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Difference between revisions of "Today I Am a Clown"

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{{episode
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{{Tab}}
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{{EpisodePrevNext|The Fat and the Furriest|'Tis the Fifteenth Season}}
|productionCode=
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{{Episode
|originalAirdate=
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|image= Today I Am a Clown.png
|blackboardText=
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|number=319
|couchGag=
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|season=15
|specialGuestVoices=
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|snumber=6
|Written By=
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|prodcode= FABF01
|Directed By=
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|airdate= December 7, [[2003]]
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|blackboard= "Over forty & single is not funny"
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|couchgag= The Family slide down the Batpole into the Batcave.
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|guests= [[Jackie Mason]] as Rabbi [[Hyman Krustofsky]]<br>[[Mr. T]] as {{Ch|Mr. T|himself}}
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|showrunner1= Al Jean
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|writer= [[Joel H. Cohen]]
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|director= [[Nancy Kruse]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
"'''Today, I am a Clown'''" is the sixth episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[The Simpsons (season 15)|fifteenth season]]. The episode aired on December 7, 2003.
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"'''Today I Am a Clown'''" is the sixth episode of the [[season 15]]. It originally aired on December 7, [[2003]]. The episode was written by [[Joel H. Cohen]] and directed by [[Nancy Kruse]]. It guest stars [[Jackie Mason]] as Rabbi [[Hyman Krustofsky]] and [[Mr. T]] as {{Ch|Mr. T|himself}}.
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== Synopsis ==
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{{Desc|When [[Krusty]] admits he never had a Bar Mitzvah, he turns to his father, Rabbi Krustofsky, for help. Later, Krusty realizes his shooting schedule has him working on the Sabbath and proposes to hire a guest host. Not wanting to hire anyone who will upstage him or threaten his career, Krusty hires Homer. On his first show, Homer and his guests Lenny, Moe, and Carl win over the audience by talking about everyday subjects like donuts. Meanwhile, Krusty holds his Bar Mitvah at the Isotope Stadium and invites {{Ch|Mr. T}} to read from the Torah.}}
  
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
Maggie is locked in the bathroom and she is eventually freed, thanks to Lisa trying their rescue solution a second time, after Homer fails. The family hears the doorbell, finding [[Dr. Hibbert]], who says that [[Santa's Little Helper]] had impregnated his poodle, Rosa Barks, and he turns over the puppies to the Simpson family and making them their problem. Although Lisa reads a Simpsons episode guide that says that Homer was taking Santa's Little Helper to have him neutered, Homer was never able to complete the deed. Bart and Lisa give out puppies to people, including [[Krusty the Klown|Krusty]], who takes him for a walk to his old neighborhood.
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[[Maggie]] is locked in the bathroom and she is eventually freed, thanks to [[Lisa]] trying their rescue solution a second time, after [[Homer]] fails. The family hears the doorbell, finding [[Dr. Hibbert]], who says [[Santa's Little Helper]] impregnated his poodle, Rosa Barks. He turns over the puppies to the Simpson family and makes them their problem. Although Lisa reads a Simpsons episode guide which says Homer was taking Santa's Little Helper to have him neutered, Homer was never able to complete the deed. Bart and Lisa give out puppies to people, including [[Krusty]], who takes him for a walk to his old neighborhood.
 +
 
 +
However, when Krusty returns to his old neighborhood in the Jewish section of Springfield, he sees the [[Jewish Walk of Fame]] and finds his star is not on the sidewalk. He goes to register for it and is told he does not have a star because he did not have a bar mitzvah, which means he is not a Jewish man, so he claims he can not be a "self-hating Jew" but instead he is an antisemite (much to the delight of [[Rainier Wolfcastle]]). Bart and Lisa take Krusty to see [[Hyman Krustofsky|his father]], who claimed Krusty was not given a bar mitzvah, due to his non-serious attitude growing up making him fear Krusty would make fun of the event. He agrees to help Krusty achieve his goal, teaching Krusty all of the goals associated with Judaism. With this happening, Krusty can't do shows on Sunday (the Sabbath); therefore, he must seek a replacement, and gets Homer to replace him for the day. Homer's replacement show is a talk show, featuring [[Moe]], [[Lenny]] (later replaced by [[Barney]], [[Disco Stu]]), and [[Carl]] as panelists. The show becomes a success in its own right; meanwhile, Krusty continues to learn his Jewish traditions.
 +
 
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Homer's show is a surprising success, so much, Krusty's show is eventually cancelled by [[Channel 6]]. Lisa suggests Homer put his power to good use after listening to Lisa's advice, but ironically, because it comes of as being whiny ratings decline and Homer's show is also cancelled. Krusty, after being fired by Channel 6, pitches his bar mitzvah to the [[Fox]] network (knowing "you guys are known for taking chances on crap"). When his bar mitzvah ("Krusty the Klown's Wet 'n' Wild Bar Mitzvah"), featuring {{Ch|Mr. T}} as a guest, airs, it becomes a ratings smash, drawing "''Raymond'' rerun good" ratings, but the spectacle disappoints his father.
  
