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Difference between revisions of "Bart the General"

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{{episode
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{{Tab|nogags}}
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|image=Bart the General.jpg
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{{EpisodePrevNext|There's No Disgrace Like Home|Moaning Lisa}}
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|productionCode=7G05
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{{Icons||FE}}
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|originalAirdate=February 4,1990
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{{Quote|I promise you victory, I promise you good times!|[[Bart Simpson]]}}
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|blackboardText=None
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{{Episode
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|couchGag=None
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|name= Bart the General
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|billboard=
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|image=Bart the General (Promotional image).png
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|specialGuestVoices=
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|number=5
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|Written By=[[John Swartzwelder]]
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|season=1
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|Episode Number=5
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|snumber=5
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|Directed By= David Silverman
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|prodcode=7G05
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|airdate=February 4, [[1990]]
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|showrunner1= James L. Brooks
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|showrunner2= Matt Groening
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|showrunner3= Sam Simon
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|writer=[[John Swartzwelder]]
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|director= [[David Silverman]]
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|DVD features=yes
 
}}
 
}}
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"'''Bart the General'''" is the fifth full length episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[The Simpsons (season 1)|first season]], which premiered on the [[Fox network]] on [[February 4]], [[1990]].<ref name="book">{{cite book|last=Richmond |first=Ray|coauthors=Antonia Coffman|title=[[The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family]] |year=1997 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers|id=ISBN 0-00-638898-1|pages=p. 21}}</ref> The episode deals with [[Bart Simpson|Bart]]'s troubles with the school bully, [[Nelson Muntz]]. Bart chooses to go to war with Nelson and this lead cultural references of classic war movies. The episode written by [[John Swartzwelder]] and directed by [[David Silverman]].<ref name="book"/>
 
  
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Featuring:Bart,Lisa
+
"'''Bart the General'''" is the fifth episode of [[Season 1]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]''. It originally aired on February 4, [[1990]]. The episode was written by [[John Swartzwelder]] and directed by [[David Silverman]].
  
−
Also Appearing:Homer,Grampa,Nelson,Marge,Maggie,Wendell,
+
== Synopsis ==
−
 
+
{{Desc|After defending [[Lisa]] from school bully [[Nelson Muntz]], [[Bart]] becomes Nelson's latest school bullying target. Sick of the harassment and torment, Bart, [[Abraham Simpson]], and [[Herman Hermann]] (a slightly deranged military antique store dealer with a missing arm) rally the town's children into fighting back against Nelson and his cronies.}}
−
Herman,Lewis,Richard,Milhouse,The Weasels
 
  
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
−
The episode starts off where Lisa has baked some cupcakes for Miss Hoover's class. Both Bart and Homer try to eat one but Lisa tells them that they are for Miss Hoover and doesn't let them have any. While on the bus to school, Bart tries to get Lisa to give him a cupcake, resorting to name-calling. Lisa calmly refuses to give in. Swallowing his pride, Bart apologizes and attempts to praise his younger sister. Willing to be nice, Lisa tells Bart to 'open his mouth and close his eyes.' As he does so, a jolt from the bus causes one of her cupcakes to fall on the floor. She then picks it up and puts it in Bart's mouth. Unaware of where the cupcake had just been, Bart politely thanks Lisa for the snack.
+
The episode begins inside the Simpson's kitchen before school where Lisa's baking cupcakes to bring to [[Miss Hoover]] at school. [[Homer]] and Bart think Lisa's trying to butter up her teacher, but she is just being nice. On the school bus, Lisa makes Bart suck up to her in exchange for a cupcake. Once at the schoolyard, Lisa shows off her cupcakes to her friends, and one of Nelson's minions steals the cupcakes away and begins to eat them. Bart comes to Lisa's rescue and attacks the bully. Nelson comes over to break up the fight; he picks up Bart by the shirt collar with Bart blindly swinging. One of Bart's punches lands and gives Nelson a bloody nose. Everyone gasps after seeing what Bart unwittingly did. Nelson tells Bart he'll get him after school. In class, a worried Bart daydreams about the showdown. In the dream, there's nothing Bart can do to defeat Nelson. [[Milhouse]] wakes Bart up in time to go to lunch. In the lunchroom, everyone hails Bart as a hero. A modest and nervous Bart downplays the situation. Nelson walks up to a trembling Bart to remind him about the fight after school. Back in the classroom, Bart daydreams again this time about his own funeral in which his family mourns him, and Nelson pounds him one last time. After school a nervous Bart darts around the playground hoping to avoid Nelson. Bart turns a corner only to see Nelson standing right in front of him. Nelson promptly pummels Bart, throws him in a trash can, and informs Bart to meet again tomorrow after school for another beating. Nelson and his minions roll Bart away in the trash can.
  
