Difference between revisions of "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily"
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"'''Alone Again, Natura-Diddily'''" is the fourteenth episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[List of The Simpsons episodes#Season 11|eleventh season]]. The episode aired on [[February 13]], [[2000]]. | "'''Alone Again, Natura-Diddily'''" is the fourteenth episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[List of The Simpsons episodes#Season 11|eleventh season]]. The episode aired on [[February 13]], [[2000]]. | ||
| − | ==Plot== | + | == Plot == |
On a trip to the bird sanctuary, the family sees that a new speedway has been built and is opening that day. The family goes to the racetrack and are surprised to meet the [[Flanders family]], who came not to see the race but for the high levels of safety used. Not long after arriving, a squad of cheerleaders is giving out free t-shirts by firing them from a cannon into the crowd, and Homer demands one. Homer takes off his t-shirt, and waves it around, shouting. Behind him were [[Ned Flanders|Ned]] and [[Maude Flanders]]; irritated by his antics, Maude goes to buy some hot dogs. Homer draws a target on his chest and gains the attention of the promotional cheerleaders. The cheerleaders send a full salvo of t-shirts in Homer's direction, but Homer bends down at the last second to pick up a bobby pin. The t-shirts hit Maude instead, who is returning from the hot dog stand. They knock her from the top of the bleachers to the ground. [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Dr. Hibbert|Dr. Hibbert]] is fortunately there, but Maude is pronounced dead. | On a trip to the bird sanctuary, the family sees that a new speedway has been built and is opening that day. The family goes to the racetrack and are surprised to meet the [[Flanders family]], who came not to see the race but for the high levels of safety used. Not long after arriving, a squad of cheerleaders is giving out free t-shirts by firing them from a cannon into the crowd, and Homer demands one. Homer takes off his t-shirt, and waves it around, shouting. Behind him were [[Ned Flanders|Ned]] and [[Maude Flanders]]; irritated by his antics, Maude goes to buy some hot dogs. Homer draws a target on his chest and gains the attention of the promotional cheerleaders. The cheerleaders send a full salvo of t-shirts in Homer's direction, but Homer bends down at the last second to pick up a bobby pin. The t-shirts hit Maude instead, who is returning from the hot dog stand. They knock her from the top of the bleachers to the ground. [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Dr. Hibbert|Dr. Hibbert]] is fortunately there, but Maude is pronounced dead. | ||
[[Reverend Lovejoy]] eulogized her as follows: "In many ways, Maude Flanders was a [[supporting character|supporting player]] in our lives. She didn't grab our attention with memorable [[catchphrases]], or comical accents. But, whether you noticed her or not, Maude was always there ... and we thought she always would be." | [[Reverend Lovejoy]] eulogized her as follows: "In many ways, Maude Flanders was a [[supporting character|supporting player]] in our lives. She didn't grab our attention with memorable [[catchphrases]], or comical accents. But, whether you noticed her or not, Maude was always there ... and we thought she always would be." | ||
| − | Everyone shows their condolences for Ned's loss, but Ned has to deal with being a widower and a single parent. Homer secretly makes a videotape of Ned Flanders to show to the interesting single girls across [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]] at the "[[Video Matchmaking]]", helping him, but the dates are sour. On Sunday morning, Ned Flanders says he does not want to go to church, because he doubts the Lord for having taken Maude. Guilt-ridden, he later rushes to church (apologizing out loud to God the whole way) and sees a Christian rock band, Kovenant, perform. He is attracted (both physically and spiritually) to the singer, [[ | + | Everyone shows their condolences for Ned's loss, but Ned has to deal with being a widower and a single parent. Homer secretly makes a videotape of Ned Flanders to show to the interesting single girls across [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]] at the "[[Video Matchmaking]]", helping him, but the dates are sour. On Sunday morning, Ned Flanders says he does not want to go to church, because he doubts the Lord for having taken Maude. Guilt-ridden, he later rushes to church (apologizing out loud to God the whole way) and sees a Christian rock band, Kovenant, perform. He is attracted (both physically and spiritually) to the singer, [[List of celebrities in The Simpsons#Rachel Jordan|Rachel Jordan]]. |
| − | ==Characters== | + | == Characters == |
* [[Homer Simpson]] | * [[Homer Simpson]] | ||
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* [[Tom]] | * [[Tom]] | ||
| − | ==Criticism== | + | == Criticism == |
Lowe's Motor Speedway president Jerry Gappens expressed his concern over the [[episode]] as it appeared to parody an actual incident during the aborted Indy Racing League IndyCar Series Visionaire 500k event on [[May 1]], [[1999]] where flying tires in a Lap 62 crash killed three spectators, forcing the track to abandon the race before the halfway point (104 of 208 laps). [[WCCB]], the Fox affiliate in Charlotte, [[North Carolina]], home to Lowe's Motor Speedway, refused to show the promotional advertising for this episode. [http://www.snpp.com/episodes/BABF10] | Lowe's Motor Speedway president Jerry Gappens expressed his concern over the [[episode]] as it appeared to parody an actual incident during the aborted Indy Racing League IndyCar Series Visionaire 500k event on [[May 1]], [[1999]] where flying tires in a Lap 62 crash killed three spectators, forcing the track to abandon the race before the halfway point (104 of 208 laps). [[WCCB]], the Fox affiliate in Charlotte, [[North Carolina]], home to Lowe's Motor Speedway, refused to show the promotional advertising for this episode. [http://www.snpp.com/episodes/BABF10] | ||
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Groening later revealed that [[Maggie Roswell]], the actress who voiced Maude, moved away from the studios to [[Colorado]], making it difficult to continue the character's role in the show.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCbuwLJ-t6E&mode=related&search=] | Groening later revealed that [[Maggie Roswell]], the actress who voiced Maude, moved away from the studios to [[Colorado]], making it difficult to continue the character's role in the show.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCbuwLJ-t6E&mode=related&search=] | ||
| − | ==Cultural references== | + | == Cultural references == |
*The title of the episode is in reference to the Gilbert O'Sullivan hit, "Alone Again (Naturally)" (1972). | *The title of the episode is in reference to the Gilbert O'Sullivan hit, "Alone Again (Naturally)" (1972). | ||
*Words Ned spells out while playing Scrabble by himself: Solitary, Alone, Forever, Horny, and Flanswered. | *Words Ned spells out while playing Scrabble by himself: Solitary, Alone, Forever, Horny, and Flanswered. | ||
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{{Season 11}} | {{Season 11}} | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Episodes]] | [[Category:Episodes]] | ||
[[Category:Season 11]] | [[Category:Season 11]] | ||
[[Category:2000]] | [[Category:2000]] | ||
Revision as of 18:38, June 14, 2009
"Alone Again, Natura-Diddily"
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Episode Information
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"Alone Again, Natura-Diddily" is the fourteenth episode of The Simpsons' eleventh season. The episode aired on February 13, 2000.
