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The Simpsons: The Dad Who Knew Too Little

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Homer fails to get the birthday present that Lisa wanted. The gift he gets her instead makes it obvious that he knows nothing about his daughter and that makes her disappointed in him. To win Lisa back, Homer hires a private detective to find out everything about her. The private detective comes through with information that restores Homer's relationship with Lisa. Homer refuses to pay the detective's $1000 expenses; to get even the detective arranges it so that Lisa is framed for a crime she didn't commit. When the police arrive outside the Simpson home, Homer takes Lisa on the run. While they are holed up in a cabin, Homer confesses what he did to learn more about Lisa. The police trace them there and Homer and Lisa's subsequent escape leads them to a circus, where they find evidence that will exonerate Lisa of the crime. Only first together they must deal with the crooked detective. Add a recap »

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Writers:: Matt Selman

Director:: Mark Kirkland

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); Karl Wiedergott (Additional Voices)

Guest Star:: Elliott Gould (Himself)

When Bart and Homer are looking at the video kiosk in the mall, behind them is a kiosk labeled "Another Damn Candle Stand." edit »
There's an episode on the fifth season with the opposite title ("The Boy Who Knew Too Much"). edit »
When Bart beams the laser at Principal Skinner, the red dot on his pants, when he pulls them down and Chief Wiggum stops in his car in front of him, how can the laser still be beaming on Skinner if Wiggum's car is blocking out the laser. edit »
Lisa celebrated her eighth birthday in "Stark Raving Dad". edit »
Bart appears to be reading Lisa's diary from back to front. edit »

This episode won the 2004 WGA Award (TV) for Animation. edit »
For the first time ever, we see what Lisa's hairline looks like in this episode when she colors it black. (Not counting 'Lisa The Beauty Queen' because she gets different hairstyles.) edit »
Fox announced that it had renewed the show until 2005 and its 16th season. This will make the series the longest running comedy series in US TV history save for "Saturday Night Live",and it will have beaten the previous record holder for longest-running prime-time animated series (The Flintstones) by a full 10 years. edit »
Homer's e-mail address is also writer Matt Selman's e-mail address. Matt writes back to fans as Homer. edit »
Lisa ages, or at least has a birthday. edit »

Homer: How ironic, now he's blind after a life of enjoying being able to see. edit »
Homer: Stupid Flanders, you're a genius! edit »
Homer: Oh, Lisa's still mad at me.
Bart: I'm still mad at you for chopping up my skateboard with an axe!
Homer: I told you! It was for the insurance money! edit »
(Lisa turns on the tape of "Lisa Simpson, Girl Cowboy." In it, Lisa's face is crudely pasted on a cowgirl's body. The animation is really choppy.)
Cowgirl: Howdy, pardners! My name is sheriff...
Homer voiceover: Lisa Simpson!
Cowgirl: I sure am hungry for my favorite food...
Homer voiceover: McNuggets!
Lisa: I don't like McNuggets! I'm a vegetarian!
Homer: Still? Well then you're not gonna like your other present!
(We see a turkey in wrapping paper!)
(In the film a male cowboy rides up)
Cowgirl: Why it's my best friend...
Homer voiceover: Maggie!
Lisa: (in reality) Huh?
Bartender: (enters from a saloon) Bad news sheriff...
Homer voiceover: Lisa Simpson!
Bartender: Some Indians took all the...
Homer voiceover: McNuggets! Mmmm McNuggets... haughughalughalugh!
Cowgirl: I'll get those no good Indians, just as sure as my favorite book is...
Homer voiceover: Magazines! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
Bart voiceover: Wake up, Dad!
Homer voiceover: Huh wha?
(Static fills the screen as Lisa shuts off the TV in anger.) edit »
Activist: What do we want!?
Crowd: The gradual phase-out of animal testing over the next three years?
Activist: When do we want it!?
Crowd: Over the next three years! edit »

P.T.E.T.A.:

This refers to the real organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment to Animals). edit »
The scene with Homer and Dexter Colt in the Hall of Mirrors is inspired by a similar scene from the 1947 film, "The Lady from Shanghai" starring Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. edit »
Homer: Who's your favorite Travelling Wilbury? Is it Jeff Lynne?

The Traveling Wilburys comprised of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbinson, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne, who was a member of the group ELO, but clearly the least famous of the 5. That is the joke, ja? edit »
Lisa: I look just like a Powerpuff Girl!

After coloring her hair black, Lisa remarks that she resembles one of the Powerpuff Girls. Although the whole on the lam/black hair dye thing may also refer to the opening credits of the 1993 film �The Fugitive.� edit »
:
The TV show "Padz" is based on the MTV show "Cribs", where we see homes of well-known celebrities. edit »

9.8
00
Iverson82094
member since: Aug 23, 2007
The Dad Who Knew Too Little
The Bottom Line: "A very special episode"
Pretty good episode..... ...Continue »
09/15/07 09:07am | report abuse
9.9
00
PerfectDark0Fan
member since: Jul 5, 2004
The Dad Who Knew Too Little
The Bottom Line: "Fine example"
This is a great Homer and Lisa episode. ...Continue »
02/04/07 01:48pm | report abuse
10
00
danniangelcake
member since: Mar 11, 2006
The Dad Who Knew Too Little
The Bottom Line: "Another great installment"
The dad who knows too little sums it up i thnk hehe ...Continue »
03/10/06 03:23pm | report abuse
9.9
00
jimbo_001
member since: Jul 12, 2005
The Dad Who Knew Too Little
The Bottom Line: "Well written"
One of my favourites. ...Continue »
01/25/06 10:13pm | report abuse
8.5
00
pharaoh2
member since: Aug 29, 2005
The Dad Who Knew Too Little
The Bottom Line: "A very special episode"
Homer fails to get Lisa a diary for her birthday. On her birthday, she discovers that Homer knows nothing about her, which made her sad, so Homer hires a PD to get information on Lisa. He does , restoring their relationship. Homer doesn't pay him, making ...Continue »
12/27/05 07:15pm | report abuse