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The Simpsons: I'm Spelling As Fast As I Can

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The kids are getting ready to go back to school. On the first day, Principal Skinner holds an all school Spelling Bee, which Lisa easily wins, allowing her to go to the state spelling finals. If she wins there, she can then go Spellympics. Meanwhile, Homer has been trying Krustyburger's new "Ribwich" and enjoying it immensely. At the state Spelling Bee Lisa wins, but is disappointed with Homer who tells her that "very serious Daddy business" is going to keep him away from her celebration. Homer's daddy business consists of getting more Ribwiches. He is disappointed when the Ribwich is no longer available. Another Ribwich fan (and member of Ribwich Nation) informs Homer that the sandwich is going to be tested in other markets and he shows him the tour schedule. For a moment, Homer considers joining them on their bus tour. For her spelling efforts, Lisa is rewarded with a double-wide locker and she prepares for the Spellympics. At the Spellympics, Lisa makes it to the finals. Homer regrets that he won't be able to attend the finals, as he will be in San Francisco for the last day of the Ribwich. George Plimpton talks to Lisa about getting her to throw the spelling bee so that a more popular competitor can help keep spelling a viable sport. For throwing the bee, Lisa is offered a full scholarship to one of the seven sister's college of her choice. Lisa wrestles with her conscience. In San Francisco, Krusty stops by and tells the crowd they will no longer be making the Ribwich and he tosses them the last one. Homer catches it, and offers are made to him for the last one. He realizes that he's forsaken his daughter's big day for a sandwich and he trades it for a car, which he drives off to Lisa's big event. At the Spellympics, Homer arrives just in time for Lisa to do her final word. With her dad present, she blows the lid off of the rigged contest, but then misspells her word in the process. She loses the contest, but back home in Springfield she is celebrated as "the biggest winner this town has ever had." They even have her likeness carved into the side of a mountain. Add a recap »

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Writers:: Kevin Curran

Director:: Nancy Kruse

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:: Tress MacNeille (Agnes Skinner, Brandine Del Roy, Dolph and others); Russi Taylor (Martin Prince, Sherri, Terri and others); Karl Wiedergott (Additional Voices); Pamela Hayden (Milhouse Van Houten, Rod Flanders, Jimbo Jones, and others)

Guest Star:: George Plimpton (Himself)

According to what Lisa says after the first round of the finals, this Spelling Bee takes place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. edit »
A scene were Bart kisses a Hispanic girl on a bench was shown briefly in a preview but not in the actual show. edit »

When Lisa is in George Plimpton's office, you can see a powder-blue jersey with a big zero on it. This is a reference to Plimpton's brief stint as a third-string quarterback for the Detroit Lions. edit »
The opening credits cited this as the 301st episode, even though we know (and they know) it wasn't. edit »
As Lisa ran through the street practicing for her spelling bee (in "Rocky" fashion), Barney appeared as a drunk once again, drinking a Duff and asking her to spell "R-E-L-A-P-S-E." Whether or not this remains as continuity remains to be seen... edit »
Bart and Lisa start yet another new school year in this episode, but it is unclear whether or not they are going to a new grade or not (probably not) since the episode never showed them actually going to class. edit »
Blackboard Joke: None.
Couch Gag: Via a "Etch a Sketch" the family is drawn sitting on the couch. edit »

Kent Brockman: The Spellympics is being sued by the Olympics for use of the suffix 'lympics.' This has got to be the slowest news day ever! edit »
Principal Skinner: Lisa, 'impugn.'
Lisa: I-M-P . . .
Bart: Hey, Lisa said . . .
Nelson: Shut up, pee! edit »
George Plimpton: Alex, your word is "rigged." As in, "This contest is rigged." edit »
Marge: Lisa, honey, you spelled the word wrong but you did the right thing.
Homer: Yeah, you're the number one speller in this car, or in that car, or in that car, or (realizes that the car he's about to point out has the spelling champion in it) uh, don't look in that car. edit »
Lisa: Dad, this is my moment in the sun. How can you miss it to be with a sandwich?
Homer: You don't understand. It's not just a sandwich� it's about brotherhood, it's about freedom, it's about three days since I've had one! I'm gettin' the shakes! And I'm gettin' the fries! edit »

Martin (to Nelson about Space Camp): I held your hand when you barfed in the simulator!

NASA's KC-135 flight simulator is a jet that flies in a series of steep plunges, creating brief periods of weightlessness. This is meant to simulate the microgravity experienced during space flight. This simulator is nicknamed the "Vomit Comet" because it is known for inducing motion sickness. edit »
The "hippie" people that follow the Ribwich from town to town are reminiscent of the Dead Heads that would travel all over the country following The Grateful Dead. edit »
Episode Title
The episode title is a takeoff of the 1982 movie I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can, starring Jill Clayburgh. edit »
The scene when Homer trades the last Ribwich for the ribhead's car, the start of the James Bond theme is heard. edit »
Barney's "R-E-L-A-P-S-E" song is a parody of "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" by Aretha Franklin. edit »

9.5
00
Iverson82094
member since: Aug 23, 2007
I'm Spelling As Fast As I Can
The Bottom Line: "Well written"
An episode worthy of a good review! ...Continue »
08/23/07 09:03am | report abuse
9
00
jimbo_001
member since: Jul 12, 2005
I'm Spelling As Fast As I Can
The Bottom Line: "Pivotal"
a good episode ...Continue »
01/27/06 12:11am | report abuse
9.2
00
Star_Blaster
member since: Jun 15, 2005
I'm Spelling As Fast As I Can
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
Lisa enters a spelling competition against of bunch of other smart kids. ...Continue »
12/05/05 07:39am | report abuse