Difference between revisions of "Clown in the Dumps"
Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
(→Plot) |
m (→Synopsis: replaced: {{Desc| → {{Synopsis|) |
||
| (47 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown) | |||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{EpisodePrevNext|The Yellow Badge of Cowardge|The Wreck of the Relationship}} | {{EpisodePrevNext|The Yellow Badge of Cowardge|The Wreck of the Relationship}} | ||
{{Episode | {{Episode | ||
| − | |image= Clown in the Dumps promo 2. | + | |image= Clown in the Dumps promo 2.png |
| − | | | + | |number= 553 |
| − | | | + | |season=26 |
| − | | | + | |snumber=1 |
| − | | | + | |prodcode= [[Production season SABF|SABF20]] |
| − | |titlescreen= | + | |airdate= September 28, [[2014]] |
| − | |billboard= | + | |blackboard= Spoiler Alert: Unfortunately, My Dad Doesn't Die |
| − | | | + | |couchgag=[[Don Hertzfeldt couch gag]] |
| − | | | + | |titlescreen= [[Ned Flanders]], as an angel, flies across the screen. |
| − | | | + | |billboard=Send Me Your Lunch Money Online! – Accepting Bitcoin |
| − | | | + | |guests= [[Kelsey Grammer]] as [[Sideshow Bob]]<br>[[Don Hertzfeldt]] as Futuristic "Sampsans" Creatures<br>[[David Hyde Pierce]] as {{Ch|David Hyde Pierce|himself}}<br>[[Jackie Mason]] as [[Rabbi Krustofsky]]<br>[[Jeff Ross]] as {{Ch|Jeff Ross|himself}}<br>[[Sarah Silverman]] as {{Ch|Sarah Silverman|herself}} |
| − | + | |showrunner1= Al Jean | |
| + | |writer= [[Joel H. Cohen]] | ||
| + | |director= [[Steven Dean Moore]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | "'''Clown in the Dumps'''" is the first episode of [[season 26]]. It | + | "'''Clown in the Dumps'''" is the first episode of [[Season 26|broadcast season 26]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the five hundred fifty-third episode overall. It originally aired on September 28, [[2014]]. The episode was written by [[Joel H. Cohen]] and directed by [[Steven Dean Moore]]. It guest stars [[Kelsey Grammer]] as [[Sideshow Bob]], [[Don Hertzfeldt]] as Futuristic "Sampsans" Creatures, [[David Hyde Pierce]] as {{Ch|David Hyde Pierce|himself}}, [[Jackie Mason]] as [[Rabbi Krustofsky]], [[Jeff Ross]] as {{Ch|Jeff Ross|himself}}, and [[Sarah Silverman]] as {{Ch|Sarah Silverman|herself}}. |
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Synopsis|When [[Hyman Krustofsky]] dies during a comedy cable channel's [[Roast of Krusty the Clown|roast of his son]], [[Krusty]], Krusty decides to retire from comedy. Meanwhile, [[Lisa]] becomes worried about Homer's deteriorating health.}} |
== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
| − | [[Krusty the Clown]] appears on a comedy roast, which offends him. He seeks the advice of his father, [[Rabbi | + | [[Krusty the Clown]] appears on a comedy roast, which offends him. He seeks the advice of his father, [[Rabbi Krustofsky]], on whether he is funny, but the Rabbi does not agree with him, and suddenly dies. Believing that nobody finds him funny any more, Krusty quits his show. |
| − | Bart attempts to reinspire Krusty by showing him old episodes of the show, but he picks up on the repetitive nature of his own jokes, and binge drinks in anger. He passes out and has a vision of himself in Jewish Heaven, where he meets [[Rodney Dangerfield]]. Rabbi | + | Bart attempts to reinspire Krusty by showing him old episodes of the show, but he picks up on the repetitive nature of his own jokes, and binge drinks in anger. He passes out and has a vision of himself in Jewish Heaven, where he meets [[Rodney Dangerfield]]. Rabbi Krustofsky then appears and tells Krusty that Jews do not believe in Heaven, and thus he should do more to help others. An act of kindness does not seem to make him happier, but Bart takes Krusty to the synagogue, where Rabbi Krustofsky's favorite Rabbi recites Krusty's jokes on religion. Krusty therefore deduces that his father did find him funny, and sees him again in Jewish Heaven, where [[Jesus]] turns Dangerfield's water into a Bloody Mary. |
