Gilbert and Sullivan

Gilbert and Sullivan were a duo consisting of librettist W. S. Gilbert (1836-1911) and composer Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900). They were renowned for their comic operas. Among the most famous are H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado.

One of the staple references of The Simpsons is that Sideshow Bob is a huge fan of Gilbert and Sullivan. In the Simpsons universe, Gilbert and Sullivan and their works have been referred to several times.

References

Television episodes

Picture Season Episode number Episode name Reference 5 83 "Cape Feare" When the Simpsons leave for their safehouse provided by the Witness Relocation Program, in the car Lisa finds a set of audio tapes titled "The FBI Light Opera Society Sings the Complete Gilbert and Sullivan". During the drive, they sing "Three Little Maids from School" from The Mikado. When Sideshow Bob is about to kill Bart and asks if he has any last requests, Bart's request is for Bob to sing the entire score of H.M.S. Pinafore. 88 "Bart's Inner Child" When Homer finds the free trampoline ad in the Springfield Shopper, one of the other items being given away is a Gilbert and Sullivan manuscript, the original draft of H.M.S. Pinafore. It appears a few entries below the "FREE TRAMPOLINE" ad. 96 "Deep Space Homer" To demonstrate his fitness for astronaut duty, a newly sober Barney performs a series of handsprings while singing "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" from Pirates of Penzance, in order to show off his improved balance and diction. 21 463 "The Bob Next Door" When Bart believes his new neighbor Walt Warren to be Sideshow Bob in disguise, he and Milhouse, knowing of Bob's fondness for Gilbert and Sullivan, sing "Three Little Maids from School" in an attempt to draw him out. The attempt fails. However, "Walt" later gets Bart alone, reveals himself to be Sideshow Bob, and says, "And now I am free to sing all the Gilbert and Sullivan I damn well please!" 29 627 "Gone Boy" Sideshow Bob gets Milhouse to reveal Bart's location by singing "I Have a Song to Sing, O!" from The Yeomen of the Guard.

Comic stories

Picture Comic issue Story name Reference Simpsons Comics #229 Itchy & Scratchy Live! At the beginning of the performance of Itchy & Scratchy Live, the actor portraying Scratchy (later revealed to be Sideshow Bob) culture-shames the audience: "You wouldn't come to see Gilbert and Sullivan, but you'll come to this! For shame!"

Books

Picture Book Reference The Bart Book In his character profile of Sideshow Bob, under "Musical likes" Bart cites "The whimsical stylings of Gilbert & Sullivan."

Video games

Picture Game Reference The Simpsons: Tapped Out In the Level 40 content update, Mr. Largo appears immediately after the player builds Lotto 'N' Liquor. Lisa reminds him that he should be working on the band musical, along with Mr. Smithers. She adds that since Smithers writes the words and Largo writes the music, that makes them Springfield Elementary School's "Gilbert and Sulllivan."

External links

• Gilbert and Sullivan at Wikipedia

Cultural references

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