However, when Krusty returns to his old neighborhood in the Jewish section of Springfield, he sees the Jewish Walk of Fame and finds that his star is not on the sidewalk. He then goes to register for it and is told he does not have a star because he did not have a bar mitzvah, which means he is not a Jewish man, so he claims he can not be a "self-hating Jew" but instead he is an antisemite (much to the delight of [[Rainier Wolfcastle]]). Bart and Lisa take Krusty to see his father, who claimed that Krusty was not given a bar mitzvah due to his non-serious attitudes growing up. He agrees to help Krusty achieve his goal teaching Krusty all the goals associated with Judaism. With this happening, Krusty cannot do shows on Saturday (the Sabbath); therefore, he must seek a replacement, and gets Homer to replace him for the day. Homer's replacement show is a talk show, featuring [[Moe Szyslak|Moe]], [[Lenny Leonard|Lenny]] (later replaced by [[Barney Gumble|Barney]] and [[Disco Stu]]), and [[Carl Carlson|Carl]] as panelists. The show becomes a success in its own right; meanwhile, Krusty continues to learn his Jewish traditions.
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Krusty, feeling remorse, claims he wants to have a real bar mitzvah the traditional way at the temple. The show closes out with Krusty having an (almost) serious bar mitzvah in a synagogue. It is a happy ending for everybody, except the Simpsons, who are cancelled when Homer strangles Bart, with their car being thrown in the trash, to be shredded.
  
Homer's show is a surprising success, so much that Krusty's show is eventually cancelled by Channel 6. Lisa suggests that Homer put his power to good use after listening to Lisa's advice, but ironically, ratings decline and Homer's show is also cancelled. Krusty, after being fired by Channel 6, pitches his bar mitzvah to the [[Fox]] network (knowing that they'll "take chances on crap"). When his bar mitzvah ("Krusty the Klown's Wet 'n' Wild Bar Mitzvah"), featuring [[Mr. T]] as a guest, airs, it becomes a ratings smash, drawing "''Raymond'' rerun good" ratings, but the spectacle disappoints his father. Krusty feeling remorse, claims that he wants to have a real bar mitzvah the traditional way at the temple. The show closes out with Krusty having an (almost) serious bar mitzvah in a synagogue. It is a happy ending for everybody, except the Simpsons, who are cancelled when Homer strangles Bart, with their car being thrown in the trash (to be shredded).
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== Production ==
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<gallery>
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File:FABF01 Script.jpg
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</gallery>
  
== Trivia ==
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== Reception ==
* In the episode [[Helter Shelter]] Homer is upset that 1895 is too late to save Lincoln and too early to save Kennedy, and in this episode he fantasizes about doing both.
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"Today I Am a Clown" was nominated for a [[2005]] Writers Guild of America award in Animation, but it lost to "[[Catch 'Em If You Can]]".<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000710/2005/1/ IMDb - "Writers Guild of America, USA 2005 Awards"]</ref>
*Bar mitzvahs ceremonies are largely arbitrary, and not having one has no bearing on a Jewish male's standing as a "real" Jew.  
 
* When Krusty is sitting in front of his TV, in the background there is an upside-down German flag on the wall.
 
* When Krusty decides that he would be a bad Jew if he continued to perform shows on the Sabbath the first replacement suggested for Saturdays is comedian Jon Stewart, whom Krusty rejects thinking that he will be upstaged. Stewart is Jewish himself.
 
* Lisa has a Jewish imaginary friend named Rachel Cohen who goes to Brandeis University.
 
*Its is implied in this episode that Krusty has a Cocaine problem: He is shown putting a finger on his nostril and inhaling, to then claim to Bart and Lisa, who are right in front of him, "You know, sniffing flowers. Such expensive flowers."
 
  
== Cultural References ==
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[[Dan Castellaneta]] won a {{W|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance}} in the {{W|56th Primetime Emmy Awards}} for voicing [[Krusty the Clown]], [[Homer Simpson]], [[Abraham Simpson]], [[Groundskeeper Willie]], [[Sideshow Mel]], [[Barney]] and [[Itchy]] in this episode.<ref>[https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2004/outstanding-voice-over-performance Television Academy - "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance - 2004"]</ref>
*Lisa reads the '[[Two Dozen and One Greyhounds]]' page of '[[The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family]]' to discover that they got Santa's Little Helper neutered.
 
**The subplot involving Santa's Little Helper being neutered after an incident with his owner's neighbor's pet dog got her pregnant resembles a similar plotline in the sitcom ''Frasier'' (specifically, it's the episode ''The Unkindest Cut of All''.). In fact, both neighbors in that episode even say to the family that owns the dog "Well, I'm glad you like them, because they're your problem now!"
 
* The popular [[Johnny Cash]] song "Ring of Fire" is played at the episode's beginning.
 
* Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax's refusal to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur is mentioned when [[Krusty]] sees his star on the Jewish Walk of Fame and reacts with disgust.
 
*The dog neutering clinic which Santa's Little Helper is taken to is called Nuts Landing, a reference to ''Knots Landing''.
 
* [[Dr. Hibbert]]'s dog, Rosa Barks, is possibly named after Rosa Parks.
 
