The Simpsons (season 4)

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The Simpsons Season 4

The Simpsons Season 4 DVD
Series The Simpsons
Country of origin USA
Network Fox
Original run September 24, 1992 –
May 13, 1993
No. of episodes 22
DVD release date June 15, 2004 (Boxset)
Previous season 3
Next season 5

The fourth season of The Simpsons originally aired on the Fox network between September 24, 1992 and May 13, 1993, beginning with "Kamp Krusty". The show runners for the fourth production season were Al Jean and Mike Reiss.[1] The aired season contained two episodes which were hold-over episodes from season three, which Jean and Reiss also ran. Following the end of the production of the season, Jean, Reiss and most of the original writing staff left the show. The season was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and Dan Castellaneta would win one for his performance as Homer in "Mr. Plow". The fourth season was released on DVD in Region 1 on June 15, 2004, Region 2 on August 2, 2004 and in Region 4 on August 25, 2004.

Contents

[edit] Development

The season was executive produced by Al Jean and Mike Reiss, who had also ran the previous season. Several of the shows original writers who had been with the show since the first season left following the completion of the season's production run. "Cape Feare" which was the final episode to be produced by the "original team"[2] aired during season five as a holdover.[2] Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky, Sam Simon and Jeff Martin wrote their final episodes for the season four production run. David M. Stern and Jon Vitti also left but returned to write episodes for later seasons. Reiss and Jean left to produce their own series, The Critic but later returned to produce several more Simpsons episodes, and Jean again became the show runner starting with season thirteen.[3] Rich Moore, one of shows original directors, also left to work on The Critic,[3] but returned years later to assist with animation on The Simpsons Movie.[4] George Meyer and John Swartzwelder stayed with The Simpsons and Conan O'Brien, Frank Mula and future show runners Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein received their first writing credits. One-time writers for the season include Adam I. Lapidus and the team of Gary Apple and Michael Carrington, although Carrington later returned to voice characters in "Simpson Tide" and "Million Dollar Abie".[5]

[edit] Awards

1993 marked the first year that the producers of The Simpsons did not submit episodes for the "Outstanding Animated Program" Primetime Emmy Award.[6] Prior to this season, the series had only been allowed to compete in the animation category, but in early 1993 the rules were changed so that animated television shows would be able to submit nominations in the "Outstanding Comedy Series" category.[7] The producers submitted "A Streetcar Named Marge" and "Mr. Plow" but the Emmy voters were hesitant to pit cartoons against live action programs, and The Simpsons did not receive a nomination.[6] Several critics saw the show's failure to gain a nomination as one of the biggest snubs of that year.[8][9][10] Dan Castellaneta was awarded an Emmy for "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance".[11] "Treehouse of Horror III" was nominated for Emmys for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)" (Alf Clausen) and "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special".[11]

The series won several other awards this season, including an Annie Award for "Best Animated Television Program",[12] a Genesis Award for "Best Television Prime Time Animated Series"[13] for the episode "Whacking Day"[14] and a Saturn Award for "Best Television Series".[15]

