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Difference between revisions of "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife"

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{{episode
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{{Icons||FE}}
|image=blank.png
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{{Tab}}
|productionCode=
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{{EpisodePrevNext|Bart Has Two Mommies|Million-Dollar Abie}}
|originalAirdate=March 26, 2006
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{{Episode
|blackboardText=
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|image= Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife promo 1.png
|couchGag=
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|number= 371
|specialGuestVoices=
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|season=17
|Written By=
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|snumber=15
|Directed By=
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|prodcode= HABF08
 +
|airdate= March 26, [[2006]]
 +
|blackboard= I will not eat things for money. (oiginal airing only; taken from the [[Sky]] One promo)<br>I will not laminate dog doo. (reruns only)
 +
|couchgag= The family (played by live action actors and actresses) sit on the couch just as the animated Simpsons opening comes on. (original airing only; taken from the Sky One promo) The Simpsons sit on the couch, then are dunked into a pit of fire. (reruns only)
 +
|showrunner1= Al Jean
 +
|guests= [[Ricky Gervais]] as [[Charles Heathbar]]
 +
|writer= [[Ricky Gervais]]
 +
|director= [[Matthew Nastuk]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''"Homer Simpson, This is Your Wife"''' is an episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''. It is the fifteenth episode of the show's seventeenth season. It is the first ever episode written entirely by a guest star, [[Ricky Gervais]].
+
"'''Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife'''" is the fifteenth episode of [[season 17]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the three-hundred and seventy-first episode overall. It originally aired on March 26, [[2006]]. The episode was written by [[Ricky Gervais]] and directed by [[Matthew Nastuk]]. It guest stars [[Ricky Gervais]] as [[Charles Heathbar]].
  
 
== Synopsis ==
 
== Synopsis ==
[[Lenny Leonard|Lenny]] invites practically everyone in town to a party at his flat, where he tells them that he has a big surprise. He reveals that he bought a brand new plasma screen TV, and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] immediately falls in love with its [[High-definition television|high-definition]] picture. He begins to spend all his time at Lenny's house, watching TV. [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] sends over the kids to bring him back, but they too get enthralled by the TV. Eventually, Lenny kicks him out. When he gets back home, he just doesn't enjoy watching his usual TV anymore. Marge tells him that she entered them into a contest where the winner gets a prize that is a plasma screen TV. Later, they get a call, and they learn that they won third place as opposed to first ("Um... no. No one wins that."), and the prize is a trip to the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Studio Network]] (no expenses paid). While there, Homer learns of a reality show called "Mother Flippers" (similar to ''[[Wife Swap]]'' and ''[[Trading Spouses]]''), and the grand prize just happens to be enough money to buy a new plasma screen TV. Marge agrees, although with reluctance, and they enter.
+
{{Desc|[[Homer]]'s obsession with Lenny's new plasma TV prompts Marge to enter the family in a sweepstakes, and they win a trip to the Fox Studio Lot. Against [[Marge]]'s wishes, Homer signs them up for a "Trading Spouses"-type show and is forced to take in a controlling wife, while Marge moves in with a beaten-down husband, Charles, and his perfect son. Charles quickly develops a crush on Marge, while she tries to give him the strength to stand up to his own wife.}}
  
When they get back to Springfield, the show begins. Marge is traded to a nice, easy going man named Charles Heathbar and his perfect son, while Homer gets Charles' very strict wife, Verity. Charles seems to be the classic hen-pecked husband, and is surprised to see that Marge is extremely understanding and nice. Marge enjoys her time with [[Charles Heathbar]], while he begins to develop a crush on her. Meanwhile, Homer, [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], and [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] are having troubles with Verity, who continues to discipline them and object to everything they do. She makes homework out of "[[Itchy and Scratchy]]" for Bart and asks Homer for his "synopsis" of ''[[CSI: Miami]]''.
+
== Plot ==
 +
[[Lenny]] invites practically everyone in town to a party at his flat, where he tells them that he has a big surprise. He reveals that he bought a brand new plasma screen TV, and [[Homer]] immediately falls in love with its high-definition picture. He begins to spend all his time at Lenny's house, watching TV. [[Marge]] sends over the kids to bring him back, but they too get enthralled by the TV. Eventually three days later, Lenny tells him to ''Beat it!''. When he gets back home, he just doesn't enjoy watching his usual TV anymore. Marge tells him that she entered them into a contest where the winner gets a prize that is a plasma screen TV. Later, they get a call, and they learn that they won third place as opposed to first ("Um... no. No one wins that."), and the prize is a trip to the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Studio Network]] (no expenses paid). While there, Homer learns of a reality show called "[[Mother Flippers]]" (similar to ''Wife Swap'' and ''Trading Spouses''), and the grand prize just happens to be enough money to buy a new plasma screen TV. Marge agrees, although with reluctance, and they enter.
  