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[[File:Nelson bleeding.JPG|thumb|left|150px|[[Nelson]] bleeds from his confrontation with [[Bart]].]]
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[[File:Nelson's Nose Bleed (Bart the General).png|thumb|200px|[[Nelson]] bleeds from his confrontation with Bart.]]
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Once off the school bus, one of [[Nelson's accomplices]] steals the box of cupcakes from Lisa. Bart tries to defend her by beating up the accomplice, but he steps on the box and squishes all of Lisa's cupcakes. [[Nelson Muntz]] himself comes over to Bart and Bart accidentally punches him in the nose. This results in Nelson receiving a bloody nose, and causing him to declare that Bart will be beat up later on. Lisa is proud that her brother stood up for her, but Bart is scared about having upset Nelson. Milhouse suggests that Bart tell Principal Skinner, but Bart tells him that it would violate the 'code of the schoolyard.' Bart tries to escape without Nelson seeing him, but his plan fails. He is pummeled several times, before being dumped into a trashcan, with the promise that the same treatment will happen the next day.  Bart returns home upset, and after some coaxing, lets his parents know about his run-in with Nelson. [[Homer]] advises Bart to fight dirty, while [[Marge]] suggests that he try to reason with Nelson. Choosing Homer's advice, [[Homer]] gives Bart some tips on how to beat up Nelson. The next day, Bart once again gets beat up. When [[Lisa]] sees Bart coming home in a trash can, she tells him to turn to the toughest member of the Simpson family: [[Abraham Simpson|Grampa Simpson]].
+
The garbage can with Bart inside rolls to a stop in front of the Simpson house, and a weary Bart stumbles out and goes inside the house. Once inside, Bart walks past his parents in the living room and heads to the bathroom to cry. Marge sends Homer in to console Bart. Marge eavesdrops on the conversation, and, when it's revealed Nelson's picking on Bart, she bursts in and gives Bart advice. She advises him to talk nicely to Nelson and try to settle things like gentlemen. Homer doesn't like this advice and takes Bart into another room to show him how to fight Simpson style (i.e. fighting dirty). The next day after school in the schoolyard, Bart uses Homer's advice and flings mud in Nelson's eye which only makes Nelson angrier.
  
−
After going to the Retirement Home to meet Grampa, Grampa introduces Bart to [[Herman]], a crazed veteran who runs an army surplus store. Herman declares war on Nelson and instructs Bart on a full-assault strategy. Bart gathers many other kids at school who have also been traumatized by Nelson and enlists them as troops.
+
Nelson beats up Bart again, throws him into another trash can, and rolls him away. Once again in front the Simpson house, Bart's trash can rolls to a stop. Lisa's sitting out on the sidewalk and suggests Bart should seek [[Grampa]]'s advice. Bart goes to the [[Springfield Retirement Castle|retirement home]] and visits Grampa, angrily typing a letter to TV advertisers. Grampa tells Bart to just stand up for himself. [[Jasper]] quickly enters Grampa's room and demands Grampa's newspaper. Grampa says no and stands up for himself, but Jasper takes the paper away, anyway. Realizing Bart standing up for himself may not work, Grampa says he knows someone else who can help. Grampa and Bart go over to [[Herman's Military Antiques]] to ask [[Herman Hermann]] for advice. Herman tells them Bart needs to start a small army, and they begin to devise a plan.
  
−
For many days, Bart trains the other kids as troops and creates a plan to attack [[Nelson]] and his two accomplices. As Herman commands from the field, Bart leads his troops into battle. Cornering Nelson and his accomplices, they commence firing water balloons. Terrorized, the accomplices surrender. Nelson is taken prisoner, but he threatens to beat up Bart once more as soon as he is untied. Bart figures that since Nelson is still intent on huhrting him, he just won't untie him. Though Nelson states a horrible truth: Bart will have to untie him sometime. Afterwards, Herman drafts an armistice, which Bart and Nelson agree to sign. Marge enters with cupcakes, and peace prevails.
+
At school, a note's passed around class. The note tells the kids anyone fed up with Nelson should meet at [[Bart's treehouse]] after school. Inside the treehouse, a group of kids along with Herman and Grampa wait for Bart to arrive. Bart stumbles in after being beaten up again, rallies the recruits, and encourages them to join in his battle plan against Nelson. A montage of army marches, drills, obstacle courses, and training with Bart as the drill sergeant commences. Back inside the treehouse, days later, the battle plan's being finalized by Bart, Lisa, Herman and Grampa. Milhouse steps in and informs Bart of Nelson's whereabouts, and the battle plan begins. Outside on the streets, Bart confronts Nelson and, out of nowhere, Bart's army appears with water balloons much to Nelson's surprise. Water bombing takes place, and Nelson is captured. Bart wheels a tied up Nelson in a wagon back to the Simpson house. Bart tells Nelson he hopes he has learned his lesson and reaches to untie him, but Nelson says that as soon as he is free, he's going to pound Bart. Inside the Simpson house, Herman draws up a peace treaty between Bart and Nelson they both sign. Marge steps in and hands out cupcakes to everyone for a happy ending.
  
