Don't Fear the Roofer
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"Don't Fear the Roofer" is the sixteenth episode of the sixteenth season of The Simpsons. The episode aired on May 1, 2005 in the US. Although it was advertised as the 350th episode, it is not the actual 350th episode (see The Heartbroke Kid and Future-Drama.)
Synopsis
There's a very bad thunderstorm in Springfield, which causes roofs across town to leak, particularly the Simpson family roof. Homer has an idea to solve the problem by using an old Hot Wheels track set, but the solution does not work. The family criticizes Homer for this, and he goes to Moe's, but when he is there, he ruins a surprise party for Lenny. As with what Homer did at home, the mob kicks Homer out, and now Homer is lonely until he sees a bar named Knockers (a spoof of Hooters), located on Route 98, and meets a new friend named Ray. Ray says he is a licensed and bonded roofer. They become strong friends.When he comes home, Marge takes the kids on some errands and wants Homer to work on the roof. His friend Ray returns; however, they spend time together doing very little work. They start shooting nails at each other, and Homer shot several nails onto his neighbor Ned Flanders' lawn mower. Ray disappears when Marge comes home, and Marge wants Homer to do the roof work on his own. The next day, he takes Bart to the Builder's Barn and sees Ray buy some shingles there, with Ray assuring Homer he will stop by soon to work on the roof. As Homer waits for Ray, Marge comes up to say that Ray does not exist and is therefore only a figment of Homer's imagination.
Marge puts Homer to see Dr. Hibbert in the Calmwood Mental Hospital (as seen in "Hurricane Neddy"), with Dr. Hibbert also saying that Ray does not exist. Homer is given electroshock therapy on Dr. Hibbert's advice, but he still goes crazy. Six weeks pass, and Ray (who does exist, at least in the universe of The Simpsons) actually visits the hospital to see Homer be released. Forcing himself to accept the fact that Ray doesn't exist, Homer hits him on the head with a chair, and Ray punches him down. This time, the entire family saw that he did in fact exist. Later, they found out that the bartender didn't see Ray because he was wearing an eye patch, and Ned was at an angle that was had hidden Ray from his view. Then, Stephen Hawking proceeded give a complicated explanation as to why Bart couldn't see Ray at the hardware store, even though he was extremely close to Homer and him. Homer and Ray soon become friends again, and they force Dr. Hibbert to fix the roof. At the end, Ray Magini actually plugs Everybody Loves Raymond, urging Simpsons viewers to "catch it when you still can" Monday nights at 9:00 p.m. EST on CBS.
Trivia
- The name "Ray Magini" is incidentally an anagram for "imaginary", a fact actually referenced in the show itself.
- This episode aired the same year that guest star Ray Romano's own television series Everybody Loves Raymond had its series finale which Ray mentions during a confusing argument.
- The episode title is a reference to the popular Blue Öyster Cult song "Don't Fear the Reaper." Interestingly, that song was the song played over the end credits to the episode "The Parent Rap."
- The song that plays from the jukebox is "Do That To Me One More Time" by Captain & Tennille.
Goofs
- Bart was on the other side of Homer, not Ray.
- Unless Ray's equipment is of supreme antiquity, his nail guns would have a safety feature preventing them from firing unless pressed against something. The safety can be removed, but he would probably lose his roofing contractor's license.
Plot hole
Though Ned Flanders, the bartender at Knockers, and Stephen Hawking all had plausible explanations for no one else besides Homer seeing Ray, why couldn't they hear him speaking? How did the bartender not know if he gave him the beer and the nachos?Quotes
- Dr. Hibbert: Do you see anyone here that isn't here?
Homer: Nope. Just you, Marge, and Yogi Bear. Kidding!
Dr. Hibbert: Well, I see your sense of humor isn't affected. (grin) That's a very bad sign. (continues electro-shocking Homer) - Homer: What's Stephen Hawking doing here?
Stephen Hawking: I live here now. You are looking at the new owner of the Little Caesar's down the street. Pizza, pizza. Pizza, pizza. Pizza, pizza. Pizza, pizza. Pizza, pizza. Sorry, that button sticks. - Homer: Ray will come, and when he does, we'll have ever so much fun!
- Sign at "Knockers": "No staring at our waitress' enormous breasts."
- Bart: Hey dad, remember when you told me that if I used the chainsaw unsupervised I'd hurt myself? Well, you were wrong. I hurt someone else. (points to the Squeaky Voiced Teen, pinned down by a chandelier)
Puberty Guy: I have 45 minutes to get ready for the prom! - Marge: First, we're taking the dog to the V-E-T. (Santa's Little Helper goes "huh?") And then, we're taking Bart to be C-I-R-C-U-M-C-I-S-E-D.
Bart: Huh?
Marge: I'll tell you what it means when it's over. - Ray: No one calls me a monster and questions my existence!
- The following lengthy exchange was used in the first run of the episode only. In reruns and syndication, it cuts off after Ray's second line or maybe because Everybody Loves Raymond is cancelled already. and so they replace it with regular music:
Ray: So as I was saying, Homer, Mondays, 9 o'clock, CBS? They say everybody loves that guy, but I don't get it.
Homer: What are you talking about?
Ray: Hey, I'm just saying, catch it while you still can.
Homer: What time is this show on?
Ray: It's Monday, 9 o'clock, CBS.
Homer: And what's the network?
Ray: CBS.
Homer: At what time?
Ray: 9:00.
Homer: And if I wanna watch it, what day?
Ray: Monday. Monday, 9:00.
Homer: And this is on the radio?
Ray: No, it's television. Mondays at 9. On CBS.
Homer: And if I wanna see it, what time should I watch it?
Ray: 9:00.
Homer: On what channel?
Ray: CBS.
Homer: What day?
Ray: Monday.
Homer: On the radio?
Ray: Television.
Homer: Turn the television to what channel?
Ray: CBS.
Homer: At what time?
Ray: 9:00 on Monday.
Homer: Now if I wanted to see it on a certain day, what would be the best day to see it?
Ray: It's only on on Monday.
Homer: And what time would be a good time to...
Ray: 9:00. It's from 9 to 9:30.
Homer: So if I turn my radio on at 9:00...
Ray: Not the radio, television.
Homer: So it's: Mondays at 9, on NBC...
Ray: CBS.
Homer: CBS...
Ray: 9:00.
Homer: On the radio...
Ray: Television.
Homer: Television, at 3:00. - Ray: I'm Ray, Ray Magini.
…
Homer: Ray, how can I save my marriage?
Ray: Beats me, I'm no marriage counselor. Just a licensed and bonded roofer.
Homer: Hmm… (has a thought bubble in which "Ray + Damaged Roof = Marge kissing Homer") Ray, can you fix my roof?
Ray: Sure, as long as you help me finish off this pitcher of beer.
Homer: Hmm. (has another thought bubble in which "Homer + Beer = Car wreck") Wait, did I add that right? ("Homer + Beer =...President Homer"!)
President Homer: And as my first act as President... (slam dunks)
External links
[One-Minute episode guide] from One Minute Info
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