Homie the Clown

Infobox Simpsons episode
episode_name = Homie the Clown


image_caption = Promotional art for Homie the Clown.
episode_no = 118
prod_code = 2F12
airdate = February 12, 1995
show runner = David Mirkin
writer = John Swartzwelder
director = David Silverman
blackboard = "Next time it could be me on the scaffolding"cite book|last=Richmond |first=Ray|coauthors=Antonia Coffman|title= |year=1997 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers|id=ISBN 0-00-638898-1|pages=p. 174]
couch_gag = The Simpsons sit down in midair; the couch builds itself on top them.cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season6/page15.shtml|title=Homie the Clown|accessdate=2008-03-27|author=Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian |date=2000|publisher=BBC]
guest_star = Dick Cavett as himself
Johnny Unitas as himself
Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony
commentary = Matt Groening
David Mirkin
Mark Kirkland
David Silverman
season = 6

"Homie the Clown" is the 15th episode of "The Simpsons"’ sixth season. The episode title is a play on the sketch comedy character Homey the Clown (portrayed by Damon Wayans) from the sketch comedy show "In Living Color".

Plot

Krusty’s poor gambling skills and wasteful habits (such as lighting a cigarette by burning a $100 bill, a pearl necklace, and a copy of "Action Comics" #1) land him in deep financial trouble, and to make up for it he launches a training college for clowns. Homer sees a billboard for the college and, after initially trying to resist, enrolls. After graduating, he impersonates Krusty at private and public events that the real Krusty deems unworthy of his personal appearance. At first, the stress of it all makes Homer considering quitting, but he discovers that, mistaken for Krusty due to his uncanny resemblance, he receives all sorts of benefits from authority figures and businesses. The impersonation goes too far when Homer is kidnapped by Fat Tony’s gang, to whom the real Krusty is indebted. However, the real Krusty arrives and Krusty and Homer’s lives are spared after they entertain the gang with an elaborate clown trick. Krusty pays off his debt to the gang—a total of $48, of which he gets change for his $50.

Production

An early concept for "The Simpsons" saw Krusty the Clown being revealed as Homer Simpson's secret stage identity. These storylines never developed, but this episode allowed writers to comment upon the design similarity of the two characters.cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565538/20070725/story.jhtml|title='Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers|accessdate=2007-07-29|date=2007-07-26|author=Larry Carroll|publisher=MTV]

Cultural references

The episode title is reference to the character Homey the Clown from the sketch comedy show "In Living Color". Krusty lights a cigarette with an issue of "Action Comics" #1, the first full appearance of "Superman", and one of the rarest comic books of all-time. The notes that play on the wine glasses during Homer and Krusty's bicycle trick form those of the theme from the film "The Godfather". Homer forms his mashed potatoes into a circus tent just as Richard Dreyfuss' character does in the 1977 film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".

Krusty taking the bandages off after his surgical operation, spoofs the scene in Tim Burton's 1989 film "Batman" when Jack Napier discovers his new face after being disfigured. Many classic circus clown gags are referenced: when Homer finishes putting on his Krusty suit, he then squirts Barts with water from his chest flower; when Krusty shakes the hands of the graduates, he has a shock device on his hand. The “Krustyburglar” is a parody of the McDonald's Hamburglar. Ned Flanders wore a Bible and an "extra large piece of the true cross" - a parody of a scene in the 1993 film "The Three Musketeers" where Aramis wore a crucifix that saved his life in a similar manner.

References

External links

*snpp capsule|2F12