−
The episode ends with Bart giving a small "public service message," denouncing wars as being neither fun nor glamorous. He also states that there are no good wars (except for "The American Revolution," "World War II," and "The Star Wars Trilogy"), and that the local library has more books about war if kids want to learn more about them (promising some of the books contain 'cool, gory pictures'). Bart finishes the episode by flashing a peace sign.
+
At the end of the episode, Bart sits on a table in a library and talks directly to the camera about the seriousness of war.
  
 
== Production ==
 
== Production ==
−
This episode was running too long to use the normal [[The Simpsons opening sequence|opening sequence]]. It did therefore not feature a chalkboard gag or a couch gag. Instead they just cut to image of the Simpson house.<ref name="silverman">{{cite video | people=Silverman, David|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Bart the General"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> David Silverman was the director and was kind of stressed, because he was doing storyboards for this episode while also directing "[[Bart the Genius]]".<ref name="silverman"/> Originally, he had planned to use the song "[[War (Edwin Starr song)|War]]" by [[Edwin Starr]] in the episode. The plans were dropped, when they decided that the song did not really fit the story.<ref name="silverman"/> The episode had problems with the censors, who did not want the characters to say "family jewels" on prime time television.<ref name="groening">{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Bart the General"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The producers ignored the notes and "family jewels" remained in the episode.
+
[[File:General Bart (Bart the General).png|140px|thumb|left]]
−
 
+
This episode was running too long to use the normal [[Opening Sequence|opening sequence]]. It did therefore not feature a chalkboard gag or a couch gag. Instead they just cut to image of the Simpson house.<ref name="silverman">{{cite video | people=Silverman, David|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Bart the General"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> David Silverman was the director and was kind of stressed, because he was doing storyboards for this episode while also directing "[[Bart the Genius]]".<ref name="silverman"/> Originally, he had planned to use the song "War" by Edwin Starr in the episode. The plans were dropped, when they decided that the song did not really fit the story.<ref name="silverman"/> The episode had problems with the censors, who did not want the characters to say "family jewels" on prime time television.<ref name="groening">{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Bart the General"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The producers ignored the notes and "family jewels" remained in the episode.
−
Two new characters were introduced in this episode. The first one is [[Nelson Muntz]], who remains a frequently used recurring character.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season1/page5.shtml|title=Bart the General|accessdate=2008-01-14|author=Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian |date=2000|publisher=BBC}}</ref> The second is [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Herman|Herman]] who has been used less.<ref name="BBC"/> The design of Herman except for only having one arm was inspired by the look of the writer John Swartzwelder. The voice was partly inspired by [[George H. W. Bush]] and performed by [[Harry Shearer]].<ref name="groening"/> The original idea with Herman was that every time he would be shown he would have a different story to why he only has one arm.<ref name="groening"/>
 
  
−
== Cultural references ==
+
Two new characters were introduced in this episode. The first one is [[Nelson Muntz]], who remains a frequently used recurring character.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season1/page5.shtml|title=Bart the General|accessdate=2008-01-14|author=Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian |year=2000|publisher=BBC}}</ref> The second is [[Herman Hermann]] who has been used less.<ref name="BBC"/> Another two characters were to be introduced in this episode, which were Nelson's parents. Their appearances were cut from the final script.<ref>''Original script for "Bart the General" on The Complete First Season Boxset''</ref> The design of Herman except for only having one arm was inspired by the look of the writer John Swartzwelder. The voice was partly inspired by [[George H. W. Bush]] and performed by [[Harry Shearer]]. The original idea with Herman was that every time he would be shown he would have a different story to why he only has one arm.<ref name="groening"/>
−
The episode featured several references to war films. Several lines of dialogue, Bart slapping one of his soldiers for "being a disgrace" and the music are lifted directly from the film ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]'' from 1970. Fox owned the rights to this film, so it was no problem to use the soundtrack.<ref name="groening"/> The marching sequence is a nod to [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s ''[[Full Metal Jacket]]'' from 1986.<ref name="BBC"/> and the ''[[The Longest Day (film)|The Longest Day]]'' from 1962 is also referenced.<ref name="silverman"/>
 
  
 
== Reception ==
 
== Reception ==
−
Matt Groening notes on the commentary track that he finds it strange how controversial this episode seemed at the time of its release. Today, they would go a lot further and to him this episode now seems harmless.<ref name="groening"/> The authors of the book ''I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide'', Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, said: "Some good lines and setpieces aside - we love Bart's fantasy of death at Nelson's hands - this episode nevertheless feels a bit unsure of itself, particularly towards the end."<ref name="BBC"/> In a DVD review of the first season David B. Grelck gave the episode a rating of 3/5 and adds "Another episode that helped to propel Bart's popularity into the stratosphere ...".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdbgproductions.com/cinerama/reviews/simpsonsseason1.htm|title=The Simpsons: The Complete First Season|accessdate=2008-01-14|date=2003|author=Grelck, David B|publisher=WDBG Productions}}</ref>  
+
Matt Groening notes on the commentary track that he finds it strange how controversial this episode seemed at the time of its release. Today, they would go a lot further and to him this episode now seems harmless.<ref name="groening"/> The authors of the book ''I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide'', Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, said: "Some good lines and setpieces aside - we love Bart's fantasy of death at Nelson's hands - this episode nevertheless feels a bit unsure of itself, particularly towards the end."<ref name="BBC"/> In a DVD review of the first season David B. Grelck gave the episode a rating of 3/5 and adds "Another episode that helped to propel Bart's popularity into the stratosphere ...".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdbgproductions.com/cinerama/reviews/simpsonsseason1.htm|title=The Simpsons: The Complete First Season|accessdate=2008-01-14|year=2003|author=Grelck, David B|publisher=WDBG Productions}}</ref>
  
 
=== Use in scientific research ===
 
=== Use in scientific research ===
−
"Bart the General" and ''[[Seinfeld]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "[[The Tape]]" were used in a [[Dartmouth College]] experiment to study brain activity in relation to humorous moments in television shows. The results were published in a 2004 issue of the [[academic journal]] ''Neurolmage''. The researchers noted, "During moments of humor detection, significant [brain] activation was noted in the left posterior middle temporal [[gyrus]] ... and left inferior frontal gyrus".<ref>qtd. in Keay Davidson. "So these scientists go into a lab to see what's funny ... - They find gender differences in how humor affects brain". ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''. [[November 21]], [[2005]]. A1.</ref>
+
"Bart the General" and ''{{W|Seinfeld}}''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "{{W|The Tape}}" were used in a {{W|Dartmouth College}} experiment to study brain activity in relation to humorous moments in television shows. The results were published in a [[2004]] issue of the {{W|academic journal}} ''Neurolmage''. The researchers noted, "During moments of humor detection, significant [brain] activation was noted in the left posterior middle temporal {{W|gyrus}} ... and left inferior frontal gyrus".<ref>qtd. in Keay Davidson. "So these scientists go into a lab to see what's funny ... - They find gender differences in how humor affects brain". ''San Francisco Chronicle''. November 21, [[2005]]. A1.</ref>
  