  
== External links ==
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== References ==
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0701276/ IMDB page]
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{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=11483 An article on the episode in The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles]
 
{{stub}}
 
  
{{Season 15}}
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{{Images|ep=yes}}
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{{season 15}}
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[[sv:Today, I Am a Clown]]
  
[[Category:Episodes]]
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[[Category:2003]]
[[Category:Season 15]]
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[[Category:Krusty the Clown episodes]]
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[[Category:Religion-themed episodes]]
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[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winning episodes]]
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[[Category:WGA Award nominated episodes]]
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[[Category:12-rated episodes]]
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[[Category:Episodes written by Joel H. Cohen]]
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[[Category:Episodes directed by Nancy Kruse]]

Latest revision as of 13:25, March 28, 2024

Season 15 Episode
318 "The Fat and the Furriest"
319
"Today I Am a Clown"
"'Tis the Fifteenth Season" 320
"Today I Am a Clown"
Today I Am a Clown.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 319
Season number: S15 E6
Production code: FABF01
Original airdate: December 7, 2003
Chalkboard gag: "Over forty & single is not funny"
Couch gag: The Family slide down the Batpole into the Batcave.
Guest star(s): Jackie Mason as Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky
Mr. T as himself
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Joel H. Cohen
Directed by: Nancy Kruse


"Today I Am a Clown" is the sixth episode of the season 15. It originally aired on December 7, 2003. The episode was written by Joel H. Cohen and directed by Nancy Kruse. It guest stars Jackie Mason as Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky and Mr. T as himself.

Synopsis[edit]

"When Krusty admits he never had a Bar Mitzvah, he turns to his father, Rabbi Krustofsky, for help. Later, Krusty realizes his shooting schedule has him working on the Sabbath and proposes to hire a guest host. Not wanting to hire anyone who will upstage him or threaten his career, Krusty hires Homer. On his first show, Homer and his guests Lenny, Moe, and Carl win over the audience by talking about everyday subjects like donuts. Meanwhile, Krusty holds his Bar Mitvah at the Isotope Stadium and invites Mr. T to read from the Torah."


Plot[edit]

Maggie is locked in the bathroom and she is eventually freed, thanks to Lisa trying their rescue solution a second time, after Homer fails. The family hears the doorbell, finding Dr. Hibbert, who says Santa's Little Helper impregnated his poodle, Rosa Barks. He turns over the puppies to the Simpson family and makes them their problem. Although Lisa reads a Simpsons episode guide which says Homer was taking Santa's Little Helper to have him neutered, Homer was never able to complete the deed. Bart and Lisa give out puppies to people, including Krusty, who takes him for a walk to his old neighborhood.

However, when Krusty returns to his old neighborhood in the Jewish section of Springfield, he sees the Jewish Walk of Fame and finds his star is not on the sidewalk. He goes to register for it and is told he does not have a star because he did not have a bar mitzvah, which means he is not a Jewish man, so he claims he can not be a "self-hating Jew" but instead he is an antisemite (much to the delight of Rainier Wolfcastle). Bart and Lisa take Krusty to see his father, who claimed Krusty was not given a bar mitzvah, due to his non-serious attitude growing up making him fear Krusty would make fun of the event. He agrees to help Krusty achieve his goal, teaching Krusty all of the goals associated with Judaism. With this happening, Krusty can't do shows on Sunday (the Sabbath); therefore, he must seek a replacement, and gets Homer to replace him for the day. Homer's replacement show is a talk show, featuring Moe, Lenny (later replaced by Barney, Disco Stu), and Carl as panelists. The show becomes a success in its own right; meanwhile, Krusty continues to learn his Jewish traditions.

Homer's show is a surprising success, so much, Krusty's show is eventually cancelled by Channel 6. Lisa suggests Homer put his power to good use after listening to Lisa's advice, but ironically, because it comes of as being whiny ratings decline and Homer's show is also cancelled. Krusty, after being fired by Channel 6, pitches his bar mitzvah to the Fox network (knowing "you guys are known for taking chances on crap"). When his bar mitzvah ("Krusty the Klown's Wet 'n' Wild Bar Mitzvah"), featuring Mr. T as a guest, airs, it becomes a ratings smash, drawing "Raymond rerun good" ratings, but the spectacle disappoints his father.

Krusty, feeling remorse, claims he wants to have a real bar mitzvah the traditional way at the temple. The show closes out with Krusty having an (almost) serious bar mitzvah in a synagogue. It is a happy ending for everybody, except the Simpsons, who are cancelled when Homer strangles Bart, with their car being thrown in the trash, to be shredded.

Production[edit]

Reception[edit]

"Today I Am a Clown" was nominated for a 2005 Writers Guild of America award in Animation, but it lost to "Catch 'Em If You Can".[1]

Dan Castellaneta won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in the 56th Primetime Emmy Awards for voicing Krusty the Clown, Homer Simpson, Abraham Simpson, Groundskeeper Willie, Sideshow Mel, Barney and Itchy in this episode.[2]

References[edit]


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Today I Am a Clown".
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