Difference between revisions of "Disco Stu"

Revision as of 15:59, July 3, 2009

Disco Stu, (voiced by Hank Azaria),is the owner of Stu's Disco. He is a disco aficionado and is usually featured wearing a rhinestone-encrusted leisure suit. He often refers to himself in the third person (putting a big emphasis on "Stu" and then pausing before saying anything else) and is noted for being mentally stuck in the Disco Era.

Character Development

He first appeared in the episode "Two Bad Neighbors", during a neighborhood yard sale day. Near the beginning of the episode, Homer and Marge search their attic for items they might sell. Marge suggests Homer's old Rhinestone Nights Fashion Gun. Homer protests, "...I need it to rhinestone up my old clothing!". Homer then holds up his old denim jacket complete with rhinestone lettering. "Who's Disco Stu?" Marge asks, referring to the words on the back. Homer explains, "I wanted to write 'Disco Stud' but I ran out of space. Not that Disco Stu didn't get his share of the action!". Disco Stu becomes a character later in the episode as part of a callback gag. Homer solicits his jacket to patrons of the rummage sale; One of them calls out "Hey Stu! You should buy that!". Disco Stu is revealed and says, "Disco Stu...doesn't advertise". he is also well know for other phrases such as "Disco Stu...likes hardcore porno."

Although originally created as a throwaway gag character, Stu ended up being brought back again and again. Disco Stu has also been seen with dead goldfish in his platform shoes, hitting on Marge Simpson at a ski lodge (until he finds out she has children)[1], dancing with Homer after Homer discovers his love of walking, getting smashed by a jukebox thanks to a beefed up Marge, and most recently, a regular on Homer's talk show. During a "taxi cab confession" in the episode "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation", Disco Stu revealed that he's aware disco is dead, and that he does not even like it anymore. He expresses worry that he has let disco define him as a person and fears becoming a "one note guy". In his younger years he had a budding career as a sea captain, going by the name of "Nautical Stu", and only finds the joy of disco music when Marge puts some on while taking his picture for his captain's license.

Varitions

Disco Stu has also appeared as "Discus Stu" in a parody of the Odyssey (we first believe he is a suitor to Odysseus's wife, Penelope, but later find out that Discus Stu has enough "ouzo for two-zo" - himself and Bart). He was "Disco Shrew" in the "Treehouse of Horror XIII" "Dr. Moreau" parody, where Stu was turned into a shrew, but wasn't worried about his condition (Disco Shrew...can still bugaloo!). "Big Band Stu" appears in the parody of "The War of the Worlds" radio hoax that takes place in 1938, in "Treehouse of Horror XVII". Disco Stu appears to support himself by running a nightclub, aptly named "Stu's Disco"[2]. He also tried to start the "Can't Stop the Learnin' Disco Schools" franchise chain.

Religion

In the season sixteen episode "There's Something About Marrying", it is revealed that Disco Stu was Selma's fourth husband. However, he receives an annulment from Pope John Paul II; therefore revealing that he is of the Catholic faith. This episode aired just six weeks before John Paul II's death.

Voice Actor

He was originally voiced by Phil Hartman in the episode "Two Bad Neighbors", but when the animators needed to do a model change, Phil wasn't available to redub the voice, so Hank Azaria took it over.