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Difference between revisions of "Bart Gets an "F""

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{{featured article}}
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{{Tab}}
{{episode
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{{EpisodePrevNext|Some Enchanted Evening|Simpson and Delilah|season=2|number=014}}
|image=7F03.jpg
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{{Icons||FE}}
|productionCode=7F03
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{{Quote|I passed, I passed, I passed, I passed, I passed, I ... kissed [[Edna Krabappel|the teacher]]!! Yuck!|[[Bart Simpson]]}}
|originalAirdate=October 11, 1990
+
{{Episode
|blackboardText=I will not encourage others to fly.
+
|image= Bart Gets an "F" promo.png
|couchGag=The couch falls through the floor as [[Homer]] says "[[D'oh!]]"
+
|number= 14
|billboard=
+
|season=2
|specialGuestVoices=
+
|snumber=1
|Written By=[[David M. Stern]]
+
|prodcode= 7F03
|Directed By=
+
|airdate= October 11, [[1990]]
 +
|blackboard= I will not encourage others to fly.
 +
|couchgag= The couch falls through the floor as [[Homer]] says "[[D'oh!]]"
 +
|showrunner1= James L. Brooks
 +
|showrunner2= Matt Groening
 +
|showrunner3= Sam Simon
 +
|writer= [[David M. Stern]]
 +
|director= [[David Silverman]]
 +
|DVD features=yes
 
}}
 
}}
  
"'''Bart Gets an F'''" is the first episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> second season, airing on October 11, 1990. It managed just about over 33 million viewers.
+
"'''Bart Gets an "F"'''" is the first episode of [[season 2]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the fourteenth episode overall. It originally aired on October 11, [[1990]]. The episode was written by [[David M. Stern]] and directed by [[David Silverman]].
  
 
== Synopsis ==
 
== Synopsis ==
When [[Bart]] presents his book report at school on Treasure Island, it is clear to everyone that he has not read the book. [[Mrs. Krabappel]] tests Bart by asking him to name the main pirate in the book, which he cannot do. She warns him that his grades have gotten steadily worse since the beginning of the term, and warns Bart of an exam on Colonial America the following day. Bart, however, does not pay attention to a word she says. He tries to study, but he frequently procrastinates until late at night, whereupon he falls asleep over his text books.
+
[[File:Martin & Bart - Bart Gets an "F".png|thumb|left|250px|Martin teaches Bart how to study.]]
 +
{{Desc|[[Mrs. Krabappel]] warns [[Bart]] his grades are slipping, and if he fails another test, he may probably have to repeat the [[Fourth Grade|fourth grade]]. In a last-ditch effort to avoid being held back, Bart enlists the aid of the class brain and nerd ([[Martin Prince]]) to help him pass a history test.}}
  
When he wakes up the next day, he is worried he will flunk. He looks to [[Sherri and Terri]] for help while riding to school, and they offer him false answers in hopes that he will fail the test. Martin warns Bart of the faulty information he has received, so, right before the test, Bart "collapses". He goes to see the nurse, who suggests that Bart stay home because she believes he has amoria phlebitis. At home, Bart procrastinates again and calls [[Milhouse]] to copy his answers on the test. When he takes the test, Mrs. Krabappel tells him that he did even worse than Milhouse. [[Homer]] and [[Marge]] have an interview with Mrs. Krabappel and the school's psychiatrist, [[Dr. J. Loren Pryor]], who sees Bart as an underachiever and suggests that Bart be held back a grade. Bart, however, is strongly against this idea, exclaiming "As God is my witness, I can pass the fourth grade!"
+
== Plot ==
 +
When Bart presents his book report to his class on ''[[Treasure Island]]'', it's clear to everyone that he didn't read the book. Mrs. Krabappel tests Bart by asking him to name the main pirate in the book, which he guess incorrectly. She warns him his grades got steadily worse since the beginning of the term, and there will be an exam on Colonial [[America]] the following day. Bart, however, doesn't pay attention to a word she says. He tries to study, but he repeatedly procrastinates until late at night, where he falls asleep over his textbooks.
  
