Cracking the Production Code
Plato
that when ats-ers discuss The Simpsons, they usually refer to episodes
by that funny number that flashes by in small print for about seven
or eight milliseconds during the end credits, instead of simply by name
or description. Now that's fine for obsessed Simpsons fanatics who
have memorised the entire set of Fox's arcane production codes, but what
about mere occasional lurkers like me? Or, for that matter, anyone
who has a life?? How many people actually know the difference between
episodes CP30 and BH9210, or why the series started going downhill with
episode ABBABBAh0neym00n. Of course, it's easy to criticise ...and fun,
too!... but to be fair, I thought I should try to do something
constructive. So I've assembled this list of episodes that will, I hope,
help others in matching the names to the numbers.
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22 Short Films About Springfield (3F18): A cheesy clip show. Remember
this when you're complaining about season 12.
A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love (CABF18): Mr. Burns is smitten with Marge's
mother -- as is Abe Simpson.
A Milhouse Divided (4F04): When he wins the audition for "Radioactive
Boy" in the Fallout Man movie, Milhouse is torn between movie
stardom and actually doing something worthwhile with his life.
All Singing, All Dancing (5F24): Bart and Milhouse, along with their
good buddies Nelson and Ralph, form a pre-fabricated band like the
"Monkees" (only without talent or entertainment value). With a
setup like this, you just know there's gonna be a solid dose of
satire, and sure enough, they really sock it to... Mad Magazine!
(Those wacky Simpsons writers -- they don't care whose toes they
step on!!!)
Another Simpsons Clip Show (2F33): Homer really gets a bang out of his
new gun, but Marge doesn't like the way he's barrelling around
half-cocked and aims to take the children out of 'arms way.
Bart Gets Famous (1F11): A self-help guru holds up Bart as a model for
the whole town. Ay, caramba!
Bart of Darkness (1F22): Homer lays down the law and forces Bart to work
for a burlesque house.
Bart Sells His Soul (3F02): Mr. Burns chooses Bart to be his heir, but
will the Simpson reject his family for money?
Bart Star (5F03): Jealous of Lisa's anchorgirl position, Bart attempts
to steal the spotlight.
Bart the Genius (7G02): When Bart makes a deal with Martin to tutor him,
he ends up creating a monster.
Bart the Lover (8F16): When Bart falls for the minister's daughter, he
has to reform his wicked ways -- or at least pretend to.
Bart The Murderer (8F03): Egged on by Nelson, Bart shoots a bird, and --
sweet, sensitive, innocent little darling that is -- feels
duty-bound to raise its orphaned offspring.
Bart's Dog Gets An F (7F14): Bart uses Santa's Little Helper's name to
get a credit card, but his dog fails to make the grade when Bart
finds he can get a *good* dog instead.
Bart's Girlfriend (2F04): Bart becomes infatuated with the rebellious
but cute teen who moves in next door.
Behind the Laughter (BABF19): When the writers give up even PRETENDING
to try, Homer ends up pulling lame-o pranks for Springfield's
lowest low-brow (Monty Burns, of course!).
Black Widower (8F20): When Maude Flanders is killed (thanks to Homer's
usual bad luck and jerkassinine behaviour), wacky hijinks ensue!
Brother's Little Helper (AABF22): Lisa proves her maturity as the
neigbourhood's best babysitter, but can even she handle last
century's Dennis the Menace?
Brush with Greatness (7F18): Homer becomes errand boy to the rich and
famous when he drops in on Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, and Ron
Howard.
Burns, Baby Burns (4F05): Mr. Burns reveals a soft spot for Bobo, his
long-lost teddy bear. (DESPITE the fact that, if Burns was 128 in
episode THX1138, he was born before Teddy bears, named after Teddy
Roosevelt, even existed!!!)
Bye Bye Nerdie (CABF11): On summer vacation, Lisa sheds her bookworm
persona and wins some friends.
Dancin' Homer (7F05): Bart's Junior Spy camera catches a shot of Homer
shaking his booty with a stripper, and the photo spreads through
town like wildfire.
Days of Wine and D'oh'ses (BABF14): When, for some reason probably not
*completely* unrelated to the opening scene, Moe is unable to run
his business for a while, Homer steps in to save the day, if by
"save the day" you mean "screw things up but in an hilarious way".
Deep Space Homer (1F13): When Homer claims to have seen an
extraterrestrial, Mulder and Scully come to Springfield to
investigate the most bewildering X-file of all: that deep space
between Homer's ears.
