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Difference between revisions of "Season 21"

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{{EpisodePrevNext|Season 20|Season 22}}{{Template:Season
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{{PrevNext|Season 20|Season 22}}
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{{Season
 
|name = Season 21
 
|name = Season 21
−
|image = [[File:Mzl.ezgjmrvz.133x100-99.jpg|200px]]
+
|image = [[File:Season 21 iTunes logo.png|250px]]
−
|original run = September 27, 2009 - May 23, 2010
+
|original run = September 27, [[2009]] - May 23, [[2010]]
 
|episodes = 23
 
|episodes = 23
 +
|showrunners = [[Al Jean]]
 
|previous = [[Season 20|20]]
 
|previous = [[Season 20|20]]
 
|next = [[Season 22|22]]
 
|next = [[Season 22|22]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
'''Season 21''' of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' aired from September 27, 2009 to May 23, 2010. It was the first season to air entirely in high-definition.
+
'''Season 21''' is the twenty-first broadcast season of ''[[The Simpsons]]''. It originally ran on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] from September 27, [[2009]], with "[[Homer the Whopper]]", to May 23, [[2010]], with "[[Judge Me Tender]]". The season was mostly made up of [[production season MABF]] episodes, with eight [[rollover episodes]] from [[production season LABF]] also airing. [[Al Jean]] served as the [[List of showrunners|showrunner]] for the season.
  
−
With this season, ''The Simpsons'' established itself as the longest-running American primetime television series, replacing ''{{w|Gunsmoke}}'', which consisted of 20 seasons.
+
In 2009, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere of ''The Simpsons'', [[Fox]] announced a year-long celebration of the show titled "[[Best. 20 Years. Ever]]". It ran from January 14, [[2009]] to January 14, [[2010]] and it included the documentary ''[[The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!]]''.
  