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== Trivia ==
+
== In other languages ==
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*Grandpa's list of words he does not want to hear on television again:
+
{{LanguageBox
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# Family Jewels (meaning men's testicles)
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|fr=yes
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# Horny
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|frName=Terreur à la récré
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# Bra
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|frTrans=Terror at recess
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*The first episode we see the retirement home where Grandpa Simpson lives. 
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|qu=yes
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*The first episode we see Bart cry, Homer then proceeds to dry his tears with a hairdryer.
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|quName=Bart s'en va-t-en guerre
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*During their first "fight," Nelson hits Bart twelve times in the face before he knocks Bart out.
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|quTrans=Bart Goes to War
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*Lisa calls her teacher "Mrs. Hoover" instead of "Miss Hoover."
+
|de=yes
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*The password to Herman's shop is "Let me in,you idiot!"
+
|deName=Bart schlägt eine Schlacht
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*The boy kissing Lisa appears to be Wendell Borton.
+
|deTrans=Bart fights a Battle
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+
|es=yes
−
== Errors ==
+
|esName=Bart, el general
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*When Bart's army is attacking Nelson, there are a lot more kids attacking Nelson than there were training with Bart.
+
|esTrans=Bart the General
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*At the start when the bully takes the cupcakes, you can see that, after he has started eating them, there are 4 left in the box. Just before he shuts the lid to drop it, you can just see the tops of 6 cupcakes.
+
|la=yes
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*When Bart declares war on Nelson, Herman uses the declaration from the Franco-Prussian war and puts "Bart" in place of "Otto Von Bismarck". Bismarck didn't declare the Franco-Prussian War, Napoleon III of France did. A small error, maybe, but something that a war buff like Herman should know.
+
|laName=El general Bart
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*When Grandpa Simpson is typewriting a letter in his room, the words he's spelling out loud don't match his fingers hitting the keys.
+
|laTrans=The General Bart
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*When Bart enters the tree house after being beaten up, he puts his hat on a peg behind him. In some later shots at an angle you can just see the hat behind him. In the shots from directly in front of Bart, the hat is not on the peg.
+
|it=yes
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*When Bart is training up his army, the colours of the kid's tops keep changing between shots.
+
|itName=Bart il grande
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+
|itTrans=Bart the Great
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== Episode Quotes ==
+
|hu=yes
−
:'''Weasel #1''': Nelson, y-you're bleeding.
+
|huName=Bart tábornok
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:'''[[w:Nelson Muntz|Nelson]]''': Naw, happens all the time, somebody else's blood splatters on me. ''[realizes his nose is bleeding]'' Hey, wait a minute... you're right! ''[to Bart]'' You made me bleed my own blood.
+
|huTrans=General Bart
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|br=yes
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<hr width="50%" />
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|brName=Bart, o General
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|brTrans=Bart the General
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:''[The school bell rings.]''
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|jp=yes
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:'''[[w:Seymour Skinner|Principal Skinner]]''': Uh oh, there's your bell. Come along, now, all of you. No dawdling, now.
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|jpName=バートン将軍
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:'''Nelson''': ''[to Bart]'' I'll get you after school, man.
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|jpTrans=General Barton
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:'''Bart''': But...
+
}}
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:'''Principal Skinner''': Oh, no, no, no. He'll get you after school, son. Now hurry up, it's time for class.
 
−
:'''Bart:''' But...
 
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:'''Principal Skinner:''' Scoot, young Simpson.  There's learning afoot!
 
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−
<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
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:'''[[w:Bart Simpson|Bart]]''': Nelson, it was all a mistake. This is how it happened, man. Listen up; you may get a kick out of it. My sister was baking cupcakes and...
 
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:'''Nelson''': I'll see you at the flagpole at 3:15.
 
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:'''Weasel #1''': And you better be prompt!
 
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:'''Weasel #2''': He has four other beatings scheduled this afternoon.
 
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−
<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
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:'''[[w:Marge Simpson|Marge]]''': Well, Bart, I hope you're going straight to the principal about this!
 
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:'''Bart''': I guess I could do that.
 
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:'''[[w:Homer Simpson|Homer]]''': What? And violate the code of the schoolyard? I'd rather Bart die!
 
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:'''Marge''': What on earth are you talking about, Homer?
 
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:'''Homer''': The code of the schoolyard, Marge! The rules that teach a boy how to be a man! Let's see; don't tattle, always make fun of those different from you, never say anything unless you're sure everyone feel exactly the same way you do.
 
−
 
 
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<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
−
:'''[[w:Abraham Simpson|Grampa]]''': ''[writing]'' I am disgusted with the way old people are depicted on television. We are not all vibrant, fun-loving sex maniacs. Many of us are bitter, resentful individuals, who remember the good old days, when entertainment was bland and inoffensive.
 
−
 
 
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<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
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:'''Herman''': The key to Springfield has always been Elm Street. The Greeks knew it. The Carthaginians knew it. Now you know it.
 
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<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
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:'''Herman''': First you'll need a declaration of war. I've got one here, just have to change the name from "Otto von Bismarck" to "Bart Simpson"
 
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<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
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:'''Herman''': Strategy. Hmm. How many men do you have?
 
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:'''Bart''': None.
 
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:'''Herman''': You'll need more.
 
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<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
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:''[Bart and other neighborhood children march towards Nelson, singing]''
 
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:'''Bart''': I got a B in arithmetic!
 
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:'''Children''': I got a B in arithmetic
 
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:'''Bart''': Would-a got an A, but I was sick!
 
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:'''Children''': Would-a got an A, but I was sick
 
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:'''Bart''': In English class I did the best!
 
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:'''Children''': In English class I did the best
 
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:'''Bart''': Because I cheated on the test!
 
