What an Idiot!/Western Animation/The Simpsons (animation): Difference between revisions

* In "Missionary: Impossible," when Homer goes overseas to engage in a missionary trip, Bart has taken over the position of "man of the house" and takes over his father's job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. Mr. Burns storms into Homer's workstation to reprimand him for years of poor performance.<br />'''You'd Expect:''' Mr. Burns – even with his advanced age and declined mental acuity – to recognize that whom he is about to scold is not Homer, given that Burns and Bart have encountered each other numerous times.<br />'''Instead:''' Mr. Burns yells at "Homer" anyway, even as Bart tries to explain that he is not Homer.

* In "Cape Feare," Sideshow Bob, serving a prison sentence for armed robbery, is up for parole. '''Quick background''': Three years earlier, a gunman, dressed as Krusty the Clown, robs the Kwik-E-Mart. Krusty is identified as the suspect, is arrested, a motive of having to pay gambling debts established, tried and convicted. Sideshow Bob takes over Krusty's afternoon program and turns it into an educational program the kids can't relate to; Bart, convinced that Krusty is innocent, sets out to prove his idol's innocence and with help from Lisa eventually -- using clues they had been given earlier in the show -- exposes Bob as the culprit. Bob admits that he, while dressed as Krusty, robbed the Kwik-E-Mart, this in response to years of frustration of being a comic foil for slapstick. Since going to prison, Bob (a fan of high culture, the arts and any non-pop culture form of entertainment) has vowed bloody revenge on Bart.<br />'''You'd Expect:''' With numerous witnesses having testified against him and overwhelming evidence that he sent threatening letters to Bart (including several written in his own blood), the parole board to quickly and decisively deny Bob parole.<br />'''Instead:''' Bob is paroled.<br />Later in the episode, the Simpsons have been placed in the Witness Protection Program. Still, Bob is able to stalk the family and eventually tracks down Bart on the Simpsons' boat and corners him.<br />'''You'd Expect:''' For Bob to just simply kill Bart and complete his revenge.<br />'''Instead:''' Bob arrogantly asks Bart if he has any last requests, giving Bart the opening he needs. Bart requests that Bob sing to him the ''entire score'' of the "H.M.S. Pinafore". Bob complies ... and the score is long enough to give the pilotless, drifting houseboat to run aground, knock Bob of the boat and stun him long enough for the authorities to arrest him.

* Early in the series' run, a popular recurring gag was "Prank Calls to Moe," where Bart would call Moe's Tavern and ask the hapless Moe for someone that, when yelled out, was a double entendré.<br />'''You'd Expect:''' Moe to quickly if not immediately catch on – since he knows Bart and thus recognizes his voice – and have the police arrest him.<br />'''Instead:''' 1. Moe never seems to realize that it is Bart who is calling. 2. Moe falls for the joke every time (e.g., "Do I have a B.O. Problem?"). Once someone responds or the bar laughs uproariously, Moe – rather than ending the call and immediately calling the cops – threatens the culprit with severe harm.<br />'''But''': Several times, Moe did let on that he knew what he was dealing with. In "New Kid on the Block," an angry Moe came to the Simpsons house looking for Bart, but instead Bart tells him that Jimbo had placed the calls. Moe threatens Jimbo, who begs for mercy. (Moe shows some).<br />'''And Once''': Bart calls Moe's when Homer is substitute bartending. '''So Now You'd Expect''' Homer to play along with the joke.<br />'''Instead''': Homer totally screws things up, not knowing what he's supposed to do. (Although one interpretation is that Homer was cleverly thwarting Bart through his playing dumb.<br />'''It should also be noted''': In "Flaming Moe's" (during the gag's heyday), Bart asked to speak to a Hugh Jass (huge ass) ... unknowing that there was actually a man named Hugh Jass at the bar. Bart is speechless and admits he was making a crank call.<br />'''So you'd expect''': Mr. Jass to angrily warn Bart that his prank is not funny and that if he is ever called again or is aware of him engaging in such activity in the future, he will have him arrested.<br />'''Instead''': Mr. Jass was humored. "All right. Better luck next time. [hangs up] What a nice young man."<br />'''Lately''': The joke has re-surfaced in several episodes, and has expanded to text messaging and other forms of instant communication. Again, Moe – and anyone else who is a victim of Bart's prank – fail to catch on or properly report the call, text, etc., to the authorites.

* "Hurricane Neddy" saw Ned's character and faith in God tested when his house is destroyed in a hurricane. The townspeople rally behind the Flanders family and rebuild his house, but their workmanship -- in the understatement of the year -- leaves something to be desired. When the poorly constructed house falls apart, Ned's inner frustration finally reaches its boiling point, going on a tirade and calling everyone out on what he perceives as their shortcomings. Everyone responds with disgust and/or are upset ... until we get to Homer, whom Ned calls "the worst person I have ever met!"<br />'''You'd Expect:''' Homer to be deeply saddened that his friend told him such a thing, or maybe start a violent-tempered argument, especially given that Homer sees many flaws in Ned and has openly discussed his disdain for him in the past.<br />'''Instead:''' (relieved) "Gee, I got off easy!"

[[Category:What an Idiot]]

[[Category:The Simpsons]]