−
In 2009, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere of ''The Simpsons'', [[Fox]] announced a year-long celebration of the show titled "[[Best. 20 Years. Ever]]". It run from January 14, 2009 to January 14, 2010 and it included the documentary ''[[The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!]]''.
+
== Awards ==
 +
{{Table|width=80%|
 +
{{THT|Award}}
 +
{{TH|Episode}}
 +
{{TH|Crew|width=50%}}
 +
{{TH|Result}}
 +
{{TBT|{{W|37th Annie Awards|37th Annie Award}} for {{W|Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production|Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production}}<ref name="Annie2009">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100815022604/http://annieawards.org/legacy37th.html The Annie Awards - "37th Annual Annie Nominations and Awards Recipients"] (archived on {{W|Wayback Machine}})</ref>}}
 +
{{TB|"[[Treehouse of Horror XX]]"}}
 +
{{TB|[[Daniel Chun]]}}
 +
{{TB|'''Won'''}}
 +
{{TRsT|{{W|63rd Writers Guild of America Awards|63rd Writers Guild of America Award}} for {{W|Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation|Television: Animation}}<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000710/2011/1/ IMDb - "Writers Guild of America, USA 2011 Awards"]</ref>|2}}
 +
{{TB|"[[Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou?]]"}}
 +
{{TB|[[Matt Selman]]}}
 +
{{TRs|Nominated|4}}
 +
{{TRsT|"[[Moe Letter Blues]]"|2}}
 +
{{TB|[[Stephanie Gillis]]}}
 +
{{TRsT|{{W|62nd Primetime Emmy Awards|62nd Primetime Emmy Award}} for {{W|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance|Outstanding Voice-Over Performance}}<ref>[https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2010/outstanding-voice-over-performance Television Academy - "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance - 2010"]</ref>|3}}
 +
{{TB|[[Hank Azaria]] ([[Moe]] and [[Apu]])}}
 +
{{TBT|"[[Thursdays with Abie]]"}}
 +
{{TB|[[Dan Castellaneta]] ([[Homer]] and [[Grampa Simpson]])}}
 +
{{TRsT|"[[Once Upon a Time in Springfield]]"|2}}
 +
{{TB|[[Anne Hathaway]] ([[Princess Penelope]])}}
 +
{{TB|'''Won'''}}
 +
{{TBT|{{W|62nd Primetime Emmy Awards|62nd Primetime Emmy Award}} for {{W|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program|Outstanding Animated Program}}<ref>[https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2010/outstanding-animated-program Television Academy - "Outstanding Animated Program - 2010"]</ref>}}
 +
{{TB|{{small|[[Matt Groening]], [[Al Jean]], [[Matt Selman]], [[John Frink]], [[Kevin Curran]], [[J. Stewart Burns]], [[Michael Price]], [[Marc Wilmore]], [[Joel H. Cohen]], [[Ron Hauge]], [[Rob LaZebnik]], [[Matt Warburton]], [[Jeff Westbrook]], [[Brian Kelley]], [[Tom Klein]], [[Mike B. Anderson]], [[Oscar Cervantes]], [[Davy Lauterbach]], [[Matthew Nastuk]], [[Stephanie Gillis]]}}}}
 +
{{TB|Nominated}}
 +
{{TBT|{{W|62nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|62nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award}} for {{W|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation|Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation}}<ref>[https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2010/outstanding-individual-achievement-in-animation Television Academy - "Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation - 2010"]</ref>}}
 +
{{TB|"[[Postcards from the Wedge]]"}}
 +
{{TB|[[Charles Ragins]]}}
 +
{{TB|'''Won'''}}
 +
{{TBT|{{W|38th Annie Awards|38th Annie Award}} for {{W|Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production|Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production}}<ref name="Annie2010">[https://web.archive.org/web/20111216232924/http://annieawards.org/legacy38th.html The Annie Awards - "38th Annual Annie Nominations"] (archived on {{W|Wayback Machine}})</ref>}}
 +
{{TB|"[[Stealing First Base]]"}}
 +
{{TB|[[John Frink]]}}
 +
{{TRs|Nominated|2}}
 +
{{TBT|{{W|38th Annie Awards|38th Annie Award}} for {{W|Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production|Best Animated Television Production}}<ref name="Annie2010">[https://web.archive.org/web/20111216232924/http://annieawards.org/legacy38th.html The Annie Awards - "38th Annual Annie Nominations"] (archived on {{W|Wayback Machine}})</ref>}}
 +
{{TB|"[[The Squirt and the Whale]]"}}
 +
{{TB|}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
== Episodes ==
 +
{{Table|
 +
{{TH|Picture}}
 +
{{TH|#}}
 +
{{TH|Title}}
 +
{{TH|Original airdate}}
 +
{{TH|Directed by}}
 +
{{TH|Written by}}
 +
{{TH|Prod. code}}
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Homer the Whopper promo.png|200px]]}}
 +
{{TB|442 - 1}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Homer the Whopper]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|September 27, 2009}}
 +
{{TB|[[Lance Kramer]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Seth Rogen]] and [[Evan Goldberg]]}}
 +
{{TB|LABF13}}
 +
{{TCsT|[[Comic Book Guy]] creates his own comic book, {{ap|Everyman|comic}}, which becomes a huge hit. {{ap|Everyman|film|A film}} based on the comic is produced, starring [[Homer]], but development has many problems, including Comic Book Guy getting shut out of his own creation.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Matt Groening]] as {{Ch|Matt Groening|himself}}, [[Kevin Michael Richardson]] as the [[Ginormous Pictures security guard]], and [[Seth Rogen]] as [[Lyle McCarthy]].|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Bart Gets a "Z".png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|443 - 2}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Bart Gets a "Z"]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|October 4, [[2009]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Mark Kirkland]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Matt Selman]]}}
 +
{{TB|LABF15}}
 +
{{TCsT|[[Bart]] gets [[Mrs. Krabappel]] drunk in an attempt to get her to loosen up, which leads to her getting fired by [[Principal Skinner]]. A cool new teacher, [[Zachary Vaughn]], takes over the class in her stead. While Edna opens [[Edna's Edibles|a muffin store]] and seems to enjoy her life, she still longs to remain a teacher.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Greatwifehopebanner.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|444 - 3}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[The Great Wife Hope]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|October 11, [[2009]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Matthew Faughnan]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Carolyn Omine]]}}
 +
{{TB|LABF16}}
 +
{{TCsT|When [[Marge]] protests a violent full contact sport, the promoter, [[Chett Englebrick]], offers her a compromise: If Marge wins in a fight against him, the competition will get shut down. Fearing for her safety, [[Homer]] brings in professionals to train Marge.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Chuck Liddell]] as {{Ch|Chuck Liddell|himself}}.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Treehouse of Horror XX poster.png|200px]]}}
 +
{{TB|445 - 4}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Treehouse of Horror XX]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|October 18, [[2009]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Mike B. Anderson]] and [[Matthew Schofield]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Daniel Chun]]}}
 +
{{TB|LABF14}}
 +
{{TCsT|In "Dial 'M' for Murder or Press # to Return to Main Menu," [[Lisa]] is forced into a murder scheme by [[Bart]]. In "Don't Have a Cow, Mankind," [[Springfield]] is once again overrun by [[zombies]] thanks to [[Krusty Burger]]'s latest burger. Finally, in "There's No Business Like Moe Business," a musical has [[Moe]] bleeding Homer dry to create the perfect microbrewed beer.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Charity Chicks.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|446 - 5}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[The Devil Wears Nada]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|November 15, 2009}}
 +
{{TB|[[Nancy Kruse]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Tim Long]]}}
 +
{{TB|LABF17}}
 +
{{TCsT|[[Marge]] poses for [[Charity Chicks|a calendar]] for charity, but she is soon the talk of the town after she reveals a little too much during her photo shoot. Meanwhile, [[Carl]] receives a promotion at the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant|Power Plant]]. He then promotes [[Homer]] to be his executive assistant and drives him up the wall with requests.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Pranks and Greens promo.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|447 - 6}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Pranks and Greens]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|November 22, 2009}}
 +
{{TB|[[Chuck Sheetz]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Jeff Westbrook]]}}
 +
{{TB|LABF18}}
 +
{{TCsT|[[Bart]] finds out about legendary prankster [[Andy Hamilton]] and tracks him down to learn his ways. The two of them become friends until Bart gets Andy a job working on ''{{Krusty show}}''. After a rough start, all seems to be going well until Bart thinks Andy is going to pull one of his pranks on [[Krusty]] himself.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Jonah Hill]] as [[Andy Hamilton]].|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Rednecks and Broomsticks.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|448 - 7}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Rednecks and Broomsticks]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|November 29, 2009}}
 +
{{TB|[[Bob Anderson]] and [[Rob Oliver]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Kevin Curran]]}}
 +
{{TB|LABF19}}
 +