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:'''Children''': Because I cheated on the test
 
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:'''Bart''': We are happy, we are merry
 
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:'''Children''': We are happy, we are merry
 
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:'''Bart''': We got a rhyming dictionary
 
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:'''Children''': We got a rhyming dictionary
 
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:'''Bart''': Sound off!
 
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:'''Children''': One, two
 
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:'''Bart''': I can't hear you!
 
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:'''Children''': Three, four!
 
−
 
 
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<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
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:'''Grampa''': Bart, you can push them out of a plane, you can march them off a cliff, you can send them off to die on some God-forsaken rock. But for some reason, you can't slap them. Now apologize to that boy immediately.
 
−
 
 
−
<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
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:'''Herman''': When he leaves the Kwik-E-Mart, we start the saturation bombing. You got the water balloons?
 
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:'''Bart''': Two hundred rounds, sir. Is it okay if they say "Happy Birthday" on the side?
 
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:'''Herman''': Well, I'd rather they say "Death from Above," but I guess we're stuck.
 
−
 
 
−
<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
−
:'''Grampa''': I thought I'd never hear the screams of pain or see the look of terror in a young man's eyes. Thank heaven for children.
 
−
 
 
−
<hr width="50%" />
 
−
 
 
−
:'''Bart''': ''[to viewers]'' Contrary to what you've just seen, war is neither glamorous nor fun. There are no winners; only losers. There are no good wars, with the following exceptions: the American Revolution, World War II, and the Star Wars Trilogy. If you'd like to learn more about war, there's lots of books in your local library, many of them with cool gory pictures.
 
−
 
 
−
== Appearances ==
 
−
=== Characters ===
 
−
<gallery>
 
−
File:Coward.JPG|[[Coward]]
 
−
File:Jasper.png|[[Jasper Beardley|Beardley, Jasper]]
 
−
File:Wendell.gif|[[Wendell Borton|Borton, Wendell]]
 
−
File:Guarddog.JPG|[[Guard Dog]]
 
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File:Herman.jpg|[[Herman]]
 
−
File:Jaffee.jpg|[[Jaffee]]
 
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File:Jamie.JPG|[[Jamie]]
 
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File:Lewis_working.jpg|[[Lewis]]
 
−
File:209px-The_Simpsons-Jebediah_Springfieldt.png|[[Otto Mann|Mann, Otto]]
 
−
File:Nelson_Muntz.jpg|[[Nelson Muntz|Muntz, Nelson]]
 
−
File:Martin.jpg|[[Martin Prince|Prince, Martin Junior]]
 
−
File:Retirementcastleadministrator.JPG|[[Retirement Castle Adminstrator (Bart the General)|Retirement Castle Administrator]]
 
−
File:Crazy_Old_Man.gif|[[Old Jewish Man]]
 
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File:Richard2.jpg|[[Richard]]
 
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File:Abe.jpg|[[Abraham Simpson|Simpson, Abraham Jedediiah]]
 
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File:Bart_Simpson.png|[[Bart Simpson|Simpson, Bartholomew Jojo]]
 
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File:Homerr.png|[[Homer Simpson|Simpson, Homer Jay]]
 
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File:Lisa_Simpson2.png|[[Lisa Simpson|Simpson, Lisa Marie]]
 
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File:Maggie.png|[[Maggie Simpson|Simpson, Margaret]]
 
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File:Marge.png|[[Marge Simpson|Simpson, Marjorie J. Bouvier]]
 
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File:Seymour_Skinner.png|[[Seymour Skinner|Tamzarian, Armin]]
 
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File:Milhouse_Van_Houten.png|[[Milhouse Van Houten|Van Houten, Milhouse Mussolini]]
 
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File:Weasels.jpg|[[Weasels]]
 
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=== Vehicles ===
 
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File:Schoolbus.JPG|[[School Bus]]
 
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=== Locations ===
 
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File:742simphouse.jpg|[[742 Evergreen Terrace]]
 
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File:Bartsimaginaryhell.JPG|[[Bart's Imaginary Hell]]
 
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File:Elmst.JPG|[[Elm Street]]
 
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File:Imaginaryfuneralparlor.JPG|[[Imaginary Funeral Parlor]]
 
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File:SpringfieldElementary3.jpg|[[Springfield Elementary School]]
 
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File:Springfield-retirement.jpg|[[Springfield Retirement Castle]]
 
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File:Hermans.jpg|[[Herman's Military Antiques]]
 
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</gallery>
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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*{{imdb episode|id=0701059|episode=Bart the General}}
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{{Season 1}}
  
