Don’t stare at his famous wang

The Great Louse Detective

couch gag: When Homer presses the remote control, the family (and couch) are transported to prehistoric times, Roman times and then back to the present.

Director: Steven Dean Moore

Guest Voice:
Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob
Synopsis: Someone is intent on murdering Homer, and it’s up to Sideshow Bob to find out who. 

Discussion: Well, this is a breath of fresh air! Instead of Bob plotting to kill Bart yet again (yawn), Bob is hired by the police dept to find who is trying to kill Homer. Only a sick, twisted mind could find another sick, twisted mind. 

Who can forget Frank Grimes? He was a new employee at the power plant but was disgusted to see Homer getting away with pretty much everything. Attempting to demonstrate an act of stupidity, Grimey was unfortunately killed in a workplace accident. Turns out, he liked hookers and has a son who is now attempting to murder Homer.

It’s actually a really good plot and takes the focus off the Bart-Bob relationship. However, the writers did address this at the end by having Sideshow Bob attempt to murder Bart but bursting into song instead. There’s little to dislike about this episode even though it never really reaches the heights of previous seasons. I like that the focus is switched from Bob trying to kill Bart, one of Homer’s many enemies is out to kill him and everyone loves a good detective story- all the clues are right there in front of you. The show should have a few more whodunnit eps.

 

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God bwess you, Kwusty

Day of the Jackanapes

The hamster did not have “a full life”

Couch gag: The family run in, Homer lies on the couch and says to the psychiatrist, “Oh doctor! I’m crazy!”

Director: Michael Marcantel

Guest voices:
Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob
Gary Coleman as himself

Synopsis: Krusty quits TV and Sideshow Bob takes the opportunity to exact revenge and kill Krusty once and for all, using Bart as a hypnotised boy-bomb.

Discussion: It’s been a while since we’ve had a Bob episode, and this one isn’t bad. Krusty, fed up with the network big wigs telling him what to do, quits show business for the fifth and final time. Sideshow Bob thinks this is a great opportunity to finally be rid of both his nemeses, and trains Bart under hypnosis to kill Krusty.

It’s probably only the fact we’ve not seen Bob for a while that makes this ep interesting. It’s much the same theme as every other Bob episode- trying to kill Bart and/or Krusty. Using hypnosis is a novel idea but I’m not entirely sold by it, especially as he’s foiled his own plan by getting all sentimental after Krusty’s tribute.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Kelsey Grammer’s Bob work is fantastic and it’s nice to have recurring voices after the retirement of Phil Hartman’s characters due to his death. It’s just… well… where do you go with the Bob character, especially after so many episodes about the same thing?

Shake it, madam. Capital knockers.

The Brother From Another Series

Couch gag: The living room and couch are upside down, and when the family sit on it, they fall down. 

Director: Pete Michels

Guest voices:
Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob
David Hyde Pierce as Cecil

Synopsis: Sideshow Bob is released from prison on a work-for-parole scheme and is taken under the supervision of his brother, a noted hydro engineer. 

Discussion: Cue the obligatory Sideshow Bob episode for the season. We all know who Sideshow Bob is by now; he’s been featured in every season since season one. This time, we discover he has a brother who is also a homicidal maniac but really just wants to frame Bob for taking the coveted position of Krusty’s sidekick. In a twist, Bob actually ends up saving Bart’s life instead of trying to kill him. Don’t worry, I’m sure it won’t last long… 

As far as Bob episodes go, this one is OK. Cecil is played by David Hyde Pierce, who, at the time, was also playing Kelsey Grammer’s brother on Frasier. Admittedly, I’ve never seen  Frasier but I’m aware of the relationship of the characters. Hence the cute title of the episode. 

It must be hard coming up with ideas for Bob episodes, so this one contains a twist. However, like practically all other Bob episodes, it takes a long time to get to the point. When it does, well, personally I find it a bit anticlimactic but it is refreshing to see the change in homicidal characters.  

For me, the highlight of the ep is Krusty’s appearance at the Springfield State Prison a la Johnny Cash’s Folsom appearance. 

Call me Mrs Scum

Black Widower

Funny noises aren’t funny

Couch gag: Burglars are stealing the couch, the family sit on it but are thrown off.

Director: David Silverman

Guest Voice:
Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob

Synopsis: As part of the prison pen-pals scheme, Aunt Selma starts writing to Sideshow Bob. When he’s released, he marries her with the intent of killing her on the honeymoon. His plan is foiled by Bart.

Discussion: Following on from the first season episode where Krusty is framed, Bob is released from prison intent on marrying Bart’s Aunt Selma, who is desperate for a man in her life. Both are themes carried throughout the series: Sideshow Bob’s continued hatred of Bart and Selma’s continued need for a man.

This ep isn’t in the usual format of the show, instead it takes form of a mystery which is solved by Bart, whose mistrust of Sideshow Bob is still quite evident. Good thing too… or maybe not; Homer wouldn’t mind so much if the plan had gone ahead, but that’s another story. The shows featuring Sideshow Bob are usually very clever and this one isn’t a disappointment. Featuring a love story between Selma and Bob is inspired as it fulfills both needs as well as furthering the Bob/Bart saga. Most seasons have at least one Bob episode, and as always Kelsey Grammer is the perfect voice for the role.