{{TCsT|After stumbling upon some [[The Wiccans|teenage Wiccans]], [[Lisa]] accepts an invitation to join their coven. Just before Lisa is inducted, they are arrested on charges of witchcraft, and Lisa becomes the chief witness in the trial. Meanwhile, [[Homer]] starts to hang out with his new pal [[Cletus]] after discovering the slack-jawed yokel makes moonshine and becomes the local moonshine taste-tester.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Neve Campbell]] as [[Cassandra]].|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou? promo.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|449 - 8}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou?]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|December 13, 2009}}
 +
{{TB|[[Steven Dean Moore]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Matt Selman]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF01}}
 +
{{TCsT|When [[Lisa]] tells [[Bart]] he'll never have the special bond that she has with [[Maggie]] because he doesn't have any brothers, he tries to get [[Homer]] and [[Marge]] to make him a baby brother. But when that doesn't work, he goes to [[Springfield Orphanage|the orphanage]], where {{ap|Charlie|Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou?|a young boy}} follows him home.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Kim Cattrall]] as the [[dream Simpson sister]], [[Huell Howser]] as {{Ch|Huell Howser|himself}}, [[Cooper Manning]] as {{Ch|Cooper Manning|himself}}, [[Eli Manning]] as {{Ch|Eli Manning|himself}}, [[Peyton Manning]] as {{Ch|Peyton Manning|himself}}, [[Jordan Nagai]] as {{ap|Charlie|Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou?}}, and [[Smothers Brothers]] as {{Chs|Smothers Brothers|themselves}}.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Thursday with abie.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|450 - 9}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Thursdays with Abie]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|January 3, [[2010]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Michael Polcino]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Mitchell H. Glazer]] and [[Don Payne]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF02}}
 +
{{TCsT|A ''[[Springfield Shopper]]'' [[Marshall Goldman|reporter]] takes an interest in [[Grampa]]'s stories, making him front-page news, which makes [[Homer]] jealous until he discovers what the reporter has in store for the final column. Meanwhile, [[Lisa]] loses the [[Larry the Lamb|classroom stuffed lamb]] she is watching for [[Bart]] when it falls down a sewer drain.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Mitch Albom]] as {{Ch|Mitch Albom|himself}}.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Once Upon a Time in Springfield promo.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|451 - 10}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Once Upon a Time in Springfield]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|January 10, [[2010]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Matthew Nastuk]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Stephanie Gillis]]}}
 +
{{TB|LABF20}}
 +
{{TCsT|[[Krusty]] is forced to add a female co-star named [[Princess Penelope]] to his show in order to attract more female viewers. She immediately overshadows Krusty as the ratings improve. However, the two of them end up falling in love. Meanwhile, [[Homer]], [[Lenny]], and [[Carl]] consider working at [[Capital City Nuclear|a competing nuclear plant]] when [[Mr. Burns]] cuts off their daily donut service.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Anne Hathaway]] as [[Princess Penelope]], [[Eartha Kitt]] as {{Ch|Eartha Kitt|herself}}, [[Maurice LaMarche]] as the [[power plant guard supervisor]], [[Gary Larson]] as {{Ch|Gary Larson|himself}}, and [[Jackie Mason]] as [[Hyman Krustofsky]].|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Million Dollar Maybe promo 1.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|452 - 11}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Million Dollar Maybe]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|January 31, [[2010]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Chris Clements]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Bill Odenkirk]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF03}}
 +
{{TCsT|[[Homer]] skips a date with [[Marge]] so he can buy a lottery ticket. When he wins a million dollars, he fears Marge's reaction to having blown off the date for a chance at fortune, so he keeps his winnings a secret while showering the family with anonymous gifts. Meanwhile, [[Lisa]] helps to keep the senior citizens at the [[Springfield Retirement Castle]] stimulated and active with video games.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Chris Martin]] as {{Ch|Chris Martin|himself}}.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Boy Meets Curl promo 1.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|453 - 12}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Boy Meets Curl]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|February 14, 2010}}
 +
{{TB|[[Chuck Sheetz]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Rob LaZebnik]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF05}}
 +
{{TCsT|[[Homer]] and [[Marge]] take up [[curling]] with [[Agnes Skinner|Agnes]] and [[Seymour Skinner]]. Their curling team becomes good enough to represent the [[USA]] in the [[2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]]. Meanwhile, [[Lisa]] gets addicted to collecting Olympic pins.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Bob Costas]] as {{Ch|Bob Costas|himself}}.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:The Color Yellow promo 2.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|454 - 13}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[The Color Yellow]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|February 21, 2010}}
 +
{{TB|[[Raymond S. Persi]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Billy Kimball]] and [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF06}}
 +
{{TCsT|When researching her family tree for someone who isn't a total loser or criminal, [[Lisa]] finds the 1860 diary of [[Eliza Simpson]], a young girl who was in the Underground Railroad and tries to help a slave escape to [[Canada]], but a diary by one of [[Milhouse]]'s ancestors casts doubt on just what Eliza accomplishes.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Wren T. Brown]] as [[Virgil Simpson]].|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Postcards from the Wedge.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|455 - 14}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Postcards from the Wedge]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|March 14, 2010}}
 +
{{TB|[[Mark Kirkland]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Brian Kelley]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF04}}
 +
{{TCsT|When [[Bart]] is behind in his studies, [[Homer]] takes a hard line with him while [[Marge]] thinks he has too much work. When Bart manipulates this argument and turns it into a full-blown fight, the two of them decide to worry about themselves instead of Bart. Feeling neglected from the lack of attention, Bart starts up the [[Springfield Subway System|old subway system]], which was closed down due to causing too much damage.|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Stealing First Base promo 1.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|456 - 15}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Stealing First Base]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|March 21, 2010}}
 +
{{TB|[[Steven Dean Moore]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[John Frink]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF07}}
 +
{{TCsT|When [[Springfield Elementary]]'s two fourth grade classes have to share desks rather than pay for a substitute teacher, [[Bart]] falls for his new deskmate, [[Nikki McKenna]]. But after he kisses her, she starts sending him mixed signals and her parents get involved. Meanwhile, [[Lisa]] gets advice on how to handle being a female overachiever from [[Michelle Obama]].
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Angela Bassett]] as [[Michelle Obama]] and [[Sarah Silverman]] as [[Nikki McKenna]].|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed promo.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|457 - 16}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|March 28, 2010}}
 +
{{TB|[[Michael Polcino]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Kevin Curran]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF10}}
 +
{{TCsT|The [[Simpson family|Simpsons]] are invited by [[Ned Flanders]] to join him on the church retreat to [[Jerusalem]]. [[Homer]] is initially unappreciative of the history and culture of the city, but [[Jakob|their tour guide]] helps Homer become more appreciative and proves he is not beyond salvation.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Sacha Baron Cohen]] as [[Jakob]] and [[Yael Naim]] as [[Dorit]].|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:American History X-cellent.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|458 - 17}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[American History X-cellent]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|April 11, 2010}}
 +
{{TB|[[Bob Anderson]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Michael Price]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF08}}
 +
{{TCsT|[[Mr. Burns]] gets arrested and jailed for being in possession of stolen art. [[Smithers]] takes over in Burns' stead, but when the employees start taking advantage of his good nature, he comes down hard on them. The employees then decide to bust Burns from jail to overthrow Smithers' tyranny. Meanwhile, [[Bart]] and [[Lisa]] bond over [[Annie|one ant]] that survives an accident involving Lisa's ant farm.
 +
 
