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Difference between revisions of "The Principal and the Pauper"

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{{Noncanon Episode|reason=[[Principal Skinner]] is revealed to be an imposter, but [[Agnes Skinner]] has been shown to be pregnant with him}}
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{{Episode
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|productionCode=4F23
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|image=The Principal and the Pauper.png
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|originalAirdate=September 28, 1997
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|number=180
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|Episode Number=180
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|season=9
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|blackboardText=
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|snumber=2
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|couchGag=Everyone is dressed as astronaut. They sit on the couch and it blasts into space.
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|prodcode=4F23
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|specialGuestVoices=[[wikipedia:Martin_Sheen|Martin Sheen]] as [[Seymour_Skinner_(real)|the REAL Seymour Skinner]]
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|airdate=September 28, [[1997]]
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|Written By=[[Ken Keeler]]
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|blackboard=
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|Directed By=[[Steven Dean Moore]]
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|couchgag=Everyone is dressed as astronaut. They sit on the couch and it blasts into space.
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|guests=[[Martin Sheen]] as {{ap|Seymour Skinner|The Principal and the Pauper|the real Seymour Skinner}}
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|showrunner1= Bill Oakley
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|showrunner2= Josh Weinstein
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|writer=[[Ken Keeler]]
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|director=[[Steven Dean Moore]]
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|DVD features=yes
 
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"'''The Principal and the Pauper'''" is the second episode of [[Season 9]]. It originally aired on September 28, 1997. The episode was written by [[Ken Keeler]] and directed by [[Steven Dean Moore]]. The episode is one of the most controversial episodes ever produced and received negative reviews from critics.
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"'''The Principal and the Pauper'''" is the second episode of [[season 9]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the one-hundred and eightieth episode overall. It originally aired on September 28, [[1997]]. The episode was written by [[Ken Keeler]] and directed by [[Steven Dean Moore]]. It guest stars [[Martin Sheen]] as {{ap|Seymour Skinner|The Principal and the Pauper|the real Seymour Skinner}}.
  
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==Synopsis==
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== Synopsis ==
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During a surprise banquet to honor his twentieth anniversary as principal, [[Seymour Skinner]]'s true identity is revealed to be Armin Tamzarian. Now established as an impostor, Tamzarian retires and relocates to his old neighborhood in Capitol City. Guest starring Martin Sheen as the real Seymour Skinner.
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{{Desc|During a surprise banquet to honor his twentieth anniversary as principal, [[Seymour Skinner]]'s true identity is revealed to be Armin Tamzarian. Now established as an impostor, Tamzarian retires and relocates to his old neighborhood in Capitol City. Guest starring Martin Sheen as the real Seymour Skinner.}}
  
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
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[[Seymour Skinner]] is about to celebrate his 20th anniversary as school principal, and it goes smoothly until a man who claims he is [[Seymour_Skinner_(real)|the real Seymour Skinner]] comes in, pointing out that [[Agnes Skinner]] is his mother. Principal Skinner admits he is not the real Seymour Skinner, and is only an impostor. He tells his story, in a parody of the life of [[wikipedia:Martin Guerre|Martin Guerre]], and admits that his real name is Armin Tamzarian, but assumed the identity of Sergeant Seymour Skinner. Soon, the sergeant becomes the school's new principal, because he says he had intentions to be the principal of [[Springfield Elementary School]].
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[[Seymour Skinner]] is about to celebrate his 20th anniversary as school principal, and it goes smoothly until a man who claims he is {{ap|Seymour Skinner|The Principal and the Pauper|the real Seymour Skinner}} comes in, pointing out that [[Agnes Skinner]] is his mother. Principal Skinner admits he is not the real Seymour Skinner, and is only an impostor. He tells his story, in a parody of the life of {{W|Martin Guerre}}, and admits that his real name is Armin Tamzarian, but assumed the identity of Sergeant Seymour Skinner. Soon, the sergeant becomes the school's new principal, because he says he had intentions to be the principal of [[Springfield Elementary School]].
  
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Afterwards, [[Springfield]] prefers Tamzarian over the real Skinner, even Agnes. Tamzarian, however, had left Springfield and gone to [[Capital City]]. The Simpsons devise a plan to get Tamzarian back to Springfield, by coming to Capital City to get him. Back in town, the citizens of Springfield force Sergeant Skinner to leave on a train (actually tied to a chair on a freight train car), and Tamzarian returns to being Principal Skinner through an order by [[Judge Roy Snyder|Judge Snyder]], saying that no one will mention "Tamzarian" again under penalty of torture (this [[wikipedia:Reset_button_technique|Reset button technique]] being a meta-reference to their maintaining of the status quo).
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Afterwards, [[Springfield]] prefers Tamzarian over the real Skinner, even Agnes. Tamzarian, however, had left Springfield and gone to [[Capital City]]. The Simpsons devise a plan to get Tamzarian back to Springfield, by coming to Capital City to get him. Back in town, the citizens of Springfield force Sergeant Skinner to leave on a train (actually tied to a chair on a freight train car), and Tamzarian returns to being Principal Skinner through an order by [[Judge Roy Snyder|Judge Snyder]], saying that no one will mention "Tamzarian" again under penalty of torture (this {{W|Reset button technique}} being a meta-reference to their maintaining of the status quo).
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==Production==
 
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The episode was the last episode of the show written by Ken Keeler. Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein were very excited about the episode because Principal Skinner was their favorite character. The pair had already written the season five episode "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song", which was an in-depth study of the character. Keeler used the name Armin Tamzarian from a claims adjuster who had assisted him after a car accident when he moved to Los Angeles. However, the real Tamzarian was unaware his name was being used until after the episode aired.
 
