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Difference between revisions of "Husbands and Knives"

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[[Image:HusbandsandKnives.png|thumb|nail|The episode's promo card featuring Milo the owner of Coolsville.]]
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"'''Husbands and Knives'''" is the seventh episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[The Simpsons (season 19)|nineteenth season]] and first aired on [[November 18]], 2007.<ref name="Futon2"/> It features guest appearances from [[Alan Moore]], [[Art Spiegelman]] and [[Daniel Clowes|Dan Clowes]] as themselves as well as [[Jack Black]] as Milo. It guest stars [[Maurice LaMarche]] as a jock. <ref>{{cite news | author = Eric Moro | title = SDCC 07: The Simpsons Panel | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = [[2007-07-28]] | url = http://tv.ign.com/articles/808/808965p1.html | accessdate=2007-07-29}}</ref>
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{{EpisodePrevNext|Little Orphan Millie|Funeral for a Fiend}}
 +
{{Episode
 +
|episodeTitle= Husbands and Knives
 +
|image=Husbands and Knives promo.jpg
 +
|number=407
 +
|season=19
 +
|snumber=7
 +
|prodcode=JABF17
 +
|airdate=November 18, [[2007]]
 +
|blackboard= The Pilgrims were not illegal aliens
 +
|couchgag= Two hands open a pop-up-book to reveal the family sitting on the couch.
 +
|guests=[[Jack Black]] as [[Milo]]<br>[[Daniel Clowes]] as {{Ch|Daniel Clowes|himself}}<br>[[Maurice LaMarche]] as [[husband 3]]<br>[[Alan Moore]] as {{Ch|Alan Moore|himself}}<br>[[Art Spiegelman]] as {{Ch|Art Spiegelman|himself}}
 +
|showrunner1= Al Jean
 +
|writer=[[Matt Selman]]
 +
|director=[[Nancy Kruse]]
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
"'''Husbands and Knives'''" is the seventh episode of [[season 19]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the four-hundred and seventh episode overall. It originally aired on November 18, [[2007]]. The episode was written by [[Matt Selman]] and directed by [[Nancy Kruse]]. It guest stars [[Jack Black]] as [[Milo]], [[Daniel Clowes]] as {{Ch|Daniel Clowes|himself}}, [[Maurice LaMarche]] as [[husband 3]], [[Alan Moore]] as {{Ch|Alan Moore|himself}} and [[Art Spiegelman]] as {{Ch|Art Spiegelman|himself}}.
 +
 
 +
== Synopsis ==
 +
{{Desc|Coolsville, a new comic book shop, opens up in [[Springfield]] and puts [[Comic Book Guy]] out of business. [[Marge]] takes advantage of the vacant business space to open ''[[Shapes]]'', a women-only gym, and becomes a famous and successful businesswoman. Marge's success, however, causes [[Homer]] to worry about losing her and leads him to consider undergoing radical cosmetic surgery.}}
  
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
[[Image:HusbandsAndKnivesPromo.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The show's second promotional picture: Marge as depicted in her own fitness club.]]
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While shopping at the [[The Android's Dungeon]], [[Milhouse]] accidentally sheds a tear on a Wolverine comic book and blurs Wolverine's sideburns. For this, [[Comic Book Guy]] charges Milhouse twenty-five dollars to buy it. After [[Bart]] complains that if Comic Book Guy should treat them right since they're his customers, Comic Book Guy tells him and the other child customers to go to a new comic book store, thinking his is the only one in town. To his surprise, a new comic book store, "[[Coolsville Comics & Toys]]", situated directly across the street from the Android's Dungeon has just opened.
  