 +
'''Guest starring:''' [[Joe Mantegna]] as [[Fat Tony]] and [[Kevin Michael Richardson]] as the [[Michael Clarke Duncan-type]].|7|color=white}}
 +
 
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Chief of Hearts.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|459 - 18}}
 +
{{TB|'''"[[Chief of Hearts]]"'''}}
 +
{{TB|April 18, 2010}}
 +
{{TB|[[Chris Clements]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Carolyn Omine]] and [[William Wright]]}}
 +
{{TB|MABF09}}
 +
{{TCsT|During a session of community service [[Homer]] has to take, he befriends [[Chief Wiggum]]. The two of them grow closer until Wiggum gets injured during a botched bank robbery, where Homer abandons Wiggum to go to [[Moe's]]. Meanwhile, the children of [[Springfield Elementary]] become addicted to a game called [[Battle Ball]].
  
−
== Reception ==
+
'''Guest starring:''' [[Jane Kaczmarek]] as [[Judge Constance Harm]], [[Maurice LaMarche]] as [[cop 1]], and [[Joe Mantegna]] as [[Fat Tony]].|7|color=white}}
−
The season received mainly positive reviews from critics, with the most praised episodes being "[[The Squirt and the Whale]]", "[[To Surveil with Love]]" and "[[The Bob Next Door]]". Some episodes made the series receive many award nominations, winning two: an {{w|Emmy Award}} for [[Anne Hathaway]] for her voicing of [[Princess Penelope]] in "[[Once Upon a Time in Springfield]]" and an {{w|Annie Award}} for "[[Treehouse of Horror XX]]".
 
  
−
== Episodes ==
+
{{TBT|[[File:TheSquirtAndTheWhale.png|250px]]}}
−
{| class="wikitable"
+
{{TB|460 - 19}}
−
! style="background-color: #DEDDE2" width=15% | #
+
{{TB|'''"[[The Squirt and the Whale]]"'''}}
−
! style="background-color: #DEDDE2" width=25% | Original airdate
+
{{TB|April 25, 2010}}
−
! style="background-color: #DEDDE2" width=10% | Prod. Code
+
{{TB|[[Mark Kirkland]]}}
−
! style="background-color: #DEDDE2" | Title
+
{{TB|[[Matt Warburton]]}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TB|MABF14}}
−
| 1 - 2101 || September 27, 2009 || LABF13 || "[[Homer the Whopper]]"
+
{{TCsT|When a large storm hits [[Springfield]], [[Bluella|a whale]] washes up on the shore of the [[Springfield Beach]]. [[Lisa]], [[Homer]], and other residents of Springfield come together to try to save the whale.|7|color=white}}
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
 