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[[Category:1990]]
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[[Category:Bart episodes]]
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[[Category:Nelson episodes]]
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[[Category:Education-themed episodes]]
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[[Category:Episodes written by John Swartzwelder]]
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[[Category:Episodes directed by David Silverman]]
  
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[[Category:Season 1]]
 

Latest revision as of 11:22, April 14, 2024

Season 1 Episode
← 004 "There's No Disgrace Like Home"
005
"Bart the General"
"Moaning Lisa" 006 →
"I promise you victory, I promise you good times!"
―Bart Simpson
"Bart the General"
Bart the General (Promotional image).png
Episode Information
Episode number: 5
Season number: S1 E5
Production code: 7G05
Original airdate: February 4, 1990
Showrunners: James L. Brooks
Matt Groening
Sam Simon
Written by: John Swartzwelder
Directed by: David Silverman
DVD features


"Bart the General" is the fifth episode of Season 1 of The Simpsons. It originally aired on February 4, 1990. The episode was written by John Swartzwelder and directed by David Silverman.

Synopsis[edit]

"After defending Lisa from school bully Nelson Muntz, Bart becomes Nelson's latest school bullying target. Sick of the harassment and torment, Bart, Abraham Simpson, and Herman Hermann (a slightly deranged military antique store dealer with a missing arm) rally the town's children into fighting back against Nelson and his cronies."


Plot[edit]

The episode begins inside the Simpson's kitchen before school where Lisa's baking cupcakes to bring to Miss Hoover at school. Homer and Bart think Lisa's trying to butter up her teacher, but she is just being nice. On the school bus, Lisa makes Bart suck up to her in exchange for a cupcake. Once at the schoolyard, Lisa shows off her cupcakes to her friends, and one of Nelson's minions steals the cupcakes away and begins to eat them. Bart comes to Lisa's rescue and attacks the bully. Nelson comes over to break up the fight; he picks up Bart by the shirt collar with Bart blindly swinging. One of Bart's punches lands and gives Nelson a bloody nose. Everyone gasps after seeing what Bart unwittingly did. Nelson tells Bart he'll get him after school. In class, a worried Bart daydreams about the showdown. In the dream, there's nothing Bart can do to defeat Nelson. Milhouse wakes Bart up in time to go to lunch. In the lunchroom, everyone hails Bart as a hero. A modest and nervous Bart downplays the situation. Nelson walks up to a trembling Bart to remind him about the fight after school. Back in the classroom, Bart daydreams again this time about his own funeral in which his family mourns him, and Nelson pounds him one last time. After school a nervous Bart darts around the playground hoping to avoid Nelson. Bart turns a corner only to see Nelson standing right in front of him. Nelson promptly pummels Bart, throws him in a trash can, and informs Bart to meet again tomorrow after school for another beating. Nelson and his minions roll Bart away in the trash can.

Nelson bleeds from his confrontation with Bart.

The garbage can with Bart inside rolls to a stop in front of the Simpson house, and a weary Bart stumbles out and goes inside the house. Once inside, Bart walks past his parents in the living room and heads to the bathroom to cry. Marge sends Homer in to console Bart. Marge eavesdrops on the conversation, and, when it's revealed Nelson's picking on Bart, she bursts in and gives Bart advice. She advises him to talk nicely to Nelson and try to settle things like gentlemen. Homer doesn't like this advice and takes Bart into another room to show him how to fight Simpson style (i.e. fighting dirty). The next day after school in the schoolyard, Bart uses Homer's advice and flings mud in Nelson's eye which only makes Nelson angrier.

Nelson beats up Bart again, throws him into another trash can, and rolls him away. Once again in front the Simpson house, Bart's trash can rolls to a stop. Lisa's sitting out on the sidewalk and suggests Bart should seek Grampa's advice. Bart goes to the retirement home and visits Grampa, angrily typing a letter to TV advertisers. Grampa tells Bart to just stand up for himself. Jasper quickly enters Grampa's room and demands Grampa's newspaper. Grampa says no and stands up for himself, but Jasper takes the paper away, anyway. Realizing Bart standing up for himself may not work, Grampa says he knows someone else who can help. Grampa and Bart go over to Herman's Military Antiques to ask Herman Hermann for advice. Herman tells them Bart needs to start a small army, and they begin to devise a plan.