Duffless (9F14): Barney decides he's had enough of being a tanked-up
loser, and goes on the wagon. (He's gonna hate himself in the
morning!)
Episode 23: Bart on the Road (3F17): Bart gets run over by Mr. Burns.
(Well, technically, by his car.)
Faith Off (BABF06): Reverend Lovejoy grows despondent as Marge proves a
hit playing "Listen Lady" to the community.
Grade School Confidential (4F09): A guilt-ridden Lisa confesses about
cheating on a test, but Skinner and Chalmers want her to keep
quiet so the school can qualify for financial aid.
Grift of the Magi (BABF07): Homer has to actually outsmart someone when
father and son carnies seize the Simpson home.
Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner? (AABF21): In "another crappy
cartoon cross-over", movie-critic Jay Sherman stays with the
Simpsons while in town for the local film festival.
Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder (BABF02): Marge is "bowled" over by charming
bowling instructor Jacques Brunswick.
Home Sweet Home-Diddily-Dum-Doodily (3F01): The story of Flanders's
traumatic(?) childhood.
Homer and Apu (1F10): Despite gouging his customers like a native, it
turns out that Apu is an illegal immigrant, and it's up to Homer
to help him pass his citizenship test.
Homer Goes to College (1F02): When Homer trains to be a Krusty stand-in,
he gets mistaken for the real thing...by some, er, Legitimate
Businessmen.
Homer Simpson in: "Kidney Trouble" (AABF04): When Bart's prank lands
Homer in the hospital, the writers discover they don't actually
have any ideas for this plot, and pad out the time with a clip
show.
Homer the Great (2F09): Homer goes from fat to worse so he can be put on
disability and work from home.
Homer vs. Dignity (CABF04): To win some respect, Homer decides to teach
a marriage course -- by spilling personal secrets about himself
and Marge.
Homerpalooza (3F21): The story of Homer's barbershop quartet, the
B-Sharps.
Homer's Enemy (4F19): The estate next-door (gee, and you never even
noticed it was there before!) is bought by Homer's arch-nemesis --
president George Bush. (*Former* president, not George W. (that's
season 14).)
Homer's Odyssey (7G03): After eating some Guatemalan insanity peppers,
Homer goes on a spiritual voyage of self-discovery to find his
soulmate (who of course is Marge (or is it??? (yes))).
Hungry, Hungry Homer (CABF09): Homer sues Captain McAllister for falsely
advertising "all you can eat".
Hurricane Neddy (4F07): When it turns out the Flanders is really a
well-preserved sexagenarian (and you thought he was so moral!),
Homer decides he needs to live it up and takes him on a whirlwind
adventure in Las Vegas.
I Love Lisa (9F13): Homer starts spending time with Lisa when he
discovers she has a knack for predicting football winners.
I Married Marge (8F10): When the van Houtens split up, Homer decides to
give Marge the wedding she never had.
Insane Clown Poppy (BABF17): Bart and Lisa attempt to reconcile Krusty
with his estranged father.
It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge (BABF18): Marge can't take the stress of
the Simpson family any more, leaving Homer to look after Maggie,
and Bart and Lisa to survive staying with Patty and Selma.
King of the Hill (5F16): Burns promotes company teamwork with a race up
the side of an avalanche-prone mountainside.
Krusty Gets Busted (7G12): Bart inadvertently sets the IRS on the trail
of Krusty's illegal off-shore account.
Lard of the Dance (5F20): Homer's goofy but team-spirited prancing wins
him a job as mascot for the Springfield Isotopes.
Lemon of Troy (2F22): Troy McClure marries Selma as a publicity stunt,
but the relationship turns sour.
Life on the Fast Lane (7G11): Homer bowls a perfect game, wins fame,
loses fame, and decides to spend more time with Maggie (thus
bringing her on-screen time as an actual character and not just a
background prop to a series total of nearly 18 minutes!)
Like Father, Like Clown (8F05): When Krusty discovers the daughter he
never knew, semi-hilarious hijinks ensue.
Lisa the Iconoclast (3F13): Lisa is the only one who refuses to accept a
mysterious archeological find as the skeleton of an angel (despite
the fact that angels don't die and don't have skeletons, sheesh).
Lisa the Tree Hugger (CABF01): Lisa becomes a vegetarian, just in time
to ruin Homer's BBB-Q (the extra B is for 'Bug off and quit
picking on my typos!!')
