The Sitcom Studies Podcast

We have a very special guest with us this week as we tackle our first movie! Dear friend and film enthusiast Mandy Jimenez joins us to discuss the one and only Simpsons Movie (2007). What to do when Springfield has been placed in environmental quarantine, under a dome? We touch on favorite cameos and jokes; reflect on the deeply troubled relationship between Homer and Bart; and gush (just slightly) over Lisa's little romance - we miss you already, Collin! Ultimately, though, we think the movie can be summed up with our new favorite motto: Marge. In. Charge. Thank you so much for being part of this conversation, Mandy! 

We've got two heavy hitters this week that leave us with a lot to think about but also laughing as always: "Last Exit to Springfield" (Season 4, Episode 17) and “Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy” (season 5 , episode 14). A sexist doll leads a passionate Lisa to try to create her own preferable version. Homer temporarily becomes head of his union. And of course Lisa needs braces...Lisa needs braces...Lisa needs...
Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Stein

Have you every questioned your faith? That's exactly what the Simpsons are doing this week, with Homer deciding to stop going to church in “Homer the Heretic” (season 4, episode 3) and Lisa converting to Buddhism in “She Of Little Faith” (Season 13, Episode 6). We discuss some classic gifs that have come from these episodes; Marge's concern for her husband and daughter as they each embark on personal faith journeys; and the importance of finding value in what different faiths have to offer. Also, hello, Richard Gere! 
Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Buddha

We're taking a look into the future this week - Lisa and Bart's futures, to be specific - with “Lisa’s Wedding” (season 6, episode 19) and “Barthood” (season 27, episode 9). We talk all things sibling dynamics; the important commentary Lisa's story makes on classism; and...a talkative teenage Maggie?
Historical Highlights: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-surprisingly-radical-roots-of-the-renaissance-fair-180982918/

Get your tissues and maybe a glass of wine ready: we're discussing two episodes all about heartbreak and healing this week, “I Love Lisa” (season 4, episode 15) and  “Alone Again, Natura-diddly" (season 11, episode 14). We see Lisa learn how to respond when she does not reciprocate a crush, and we see Springfield try to help Ned Flanders when Maude passes away unexpectedly. We love that The Simpsons still sprinkles these episodes with some more lighthearted and funny moments. And Bart, don't make rejecting Ralph harder for your sister than it needs to be! 
Historical Highlights: Facts About Martha Washington

We are thrilled to be joined this week by animation and pop culture enthusiast and Rotten Tomatoes film critic Dave Lee, known on YouTube as Dave Lee Down Under! He joins us to share his love for The Simpsons (and other classic 90s sitcoms) as we discuss two fantastic episodes featuring one-time characters who have left a definitive mark on this series: “You Only Move Twice” (season 8, episode 2) and “Homer’s Enemy” (season 8, episode 23). Hank Scorpio and Frank Grimes cause quite a bit of upheaval for the Simpsons clan, but as always, Homer somehow manages to come out on the other side. Dave, thank you so much for your time and for sharing your love of sitcoms with us. 
Check out Dave's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveLeeDownUnder
Historical Highlights: 
https://www.npr.org/2010/09/30/130192940/nixons-failed-attempts-at-poisoning-the-press
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/12/23/132287697/nixon-era-probe-of-dan-schorr-uncovered-a-great-reporter-fbi-files-show
 

This week it's all about the couple of the hour, Homer and Marge! In the two flashback episodes “The Way We Was” (season 2, episode 12) and “I Married Marge” (Season 3, Episode 12), we learn about how these two first met and what happened when Marge first learned she was pregnant with Bart. We simply can't get enough of these two!
History Highlights: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3987368/
 

Get your tissues ready for this week's episodes: “Lisa’s Substitute” (season 2, episode 19) and "Mother Simpson" (season 7, episode 8). We discuss these two very important episodes for Lisa and Homer and the insight they offer into issues of mentorship and abandonment during childhood. Not to mention, each episode has a truly ICONIC guest star. 
Historical Highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Texas#Texas_Revolution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Whitman#Life_and_work
 

We're talking all things Simpsons siblings this week, in particular “Separate Vocations” (season 3, episode 18) and “Lisa's First Word" (Season 4, Episode 10). We get quite a bit of backstory here and even a glimpse into what the future might look like for our favorite brother and sister. Oh, and we finally hear from Maggie...
History Highlights:
https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/history-standardized-testing-united-states
https://daily.jstor.org/short-history-standardized-tests/
 

We've got a two-parter AND a whodunit this week, as the town of Springfield tries to discover who's guilty in "Who Shot Mr. Burns?” - Parts 1 & 2 (season 6, episode 25 and season 7, episode 1). And when it's a villain like Mr. Burns, everyone has motive and everyone...and we do mean EVERYONE...is a suspect...
Oh, and would Mr. Burns get along with Yzma? Snuff Out the Light Song 
History Highlights:
https://countway.harvard.edu/news/origins-polygraph
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygraph#