Yeardley Smith Movies
Yeardley Smith is unarguably the keeper of one of Hollywood's most distinctive-sounding and instantly recognizable set of vocal chords; the Emmy-winning actress' most famous role is without question that of level-headed, suburban schoolgirl Lisa Simpson on the long-running animated television series The Simpsons. Though most of her live-action roles would come during the mid-'80s with such guilty pleasures as The Legend of Billie Jean and Maximum Overdrive, Smith remained active in front of the camera well into the new millennium with roles in such features as As Good As It Gets and such popular television series as Dharma & Greg.Born in Paris, France, Smith kicked off her acting career at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage before making the move to Broadway in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing in 1984. A role in the after-school special Mom's on Strike marked the actress' first foray into television, and after graduating to features with a supporting role in the 1985 comedy Heaven Help Us, she gained notable exposure later that same year in the teen drama The Legend of Billie Jean. If the film failed to live up to the hype, Smith's performance (as a somewhat shy teen who discovers her own self-confidence after joining a teenage outlaw on the road) offered a scene-stealing turn that would overflow into the following year's much-maligned horror film Maximum Overdrive. A small supporting role in the 1987 teen comedy Three O'Clock High was quick to follow, and that same year, Smith would step behind the microphone for the role that would change her life.
Originally conceived as a series of shorts made to run during The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons proved so popular that it was soon given its very own series. Beginning in 1989, The Simpsons quickly became nothing less than a cultural phenomenon, with brother Bart's rebellious antics quickly making "Don't have a cow, man" the national catch phrase. As popular as the series was initially, few could have foreseen that it would go on to surpass The Flintstones as the longest-running animated prime-time series in the history of television. In the years that followed, Lisa would move to the forefront in many episodes, endearing her to a nation of television viewers. Though Smith would still make the occasional foray into features, with bit roles in City Slickers, Toys, Just Write, and As Good As It Gets, it was her role on The Simpsons that kept her busy throughout the 1990s and into the new millennium. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2010
Ed Harris stars as a sheriff-turned-hopeful political candidate whose Senate campaign gets close to being curbed when he finds out that his daughter is dating the son of an ex-mistress of his in this TicTock Studios production. Academy award-winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk) writes and directs, with Gus Van Sant handling executive producing duties. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
They've kept television viewers laughing for nearly 20 years, and now the most popular animated family on the small screen makes the leap into theaters as Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, ad Maggie embark on their first-ever feature-length adventure. Directed by David Silverman and written by a whole host of Simpsons veterans including Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, The Simpsons Movie also features special guest appearances by Albert Brooks among others. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, (more)
The Simpsons: Season 11 includes all 22 episodes from the 11th season and bonus material on all 4 discs. Closed Caption; Contains the complete eleventh season with all 22 episodes; Special introduction from Matt Groening; Audio commentaries on every episode with executive producer Mike Scully, joined by writers, actors and directors; A Star on Hollywood Boulevard featurette; The Many Faces of Krusty featurette; Deleted scenes with commentary; Multi-angle animation showcases; Original sketches and more!
- Starring:
- Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, (more)
- 1998
Looking to boost sales, Costington's Department Store invents a new holiday, Love Day, which prompts Springfield residents to buy one another gifts such as "Sir Loves-A-Lot, the bear who loves to love." However, all those boxes and wrapping paper mean plenty of trash, and Homer Simpson (voice of Dan Castellaneta), typically late in taking the trash out to the curb, curses the sanitation workers when they don't pick up his rubbish. The angry garbage men refuse to pick up the Simpsons' trash until Homer apologizes, which he's highly reluctant to do. Eventually, Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) apologizes on her husband's behalf, which leads to an angry confrontation between Homer and Ray Patterson (voice of Steve Martin), Springfield's sanitation commissioner. Homer decides to put Patterson out of business by running for sanitation commissioner himself, and after making a number of ridiculous promises and slandering his opponent, Homer wins the office. However, Homer's ambitious plans cause him to blow through his annual sanitation budget in less than a month, and to cover up his mistakes, he starts accepting dangerous waste from other cities until Springfield's landfills are overflowing. First aired on April 26, 1998, "Trash of the Titans" also features a guest appearance from Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen of the rock group U2 as themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1998
It's April 15, and all over Springfield people are rushing to finish filing their taxes before the midnight deadline -- all except for Homer Simpson (voice of Dan Castellaneta), who reassures his wife Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) "I paid my taxes over a year ago!" When Marge convinces Homer that the Internal Revenue Service expects him to pay taxes every year, Homer files a return in a blind rush, and to no one's surprise he's called in for an audit. With a possible tax fraud conviction hanging over his head, Homer agrees to turn informant to the FBI on tax cheats, and ends up turning one of his co-workers over to the authorities. Convinced Homer is ready for something bigger, the FBI assigns him to take part in a sting operation to recover a one-of-a-kind trillion dollar bill, which they believe was stolen by craven energy magnate C. Montgomery Burns (voice of Harry Shearer) during an ill-fated goodwill mission to Europe in 1945. Homer discovers Burns does indeed have the valuable banknote, but Burns persuades Homer to help him flee the country with the cash, and with uber-friendly Ned Flanders (also voiced by Harry Shearer) in tow, Burns and Company seek exile in Cuba. "The Trouble With Trillions" aired for the first time ten days before tax day on April 5, 1998. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Still reeling from learning that Dana (Felicity Huffman) is in the midst of a relationship, Casey (Peter Krause) begins to exhibit bizarre behavior not dissimilar from that of a lovesick schoolboy -- which includes kicking fire hydrants, hiding from Dana, and dodging large flies only he seems able to see. Dan (Josh Charles) -- who is forced to endure Casey's Dana obsession with no small amount of disdain -- gets a summons to the Business Affairs department and learns his recent on-air serenading of Casey with the "Happy Birthday" song will cost the network 1,000 dollars in royalty fees to whomever holds the copyright to the song. Now totally obsessed with the notion of a fly attacking him, Casey examines a tape of the show he claims he was attacked on to prove he's not imagining the insect -- but comes away without finding it and begins to suspect he may be cracking up. Dana, in the meantime, has become aware of Casey's obsession via Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) and Dan, while her plans for a skiing getaway with her boyfriend Gordon (Ted McGinley) seem to have pushed Casey over the edge, prompting him to confront her. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
When Homer Simpson (voice of Dan Castellaneta) makes the sobering discovery that his current age put him at the halfway point of a normal human life expectancy, he becomes deeply depressed and is convinced he's wasted his life. Hoping to lift Homer's spirits, his family puts together a reel of home movies documenting some of his more remarkable exploits; unimpressed, he asks who invented movies in the first place, and when he discovers Thomas Edison dreamed up moving pictures as well as the light bulb, the phonograph, and dozens of other useful items, Homer is inspired to become an inventor. Quitting his job, he sets up a workshop in the basement in hopes of creating useful new items. However, Homer's first batch of new products -- including a make-up gun, an electric hammer, and a combination toilet and easy chair -- fails to impress, and he thinks he's washed out again until he comes up with a chair that has extra hinged back legs which keep it from tipping over backwards. The family is convinced Homer's finally come up with a winner until someone spots a photo of Edison with just such a chair; determined to avoid being branded a failure again, Homer and Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright) head to the Edison Museum in Michigan in order to destroy the great inventor's original chair so Homer can claim it as his own. Featuring a voice cameo from William Daniels (reprising his role as K.I.T.T., the car from Knight Rider), The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace first aired on September 20, 1998. Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, (more)
James L. Brooks (Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News) directed this $50 million-plus romantic comedy, set in Manhattan. Dysfunctional, acid-tongued romance novelist Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson), who suffers from an obsessive-compulsive disorder, takes pride in his ability to offend. At a nearby cafe, the only waitress willing to stand up to his sarcastic tirades is Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt), a single mother struggling to raise her chronically asthmatic son. In Melvin's West Village apartment building, talented contemporary artist Simon Nye (Greg Kinnear) lives across the hall from Melvin. Simon is the current darling of the New York art world, reason enough to draw Melvin's verbal fire, but Simon's gay lifestyle is further grist for the novelist's malicious mill. These three New Yorkers, none of whom appears to have a chance in hell at finding true happiness, discover their fates intertwined because of the fourth complicated character in the piece, Verdell, a tiny Brussels Griffon dog (played by newcomer Jill, after a 15-week training program). Melvin seems to have no friends or family, and he lives alone, working on his 62nd book.