While shopping at the [[Comic Book Guy#The Android's Dungeon|The Android's Dungeon]], Millhouse accidentally sheds a tear on a [[Wolverine]] [[comic book]] and blurs Wolverine's sideburns. For this, [[Comic Book Guy]] charges Milhouse twenty-five dollars. After [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] speaks out about how comic books are not "real", Comic Book Guy tells him and the other children customers to go to a new comic book store, thinking his is the only one in town. To his surprise, a new comic book store, "Coolsville Comics & Toys", situated directly across the street from the Android's Dungeon has just opened.
+
All the children immediately depart the store and head towards Coolsville, where the store owner, a hip man named [[Milo]] immediately makes a good impression on the kids by giving them candy and inviting them for his grand opening. Upon entering, the children are astonished to see the store is not completely full of comic books, but also of video games and modern art, giving it a sophisticated arcade look. When [[Lisa]] accidentally rips a page of a book, Milo merely tells her that the books are meant to be read and enjoyed, not horded.
  
All the children immediately depart the store and head towards Coolsville, where the store owner, a hip man named Milo ([[Jack Black]]), immediately brings upon a good impression towards the kids by giving them candy and inviting them for his grand opening. Upon entering, the children are astonished to see the store is not completely full of comic books, but also of video games and modern art, giving it a sophisticated arcade look. When [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] accidentally rips a page of a book, Milo merely tells her that the books are meant to be read and enjoyed.
+
The store begins attracting popularity, including that of alternative comic creators {{Ch|Art Spiegelman}}, {{Ch|Daniel Clowes}}, and {{Ch|Alan Moore}}, who all visit for a book signing. Comic Book Guy's jealousy begins getting to him, so he begins to sabotage Milo's popularity by attempting to bribe the children with new ninja weapons, and outing that (unlike normal comic collectors) Milo has a girlfriend named Strawberry, who appears to be as cool as he. After these ploys do not work, Comic Book Guy takes out a sword and demolishes Coolsville. He fails to destroy more after Art Spiegelman, Daniel Clowes and Alan Moore subdue him.
  
[[Image:MooreClovesSpielgman.png|left|thumb|(left to right) [[Dan Clowes]], [[Art Spiegelman]] (wearing a ''[[Maus]]'' mask) and [[Alan Moore]].]]
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After dropping Bart off at Coolsville, [[Marge]] compares herself to a cardboard standup of Wonder Woman, and is shocked to see how her physique compares unfavorably. Then Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney start feeling sorry for Marge and start beating up each other because of their mothers' appearances. Marge promises to go to a gym and become slimmer. While exercising at a [[L.A. Body Works|large and intense gym]], Marge begins to struggle with the treadmill. She convinces herself that everyone else is struggling, but feels worse when she realizes that shes the only one as the other clients, including [[Miss Springfield]], [[Cookie Kwan]], [[Rainier Wolfcastle]], and [[Duffman]] (who all have above-average physiques) are all using the treadmill with no problems. After being embarrassed from showering in a stall that turns out to be visible from the street, Marge wishes to make a gym for ordinary women were they won't be embarrassed in front of people.
The store begins attracting popularity, including those of [[Art Spiegelman]], [[Dan Clowes]], and [[Alan Moore]], who all visit for a book signing. Comic Book Guy's jealousy begins getting to him, so he begins to sabotage Milo's popularity by attempting to bribe the children with new ninja weapons, and outing that Milo has a girlfriend named Strawberry. After these ploys do not work, Comic Book Guy takes out a sword and demolishes Coolsville. He fails to destroy more after Art Spiegelman, Dan Clowes and Alan Moore subdue him.
 
  
After dropping Bart off at Coolsville, [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] compares herself to a standee of [[Wonder Woman]], and is shocked to see how her physical feature is much larger. Then Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney start feeling sorry for Marge and start beating up each other because of their mothers' appearances. Marge promises to go to a gym and become slimmer. While exercising at a large and intense gym, Marge begins to struggle with the treadmill. She convinces herself that everyone else is struggling, although the other customers, including [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Miss Springfield|Miss Springfield]], [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Cookie Kwan|Cookie Kwan]], [[Rainier Wolfcastle]], and [[List of celebrities in The Simpsons#Duffman|Duffman]] are all using the treadmill with no problems. After being embarrassed from showering in a public shower, Marge wishes to make a gym for ordinary women.  
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When Comic Book Guy finally gives up, he sells the Android's Dungeon to Marge who creates ''[[Shapes]]'', a women-only workout center which immediately becomes a hit. Many women of [[Springfield]] comment on Marge's efforts, and she opens another location at an abandoned [[Krusty Burger]]. Soon, after an interview on ''[[The Opal Show]]'', a now-rich Marge becomes an international hit.
  
