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Difference between revisions of "Papa Don't Leech"

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{{quote|Wait a minute -- he's a deadbeat dad, and yet he's getting as much love as me, a Dad too lazy to run away! [moans] And he has hair! Bart, get me my suicide axe.|[[Homer Simpson]]}}
|image = Papa Don't Leech.jpg
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{{Episode
|Episode Number = 416
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|image= Papa Don't Leech.jpg
|productionCode = KABF09
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|number= 416
|originalAirdate = April 13, [[2008]]
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|season=19
|blackboardText =
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|snumber=16
|couchGag = The Simpson family is painted on the couch.
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|prodcode= KABF09
|specialGuestVoices = [[Beverly D'Angelo]] as [[Lurleen Lumpkin]]<br/>[[The Dixie Chicks]] as {{Chs|Dixie Chicks|themselves}}
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|airdate= April 13, [[2008]]
|Written By = [[Reid Harrison]]
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|couchgag= The Simpson family is painted on the couch.
|Directed By = [[Chris Clements]]
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|guests= [[Beverly D'Angelo]] as [[Lurleen Lumpkin]]<br>[[The Chicks]] as {{Chs|Dixie Chicks|themselves}}
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|showrunner=[[Al Jean]]
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|writer= [[Reid Harrison]]
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|director= [[Chris Clements]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
"'''Papa Don't Leech'''" is the sixteenth episode of [[season 19]]. It originally aired on April 13, [[2008]]. It guest starred Beverly D'Angelo in her first major appearance as [[Lurleen Lumpkin]] since season three's "[[Colonel Homer]]." The Dixie Chicks also made an appearance as themselves.
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"'''Papa Don't Leech'''" is the sixteenth episode of [[season 19]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the four-hundred and sixteenth episode overall. It originally aired on April 13, [[2008]]. The episode was written by [[Reid Harrison]] and directed by [[Chris Clements]]. It guest stars [[Beverly D'Angelo]] as [[Lurleen Lumpkin]] and [[The Chicks]] as {{Chs|Dixie Chicks|themselves}}.
This episode was rated TV 14 for DSLV.
 
  
 
== Synopsis ==
 
== Synopsis ==
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== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
[[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] delivers [[Mayor Quimby]] his order of Girl Scout cookies, but he is unable to pay her when he finds the entire town treasury empty. Quimby explains the city spent their money on a new slogan, "Springfield: Good". He next tries to make her give him the cookies by saying he'll pay her back next year, but she doesn't believe him. Quimby then threatens to allow gay scout leaders, but Lisa says she would support such a move. Now angry, Quimby tries to take the cookies from Lisa by force, but she gets away, leaving Quimby with no cookies and an empty treasury.
+
[[Grampa]] is driving [[Homer]] at night and they argue about whether Grampa is able to drive at night. As Grampa is messing around with the music, they swerve onto the other side of the road and are almost hit by [[Patty]] and [[Selma]]. Homer ans Grampa then tumble over the edge of the cliff and crash down. As Homer gets out of the car, Grampa tells Homer to call an ambulance, and tells Homer that he'd have to look after him. Homer then decides to suffocate Grampa instead. Homer then wakes up in the car as he's driving [[Lisa]], revealing that he was just dreaming. Homer then drops Lisa off at the [[Town Hall]] so that she can sell Girl Scout Cookies to [[Mayor Quimby]]. However, Mayor Quimby can't give Lisa the money for the cookies as the town is broke. After a scuffle, Lisa leaves with the cookies.
  
Quimby calls a town meeting to discuss ideas for raising money. They try faking a natural disaster in order to get relief money from [[wikipedia:Federal Emergency Management Agency|FEMA]], but are tricked by a con man posing as a FEMA agent and end up in more debt than before. Lisa then reveals that [[Springfield]] has millions in uncollected taxes, and Quimby vows to collect the taxes in full from everyone who owes money (conveniently exempting himself and [[Mr. Burns]]). Springfield soon starts hitting up its most notorious tax evaders. Later, on [[Channel 6 News]], [[Kent Brockman]] reports that all the tax evaders have been caught and made to pay their taxes—including himself, as he embarassedly admits. The only tax debt still outstanding belongs to [[Lurleen Lumpkin]], a country music star who was once managed by [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] and who fell in love with him. Kent urges the citizens of Springfield to track her down and make her pay up. As the city searches for Lurleen, Homer finds her hiding in his car, and learns that after he quit as her manager, her life had spun out of control.
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Mayor Quimby holds an emergency town meeting and the town decides to scam the government out of emergency relief money. An official from the {{W|Federal Emergency Management Agency}} arrives and tells Springfield that they will get money to help with their faked hurricane destruction. However, the FEMA official turned out to be a scammer and scammed more money out of the town. During this time, Lisa found out that many people of Springfield owed millions in taxes. Everyone's unpaid taxes were collected, with only one person left to pay; [[Lurleen Lumpkin]].
  