With Bart worried he might be held back, he looks to [[Martin]] for help. He helps Bart study, and Bart reciprocates by showing how to be more popular, which encourages him to take on some of Bart's bad attitudes. Bart reminds the "new" Martin about the test the following day, but he ignores it, and now Bart must study on his own. He prays to God that something will happen to make him miss school the next day so he can have more time to study. That night it snows and schools are closed the next morning. After [[Lisa]] reminds him of his wish, he decides to study for the rest of the day, while everyone is outside having fun. Bart actually concentrates while he is studying. However, even Bart's studying is a distraction; as he tries to picture himself as a member of the First Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 witnessing the signing of the Declaration of Independence, he then pictures it somehow snowing in July, to which the signers then go out and have fun in the snow. Bart forces himself to pay attention through self-inflicted physical abuse. As soon as he finishes the test, he asks Mrs. Krabappel to grade it immediately. She gives it back to him and he sees that he got 59%, another F. Extremely upset at this failure after his honest effort, Bart breaks down over his failure, lamenting that now he knows how George Washington felt when he surrendered Fort Necessity to the French in 1754. The stunned Mrs. Krabappel, realizing that he did study after all, gives Bart an extra point for demonstrating applied knowledge, pushing his grade up to a D-. Bart becomes so joyful about passing that he gives his teacher a kiss on the cheek. Homer proudly hangs the test on the fridge, and Bart states that "part of this D- belongs to God."
+
When he wakes up the next morning, he's worried he'll flunk. He goes to [[Sherri]] and [[Terri]] for help while riding on the [[School Bus|school bus]], and they offer him wrong answers. Martin warns Bart of the faulty information he received, so, right before the test, Bart "collapses". He goes to see [[Miss Phipps|the nurse]], who suggests Bart stay home because she believes he has amoria phlebitis. Back to home, Bart procrastinates again and calls [[Milhouse]] to copy his answers on the test. When he takes the test, Mrs. Krabappel tells him he did worse than Milhouse. [[Homer]] and [[Marge]] have an interview with Mrs. Krabappel and [[J. Loren Pryor|Dr. J. Loren Pryor]], the school district's psychiatrist, who assesses Bart as an underachiever and suggests Bart be held back a grade. Bart, however, is strongly against this idea, exclaiming "As [[God]] is my witness, I can pass the fourth grade!" Homer says "And if you don't, at least you'll be bigger than everyone else."
  
== Trivia ==
+
With Bart worried he may be held back, he looks to [[Martin]] for help. He helps Bart study, and Bart reciprocates by showing how to be more popular, which encourages him to take on some of Bart's bad attitudes. Bart reminds the "new" Martin about the test the following day, but he ignores it, and now Bart must study on his own. He prays to God something will happen to make him miss school the next day so he can have more time to study. That night, it snows, and schools are closed the next morning. Bart immediately rushes downstairs to go outside and play in the snow. After [[Lisa]] reminds him of his wish, he decides to study for the rest of the day, while everyone's outside having fun. Bart actually concentrates while he's studying. However, even Bart's studying's a distraction; as he tries to picture himself as a member of the First Continental Congress July 4, 1776, witnessing the signing of the Declaration of Independence, he pictures it somehow snowing in July, and the signers go out and have fun in the snow (In the background someone comments about John Hancock writing his name in the snow).
=== General Trivia ===
 
*In Bart's fantasy about the snowy 4th of July, Benjamin Franklin's sled says Don't Sled on Me, a play on the famous serpent flag "Don't Tread on Me".
 
*Despite passing the fourth grade, Bart, of course, remains in Mrs. Krabappel's class in all subsequent episodes, since virtually no time ever really passes on the show.
 
*During the episode Bart writes "I will not fake my way through life" on the chalkboard.
 
*The idea behind the grade on the refrigerator would reappear in [[Bart's Nightmare]] where a letter grade would appear and the mood of the Simpson family would differ, with a scene similar to the ultimate scene in "Bart Gets an F".
 
*Milhouse' voice appears deeper.
 
*When Homer askes Lisa what she wants, she says "An absence of moodswings." Since Lisa is only eight years, this should not affect her yet.
 