Lisa's Date with Detsiny (4F01): A psychic tells Lisa the story of her
future romance (just the one where she gets jerked around).
Lisa's Wedding (2F15): No description yet.
Lost Our Lisa (5F17): Lisa volunteers to protect a prominent local tree,
but when the tree is destroyed, the town thinks Lisa is gone, too.
And she is -- gone home, that is!
Marge Be Not Proud (3F07): Marge becomes a realtor, but she can't make a
sale until she lies to the Flanders about The Murder House.
Marge Gets a Job (9F05): When housekeeping loses some of its excitement,
Marge lets her hair down -- and becomes a cop.
Moaning Lisa (7G06): Lisa needs braces, or she'll grow up to have a
--gasp!-- hideous overbite!!...at the very time the Power Plant
loses their dental plan.
Mom and Pop Art (AABF15): Encouraged by Ringo Starr, Marge takes
painting classes and gets asked to paint a portrait of the
insufferable Mr. Burns.
Mountain of Madness (4F10): Homer sets out to scale the Murderhorn for
fitness and fortune.
Much Apu About Nothing (3F20): When Apu sells Homer some rancid ham,
Homer loses his lunch, and Apu loses his job.
Natural Born Kissers (5F18): When Milhouse starts spending all his time
making out with the new girl, Bart gets jealous. (Of all the time
he's spending with her, I mean, not of the actual kissing per se,
you know.)
New Kid on the Block (9F06): Lisa tries to make friends with a new girl,
but the kid turns out to be a totaly bully.
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (7F16): Bart ruins Lisa's Thanksgiving Day
centrepiece and runs away from home.
Pokey Mom (CABF05): Marge unconsciously shoplifts from the Kwik-E-Mart
and winds up in the slammer.
Principal Charming (7F15): Skinner and Krapabble use Bart as a
go-between in their secret romance.
Pygmoelian (BABF12): Homer tries to help Moe get a date, with felonious
results.
Radio Bart (8F11): When an unfair curfew is imposed upon the children of
Springfield, Bart leads them in revenge by broadcasting all the
adults' dirty little secrets.
Radioactive Man (2F17): Bart, Milhouse, and Martin all chip in to buy
the #1 issue of "Radioactive Man", but none trusts the others to
keep the valuable comic.
Rosebud (1F01): Citizen Homer embarks upon an ambitious race to win the
high public office of -- Sanitation Commissioner.
'Round Springfield (2F32): A rambling collection of extra-short stories
composed of jokes that didn't fit into previous shows.
Saddlesore Galactica (BABF09): Lisa gets a pony, and the expense forces
Homer to work at the Kwik-E-Mart, with hilarious consequences.
Separate Vocations (8F15): When the family needs extra money, Marge
takes a job a the Nuclear Plant -- and captures Mr. Burns's heart.
Simpson Safari (CABF13): Bart and Homer get lost in the woods on a
routine camping trip, leading to Homer's being mistaken for a
large, primitive, wild beast (yeah, like that's never happened
before).
Simpsons Roasting on a Open Fire (7G08): When Bart accidentally burns
down the Christmas tree, the family ends up defrauding the rest of
the town.
So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show (9F17): ...and it's all
downhill from here, folks.
Stark Raving Dad (7F24): Homer goes mad, goes to Florida, goes AWOL...
whatever -- it's that one where they run over the alligator, it
doesn't really make a lot of sense.
Summer of 4 Ft. 2 (3F22): Bart and Milhouse team up with Nelson and
Martin (yeah, sure, why not) and set out on a quest to get some
neat-o wigs.
Sunday, Cruddy Sunday (AABF08): Homer stops going to church and starts
his own religion (apparently having failed to study the fire
safety regulations on burnt offerings, especially the part about
torching your house while you're still inside).
Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baddasssss Song (1F18): Skinner turns out to
have been Armand Tamzarian all along (but you didn't hear it
from me).
Team Homer (3F10): Burns hires major-leaguers to win a ballgame, but
it's up to Homer to save the day when a series of unlikely
accidents manages to lay all the ringers low.
The Blunder Years (CABF21): Another cheesy clip show, featuring scenes
from the Mike Scully era.
The Brother From Another Series (4F14): Homer discovers he has a
long-lost half-brother (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger).
The Canine Mutiny (4F16): Santa's Little Helper is brainwashed into
becoming one of Burns's attack dogs.