Back at Charles' house, he writes a love song for Marge (with guitar accompaniment), who seems completely oblivious to him until he comes out and tells her that he's in love with her. She explains to him that she loves Homer, and she tells him that he should tell his wife how he feels. He agrees, and decides to take her back to Homer and then get rid of Verity. When they get back to Springfield, Homer and the kids are ecstatic to see Marge. However, Verity has decided to leave him first, and she has already found a new partner: [[Patty Bouvier|Patty]]. Apparently, they both hate Homer equally. Homer threatens to vote No on Proposition 38 (for [[Gay adoption]]), but a little arm-twisting by Patty brings him in line.
+
When they get back to Springfield, the show begins. Marge is traded to a nice, easy going man named Charles Heathbar and his perfect son, while Homer gets Charles' very strict wife, Verity. Charles seems to be the classic hen-pecked husband, and is surprised to see that Marge is extremely understanding and nice. Marge enjoys her time with [[Charles Heathbar]], while he begins to develop a crush on her. Meanwhile, Homer, [[Bart]], and [[Lisa]] are having troubles with Verity, who continues to discipline them and object to everything they do. She makes homework out of "[[Itchy and Scratchy]]" for Bart and asks Homer for his "synopsis" of ''[[CSI: Miami]]''.
 +
 
 +
Back at Charles' house, he writes a love song for Marge (with guitar accompaniment), who seems completely oblivious to him until he comes out and tells her that he's in love with her. She explains to him that she loves Homer, and she tells him that he should tell his wife how he feels. He agrees, and decides to take her back to Homer and then get rid of Verity. When they get back to Springfield, Homer and the kids are ecstatic to see Marge. However, Verity has decided to leave him first, and she has already found a new partner: [[Patty]]. Apparently, they both hate Homer equally. Homer threatens to vote No on Proposition 38 (for Gay adoption), but a little arm-twisting by Patty makes him confess he wasn't planning to vote at all, a little more and he's in line.
  
 
In the end, Homer plays on the guitar, serenading his true love, his new Plasma TV (and Marge, too).
 
In the end, Homer plays on the guitar, serenading his true love, his new Plasma TV (and Marge, too).
  
== Trivia ==
+
== Production ==
*According to various articles, Gervais is more than welcome to write or guest star in another episode.
+
The episode was written by [[Ricky Gervais]], who was invited to write an episode after his Golden Globes win. When he was offered a role, he agreed, and was later asked to write the episode too. However, he felt that he was only a figurehead for the episode and he didn't really write it. He also wrote the songs for the episode.<ref>{{Com|Gervais, Ricky|Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife|Seventeenth|(2014)}}</ref>
*In a December 2004 BBC article, Gervais called writing ''The Simpsons'' episode "the most intimidating project of my career", describing ''The Simpsons'' as "the greatest TV show of all time."
+
 
*This episode featured a live-action opening sequence. The live-action couch gag was not shown on some channels in Canada with the original airing for unspecified reasons. This was taken directly from a Sky One promotion, with the only alteration (in right-driving countries) being a mirrored flip of the scene where Marge and Maggie are driving the car, to show Marge driving on the left side, unlike in the UK. The original can be seen [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2004580002-2006100428,00.html here]. It was filmed in Orpington, Kent, near London. A previous live action sequence took place in the ''Homer<sup>3</sup>'' segment of ''[[Treehouse of Horror VI]]''.
+
The live-action opening sequence was directed by [[Chris Palmer]], which was taken from the [[Sky]] One promo.
*A theatrical version of ''The Phantom of the Opera'' is playing on Lenny's plasma TV during his party.
+
 