−
| 2 - 2102 || October 4, 2009 || LABF15 || "[[Bart Gets a "Z"]]"
+
{{TBT|[[File:To Surveil with Love promo.png|250px]]}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TB|461 - 20}}
−
| 3 - 2103 || October 11, 2009 || LABF16 || "[[The Great Wife Hope]]"
+
{{TB|'''"[[To Surveil with Love]]"'''}}
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
{{TB|May 2, 2010}}
−
| 4 - 2104 || October 18, 2009 || LABF14 || "[[Treehouse of Horror XX]]"
+
{{TB|[[Lance Kramer]]}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TB|[[Michael Nobori]]}}
−
| 5 - 2105 || November 15, 2009 || LABF17 || "[[The Devil Wears Nada]]"
+
{{TB|MABF12}}
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
{{TCsT|[[Springfield]] gets new surveillance cameras installed all over town, monitored by [[Ned Flanders]]. Ned abuses his ability to speak through the cameras' speakers, irritating the townspeople, until everyone starts hanging out in a blind spot in the Simpsons' backyard. Meanwhile, [[Lisa]] dyes her hair brown after hearing too many "dumb blonde" jokes.
−
| 6 - 2106 || November 22, 2009 || LABF18 || "[[Pranks and Greens]]"
+
 
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
'''Guest starring:''' [[Eddie Izzard]] as [[Queen Elizabeth II]], [[Nigel Bakerbutcher]], and [[Prince Charles]].|7|color=white}}
−
| 7 - 2107 || November 29, 2009 || LABF19 || "[[Rednecks and Broomsticks]]"
+
 
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
{{TBT|[[File:Moeletterblues.png|250px]]}}
−
| 8 - 2108 || December 13, 2009 || MABF01 || "[[O Brother, Where Bart Thou?]]"
+
{{TB|462 - 21}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TB|'''"[[Moe Letter Blues]]"'''}}
−
| 9 - 2109 || January 3, 2010 || MABF03 || "[[Thursdays with Abie]]"
+
{{TB|May 9, 2010}}
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
{{TB|[[Matthew Nastuk]]}}
−
| 10 - 2110 || January 10, 2010 || LABF20 || "[[Once Upon a Time in Springfield]]"
+
{{TB|[[Stephanie Gillis]]}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TB|MABF13}}
−
| 11 - 2111 || January 31, 2010 || MABF03 || "[[Million Dollar Maybe]]"
+
{{TCsT|[[Homer]], [[Apu]], and [[Reverend Lovejoy]] take a day trip with their kids on [[Mother's Day]] so their wives can have a day to themselves, but the three of them receive a message from [[Moe]] saying that he's leaving Springfield... with one of their wives. The three of them try to work out which one of them Moe is referring to.
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
 
−
| 12 - 2112 || February 14, 2010 || MABF05 || "[[Boy Meets Curl]]"
+
'''Guest starring:''' [[Don Pardo]] as {{Ch|Don Pardo|himself}}.|7|color=white}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
 
−
| 13 - 2113 || February 21, 2010 || MABF06 || "[[The Color Yellow]]"
+
{{TBT|[[File:The Bob Next Door promo.png|250px]]}}
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
{{TB|463 - 22}}
−
| 14 - 2114 || March 14, 2010 || MABF04 || "[[Postcards From the Wedge]]"
+
{{TB|'''"[[The Bob Next Door]]"'''}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TB|May 16, 2010}}
−
| 15 - 2115 || March 21, 2010 || MABF07 || "[[Stealing First Base]]"
+
{{TB|[[Nancy Kruse]]}}
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
{{TB|[[John Frink]]}}
−
| 16 - 2116 || March 28, 2010 || MABF10 || "[[The Greatest Story Ever D’ohed]]"
+
{{TB|MABF11}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TCsT|[[Bart]] becomes convinced that his new neighbor, [[Walt Warren]], is his archenemy, [[Sideshow Bob]], disguised and back for revenge. But when [[Marge]] tries to convince Bart otherwise by taking him to [[Springfield Penitentiary]], they find that Bob is indeed still in prison—or so it seems.
−
| 17 - 2117 || April 11, 2010 || MABF08 || "[[American History X-cellent]]"
+
 
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
'''Guest starring:''' [[Kelsey Grammer]] as [[Sideshow Bob]].|7|color=white}}
−
| 18 - 2118 || April 18, 2010 || MABF09 || "[[Chief of Hearts]]"
+
 
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TBT|[[File:Judge Me Tender promo 4.png|250px]]}}
−
| 19 - 2119 || April 25, 2010 || MABF14 || "[[The Squirt and the Whale]]"
+
{{TB|464 - 23}}
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
{{TB|'''"[[Judge Me Tender]]"'''}}
−
| 20 - 2120 || May 2, 2010 || MABF12 || "[[To Surveil With Love]]"
+
{{TB|May 23, 2010}}
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
{{TB|[[Steven Dean Moore]]}}
−
| 21 - 2121 || May 9, 2010 || MABF13 || "[[Moe Letter Blues]]"
+
{{TB|[[Dan Greaney]] and [[Allen Glazier]]}}
−
|- style="background-color: #FFFFFF;" |
+
{{TB|MABF15}}
−
| 22 - 2122 || May 16, 2010 || MABF11 || "[[The Bob Next Door]]"
+
{{TCsT|When [[Moe]]'s roasts of [[Ugly Dog Contest|ugly dogs]] earn more laughs than [[Krusty]], people start coming to him to judge their contests. He then gets the attention of [[American Idol]], who wants him to become a judge on the show. However, not wanting Moe to follow down his path, {{Ch|Simon Cowell}} convinces Moe to change his ways.
−
|- style="background-color: #F2F2F2;" |
+
 
