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The Simpsons: Beyond Blunderdome

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Homer test drives an electric car so that he can win a free gift. The free gift is being part of the test audience for Mel Gibson's new remake of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Everyone loves the film except Homer. Mel Gibson shows up after the screening and they all worship him...except Homer. The audience fills out cards about the movie and every single one of them loves it...except Homer. Mel reads the cards personally, but Homer's card disturbs him so much that he flies back to Springfield and asks Homer to help him re-edit the film. Homer agrees and the Simpson family goes to Hollywood. Homer has no idea what he is doing, but has no qualms about butting in and voicing his opinions. He walks all over Gibson and his ideas are terrible. The redone movie has a lot more action and it shocks the executives. The executives threaten to destroy the film, so Mel and Homer take it and run. They premiere it in Springfield and everyone hates it, Mel's career is ruined. Homer pitches more movie ideas, but Mel refuses to listen. Read full recap »

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Writers:: Mike Scully

Director:: Steven Dean Moore

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

Recurring Role:: Karl Wiedergott (Additional Voices); Maggie Roswell (Maude Flanders, Helen Lovejoy, Miss Hoover, and others); Pamela Hayden (Milhouse Van Houten, Rod Flanders, Jimbo Jones, and others)

Guest Star:: Mel Gibson (Himself); Jack Burns (Edward Christian)

Next to Mann's Chinese Theatre is the Chinese Mann's Theatre. edit »
There is a scene where Homer places his hand on Bart's neck, then when he moves his hand, his fingers are still on Bart's neck. edit »
When Mel is cornered in the movie theater after the screening is finished, there is a poster of McBain's next movie, except it's spelled "McBane". edit »
When Homer goes to return the car, he is dirty, and his shirt is torn in some places. When he gets his "gift" and runs back to the car, he's clean again. edit »
Since dolphins aren't fish, they don't float upside-down when they die. edit »

Blackboard Joke: Fridays are not "Pants Optional."
Couch Gag: The family runs in to see themselves from The Tracey Ullman Show. edit »

Mel Gibson: I'm getting too old for this crap.
Homer: How old ARE you, anyway?
Mel Gibson: Well, I've been told I can play anywhere from 28 to --
Homer: Sheesh, sorry I asked. edit »
Lisa: I'm proud of you dad! Buying an electric car will help clean the air and to protect the Earth's supply of�you're faking this to get the gift, aren't you?
Homer: But I like the nice things you said about me. edit »
Gibson: Come on, Homer; let's just give them the stupid movie!
Homer: Movies aren't stupid. They fill us with romance and hatred and revenge fantasies. Lethal Weapon taught us that suicide is funny!
Gibson: That really wasn't my intention . . .
Homer: And before Lethal Weapon 2, I never thought there could be a bomb on my toilet and now I check every time!
Marge: It's true, he does!
Gibson: Movies really mean that much to you, Homer?
Homer: They're my only escape from the drudgery of work and family. No offense! edit »
Tour Guide: And on your left is the notorious spot where Hugh Grant . . .
Marge: Eww.
Tour Guide: . . . filmed the movie, Nine Months.
Marge: Ewwwww! edit »
Gibson: (reading Homer's review) Your movie is more boring than
church. All you did was yak, yak, yak. You didn't even shoot anybody -- Damn! I knew it! edit »

Homer: At least the Jimmy Stewart version had the giant rabbit who ran the savings and loans.
Homer confuses three different films of James Stewart: the original Mr Smith Goes To Washington (1939), Harvey (1950) in which he talked to an imaginary rabbit, and It's a Wonderful Life (1946) in which Stewart's character runs a savings and loans bank. edit »
Homer and Mel crash through a billboard advertising a movie called She's Having A Baby . . . Again! Presumably this is the sequel to the 1988 movie She's Having A Baby, starring Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern. edit »
Title: Beyond Blunderdome
This episode's title is a spoof of the 1985 film Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome, in which Mel Gibson was the star. edit »
Mel tossing away his U.S. Senator badge at the end of the Mr. Smith... remake is similar to Clint Eastwood tossing away his police badge at the end of the 1971 film Dirty Harry. edit »
Homer: (sniffles) You had me at "hello."
When Mel asks Homer to come to Hollywood, Homer echoes the famous line that Renee Zellwegger says to Tom Cruise in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire. edit »

9.8
00
Iverson82094
member since: Aug 23, 2007
Beyond Blunderdome
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
Episode with memorable jokes and a great storyline. ...Continue »
08/31/07 05:13pm | report abuse
9
00
rayan36
member since: Sep 12, 2004
Beyond Blunderdome
The Bottom Line: "Adventurous"
Beyond Mad Max ...Continue »
09/16/06 07:07pm | report abuse
9
00
Clarinet2006
member since: Jan 16, 2006
Beyond Blunderdome
The Bottom Line: "Above average"
Homer Simpson and Mel Gibson team up to create the "worst ending ever" on a classic film. ...Continue »
08/11/06 04:08am | report abuse
9.8
00
jimbo_001
member since: Jul 12, 2005
Beyond Blunderdome
The Bottom Line: "Well written"
A great episode ...Continue »
12/10/05 06:44pm | report abuse