When Simon goes into the hospital after a brutal mugging, Melvin has to take care of Verdell, and the dog actually warms Melvin's cold heart -- to the degree that he sets up unsolicited medical care for Carol's son. Eventually, Melvin is cornered into driving Simon and Carol to Baltimore, and during a hotel stopover, Melvin confesses to Carol, "You make me want to be a better man." The trip becomes an odyssey of self-realization for all three. Locations included Brooklyn's Prospect Park (Carol's neighborhood) and Greenwich Village (where Melvin's building is on 12th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues). Other exteriors were shot in downtown Los Angeles, where a dilapidated transient hotel at the corner of 4th Street and Main was transformed into the chic cafe where Carol works. Sets for the Simon/Melvin apartment interiors were erected on a soundstage at the Sony Pictures lot. Simon's paintings were created for the film by New York artist Billy Sullivan, whose work is part of the modern art collection at NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New Orleans Museum of Art. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
When Simon goes into the hospital after a brutal mugging, Melvin has to take care of Verdell, and the dog actually warms Melvin's cold heart -- to the degree that he sets up unsolicited medical care for Carol's son. Eventually, Melvin is cornered into driving Simon and Carol to Baltimore, and during a hotel stopover, Melvin confesses to Carol, "You make me want to be a better man." The trip becomes an odyssey of self-realization for all three. Locations included Brooklyn's Prospect Park (Carol's neighborhood) and Greenwich Village (where Melvin's building is on 12th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues). Other exteriors were shot in downtown Los Angeles, where a dilapidated transient hotel at the corner of 4th Street and Main was transformed into the chic cafe where Carol works. Sets for the Simon/Melvin apartment interiors were erected on a soundstage at the Sony Pictures lot. Simon's paintings were created for the film by New York artist Billy Sullivan, whose work is part of the modern art collection at NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New Orleans Museum of Art. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, (more)
- 1997
Lisa Simpson (voice of Yeardley Smith) learns that ground will soon be broken for a new shopping mall in Sabretooth Meadows, a part of Springfield where rare fossils have been uncovered in the past. Eager to see if more can be discovered, Lisa asks the developers permission for Springfield Elementary's students to organize a dig on the grounds before construction starts. They agree, and to the surprise of all, a strange skeleton is uncovered -- one with the body of a human, but with what appears to be wings growing from its back. While many townspeople are convinced the remains of an angel has been found -- including Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta), who steals the remain and puts them on display in his garage -- Lisa is convinced there's a scientific explanation for the strange find, and asks Stephen Jay Gould to look into the matter. However, the next day the skeleton disappears and is discovered at the top of a hill, emblazoned with the legend "The End Is Near." As Springfield's residents ponder the meaning of this ominous statement, the matter divides the Simpson household, with Lisa standing on the side of science and reason while her mother Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) expresses her belief in the spiritual world. "Lisa The Skeptic" first aired on November 23, 1997. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Just as Homer Simpson (voice of Dan Castellaneta) has convinced himself he's the most popular guy in the neighborhood when he mans the microphone and moves much merchandise at a neighborhood garage sale, he discovers he has new competition as top dog in Springfield when former president George Bush (voice of Harry Shearer) moves in across the street. Homer and George don't quite hit it off, though Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) gets along just fine with one-time First Lady Barbara (voice of Maggie Roswell); the real trouble, though, comes when Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright) starts showing up at the Bush household uninvited, usually causing trouble. One day, Bart accidentally destroys the manuscript to George's just-completed memoirs with an outboard motor, and George angrily gives the boy a spanking. Homer is outraged that Bush has taken away his "right to raise a disobedient, smart-aleky son," and soon it's all-out war between Homer and the former president. Meanwhile, Springfield Elementary School institutes a policy forcing the students to wear uniforms, and soon the kids are so mired in conformity that they begin blinking in unison. "Two Bad Neighbors" first aired on January 14, 1996; it also marked one of the very few times that a celebrity who was a significant character on the show did not provide his or her own voice (though given the numerous jokes at George Bush's expense, it's no great surprise he didn't participate in this episode). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Springfield energy tycoon C. Montgomery Burns (voice of Harry Shearer) has never been one to endear himself to his fellow citizens, but his public image sinks even lower than usual after oil is discovered on the grounds of the local elementary school. While Principal Skinner (also voiced by Shearer) plans massive improvements for the school -- including buying a new crystal slop-bucket for Groundskeeper Willie (voice of Dan Castellaneta) and hiring Latin jazz great Tito Puente as a music teacher -- Burns instead finds a way to tap into the oil well, adding to his already bulging bankroll and forcing massive cutbacks for the school. The after-effects of Burns' actions prove to be widespread -- the local retirement home collapses, leaving Grampa Simpson (also voiced by Castellaneta) with nowhere to go, while Moe (voice of Hank Azaria) is forced to close his tavern due to toxic fumes, and Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright) is angry after his dog is injured by a blast of crude oil. Meanwhile, Homer (also voiced by Castellaneta) begins to snap when Burns is unable to remember his name, and the few citizens not already furious with Burns are out for his blood when he constructs a giant shield that prevents the sun from shining on Springfield. When Mr. Burns is shot after a town meeting, the question isn't "Who would want to kill the richest man in town?" but "Who wouldn't?" "Who Shot Mr. Burns (Part One)," the cliffhanging finale of the sixth season of The Simpsons, first aired on May 21, 1995. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Waylon Smithers (voice of Harry Shearer) awakes with a brutal hangover, convinced that in a drunken haze he attempted to kill C. Montgomery Burns (also voiced by Shearer), his employer, mentor, and secret love. However, after being taken in by the police, it's discovered that Smithers actually shot elderly eccentric Jasper (also voiced by Shearer) in his wooden leg. So who did attempt to take Mr. Burns' life? Jazz great Tito Puente (who provides his own voice) is let off the hook after he reveals his own revenge against Burns in the form of a "slanderous mambo," and all eyes turn to the Simpson family when a test of the bullet reveals evidence of the family's DNA. The likely suspects appear to be Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta), enraged that Burns could not remember his name; Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith), angry that Puente lost his teaching position after Burns stole oil reserves from the local elementary school; and Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright), who pledged to get revenge after Burns' oil put his dog in the animal hospital. Burns finally comes to his senses and reveals that a member of the Simpson family did indeed shoot him -- but not the one anyone expected. Answering the questions raised by the cliffhanging Who Shot Mr. Burns (Part One), which closed out the sixth season of The Simpsons, "Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)" kicked off season seven when it first aired on September 17, 1995. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1995
After Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright) is kept after Sunday school as punishment for tricking the congregation into singing "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," and Milhouse (voice of Pamela Hayden) is also kept behind for squealing on his friend, the boys have a debate about the nature of the soul. Ever the skeptic, Bart offers to sell his soul to Milhouse for five bucks, and Milhouse takes him up on the offer. Before long, however, Bart gets the sinking feeling that he has made a big mistake, and he asks Milhouse for his soul back, only to discover that Milhouse has shrewdly raised the price to $50. Elsewhere, local barkeep Moe (voice of Hank Azaria) decides that running a "dank pit" isn't bringing in the business it once did, and decides to turn his tavern into a family style restaurant, Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag, which may not be a good business decision for a cranky guy with a short temper who loathes the sound of children's laughter. "Bart Sells His Soul" first aired on October 8, 1995. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Semi-corrupt public official Mayor Joe Quimby (voice of Dan Castellaneta) is up for re-election, and radio talk-show host and Republican activist Birch Barlow (voice of Harry Shearer) is determined to put a more conservative candidate in office. Looking for the right man to run against Quimby, Barlow and his right-wing brain trust think they may have found their man in Sideshow Bob (voice of Kelsey Grammer), convicted felon, former children's entertainer, and nemesis of Bart Simpson (voice of Nancy Cartwright). After Barlow's radio campaign results in Sideshow Bob's early release, Bart and Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith) help Mayor Quimby in his campaign against the charismatically evil Bob, but Quimby spoils his own campaign and Bob wins with a projected 100 percent of the vote. However, an anonymous tipster tells Bart and Lisa that something was not cricket with the election, and the kids make a shocking discovery as they examine Springfield's polling records. Sideshow Bob Roberts also features a guest voice-appearance by noted disc jockey and music archivist Dr. Demento as himself; the episode first aired on October 9, 1994. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1994
After sneaking away from a school field trip to a box factory, Bart Simpson (voice of Nancy Cartwright) makes his way to the television studio where his hero, Krusty the Clown (voice of Dan Castellaneta), tapes his show. When Krusty throws a star fit after not being served the Danish he demanded, Bart steals one for him from newsman Kent Brockman (voice of Harry Shearer), and the grateful clown gives Bart a job as his assistant. Bart soon discovers that being Krusty's assistant means doing the errands no one else is willing to do ("Now I need you to go clean out my toilet . . . Eew! I don't know what I was thinking last night!"), but when Sideshow Mel falls ill, Bart is given a small part in a sketch. Bart muffs his entrance, then tries to cover by saying "I didn't do it." The line gets a big laugh, and Krusty brings Bart back again to say the line several more times. Soon Bart is famous as "The I Didn't Do It Boy," but he grows tired of being known only for his catch phrase. He soon discovers, though, that his fans aren't all that interested in watching him expand his repertoire. "Bart Gets Famous" first aired on February 3, 1994. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Late October brings yet another trio of comic nightmares from The Simpsons. In The Shinning, Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta) gets a job as winter caretaker at a resort hotel high in the mountains owned by Mr. Burns (voice of Harry Shearer). The maintenance man, Groundskeeper Willie (voice of Castellaneta), discovers Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright) shares his psychic gift of "shinning" ("You mean 'shining'?" "Shh! You wanna get sued?!?"), which comes in handy when Homer snaps under the pressure after finding the hotel has no beer or television. Time and Punishment finds Homer trying to fix a toaster and somehow becoming unstuck in time, encountering any number of alternate histories as he zooms back and forth from the prehistoric age to the "present." And in Nightmare Cafeteria, Bart and Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith) notice that students kept after school for detention are disappearing, as the cafeteria is suddenly serving an abundance of rich, meaty dishes, leading the quickly shrinking number of students to wonder if Principal Skinner (voice of Shearer) and Lunchlady Doris (voice of Doris Grau) are resorting to cannibalism. "Treehouse of Horror" first aired on October 30, 1994. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
In this animated children's film from Amblin Entertainment, a group of four dinosaurs, including a tyrannosaurus rex, a triceratops, a hadrosaur, and a pterodactyl, are brought forward in time to New York City to entertain and befriend the children. However, when the dinosaurs are threatened by an evil circus owner, it is up to their young friends to save the day. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Goodman, Blaze Berdahl, (more)
- 1993
Homer Simpson (voice of Dan Castellaneta) and his alcoholic friend Barney Gumble (also voiced by Castellaneta) sneak out of work and take a tour of the Duff Brewery, where they help themselves to the copious free samples of Duff Beer, Duff Lite, Duff Dry, Duff Dark, and Raspberry Duff. On his way home, Homer gets picked up for drunk driving, causing him to lose his license and to attend Alc-Anon meetings under a court order. He pledges to give up drinking for thirty days, in part to get his license back and in part to please Marge (voice of Julie Kavner), who is worried about Homer's fondness for alcohol, but Homer finds that going a month without beer is harder than he expected. Meanwhile, after Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright) destroys a giant tomato that Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith) was growing for a science fair project, she gets an idea for a new project -- an experiment in which she'll prove an ordinary hamster is smarter than her brother. Duffless was first aired on February 18, 1993. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Valentine's Day has come to Springfield Elementary School, and while the rest of his classmates have gotten cards from their fellow students, intellectually challenged Ralph Wiggum (voice of Nancy Cartwright) hasn't received a single valentine. Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith) feels sorry for poor Ralph, so she erases the name from a card she was given and passes it along to Ralph. Convinced she likes him, Ralph quickly develops a major crush on Lisa, but the more time she spends with Ralph, the more Lisa is convinced she doesn't feel anything for him but a mixture of annoyance and pity. Ralph tries to win Lisa's heart with Malibu Stacy accessories and tickets to the Krusty the Clown Anniversary Special, where Lisa is prodded into admitting on the air that she doesn't like Ralph, breaking his heart. Lisa feels awful about hurting Ralph's feelings, and her heart sinks even deeper when she discovers she has won the female lead in the school play, portraying Martha Washington -- and that her leading man will be Ralph, cast as George. I Love Lisa was first aired on February 11, 1993, just in time for Valentine's Day. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1993
After C. Montgomery Burns (voice of Harry Shearer) is found guilty of dumping toxic waste from the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant in a city park, he's fined $3 million, which he pays at once, in cash. With a sudden and unexpected budget surplus, the good people of Springfield are trying to decide what to do with the money when smooth-talking salesman Lyle Lanley (voice of Phil Hartman) convinces the town that what they need is a monorail system. Marge Simpson (voice of Julie Kavner), however, is against the idea and has reason to believe that Lanley is pulling a fast one on the city, even though Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta) has already enrolled in monorail conductor's school. Marge discovers that the monorails Lanley constructed in other cities were not only faulty but dangerous, and she must race back to Springfield before someone gets hurt and before Lanley gets away with the money. Leonard Nimoy makes a guest appearance as a celebrity attending the monorail dedication (whom Mayor Quimby mistakes for one of the Little Rascals). "Marge Vs. The Monorail" first aired on January 14, 1993. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1993
The citizens of Springfield are being inundated with advertisements heralding the arrival of something called "Gabbo," raising curiosity to a fever pitch. One day, it is revealed that Gabbo is the irrepressible wooden sidekick of ventriloquist Arthur Crandall (voice of Hank Azaria), and that they are to star in a new television show. However, much to the dismay of Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright) and Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith), Gabbo's show is scheduled to air opposite that of their favorite entertainer, Krusty the Clown (voice of Dan Castellaneta), and soon Krusty's ratings sink through the floorboards as Gabbo leaps to unprecedented success. Krusty's show is dropped from the schedule, and after his career as a professional gambler hits the skids, Krusty is left with nowhere to go. Eager to help their fallen hero, Bart and Lisa suggest that Krusty stage a comeback special, featuring some of the big-name stars he's become friendly with during his years in show business. Krusty hands his address book to Bart and Lisa and asks them to get to work rounding up talent, while he attempts to lose the weight he put on with a steady diet of milkshakes. Appearing on Krusty's TV special are Bette Midler, Johnny Carson, Hugh Hefner, Luke Perry, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, all of whom perform their own voices; Barry White and Elizabeth Taylor also provide voice cameos for the episode. "Krusty Gets Kancelled" first aired on May 13, 1993. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Former highbrow children's entertainer and failed criminal genius Sideshow Bob (voice of Kelsey Grammer) has once again won parole, and decides to get revenge against the person who twice put him behind bars: Bart Simpson (voice of Nancy Cartwright). While Bob convinces the authorities that he means no harm to his young nemesis (explaining that his "Die, Bart, Die" tattoo is actually a German expression, "The, Bart, The"), it doesn't take long for Bart to figure out that Bob is the man who's been sending him threatening letters written in blood. After Bob begins stalking Bart and his family, the FBI enrolls the Simpsons in the Witness Relocation Program; renamed the "Thompsons," Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta) and Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) move the kids to a houseboat in the riverfront community of Cape Feare. However, Bob manages to hitch a ride on the underside of the family car, and soon Bob is battling Bart "Thompson" mano a mano as the family's home floats down the river. "Cape Feare" first aired on October 7, 1993. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Barry Levinson directed this cautionary fantasy fable--a triumph of production design--concerning the clash between benevolent, funny toys and malevolent, violent war toys and video games. Donald O'Connor is the kindly, gentle Kenneth Zevo, founder of Zevo Toys. The workers love him and the love they feel for Zevo comes through in the lovingly cute toys they produce. His son Leslie (Robin Williams) is an eccentric inventor who concentrates on coming up with different styles of plastic vomit and over-sized ears. His addle-headed daughter Alsatia (Joan Cusack) enjoys trying out all of Leslie's inventions. But their innocent, idyllic existence is soon to be shattered. Kenneth is dying and he is reluctant to bequeath the factory to the immature hands of Leslie and Alsatia. He finally decides to pass on his factory to his three-star general brother (Michael Gambon), reasoning that the general will run the factory efficiently and prod Leslie and Alsatia into adulthood. When Kenneth dies, the general and his army surplus son Patrick (LL Cool J) immediately turn Zevo Toys into an oppressive fascistic environment. The general also stops production of the innocent Zevo products and forces the workers to manufacture violent interactive video games and sadistic war toys. Leslie must rouse himself out of his over-long childhood to preserve the tradition of Zevo Toys. Although Toys did not fare well at the box office, it features a stunning combination of production design by Ferdinando Scarfiotti and art direction by Edward Richardson. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robin Williams, Michael Gambon, (more)
- 1992
Looking for something to break the monotony of her life as a housewife, Marge Simpson (voice of Julie Kavner) auditions for the Springfield Community Center's upcoming production of Streetcar! -- a musical adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire. The director, melodramatic Llewllyn Sinclair (voice of Jon Lovitz), isn't impressed at first by Marge's audition, but after hearing her talk to Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta), he's convinced she's just the woman to play Blanche DuBois opposite Ned Flanders (voice of Harry Shearer), who was cast because he looks better with his shirt off than anyone else who tried out. Homer doesn't think much of Marge's new interest in theater, and her anger at her husband gives her performance a keen emotional edge, but will this rift in their marriage prove irreparable? Meanwhile, since Marge is busy with rehearsals, she sends baby Maggie to a daycare center, the Ayn Rand School for Tots, where the staff is determined to keep the children away from their pacifiers; Maggie, however, isn't about to give it up without a fight. A Streetcar Named Marge first aired on October 1, 1992. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1992
It's Halloween again, and the Simpson family is having a party, with everyone trying to top each other with tales of terror. In Clown Without Pity, Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta) forgets to buy a birthday present for Bart (voice of Nancy Cartwright), and finds a talking Krusty the Clown doll at a strange little shop. Homer soon realizes, however, that he didn't get an ordinary toy; the doll threatens to kill him and chases him around the house with a knife when it isn't busy trying to convince the Malibu Stacy doll owned by Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith) that she looks awfully warm in that cheerleader's outfit. Grampa passes along his own version of the classic monster epic King Kong -- King Homer -- in which Mr. Burns and Smithers (both voiced by Harry Shearer) set out to capture the giant ape King Homer, using aspiring starlet Marge Bouvier (voice of Julie Kavner) to lure the beast into their trap. And in Dial "Z" For Zombie, Bart learns the local library is a lot more interesting than he imagined when he finds a book of magic spells that can be used to reanimate the dead. Bart and Lisa use one of the incantations to resurrect their departed cat, Snowball I, but they make a few miscalculations, and soon Springfield is crawling with "the living impaired" who've passed on over the past two centuries. "Treehouse Of Horror III" was first aired on October 29, 1992. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