At school, a note's passed around class. The note tells the kids anyone fed up with Nelson should meet at Bart's treehouse after school. Inside the treehouse, a group of kids along with Herman and Grampa wait for Bart to arrive. Bart stumbles in after being beaten up again, rallies the recruits, and encourages them to join in his battle plan against Nelson. A montage of army marches, drills, obstacle courses, and training with Bart as the drill sergeant commences. Back inside the treehouse, days later, the battle plan's being finalized by Bart, Lisa, Herman and Grampa. Milhouse steps in and informs Bart of Nelson's whereabouts, and the battle plan begins. Outside on the streets, Bart confronts Nelson and, out of nowhere, Bart's army appears with water balloons much to Nelson's surprise. Water bombing takes place, and Nelson is captured. Bart wheels a tied up Nelson in a wagon back to the Simpson house. Bart tells Nelson he hopes he has learned his lesson and reaches to untie him, but Nelson says that as soon as he is free, he's going to pound Bart. Inside the Simpson house, Herman draws up a peace treaty between Bart and Nelson they both sign. Marge steps in and hands out cupcakes to everyone for a happy ending.

At the end of the episode, Bart sits on a table in a library and talks directly to the camera about the seriousness of war.

Production[edit]

General Bart (Bart the General).png

This episode was running too long to use the normal opening sequence. It did therefore not feature a chalkboard gag or a couch gag. Instead they just cut to image of the Simpson house.[1] David Silverman was the director and was kind of stressed, because he was doing storyboards for this episode while also directing "Bart the Genius".[1] Originally, he had planned to use the song "War" by Edwin Starr in the episode. The plans were dropped, when they decided that the song did not really fit the story.[1] The episode had problems with the censors, who did not want the characters to say "family jewels" on prime time television.[2] The producers ignored the notes and "family jewels" remained in the episode.

Two new characters were introduced in this episode. The first one is Nelson Muntz, who remains a frequently used recurring character.[3] The second is Herman Hermann who has been used less.[3] Another two characters were to be introduced in this episode, which were Nelson's parents. Their appearances were cut from the final script.[4] The design of Herman except for only having one arm was inspired by the look of the writer John Swartzwelder. The voice was partly inspired by George H. W. Bush and performed by Harry Shearer. The original idea with Herman was that every time he would be shown he would have a different story to why he only has one arm.[2]

Reception[edit]

Matt Groening notes on the commentary track that he finds it strange how controversial this episode seemed at the time of its release. Today, they would go a lot further and to him this episode now seems harmless.[2] The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, said: "Some good lines and setpieces aside - we love Bart's fantasy of death at Nelson's hands - this episode nevertheless feels a bit unsure of itself, particularly towards the end."[3] In a DVD review of the first season David B. Grelck gave the episode a rating of 3/5 and adds "Another episode that helped to propel Bart's popularity into the stratosphere ...".[5]

Use in scientific research[edit]

"Bart the General" and Seinfeld's "The Tape" were used in a Dartmouth College experiment to study brain activity in relation to humorous moments in television shows. The results were published in a 2004 issue of the academic journal Neurolmage. The researchers noted, "During moments of humor detection, significant [brain] activation was noted in the left posterior middle temporal gyrus ... and left inferior frontal gyrus".[6]

In other languages[edit]

Language Name Translation
Germany.png Deutsch "Bart schlägt eine Schlacht" Bart fights a Battle
Spain flag.png Español "Bart, el general" Bart the General
Hispanic America.gif Español "El general Bart" The General Bart
France.png Français "Terreur à la récré" Terror at recess
Flag of Quebec.svg.png Français "Bart s'en va-t-en guerre" Bart Goes to War
Italy Flag.png Italiano "Bart il grande" Bart the Great
Brasil Flag.png Português "Bart, o General" Bart the General
Hungary flag.png Magyar "Bart tábornok" General Bart
Flag of Japan.png 日本語 "バートン将軍" General Barton

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Silverman, David. (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Bart the General" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Groening, Matt. (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Bart the General" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian (2000). Bart the General. BBC. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  4. ↑ Original script for "Bart the General" on The Complete First Season Boxset
  5. ↑ Grelck, David B (2003). The Simpsons: The Complete First Season. WDBG Productions. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  6. ↑ qtd. in Keay Davidson. "So these scientists go into a lab to see what's funny ... - They find gender differences in how humor affects brain". San Francisco Chronicle. November 21, 2005. A1.


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Bart the General".
Season 1 Episodes
Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire • Bart the Genius • Homer's Odyssey • There's No Disgrace Like Home • Bart the General • Moaning Lisa • The Call of the Simpsons • The Telltale Head • Life on the Fast Lane • Homer's Night Out • The Crepes of Wrath • Krusty Gets Busted • Some Enchanted Evening
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