| − | + | The death of Krusty's father causes [[Lisa]] to become obsessed with protecting her own father, [[Homer]], from getting hurt. She wraps him in bubble wrap, which ends up saving his life when [[Otto]]'s school bus plows into the garden. | |
== Production == | == Production == | ||
| − | This episode was dedicated in memory of Louis Castellaneta, the father of [[Dan Castellaneta]], who died in August 2014, aged 99.<ref>[http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/people/29398287-421/father-of-homer-simpson-voice-actor-dead-at-99.html#.VCkynfmSx8E Father of | + | This episode was dedicated in memory of [[Louis Castellaneta]], the father of [[Dan Castellaneta]], who died in August 2014, aged 99.<ref>[http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/people/29398287-421/father-of-homer-simpson-voice-actor-dead-at-99.html#.VCkynfmSx8E Father of 'Homer Simpson' voice actor dead at 99 - Chicago Sun-Times]</ref> |
=== Character death === | === Character death === | ||
| − | A major character who regularly teamed up with Bart was said to die in this episode.<ref>[http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/21/and-the-next-simpsons-character-to-be-killed-off-is-4804957/ Metro - "And the next Simpsons character to be killed off | + | A major character who regularly teamed up with Bart was said to die in this episode.<ref>[http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/21/and-the-next-simpsons-character-to-be-killed-off-is-4804957/ Metro - "And the next Simpsons character to be killed off is..."]</ref> The character appeared more than twice in the show and will be voiced by an [[Emmy Award]]-winning voice actor who won an Emmy for the role as the character. As [[Al Jean]] said,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/TheSimpsons/posts/10151751306093697]</ref> it wouldn't be [[Edna Krabappel]], due to [[Marcia Wallace]]'s death<ref>[http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/10/11/simpsons-which-character-dies/ Entertainment Weekly - "'Simpsons' producer on mystery death in Springfield: Even the actor doesn't know yet"]</ref> and [[Hank Azaria]] confirmed that it wasn't one of his characters.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/simpsons-character-death-hugely-narrowed-down-following-hank-azaria-tip-9083125.html The Independent - "Simpsons character death hugely narrowed down following Hank Azaria tip"]</ref> [[Homer]] was ruled out.<ref name="SDCC2014">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s195/the-simpsons/blog/a586642/the-simpsons-comic-con-2014-live-blog-celebrating-25-years.html#~oL8TeFxR08NjcE SDCC2014 Panel]</ref> There was a scene that featured Lisa worrying about Homer's health as he struggles with a sleep mask.<ref name="SDCC2014"/> |
The character who died was [[Hyman Krustofsky]]. | The character who died was [[Hyman Krustofsky]]. | ||
| Line 39: | Line 41: | ||
File:SABF20 Script.png|Script Cover for the Episode | File:SABF20 Script.png|Script Cover for the Episode | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Couch gag === | ||
| + | The episode featured the longest [[couch gag]] to date, directed, written, animated, and produced by independent animator [[Don Hertzfeldt]]. The surreal sequence, projecting the fate of The Simpsons deep into the future, was described by Spin Magazine as "mind-melting," and "two of the strangest minutes of television ever to air on a major network during prime time." | ||
== Reception == | == Reception == | ||
| − | The episode received 8.5 million viewers on its premiere, the highest for a season premiere since [[season 20]]'s "[[Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes]]", and the highest rated episode since the ninth episode of [[season 25]], "[[Steal This Episode]]", from January 2014. It also received a 3.9 18-49 rating.<ref>[http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/09/29/tv-ratings-sunday-once-upon-a-time-the-simpsons-family-guy-return-way-up-csi-premieres-down-madam-secretary-falls/307745/ TVbytheNumbers - | + | The episode received 8.5 million viewers on its premiere, the highest for a season premiere since [[Season 20|broadcast season 20]]'s "[[Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes]]", and the highest rated episode since the ninth episode of [[Season 25|broadcast season 25]], "[[Steal This Episode]]", from January 2014. It also received a 3.9 18-49 rating.<ref>[http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/09/29/tv-ratings-sunday-once-upon-a-time-the-simpsons-family-guy-return-way-up-csi-premieres-down-madam-secretary-falls/307745/ TVbytheNumbers - TV Ratings Sunday: 'Once Upon A Time', 'The Simpsons' & 'Family Guy' Return Way Up, 'CSI' Premieres Down, 'Madam Secretary' Falls]</ref> |