−
| 23 - 2123 || May 23, 2010 || MABF15 || "[[Judge Me Tender]]"
+
'''Guest starring:''' [[Simon Cowell]] as {{Ch|Simon Cowell|himself}}, [[Ellen DeGeneres]] as {{Ch|Ellen DeGeneres|herself}}, [[Kara DioGuardi]] as {{Ch|Kara DioGuardi|herself}}, [[Randy Jackson]] as {{Ch|Randy Jackson|himself}}, [[Rupert Murdoch]] as {{Ch|Rupert Murdoch|himself}}, and [[Ryan Seacrest]] as {{Ch|Ryan Seacrest|himself}}.|7|color=white}}
−
|}
+
}}
 +
 
 +
== Script covers ==
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:LABF14 Script.jpg
 +
File:LABF19 Script.jpg
 +
File:MABF03 Script.jpg
 +
File:MABF05 Script.jpg
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
== References ==
 +
{{Reflist}}
 +
 
 +
{{Seasons}}
  
−
{{Template:Seasons}}
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[[Category:Seasons|Season 21]]
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[[Category:Episodes]]
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[[Category:Season 21| ]]
−
[[Category:Media]]
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[[Category:Broadcast seasons|21]]
−
[[Category:Seasons|21]]
+
[[Category:2009]]
 +
[[Category:2010]]

Latest revision as of 13:58, June 9, 2025

← Season 20
Season 21
Season 22 →
Season 21
Season 21 iTunes logo.png
Season Information
No. of episodes: 23
Original run: September 27, 2009 - May 23, 2010
Showrunner(s): Al Jean
Previous season: Next season:
20 22

Season 21 is the twenty-first broadcast season of The Simpsons. It originally ran on Fox from September 27, 2009, with "Homer the Whopper", to May 23, 2010, with "Judge Me Tender". The season was mostly made up of production season MABF episodes, with eight rollover episodes from production season LABF also airing. Al Jean served as the showrunner for the season.

In 2009, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere of The Simpsons, Fox announced a year-long celebration of the show titled "Best. 20 Years. Ever". It ran from January 14, 2009 to January 14, 2010 and it included the documentary The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!.

Awards[edit]

Award Episode Crew Result
37th Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production[1] "Treehouse of Horror XX" Daniel Chun Won
63rd Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation[2] "Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou?" Matt Selman Nominated
"Moe Letter Blues" Stephanie Gillis
62nd Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance[3] Hank Azaria (Moe and Apu)
"Thursdays with Abie" Dan Castellaneta (Homer and Grampa Simpson)
"Once Upon a Time in Springfield" Anne Hathaway (Princess Penelope) Won
62nd Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program[4] Matt Groening, Al Jean, Matt Selman, John Frink, Kevin Curran, J. Stewart Burns, Michael Price, Marc Wilmore, Joel H. Cohen, Ron Hauge, Rob LaZebnik, Matt Warburton, Jeff Westbrook, Brian Kelley, Tom Klein, Mike B. Anderson, Oscar Cervantes, Davy Lauterbach, Matthew Nastuk, Stephanie Gillis Nominated
62nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation[5] "Postcards from the Wedge" Charles Ragins Won
38th Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production[6] "Stealing First Base" John Frink Nominated
38th Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production[6] "The Squirt and the Whale"

Episodes[edit]

Picture # Title Original airdate Directed by Written by Prod. code
Homer the Whopper promo.png 442 - 1 "Homer the Whopper" September 27, 2009 Lance Kramer Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg LABF13
Comic Book Guy creates his own comic book, Everyman, which becomes a huge hit. A film based on the comic is produced, starring Homer, but development has many problems, including Comic Book Guy getting shut out of his own creation.

Guest starring: Matt Groening as himself, Kevin Michael Richardson as the Ginormous Pictures security guard, and Seth Rogen as Lyle McCarthy.

Bart Gets a "Z".png 443 - 2 "Bart Gets a "Z"" October 4, 2009 Mark Kirkland Matt Selman LABF15
Bart gets Mrs. Krabappel drunk in an attempt to get her to loosen up, which leads to her getting fired by Principal Skinner. A cool new teacher, Zachary Vaughn, takes over the class in her stead. While Edna opens a muffin store and seems to enjoy her life, she still longs to remain a teacher.
Greatwifehopebanner.png 444 - 3 "The Great Wife Hope" October 11, 2009 Matthew Faughnan Carolyn Omine LABF16
When Marge protests a violent full contact sport, the promoter, Chett Englebrick, offers her a compromise: If Marge wins in a fight against him, the competition will get shut down. Fearing for her safety, Homer brings in professionals to train Marge.

Guest starring: Chuck Liddell as himself.

