• New article from the Springfield Shopper: Season 36 News: A new episode title, “Homer and Her Sisters”, has been announced!
  • Wikisimpsons needs more Featured Article, Picture, Quote, Episode and Comprehensive article nominations!
  • Wikisimpsons has a Discord server! Click here for your invite! Join to talk about the wiki, Simpsons and Tapped Out news, or just to talk to other users.
  • Make an account! It's easy, free, and your work on the wiki can be attributed to you.
TwitterFacebookDiscord

Difference between revisions of "There's Something About Marrying"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
(Quotes)
(Gallery)
 
(69 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
"'''There's Something About Marrying'''" is one of the most controversial episodes from the [[List of The Simpsons episodes#Season 16 (2004-2005)|sixteenth season]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]''.
+
{{Tab}}
 +
{{EpisodePrevNext|Pranksta Rap|On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister|season=16|number=345}}
 +
{{Quote|At last I have found the yin to my...yin.|[[Patty]]}}
 +
{{Episode
 +
|image= There's Something About Marrying promo.png
 +
|number= 345
 +
|season=16
 +
|snumber=10
 +
|prodcode= GABF04
 +
|airdate= February 20, [[2005]]
 +
|couchgag= The family, dressed as bruised and beaten hockey players, skates around the living room holding the Stanley Cup.
 +
|showrunner1= Al Jean
 +
|writer= [[J. Stewart Burns]]
 +
|director= [[Nancy Kruse]]
 +
}}
  
==Synopsis==
+
"'''There's Something About Marrying'''" is the tenth episode of [[season 16]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the three-hundred and forty-fifth episode overall. It originally aired on February 20, [[2005]]. The episode was written by [[J. Stewart Burns]] and directed by [[Nancy Kruse]].
{{spoiler}}
 
Looking for someone new to [[prank]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] and [[Van Houten family#Milhouse Van Houten|Milhouse]] find a naive-looking man named [[Howell Huser]], who has been roaming [[United States|America]]. They torment him so much that he breaks his 47 year long smiling streak. Huser leaves and appears on [[television|TV]], saying just how terrible [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]] is. Within a month, the Springfield tourism business is in a state of collapse. As a solution, Lisa suggests they legalize [[same-sex marriage]].
 
  
Soon, hundreds of [[gay]] and [[lesbian]] couples come to Springfield. However, [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Lovejoy Family|Rev. Lovejoy]] still holds the view that marriage is only between a man and a woman and refuses to join any same-sex couple. [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], when he overhears that ministers get paid $200 per couple, decides to become a minister himself. Shortly afterwards, he marries every gay couple in town. Afterwards, he puts up a sign saying "Will marry anyone to anything."
+
== Synopsis ==
 +
{{Desc|Gay and lesbian couples come to [[Springfield]] to get married by [[Homer]], and [[Patty Bouvier]] comes out of the closet.}}
  
[[Bouvier sisters|Patty]] tells [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] that she herself is a lesbian and is in love with a pro-golfer named Veronica. Marge is extremely uncomfortable with this new fact, even though the evidence was always there. She also makes a shocking discovery: Veronica is actually a man. At the ceremony, Marge states "Veronica's" secret and when he asks Patty to still marry him, she declines. Patty and Selma then go to leave a bag at the [[airport]] unattended, as a way to meet security personnel.
+
== Plot ==
 +
Looking for someone new to prank, [[Bart]] and [[Milhouse]] find a naive-looking man named [[Howell Huser]], who has been roaming the United States. Huser turns out to be a professional tourist who works for a TV station, rating towns for tourism. He says just how terrible [[Springfield]] is. Within a month, the Springfield tourism business is in a state of collapse. As a solution, Lisa suggests they legalize same-sex marriage.
  
==Trivia==
+
Soon, hundreds of gay and lesbian couples come to Springfield. However, [[Reverend Lovejoy]] still holds the view that marriage is only between a man and a woman and refuses to join any same-sex couple. Marge tries to argue that certain parts of the bible conflict about same sex coupling, but Lovejoy starts ringing the church bell to drown her out. [[Homer]] overhears that ministers get paid $200 per couple and decides to become a minister himself by getting ordained online through a questionable website. Shortly afterwards, he marries every gay couple in town. When there are no more gay couples in town to marry, a money-hungry Homer puts up a sign saying "Will marry anyone to anything." Homer literally accepts the marriage of anything, even the [[Sea Captain]] who weds his mermaid figurehead, an inanimate object.
*This episode had a [[Parental Discretion Advised]] warning, the first time for The Simpsons and it was rated TV-14 DLV, the sixth time for The Simpsons.
 
*This episode was given a PG rating with an "Adult Themes" advisory in [[Australia]].
 
*Homer's printer is capable of perforating paper.
 
*Julio, from the episode [[Three Gays of the Condo]], is seen being married by Homer. His friend from the episode, Grady, is not seen.
 
  
==Cultural References==
+
During this time, [[Patty]] tells [[Marge]] that she herself is a lesbian and is in love with a pro-golfer named [[Veronica]]. Marge is extremely uncomfortable, although she has been supportive of same-sex marriage. Marge recalls through flashback indications of Patty's homosexuality. On the day of the marriage, Marge discovers that Veronica is actually a man disguised as a woman to get on the women's tour. Marge is at first delighted that Patty will unknowingly marry a man. But during the ceremony, Patty's sincere happiness guilts Marge into revealing the truth. Veronica admits the truth and reveals his real name is Leslie Robin Swisher. He asks if Patty will still marry him, but she absolutely refuses, reaffirming that she likes girls. Patty and Selma go to leave a bag at the airport unattended, as a way to meet security personnel of both genders.
*The title is a reference to the popular [[comedy]] [[film|movie]] ''[[There's Something About Mary]]''.  
 
*The couch gag is a reference to the [[2004-05 NHL lockout|NHL hockey lockout]].
 
*Veronica sings a couple lines of the [[Aerosmith]] song "[[Dude (Looks Like a Lady)]]".
 
  
==Goofs==
+
== Production ==
*Although Homer stopped being homophobic in ''[[Homer's Phobia]]'' and even lived together with two openly homosexual men in ''[[Three Gays of the Condo]]'' he still can be seen holding a sign "Death before gay marriage".
+
<gallery>
*Reverend Lovejoy is unable to cite the book in the Bible condemning homosexuality ([[Genesis]], [[Leviticus]] and others), yet in ''[[Homer the Heretic]]'' he is able to cite a completely random Bible verse of Homer's choosing from memory ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 21:17). [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer_the_Heretic#Quotes]
+
File:GABF04 Script.jpg
 +
</gallery>
  
==Quotes==
+
== Reception ==
*'''[[Disco Stu]]:''' Disco Stu just got an [[annulment]] from [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul Two]]. Boogie down!
+
"There's Something About Marrying" was nominated for a [[2006]] Writers Guild of America award in Animation, but it lost to "[[Mommie Beerest]]".<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000710/2006/1/ IMDb - "Writers Guild of America, USA 2006 Awards"]</ref>
*'''Bart:''' Is this one of those reality deals where a guy gets a million bucks for marrying Aunt Patty but they have to honeymoon in a box full of snakes? <br/> '''Homer:''' Son, that's the stupidest idea I ever heard... and I know exactly who would pay top dollar for it! <br/> ''(picks up phone and dials)'' <br/> '''Phone:''' You've reached FOX.  If you're pitching a show where gold-digging skanks get what's coming to them, press 1.  If you're pitching a rip-off of another network's reality show, press 2.  Please stay on the line - your half-baked ideas are all we've got.
 
*'''Rev. Lovejoy:''' While I have no opinion for or against your sinful lifestyles, I cannot marry two people of the same sex no more than I can put a hamburger on a hotdog bun. Now, go back to working behind the scenes at every facet of entertainment! <br/> '''Marge:''' Excuse me, Reverend. <br/> '''Lovejoy:''' Yes? <br/>'''Marge:''' As long as two people love each other, I don't think [[God]] cares whether they both have the same "[[penis|hoo-hoo]]" or "[[vagina|ha-ha]]". <br/> '''Nelson:''' Ha-ha! [http://download.lardlad.com/sounds/season16/marrying6.mp3 audio clip]<br/>'''Rev. Lovejoy:''' The [[Bible]] forbids same-sex relations. <br/> '''Marge:''' [[Leviticus 18|Which book?]] <br/> '''Rev. Lovejoy:''' Which book?! The Bible! <br/> '''Marge:''' But [[Reverend]]... ''(Lovejoy begins cranking the church bells so loud that it drowns out what Marge is saying. What follows are Marge's mostly inaudible lines)'' Scriptural [[scholar]]s disagree on the significance to [[Christians]] of many of the [[Old Testament]]s prescriptions! Jesus's teachings stress [[inclusiveness]]! And [[compassion]]! <br/> '''Mayor Quimby:''' Lovejoy's an idiot! His church is turning away hot gobs of gay [[money|green]]. He could get 200 bucks a couple. <br/> '''Homer:''' Two hundred bucks a couple, eh? ''(He then sees three gay couples and sees them as $100 bills)'' Hey, I gotta get in on this. These people have rights! The right to buy me a 62-inch TV! ''(Homer then throws his picket sign "Death before Gay Marriage" into a trash bin)''
 
*'''[[Joe Quimby|Mayor Quimby]]:''' ''(in gay-pride video)'' Springfield, a place where anyone can marry, even dudes. We're just off Route 202. Do not take the Jefferson Avenue exit. For God's sake, '''''do not take that exit!'''''
 