When Comic Book Guy finally gives up, he sells the Android's Dungeon to Marge who creates ''[[Curves International|Shapes]]'', a women-only workout center which immediately becomes a hit. Many women of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]] comment on Marge's efforts, she opens another location at an abandoned [[Krusty Burger]]. Soon, after an interview on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show|Opal]]'', a now rich Marge becomes an international hit.
+
Homer and Marge go on a luxury vacation at a hotel where Homer meets a group of three jocks. They begin to convince Homer that Marge will soon dump him for a healthier man. The men give Homer a list of the stages Marge will go through before dumping him, which all start to happen. Later, Homer overhears Marge talking to a group of women about dumping something. Homer assumes it is him, although it is really Marge's purse.
  
Homer and Marge go on a luxury vacation at a hotel where Homer meets a group of three jocks. They begin to convince Homer that Marge will soon dump him for a healthier man. The men give Homer a list of the stages Marge will go through before dumping him, which all start to happen. Later, Homer overhears Marge talking to a group of women about dumping something. Homer assumes it is him, although it is really Marge's purse.
+
As Homer is worrying about what to do, one of the husbands reveals that he's actually a '''first''' husband. He gives Homer advice on how to be more attractive to his wife. Including exercise, keeping with trends and a proper diet. Naturally Homer ignores all this as they require effort on his part in favor of stomach staples and plastic surgery. When finished, Homer looks entirely different from his first appearance. However he has a massive amount of loose skin that he's embarrassed to show Marge. He goes back to the doctors and demands that he get every single procedure the surgeon can perform. In the result, Homer's appetite level has been significantly lower and tear ducts have been moved to his pectoral muscles. While [[Mayor Quimby]] begins rewarding Marge for her work with Shapes, Homer arrives in his new form, much to the shock and disgust of the town. Quimby soon orders the town to raise their pitchforks and attack Homer. Homer and Marge run to the top of Springfield's Notre Dame tower and Marge, saying she wants a trophy husband, deliberately pushes Homer off the tower. Homer wakes up in the hospital, back to his old self. Marge informs him that after he was knocked out, the surgeon called for her permission on the surgery, to which she said no, and that everything from Homer's blacking-out to his "death" was just a dream. She did have the doctor reverse Homer's stomach stapling, as she loves him no matter how he looks. The episode ends with Moore, Spiegelman, and Clowes watching Homer and Marge leave, and they mention that a meteor is headed for Earth, but soon forget at the mention of a convention for underpaid writers, to which to fly away to as the meteor is about to strike.
 +
 
 +
== Production ==
 +
[[Jack Black]], who voiced Milo, learned to sing "{{W2|Goldfinger|Shirley Bassey song}}" in Korean. However, the people at ''[[James Bond]]'' wouldn't let them use the song. As a result, they had to get [[Sang Am Lee]] to sing "{{W2|What's New Pussycat?|song}}" instead.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knks1yv7RaU YouTube - "The Simpsons @ Home | Comic-Con@Home 2020"]</ref>
  
Homer goes through various stages to gain a new look, including [[stomach staple]]s and plastic surgery. When finished, Homer looks entirely different from his first appearance. In the result, Homer's appetite level has been significantly lower and tear ducts have been moved to his [[Pectoralis major muscle|pectoral muscles]]. While [[Mayor Quimby]] begins rewarding Marge for her work with Shapes, Homer arrives in his new form, much to the shock and disgust of the town. Quimby soon orders the town to raise their pitchforks and attack Homer. Homer and Marge run to the top of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield's]] [[Notre Dame de Paris|Notre Dame]] tower and Marge, saying she wants a trophy husband, deliberately pushes Homer off the tower. Homer wakes up in the hospital, back to his old self.  Marge informs him that after he was knocked out, the surgeon called for her permission on the surgery, to which she said no, and that everything from Homer's blacking-out to his "death" was just a dream. She did have the doctor reverse Homer's stomach stapling, as she loves him no matter how he looks. The episode ends with Moore, Spiegelman, and Clowes watching Homer and Marge leave, and they mention that a meteor is headed for Earth, but soon forget at the mention of a convention for underpaid writers, to which to fly away to as the meteor is about to strike.
+
<gallery>
 +
File:JABF17 Script.jpg
 +
</gallery>
  
==Cultural references==
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== Gallery ==
[[Image:Watchmenbabies.png|thumb|''Watchmen Babies in V for Vacation'']]
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<gallery>
*This episode name is a play on the film title ''[[Husbands and Wives]].''
+
File:Husbands and Knives Promo Card 2.jpg
*Inside of the Android Dungeon comic book store, in one scene behind Bart and Comic Book Guy, a "[[2007 World Series|World Champ Boston Red Sox]]" pennant is hung on a bookshelf.
+
</gallery>
*The song sang by Milo was a Korean version of Tom Jones' "What's New Pussycat".
 
*Marge's gym, ''Shapes'' is a parody of ''[[Curves International|Curves]]''.
 
*Homer (in his new hideous look) carrying Marge up the Springfield Notre Dame is reminiscent of a scene in ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]''.
 
*The treadmill scene in the gym is a reference to the music video for [[OK Go]]'s "[[Here It Goes Again]]".
 
*The [[Pet Shop Boys]] song "[[Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)]]" can be heard.
 
*The "Opal" show is a parody of [[The Oprah Winfrey Show]].
 
  
===Comic references===
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== References ==
*The ''Wolverine'' comic that Milhouse's tears blotch appears to be a copy of ''Wolverine'' #1 (1982) [http://www.uncannyxmen.net/covers/wolverine/wolverine1-1.jpg] (though the actual issue does not feature "controversial pop-up claws").
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{{Reflist}}
*The comics displayed behind the writers at the signing are ''[[Lost Girls]]'', ''[[Maus]]'', and ''[[Ghost World]]'', comics guest stars [[Alan Moore]], [[Art Spiegelman]], and [[Dan Clowes]] have written, respectively. Art Spiegelman's mask is based upon the mask he has drawn himself wearing as an illustrator in ''[[Maus]]''.
 
*Alan Moore's outburst at Milhouse's request that he sign a DVD of the film "Watchmen Babies in V for Vacation" (a parody of ''[[Watchmen]]'' and ''[[V for Vendetta]]''), is a reference to Moore's notorious opposition to adaptations of his works by major film studios, particularly his refusal to support the recent film adaptation of ''V for Vendetta''.
 
* Two popular european comic books [[Asterix]] and [[Tintin]] are referenced. The book ''Tintin in Paris'' is a parody of the books ''[[The Black Island]]'' and ''[[Destination Moon (Tintin)|Destination Moon]]''. Also shown are several actual ''Tintin'' books, such as ''[[The Shooting Star]]'' and ''[[Tintin in Tibet]]''
 
*Coolsville Comics & Toys in this episode is actually paroding a real store Meltdown Comics & Collectibles on Melrose in Hollywood, California. The writers of the show go there for their comics. Coolsville looks almost like Meltdown except for slight differences.
 
*When Comic book guy tries to lure his customers back with ninja weapons in this episode the writers are making a indirect joke at the real world Toy Mandala a comic store competitor of Meltdown Comics & Collectibles which Coolsville Comics & Toys parodied. Toy Mandala does actually sell ninja weapons in real life and is a comic store. They do however not sell weapons to children.
 