Treehouse of Horror XX poster.png 445 - 4 "Treehouse of Horror XX" October 18, 2009 Mike B. Anderson and Matthew Schofield Daniel Chun LABF14
In "Dial 'M' for Murder or Press # to Return to Main Menu," Lisa is forced into a murder scheme by Bart. In "Don't Have a Cow, Mankind," Springfield is once again overrun by zombies thanks to Krusty Burger's latest burger. Finally, in "There's No Business Like Moe Business," a musical has Moe bleeding Homer dry to create the perfect microbrewed beer.
Charity Chicks.png 446 - 5 "The Devil Wears Nada" November 15, 2009 Nancy Kruse Tim Long LABF17
Marge poses for a calendar for charity, but she is soon the talk of the town after she reveals a little too much during her photo shoot. Meanwhile, Carl receives a promotion at the Power Plant. He then promotes Homer to be his executive assistant and drives him up the wall with requests.
Pranks and Greens promo.png 447 - 6 "Pranks and Greens" November 22, 2009 Chuck Sheetz Jeff Westbrook LABF18
Bart finds out about legendary prankster Andy Hamilton and tracks him down to learn his ways. The two of them become friends until Bart gets Andy a job working on The Krusty the Clown Show. After a rough start, all seems to be going well until Bart thinks Andy is going to pull one of his pranks on Krusty himself.

Guest starring: Jonah Hill as Andy Hamilton.

Rednecks and Broomsticks.png 448 - 7 "Rednecks and Broomsticks" November 29, 2009 Bob Anderson and Rob Oliver Kevin Curran LABF19
After stumbling upon some teenage Wiccans, Lisa accepts an invitation to join their coven. Just before Lisa is inducted, they are arrested on charges of witchcraft, and Lisa becomes the chief witness in the trial. Meanwhile, Homer starts to hang out with his new pal Cletus after discovering the slack-jawed yokel makes moonshine and becomes the local moonshine taste-tester.

Guest starring: Neve Campbell as Cassandra.

Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou? promo.png 449 - 8 "Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou?" December 13, 2009 Steven Dean Moore Matt Selman MABF01
When Lisa tells Bart he'll never have the special bond that she has with Maggie because he doesn't have any brothers, he tries to get Homer and Marge to make him a baby brother. But when that doesn't work, he goes to the orphanage, where a young boy follows him home.

Guest starring: Kim Cattrall as the dream Simpson sister, Huell Howser as himself, Cooper Manning as himself, Eli Manning as himself, Peyton Manning as himself, Jordan Nagai as Charlie, and Smothers Brothers as themselves.

Thursday with abie.png 450 - 9 "Thursdays with Abie" January 3, 2010 Michael Polcino Mitchell H. Glazer and Don Payne MABF02
A Springfield Shopper reporter takes an interest in Grampa's stories, making him front-page news, which makes Homer jealous until he discovers what the reporter has in store for the final column. Meanwhile, Lisa loses the classroom stuffed lamb she is watching for Bart when it falls down a sewer drain.

Guest starring: Mitch Albom as himself.

Once Upon a Time in Springfield promo.png 451 - 10 "Once Upon a Time in Springfield" January 10, 2010 Matthew Nastuk Stephanie Gillis LABF20
Krusty is forced to add a female co-star named Princess Penelope to his show in order to attract more female viewers. She immediately overshadows Krusty as the ratings improve. However, the two of them end up falling in love. Meanwhile, Homer, Lenny, and Carl consider working at a competing nuclear plant when Mr. Burns cuts off their daily donut service.

Guest starring: Anne Hathaway as Princess Penelope, Eartha Kitt as herself, Maurice LaMarche as the power plant guard supervisor, Gary Larson as himself, and Jackie Mason as Hyman Krustofsky.

Million Dollar Maybe promo 1.png 452 - 11 "Million Dollar Maybe" January 31, 2010 Chris Clements Bill Odenkirk MABF03
Homer skips a date with Marge so he can buy a lottery ticket. When he wins a million dollars, he fears Marge's reaction to having blown off the date for a chance at fortune, so he keeps his winnings a secret while showering the family with anonymous gifts. Meanwhile, Lisa helps to keep the senior citizens at the Springfield Retirement Castle stimulated and active with video games.

Guest starring: Chris Martin as himself.

Boy Meets Curl promo 1.png 453 - 12 "Boy Meets Curl" February 14, 2010 Chuck Sheetz Rob LaZebnik MABF05
Homer and Marge take up curling with Agnes and Seymour Skinner. Their curling team becomes good enough to represent the USA in the Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, Lisa gets addicted to collecting Olympic pins.

Guest starring: Bob Costas as himself.

The Color Yellow promo 2.png 454 - 13 "The Color Yellow" February 21, 2010 Raymond S. Persi Billy Kimball and Ian Maxtone-Graham MABF06
When researching her family tree for someone who isn't a total loser or criminal, Lisa finds the 1860 diary of Eliza Simpson, a young girl who was in the Underground Railroad and tries to help a slave escape to Canada, but a diary by one of Milhouse's ancestors casts doubt on just what Eliza accomplishes.

Guest starring: Wren T. Brown as Virgil Simpson.