| − | TV Ratings Sunday: 'Once Upon A Time', 'The Simpsons' & 'Family Guy' Return Way Up, 'CSI' Premieres Down, 'Madam Secretary' Falls]</ref> | ||
| − | The episode received mixed reviews from critics. [http://www.avclub.com The A.V. Club] awarded it a "C", saying "''The Simpsons'' returns for its 26th season with a nondescript, anti-climactic premiere whose overstuffed cameos and would-be big character death amount to little more than a disspiriting confirmation that its best days are, indeed, long gone", and that "this inability to weave the A- and B-stories into a unified episode has become pretty glaring", before praising the episode's couch gag, calling it "brilliant stuff".<ref>[http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/simpsons-clown-dumps-209794 The A.V. Club - "The Simpsons: "Clown In The Dumps""]</ref> [http://www.denofgeek.us Den of Geek] said it was "a bittersweet episode" and picked up on how "''The Simpsons'' always make you care for their characters. There is a sweetness inherent in the most egregious traits", and in the end awarding it 4/5. [http://www.bubbleblabber.com BubbleBlabber]'s review started out with anger at "[...] which character died. I'll tell you who: Rabbi Fucking | + | The episode received mixed reviews from critics. [http://www.avclub.com The A.V. Club] awarded it a "C", saying "''The Simpsons'' returns for its 26th season with a nondescript, anti-climactic premiere whose overstuffed cameos and would-be big character death amount to little more than a disspiriting confirmation that its best days are, indeed, long gone", and that "this inability to weave the A- and B-stories into a unified episode has become pretty glaring", before praising the episode's [[Don Hertzfeldt]] couch gag, calling it "brilliant stuff".<ref>[http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/simpsons-clown-dumps-209794 The A.V. Club - "The Simpsons: "Clown In The Dumps""]</ref> [http://www.denofgeek.us Den of Geek] said it was "a bittersweet episode" and picked up on how "''The Simpsons'' always make you care for their characters. There is a sweetness inherent in the most egregious traits", and in the end awarding it 4/5. [http://www.bubbleblabber.com BubbleBlabber]'s review started out with anger at "[...] which character died. I'll tell you who: Rabbi Fucking Krustofsky – the guy I predicted would die in this episode over FOUR months ago", but then ultimatally praised the episode for "the amount it resembled ''Simpsons'' episodes of the classic era", then saying that "[...] all these elements [how it resembled its classic era, its cast and couch gag] nevertheless combined for a fantastic premiere to the show's 26th season", and in the end, awarded it 8.5.<ref>[http://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-simpsons-clown-dumps/ BubbleBlabber - "Review: The Simpsons – 'Clown in the Dumps'"]</ref> |
| − | The [[NoHomers.net|NoHomers]] forum users were less sympathetic to the episode, which as of late, holds a majority 2/5 on a poll, with one saying it was "a mediocre, forgettable episode", another | + | The [[NoHomers.net|NoHomers]] forum users were less sympathetic to the episode, which as of late, holds a majority 2/5 on a poll, with one saying it was "a mediocre, forgettable episode", another criticizing how "[the] character death [being] way overhyped was [the] biggest flaw," yet another praising the episode saying "[the] couch gag was great" and "the ending was sweet." <ref>[http://www.nohomers.net/showthread.php?105897-Rate-and-Review-quot-Clown-in-the-Dumps-quot-%28SABF20%29 NoHomers - Rate and Review: "Clown in the Dumps" (SABF20)]</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | == International airdates == | ||