[edit] List of episodes

Key
  • In the # column:
    • The first number refers to the order it aired during the entire series.
    • The second number refers to the episode number within its season.
  • The production code refers to the code assigned to the episode by the production team. The first two characters refer to to the season the episode was made for: 8F for season three, 9F for season four. The second number is the order the episode was produced, not the airing order.[16]
# Original title Directed by Written by Original airdate Prod. code
60 - 1 "Kamp Krusty"  Mark Kirkland David M. Stern September 24, 1992 8F24
Bart and Lisa go to Kamp Krusty for the summer. However, their promises of a fun summer at Kamp Krusty are broken when the director of the camp, Mr. Black, is revealed to be a ferocious accountant. Meanwhile, Homer is rejuvenated with the kids gone and even begins to regain his hair and lose weight. All of the kids at the camp are treated horribly and Bart survives by clinging to the promise that Krusty himself will soon arrive. However, when this does not happen, Bart leads the campers into a rebellion and takes over the camp. Homer sees a news report about this and immediately loses his hair and regains his lost weight. The real Krusty arrives at the camp and decides to make it up to the kids by taking them to Tijuana, Mexico.[17] 
61 - 2 "A Streetcar Named Marge"  Rich Moore Jeff Martin October 1, 1992 8F18
Marge is cast in a musical production of A Streetcar Named Desire as Blanche DuBois after the play director sees Marge's deep-seated depression when dealing with an uncaring Homer. She struggles with a scene where she has to shove a glass bottle into the brutish Stanley Kowalski (played by Ned Flanders), but manages to get over it by imagining Homer as Stanley. Marge begins to get angry with Homer as she sees parallels between him and Stanley. At the end of the musical, Marge believes Homer doesn't pay attention to her and confronts him with hostility. However, Homer explains that he was genuinely moved by Blanche's situation. Marge realizes that Homer really did watch the musical, and the two happily leave the theater. Meanwhile, Maggie is sent to the Ayn Rand School for Tots where she attempts to retrieve her pacifier from a strict daycare attendant.
Guest star: Jon Lovitz.[18] 
62 - 3 "Homer the Heretic"  Jim Reardon George Meyer October 8, 1992 9F01
While skipping Sunday's church services, Homer discovers the joy of staying home and having the house all to himself while Marge and the kids experience a rambling sermon from Reverend Lovejoy. Homer decides to start his very own religion customized for himself, despite Marge's continuing objections for giving up his faith. Marge, Reverend Lovejoy and Ned Flanders all try to convert Homer back to Christianity but fail. The next Sunday morning, Homer once again stays at home, but accidentally sets the house on fire and is rescued by Flanders. After the blaze is extinguished, Reverend Lovejoy suggests that God was working in the hearts of Homer's friends, despite their different faiths and this convinces Homer to give church another try.
First appearance of God.[19] 
63 - 4 "Lisa the Beauty Queen"  Mark Kirkland Jeff Martin October 15, 1992 9F02
Lisa's self-esteem breaks after she sees a crude drawing of herself at Springfield Elementary's fair. When Homer wins the Duff Beer raffle and a ticket to ride on the Duff Blimp, he sacrifices the ticket for the money in order to get Lisa entered into a beauty pageant. Although originally reluctant to enter, she competes and finishes second. However, after the winner is hospitalized, Lisa is declared the new Little Miss Springfield. She is forced to become a shill for Laramie Cigarettes and after seeing children smoking, decides to fight back by protesting against the dangers of cigarettes, and also vows to target the corruption of Mayor Quimby. Quimby and the Laramie officials meet and use a technicality to dethrone Lisa. Homer is upset that Lisa lost her title, but Lisa reminds him that he originally entered her in the contest to help her self-esteem, which it has, and she thanks him.
Guest star: Bob Hope.[20] 
64 - 5 "Treehouse of Horror III"  Carlos Baeza Al Jean & Mike Reiss

