finally there were those three problimatic things Marge stated at the end which were so random but hillarious for no particular reason; I just laughed everytime I saw one stupid person after another plumets to their death from an escilator that leads nowhere, comic gold.moreless

  • Not a single dull moment

    10
    By Southparkfa, Jul 13, 2010
    This is as perfect as they get really. In this one, the Town has a meeting to decide what to do with a 3 million dollar fine given to mr.Burns. A man named Lyle Laney, a traveling monorail salesman, who, with the help of a nice little song. They then begin consruction, while Marge learns that Lyle has a plan to steal all their money, and run off to a random island. At the maiden voyage, something goes terribly wrong. Overall, it's without a doubt one of the sharpest written episodes I've seen of any show. I won't spoil the ending, but I love what happens with lyle at the end. A definite must-watch. 10/10 A+moreless

  • lyle lanley , a con artist builds springfield a poor - working monorail

    10
    By heylin_prince, Jul 13, 2010
    thius was a fantastic episode really ! it is considered the best simpsons episode in the enitre universe . while this isn't the best episode ever , it is one of them . it had one of the most funniest quotes , " i call the big one bitey " . lol . matt groening even said that was his favorite quote . i also liked the monorail song and homer's parody of the flinstone theme song . so if you like season 4 , classical era simpson episodes you will really like marge vs. the monorail . a definite must see .moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

Dan Castellaneta

Dan Castellaneta

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

Hank Azaria

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Lou, and others
Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer

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

Julie Kavner

Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, and Selma Bouvier
Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright

Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, and others
Yeardley Smith

Yeardley Smith

Lisa Simpson
See All Cast & Crew

Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy

Himself

Guest Star

Phil Hartman

Phil Hartman

Lyle Lanley

Recurring Role

Doris Grau

Doris Grau

Lunchlady Doris

Recurring Role

Maggie Roswell

Maggie Roswell

Maude Flanders, Helen Lovejoy, Miss Hoover, and others

Recurring Role

See All Cast & Crew

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

FILTER BY TYPE

  • TRIVIA (9)

  • QUOTES (20)

    • (singing)
      Everybody in Springfield: Monorail, Monorail, Monorail! Monorail!!!! (pause)
      Homer: Mono--D'OH!

    • Marge: How fast is it going?
      (Sees Homer scream in the speeding monorail passing by.)
      Scientist: Well, judging by your husband's cowardly scream, 480 miles per hour.

    • Kent Brockman: What have you been up to, Lurleen?
      Lurleen Lumpkin: I spent last night in a ditch.

    • Leonard Nimoy: A solar eclipse: the cosmic ballet goes on.
      Man sitting next to Nimoy: Does anybody want to switch seats?

    • Marge: Homer, there's a man here who thinks he can help you!
      Homer: Batman?
      Marge: No, he's a scientist.
      Homer: Batman's a scientist.
      Marge: It's not Batman!

    • Marge: We're too late!
      Cobb: I shouldn't have stopped for that haircut. Sorry.

    • Marge: Homer, there's a family of possums in here.
      Homer: I call the big one "bitey."

    • Homer: Do you want to change your name to Homer Junior? The kids can call you Ho-Ju!
      Bart: ...I'll get back to you.

    • Lyle Lanley: Now, I'm here to answer any questions you children may have about the monorail.
      Kid: Can it outrun the flash?
      Lyle Lanley: You bet.
      Kid: Can superman outrun the flash?
      Lyle Lanley: Eh, sure, why not.

    • Mayor Quimby: I'll just amuse myself with some pornographic playing cards.

    • Apu: I would like to see this money spent on more police officers. I have been shot eight times this year. As a result, I almost missed work.
      Chief Wiggum: Cry-baby.

    • Mr. Burns: Hello my name is Mr. Snrub and I come from some place far away. Yes, that will do. Anyway I say we invest that money back in the nuclear plant.
      Smithers: I like the way Snrub thinks!

    • Mayor Quimby: We will now hear suggestions for the disbursement of the two million dollars.
      Lisa: Don't you mean three million dollars?
      Mayor Quimby: (looks around nervously, adjusts his tie) Of course. How silly of me.

