Simpsons Bible Stories
"Simpsons Bible Stories" | ||
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Couch gag The family run in and slip up on banana peels. | | |
Commentary | Matt Groening Mike Scully George Meyer Tom Martin Larry Doyle Matt Selman Nancy Kruse | |
"Simpsons Bible Stories" is the eighteenth episode of the
"Simpsons Bible Stories" was written by Matt Selman, Larry Doyle and Tim Long, and was the first episode Nancy Kruse directed for The Simpsons. While executive producer and former showrunner Mike Scully stated that the idea for the episode came after Fox requested an Easter-themed episode, co-writer Selman argued that it was conceived by former staff writers Dan Greaney and Donick Cary while they were pitching ideas for the tenth season. Because the episode mostly takes place outside Springfield, the animators had to design completely new sets. While the episode mostly features references to the Old Testament and Christianity, it also parodies children's television programs, American politicians and action films by Jerry Bruckheimer.
In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 12.2 million viewers, Following its broadcast, the episode received mixed reviews from critics, but won an
In 2007, the episode was released as part of The Simpsons - The Complete Tenth Season DVD box set, and a promotional poster for the episode was included in an exhibition in Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The episode's ending scene is one of series creator Matt Groening's favorite moments on The Simpsons. The episode has been credited with fostering a critical literacy towards religion and the Bible among its viewers.[3]
Plot
It is an unseasonably hot
Marge's dream
Lisa's dream
Homer's dream
Homer pictures himself as
Bart's dream
Epilogue
As the family wakes up, they find themselves alone in the church. Upon exiting they realize that the
Production
"Simpsons Bible Stories" was co-written by Matt Selman, Larry Doyle and Tim Long, and was the first episode Nancy Kruse directed for The Simpsons. It was first broadcast on the Fox network in the United States on April 4, 1999, the day Easter took place that year. According to executive producer and former showrunner Mike Scully, the idea for the episode was conceived when Fox requested an Easter-themed Simpsons episode that would air on the holiday. Normally, Fox would not broadcast any new Simpsons episodes on Easter, as it is considered a "low-ratings night", but "Simpsons Bible Stories" was an exception.[2] However, according to co-writer Selman, the idea for the episode came about when he and former staff writer Dan Greaney were pitching episode ideas for the tenth season with former staff writer Donick Cary. Cary and Greaney suggested a "Bible-trilogy" story, which then became "Simpsons Bible Stories".[4] "Simpsons Bible Stories" is the first of the trilogy episodes which, since the season 12 episode "Simpsons Tall Tales", The Simpsons produces once every season.[2]
The first segment was written by Long. According to former staff writer Tom Martin, Long wanted the pig in the garden of Eden to have a "Tony British" accent.[5] The pig was voiced by regular cast member Hank Azaria, who portrays Moe Szyslak among other characters in the series.[6] The unicorn that digs a hole from the garden of Eden was portrayed by Tress MacNeille.[4] The second segment was written by Doyle.[7] The episode's third segment was written by Selman. When writing segments for trilogy episodes, the writing staff usually follow the stories they are based on, while putting The Simpsons characters in the original characters' place. With "Simpsons Bible Stories"' third segment, Selman stated that he wanted to go a "fresh new way" by instead writing a sequel to the story of David and Goliath. According to Scully, Selman had a very clear vision of how he wanted the segment to be,[2] and Selman said that he wanted to make a "dog's breakfast" of movie clichés at the time.[4]
The song that plays during Bart's training montage is "Winner Takes It All" by American rock singer Sammy Hagar. Selman decided to include the song after hearing it in the 1987 action drama film Over the Top.[4] According to Doyle, the scene was originally much longer, almost seven minutes in length.[7] The song that plays during the episode's end credits is "Highway to Hell" by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. According to Scully, the staff could not use the song on The Simpsons at first, since AC/DC's record company refused to sell it. However, when Scully called the band's manager directly, it turned out he had not been told about the request. Scully said that when they asked if they could use "Highway to Hell", the band's manager "signed on right away" and gave the Simpsons staff a "huge discount."[2]
Because most of the episode takes place in ancient history, the animators had to create completely new sets and designs for the episode. In the DVD commentary for the episode, Kruse stated that she and staff animator Alex Ruiz had to re-draw a majority of the episode, as the faulty scenes were drawn by six trainees.[clarification needed] In order to receive an animator credit on The Simpsons, an animator has to draw ten scenes in an episode. Because the trainees did not draw ten scenes each, none of them were credited for their work on the episode. All the trainees were later hired to The Simpsons animation staff. Kruse stated that, while animating the episode, she was worried that the animation department would be offended by the episode's content, as many of the crew members were "very religious".[8] However, as animation ensued, she found that most of the animators were not uncomfortable with the episode, as it mostly parodies the Old Testament. The only complaint she received was from an animator who refused to animate Jesus in the court room scene in Homer's dream.[8]
In the DVD commentary for the episode, Scully stated that he regretted not submitting "Simpsons Bible Stories" for the
Cultural references
"Simpsons Bible Stories" contains several references to the Hebrew prophets, holy book, and the religion as a whole, as well as films based on the Bible.[4] Each segment is based on a biblical story, mostly from the Old Testament.[8] The first segment is based on the story of Adam and Eve, who, according to the Book of Genesis were the first man and woman created by God. Ned Flanders has the role of God, while the serpent that lures Marge into eating an apple from the forbidden tree resembles Snake Jailbird. The Garden of Eden was the place where Adam and Eve lived after they were created by God, according to the Book of Genesis.[10]
The second segment parodies Moses who, according to the