  
=== First Appearances ===
+
Bart forces himself to pay attention by slapping himself in the face repeatedly (he does this until the next day when Mrs. Krabappel tells him the test's over). Soon as he finishes the test, he asks Mrs. Krabappel to grade it immediately. She gives it back to him, and he sees he got 59%, another F. Extremely upset at this failure after his honest effort, Bart bursts into tears. Mrs. Krabappel's surprised to see Bart cry; she always thought he was used to failing her class. As she tries to comfort him, Bart laments now he knows how [[George Washington]] felt when he surrendered Fort Necessity to the French in 1754. The stunned Mrs. Krabappel, realizing he did study after all, gives Bart an extra point for demonstrating applied knowledge, pushing his grade up to 60%, a D-, the lowest passing grade anyone can get. Bart becomes so joyful about passing he gives his teacher a kiss on the cheek and runs out shouting out about passing, and realizes he kissed his teacher. At home, Homer proudly hangs the test on the fridge, and Bart states "Part of this D- belongs to God."
*This is [[Mayor Quimby]]'s first appearance.
 
*This is the first episode with the show opening used between Season 2 to mid-twenty.
 
  
=== Production Information ===
+
== Production ==
*When the FOX network decided to show ''The Simpsons'' on Thursday at 8:00 P.M. EST against NBC's highly-rated ''The Cosby Show'', many were expecting this to be a war for ratings. Surprisingly, this episode of ''The Simpsons'' drew higher ratings in its first airing than ''The Cosby Show'', and it would lead to ''The Cosby Show''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eventual cancellation in 1992.
+
[[File:Snow Day.png|thumb|The "Snow Day" sequence was one of the hardest scenes to produce, as it featured several panoramic shots and was hard to time.]]
*[[Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish]] was the first episode produced this season while this episode was produced 3 episodes onward but the executives wanted it to air first in the new season because Bart was popular at the time.
+
When the FOX network decided to show ''The Simpsons'' on Thursday at 8:00 P.M. EST against NBC's highly-rated ''The Cosby Show'', many were expecting this to be a war for ratings. Surprisingly, this episode of ''The Simpsons'' drew higher ratings in its first airing than ''The Cosby Show'', and it would lead to ''The Cosby Show''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s cancellation in 1992.
  
== Reception ==
+
"[[Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish]]" was the first episode produced this season while this episode was produced 2 episodes onward but the executives wanted it to air first in the new season because Bart was popular at the time.
The episode was ranked 31st on ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> list of the 100 Greatest Moments in Television.<ref>{{cite news | author = Bruce Fretts | title = The 100 Greatest Moments In Television/1990s  | publisher = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | date = [[1999]] | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,274576_2,00.html | accessdate=2008-01-25}}</ref>
 
 
 
It marked the first time that ''The Simpsons'' aired at the same time as ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' on [[NBC]]. It averaged an 18.4 [[Nielsen Rating]] and 29% of the audience. In the weeks ratings, it finished tied for eighth behind ''The Cosby Show'' which had an 18.5 rating. However, an estimated 33.6 million viewers watched the episode, making it the number one show in terms of actual viewers that week. At the time, it was the most watched episode in the history of the [[Fox Network]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Don't have a cow, man! More viewers watch 'The Simpsons' than 'Cosby'! |date=[[1990-10-18]]|accessdate=2008-02-09|page=C5|publisher=[[The Deseret News]]|author=Scott D. Pierce}}</ref> At the time, NBC had 208 television stations, while Fox only had 133.<ref>{{cite news|title=" The Simpsons ,' "Cosby' square off in second round  |date=[[1990-10-18]]|accessdate=2008-02-09|page=6F|publisher=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|author=Walt Belcher}}</ref> It is still the highest rated episode in the history of the show.<ref>http://television.aol.com/feature/the-simpsons/3</ref>
 
  
== Opening Sequence ==
+
=== New Opening Sequence ===
This episode marked the first appearance of the current opening sequence which was different from the one in the first season.
+
:''For the full article on the Opening Sequences, see [[Opening Sequence|here]].''
 +
This episode marked the first time that the second version of the opening sequence was used, which was different from the opening used in the first season.
  
=== Differences ===
 
 
*The Simpsons logo is in a lighter blue sky and is surrounded by more clouds.
 
*The Simpsons logo is in a lighter blue sky and is surrounded by more clouds.
 