*'''Homer:''' Who's next? [[Adam and Eve|Adam and Steve]]? Or Madame and Eve? <br/> '''Marge:''' Homer, you married every gay couple in town. <br/> '''Homer:''' Hey, what can I say? I love love. <br/> '''Bart:''' I guess now you have to wait for some other guys to turn. <br/> '''Homer:''' Hmmmm. Where's [[Lenny Leonard|Lenny]] and [[Carl Carlson|Carl]]? <br/> '''Marge:''' Homer, don't you push them! They have to work it out for themselves.
 
* '''Homer:''' And do you Julio take Thad to be your lawfully wedded life partner, in [[Massachusetts]] and [[Vermont]], maybe [[Canada]], stay out of [[Texas]], for as long as you both are [[Gay]]? <br/> '''Julio:''' ''(lovingly)'' I do. [http://download.lardlad.com/sounds/season16/marrying8.mp3 audio clip]
 
* '''Patty:''' Hey, saturated fats, I need a favor.<br/> '''Homer:''' Hold on.  Let me get my belt sander; maybe I can try to grind some of the ugly off your face!<br/> '''Patty:''' Ha ha ha, very funny.<br/> '''Homer:''' I wasn't joking!<br/>[Homer pulls out a belt sander, turns it on, and advances on Patty] [http://download.lardlad.com/sounds/season16/marrying13.mp3 audio clip]
 
*'''[[Krusty the Clown|Krusty]]:''' I want to clear up a misconception about the Wha-Cha-Ma-[[Carcass]] [[Sandwich]]. I used '''''non'''''-diseased meat from diseased animals! Everyone does it!
 
*'''[[Kent Brockman]] (on Smartline):''' Homer, have we started down a slippery slope to which marriage becomes so meaningless that anyone can marry any-'''''thing'''''? <br/> '''Homer:''' Oh, Kent, not anything. It has to exist...or does it?<br/>'''Rev. Lovejoy:''' Call me old fashion, but I believe marriage is described in the Bible!<br/>'''Homer:''' If you love the Bible so much, why don't you marry it? In fact, I now pronounce you and the Bible man and wife. And you're the wife! Ah ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.. You owe me two hundred bucks.<br/>'''Lovejoy:''' Homer, your impulsive marriages are going to lead to a lot of divorces. <br/> '''Homer:''' Which will lead to a lot more impulsive marriages, putting more green in the blue, the blue being my pants! <br/> ''(Homer holds his hand up for a [[high five]])'' <br/> '''Lovejoy:''' I'm sorry, Homer. I'm gonna have to leave you hanging there.[http://download.lardlad.com/sounds/season16/marrying12.mp3 audio clip]
 
*'''Mayor Quimby:''' We need to bring tourism back to Springfield! As usual, I will open the floor to all crazy ideas that jump to people's minds. <br/> '''Lenny:''' Stronger [[beer]]! <br/> '''Carl:''' [[Gladiator]] fights! <br/> '''Woman:''' [[Poetry]] slams! <br/> '''Barney:''' Giant [[rat]]s! <br/> ''(Sea Captain gets up)'' <br/> '''Lisa:''' I have a real suggestion. ''(the Sea Captain sits back down with a [[swordfish]])'' Why don't we legalize same-sex marriage? We can attract a growing segment of the marriage market and strike a blow for [[civil right]]s. <br/> '''Moe:''' Yeah, them gay guys got lots of [[disposable income]]. I could serve fancy drinks and charge ten bucks a pop. What's in a [[Martini cocktail|martini]]? <br/> '''Sideshow Mel:''' [[Gin]] and [[vermouth]]. <br/> '''Moe:''' And that makes a what? <br/> '''Sideshow Mel:''' A martini. <br/> '''Moe:''' Never heard of it. But I'm still in favor of that same-sex marriage thing. <br/> '''Mayor Quimby:''' Then it's settled. We shall legalize gay money. I mean gay marriage. <br/> ''(everyone cheers)'' <br/> '''Nelson:''' I propose we also legalize gay [[funeral]]s. ''(grabs Martin)'' Starting with this guy! <br/> '''Martin:''' I'm not gay! I'm nothing yet!<br/>'''Moe:''' Okay, let's say I put a [[Lean Cuisine]] in a [[blender]] and I pour some beer on it. What do ya call that? <br/> '''Sideshow Mel:''' A lean cuisini. <br/> '''Moe:''' Wrong.
 