| + | {{Airdates | ||
| + | |esLAdate=April 19, 2015<ref>[http://www.excelsio.net/2015/04/este-domingo-fox-estrena-la-nueva.html Este domingo Fox estrena la nueva temporada de Los Simpson]</ref> | ||
| + | |esLAchannel= {{W|Fox Latin America|Fox Latin America}} | ||
| + | |esLAnote= An official premiere to the Latino and Mexican viewer (part of Simpson Nation 48 hours marathon). | ||
| + | }} | ||
== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:On September 28 one will die - from the CITD promo.png|Screenshot from a promotional clip | File:On September 28 one will die - from the CITD promo.png|Screenshot from a promotional clip | ||
| − | File:Clown in the Dumps promo 1. | + | File:Clown in the Dumps promo 1.png |
| − | + | File:Clown in the Dumps promo 3.png | |
| − | File:Clown in the Dumps promo 3. | + | File:Clown in the Dumps promo 4.png |
| − | File:Clown in the Dumps promo 4. | ||
File:Clown in the Dumps promo poster.png | File:Clown in the Dumps promo poster.png | ||
File:Clown in the Dumps promo poster 2.png | File:Clown in the Dumps promo poster 2.png | ||
File:Clown in the Dumps promo poster 3.png | File:Clown in the Dumps promo poster 3.png | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| + | == External links == | ||
| + | *{{Youtube|m78gYyTrG7Y|The Simpsons Travel Into The Future Couch Gag}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Images|ep=yes}} | ||
{{Season 26}} | {{Season 26}} | ||
| + | {{Production Season SABF}} | ||
| + | [[Category:2014]] | ||
[[Category:Season premieres]] | [[Category:Season premieres]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Krusty the Clown episodes]] |
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Health-themed episodes]] |
| + | [[Category:Media-themed episodes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Religion-themed episodes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Episodes written by Joel H. Cohen]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Episodes directed by Steven Dean Moore]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:53, October 15, 2025
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
"Clown in the Dumps"
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Episode Information
|
"Clown in the Dumps" is the first episode of broadcast season 26 of The Simpsons and the five hundred fifty-third episode overall. It originally aired on September 28, 2014. The episode was written by Joel H. Cohen and directed by Steven Dean Moore. It guest stars Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob, Don Hertzfeldt as Futuristic "Sampsans" Creatures, David Hyde Pierce as himself, Jackie Mason as Rabbi Krustofsky, Jeff Ross as himself, and Sarah Silverman as herself.
Contents
Synopsis[edit]
- When Hyman Krustofsky dies during a comedy cable channel's roast of his son, Krusty, Krusty decides to retire from comedy. Meanwhile, Lisa becomes worried about Homer's deteriorating health.
Plot[edit]
Krusty the Clown appears on a comedy roast, which offends him. He seeks the advice of his father, Rabbi Krustofsky, on whether he is funny, but the Rabbi does not agree with him, and suddenly dies. Believing that nobody finds him funny any more, Krusty quits his show.
Bart attempts to reinspire Krusty by showing him old episodes of the show, but he picks up on the repetitive nature of his own jokes, and binge drinks in anger. He passes out and has a vision of himself in Jewish Heaven, where he meets Rodney Dangerfield. Rabbi Krustofsky then appears and tells Krusty that Jews do not believe in Heaven, and thus he should do more to help others. An act of kindness does not seem to make him happier, but Bart takes Krusty to the synagogue, where Rabbi Krustofsky's favorite Rabbi recites Krusty's jokes on religion. Krusty therefore deduces that his father did find him funny, and sees him again in Jewish Heaven, where Jesus turns Dangerfield's water into a Bloody Mary.
The death of Krusty's father causes Lisa to become obsessed with protecting her own father, Homer, from getting hurt. She wraps him in bubble wrap, which ends up saving his life when Otto's school bus plows into the garden.
Production[edit]
This episode was dedicated in memory of Louis Castellaneta, the father of Dan Castellaneta, who died in August 2014, aged 99.[1]
Character death[edit]
A major character who regularly teamed up with Bart was said to die in this episode.[2] The character appeared more than twice in the show and will be voiced by an Emmy Award-winning voice actor who won an Emmy for the role as the character. As Al Jean said,[3] it wouldn't be Edna Krabappel, due to Marcia Wallace's death[4] and Hank Azaria confirmed that it wasn't one of his characters.[5] Homer was ruled out.[6] There was a scene that featured Lisa worrying about Homer's health as he struggles with a sleep mask.[6]
The character who died was Hyman Krustofsky.
Script Cover for the Episode
Couch gag[edit]
The episode featured the longest couch gag to date, directed, written, animated, and produced by independent animator Don Hertzfeldt. The surreal sequence, projecting the fate of The Simpsons deep into the future, was described by Spin Magazine as "mind-melting," and "two of the strangest minutes of television ever to air on a major network during prime time."
Reception[edit]
The episode received 8.5 million viewers on its premiere, the highest for a season premiere since broadcast season 20's "Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes", and the highest rated episode since the ninth episode of broadcast season 25, "Steal This Episode", from January 2014. It also received a 3.9 18-49 rating.[7]
The episode received mixed reviews from critics. The A.V. Club awarded it a "C", saying "The Simpsons returns for its 26th season with a nondescript, anti-climactic premiere whose overstuffed cameos and would-be big character death amount to little more than a disspiriting confirmation that its best days are, indeed, long gone", and that "this inability to weave the A- and B-stories into a unified episode has become pretty glaring", before praising the episode's Don Hertzfeldt couch gag, calling it "brilliant stuff".[8] Den of Geek said it was "a bittersweet episode" and picked up on how "The Simpsons always make you care for their characters. There is a sweetness inherent in the most egregious traits", and in the end awarding it 4/5. BubbleBlabber's review started out with anger at "[...] which character died. I'll tell you who: Rabbi Fucking Krustofsky – the guy I predicted would die in this episode over FOUR months ago", but then ultimatally praised the episode for "the amount it resembled Simpsons episodes of the classic era", then saying that "[...] all these elements [how it resembled its classic era, its cast and couch gag] nevertheless combined for a fantastic premiere to the show's 26th season", and in the end, awarded it 8.5.[9]
The NoHomers forum users were less sympathetic to the episode, which as of late, holds a majority 2/5 on a poll, with one saying it was "a mediocre, forgettable episode", another criticizing how "[the] character death [being] way overhyped was [the] biggest flaw," yet another praising the episode saying "[the] couch gag was great" and "the ending was sweet." [10]
International airdates[edit]
|
Gallery[edit]
Screenshot from a promotional clip
References[edit]
- ↑ Father of 'Homer Simpson' voice actor dead at 99 - Chicago Sun-Times
- ↑ Metro - "And the next Simpsons character to be killed off is..."
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly - "'Simpsons' producer on mystery death in Springfield: Even the actor doesn't know yet"
- ↑ The Independent - "Simpsons character death hugely narrowed down following Hank Azaria tip"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 SDCC2014 Panel
- ↑ TVbytheNumbers - TV Ratings Sunday: 'Once Upon A Time', 'The Simpsons' & 'Family Guy' Return Way Up, 'CSI' Premieres Down, 'Madam Secretary' Falls
- ↑ The A.V. Club - "The Simpsons: "Clown In The Dumps""
- ↑ BubbleBlabber - "Review: The Simpsons – 'Clown in the Dumps'"
- ↑ NoHomers - Rate and Review: "Clown in the Dumps" (SABF20)
- ↑ Este domingo Fox estrena la nueva temporada de Los Simpson
External links[edit]
|
Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Clown in the Dumps". |