The Day the Violence Died (3F16): Marge embarks on a campaign to
eliminate cartoon violence. (SNUH!)
The Great Money Caper (CABF03): The government recruits Homer to
retrieve a trillion-dollar bill from Mr. Burns, little realising
that Homer has trouble counting past ten.
The Homer They Fall (4F03): Homer fulfills his lifelong dream to be a
travelling freak, acting as the human cannonball. target.
The Mansion Family (BABF08): Mr. Burns discovers his long-lost son --
and wishes he hadn't. But then, you probably would too, if your
son was played by Rodney Dangerfield.
The Old Man and the Lisa (4F17): Lisa discovers a friend and idol in
fellow sax-player Bleeding Gums Murphy.
The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular! (3F31): A behind-the-scenes look
at the series, including the long-awaited revelation of which
state Springfield is really in!
The Springfield Connection (2F21): Bart and some kids and their parents
have to smuggle Springfield's precious lemon tree out of
Shelbyville.
The Telltale Head (7G07): Thanks to a tonic charged to the company,
Homer gains a fabulous head of hair, a fabulous promotion, and a
fabulous secretary.
The Trouble With Trillions (5F14): The Simpsons learn that pretending to
have money can't buy you happiness when Marge tries to join the
country club.
The Twisted World of Marge Simpson (4F08): Is Marge insane, or is the
Simpsons' latest houseguest trying to kill Marge and steal her
family? (Or, for that matter, is it all of the above??)
There's No Disgrace Like Home (7G04): Discovering after a mere decade
that Homer and Marge are unfit parents, social workers place the
Simpson kids in care of the Flanders.
They Saved Lisa's Brain (AABF18): Lisa fears that she's losing her mind,
thanks to the infamous "Simpson Gene". (Who the heck is Gene,
anyway? I thought his name was 'Roy'!?!)
This Little Wiggy (5F13): Ralph choo-choo-chooses Lisa after she gives
him a pity-valentine, but she just wants to bee friends.
Three Men and a Comic Book (7F21): When that guy, oh, you know, the guy
who sells comic books, what's his name? Aw, let's just him the
Comic Book Person -- when he suffers a heart attack (not from his
atrociously unhealthy eating habits, from seeing how TV writers
(mis)treat their loyal fans), Bart and Milhouse are the only
logical choice to run the store.
War Of The Simpsons (7F20): With Grandpa's help, Bart organises the
neighbourhood kids against Nelson.
Who Shot Mr. Burns? - Part II (2F20): Mr. Burns goes too far -- which is
par for the course, actually, but this episode everyone has a
gun...and someone's not afraid to use it...
Who Shot Mr. Burns? - Part I (2F16): Maggie Simpson. (Hmm, I thought it
was Waylon Smithers. (That would've made a lot more sense.))
Worst Episode Ever (CABF08): Pretty much any of them after Maxtone-
Graham took over. Or anything after season Three. Or after Tracy
Ullman. (Depending on whom you ask.)
You Only Move Twice (3F23): When Sideshow Bob comes after Bart yet
again, the Simpsons take up a new life in Terror Lake as the
McKimsons.
=========================================================================
- David "If I'm missing an episode or two, it's only because I got as
sick and tired of doing this as you did reading it (like anyone
actually read it to the end anyway)" Green
Brat
you didn't just copy>paste it ;-) )
Can't usenet groups get something like a welcome msg in which basic info
like the faq etc are listed? That would be a great feature.
Brat
Søren J. Løvborg
>you didn't just copy>paste it ;-) )
you could use the pcode search utility found on the great FlashSImpsons site
(www.geocities.com/flashsimpsons/episod1.htm). It happens to be my site,
btw... ;-)
>Can't usenet groups get something like a welcome msg in which basic info
>like the faq etc are listed? That would be a great feature.
Unfortunately, that is not supported by the UseNet standard (which hasn't
evolved in a loooooong time).
--
Søren J. Løvborg / FlashSimpsons
flashs...@yahoo.com
www.geocities.com/flashsimpsons
Katijaikat
You could open the "Episode Capsules" page, then the "Find In Page" box, and
type in the production code to search for it on the page.
Plato
>Wow, all that trouble while all you had to type was www.snpp.com
Eh, I can pretty much guarantee that you won't find an episode list
like this one anywhere else on the 'Net.
>(supposed you didn't just copy>paste it ;-) )
Nope. (Well, not most of it...!)
- David "maybe it was *too* subtle" Green