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The Simpsons: The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase

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Troy McClure introduces three possible spin-offs from the series.

Chief Wiggum, P.I.
Chief Wiggum is a detective in New Orleans and Principal Skinner is his assistant. Their first case pits them against Big Daddy, an operator in New Orleans who's kidnapped Ralph.

The Love-Matic Grampa
Moe's Love Tester machine has a special soul... Grampa's. He tries to put Moe's love life into order.

The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour
The family returns in a new variety show format a'la The Brady Bunch Hour with a side of Laugh-In. Their show even features a "new girl" playing Lisa the way a new girl played Jan on the Brady show. Add a recap »

YOUR SCORE

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Writers:: Steve Tompkins David X. Cohen Dan Greaney

Director:: Neil Affleck

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:: Phil Hartman (Lionel Hutz, Troy McClure and Additional Voices); Pamela Hayden (Milhouse Van Houten, Rod Flanders, Jimbo Jones, and others); Tress MacNeille (Agnes Skinner, Brandine Del Roy, Dolph and others)

Guest Star:: Tim Conway (Himself); Gailard Sartain (Big Daddy)

In the opening credits of "Chief Wiggum, PI", all the scenes show real places: First, Wiggum is driving along I-10, and the Superdome can be seen in the background; Wiggum is shooting at Tipitina's, a real bar on Napoleon Ave. in the Garden District; and Skinner is shown with a pimp at the corner of Lafayette Ave and Camp St, not far from the Superdome. Also, the street sign for Bourbon St. is historically accurate, and the Mardi Gras parade float of a man's head resembles the figurehead for the Krewe of Bacchus. edit »
When Kent Brockman introduces The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour he says "live". The clock behind him says 8:20 which was the time that part of the show aired in Eastern and Pacific Time zones. edit »
Homer is the only character to appear in all three segments. edit »

Osmodiar was originally written into an earlier script, but was then cut after the writers decided the idea of the little green alien appearing in an episode would be too crazy. Osmodiar appeared later in episode 12-9, "HOMR." edit »
Lisa has only one line. edit »
This episode was in the Simpsons comic #112. edit »
During the pillow-fight scene at the end of "The Simpson Smile-Time Variety Hour" segment, guest Tim Conway runs for the exit, as fast as his embarassed legs can carry him. edit »
A second Spinoff Showcase was proposed, but it was scratched shortly after the death of Phil Hartman, aka Troy McClure. edit »

Skinner: Folks around here don't care much for law-and-order types.
Wiggum: Well, maybe they'll change their minds when I arrest them for throwing skulls all over my floor! edit »
Moe: You did it, Grampa! You really are a love expert.
Grampa: Dang right. Fact is, I invented kissing. It was during World War I, and they were looking for a new way to spread germs� (Scene fades out) edit »
Grampa: Son, it's me! I floated up toward Heaven but got lost along the way.
Homer: Dad is that really you?
Grampa: Darn tootin' you lousy creep! You buried me naked and sold my suit to buy a ping-pong table. What kind of a son �
(Homer pulls the love tester's plug)
Homer: (leaving) Call me when you get a karaoke machine.
(Moe plugs Grampa back in)
Grampa: That's the second time he's pulled the plug on me. edit »
Ralph: Daddy, when I grow up, I want to be just like you.
Skinner: Better start eating, kid.
Wiggum: Start eating! (laughs)
Ralph: I didn't mean it that way. (laughs) edit »
Skinner: He's gradually getting away, Chief.
Wiggum: Ah, let him go. I have the feeling we'll meet again, each and every week. Always in more sexy and exciting ways. edit »

As the camera closes in on Moe's Tavern in the "Love-Matic Grampa" segment, the music is strongly reminiscent of the "Cheers" theme. edit »
Abe's singing of "Bicycle Built For Two" after being vandalized is a direct reference to the last words of HAL 9000 computer when disconnected in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). edit »
During the Simpsons variety show, there is a caricature of Marge and Homer in the background, just like the ones seen on The Sonny & Cher Show. edit »
Homer's entrance where he bursts in and says, "Greetings!" is similar to the entrances Lenny and Squiggy would make on Laverne & Shirley and say "Hello!" edit »
In Chief Wiggum's segment, the cook that brings that brings the food on a scooter bears a striking resemblance to Paul Prudhomme, the Louisiana chef. edit »

8
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twilightboy
member since: Nov 24, 2006
The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase
The Bottom Line: "Jumps the Shark"
This is where the Simpsons really spin off ...Continue »
05/07/08 10:13am | report abuse
8.9
00
Iverson82094
member since: Aug 23, 2007
The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase
The Bottom Line: "Well written"
I usually think that spin-offs are stupid, but I really enjoyed watching this episode... ...Continue »
01/27/08 12:52pm | report abuse
9.2
00
starman100
member since: Jun 20, 2007
The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase
The Bottom Line: "Adventurous"
Some of the things displayed in this episode, I had never seen before in a Simpsons episode. Meaning, this is one brilliant episode. One of the best ever made. ...Continue »
08/26/07 04:57am | report abuse
7.5
00
blknge
member since: Dec 7, 2006
The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase
The Bottom Line: "Average"
it had it's moments, but wait that's just for the first showcase. ...Continue »
07/25/07 06:24am | report abuse
9.1
00
thesnake0420
member since: Jan 13, 2007
The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase
The Bottom Line: "Series classic"
Clever and amusing one of my favorite episodes. ...Continue »
01/13/07 10:45am | report abuse