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Difference between revisions of "The Old Man and the Key"

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{{episode
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{{EpisodePrevNext|The Lastest Gun in the West|Tales from the Public Domain}}
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{{Quote|Who's that tall drink of Maalox?|[[Zelda]]}}
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{{Episode
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|image= The Old Man and the Key promo.png
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|number= 282
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|season=13
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|snumber=13
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|prodcode= DABF09
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|airdate= March 10, [[2002]]
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|couchgag= [[Blue Man Group]] are playing in the living room. Homer exclaims "What the..."
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|guests= [[Olympia Dukakis]] as [[Zelda]]<br>[[Bill Saluga]] as [[Ray Jay Johnson]]
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|showrunner1= Al Jean
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|writer= [[Jon Vitti]]
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|director= [[Lance Kramer]]
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|DVD features=yes
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}}
  
|image = The_Old_Man_And_The_Key.jpg
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"'''The Old Man and the Key'''" is the thirteenth episode of [[season 13]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the two-hundred and eighty-second episode overall. It originally aired on March 10, [[2002]]. The episode was written by [[Jon Vitti]] and directed by [[Lance Kramer]]. It guest stars [[Olympia Dukakis]] as [[Zelda]] and [[Bill Saluga]] as [[Ray Jay Johnson]].
|Episode Number = 282
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|productionCode = DABF09
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== Synopsis ==
|originalAirdate = March 10, 2002
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{{Desc|In order to impress [[Zelda]], a new female resident at the [[Springfield Retirement Castle|retirement castle]], [[Grampa]] starts driving again. But Grampa runs into trouble with [[Homer]] whose [[Pink Sedan|car]] he continually abuses and he develops some enemies in the form of rival gang of retirees at the [[Kwik-E-Mart]].}}
|couchGag = [[w:Blue_Man_Group|Blue Man Group]] are playing in the living room. Homer exclaims "What the..."
 
|specialGuestVoices = [[w:Olympia_Dukakis|Olympia Dukakis]] as [[Zelda]]<br/>[[w:Bill_Saluga|Bill Saluga]] as [[Ray Jay Johnson]]
 
|Show Runner = [[Al Jean]]
 
|Written By = [[Jon Vitti]]
 
|Directed By = [[Lance Kramer]]
 
}}
 
  
"'''The Old Man and the Key'''" is the thirteenth episode of the Simpsons' thirteenth season and first aired on March 10th 2002. It is the first episode written by [[Jon Vitti]] since season seven's clip show episode, "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]".
 
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
When a beautiful new woman named [[Zelda]] moves into his retirement home, [[Grampa Simpson]] is determined to win her love over the youthful owner of a minivan. After renewing his driver's license (which [[Patty Bouvier|Patty]] quickly gave to him in return that he would not wink at her again), Grampa convinces [[Homer]] to let him borrow the car to romance her. Although he impresses the new old gal who Homer and [[Marge]] think is a hoochie and only likes Grampa only because he can drive, he crashes Homer's car in a drag race and loses his girlfriend in the competition.
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The Simpsons receive word that Grampa has died. They rush to the retirement home, only to find out that Grampa is very much alive and kicking. It was another resident by the name of Stimson who actually passed on. A short time later, a new female resident, Zelda, moves in. Grampa is instantly smitten. But it soon becomes apparent that the opportunistic, gold-digging Zelda is more interested in Zack, an elderly man with a minivan. Grampa concludes that if he wants to win Zelda, he must get his driver's license back. At first, Homer nixes the idea as too dangerous. But he eventually gives in, and Grampa gets his license.
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When Grampa asks Homer if he can borrow the car for a hot date, Homer refuses. But [[Marge]] dreams up the idea of a double-date at the [[Springfield Drive-In|drive-in movie theater]]. As the date gets under way, Grampa and Zelda make out in the back of the car. When Grampa makes off with Homer's car so he can drive Zelda around, Homer puts his foot down. He forbids Grampa from driving it. Later, at the [[Kwik-E-Mart]], Grampa and his elderly friends are confronted by a group of elderly Hispanic gentlemen, who challenge them to a death race at the [[abandoned aqueduct]]. Grampa and his buddies participate in the dangerous race... but end up crashing Homer's car.
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Grampa is crushed when Zelda accepts Zack's offer to spend some time in Branson, Missouri. With some help from [[Bart]], he hot wires Homer's car and heads off to win back his love. Along the way, Bart and Grampa listen to an old [[Itchy and Scratchy]] radio broadcast. Meanwhile, Homer and Marge deduce where Grampa has taken the car. They decide to take a bus to Branson so they can confront him. Bart and Grampa follow Zelda and Zack into a Branson theater, where a huge musical revue is underway, featuring a huge cast of faded stars. Suddenly, Grampa stops the show. He tells the audience he drove hundreds of miles to say something special to someone in the audience. He then invites Zelda on stage. But when she draws close, and says "drive me", Grampa tells her that their relationship is over.
  