Jay Kogen & Wallace Wolodarsky

Sam Simon & Jon Vitti		 October 29, 1992 9F04
In the third Treehouse of Horror episode, the Simpson family holds a Halloween party and several family members tell scary stories:
Clown Without Pity - In Lisa's story, Homer buys Bart a Krusty doll which turns out to be evil and tries to kill Homer.
King Homer - In Grampa's story, in a King Kong parody, Mr. Burns hires Marge Bouvier to trap an ape beast who looks like Homer.
Dial "Z" for Zombie - In Bart's story, Bart discovers an occult book and tries to use one of the spells to bring back the family cat, but instead summons a swarm of zombies.[21] 
65 - 6 "Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie"  Rich Moore John Swartzwelder November 3, 1992 9F03
At Springfield Elementary's Parent Teacher night, Mrs. Krabappel tells Homer and Marge about Bart's behavior. Wanting Bart to one day become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Homer decides to punish Bart. However, he never makes his punishments stick and Bart continues on his destructive path. Marge confronts Homer and he agrees that next time he will make his punishment stick. Meanwhile, Bart finds out that Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie is about to hit theaters and immediately buys a ticket. However, when Bart one day forgets to watch Maggie, Homer bans Bart from ever seeing the movie. Bart tries everything to see the movie, but Homer refuses to budge and after the movie closes, Homer declares that one day Bart will thank him. In a flashforward forty years into the future, Homer and Bart, now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, decide to watch the movie together.[22]
First appearance of Bumblebee Man.[23] 
66 - 7 "Marge Gets a Job"  Jeffrey Lynch Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein November 5, 1992 9F05
The Simpsons' house begins sinking into the ground. Marge decides to earn extra money to repair the foundation by working at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and Homer is dismayed about having to work alongside his wife. However, Mr. Burns falls deeply in love with her and begins to seduce her. However, Marge resists and Burns fires her after discovering she is married. Homer stands up for Marge and an impressed Mr. Burns treats them to a free Tom Jones concert. Meanwhile, Bart continually fakes sick to get out of taking a test.
Guest star: Tom Jones.[24] 
67 - 8 "New Kid on the Block"  Wes Archer Conan O'Brien November 12, 1992 9F06
The Simpsons' next door neighbors move and are replaced by a single mother, Ruth Powers and her daughter Laura. Laura becomes the object of Bart's affection but Bart becomes heart broken after learning that her boyfriend is Jimbo Jones. Meanwhile, Homer wages war against the Sea Captain's seafood restaurant The Frying Dutchman, for falsely advertising their "all-you-can-eat" buffet.
Guest stars: Sarah Gilbert and Pamela Reed.[25]
First appearances of The Sea Captain and Ruth Powers.[26] 
68 - 9 "Mr. Plow"  Jim Reardon Jon Vitti November 19, 1992 9F07
After demolishing both his and Marge's family cars during a snowstorm, Homer buys a snow plow and starts a business plowing driveways. He calls his business "Mr. Plow" and becomes a huge success. Barney Gumble, inspired by Homer decides to start his own rival company and becomes Springfield's new favorite snow plower. Homer tricks Barney into plowing the dangerous Widow's Peak. Barney does so, but gets trapped in an avalanche and after seeing a news report about it, Homer rushes to save him. Homer saves Barney and the two decide to work together, but God melts all of the snow.[27] 
69 - 10 "Lisa's First Word"  Mark Kirkland Jeff Martin December 3, 1992 9F08
While attempting to get Maggie to say her first word, Marge the story of Lisa's first word. In 1983, Marge, Homer and Bart are living in the Lower East Springfield district and Marge announces that she is pregnant. She and Homer decide to move into a house to support their bigger family and move into their present day home. Lisa is born during the 1984 Summer Olympics and Bart immediately becomes jealous of her. He tries several things mean things to her, but only manages to get himself in trouble. Bart decides to run away, but Lisa says her first word: "Bart". Bart discovers that Lisa loves him and embraces her as his sister. In the present day, Homer puts Maggie to bed, saying he doesn't care if she never talks. Once he leaves, Maggie says her first word: "daddy".
Guest star: Elizabeth Taylor.[28] 
70 - 11 "Homer's Triple Bypass"  David Silverman Gary Apple & Michael Carrington December 17, 1992 9F09
Due to his many years of eating unhealthy foods, Homer needs to have a triple bypass surgery. He has to choose between the $40,000 operation set by Doctor Julius Hibbert, which he can't afford or the $129.95 operation by Doctor Nick Riviera. When he chooses the cheaper surgery, Homer begins to accept that he may die. However, the operation goes well and with a little help from Lisa, Dr. Nick saves Homer's life.[29] 
71 - 12 "Marge vs. the Monorail"  Rich Moore Conan O'Brien January 14, 1993 9F10
After Mr. Burns is caught storing his excess nuclear waste inside Springfield Park's trees, he is ordered to pay the town $3 million. The town is originally set to agree to fix Main Street, but the charismatic Lyle Lanley interrupts and convinces the town to use the money to buy one of his monorails. The town embraces the suggestion and Homer is hired as the conductor, but the only person remaining not so pleased about the whole situation is Marge. She discovers suspicious evidence and visits a town that had previously purchased one of Lanley's monorails. She discovers that Lanley is indeed a con man and rushes back to town. However, she arrives too late and the monorail has began to operate, but Homer is convinced to use an anchor to stop the train, thus saving the passengers.
Guest stars: Phil Hartman and Leonard Nimoy.[30] 
72 - 13 "Selma's Choice"  Carlos Baeza David M. Stern January 21, 1993 9F11
Marge's Great Aunt Gladys Bouvier dies and the Simpsons, Patty, and Selma attend her funeral. During the reading of her video will, Gladys tells Patty and Selma not to die lonely and miserable like she did. Though Patty doesn't care, Selma decides that she wants a baby. Meanwhile, Homer eats a spoiled hoagie, and becomes dreadfully ill. As a result, he can not fulfill his promise of taking Bart and Lisa to Duff Gardens and Selma agrees to take them instead. However, Selma struggles with parenting and decides she is happy taking care of her pet Iguana Jub Jub.