*The stores in the zoom over [[Springfield]] are different.
 
*The stores in the zoom over [[Springfield]] are different.
 
*The school is now orange instead of white.
 
*The school is now orange instead of white.
*The bald man eating the sandwich is now replaced by [[Mr. Burns]] and [[Waylon Smithers]].
+
*When Bart flies out of the school, there are two buildings (One orange, and one white).
 +
*The bald man eating the sandwich is now replaced by [[Mr. Burns]] and [[Waylon Smithers, Jr.]].
 +
*The grocery market's background walls are now orange instead of red.
 
*[[Maggie]]'s hands are now straight on her side rather than put in triangle position.
 
*[[Maggie]]'s hands are now straight on her side rather than put in triangle position.
 
*Lisa's saxophone is now deeper.
 
*Lisa's saxophone is now deeper.
*Bart now does not pass obese townspeople and steal the stop sign, now he roughly skateboards past [[Helen Lovejoy]], [[Moe Szyslak]], [[Bleeding Gums Murphy]], [[Apu]], [[Barney]], [[Chief Wiggum]], and [[Jacques]].
+
*When Homer throws the rod, it does NOT bounce near Moe's Tavern.
 +
*Bart now does not pass obese townspeople and steal the stop sign. Instead he roughly skateboards past [[Helen Lovejoy]], [[Moe Szyslak]], [[Bleeding Gums Murphy]], [[Apu]], [[Barney]], [[Chief Wiggum]], and [[Jacques]].
 +
*Maggie & Marge's car is now orange instead of red.
 
*Lisa's bike sequence is replaced by a zoom over townspeople. Instead Lisa now happily passes by Homer in the driveway.
 
*Lisa's bike sequence is replaced by a zoom over townspeople. Instead Lisa now happily passes by Homer in the driveway.
 +
*The TV is now violet with a brighter blue screen.
  
== Cultural references ==
+
[[File:BartThruTownEarlyS2.png|1010px]]
*Bart gives Treasure Island (whose copy was "published by the good people at McGraw-Hill") a 9 on the Simpson scale of 1 to 10, although it is obvious Bart is just spewing off a number rather than making an informed judgment.
 
 
 
*The "gorilla-film" that Homer and Bart are watching is an obvious spoof on King Kong.
 
  
*Bart claims that, "As God as my witness, I can pass the fourth grade!" This is a reference to Gone with the Wind when Scarlett O'Hara says, "As God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again.
 
 
== Appearances ==
 
=== Characters ===
 
====[[Simpson family]]====
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:222px-Homer_Simpson_2006.png|[[Homer Simpson|Homer Jay Simpson]]
+
File:SimpsonsTitleEarlyS2.png
File:Marge.png|[[Marge Simpson|Marjorie Bouvier Simpson]]
+
File:TownSwoopEarlyS2.png
File:Bart_Simpson.png|[[Bart Simpson|Bartholomew Jojo Simpson]]
+
File:SchoolEarlyS2.png
File:Lisa_Simpson2.png|[[Lisa Simpson|Lisa Marie Simpson]]
+
File:Chalkboard gag (Bart Gets an "F").png
File:Maggie.png|[[Maggie Simpson|Margaret Simpson]]
+
File:SBartFlyingEarlyS2.png
File:Abe.jpg|[[Abraham Simpson|Abraham J. Simpson]]
+
File:BartSkatingOutSchoolEarlyS2.png
File:Patty_Bouvier1.png|[[Patty Bouvier|Patricia Bouvier]]
+
File:HomerWorkEarlyS2.png
File:Selma_Bouvier.png|[[Selma Bouvier]]
+
File:MargeMagazineEarlyS2.png
File:Snowball2.png|[[Snowball II]]
+
File:MaggieHandsEarlyS2.png
File:200px-SantasLittleHelper.png|[[Santa's Little Helper]]
+
File:MargeMaggieSupermarketEarlyS2.png
 +
File:LisaSaxOpeningEarlyS2.png
 +
File:LargoDismissalEarlyS2.png
 +
File:HomerDrivingEarlyS2.png
 +
File:BartSkateSwoopEarlyS2.png
 +
File:MaggieDrivingEarlyS2.png
 +
File:MargeMaggieCarEarlyS2.png
 +
File:MargeMaggieDriveEarlyS2.png
 +
File:HomerBartDrivewayEarlyS2.png
 +
File:HomerLisaGarageEarlyS2.png
 +
File:HomerRunningEarlyS2.png
 +
File:TVCreditsEarlyS2.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
====[[Springfield Elementary School]] staff====
+
== Reception ==
<gallery>
+
The episode was ranked 31st on ''Entertainment Weekly''<nowiki>'</nowiki> list of the 100 Greatest Moments in Television.<ref>{{cite news | author = Bruce Fretts | title = The 100 Greatest Moments In Television/1990s | publisher = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | year = 1999 | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,274576_2,00.html | accessdate=2008-01-25}}</ref>
File:Seymour_Skinner.png|[[Seymour Skinner|Armin Tamzarian]]
+
 