*With Dan Castellaneta, this is the second time a member of the main cast of ''The Simpsons'' has guest-starred as themselves (the first was Harry Shearer as part of Spinal Tap in "The Otto Show"). In this episode he was simply billed as a "star of ''The Tracey Ullman Show''" while in season Thirteen's "I Am Furious Yellow" he appeared to voice the character of Angry Dad (although he was not referred to by name in that episode).
+
<gallery>
*The similarities between ''Trading Spouses'' and ''Wife Swap'' (ABC) are satirically addressed. Interestingly, ''Wife Swap'' had received a similar skewering by  '''its''' network fellow ''Hope and Faith'' a season earlier.
+
File:HABF08 Script.jpg
*This episode was preceded by Ricky commentating about the episode on Sky One, and how Channel 4 would not get it for another three years. Sky One issued an apology upon the return from commercial break during the episode acknowledging that this claim was inaccurate. Channel 4 shows new episodes '''four''' years after Sky One.
+
</gallery>
*Possibly due to the episode's storyline, Sky's high-definition service SkyHD was promoted twice during the first UK transmission, before the episode started and before the 'apology' mentioned above. The first advert in the commercial break was also for a high-definition television. Private Eye magazine in particular criticised this as an example of product placement on the part of Sky, and speculated as to how much Gervais was paid for writing it into the storyline.
+
 
*This episode was promoted heavily in the UK, even making the cover of the Radio Times. It holds the record for the highest rated Simpsons episode ever shown on Sky One, getting 2.301 million viewers, beating the previous record of 1.65 million set by "Skinner's Sense of Snow" in 2001.
+
== Opening Sequence ==
*Despite being written by a British person, the episode is filled with references that UK audiences will not automatically be familiar with, such as Ryan Seacrest, Notre Dame football, etc.
 
  
== Cultural references ==
+
<gallery>
*The title is a reference to the show ''This Is Your Life''.
+
File:TownSwoopLiveAction.png
*Charles appears to be based on Gervais' character David Brent from the British version of ''The Office''. He says that he is the manager of an office, and like Brent, appears to be a very inept one. Charles also tells an offensive joke to Marge and plays guitar.
+
File:SchoolLiveAction.png
*Homer collects all 40 years of ''The Family Circus'', and then throws it in the fire.
+
File:Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife promo 3.png
*The shot of Charles standing in front of the fire while singing about Princess Di echoes the famous and controversial photo of her standing in a school garden with the sun behind her, revealing the outline of her legs through her skirt.
+
File:SkatingOutSchoolLA.png
 +
File:HomerWorkLiveAction.png
 +
File:SupermarketLiveAction.png
 +
File:LisaSaxLiveAction.png
 +
File:LisaLeavesLiveAction.png
 +
File:MargeMaggieDriveLiveAction.png
 +
File:Homer Simpson This Is Your Wife Couch Gag.jpg
 +
File:TVLiveAction.png
 +
</gallery>
  
== Quotes ==
+
== Reception ==
*''(after Homer moons the camera)''<br/>'''Producer:''' Uhhh! We'd better [[pixel]]late those!<br/>'''Cameraman:''' There aren't enough pixels in the world!<br/>'''Producer:''' Yeah umm, just cover it with [[Ryan Seacrest]]'s head.
+
"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife" has a 6.5 rating om IMDb as of May 2017<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0701111/ "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife" on IMDb]</ref> and an 8.2 rating on TV.com as of May 2017.<ref>[http://www.tv.com/shows/the-simpsons/homer-simpson-this-is-your-wife-463616/ TV.com - "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife"]</ref>
*'''Homer:''' If I have enough strength, I'll take you up to the TV and show you how thin it is.
+
 
