OTH: The Simpsons- "The Last Temptation of Krust" / "Dumbbell Indemnity"
Canyoero- the Cadillac of automobiles.
Season 9, Episode 15
Aired February 22, 1998
Directed by Mike B. Anderson
Written by Donick Cary
Synopsis: Springfield is hosting a big comedy fundraiser, and a lot of today’s biggest talents are slated to appear- Jay Leno, Janeane Garofalo, Bruce Baum, Bobcat Goldthwait, Steven Wright. Basically everyone but Krusty, who many either assume is dead or was before their time. Bart meets with Leno and convinces him to call Krusty up to perform, but that proves to be a mistake when Bart’s the only one laughing. Krusty’s shtick has dated itself compared to Wright’s observational comedy or Garofalo’s raunchy but authentic stories. His poor reception puts Krusty in a depressive mood and sends him off on a bender, ending up face first on the Flanders’ front yard. Bart finds his idol and drags him up to his room, full of material with Krusty’s face all over it, where he tries to help Krusty’s career once again, even enlisting Leno for help, who suggests that Krusty adapt to today’s scene. Unfortunately, his heart just isn’t into observational humor or raunchy jokes, so Krusty decides that it will be for the best if he retires. He sets up a press release to announce his retirement, but Krusty starts spreading some harsh truths in a humorous manner that works to give him some of his biggest laughs in years, making him immediately rescind his retirement. Krusty now patterns himself after George Carlin and becomes a mad prophet, scoring big laughs at Moe’s as he decries the commercialization of the industry. However, a couple of spokespeople for a new SUV come to Krusty and ask him to be their spokesman. He initially turns it down, considering his sell-out days over, but as we later see, he takes the offer up to the disappointment of everyone. Ah well, it’s a hell of a car, though.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. I’m surprised that this episode isn’t brought up as an example of The Simpsons predicting cancel culture, but this never-ending battle against wokeness has been a thing for ages. Now some of the comedians who were cutting edge during this period are rallying against the ever-evolving standards of today.
“The Last Temptation of Krust” could be a hypocritical diatribe on cancel culture, but instead the episode wisely fits itself into an entertaining distillment of the then-modern comedy scene, using some of the industry’s biggest names to sell the point that what worked for Krusty’s time, which was closer to Bob Newhart’s heyday (a worthy legend whose name I basically picked out of memory), isn’t necessarily what will land today. His unfortunate Chinese accents and tired TV dinner meals are no longer anything close to cutting edge, and it’s time that Krusty either adapted or stepped down gracefully.
Considering how few long-timers have been able to successfully change with the times without looking desperate or unoriginal, the latter plan is preferred, but he somehow made the former work. It’s simultaneously humorous and kind of charming to see Krusty play George Carlin, a reference that at once feels nostalgic, timeless and timely even today, and he’s backed by some sharp observations that Jerry Seinfeld wishes he could lift.
The thing about Krusty, though, is that as good as he is at playing the part, he’s a capitalist at heart, which is why he ultimately gives in and sells out to the fanciest offer he receives. The sad thing is, very few artists are above the temptation of easy money and swag (this week’s guest of honor, Jay Leno, is a big car guy and would likely take a similar offer up), and it’s easy to let our favorite public figures disappoint us. But it doesn’t matter if you’re a comedian, a politician or a baker across the street, no one is perfect and morals can be bent at any given instant. Bart and the citizens of Springfield may be disappointed in Krusty reverting to his old ways here, but they’ll forgive him by the next episode, as we probably should.
“The Last Temptation of Krust” doesn’t offer a whole lot for the family after an entertaining opening at the mall, but it’s another fun look at one of the show’s finest characters. Because even by now, Krusty has become a fully-rounded character worth returning to as a lead every so often.
