Panda-Monium!
Background
The Panda-Monium! exhibit was actually an elaborate practical joke played by Mr. Burns, who cast himself as the anonymous donor and Homer Simpson (wearing a panda suit) as Sim-Sim. Burns's goal was to see the looks on the townspeople's faces when they found out their panda was "nothing but a fat guy in a suit". Events didn't unfold that way, but Burns still enjoyed the prank.
Description
The exhibit consisted of a circular habitat for the pandas, which had two caves and a viewing area and was surrounded by a moat and a fence. At the front there was a steel framework with a sign reading "Panda-Monium!". The framework also had a curtain which could be lowered to conceal the viewing area from the crowd. People attending the exhibit gathered outside the fence and in front of the viewing area, where vendors were selling panda-shaped balloons and panda cones.
History
The zookeeper asked the audience to welcome the new panda, Sim-Sim, and they applauded. Homer as Sim-Sim emerged from his cave, and then, coached by Burns, started dancing the Lindy Hop. Homer's dancing was so energetic that the zookeeper called for trainers to "calm her down" with electrical prods. As the trainers repeatedly zapped Homer with their prods, the zookeeper assured the audience that "Because of their thick, thick hides, pandas only feel the slightest tickle from these powerful electric shocks." Homer, however, lacking a panda's thick hide, felt the full jolt of the shocks and screamed in pain, but his screams went unheard as they were muffled by the panda suit. At one point, Homer made a "no more" gesture to one of the trainers, but she said, "Oh, she's saying 'I love you'", which drew more cheers from the audience. The shocks continued to the point where smoke was billowing out from the eyeholes of Homer's panda suit and Homer collapsed from the pain. Lisa, watching from the audience, became concerned and said, "Something's wrong. Terribly wrong!"
Aftermath
Later, Ping-Ping fell asleep and Homer was finally able to get away. He got caught in the panda habitat's barbed-wire fence, ended up dangling upside down, lost the head of his costume and was sprayed by a group of skunks. At that point, Lisa found him and apparently called for help, as shortly after that the two of them were at a bench talking when Mr. Burns came by, still laughing, and said, "That other panda gave some unexpected zazz to the festivities, eh?" Homer indignantly replied, "Maybe for you! Why didn't you rescue me?" and Burns answered, "Too busy trying to keep my sides from splitting!" as he laughed some more.
Behind the Laughter
- The exhibit's name is a pun on the word "pandemonium".
- The zookeeper's comment, "We thought this would take years to happen!" reflects the real-life difficulties zoos have encountered with getting pandas to breed in captivity.
