Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)
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"Some Enchanted Evening" was the thirteenth non short Simpsons episode released on television. The episode dealt with Bart, Lisa, and Maggie being taken care of by a notorious "Babysitter Bandit".
Synopsis
Marge is fed up with Homer's thoughtlessness and explains her predicament on Dr. Marvin Monroe's radio call-in show. Monroe urges Marge to confront Homer about her feelings. Homer, who has heard the call on a radio at work, feels bad and – after a stop at Moe's Tavern for advice – brings home a single rose. Marge's mood immediately softens, and a remorseful Homer decides to treat Marge to a night on the town: dinner at a fancy restaurant, dancing, and staying at a hotel room.
Marge attempts to hire a babysitter through the local babysitting service, but is rejected (because of her children's previous antics with babysitters). Homer calls later and – after identifying himself as "Homer Sampson" – is able to get a babysitter.
Later, Ms. Botz – an imposing-looking woman with an intimidating demeanor – arrives to take the job. On Marge's advice, Ms. Botz has Bart and Lisa watch "The Happy Little Elves Meet the Curious Bear Cub." However, it isn't long before Ms. Botz leaves the room, and Bart – having grown bored with the Happy Little Elves – switches to something more to his liking.
Bart tunes into a station airing "America's Most Armed and Dangerous," which is doing a profile of a wanted burglar nicknamed "The Babysitter Bandit." The announcer also warns that the suspect, named Lucille Botzkowski, could be "using a clever alias." A profile of the suspect confirms Bart and Lisa's suspicions: Ms. Botz is "The Babysitter Bandit."
As if on cue, "Ms. Botz" enters the room. Bart and Lisa try to hide, but she easily finds them, ties them up and makes them watch "The Happy Little Elves" tape as Ms. Botz goes about her work uninterrupted. Maggie eventually wakes up and goes downstairs, to discover that her siblings are a little tied up watching TV. Eventually, Maggie frees Bart and Lisa, and they are able to hit her with a baseball bat.
After tying up Ms. Botz, the kids – finding all their telephones disabled – go to a nearby pay telephone and alert the authorities (via the "America's Most Armed and Dangerous" tipline). Meanwhile, Marge decides to try to call home to check up on things at home, but get no answer. Worried, she and Homer decide to go home ... only to find Ms. Botz bound and gagged.
Homer, thinking his children have gotten the best of another babysitter and unaware of her true identity, frees her and pays her handsomely. Ms. Botz makes a clean getaway, just seconds before the Springfield police arrive to arrest her. Homer begins to scold Bart for his behavior toward Ms. Botz, but immediately finds a reporter's microphone shoved in his face, telling him he just freed a wanted criminal. Homer is dubbed the "local boob."
Trivia
Chalkboard Scene: Bart writes I will not yell "Fire" in a crowded classroom.
Signature Couch Scene: They all sit down on the couch like a normal family.
- Dr Marvin Monroe's Therapy Hotline number is 555-PAIN.
- When Dr. Marvin Monroe says "I'm as sure as my voice is annoying.", this is referencing how difficult and annoying it was for Harry Shearer to provide Monroe's voice.
- Bart Prank calls Moe and asks for Al , last name Coholic. Moe's response: Listen here you yellow-bellied rat jackass. If I ever find out who you are I'll kill ya!
- Bart prank calls Moe again and asks for Oliver Klozoff. Moe does not respond because the scene cuts to Homer and Marge making plans for the evening but as Marge picks up the phone she hears Moe saying: Listen you lousy bum, if I ever get ahold of you I swear I'll cut your belly open. Marge thinks its a crossed wire.
- The name of the baby sitting service Marge calls is : Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper Baby-sitting Service.
- Chilly is the elf who cannot love.
- The number for America's Most Armed and Dangerous is 1-800-U-SQUEAL
- The name of the band at the restaurant is The Larry Davis Experience.
- The real name of the Baby-sitter Bandit is Miss Lucille Botzkowski.
- This episode was the first Simpsons episode produced, but its air date was delayed when Matt Groening called for the episode to be re-drawn due to poor animation.
- This episode is also known for its notoriously crude animation.
References
- The chalkboard gag sentence is a reference to the old "don't yell fire in a crowded theater" rule.
- "America's Most Wanted" - The "America's Most Armed and Dangerous" show is a parody of the FOX network show. The host of the parody is a John Walsh-soundalike.
- The Happy Little Elves - These elf-like creatures are similar to other fantasy folk-type cartoon characters, most notably The Smurfs and The Care Bears.
- "Jaws" - The ominous-sounding music as Ms. Botz approaches Bart and Lisa is similar to the music that plays when the bloodthirsty shark is about to attack in the movie.
- "Patricia" - Homer hums the song, made famous by Cuban bandleader Perez Prado.
- "Some Enchanted Evening" - The episode title is taken from the title of a song from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific."
- A dirty limerick - When Homer calls the babysitting service he gives them a fake name of Samson, reiterating it with the line "No, I said Sampson, not Simpson." This is a reversal of the [poem], which ends with "My name is Simpson, not Samson."
External links
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