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==Reception==
 
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===Critical===
 
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Many critics agree that the episode signaled a decline in the show. In The Guardian, Ian Jones argues that the "show became stupid" in 1997, pointing to "The Principal and the Pauper" as the culprit. "Come again? A major character in a long-running series gets unmasked as a fraud? It was cheap, idle storytelling."
 
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However, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, the authors of ''I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide'', have praised the episode, calling it "one of the series' all-time best episodes, mainly because it shows us a human side, not just of Principal Skinner, but of his hectorish Mom as well." They add that "Martin Sheen steals the show in a brief but important slice of Simpsons history." Total Film named Martin Sheen's performance in the episode the 20th best guest appearance on the show.
 
  
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== Production ==
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<gallery>
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File:4F11 and 4F23 Script.jpg
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</gallery>
  
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{{Images|ep=yes}}
 
{{Season 9}}
 
{{Season 9}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Principal and The Pauper, The}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Principal and The Pauper, The}}
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[[Category:1997]]
 
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[[Category:Principal Skinner episodes]]
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[[Category:Non-canon episodes]]
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[[Category:12-rated episodes]]
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[[Category:Episodes written by Ken Keeler]]
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[[Category:Episodes directed by Steven Dean Moore]]
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Latest revision as of 13:21, March 28, 2024

Season 9 Episode
← 179 "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson"
180
"The Principal and the Pauper"
"Lisa's Sax" 181 →
Donut Homer.png This episode is considered non-canon and the events featured do not relate to the series and therefore may not have actually happened/existed.

The reason behind this decision is: Principal Skinner is revealed to be an imposter, but Agnes Skinner has been shown to be pregnant with him.

If you dispute this, please bring it up on the episode's talk page.

"The Principal and the Pauper"
The Principal and the Pauper.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 180
Season number: S9 E2
Production code: 4F23
Original airdate: September 28, 1997
Couch gag: Everyone is dressed as astronaut. They sit on the couch and it blasts into space.
Guest star(s): Martin Sheen as the real Seymour Skinner
Showrunners: Bill Oakley
Josh Weinstein
Written by: Ken Keeler
Directed by: Steven Dean Moore
DVD features


"The Principal and the Pauper" is the second episode of season 9 of The Simpsons and the one-hundred and eightieth episode overall. It originally aired on September 28, 1997. The episode was written by Ken Keeler and directed by Steven Dean Moore. It guest stars Martin Sheen as the real Seymour Skinner.

Synopsis[edit]

"During a surprise banquet to honor his twentieth anniversary as principal, Seymour Skinner's true identity is revealed to be Armin Tamzarian. Now established as an impostor, Tamzarian retires and relocates to his old neighborhood in Capitol City. Guest starring Martin Sheen as the real Seymour Skinner."


Plot[edit]

Seymour Skinner is about to celebrate his 20th anniversary as school principal, and it goes smoothly until a man who claims he is the real Seymour Skinner comes in, pointing out that Agnes Skinner is his mother. Principal Skinner admits he is not the real Seymour Skinner, and is only an impostor. He tells his story, in a parody of the life of Martin Guerre, and admits that his real name is Armin Tamzarian, but assumed the identity of Sergeant Seymour Skinner. Soon, the sergeant becomes the school's new principal, because he says he had intentions to be the principal of Springfield Elementary School.

Afterwards, Springfield prefers Tamzarian over the real Skinner, even Agnes. Tamzarian, however, had left Springfield and gone to Capital City. The Simpsons devise a plan to get Tamzarian back to Springfield, by coming to Capital City to get him. Back in town, the citizens of Springfield force Sergeant Skinner to leave on a train (actually tied to a chair on a freight train car), and Tamzarian returns to being Principal Skinner through an order by Judge Snyder, saying that no one will mention "Tamzarian" again under penalty of torture (this Reset button technique being a meta-reference to their maintaining of the status quo).

Production[edit]

  • 4F11 and 4F23 Script.jpg


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "The Principal and the Pauper".
Season 9 Episodes
The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson • The Principal and the Pauper • Lisa's Sax • Treehouse of Horror VIII • The Cartridge Family • Bart Star • The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons • Lisa the Skeptic • Realty Bites • Miracle on Evergreen Terrace • All Singing, All Dancing • Bart Carny • The Joy of Sect • Das Bus • The Last Temptation of Krust • Dumbbell Indemnity • Lisa the Simpson • This Little Wiggy • Simpson Tide • The Trouble with Trillions • Girly Edition • Trash of the Titans • King of the Hill • Lost Our Lisa • Natural Born Kissers
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