Season 9, Episode 16
Aired March 1, 1998
Directed by Dominic Polcino
Written by Ron Hauge
Synopsis: Moe hasn’t been on a date in four years, and he’s bitter whenever Homer starts bragging about his happy marriage. Our guy feels bad for his favorite bartender and decides that he’ll try to play wingman for him and takes Moe out to a popular club, where he constantly gets rejected. After that dismal turnout, he almost gives up on love until a pretty flower cart owner named Renee (Helen Hunt) offers him a free flower. The two start talking and, surprisingly, sparks fly, so Moe asks her out. While she initially isn’t sure, Renee ultimately says yes, and before he knows it, Moe has found himself a lovely new girlfriend. He shows Renee around town and they go on lovely dates, which he charges to his Player’s Choice card, but Moe eventually runs into a problem- his card is maxed out, and he’s worried about losing Renee without being able to spoil her. Homer suggests that Moe sell his car, but it’s not worth much on the market… but it is worth $5,000 in insurance. He comes up with a plan for Homer to take his car while Moe and Renee are on a boat with the Springfield PD and park it on a railroad track right before the 8:00 delivery, so it can crash and he can receive the insurance. Homer reluctantly agrees to do it, but he misses the train when he foolishly takes the car to a drive-in movie, so he decides to improvise and crash it into the coast. Unfortunately, he drives the car down to the ocean in perfect view of Moe, Renee, and all of the cops in Springfield, who arrest Homer after he comes up from the water. Moe feels bad for Homer screwing up and getting arrested on his account, so he agrees to bail Homer out of jail with his insurance money, but instead he sees Renee’s heart swoon over an ad promoting a deluxe trip to Hawaii, which he goes for instead. As he packs for their trip, Homer just won’t escape Moe’s head, so he comes clean to Renee. She’s willing to forgive Moe if he’ll get a refund for the trip and uses the money to get Homer out, but instead he comes up with another insurance fraud scam that can hopefully give them both. Renee walks out, disappointed with the man she fell for as Moe accidentally sets the bar on fire. Homer comes in, having escaped from his jail cell and ready for vengeance, but before the two can fight, they both pass out from the fumes. Luckily, Barney was in the bathroom and saves his two best friends… after saving as much beer as he can. Homer and Moe forgive each other, but Moe is distraught to see his bar burn to the ground. For one last time, Homer helps his buddy out one more time and offers his house as the new location for Moe’s Tavern, before his insurance money can help him hopefully find a similar spot and location.
Moe episodes will become a more common occurrence in later seasons. I don’t know why it became a popular subject to focus on his poor love life and rough personality, but the subject clearly struck a nerve with some members of the crew.
Personally, I think that a lot of his appeal comes from Hank Azaria’s performance as Moe, who makes the character feel real and, if not necessarily likable, admirable in the same kind of way that Ernest Borgnine effortlessly sold in his Oscar-winning Marty. Azaria has become one of the show’s trump cards during the show’s run, offering a wealth of performances that continue to make the supporting cast soar above and beyond the family. He has a recognizable pattern between voices like Moe and Chief Wiggum, but they’ve been built upon well enough over the years to stand on their own at this point.
And Azaria does a good job of selling a lovestruck Moe along with his soon-to-be (eventual ex) wife Helen Hunt. Renee isn’t the most well-rounded character, but she does good work making each line land with a bit of character refinement, and makes her eventual falling for Moe feel entirely possible. That’s not an easy feat when, well, just spend time with him, but the episode does a fine job making it believable.
The animation is particularly sharp this week, and the timing for Homer jumping and rolling out from and back into the car is especially perfect. Also worth mentioning is Homer’s little rolling as he’s on his way to kill Moe, which looks as fun as he’s making it sound(weee!). I don’t bring up the animation very often, but the show is still looking sharp this late in the game.
And it’s doing better work with its supporting cast than in previous seasons. Moe and Homer’s friendship feels real, and the challenge it faces come halfway is particularly fraught. Still, a little Moe goes a long way, but if “Dumbbell Indemnity” is any indication, I think he’s still likable enough for now.
Homer’s Bar Tab:
Chalkboard Gag Wars: “Pain is not the cleanser” vs. “Silly string is not a nasal spray”. I don’t know if I agree with the former, tbh.
Couch Gag Wars: The family seats their burning behinds on a couch full of water vs. the family cubed together. Eh, they’re both okay.
Jay Leno appears in the commentary for the episode, and I thought he hit the right level between charming and annoying. But to be fair, he does offer some worthy insights into his history with comedy, but does allow the crew to talk about the episode and even has his own questions.
The NHL sent a letter to the show regarding the scene where Krusty drinks from sand vomits in the Stanley Cup. Scully considered it a “kind of cease and desist”, as they weren’t happy with the scene but agreed to not fight to remove it.
We should see more of Marge and Lisa watching TV. I think it’s adorable that Lisa translates the Spanish soap to Marge, despite her annoyance.
I don’t know about Winston Churchill, but I liked Der Wienerschnitzel when I went to California.
And here’s Hank Williams Jr’s Canyonero song. Worth the cuts to keep it in!
Okay, I didn’t know this, but Hank Azaria and Helen Hunt did marry after making this episode, although it was a brief marriage.
mmmm, Bacardi
“Stop kissing that cat and get in the car!”
Double mmmm, lobster stuffed with tacos
No front, Moe’s looks busier than usual when he moves it to the Simpson house.
Next Week: Lisa learns of the Simpson curse and worries that her intellect will die off before she finishes second grade, and Bart befriends Ralph. Wow, we’re getting a good amount of Lisa episodes lately. Bring ‘em on!