Pray Anything

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The Simpsons episode
"Pray Anything"
Episode no.	301
Prod. code	EABF06
Orig. Airdate	February 9, 2003
Written by	Sam O'Neal and Neal Boushell
Directed by	Michael Polcino
Chalkboard	"SpongeBob is not a contraceptive."
Couch gag	The family, running into the living room, is picked up by giant hands, which appear to be those of a toddler.
Guest star	Lisa Leslie
Season 14 November 3, 2002 – May 18, 2003
Treehouse of Horror XIII How I Spent My Strummer Vacation Bart vs. Lisa vs. the Third Grade Large Marge Helter Shelter The Great Louse Detective Special Edna The Dad Who Knew Too Little Strong Arms of the Ma Pray Anything Barting Over I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can A Star is Born-Again Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington C.E. D'oh 'Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky Three Gays of the Condo Dude, Where's My Ranch? Old Yeller Belly Brake My Wife, Please Bart of War Moe Baby Blues
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"Pray Anything" is the tenth episode of the fourteenth season of The Simpsons. It aired on February 9, 2003.

Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Cultural references

[edit] Synopsis

The family attends a WNBA game, and when they are there, Ned Flanders wins a half-time shot, with his prize being a $50,000 check for making the basket, which he donates to 'Bibles for Belgians', and one for $100,000 for his generous attitude. Homer is jealous when he sees Flanders win big. He finds out from Flanders that praying has led him to success, and Homer mimics him by praying to get what he wants. One day, while watching a TV show he does not like (Ken Burns doing a documentary on his own life), Homer prays God will find the remote. It appears to work, and Homer begins praying for a number of better things, such as praying for a new snack food, which he gets in the form of a mix of bacon and fudge.

It goes too far when Homer prays for a new house. He falls into a hole on the outside of the church, and sues them. He is awarded $1,000,000, which the church cannot afford to pay. In lieu of payment, Homer is awarded the deed to the church, which Homers turn into the family's new home. The Lovejoy Family is now forced to live with the Flanders and hold church services at Barney's Bowl-o-Rama. At the church, Homer throws a housewarming party which gets out of hand because Homer isn't afraid of incurring God's wrath. Following a terrible storm, Springfield is flooded. Atop the church the citizens of Springfield attack Homer. Reverend Lovejoy arrives to ask for forgiveness on behalf of the town. Homer vacates the church and the status quo is restored.

[edit] Cultural references

• The episode title is a play on the 1989 romantic comedy movie Say Anything.
• The phrase "God : the original Tony Soprano" (written on the sign in front of the church) is a reference to the American TV series The Sopranos.
• The song that Homer sings (and dances) to in church is "I Was Made For Lovin' You" by KISS.
• The lawyer Larry H. Lawyer Jr. is a take-off on the actual lawyer from Hawthorne, California, Larry H. Parker, best known for his slogan on commercials, "We'll fight for you!"
• When the plumber breaks off a piece of the drywall, the pattern of cracks on the wall briefly resembles Washington Crossing the Delaware. [1]
• The beer keg smashing through the window is a reference to Animal House.