The Call of the Simpsons
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| The Simpsons episode | |
| "The Call of the Simpsons" | |
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|---|---|
| A disgruntled Homer begins to take on the appearance of Bigfoot | |
| Episode no. | 7 |
| Prod. code | 7G09 |
| Orig. Airdate | February 18, 1990 |
| Show Runner(s) | James L. Brooks Matt Groening Sam Simon |
| Written by | John Swartzwelder |
| Directed by | Wes Archer |
| Chalkboard | "I will not draw naked ladies in class" |
| Couch gag | Nothing special. |
| Guest star | Albert Brooks as Bob |
| DVD commentary by | Wes Archer Al Jean Mike Reiss |
| SNPP capsule | |
| Season 1 December 17, 1989 – May 13, 1990 |
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| List of all Simpsons episodes... | |
"The Call of the Simpsons" is the seventh episode of The Simpsons. It originally aired February 18, 1990. It was the very first episode shown in the United Kingdom, when Sky One began airing the show on 2 September 1990. The episode deals with The Simpsons' family vacation in their new RV.
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[edit] Synopsis
Homer is envious of neighbor Ned Flanders's new mobile home and goes to Bob's RV Round-Up to buy one of his own. Because of his poor credit, he only qualifies for a dilapidated one. Thrilled with the new RV, Homer takes his family on an excursion. Driving on remote back roads, he loses control of the camper and comes to a halt on the edge of a cliff. The family abandons the vehicle just before it plummets into an abyss.
Stranded in the wilderness, Homer and Bart set out for civilization, unaware that baby Maggie is tagging along. Separated from Homer and Bart, Maggie is soon adopted by a family of bears. Homer and Bart lose their clothes in a fast-moving river and use plants and mud to cover themselves. A nature photographer, mistaking Homer for Bigfoot, takes a picture and flees. Soon the forest is inundated with Bigfoot hunters and souvenir stands. Reporters find Marge and warn her about the hideous creature roaming the woods. When she sees the picture of Homer, Marge identifies the grotesque monster as her husband and tries to clear up the hoax, but the authorities still claim him as Bigfoot.
Cold and near exhaustion, Homer is captured by hunters, shot with a tranquilizer gun, and taken to a lab for tests. Scientists observe Homer, but are unsure if he is Bigfoot or a below-average human being. They allow Homer to return to his family until they can determine to what species he belongs.
[edit] Trivia
- Flanders makes $27 more a week than Homer does (although this is based on Ned's original job at a pharmaceutical company, not the Leftorium).
- Signs at Bob's RV-Roundup (formely RVs R Us): "We give credit to everyone!"; "Bad Credit. Good!"; "Bankruptcy Shmankruptcy."
- The Ultimate Behemoth RV: two-stories high with a fireplace, a full kitchen, four deep fryers---"one for each part of the chicken," a big-screen television set, and its own satellite, the Vanstar I.
- The breaking Bigfoot report interrupts the president's address.
- Signs advertising the Bigfoot cottage industry include "Half-Man, Half-Ape Burgers" and "Get Your Photo Taken with Bigfoot."
- The fact that Homer is indeed the missing link is referenced again in "The Monkey Suit".
- This is the first episode to feature Albert Brooks as a guest star. Like all his appearances, he is credited as A. Brooks.
- Bart wears his "lucky red hat" for the first time in this episode.
- This is the first episode in which Rod Flanders appears.
- This episode was the theme of a Burger King promotion including kids meal toys and collectable cups.
- At the time of production, the writers and producers felt that this episode had the potential to be made into a two-part story. However, they eventually decided to make it as a single episode.
[edit] Cultural references
- The tune for the camping scenes is called "The Happy Wanderer".
- The episode title is a possible reference to the H. P. Lovecraft's short story "The Call of Cthulhu" and/or the novella "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London.
- When Homer is shot with tranquilizer darts, he yells out to Bart "Avenge me, son!" This is similar to Harry Dean Stanton yelling out to his two sons in Red Dawn.
[edit] External links