Guest star: Phil Hartman.[31] 
73 - 14 "Brother from the Same Planet"  Jeffrey Lynch Jon Vitti February 4, 1993 9F12
After leaving Bart alone at soccer practice, Homer's inept parenting prompts Bart to get a "Bigger Brother" named Tom. Homer finds out about this and decides to get revenge by taking part in the "Bigger Brother" program and taking charge of a young boy names Pepi. Pepi and Homer begin to bond and Bart starts to regret taking advantage of the program. At an aquarium, Homer and Tom meet and begin to brawl and Homer is injured. Tom becomes Pepi's new Bigger Brother and Bart bonds with Homer by asking him to share his knowledge of fighting. Meanwhile, Lisa becomes addicted to calling a 1-900 number featuring a pretty-boy celebrity named Cory.
Guest star: Phil Hartman.[32] 
74 - 15 "I Love Lisa"  Wes Archer Frank Mula February 11, 1993 9F13
On Valentine's Day, everyone in Lisa's class receives a card, except Ralph Wiggum. Out of pity, Lisa quickly writes one up and gives it to him, much to Ralph's delight. Ralph begins to develop an interest in Lisa, but Lisa is not interested. However, she does not know how to get rid of him. Ralph invites her to go to Krusty's 29th Anniversary Special and she reluctantly accepts. During a televised talk session with Krusty, Ralph declares that he loves her and Lisa explodes and declares that she never liked Ralph. Ralph becomes heartbroken. For the President's Day play, Lisa is cast in a role as Martha Washington and to her horror, Ralph gets the role of George Washington. She becomes afraid that Ralph will embarrass her again, but Ralph gives a rousing performance. After the play, Lisa and Ralph decide to just be friends.[33] 
75 - 16 "Duffless"  Jim Reardon David M. Stern February 18, 1993 9F14
After taking the Duff Brewery tour, Homer is caught driving drunk and is arrested. His license is revoked and he must attend traffic school and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. After much reluctance, Homer agrees to Marge's suggestion of giving up drinking beer for an entire month. He struggles to make it, but eventually does and decides to forgo a reward of a beer by taking marge for a Bicycle ride. Meanwhile, Bart demolishes Lisa's science project of a steroid-pumped tomato, prompting Lisa to make a science project pitting Bart against a Hamster.
Guest stars: Phil Hartman and Marcia Wallace.[34] 
76 - 17 "Last Exit to Springfield"  Mark Kirkland Jay Kogen & Wallace Wolodarsky March 11, 1993 9F15
After learning that Mr. Burns' decision to revoke their dental plan has coincided with Lisa needing braces, Homer convinces his coworkers not to give up their dental plan and becomes the new head of the workers union at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. He holds talks with Mr. Burns, but these go badly because Homer is not intelligent enough to understand Burns' sly innuendos. The plant goes on strike and Mr. Burns decides to take away the electricity for the entire town. However, this just encourages the workers union and Burns decides to reach a deal with Homer.
Guest star: Doctor Joyce Brothers.[35] 
77 - 18 "So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show"  Carlos Baeza Jon Vitti April 1, 1993 9F17
In the first Simpsons clip show, it's April Fool's Day and Homer starts playing pranks upon Bart through the day. Bart, angered by the numerous amount of tricks he has fallen for, plans the ultimate revenge on Homer by shaking a can of beer so hard that it causes an explosion. While Homer ends up in a coma, the family reminisces about their past adventures. Bart eventually admits to being the cause of Homer's condition and Homer immediately awakens and begins strangling Bart.[36] 
78 - 19 "The Front"  Jeffrey Lynch Adam I. Lapidus April 15, 1993 9F16
After watching a terrible lackluster episode of The Itchy & Scratchy Show, Bart and Lisa decide to start writing their own episodes and sending it to the studio. Roger Meyers, the CEO, immediately rejects their script due to their age. They put Grampa's name on the script and send it back, and Meyers loves it and hires Grampa. Bart and Lisa's cartoons are hugely successful and are nominated for an award. At the ceremony, Grampa finally sees an Itchy & Scratchy cartoon for the first time and is horrified. Meanwhile, Homer and Marge revisit a High School reunion, which prompts Homer to admit that he never officially graduated because he failed a science class. At the reunion, Homer's wins several awards but these are revoked, causing Homer to go to night school to make up the lost credits on the class he never passed - remedial science.
Guest star: Brooke Shields.[37] 
79 - 20 "Whacking Day"  Jeffrey Lynch John Swartzwelder April 29, 1993 9F18
Bart is expelled from Springfield Elementary School, so Marge decides to home school him. Springfield's annual holiday arrives: Whacking Day, a day specifically designed to drive snakes into the town's square and club them to death. When most Springfielders celebrate the local holiday, Lisa is appalled at the upcoming celebration, but her protests fall on deaf ears. Lisa and Bart manage to convince the town about the nightmare of Whacking Day and Principal Skinner decides to allow Bart to return to school.
Guest star: Barry White.
First appearance of Superintendent Chalmers.[38] 
80 - 21 "Marge in Chains"  Jim Reardon Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein May 6, 1993 9F20
Springfield is hit with the dreaded Osaka Flu, causing many of the town to fall ill. Due to the exhaustion from having to look after the rest of her ill family, Marge accidentally forgets to pay for Grampa's bottle of bourbon when shopping at the Kwik-E-Mart. Marge is soon arrested for shoplifting and is sentenced to 30 days at Springfield's Woman Prison. Marge's absence is felt everywhere and she is welcomed back with open arms when she is released.
Guest star: David Crosby.[39] 
81 - 22 "Krusty Gets Kancelled"  David Silverman John Swartzwelder May 13, 1993 9F19
A new show about a ventriloquist dummy named Gabbo becomes the hottest show in Springfield and Krusty's show is cancelled due to low ratings. Krusty is at first downfallen at the cancellation of his show, but Bart and Lisa manage to convince him to stage a comeback special and invite his celebrity friends to take part. The special is a huge success and Krusty's show goes back on the air.
Guest stars: Johnny Carson, Hugh Hefner, Bette Midler, Barry White, Luke Perry, Elizabeth Taylor and Red Hot Chili Peppers.[40] 

[edit] DVD release

The DVD boxset for season four was released by 20th Century Fox in the United States and Canada on June 15, 2004 eleven years after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including deleted scenes, Animatics, and commentaries for every episode. The menus are a different format than the previous seasons.[41]

The Complete Fourth Season
Set Details[42][43] Special Features[42][43]
Release Dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
June 15, 2004 August 2, 2004 August 25, 2004

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Richmond, p. 92
  2. ^ a b Vitti, Jon. (2004). The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Cape Feare" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  3. ^ a b Jean, Al. (2004). The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Cape Feare" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  4. ^ Anderson, Mike B.; Dean Moore, Steven; Moore, Rich; Silverman, David. (2007). Audio Director's commentary [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  5. ^ Carrington, Michael. (2004). The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Cape Feare" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  6. ^ a b Jean, Al. (2004). The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Mr. Plow" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  7. ^ Diane Holloway. "`Simpsons' get Emmy 's respect - Academy lets series drop cartoon status to compete as sitcom", Austin American-Statesman, 1993-02-02, p. B4. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. 
  8. ^ Diane Holloway. "CBS, `Northern Exposure' lead Emmy nominations", Austin American-Statesman, 1993-07-23, p. B4. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. 
  9. ^ Ginny Holbert. "Some Hits - and Misses - Emmy List Has Notable Omissions", Chicago Sun-Times, 1993-07-23, p. 35. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. 
  10. ^ Ray Richmond. "Emmy selections go from horrible ('92) to terrible ('93)", Daily News of Los Angeles, 1993-07-23, p. L44. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. 
  11. ^ a b Primetime Emmy Awards Advanced Search. Emmys.org. Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
  12. ^ "Legacy: 21st Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1993)", Annie Awardsorg. Retrieved on 2008-01-22. 
  13. ^ "1994 Genesis Awards", Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  14. ^ "'Free Willy', 'Simpsons' win Genesis Awards", Rocky Mountain News, January 30, 1994, p. 56A. Retrieved on 2008-01-30. 
  15. ^ "Saturn Awards - Past Winners", The Saturn Awards. Retrieved on 2008-01-22. 
  16. ^ Turner, Chris. Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation, 4. ISBN 0-679-31318-4. 
  17. ^ Richmond, p. 92
  18. ^ Richmond, p. 93
  19. ^ Richmond, p. 94
  20. ^ Richmond, p. 95
  21. ^ Richmond, pp. 96–97
  22. ^ Richmond, p. 98
  23. ^ Reiss, Mike. (2004). The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  24. ^ Richmond, p. 99
  25. ^ Richmond, p. 100
  26. ^ Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian (2000). New Kid on the Block. BBC. Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
  27. ^ Richmond, p. 101
  28. ^ Richmond, p. 102
  29. ^ Richmond, p. 103
  30. ^ Richmond, pp. 104–105
  31. ^ Richmond, p. 106
  32. ^ Richmond, p. 107
  33. ^ Richmond, p. 108
  34. ^ Richmond, p. 109
  35. ^ Richmond, p. 110
  36. ^ Richmond, p. 111
  37. ^ Richmond, pp. 112–113
  38. ^ Richmond, p. 114
  39. ^ Richmond, p. 115
  40. ^ Richmond, pp. 116–117
  41. ^ (2004). The Simpsons season 4 DVD boxset [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  42. ^ a b c d e Simpsons, The - The Complete 4th Season. TV Shows on DVD.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  43. ^ a b The Simpsons Season 4 DVD. The Simpsons Shop. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.

[edit] References

  • Richmond, Ray; Antonia Coffman (1997). The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0-00-638898-1. 

[edit] External links