Today I am A Clown

Season 15, Episode 6, Aired
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Episode Summary

Maggie is locked in the bathroom and is eventually freed when Lisa goes against the norm and tries their rescue solution a second time. Then the family hears the doorbell. They find Dr. Hibbert at the door; it seems that SLH had impregnated his poodle and he turns over the puppies to the Simpson family and makes them their problem. Despite a book that says that Homer was taking SLH to be neutered, Homer was never able to complete the deed. They distribute the puppies. Lisa and Bart stop by Krusty's house and give him one of the puppies. Krusty takes the dog for a walk and finds that his star is not included on the Jewish walk of fame. He goes to complain and finds out that he was never Bar Mitzvah'd, which means he is technically not Jewish. Bart and Lisa take Krusty to see his father, who agrees to help Krusty achieve his goal. As Saturday is the Sabbath, Krusty gets Homer to replace his show on that day. Homer's replacement show is a talk show, with Moe, Lenny & Carl as his guest panelists. The replacement show becomes a success; meanwhile, Krusty works on learning his Jewish traditions. Homer's show has become so popular that the network decides to fire Krusty. Lisa wants Homer to put his power to good use. Krusty pitches the FOX network on a new show that covers his Bar Mitzvah. Meanwhile, Homer attempts to start covering topics based on Lisa's suggestions, but it becomes a ratings nightmare, resulting in his cancellation. Meanwhile on FOX, Krusty's Bar Mitzvah is a ratings bonanza, but the spectacle disappoints his father. Later at a real Jewish temple, Krusty has a real, almost serious, Bar Mitzvah.moreless
7.4
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 (4)

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  • Krusty recieves his bar mitzvah!

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Hornets3, Aug 20, 2009 Report Abuse
    Krusty's father returns when Krusty realizes that he never had a Bar Mitzvah.

    Yet another episode that does not recieve enough credit for how good this really is. The idea of Homer as a talk show host was hilarious. I loved all of the jokes about the Jewish Religion, and upon first glance Mr. T seemed like a pointless guest star, but he turned out to be funny and really made the episode that much better. So far, season 15 has been gold. Let's hope that the Simpsons keep going with this wonderful season. Anyway a must see episode. Amoreless

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  • Brilliant absolutely brilliant episode about Krusty and the Jewish religion.

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By Iverson82094, Sep 08, 2007 Report Abuse
    While walking his new puppy down the Jewish Walk Of Fame, Krusty notices his name doesn't appear and sets out to change this. The curator tells him that since he never had a Bar Mitzvah he is not officially Jewish. Lisa recommends Krusty ask his father, Rabbi Krustofsky, why he never had one, to which he says he didn't want him making a mockery out of it. With the Rabbi's help, Krusty learns the Jewish lifestyle while Homer is hired as a fill-in host on his show. Homer and his friends breathe a refreshing change that viewers have wanted and the network cancels Krusty's show. Krusty turns to FOX to broadcast his Bar Mitzvah and they accept. When Lisa convinces Homer to talk about issues that matter on his show, ratings take a nosedive and people tune into Krusty's celebration. The Rabbi is still unimpressed with the mockery of a presentation so Krusty asks for a real Bar Mitzvah in a temple to please his dad.moreless

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  • One of the worst Krusty episodes. Not too bad, but I expected more.

    6.9
    "Fair"
    By JohnnySeidz, Jul 06, 2006 Report Abuse
    Hmm... this seems to be the Season for average episodes. In fact for a Krusty episode, this was pretty poor. There was some good Jewish satire and well placed emotion, but overall, the episode wasn't very funny.

    The opening scenes were probably the worst of the episode. They weren't bad, but Santa's Little Helper having puppies was a repeated storyline - even Lisa pointing it out was a repeated storyline too: remember Comic Book Guy in Saddlesore Galactica? That said, the appearance of the Complete Guide book was probably the only funny thing in this part of the episode.

    The episode took a while to get going, and even when it did, the main parts (Krusty and his bar mitzvah) did not provide enough laughs to keep me entertained. The sub-plot, Homer taking over Krusty's show, was funnier for me than the main story - which, in a Krusty episode, should not be.
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  • Homer gets another job: Talk Show Host

    8.0
    "Great"
    By jimbo_001, Jan 29, 2006 Report Abuse
    Nearly all Krusty episodes are fantastic and hilarious but Today I Am A Klown didn't have the spark that most of these episodes usually do. Homer's talk show, however, brought the rating up because his performance is hilarious, continuously replacing his cast members and the fact that he lets his kids make decisions for him (and Lisa's decision ruining his career) was a great section of the episode. However, Krusty not being a real jew wasn't a very funny plotline though the crossword clue for Krusty (unfunny clown) really points out what Krusty is - the simpsons character that tries so hard to be funny, fails and that's what makes us laugh. overall, the main plot wasn't very funny.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • In the opening credits the saxophone Lisa plays in the school band is bigger, and a different color. (White with pinkish keys.) Edit
    • When this episode originally aired, Krusty said that he could barely get through one show on Friday, even when he…then he made a sniffing gesture, implying that he used cocaine to get through the day. The reference to drug used has since been cut in subsequent airings. Edit
    • Even the fact that Homer replaced Lenny several times, the mug still said "Lenny". Edit

  • Notes

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    • This episode was nominated for the 2005 WGA Award (TV) for Animation. Edit
    • In the episode "Helter Shelter", Homer is upset that 1895 is too late to save Lincoln and too early to save Kennedy, and in this episode he fantasizes about doing both. Edit
    • Mr. T also appeared on the episode of the Stonecutters called "Homer the Great". However, this is the only time Mr. T performs. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Krusty: I just found out I'm not Jewish! I got turned down by all those country clubs for nothing! Edit
    • Krusty: Now I know the reason my life is so empty… I never had a bar mitzvah. Bart: Cheer up Krusty! You're a clue in the People magazine crossword puzzle. (holds up the magazine, with the clue reading 'Unfunny Clown') What more can a man want? Edit
    • Bart: How do you know all this stuff? Lisa: I have a Jewish imaginary friend. Her name is Rachel Cohen and she just got into Brandeis. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Doggie Porn The titles at the adult theater for dogs are: "Behind The Doggie Door", "Long Dog Silver" and "On Golden Retriever". They spoof Behind the Green Door (an adult movie), Long Dong Silver (an adult movie actor) and On Golden Pond, or its porno equivalent, On Golden Blonde. Edit
    • There's a store called L.L. Beanie in Krusty's old neighborhood, which is a spoof of the store L.L. Bean that started in Maine. Edit
    • Homer's roundtable talk show spoofs ABC's The View, where Meredith Vieira, Barbara Walters and others sit around and talk. Edit

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