When a younger man takes Grampa's new girl on a road trip, Grampa steals Marge's car and "kidnaps" [[Bart]], taking him on the road to Branson, Missouri to win back Zelda from the arms of the younger man. Ray Jay Johnson, Mr. T, Charo, Yakov Smirnoff, Charlie Callas, Bonnie Franklin and Adrian Zmed are the stars of the show in Branson they go to see. (Tennessee Ernie Ford is backstage, but crumbles to dust when Grampa proves he is dead by showing the deceased actor his obituary.) Grampa calls out to his lady from on-stage, but then denounces her in front of everyone, who then call her (in a chant) a hoochie, sending her fleeing off the stage in tears. Abe then reconciles with Homer.
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== Reception ==
==Cultural references==
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The song "[[Ode to Branson]]" was nominated for a {{W|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics}} in the {{W|54th Primetime Emmy Awards}}. However, it lost to "You've Got a Lot to See" from ''[[Family Guy]]''.<ref>[https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2002/outstanding-original-music-and-lyrics Television Academy - "Outstanding Music and Lyrics – 2002"]</ref>
* [[Gloria]], from "[[A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love]]" earlier in the season, returns in this episode as [[Snake Jailbird|Snake]]'s girlfriend
 
* The title is a pun of The Old Man and the Sea; like "[[The Old Man and the Lisa]]" and "[[The Old Man and The "C" Student]]".
 
* When Abe and Zelda take off on one of their dates, three old men with long beards imitate ZZ Top as a short part of “Sharp Dressed Man” is played.
 
* The closing credits parody those of The Beverly Hillbillies. At the end, [[Lisa]] says in a Southern accent, "This has been a Gracie Films presentation," which parodies the line at the end of The Beverly Hillbillies, "This has been a Filmways presentation."
 
*This episode pokes fun at the XFL. According to Marge, the XFL MVP was sweeping up toenails at the beauty parlor. Apparently, she breaks the news to Homer that there’s not going to be a new season. In truth, Tommy Maddox, the lone XFL MVP, was the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the time of this episode and would win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 2002 season. Additionally, Homer believes the "X" in XFL stands for "eXtreme". In actuality, the X never stood for anything.
 
* The drag race parodies a scene from Grease.
 
* Grampa sings an altered version of "Old Time Love" by The Rivingtons to Zelda.
 
* The music in the beginning of the concert is the third movement of Frederick Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35.
 
* On the way to Branson, Missouri, the Simpsons end up in the fictional town of Bronson, Missouri. In Bronson, all the inhabitants (male and female) look and sound like Charles Bronson.
 
* When Homer asks if "Grampa" is Grandpa Munster, Marge answers, "No, Simpson!" This prompts Homer to stomp the ground like Herman Munster.
 
* When Homer salutes his sunken ship in "Scrabbleship," he says, "Semper Fi," which is short for Semper Fidelis (Latin for "Always faithful). This is the motto of the United States Marine Corps.
 
* "Scrabbleship" is an illogical combination of the popular board games Scrabble and Battleship played by Bart and Homer, who apparently created it.
 