Postcards from the Wedge.png 455 - 14 "Postcards from the Wedge" March 14, 2010 Mark Kirkland Brian Kelley MABF04
When Bart is behind in his studies, Homer takes a hard line with him while Marge thinks he has too much work. When Bart manipulates this argument and turns it into a full-blown fight, the two of them decide to worry about themselves instead of Bart. Feeling neglected from the lack of attention, Bart starts up the old subway system, which was closed down due to causing too much damage.
Stealing First Base promo 1.png 456 - 15 "Stealing First Base" March 21, 2010 Steven Dean Moore John Frink MABF07
When Springfield Elementary's two fourth grade classes have to share desks rather than pay for a substitute teacher, Bart falls for his new deskmate, Nikki McKenna. But after he kisses her, she starts sending him mixed signals and her parents get involved. Meanwhile, Lisa gets advice on how to handle being a female overachiever from Michelle Obama.

Guest starring: Angela Bassett as Michelle Obama and Sarah Silverman as Nikki McKenna.

The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed promo.png 457 - 16 "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" March 28, 2010 Michael Polcino Kevin Curran MABF10
The Simpsons are invited by Ned Flanders to join him on the church retreat to Jerusalem. Homer is initially unappreciative of the history and culture of the city, but their tour guide helps Homer become more appreciative and proves he is not beyond salvation.

Guest starring: Sacha Baron Cohen as Jakob and Yael Naim as Dorit.

American History X-cellent.png 458 - 17 "American History X-cellent" April 11, 2010 Bob Anderson Michael Price MABF08
Mr. Burns gets arrested and jailed for being in possession of stolen art. Smithers takes over in Burns' stead, but when the employees start taking advantage of his good nature, he comes down hard on them. The employees then decide to bust Burns from jail to overthrow Smithers' tyranny. Meanwhile, Bart and Lisa bond over one ant that survives an accident involving Lisa's ant farm.

Guest starring: Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony and Kevin Michael Richardson as the Michael Clarke Duncan-type.

Chief of Hearts.png 459 - 18 "Chief of Hearts" April 18, 2010 Chris Clements Carolyn Omine and William Wright MABF09
During a session of community service Homer has to take, he befriends Chief Wiggum. The two of them grow closer until Wiggum gets injured during a botched bank robbery, where Homer abandons Wiggum to go to Moe's. Meanwhile, the children of Springfield Elementary become addicted to a game called Battle Ball.

Guest starring: Jane Kaczmarek as Judge Constance Harm, Maurice LaMarche as cop 1, and Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony.

TheSquirtAndTheWhale.png 460 - 19 "The Squirt and the Whale" April 25, 2010 Mark Kirkland Matt Warburton MABF14
When a large storm hits Springfield, a whale washes up on the shore of the Springfield Beach. Lisa, Homer, and other residents of Springfield come together to try to save the whale.
To Surveil with Love promo.png 461 - 20 "To Surveil with Love" May 2, 2010 Lance Kramer Michael Nobori MABF12
Springfield gets new surveillance cameras installed all over town, monitored by Ned Flanders. Ned abuses his ability to speak through the cameras' speakers, irritating the townspeople, until everyone starts hanging out in a blind spot in the Simpsons' backyard. Meanwhile, Lisa dyes her hair brown after hearing too many "dumb blonde" jokes.

Guest starring: Eddie Izzard as Queen Elizabeth II, Nigel Bakerbutcher, and Prince Charles.

Moeletterblues.png 462 - 21 "Moe Letter Blues" May 9, 2010 Matthew Nastuk Stephanie Gillis MABF13
Homer, Apu, and Reverend Lovejoy take a day trip with their kids on Mother's Day so their wives can have a day to themselves, but the three of them receive a message from Moe saying that he's leaving Springfield... with one of their wives. The three of them try to work out which one of them Moe is referring to.

Guest starring: Don Pardo as himself.

The Bob Next Door promo.png 463 - 22 "The Bob Next Door" May 16, 2010 Nancy Kruse John Frink MABF11
Bart becomes convinced that his new neighbor, Walt Warren, is his archenemy, Sideshow Bob, disguised and back for revenge. But when Marge tries to convince Bart otherwise by taking him to Springfield Penitentiary, they find that Bob is indeed still in prison—or so it seems.

Guest starring: Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob.

Judge Me Tender promo 4.png 464 - 23 "Judge Me Tender" May 23, 2010 Steven Dean Moore Dan Greaney and Allen Glazier MABF15
When Moe's roasts of ugly dogs earn more laughs than Krusty, people start coming to him to judge their contests. He then gets the attention of American Idol, who wants him to become a judge on the show. However, not wanting Moe to follow down his path, Simon Cowell convinces Moe to change his ways.

Guest starring: Simon Cowell as himself, Ellen DeGeneres as herself, Kara DioGuardi as herself, Randy Jackson as himself, Rupert Murdoch as himself, and Ryan Seacrest as himself.


Script covers[edit]

  • LABF14 Script.jpg
  • LABF19 Script.jpg
  • MABF03 Script.jpg
  • MABF05 Script.jpg

References[edit]

  1. ↑ The Annie Awards - "37th Annual Annie Nominations and Awards Recipients" (archived on Wayback Machine)
  2. ↑ IMDb - "Writers Guild of America, USA 2011 Awards"
  3. ↑ Television Academy - "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance - 2010"
  4. ↑ Television Academy - "Outstanding Animated Program - 2010"
  5. ↑ Television Academy - "Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation - 2010"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Annie Awards - "38th Annual Annie Nominations" (archived on Wayback Machine)


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