A Star is Burns
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"A Star is Burns" is the 18th episode of The Simpsons
Synopsis
Springfield adopts Marge Simpson's proposal to launch a film festival, and she is placed on a panel to judge each short film produced by the townspeople. Also on the panel is the New York City critic Jay Sherman, who is the star of another animated series, The Critic. Sherman's stay at the Simpsons' house proves problematic, as Homer begins to suspect Marge does not really respect him. Thus, Marge gives him a spot on the panel, in place of Martin Scorsese. On the night of the festival, the panel comes into deadlock, between members bribed by the untalented contestant C. Montgomery Burns and those who honestly support Barney Gumble's touching film about alcoholism, titled Pukahontas. Homer, originally supporting Hans Moleman's film Man Getting Hit by Football (which he liked because it was a funny, even though it was just a clip of Moleman himself taking a football to the groin), is convinced to look into his heart and resolve the deadlock by voting for Barney's film.
Controversy
The episode has been subject to some controversy, as some viewers saw it as a mere thirty-minute advertisement for The Critic. Indeed, James L. Brooks was involved in the production of both shows. Among the fiercest critics of the Simpsons episode was creator Matt Groening himself, who promptly removed his name from the credits. In response, Brooks labelled Groening a "gifted, adorable, cuddly ingrate."Trivia
- The episode title is a play on the 1954 George Cukor film A Star Is Born.
- Several parts of Barney's superior film are based on the 1945 classic film The Lost Weekend about an alcoholic writer.
- When we view Burns' office, the music clearly resembles The Imperial March or Darth Vader's Theme from Star Wars.
- Señor Spielbergo is a Mexican parody of director Steven Spielberg.
- This is the first of many episodes which is executively produced by earlier show runners Al Jean and Mike Reiss during another showrunner's term. Other episodes include Round Springfield, Simpson Tide and Lisa's Sax.
- When the plane from New York lands it forces its way in front of another plane. The pilot of the New York plane yells out "Hey! I'm landing here!", which is a nod to the film Midnight Cowboy.
Quotes
- Burns: Get me Steven Spielberg!
Smithers: He's unavailable.
Burns: Then get me his non-union Mexican equivalent! [later] Listen, Senor Spielbergo, I want you to do for me what Spielberg did for Oskar Schindler.
Spielbergo: Er, Schindler es bueno, Senor Burns es el diablo.
Burns: Listen, Spielbergo, Schindler and I are like peas in a pod:we're both factory owners, we both made shells for the Nazis, but mine worked, dammit! Now go out there and win me that festival! - The Rappin' Rabbis: Don't eat pork, not even with a fork, Can't touch this!
Homer: Marge, are we Jewish?
Marge: No, Homer.
Homer: Woohoo! [Homer produces an entire sucking pig and cuts himself a slice] - Jay Sherman: Now we review an aging Charles Bronson in Death Wish 9.
Charles Bronson: [lying in a hospital bed] "I wish I was dead...oy. - Clancy Wiggum: At last, an excuse to wear makeup!
- TV announcer: Coming up next, The Flintstones Meet the Jetsons!"
Bart: Uh-oh, I smell another cheap cartoon crossover. - Mr. Burns: Are you saying "Boo" or "Boo-urns"? [crowd boos him and throws their drink and snacks on him)!"
Hans Moleman I was saying "Boo-urns". - [Homer watches Barney's movie again to make his final decision]
Homer: [thinking] Hmm...Barney's movie had heart, but "Football in the Groin" had a football in the groin. - Homer: [after seeing Barney's film again] Wow. I'll never drink beer again.
Vendor: Beer here.
Homer: I'll take ten. - [In his movie, Burns tries to ride a donkey but it drags him on the ground.]
Burns: We did twenty takes, and that was the best one. - [The Monty Burns auditions].
Anthony Hopkins: [as Hannibal Lecter] Excellent. [hisses]
William Shatner: [as Captain Kirk] Ex...cel-lent.
Homer: Exaactly. Heh, heh. [does a double-take] D'oh!
Bumblebee Man: Exellenté! - Rainier Wolfcastle: Here is a clip from my new movie, it's a mixture of action und comedy, it's called 'McBain, Let's Get Silly!'
Clip from film
McBain: Have you ever noticed how men always leave the toilet set up? (no reaction from audience) That's the joke!
Audience Member: You suck McBain!
McBain pulls out machine gun and fires upon the audience, screams of pain are heard
McBain: Now here is my Woody Allen impression, I am a neurotic nerd who likes to sleep with little girls!
Surviving audience member: Hey McBain! That really sucked!
McBain pulls out a grenade and throws it at the audience, it explodes, killing many.
End clip
Rainier Wolfcastle: My new movie is me, standing in front of a brick wall for 90 minutes. It cost 80 million dollars.
Jay Sherman: How do you sleep at night?
Rainier Wolfcastle: On top of a pile of money, with many beautiful women. - Jay Sherman (to himself after reading Marge's letter): Do I really want to leave Manhattan?
Rainier Wolfcastle:(walks up to Sherman) Sherman! I just realized you insulted me! Now you will die! (gets out a machine gun)
Jay: Uh, check check, your shoe's untied.
Rainier Wolfcastle: From up here they appear to be tied. But I will go in for a closer look.
(Rainier bends over as Jay hails a taxi)
Jay: Taxi! To the airport!
(the cab drives off. The scene dissolves to nighttime with Rainier still looking at his shoes)
Rainier Wolfcastle: On closer inspection, these are loafers. - Ned Flanders: Flanders to God, Flanders to God. Get off your cloud and rescue my Todd! [Dark clouds gather and a lightning bolt hits a tree saving todd from a raging river] Thanks God.
God: [gives the OK sign through the clouds] Okilly-dokilly.
External links
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