Birch Barlow
Birch Barlow
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Character Information
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Birchibald "Birch" T. Barlow (voiced by Harry Shearer) has been featured prominently only in the episode Sideshow Bob Roberts, appearing from time to time in the background of subsequent episodes.
Contents
Role in The Simpsons
He is a right-wing conservative talk show host on the radio station KBBL, who in voice and appearance is obviously modeled after Rush Limbaugh. As of You Kent Always Say What You Want, he also has a show on Fox News, and serves as a parody of Fox News' conservative bias.
Persona
On his radio show, he declares himself to be "the fourth branch of government" and "the fifty-first state". On air (and presumably personally), he is a radical conservative, highlighted by his book, "Only Turkeys Have Left Wings". His on air rantings are intentionally engineered to be controversial and to rile up the audience, in order to convince them to call, as does many talk back radio hosts.
Role in Sideshow Bob Roberts
Barlow played an important part in the episode Sideshow Bob Roberts, in which Sideshow Bob, while jailed, calls up Barlow on his radio show, giving him an outlet to voice how the prison treats him unfairly. Barlow, knowing Bob is a fellow Republican, sympathizes with his complaints, and influences the rest of Springfield to as well. This leads to Bob's prompt release and ensuing mayoral election-rigging.
Sexuality
In the book The Simpsons Guide To Springfield, Barlow is pictured enjoying a "festive meal with a group of close personal friends" — Waylon Smithers, John (from the episode "Homer's Phobia") and Buddy "Fallout Boy" Hodges — at the flamboyantly decorated Sha-Boom Ka-Boom Cafe. Typical of The Simpsons, this is meant to humorously imply that he may be homosexual, which would be contrary to his ultra-conservative views.
Other Appearances
Barlow also appeared in the episode "We're on the Road to D'ohwhere" as a customer at Marge's prescription drug-laden "yard sale", a reference to Limbaugh's Oxycontin addiction scandal.