    • Marge: I think the money should be spent on something the whole town can be proud of.
      Homer: Like a giant billboard that says 'no fat chicks!'?

    • (Sung to the tune of "(Meet) The Flintstones")
      Homer: Simpson, Homer Simpson.
      He's the greatest guy in his-tor-ey
      From the Town of Springfield,
      He's about to hit a chestnut tree...
      AUGHHH!!!

    • Homer: Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?

    • Homer: Are we gonna die, son?
      Bart: Yeah, but at least we're going to take a lot of innocent people with us.

    • Automated Female Voice: The lever you have pulled, "Brakes," is no longer in service. Please make a note of it.

    • The Monorail Song
      Lyle Lanley: Y'know, a town with money is like a mule with a spinning wheel. No one knows how he got it and danged if he knows how to use it!
      (audience laughs)
      Homer: Heh heh! Mule.
      Lyle Lanley: The name's Lanley. Lyle Lanley. And I come before you good people tonight with an idea. Probably the greatest... Aw, it's not for you. It's more of a Shelbyville idea.
      Mayor Quimby: Now wait just a minute! We're twice as smart as the people of Shelbyville! Just tell us your idea and we'll vote for it!
      Lyle Lanley: All right, I tell you what I'll do. I'll show you my idea! I give you the Springfield Monorail! (audience gasps) I've sold monorails to Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrooke, and by gum, it put them on the map!
      Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
      Like a genuine,
      Bona fide,
      Electrified,
      Six-car
      Monorail! ...
      What'd I say?
      Ned Flanders: Monorail!
      Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
      Patty & Selma: Monorail!
      Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail!
      (crowd chants "Monorail" softly and rhythmically)
      Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud.
      Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud.
      Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend?
      Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
      Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs?
      Lyle Lanley: You'll all be given cushy jobs.
      Grampa: Were you sent here by the devil?
      Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level.
      Chief Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can.
      Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man.
      I swear it's Springfield's only choice...
      Throw up your hands and raise your voice!
      All: Monorail!
      Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
      All: Monorail!
      Lyle Lanley: Once again...
      All: Monorail!
      Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken!
      Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken.
      All: Monorail!
      Monorail!
      Monorail!
      Monorail!
      Homer: Mono... D'oh!

    • Mayor Quimby: And let me say, may the Force be with you. Leonard Nimoy: Do you even know who I am? Mayor Quimby: I think I do; weren't you one of the Little Rascals?

  • NOTES (5)

    • This episode marks the first time one of the male Simpsons voice actors does a female character. Dan Castellaneta voices the laughing old lady in North Haverbrook.

    • Conan O'Brien asked George Takei to be in this episode, but he turned the part down declaring "I take monorails very seriously." Conan and the producers instead went with Leonard Nimoy.

    • Conan O'Brien declared this episode as his favorite.

    • The Monorail Song was actually written by Jeff Martin, Conan O'Brien, John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti, Al Jean, Mike Reiss, George Meyer & Frank Mula.

    • Blackboard Joke: I will not eat things for money.
      Couch Gag: The family sits down, followed by the show's whole cast sitting in front of them.

  • ALLUSIONS (7)

    • Beverly Hills Cop
      When Smithers and Burns are hiding the green ooze, the music bears a striking resemblance to the "Axel F" theme from this movie.

    • Child: Is Superman faster than The Flash?
      This question the child asked was based on the Superman comic book and the episode, "Speed Demons."

    • Homer: Batman's a scientist.
      Aside from this quick joke, Simthers' and Burns' escape is a parody of the power zip-cord from the film Batman.

    • The Flintstones
      Homer leaving work and his drive home is a parody of The Flintstones intro and theme.

    • Lyle Lanley: Based on the quick-talking con man Harold Hill from Meredith Wilson's musical "The Music Man". (Both characters convince the townspeople to go for their cons by taking over a town meeting with a catchy patter song. Harold Hill's is "Ya Got Trouble".)

    • Homer: I gave my love a chicken, it had no bone.
      The line Homer sings is a line in Allan Sherman's song "Shticks and Stones."

    • The Silence Of The Lambs
      When Mr. Burns is brought to court, he is strapped to a dolly and has a metal shield over his mouth, just like Hannibal Lecter from The Silence Of The Lambs.

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Ep 21
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