In Homer's dream, Homer has the role of
Release and reception
In its original American broadcast on April 4, 1999, "Simpsons Bible Stories" received a 7.4 Nielsen rating, translating to approximately 7.4 million viewers.[12] The rating is based on the number of household televisions that were tuned into the show, but Nielsen Media Research estimated that 12.2 million viewers watched the episode, a considerable drop from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 15.5 million viewers. David Bianculli of New York Daily News attributed the loss in viewership to the fact that the episode aired on a religious holiday.[13] Nevertheless, it was the week's second most watched program on the network.[12]
Later that year, the episode received an
On August 7, 2007, "Simpsons Bible Stories" was released as part of The Simpsons - The Complete Tenth Season DVD box set. Matt Groening, Mike Scully, George Meyer, Tom Martin, Larry Doyle, Matt Selman and Nancy Kruse participated in the DVD's audio commentary of the episode.[15]
Following its broadcast, "Simpsons Bible Stories" received mixed reviews from critics. Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood of I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide wrote that the episode is "A fantastic twist of the Treehouse of Horror style of storytelling," and added that each segment is a "classic on its own".[10] They wrote that Wiggum telling Moses and Lisa to give his regards to the British Museum as he seals them inside a tomb and Marge asking Bart if he is wearing clean underwear as they face the apocalypse were some of the episode's "best moments", and concluded by writing that the episode is "The Simpsons at its very best: inventive, irreverent and very, very funny."[10]
While DVD Town's James Plath wrote that the episode's premise was "risky", he still enjoyed the episode.[16]
Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz of The Star-Ledger described the episode as "hilarious", however they noted that the episode's "suggestion that Moses parted the Red Sea by having all the Israelites flush their toilets at once" could result in a backlash from the "religious right".[1]
On the other hand, giving the episode a negative review, DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson wrote that "Simpsons Bible Stories" "proves less successful [than most
Aaron Roxby of Collider described "Simpsons Bible Stories" as his least-favorite trilogy episode, and wrote "Considering that, in earlier seasons, the show had some of the most thoughtfully edgy religious humor on television, this one feels surprisingly toothless."[18] However, he gave praise to the talking pig in the Garden of Eden.[18]
At the end of the episode, the Simpsons walk out of the church and notice that the Apocalypse has begun. While the other family members are left on earth, Lisa at first starts ascending into Heaven, but Homer stops her by grabbing her leg and says "Where do you think you're going, missy?"[19] The gag was written by staff writer George Meyer, and is series creator Matt Groening's favorite joke of the series.[6] While the episode's ending is one of Groening's favorites, fans were uneasy with it. Selman stated that the ending "drives them [the fans] crazy", since they do not know whether or not the episode is canonical.[4]
In 2007, Homer's line "Oh, I smell barbeque!" was included in Bobby Bryant of The State's list "20 Essential Things I've Learned From Homer Simpson".
The same year, the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma, unveiled a new exhibit which galleried Biblical images in art and pop culture, including a promotional poster for "Simpsons Bible Stories".[20]
See also
Notes
- ^ Although the episode consists of four segments,[1] executive producer and former showrunner Mike Scully stated that it was the first official trilogy episode in its commentary.[2]
References
- Footnotes
- ^ a b Alan Sepinwall; Matt Zoller Seitz (April 6, 1999). "ALL TV - Relatively bland 'Raymond' ripoff a sitcom hardly anybody could love". The Star-Ledger. Richard Vezza. p. 39.
- ^ a b c d e f g Scully, Mike. (2007). Commentary for "Simpsons Bible Stories", in The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Myles, Robert (2015). "Biblical Literacy and the Simpsons". Rethinking Biblical Literacy. Retrieved April 7, 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Selman, Matt. (2007). Commentary for "Simpsons Bible Stories", in The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Martin, Tom. (2007). Commentary for "Simpsons Bible Stories", in The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ^ a b c Groening, Matt. (2007). Commentary for "Simpsons Bible Stories", in The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ^ a b Doyle, Larry. (2007). Commentary for "Simpsons Bible Stories", in The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ^ a b c Kruse, Nancy. (2007). Commentary for "Simpsons Bible Stories", in The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ^ "Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour Or Less) - 1999". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood. "Simpsons Bible Stories". BBC. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ Reinhartz 2003, p. 25
- ^ a b Bauder, David (April 7, 1999). "CBS wins week, thanks to Della Reese". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Mortimer Zuckerman. Associated Press. p. 9A.
- ^ Bianculli, David (April 6, 1999). "'Futurama's' untimely change Fox schedule shift a disservice to this popular show & its fans". New York Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. p. 94.
- ^ "'Iron Giant' towers at animation awards". The Dallas Morning News. James M. Moroney III. Associated Press. November 8, 1999. p. 23A.
- ^ "The Simpsons - The Complete 10th Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ Plath, James (August 17, 2007). "Simpsons, The: The Complete 10th Season (DVD)". DVD Town. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ a b c Jacobson, Colin (August 20, 2007). "The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season (1998)". DVD Movie Guide. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ a b Roxby, Aaron (September 7, 2007). "DVD Review – The Simpsons - Season 10". Collider. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ Long, Tim; Doyle, Larry; Selman, Matt; Kruse, Nancy (April 4, 1999). "Simpsons Bible Stories". The Simpsons. Season 10. Episode 18. Fox.
- ^ McKnight, Nathaniel (December 12, 2007). "A Bit of Artistic Perspective: Sherwin Miller's new exhibit points to Biblical images in art and pop culture". Urban Tulsa Weekly. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
- Bibliography
- ISBN 0-664-22359-1.