File:Edna_Krabappel.png|[[Edna Krabappel]]
+
It marked the first time that ''The Simpsons'' aired at the same time as ''The Cosby Show'' on NBC. It averaged an 18.4 Nielsen Rating and 29% of the audience. In the weeks ratings, it finished tied for eighth behind ''The Cosby Show'' which had an 18.5 rating. However, an estimated 33.6 million viewers watched the episode, making it the number one show in terms of actual viewers that week. At the time, it was the most watched episode in the history of the Fox Network.<ref>{{cite news|title=Don't have a cow, man! More viewers watch 'The Simpsons' than 'Cosby'! |date=1990-10-18|accessdate=2008-02-09|page=C5|publisher=The Deseret News|author=Scott D. Pierce}}</ref> At the time, NBC had 208 television stations, while Fox only had 133.<ref>{{cite news|title=" The Simpsons ,' "Cosby' square off in second round |date=1990-10-18|accessdate=2008-02-09|page=6F|publisher=The Tampa Tribune|author=Walt Belcher}}</ref> It is still the highest rated episode in the history of the show.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20070816042841/http://television.aol.com/feature/the-simpsons/3</ref>
File:209px-The_Simpsons-Jebediah_Springfieldt.png|[[Otto Mann]]
 
</gallery>
 
[[Ms. Phipps]] (only appearance)
 
<gallery>
 
File:S02e02_150.jpg|[[J. Loren Pryor]]
 
</gallery>
 
  
====[[Springfield Elementary School]] students====
+
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
 
File:Martin.jpg|[[Martin Prince|Martin Prince, Jr.]]
 
File:Milhouse_Van_Houten.png|[[Milhouse Van Houten|Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten]]
 
File:Lewis_working.jpg|[[Lewis]]
 
File:Sherri_and_Terri.jpg|[[Sherri and Terri]]
 
File:Wendell.gif|[[Wendell Borton]]
 
File:Richard2.jpg|[[Richard]]
 
File:Jimbo.gif|[[Jimbo Jones|James Jones]]
 
File:Nelson_Muntz.jpg|[[Nelson Muntz]]
 
File:Weasels.jpg|[[Weasels]]
 
</gallery>
 
====[[Noiseland Video Arcade]] regulars====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Howard.jpg|[[Howard]]
 
</gallery>
 
====Fictional characters====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Itchy2.jpg|[[Itchy]]
 
File:Scratchy.jpg|[[Scratchy]]
 
</gallery>
 
====Radio personalities====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Marty2.jpg|[[Bill and Marty]] (voices only)
 
</gallery>
 
====[[Moe's Tavern]] patrons and staff====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Moe_Szyslak.png|[[Moe Szyslak|Momar Szyslak]]
 
File:222px-Barney_Gumble.PNG|[[Barney Gumble|Bernard Gumble]]
 
</gallery>
 
====[[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]] staff and squatters====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Montgomery_Burns.png|[[Charles Montgomery Burns]]
 
File:C-smithers.gif|[[Waylon Smithers|Waylon Smithers, Jr.]]
 
</gallery>
 
====Entertainers====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Bleedinggums.gif|[[Bleeding Gums Murphy|"Bleeding Gums" Murphy]]
 
File:SimpsonsMPG_7G10.jpg|[[Princess Kashmir|Shawna Tifton]]
 
</gallery>
 
====Lovejoy family====
 
<gallery>
 
File:222px-Reverend_Lovejoy.png|[[Reverend Timothy Lovejoy|Timothy Lovejoy]]
 
File:Helen.jpg|[[Helen Lovejoy]]
 
</gallery>
 
====TV personalities====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Krusty_The_Clown.png|[[Krusty the Clown|Herschel Shmoikel Pinkus Yerucham Krustofski]]
 
</gallery>
 
====Council officials====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Joeq.png|[[Mayor Quimby|Joseph Fitzpatrick Fitzgerald Fitzhenry Quimby]] (first appearance)
 
</gallery>
 
====[[The Enriched Learning Centre for Gifted Children]] staff====
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:Ms._Mellon.jpg|[[Ms. Mellon]]
+
File:Bart Gets an "F" ad.png
</gallery>
+
File:Bart Gets an F script cover.png|Script cover
====Policemen====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Clancy_Wiggum.png|[[Clancy Wiggum]]
 
</gallery>
 
====[[New Barney's Bowl-O-Rama]] staff====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Jacques.jpg|[[Jacques]]
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
====Criminals====
+
== In other languages ==
<gallery>
+
{{LanguageBox
File:C-bob.gif|[[Sideshow Bob|Robert Underdunk Terwilliger, Jr.]]
+
|fr=yes
</gallery>
+
|frName=Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera
====[[Springfield Retirement Castle]] elderly and staff====
+
|frTrans=God helps those who help themselves
<gallery>
+
|qu=yes
File:Jasper.png|[[Jasper Beardley]]
+
|quName=Mauvais quart d'heure
</gallery>
+
|quTrans=A bad quarter of an hour
====[[Bob's RV Round-Up]] staff====
+
|es=yes
<gallery>
+
|esName=Bart en suspenso
File:Cowboy_Bob.jpg|[[Cowboy Bob|Bob]]
+
|esTrans=Bart in failing
</gallery>
+
|la=yes
 +
|laName=Bart reprueba
 +
|laTrans=Bart fails
 +
|it=yes
 +
|itName=Bart rischia grosso
 +
|itTrans=Bart risks much
 +
|br=yes
 +
|brName=A Prova Final
 +
|brTrans=The Final Test
 +
|hu=yes
 +
|huName=Bart megbukik
 +
|huTrans=Bart fails
 +
|de=yes
 +
|deName=Der Musterschüler
 +
|deTrans=The model student
 +
|jp=yes
 +
|jpName=落第バート
 +
|jpTrans=Bart the Failure
 +
}}
  
====[[Kwik-E-Mart]] staff====
+
== References ==
<gallery>
+
{{Reflist}}
File:Apuu.png|[[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon|Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Jr.]]
 
</gallery>
 
=== Vehicles ===
 
====[[Springfield Elementary School]] owned====
 
* [[School Bus]]
 
  
=== Locations ===
+
{{Images|ep=yes}}
====Educational premises====
 
<gallery>
 
File:SpringfieldElementary3.jpg|[[Springfield Elementary School]]
 
</gallery>
 
====Residential====
 
<gallery>
 
File:742simphouse.jpg|[[742 Evergreen Terrace]]
 
</gallery>
 
====Retail====
 
<gallery>
 
File:Noiseland.jpg|[[Noiseland Video Arcade]]
 
</gallery>
 
 
{{Season 2}}
 
{{Season 2}}
[[pt:A prova final]]
 
[[es:Bart Gets An F]]
 
  
==References==
+
[[Category:1990]]
{{Reflist}}
+
[[Category:Bart episodes]]
[[Category:Episodes]]
+
[[Category:Martin episodes]]
[[Category:Season 2]]
+
[[Category:Education-themed episodes]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bart Gets An F}}
+
[[Category:Season premieres]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes written by David M. Stern]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes directed by David Silverman]]
 +
 
 +
[[de:Der Musterschüler]]
 +
[[sv:Bart Gets an "F"]]