  
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== References ==
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{{Reflist}}
  
{{Season 13}}
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{{Images|ep=yes}}
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{{season 13}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Old Man and the Key, The}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Old Man and the Key, The}}
[[Category:Episodes]]
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[[sv:The Old Man and the Key]]
[[Category:Season 13]]
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[[Category:2002]]
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[[Category:Grampa episodes]]
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[[Category:Romance-themed episodes]]
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[[Category:Travel episodes]]
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[[Category:12-rated episodes]]
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[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award nominated episodes]]
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[[Category:Episodes written by Jon Vitti]]
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[[Category:Episodes directed by Lance Kramer]]

Latest revision as of 12:42, August 30, 2024

Season 13 Episode
281 "The Lastest Gun in the West"
282
"The Old Man and the Key"
"Tales from the Public Domain" 283
"Who's that tall drink of Maalox?"
Zelda
"The Old Man and the Key"
The Old Man and the Key promo.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 282
Season number: S13 E13
Production code: DABF09
Original airdate: March 10, 2002
Couch gag: Blue Man Group are playing in the living room. Homer exclaims "What the..."
Guest star(s): Olympia Dukakis as Zelda
Bill Saluga as Ray Jay Johnson
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Jon Vitti
Directed by: Lance Kramer
DVD features


"The Old Man and the Key" is the thirteenth episode of season 13 of The Simpsons and the two-hundred and eighty-second episode overall. It originally aired on March 10, 2002. The episode was written by Jon Vitti and directed by Lance Kramer. It guest stars Olympia Dukakis as Zelda and Bill Saluga as Ray Jay Johnson.

Synopsis[edit]

"In order to impress Zelda, a new female resident at the retirement castle, Grampa starts driving again. But Grampa runs into trouble with Homer whose car he continually abuses and he develops some enemies in the form of rival gang of retirees at the Kwik-E-Mart."


Plot[edit]

The Simpsons receive word that Grampa has died. They rush to the retirement home, only to find out that Grampa is very much alive and kicking. It was another resident by the name of Stimson who actually passed on. A short time later, a new female resident, Zelda, moves in. Grampa is instantly smitten. But it soon becomes apparent that the opportunistic, gold-digging Zelda is more interested in Zack, an elderly man with a minivan. Grampa concludes that if he wants to win Zelda, he must get his driver's license back. At first, Homer nixes the idea as too dangerous. But he eventually gives in, and Grampa gets his license.

When Grampa asks Homer if he can borrow the car for a hot date, Homer refuses. But Marge dreams up the idea of a double-date at the drive-in movie theater. As the date gets under way, Grampa and Zelda make out in the back of the car. When Grampa makes off with Homer's car so he can drive Zelda around, Homer puts his foot down. He forbids Grampa from driving it. Later, at the Kwik-E-Mart, Grampa and his elderly friends are confronted by a group of elderly Hispanic gentlemen, who challenge them to a death race at the abandoned aqueduct. Grampa and his buddies participate in the dangerous race... but end up crashing Homer's car.

Grampa is crushed when Zelda accepts Zack's offer to spend some time in Branson, Missouri. With some help from Bart, he hot wires Homer's car and heads off to win back his love. Along the way, Bart and Grampa listen to an old Itchy and Scratchy radio broadcast. Meanwhile, Homer and Marge deduce where Grampa has taken the car. They decide to take a bus to Branson so they can confront him. Bart and Grampa follow Zelda and Zack into a Branson theater, where a huge musical revue is underway, featuring a huge cast of faded stars. Suddenly, Grampa stops the show. He tells the audience he drove hundreds of miles to say something special to someone in the audience. He then invites Zelda on stage. But when she draws close, and says "drive me", Grampa tells her that their relationship is over.

Reception[edit]

The song "Ode to Branson" was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics in the 54th Primetime Emmy Awards. However, it lost to "You've Got a Lot to See" from Family Guy.[1]

References[edit]


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "The Old Man and the Key".
Season 13 Episodes
Treehouse of Horror XII The Parent Rap Homer the Moe A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love The Blunder Years She of Little Faith Brawl in the Family Sweets and Sour Marge Jaws Wired Shut Half-Decent Proposal The Bart Wants What It Wants The Lastest Gun in the West The Old Man and the Key Tales from the Public Domain Blame It on Lisa Weekend at Burnsie's Gump Roast I Am Furious (Yellow) The Sweetest Apu Little Girl in the Big Ten The Frying Game Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge