Flaming Moe
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- For the drink from the episode Flaming Moe's, see Flaming Homer.
"Flaming Moe" is the eleventh episode of Season 22. It aired on January 16, 2011. It guest stars Kristen Wiig, Alyson Hannigan and Scott Thompson.
Synopsis
Moe and Smithers turn Moe's into "Mo's", a gay bar. Meanwhile, Principal Skinner uses Bart to get closer to dating a substitute music teacher after finding out that he is dating her daughter.
Plot
After a fight between the day and late shifts of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, initiated by Homer after the late shift worker stole his candy, Mr. Smithers goes to Mr. Burns' office and sees he is signing his will. Smithers looks for the will at night and discovers that he isn't included in the will. When confronted, Burns tells him he only respects "self-made men". An upset Smithers tries to cheer himself up by going to a gay bar called "The League of Extra-Horny Gentlemen" but is denied entrance because he isn't attractive like the rest of the men in the bar. He stops by Moe's Tavern and notices how slow business is. Smithers proposes to Moe that they refurbish the bar and make it into a more accepting gay bar. By doing so, he hopes to earn Mr. Burns' respect by building a successful business in addition to having a place to feel accepted. Moe's is turned into an ultra-trendy gay bar. The bar's new visitors come to believe that Moe is gay. Moe pretends to be gay in fear of destroying their business. Moe then goes on to become even more popular than Waylon, so popular with the local gay community that they push Moe to run for the city council to become the first "openly gay" council member.
Smithers then attempts to "out" Moe as straight while Moe is announcing his candidacy. He demands that Moe kiss him as proof that he is really gay. Puckering his lips, Moe leans into Smithers, but at the last minute cannot and announces that he was lying. The crowd is upset and leaves. Before Moe leaves, he grabs Smithers and kisses him, afterward saying "Like frisbee golf, I'm glad I tried it once". Moe's Tavern is reverted back to it's old appearance.
Sub-plot
Meanwhile, Skinner tries to date the substitute music teacher, Ms. Juniper, and sets her daughter Melody up with Bart to get near to her. Bart can not handle Melody and breaks up with her. Ms. Juniper quits her job and moves out of town with Melody.
Reception
The episode was viewed by 6.47 million household - a low rating for the show but this was due to a NFL overrun.
The episode has received a positive response from TV critics. [1] The A.V Club called it a "strong episode" and went on to say "this was a very good episode of The Simpsons. The guest stars added instead of subtracting, it had a gently satirical inverse of gay panic jokes, and it was pretty damn funny." I was given a B+ rating, the highest rating of the night, beating Bob's Burgers, American Dad, Family Guy and The Cleveland Show.
Gallery
Promotional picture for this episode, featuring Grady
The second promotional picture for this episode, featuring Bart, Melody, Skinner and Ms. Juniper