Latest revision as of 17:16, November 2, 2024

Season 2 Episode
013 "Some Enchanted Evening"
014
"Bart Gets an "F""
"Simpson and Delilah" 015
"I passed, I passed, I passed, I passed, I passed, I ... kissed the teacher!! Yuck!"
Bart Simpson
"Bart Gets an "F""
Bart Gets an "F" promo.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 14
Season number: S2 E1
Production code: 7F03
Original airdate: October 11, 1990
Chalkboard gag: I will not encourage others to fly.
Couch gag: The couch falls through the floor as Homer says "D'oh!"
Showrunners: James L. Brooks
Matt Groening
Sam Simon
Written by: David M. Stern
Directed by: David Silverman
DVD features


"Bart Gets an "F"" is the first episode of season 2 of The Simpsons and the fourteenth episode overall. It originally aired on October 11, 1990. The episode was written by David M. Stern and directed by David Silverman.

Synopsis[edit]

Martin teaches Bart how to study.
"Mrs. Krabappel warns Bart his grades are slipping, and if he fails another test, he may probably have to repeat the fourth grade. In a last-ditch effort to avoid being held back, Bart enlists the aid of the class brain and nerd (Martin Prince) to help him pass a history test."


Plot[edit]

When Bart presents his book report to his class on Treasure Island, it's clear to everyone that he didn't read the book. Mrs. Krabappel tests Bart by asking him to name the main pirate in the book, which he guess incorrectly. She warns him his grades got steadily worse since the beginning of the term, and there will be an exam on Colonial America the following day. Bart, however, doesn't pay attention to a word she says. He tries to study, but he repeatedly procrastinates until late at night, where he falls asleep over his textbooks.

When he wakes up the next morning, he's worried he'll flunk. He goes to Sherri and Terri for help while riding on the school bus, and they offer him wrong answers. Martin warns Bart of the faulty information he received, so, right before the test, Bart "collapses". He goes to see the nurse, who suggests Bart stay home because she believes he has amoria phlebitis. Back to home, Bart procrastinates again and calls Milhouse to copy his answers on the test. When he takes the test, Mrs. Krabappel tells him he did worse than Milhouse. Homer and Marge have an interview with Mrs. Krabappel and Dr. J. Loren Pryor, the school district's psychiatrist, who assesses Bart as an underachiever and suggests Bart be held back a grade. Bart, however, is strongly against this idea, exclaiming "As God is my witness, I can pass the fourth grade!" Homer says "And if you don't, at least you'll be bigger than everyone else."

With Bart worried he may be held back, he looks to Martin for help. He helps Bart study, and Bart reciprocates by showing how to be more popular, which encourages him to take on some of Bart's bad attitudes. Bart reminds the "new" Martin about the test the following day, but he ignores it, and now Bart must study on his own. He prays to God something will happen to make him miss school the next day so he can have more time to study. That night, it snows, and schools are closed the next morning. Bart immediately rushes downstairs to go outside and play in the snow. After Lisa reminds him of his wish, he decides to study for the rest of the day, while everyone's outside having fun. Bart actually concentrates while he's studying. However, even Bart's studying's a distraction; as he tries to picture himself as a member of the First Continental Congress July 4, 1776, witnessing the signing of the Declaration of Independence, he pictures it somehow snowing in July, and the signers go out and have fun in the snow (In the background someone comments about John Hancock writing his name in the snow).

Bart forces himself to pay attention by slapping himself in the face repeatedly (he does this until the next day when Mrs. Krabappel tells him the test's over). Soon as he finishes the test, he asks Mrs. Krabappel to grade it immediately. She gives it back to him, and he sees he got 59%, another F. Extremely upset at this failure after his honest effort, Bart bursts into tears. Mrs. Krabappel's surprised to see Bart cry; she always thought he was used to failing her class. As she tries to comfort him, Bart laments now he knows how George Washington felt when he surrendered Fort Necessity to the French in 1754. The stunned Mrs. Krabappel, realizing he did study after all, gives Bart an extra point for demonstrating applied knowledge, pushing his grade up to 60%, a D-, the lowest passing grade anyone can get. Bart becomes so joyful about passing he gives his teacher a kiss on the cheek and runs out shouting out about passing, and realizes he kissed his teacher. At home, Homer proudly hangs the test on the fridge, and Bart states "Part of this D- belongs to God."

Production[edit]

The "Snow Day" sequence was one of the hardest scenes to produce, as it featured several panoramic shots and was hard to time.

