That '90s Show (The Simpsons)

"That '90s Show"
The Simpsons episode
File:Sadgasm.jpg
Episode no.	Season 19
Directed by	Mark Kirkland
Written by	Matt Selman
Original air dates	January 27, 2008
Episode features
Couch gag	The family is sitting on the couch. The screen zooms out to show them as a painting in a museum.

"That 90's Show" is the eleventh episode of The Simpsons' nineteenth season. It was first broadcast on January 27, 2008. Kurt Loder makes his first guest appearance as himself, while "Weird Al" Yankovic appears for the second time on the show as himself. It was written by Matt Selman, and directed by Mark Kirkland. After Bart and Lisa discover Marge's diploma from Springfield University, Homer and Marge recount one of the darkest points in their relationship.

Plot

The Simpson family is freezing inside their home since Homer has not paid the heating bill. Bart and Lisa search through an empty box to make the fire hotter, and discover a diploma belonging to Marge from Springfield University. Homer and Marge look shocked to find it, and claim it was from their dating years. Lisa does some calculations and realizes that Bart must have been born later in their parent's relationship than they thought. Marge and Homer proceed to describe one of the darker points of their relationship, the 1990s.

In the flashback, Homer and Marge are happily dating, and are currently living in an apartment, Marge is an avid reader, and Homer is a part of an R&B group alongside Lenny, Carl, and "Lou the cop". One morning, Marge wakes up to find out she had been accepted into Springfield University, but is shocked to learn of the high cost of tuition. Homer, taking pity on Marge, decides to quit his dream of becoming a musician and instead decides to work at his dad's popular laser tag warehouse, where he is abused by the children. At Springfield University, Marge is impressed with her surroundings and with the rebellious professor Stefane August, despite Homer's disapproval.

The episode's second promotional image, featuring "Weird Al" Yankovic

In the present, the repair man arrives and fixes the heater, while Marge continues on with the story. Marge soon begins to admire August, and while caressing Homer after his long day at work, realizes she has feelings for her professor. Marge starts talking to Professor August who has also fallen for her. August begins manipulating Marge by telling her Homer is a simple "townie" who would not appreciate her intellect. A shocked Homer arrives and catches the two together. In his anger, he reforms his R&B group with a new sound called grunge. His band is renamed to "Sadgasm", and they sing a song called "Politically Incorrect". An angry Marge and Homer soon call their relationship quits, and Marge leaves to go with Professor August.

Homer goes to Moe, who at this point, owns a cigar bar. An angry Homer finds no help from Moe, and makes a new song which causes him to become so famous that "Weird Al" Yankovic parodies his song "Shave Me". Marge finds Homer's music unnerving. Marge and August share their first kiss. When running onto the beach, August reveals he and Marge share two very different views on marriage. After the two argue, Marge breaks up with him, breaking his heart. A miserable Marge watches television and is surprised to see Homer made a song dedicated to her, called "Margerine". A special news report with Kurt Loder interrupts, revealing Sadgasm had broken up and Homer is holed up in his mansion, miserable. Arriving there, Marge thinks Homer had been doing drugs and soon begins caring for him. It turns out the needles were insulin for his diabetes. The two soon re-unite. Marge reveals to Bart and Lisa that she learned "Homey is where the heart is".

Cultural references

• The title is a reference to That '70s Show.
• Per its setting, the episode makes several allusions to the 1990's including popular music, film, television and technology.
• The painting in the couch gag is a parody of René Magritte's famous painting The Treachery of Images, complete with a parodied inscription.
• When Homer tells the kids about the great things that happened in the '90s he mentions that it was the decade in which Futurama was made; Futurama shares the same creator as The Simpsons, Matt Groening.
• The scene where "Marvin Cobain" calls his cousin Kurt to tell him about the new sound he's "been looking for" is a direct parody of the scene in Back to the Future where "Marvin Berry" makes a similar call to his cousin Chuck.
• "Weird Al" Yankovic's parody of Sadgasm's "Shave Me" includes the lyric "Tony Danza, he's the boss...."
• "Shave Me" is a parody of "Rape Me" by Nirvana, and "Margerine" is a parody of "Glycerine" by Bush.

Reception

An estimated 7.58 million views tuned in to the episode. Richard Keller of TV squad enjoyed the references to the 90's but felt disappointed that the episode changed The Simpsons continuity. Robert Canning of IGN strongly disliked the episode, also feeling that the continuity change was not a good choice. He said, "What 'That '90s Show' did was neither cool nor interesting. Instead, it insulted lifelong Simpsons fans everywhere. With this episode, the writers chose to change the history of the Simpson family." He went on to say "[The] episode might be the most convincing evidence that the program has overstayed its welcome." He concluded by saying, "I can't ignore what I know. I can't pretend that everything I've watched happen...is just one big, fat lie" He gave the episode a 3/10.

External links

• "That 90's Show" at IMDb