  
==Reception==
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{{Images|ep=yes}}
Robert Canning of [[IGN]] enjoys this episode most out of the season so far, and calls it an episode that can keep viewers entertained and laughing.<ref name="IGN">[http://tv.ign.com/articles/836/836262p1.html A new comic book store comes to town while Homer goes under the Knife] at IGN.com</ref> He called the character of Milo and Jack Black a perfect good fit, particularly enjoying a Korean version of Tom Jones' "What's New Pussycat". Despite calling Jack Black's appearance great, he particularly enjoyed the appearances of comic book legends Alan Moore, Art Spiegelman, and Dan Clowes who happily parodied themselves; he quotes that the most enjoyable bits with them was seeing the dark, demented Moore find giddy solace in a Little Lulu book, when the three formed the "League of Extraordinary Freelancers" and seeing Spiegelman don a ''[[Maus]]'' mask, to make it all inevitable and hilarious.<ref name="IGN"/> The episode had 10.55 million viewers, second best for the season. <ref>http://www.simpsonschannel.com/</ref>
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{{Season 19}}
  
{{Season 19}} 
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[[Category:2007]]
[[Category: Season 19]]
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[[Category:Marge episodes]]
[[Category:Episodes]]
+
[[Category:Homer episodes]]
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[[Category:Comic Book Guy episodes]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes written by Matt Selman]]
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[[Category:Episodes directed by Nancy Kruse]]

Latest revision as of 14:10, March 28, 2024

Season 19 Episode
406 "Little Orphan Millie"
407
"Husbands and Knives"
"Funeral for a Fiend" 408
"Husbands and Knives"
Husbands and Knives promo.jpg
Episode Information
Episode number: 407
Season number: S19 E7
Production code: JABF17
Original airdate: November 18, 2007
Chalkboard gag: The Pilgrims were not illegal aliens
Couch gag: Two hands open a pop-up-book to reveal the family sitting on the couch.
Guest star(s): Jack Black as Milo
Daniel Clowes as himself
Maurice LaMarche as husband 3
Alan Moore as himself
Art Spiegelman as himself
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Matt Selman
Directed by: Nancy Kruse


"Husbands and Knives" is the seventh episode of season 19 of The Simpsons and the four-hundred and seventh episode overall. It originally aired on November 18, 2007. The episode was written by Matt Selman and directed by Nancy Kruse. It guest stars Jack Black as Milo, Daniel Clowes as himself, Maurice LaMarche as husband 3, Alan Moore as himself and Art Spiegelman as himself.

Synopsis[edit]

"Coolsville, a new comic book shop, opens up in Springfield and puts Comic Book Guy out of business. Marge takes advantage of the vacant business space to open Shapes, a women-only gym, and becomes a famous and successful businesswoman. Marge's success, however, causes Homer to worry about losing her and leads him to consider undergoing radical cosmetic surgery."

Plot[edit]

While shopping at the The Android's Dungeon, Milhouse accidentally sheds a tear on a Wolverine comic book and blurs Wolverine's sideburns. For this, Comic Book Guy charges Milhouse twenty-five dollars to buy it. After Bart complains that if Comic Book Guy should treat them right since they're his customers, Comic Book Guy tells him and the other child customers to go to a new comic book store, thinking his is the only one in town. To his surprise, a new comic book store, "Coolsville Comics & Toys", situated directly across the street from the Android's Dungeon has just opened.

All the children immediately depart the store and head towards Coolsville, where the store owner, a hip man named Milo immediately makes a good impression on the kids by giving them candy and inviting them for his grand opening. Upon entering, the children are astonished to see the store is not completely full of comic books, but also of video games and modern art, giving it a sophisticated arcade look. When Lisa accidentally rips a page of a book, Milo merely tells her that the books are meant to be read and enjoyed, not horded.