When the FOX network decided to show The Simpsons on Thursday at 8:00 P.M. EST against NBC's highly-rated The Cosby Show, many were expecting this to be a war for ratings. Surprisingly, this episode of The Simpsons drew higher ratings in its first airing than The Cosby Show, and it would lead to The Cosby Show's cancellation in 1992.

"Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish" was the first episode produced this season while this episode was produced 2 episodes onward but the executives wanted it to air first in the new season because Bart was popular at the time.

New Opening Sequence[edit]

For the full article on the Opening Sequences, see here.

This episode marked the first time that the second version of the opening sequence was used, which was different from the opening used in the first season.

  • The Simpsons logo is in a lighter blue sky and is surrounded by more clouds.
  • The stores in the zoom over Springfield are different.
  • The school is now orange instead of white.
  • When Bart flies out of the school, there are two buildings (One orange, and one white).
  • The bald man eating the sandwich is now replaced by Mr. Burns and Waylon Smithers, Jr..
  • The grocery market's background walls are now orange instead of red.
  • Maggie's hands are now straight on her side rather than put in triangle position.
  • Lisa's saxophone is now deeper.
  • When Homer throws the rod, it does NOT bounce near Moe's Tavern.
  • Bart now does not pass obese townspeople and steal the stop sign. Instead he roughly skateboards past Helen Lovejoy, Moe Szyslak, Bleeding Gums Murphy, Apu, Barney, Chief Wiggum, and Jacques.
  • Maggie & Marge's car is now orange instead of red.
  • Lisa's bike sequence is replaced by a zoom over townspeople. Instead Lisa now happily passes by Homer in the driveway.
  • The TV is now violet with a brighter blue screen.

BartThruTownEarlyS2.png

Reception[edit]

The episode was ranked 31st on Entertainment Weekly' list of the 100 Greatest Moments in Television.[1]

It marked the first time that The Simpsons aired at the same time as The Cosby Show on NBC. It averaged an 18.4 Nielsen Rating and 29% of the audience. In the weeks ratings, it finished tied for eighth behind The Cosby Show which had an 18.5 rating. However, an estimated 33.6 million viewers watched the episode, making it the number one show in terms of actual viewers that week. At the time, it was the most watched episode in the history of the Fox Network.[2] At the time, NBC had 208 television stations, while Fox only had 133.[3] It is still the highest rated episode in the history of the show.[4]

Gallery[edit]

In other languages[edit]

Language Name Translation
Germany.png Deutsch "Der Musterschüler" The model student
Spain flag.png Español "Bart en suspenso" Bart in failing
Hispanic America.gif Español "Bart reprueba" Bart fails
France.png Français "Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera" God helps those who help themselves
Flag of Quebec.svg.png Français "Mauvais quart d'heure" A bad quarter of an hour
Italy Flag.png Italiano "Bart rischia grosso" Bart risks much
Brasil Flag.png Português "A Prova Final" The Final Test
Hungary flag.png Magyar "Bart megbukik" Bart fails
Flag of Japan.png 日本語 "落第バート" Bart the Failure

References[edit]

  1. Bruce Fretts. "The 100 Greatest Moments In Television/1990s"Entertainment Weekly{{{date}}}. Retrieved on 2008-01-25. 
  2. Scott D. Pierce. "Don't have a cow, man! More viewers watch 'The Simpsons' than 'Cosby'!"The Deseret News, p. C5. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  3. Walt Belcher. "" The Simpsons ,' "Cosby' square off in second round"The Tampa Tribune, p. 6F. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  4. http://web.archive.org/web/20070816042841/http://television.aol.com/feature/the-simpsons/3


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Bart Gets an "F"".
Season 2 Episodes
Bart Gets an "F" Simpson and Delilah Treehouse of Horror Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish Dancin' Homer Dead Putting Society Bart vs. Thanksgiving Bart the Daredevil Itchy & Scratchy & Marge Bart Gets Hit by a Car One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish The Way We Was Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment Principal Charming Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Bart's Dog Gets an "F" Old Money Brush with Greatness Lisa's Substitute The War of the Simpsons Three Men and a Comic Book Blood Feud