*'''Patty:''' Selma, we'll always be there for each other. I don't know about Marge, though. If she doesn't show up at the ceremony, I have no "non-identical sister"! [http://download.lardlad.com/sounds/season16/marrying20.mp3 audio clip]
 
*'''Marge:''' I'm proud of you, Homer. You have given a chance for everyone to express love in its most purest form—a binding legal contract.
 
*'''Patty:''' Marge if you can find it in your heart to accept me for who I am, I would love to see you at the wedding. If not, I'll see you at Homer's funeral. ''(we then see Homer trying to get a fly with a [[knife]])'' Should be pretty soon. <br/> '''Homer (stab noise):''' Got him! Uh-oh.
 
  
 +
== Gallery ==
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:There's Something About Marrying2.jpg
 +
File:There's Something About Marrying3.png
 +
File:There's Something About Marrying4.png
 +
File:There's Something About Marrying promo 5.png
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
== References ==
 +
{{Reflist}}
 +
 +
{{Images|ep=yes}}
 
{{Season 16}}
 
{{Season 16}}
  
[[Category: Season 16]]
+
[[Category:2005]]
 +
[[Category:Homer episodes]]
 +
[[Category:Religion-themed episodes]]
 +
[[Category:TV-14 Episodes]]
 +
[[Category:WGA Award nominated episodes]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes written by J. Stewart Burns]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes directed by Nancy Kruse]]
 +
[[Category:Patty and Selma episodes]]
 +
 
 +
[[sv:There's Something About Marrying]]

Latest revision as of 17:05, August 30, 2024

Season 16 Episode
344 "Pranksta Rap"
345
"There's Something About Marrying"
"On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister" 346
"At last I have found the yin to my...yin."
Patty
"There's Something About Marrying"
There's Something About Marrying promo.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 345
Season number: S16 E10
Production code: GABF04
Original airdate: February 20, 2005
Couch gag: The family, dressed as bruised and beaten hockey players, skates around the living room holding the Stanley Cup.
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: J. Stewart Burns
Directed by: Nancy Kruse


"There's Something About Marrying" is the tenth episode of season 16 of The Simpsons and the three-hundred and forty-fifth episode overall. It originally aired on February 20, 2005. The episode was written by J. Stewart Burns and directed by Nancy Kruse.

Synopsis[edit]

"Gay and lesbian couples come to Springfield to get married by Homer, and Patty Bouvier comes out of the closet."


Plot[edit]

Looking for someone new to prank, Bart and Milhouse find a naive-looking man named Howell Huser, who has been roaming the United States. Huser turns out to be a professional tourist who works for a TV station, rating towns for tourism. He says just how terrible Springfield is. Within a month, the Springfield tourism business is in a state of collapse. As a solution, Lisa suggests they legalize same-sex marriage.

Soon, hundreds of gay and lesbian couples come to Springfield. However, Reverend Lovejoy still holds the view that marriage is only between a man and a woman and refuses to join any same-sex couple. Marge tries to argue that certain parts of the bible conflict about same sex coupling, but Lovejoy starts ringing the church bell to drown her out. Homer overhears that ministers get paid $200 per couple and decides to become a minister himself by getting ordained online through a questionable website. Shortly afterwards, he marries every gay couple in town. When there are no more gay couples in town to marry, a money-hungry Homer puts up a sign saying "Will marry anyone to anything." Homer literally accepts the marriage of anything, even the Sea Captain who weds his mermaid figurehead, an inanimate object.

During this time, Patty tells Marge that she herself is a lesbian and is in love with a pro-golfer named Veronica. Marge is extremely uncomfortable, although she has been supportive of same-sex marriage. Marge recalls through flashback indications of Patty's homosexuality. On the day of the marriage, Marge discovers that Veronica is actually a man disguised as a woman to get on the women's tour. Marge is at first delighted that Patty will unknowingly marry a man. But during the ceremony, Patty's sincere happiness guilts Marge into revealing the truth. Veronica admits the truth and reveals his real name is Leslie Robin Swisher. He asks if Patty will still marry him, but she absolutely refuses, reaffirming that she likes girls. Patty and Selma go to leave a bag at the airport unattended, as a way to meet security personnel of both genders.

Production[edit]

Reception[edit]

"There's Something About Marrying" was nominated for a 2006 Writers Guild of America award in Animation, but it lost to "Mommie Beerest".[1]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "There's Something About Marrying".
Season 16 Episodes
Treehouse of Horror XV All's Fair in Oven War Sleeping with the Enemy She Used to Be My Girl Fat Man and Little Boy Midnight Rx Mommie Beerest Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass Pranksta Rap There's Something About Marrying On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister Goo Goo Gai Pan Mobile Homer The Seven-Beer Snitch Future-Drama Don't Fear the Roofer The Heartbroke Kid A Star Is Torn Thank God It's Doomsday Home Away from Homer The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star