The Regina Monologues

Season 15, Episode 4, Aired
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Episode Summary

The family takes a vacation to London and Grampa meets up with a long lost love of his past.
7.8
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Good
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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 (14)

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  • A smashing episode

    8.0
    "Great"
    By oceanic6, Dec 10, 2011 Report Abuse
    In it; following an outlandish introduction that sees Bart come into possession of $1000 and open a museum. The family travel to England where they enjoy an enlightening culturual experience until Homer crashes into the Queen's cart and is jailed. Aside from the viciously stereotypical "Australia" episode, the show has never put a foot wrong when The Simpsons jet off to an overseas location and this one doesn't just keep up this trend but sets the bar even higher for any future episode that depicts America's favourite family wreaking international havoc. Any potential boredom that Grandpa Simpsons's soppy storyline might've offered is thankfully never realised as the plot is only given enough time for a brief yet amusing beginning, middle and end which gives the viewer a huge amount of time to enjoy the Simpsons's British escapades. What makes this episode particularly notable is that it was the final one written by longtime Simpsons author John Swartzwelder. Despite being the most prolific, contributing and (undeniably) talented Simpsons writer he is also the most elusive, never appearing on a DVD commentary and only having two photos in circulation. This episode has all the quintessential features of a Swartzwelder script; some old timey American elements, absurd surrealism, the use of violence for comedic effect, some insanely witty one-liners and overall a relentlessly funny experience that combines a remorseless assault of comedy with a plot whose careful devlopment is complimented by this rather than being compromised by it. A great episode is made better by the numerous British guest stars, from a suprisingly enthusastic Tony Blair to a rather weary J.K Rowling and the always delightfully booming Sir Ian Mckellen. It is very obvious that the Queen had been asked to lend her regal vocals to this episode and i cannot imagine a more steadfast "no" being given by anyone in any situation, except perhaps by John himself in response to the numerous requests for him to appear in a DVD commentary. Not only are these cameos hilarious and allows the show to add a few more notches to their enormous guest star belt but it also takes the pressure off of the voice actors who don't need to wear themselves out with yet another British voice and impression. Director Mark Kirkland is helped by the much improved animation quality and detail which this episode proudly boastsandmakes this avisual delight which includes detailed recreations of English attractions, some decent imitiations of the guest star's faces and also numerous zany effects which captures the surreal vision of the writer, can be labelled as one of his biggest achievements. However, in writing this review one must view the episode critically and ignore the rose-colored lense that being a gushing Simpsons and Swartzwelder fan gives me as I point out the only key flaw in the episode; the ending. The half hour of breezy satire and fun is not done justice by ending on a hilarious pinnacle but rather abruptly breaks off in the middle of an exchange between Homer and his sister-in-law; instead of laughing as the credits roll we are rather letdown and forced to compute something that no-one ever thought would be associated with a Swartzwelder episode (let alone his final one) "anti-climax". "The Regina Monologues" is a fine send-off to this brilliant writer and after watching it you cannot help but feel mournful that his monumental impact on this great show has been ceased too soon. However, his memory will always be kept alive through viewing any one of his uniformly excellent past episodes which this one is the end of and addition to.moreless

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  • Funniest episode of "The Simpsons" that I've ever seen!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By 4EverGreen, Feb 15, 2011 Report Abuse
    Age is a cruel thing to television shows, epsecially to those rare few shows that produce over 300 episodes. Most of the time, tv shows that surpass the 300 episode mark lose the ability to make you laugh or care for their show anymore...but not "The Simpsons!" It's one of the few rare shows that despite being 300+ episodes old, can still produce a gem that makes me laugh! I especially enjoyed the gag about J. K. Rowling giving away the fake ending to the "Harry Potter" book series! When it comes to laughs, this show has still got it! :Dmoreless

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  • The Simpsons go to England.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Hornets3, Aug 20, 2009 Report Abuse
    The only question that remains in my mind after watching this episode and logging on to this website is why is this episode hated so much? I thought the plot was well done and it had so many hilarious jokes in it. This in my opinion was a very well-written and well-produced episode. I myself have never been to England but Homer getting in trouble with the Queen was hilarious, and maybe Tony Blair wasn't the best guest star but I thought he was needed. Bottom line is dont listen to all the critisim this episode gets because its wrong. Watch this episode and you be the judge.moreless

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    0 0

  • If you're looking for another exciting travelogue episode with lots of plot and adventure...dont bother with this one. It's just 21 minutes of Homer being stupid in another country.

