The Otto Show
"The Otto Show" is the 22nd episode of The Simpsons' third season.
Synopsis
Bart and Milhouse attend a Spinal Tap concert, but it turns into a major flop and degenerates into a riot. Nonetheless, Bart is impressed by the aging heavy metal band and wants to become a rock guitarist.
Homer and Marge decide to buy Bart his own electric guitar, but Bart struggles to learn how to play it. The next morning on the school bus, Bart asks Otto to show him how to play, and Otto – with the bus still stopped in traffic – wows his passengers with an impromptu concert. However, Otto loses track of time and is forced to drive recklessly to school. In the ensuing chaos, the bus runs Spinal Tap's bus off the road, and turns over onto its side in the town square. Numerous people call Springfield Elementary School to report the accident, earning Otto a reprimand from Principal Skinner. However, when Officer Eddie asks for Otto's driver's license to complete his report, he is forced to admit he doesn't have a license. Otto loses his job, and Skinner takes over his route. Skinner finds it hard going, not being an aggressive driver like Otto.
Things quickly go downhill for Otto. He fails his driver's test at the Springfield DMV, he is unable to find a new job, and he is evicted from his apartment. He calls upon the Simpsons to take him in until he can find a new job, and is allowed to move into the garage, after Bart convinces the family.
Otto makes a nuisance of himself as he becomes comfortable laying around the house and playing his guitar. Homer soon loses his patience with Otto and demands that he be sent on his way. Marge and Bart, however, encourage Otto to give the driving test one last try. Otto goes to the DMV to take the test, but Patty and Selma don't want to give him a retest. Otto explains he has something to prove to Homer, which quickly changes their demeanor out of spite for their brother-in-law. It isn't long before Otto passes the test (with some help from the sisters) and is back to work. Otto drives off into the sunset, with Skinner remarking, "there goes the bus driver, bus driver man".
Notes
- Micheal McKean would later guest star in the episode Monty Can't Buy Me Love as Jerry Rude.
- Harry Shearer a Simpsons voice actor plays himself in this episode along with the rest of Spinal Tap.
- Otto later gets fired in the episode The Mook, the Chef, the Wife, and Her Homer.
