Duffless

"Duffless" is the 16th episode of The Simpsons' fourth season.

Synopsis

The episode opens at the school science fair, with Bart presenting a Go-Go Ray. He zaps all the teachers, causing them to dance uncontrollably. Principal Skinner declares "First Prize" over and over, while Bart's dream fades out to Lisa saying into Bart's ear "First prize...first prize..." She explains she was "just screwing with [his] mind."

At breakfast, Lisa shows the family her science fair project: a genetically engineered tomato she hopes will cure world hunger. Bart's actual project is the effect of cigarettes on canines, mainly Santa's Little Helper. Meanwhile, Homer plans to duck out of work and go on a tour of the Duff brewery. Homer refuses to let Barney drive home after the tour, but is himself arrested for drunk driving; his license is revoked, and he must attend traffic school and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

After school 3 days before the science fair, Lisa leaves her super tomato under Bart's care for a moment, who takes the opportunity to hurl it at a bent-over Skinner. Lisa appeals to Marge Simpson for help, who suggests she run a hamster through a maze. She takes the idea to heart, but instead of just testing the intelligence of a rodent, she pits a hamster against an unknowning Bart to find out which is smarter. After two tests, the hamster leads 2-0.

In bed, Marge gives Homer a magazine quiz about his drinking. Hearing his answers, she asks him to give up beer for a month, to which he finally agrees. Homer reminisces about the time he first drank beer, passing out listening to Queen, and is taunted by TV commercials and the fact that watching baseball sober is "boring."

Meanwhile Bart finds Lisa's project notes and hides them. He plans to lead her on a treasure hunt to get them back but she finds them after just a minute. At the science fair, Lisa's project and chance for revenge are both ruined by Bart's project: "Can hamsters fly planes?". Lisa tries to protest that the project has no scientific merit, but everyone ignores her. A cute hamster flying a miniature plane wins over Skinner, who hands Bart the winning ribbon for real, much to Lisa's dismay.

At Homer's first AA meeting, he is kicked out by Reverend Lovejoy after confessing that his desperation led him to "sneak into the football stadium and suck the dirt underneath the bleachers". He also exhibits more positive changes, such as losing weight. After 30 days, a thirsty Homer rushes back to Moe's, money in hand, all the while Marge asking him to stay home instead. He goes anyway and, after seeing the long faces already at the bar, heads home. The episode closes with Homer and Marge riding a bike into the sunset.