The store begins attracting popularity, including that of alternative comic creators Art Spiegelman, Daniel Clowes, and Alan Moore, who all visit for a book signing. Comic Book Guy's jealousy begins getting to him, so he begins to sabotage Milo's popularity by attempting to bribe the children with new ninja weapons, and outing that (unlike normal comic collectors) Milo has a girlfriend named Strawberry, who appears to be as cool as he. After these ploys do not work, Comic Book Guy takes out a sword and demolishes Coolsville. He fails to destroy more after Art Spiegelman, Daniel Clowes and Alan Moore subdue him.

After dropping Bart off at Coolsville, Marge compares herself to a cardboard standup of Wonder Woman, and is shocked to see how her physique compares unfavorably. Then Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney start feeling sorry for Marge and start beating up each other because of their mothers' appearances. Marge promises to go to a gym and become slimmer. While exercising at a large and intense gym, Marge begins to struggle with the treadmill. She convinces herself that everyone else is struggling, but feels worse when she realizes that shes the only one as the other clients, including Miss Springfield, Cookie Kwan, Rainier Wolfcastle, and Duffman (who all have above-average physiques) are all using the treadmill with no problems. After being embarrassed from showering in a stall that turns out to be visible from the street, Marge wishes to make a gym for ordinary women were they won't be embarrassed in front of people.

When Comic Book Guy finally gives up, he sells the Android's Dungeon to Marge who creates Shapes, a women-only workout center which immediately becomes a hit. Many women of Springfield comment on Marge's efforts, and she opens another location at an abandoned Krusty Burger. Soon, after an interview on The Opal Show, a now-rich Marge becomes an international hit.

Homer and Marge go on a luxury vacation at a hotel where Homer meets a group of three jocks. They begin to convince Homer that Marge will soon dump him for a healthier man. The men give Homer a list of the stages Marge will go through before dumping him, which all start to happen. Later, Homer overhears Marge talking to a group of women about dumping something. Homer assumes it is him, although it is really Marge's purse.

As Homer is worrying about what to do, one of the husbands reveals that he's actually a first husband. He gives Homer advice on how to be more attractive to his wife. Including exercise, keeping with trends and a proper diet. Naturally Homer ignores all this as they require effort on his part in favor of stomach staples and plastic surgery. When finished, Homer looks entirely different from his first appearance. However he has a massive amount of loose skin that he's embarrassed to show Marge. He goes back to the doctors and demands that he get every single procedure the surgeon can perform. In the result, Homer's appetite level has been significantly lower and tear ducts have been moved to his pectoral muscles. While Mayor Quimby begins rewarding Marge for her work with Shapes, Homer arrives in his new form, much to the shock and disgust of the town. Quimby soon orders the town to raise their pitchforks and attack Homer. Homer and Marge run to the top of Springfield's Notre Dame tower and Marge, saying she wants a trophy husband, deliberately pushes Homer off the tower. Homer wakes up in the hospital, back to his old self. Marge informs him that after he was knocked out, the surgeon called for her permission on the surgery, to which she said no, and that everything from Homer's blacking-out to his "death" was just a dream. She did have the doctor reverse Homer's stomach stapling, as she loves him no matter how he looks. The episode ends with Moore, Spiegelman, and Clowes watching Homer and Marge leave, and they mention that a meteor is headed for Earth, but soon forget at the mention of a convention for underpaid writers, to which to fly away to as the meteor is about to strike.

Production[edit]

Jack Black, who voiced Milo, learned to sing "Goldfinger" in Korean. However, the people at James Bond wouldn't let them use the song. As a result, they had to get Sang Am Lee to sing "What's New Pussycat?" instead.[1]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Husbands and Knives".
Season 19 Episodes
He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs The Homer of Seville Midnight Towboy I Don't Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Treehouse of Horror XVIII Little Orphan Millie Husbands and Knives Funeral for a Fiend Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind E Pluribus Wiggum That '90s Show Love, Springfieldian Style The Debarted Dial "N" for Nerder Smoke on the Daughter Papa Don't Leech Apocalypse Cow Any Given Sundance Mona Leaves-a All About Lisa