*'''Carl:''' Ain't no party like a Lenny party, 'cause a Lenny party don't stop! ''(looks at his watch)'' Oh man, I've got work tomorrow. See ya.
+
== International airdates ==
*'''Lisa:''' I've seen this same show on a different network. <br/> '''Fox Executive:''' ''(stares at her nervously)'' Here, have a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] sweatshirt. <br/> '''Lisa (puts it on and looks on the back):''' This is an [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sweatshirt. <br/> '''Executive:''' And it zips up all the way! ''(zips up the sweatshirt, muffling Lisa's shouts)''
+
{{Airdates
*<b>Lisa</b>: I don't understand, Dad. Our family has so many flaws, why must we share them with the world? <br /> <b>Homer</b>: Because we'll be on TV! And earn enough money to buy a TV! TV! <br /> <b>Lisa</b>: But, Dad! <br /> <b>Homer</b>: Yes, Teeveesa? <br /> <b>Lisa</b>: Ergh, forget it. <br />
+
|UKdate=April 23, [[2006]]
*'''Verity:''' Charles hasn't satisfied me in years.<br/>'''Homer:''' "That's how I feel about [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] football.
+
|UKchannel=[[Channel 4]]
*'''Patty:''' What brought us together is how much we hate you! <br/> '''Homer:''' Okay then. I'll just vote "no" on Prop 38 so you [[Gay adoption|can't adopt]]! ''(Patty twists Homer's arm)'' Ooooowwww! Kidding! I don't vote! The voting place is up the hill and I never make it! ''(Patty twists Homer's arm harder)''
+
|UKnote=
*'''Sideshow Mel:''' I've never seen a picture so [[High-definition television|highly-defined]]!
+
|AUdate=July 18, 2006
*'''Brandine:''' Can you believe it, Cletus? Another party and we can't go. <br/> '''Cletus:''' Yeah, just 'cause we's afraid to use an [[elevator|uppity-box]].
+
|AUchannel=
*'''Tour Guide:''' Look, there's [[Dan Castellaneta]] from [[The Tracey Ullman Show]].<br/>'''Homer:''' ''(leaning out of the tour guide tram)'' Hey funny man! Say something funny!<br/>'''Dan Castellaneta:''' Please don't lean out of the tram sir, you might get hurt.<br/>'''Homer:''' ''(childish imitating Castelleneta)'' Oh! Don't lean out of the tram! ''(he then gets hit by a gold statue of'' [[Mischa Barton]]'')''
+
|AUnote=
*'''Homer''': Marge, thank God you're home! She made me spend time with the kids! And not just TV time. ''Talking'' time!
+
}}
*'''Charles''': You're leaving me for him?<br/> '''Homer''': So it would appear. However, Cousin It there was born a woman.
 
*'''lyrics to "Picture in Picture" sung by Homer:'''<br/> ''You make me laugh, you make me cry<br/> Without you I'd just want to die<br/> For the rest of my life you'll be a fixture<br/> Now let me enjoy your picture in picture.''
 
*'''lyrics to "Lady Blue" sung by Charles''':<br/> ''Lady when you came to me, I was feeling blue<br/> Blue just like your hair, you see<br/> Blue just like the moon<br/> But only when the moon is blue<br/> And not when it is cream<br/> And now that you are here with me<br/> I am in a dream<br/>(''In normal voice'')Oh, yeah, Marge, your dreams can come true.<br /><br />Lady, when you go away<br/> I feel like I could die<br/>Not like dye like your hair is dye<br/> But die like [[Lady Di]]<br/> And not like Di like her name is Di<br/> But die like when she died<br/>But lady just like [[Lady Di]]<br/> Be my princess tonight<br/> But don't die<br/> Don't die.
 
  
== Broadcasting Information ==
+
== Gallery ==
'''USA/Canada'''
+
<gallery>
*'''1st Airdate:''' Sunday, [[March 26]], [[2006]] '''(Live Action)'''
+
File:Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife promo 2.png
*'''2nd Airdate:''' Sunday, [[May 21]], [[2006]] '''(Different Chalkboard and Couch Gag)'''
+
File:Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife promo 3.png
'''UK'''
+
</gallery>
*'''1st Airdate:''' Sunday, [[April 23]], [[2006]]
 
*'''2nd Airdate:''' Friday, [[April 28]], [[2006]] (Encore Screening)
 
*'''3rd Airdate:''' Saturday, [[July 8]], [[2006]]
 
*'''4th Airdate:''' Monday, [[August 14]], [[2006]]
 
'''Australia'''
 
*'''1st Airdate:''' Tuesday, [[July 18]], [[2006]] '''(Different Chalkboard and Couch Gag)'''
 
  
== External links ==
+
== References ==
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4120569.stm Gervais writing Simpsons episode], a December 2004 [[BBC]] article
+
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.rickygervais.com/simpsons.php Storyboard images] from the writer's official website
 
  
 +
{{Images|ep=yes}}
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{{Season 17}}
  
{{season 17}}
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[[Category:2006]]
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[[Category:Homer episodes]]
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[[Category:Marge episodes]]
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[[Category:Episodes written by one time writers]]
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[[Category:Episodes directed by Matthew Nastuk]]
  
[[Category:Episodes]]
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[[sv:Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife]]
[[Category:Season 17]]
 

Latest revision as of 14:38, November 19, 2024

Season 17 Episode
370 "Bart Has Two Mommies"
371
"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife"
"Million-Dollar Abie" 372
"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife"
Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife promo 1.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 371
Season number: S17 E15
Production code: HABF08
Original airdate: March 26, 2006
Chalkboard gag: I will not eat things for money. (oiginal airing only; taken from the Sky One promo)
I will not laminate dog doo. (reruns only)
Couch gag: The family (played by live action actors and actresses) sit on the couch just as the animated Simpsons opening comes on. (original airing only; taken from the Sky One promo) The Simpsons sit on the couch, then are dunked into a pit of fire. (reruns only)
Guest star(s): Ricky Gervais as Charles Heathbar
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Ricky Gervais
Directed by: Matthew Nastuk


"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife" is the fifteenth episode of season 17 of The Simpsons and the three-hundred and seventy-first episode overall. It originally aired on March 26, 2006. The episode was written by Ricky Gervais and directed by Matthew Nastuk. It guest stars Ricky Gervais as Charles Heathbar.

