Mountain of Madness
"Mountain of Madness" | |
---|---|
Commentary | Matt Groening Josh Weinstein Dan Castellaneta Dave Thomas (as "Jim Denton") Mark Kirkland David Silverman[1] |
"Mountain of Madness" (originally titled "The Most Excellent Snowy Mountain Adventure") is the twelfth episode of the
"Mountain of Madness" was directed by Mark Kirkland and written by John Swartzwelder. Swartzwelder's script underwent many rewrites, during which the story was completely rewritten from scratch. Several new designs and backgrounds had to be created for the wilderness scenes. The episode received mostly positive reviews.
Plot
During a
Burns persuades Homer to cheat by using a
When the fuel is spent, the cabin comes to a halt just feet from hitting the ranger station, and Burns and Homer emerge cold and disheveled. Burns reminds everyone of the contest, so the workers rush inside. Lenny is fired after being the last person in the cabin. After, Burns realizes his workers have learned the value of teamwork and announces that no one will be fired after all. Lenny prepares to harangue Burns for firing him, but falls in a pit of snow. The workers and Homer's family celebrate their shared victory while Homer and Burns eye each other suspiciously.[2]
Production
The script for "Mountain of Madness" is credited to
The episode was directed by Mark Kirkland and a lot of new designs and backgrounds had to be created for the wilderness scenes.[5] The backgrounds were designed by animator Debbie Silver.[5] The design of the forest ranger was based on then-Vice President Al Gore.[3] In the episode, Marge watches an old film which includes a comment from naturalist John Muir. The impression of Muir was done by Dan Castellaneta, who originally based the voice on an impersonator he met at Yosemite National Park. However, the producers asked him to make the voice older and crazier.[6]
The episode makes references to the
Proposed ideas for the episode
The episode was going to have Principal Skinner, Bart, and Lisa as the main characters trapped in the cabin, Edna Krabappel was going to be the one who competes alone due to an odd number of participants, and Homer as the one helping Edna get to the cabin. However, Mr. Burns takes over Skinner's role, Homer takes over Bart and Lisa's role, Smithers takes over Edna's role, Bart and Lisa take over Homer's role, and Marge has the same role. This idea would later turn into the season 12 episode "Skinner's Sense of Snow".
The episode was originally going to begin in medias res on a giant snow-covered mountain where the workers find Mr. Burns and Homer, heard them calling for help, and discover that they are trapped under the snow. Smithers then tells the viewer, "Oh, hi! I know what you're thinking. You were wondering how Simpson and Mr. Burns got into this mess. I can tell you, but it'll have to be quick before those two are frozen to death." and quickly goes back to the beginning of the story. The whole episode is used as a flashback narrated by Smithers until he says, "And that is how Simpson and Mr. Burns both got stuck in the snow. I sure hope that they are okay!" After that, Burns gives up and accidentally ignites the cabin's propane tank. But those scenes and Smithers' narration are deleted from the final cut.
Reception
In its original broadcast, "Mountain of Madness" finished 26th in ratings for the week of January 27-February 2, 1997, with a
References
- ^ a b c Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian (2000). "Mountain of Madness". BBC. Retrieved May 2, 2007.
- OL 433519M.
- ^ a b c d Weinstein, Josh (2006). The Simpsons season 8 DVD commentary for the episode "Mountain of Madness" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Silverman, David (2006). The Simpsons season 8 DVD commentary for the episode "Mountain of Madness" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ a b c d Kirkland, Mark (2006). The Simpsons season 8 DVD commentary for the episode "Mountain of Madness" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Castellaneta, Dan (2006). The Simpsons season 8 DVD commentary for the episode "Mountain of Madness" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ "NBC Leads Nielsen Race". The Orlando Sentinel. February 12, 1997. p. A2.
- ^ Raynor, Tim (August 21, 2006). "Simpsons, The: The Complete 8th Season (DVD)". DVDTown.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
- ^ Jacobson, Colin (January 5, 2006). "The Simpsons: The Complete Eighth Season (1995)". DVD Movie Guide. Retrieved December 1, 2008.