Plot
On a trip to the bird sanctuary, the family sees that a new speedway has been built and is opening that day. The family goes to the racetrack and are surprised to meet the Flanders family, who came not to see the race but for the high levels of safety used. Not long after arriving, a squad of cheerleaders is giving out free t-shirts by firing them from a cannon into the crowd, and Homer demands one. Homer takes off his t-shirt, and waves it around, shouting. Behind him were Ned and Maude Flanders; irritated by his antics, Maude goes to buy some hot dogs. Homer draws a target on his chest and gains the attention of the promotional cheerleaders. The cheerleaders send a full salvo of t-shirts in Homer's direction, but Homer bends down at the last second to pick up a bobby pin. The t-shirts hit Maude instead, who is returning from the hot dog stand. They knock her from the top of the bleachers to the ground. Dr. Hibbert is fortunately there, but Maude is pronounced dead.
Reverend Lovejoy eulogized her as follows: "In many ways, Maude Flanders was a supporting player in our lives. She didn't grab our attention with memorable catchphrases, or comical accents. But, whether you noticed her or not, Maude was always there ... and we thought she always would be."
Everyone shows their condolences for Ned's loss, but Ned has to deal with being a widower and a single parent. Homer secretly makes a videotape of Ned Flanders to show to the interesting single girls across Springfield at the "Video Matchmaking", helping him, but the dates are sour. On Sunday morning, Ned Flanders says he does not want to go to church, because he doubts the Lord for having taken Maude. Guilt-ridden, he later rushes to church (apologizing out loud to God the whole way) and sees a Christian rock band, Kovenant, perform. He is attracted (both physically and spiritually) to the singer, Rachel Jordan.
Characters
- Homer Simpson
- Marge Simpson
- Bart Simpson
- Lisa Simpson
- Maggie Simpson
- Clay Babcock
- Ned Flanders
- Maude Flanders (final appearance)
- Rod Flanders
- Todd Flanders
- Cletus Spuckler
- Brandine Spuckler
- Superintendent Chalmers
- Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
- Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon
- Miss Hoover
- Nelson Muntz
- Willie
- Jasper
- Krusty
- Moe Szyslak
- Carl Carlson
- Ruth Powers
- Kirk Van Houten
- Wendell
- Squeaky Voiced Teen
- Bumblebee Man
- Otto Mann
- Dr. Hibbert
- Bernice Hibbert
- Larry
- Lenny Leonard
- Chief Wiggum
- Ralph Wiggum
- Sam
- Luann Van Houten
- Bleeding Gums Murphy (gravestone only)
- Dr. Marvin Monroe (gravetomb only)
- Beatrice Simmons (gravestone only)
- Frank Grimes (gravestone only)
- Rev. Lovejoy
- Sea Captain
- Prof. Frink
- Sideshow Mel
- The Nahasapeemapetilon Octuplets
- Tom
Criticism
Lowe's Motor Speedway president Jerry Gappens expressed his concern over the episode as it appeared to parody an actual incident during the aborted Indy Racing League IndyCar Series Visionaire 500k event on May 1, 1999 where flying tires in a Lap 62 crash killed three spectators, forcing the track to abandon the race before the halfway point (104 of 208 laps). WCCB, the Fox affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina, home to Lowe's Motor Speedway, refused to show the promotional advertising for this episode. [1]
Many viewers criticised the show at the time for killing off a popular and beloved character, Maude Flanders.{{Fact|date=August 2007
Groening later revealed that Maggie Roswell, the actress who voiced Maude, moved away from the studios to Colorado, making it difficult to continue the character's role in the show.[2]
Cultural references
- The title of the episode is in reference to the Gilbert O'Sullivan hit, "Alone Again (Naturally)" (1972).
- Words Ned spells out while playing Scrabble by himself: Solitary, Alone, Forever, Horny, and Flanswered.
- The video game "Billy Graham's Bible Blaster," played by Bart with Rod and Todd, is a spoof of the unlicensed [[Nintendo Entertainment System game, Bible Adventures.
- The background music during Flanders' dating tape is "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred.
- Moe said he was banned from church when talking to Ned but in Treehouse of Horror X Moe is seen in the crowd in church on I Know What you Diddly-Iddly-Did. Although Treehouse of Horror episodes are usually classed as Non-Canon.