    5.6
    "Mediocre"
    By toonaspie, Aug 25, 2008 Report Abuse
    I was really dissappointed with this episode upon first viewing. The episode's official summary said that the family goes to England to find Grandpa's lost love from WW2.

    However when the family arrives in England, the episode becomes anything but a story about finding Grandpa's lost love...in fact the Simpsons dump him in the hotel room and the rest of the episode is nothing but American stabs at Britain. There's ZERO count them ZERO plot in this episode.

    These Homer in another country gags get kind of old and this one was just overkill for me. Homer does something stupid in another country and gets in trouble for it. It's been done before and better might I add.

    Perhaps all of this was intentional by the writers. Perhaps they meant to do a travelogue episode that's all gags, no plot, and perhaps a satirical stab at Homer's constant stupid acts in foreign countries. I failed to get the joke if this was the case. Guess I will have to wait for the DVD to come out to see what the writers were really thinking when they wrote this one.

    For better "Homer being dumb in another country" episodes watch "Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo" (Japan) and "Blame It On Lisa" (Brazil) instead.moreless

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  • One of the best Simpsons episodes in the history of the show. Without a doubt in the top 50 episodes if you ask me. This is exactly why I watch this seriesmoreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Iverson82094, Nov 25, 2007 Report Abuse
    Mr. Burns loses a $1000 bill which ends up in the hands of Bart. When nobody comes to claim it, he sets up a museum in his treehouse displaying the bill for people to pay to see. The bill is claimed, but with the money raised from museum profits, Bart shouts Marge and the family to a vacation. Abe tells the family a story about a war fling so they decide to visit England so he can track her down. Whilst in England, the family meet PM Tony Blair, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, and Ian McKellen. When the family get caught in a roundabout, Homer drives into Buckingham Palace and rear-ends the Queen. He is brought to trial and sentenced to prison. The family inform him of an escape route but he ends up in the Queen's bedroom. He pleads for her forgiveness and receives it. At the airport on the way home, Abe is reunited with his war fling, who introduces her daughter, female resembling Homer. Abe runs for the plane in terror.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Elizabeth II doesn't have the power to send someone to death since the United Kingdom had outlaw the punishment starting in 1969 and was for all crimes in 1998. Edit
    • Mr. Burns has been said to be around 100 something years old but in this episode, the ATM was his age and he typed in 4 digits. Edit

  • Notes

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    • This is John Swartzwelder's last episode after working on the show for 15 years. Edit
    • Tony Blair took time out from the war on Iraq to record this episode, a point that came up often on British television when it was recorded, screened in America and screened in Britain Edit
    • Abbie is the second half-sibling Homer has, the first being Herb Powell from "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" and "Brother Can You Spare Two Dimes?". Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Smithers: Sir, I've spotted you over a hundred thousand dollars this year. Couldn't you carry your own money? Mr. Burns: Money is for the poor! Edit
    • Marge: That was very sweet of the Queen, letting you go in exchange for taking Madonna back to America. Edit
    • Snake: Um, does the bill have bank teller blood on it? Lisa: No, it doesn't. Snake: I'm sorry I wasted your time. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • The Brady Bunch The plot point of Bart finding a $1,000 bill and Marge telling him to advertise for its rightful owner is inspired by the 1970 episode of The Brady Bunch titled "The Treasure of Sierra Avenue". Edit
    • Hertz Rent-a-Car The Simpsons rent a Mini Cooper from an "'Ertz" rent-a-car branch. This parodies the Hertz corporation. Edit
    • The Vagina Monologues The the title of this episode is a pun on Eve Ensler's play, The Vagina Monologues. The word "Regina" is substituted as the Latin word for Queen. Edit

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