Synopsis[edit]

"Homer's obsession with Lenny's new plasma TV prompts Marge to enter the family in a sweepstakes, and they win a trip to the Fox Studio Lot. Against Marge's wishes, Homer signs them up for a "Trading Spouses"-type show and is forced to take in a controlling wife, while Marge moves in with a beaten-down husband, Charles, and his perfect son. Charles quickly develops a crush on Marge, while she tries to give him the strength to stand up to his own wife."


Plot[edit]

Lenny invites practically everyone in town to a party at his flat, where he tells them that he has a big surprise. He reveals that he bought a brand new plasma screen TV, and Homer immediately falls in love with its high-definition picture. He begins to spend all his time at Lenny's house, watching TV. Marge sends over the kids to bring him back, but they too get enthralled by the TV. Eventually three days later, Lenny tells him to Beat it!. When he gets back home, he just doesn't enjoy watching his usual TV anymore. Marge tells him that she entered them into a contest where the winner gets a prize that is a plasma screen TV. Later, they get a call, and they learn that they won third place as opposed to first ("Um... no. No one wins that."), and the prize is a trip to the Fox Studio Network (no expenses paid). While there, Homer learns of a reality show called "Mother Flippers" (similar to Wife Swap and Trading Spouses), and the grand prize just happens to be enough money to buy a new plasma screen TV. Marge agrees, although with reluctance, and they enter.

When they get back to Springfield, the show begins. Marge is traded to a nice, easy going man named Charles Heathbar and his perfect son, while Homer gets Charles' very strict wife, Verity. Charles seems to be the classic hen-pecked husband, and is surprised to see that Marge is extremely understanding and nice. Marge enjoys her time with Charles Heathbar, while he begins to develop a crush on her. Meanwhile, Homer, Bart, and Lisa are having troubles with Verity, who continues to discipline them and object to everything they do. She makes homework out of "Itchy and Scratchy" for Bart and asks Homer for his "synopsis" of CSI: Miami.

Back at Charles' house, he writes a love song for Marge (with guitar accompaniment), who seems completely oblivious to him until he comes out and tells her that he's in love with her. She explains to him that she loves Homer, and she tells him that he should tell his wife how he feels. He agrees, and decides to take her back to Homer and then get rid of Verity. When they get back to Springfield, Homer and the kids are ecstatic to see Marge. However, Verity has decided to leave him first, and she has already found a new partner: Patty. Apparently, they both hate Homer equally. Homer threatens to vote No on Proposition 38 (for Gay adoption), but a little arm-twisting by Patty makes him confess he wasn't planning to vote at all, a little more and he's in line.

In the end, Homer plays on the guitar, serenading his true love, his new Plasma TV (and Marge, too).

Production[edit]

The episode was written by Ricky Gervais, who was invited to write an episode after his Golden Globes win. When he was offered a role, he agreed, and was later asked to write the episode too. However, he felt that he was only a figurehead for the episode and he didn't really write it. He also wrote the songs for the episode.[1]

The live-action opening sequence was directed by Chris Palmer, which was taken from the Sky One promo.

Opening Sequence[edit]

Reception[edit]

"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife" has a 6.5 rating om IMDb as of May 2017[2] and an 8.2 rating on TV.com as of May 2017.[3]

International airdates[edit]

Country Date Channel Note
Flag of Australia.png Australia July 18, 2006
800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png United Kingdom April 23, 2006 Channel 4

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife".
Season 17 Episodes
The Bonfire of the Manatees The Girl Who Slept Too Little Milhouse of Sand and Fog Treehouse of Horror XVI Marge's Son Poisoning See Homer Run The Last of the Red Hat Mamas The Italian Bob Simpsons Christmas Stories Homer's Paternity Coot We're on the Road to D'ohwhere My Fair Laddy The Seemingly Never-Ending Story Bart Has Two Mommies Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife Million-Dollar Abie Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore The Wettest Stories Ever Told Girls Just Want to Have Sums Regarding Margie The Monkey Suit Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play