Homer comforts the nerve-wracked Lurleen, who says she has no money to pay her taxes. Homer agrees to take her home, but [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] remembers how Lurleen caused a huge rift in her marriage, and demands that she get out of the Simpsons' house. Angrily driving her away, she discovers that Lurleen lives with the homeless. Marge begins to pity her and reluctantly allows her to stay with the family. As a thank-you, Lurleen cooks a barbecue for the family, and Marge apologizes about the argument earlier. Lurleen forgives her, and the two become friends. Soon, though, Lurleen is found, arrested, and taken to court. Lurleen pleads that she can't afford to pay her taxes because all of her money goes to her ex-husbands (all of whom strongly resemble Homer), but [[Judge Snyder]] is unmoved and orders her to pay what she owes.
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The people of Springfield start to search for Lurleen so they could get the satisfaction of ruining her life. As Homer is driving back home, Lurleen reveals herself to Homer, having managed to get into the back of his car. Homer takes Lurleen home, thinking that Marge would be fine with Lurleen staying with the Simpsons. However, Marge decides to take Lurleen back to her home. After finding out that Lurleen lived under a bridge with several homeless people, Marge decided to bring Lurleen to live with them temporarily. [[Chief Wiggum]] then found Lurleen and she ended up going to court over her unpaid taxes and is ordered to pay back $100 a week until country music comes back into popularity.
  
Lurleen becomes depressed, and the whole family soon hears Lurleen singing through the vent about her long-lost father. Marge realizes that because Lurleen's father left her, she had given up faith in all men. Marge decides to get the two Lumpkins back on a proper parent-child relationship. Scouring Springfield, she finally locates [[Royce Lumpkin]], who explains that he left Lurleen because he realized he could never be a great father. Lurleen forgives him for leaving her, however, and she writes a new song, "[[Daddy's Back|My Daddy's Back]]", to celebrate their reunion. The two appear to have a newfound happiness, and spend a lot of time together. But Royce decides to leave Lurleen again, sneaking away in the middle of the night. Soon the country music trio The {{Chs|Dixie Chicks}} perform a new song on TV: It's "My Daddy's Back", but with different lyrics and re-titled "America's Back". Evidently, Royce plagiarized the song, which is confirmed when The Dixie Chicks thank Royce for the new song and say that he wrote it. The Dixie Chicks, however, are unaware of the plagiarism.
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Lurleen takes up a job at [[Moe's Tavern]], where [[Lenny]] and [[Carl]] both flirt with her, but Lurleen rejects them both. Back at the Simpson house, Homer and Marge discuss why Lurleen might hate men now. Lurleen then sings "[[Cryin' in My Cradle]]", which moves the whole family. Marge then decides to find Lurleen's father, [[Royce Lumpkin]]. After spending a while searching, Marge finally finds Royce and brings him home to see Lurleen. The two of them make up and spend time together, and Lurleen writes a song about Royce being back in her life, "[[Daddy's Back]]". However, after the song, Royce leaves the house and her daughter once more.
  
Lurleen goes to the basement to sulk. Colonel Homer and "Major Marge" come to her, and tell her to take control of her destiny. Lurleen confronts her father and tells The Dixie Chicks that her father stole her song, and all four of them gang up on Royce and hit him with their instruments. Lurleen then becomes the new opening act for The Dixie Chicks. She has a new boyfriend who, like her ex-husbands, bears a strong resemblance to Homer. When he asks her for $100 for beer, Homer announces that he likes him and thinks he's a keeper. Marge embraces Lurleen to whisper in her ear that if she ever comes near Homer again, she will strangle her with her hair extensions: "That's right -- I know!"
+
After Royce leaves, Lurleen becomes depressed. She then sees the {{Chs|Dixie Chicks}} on television performing a song, "[[America's Back]]", which sounds very similar to "Daddy's Back". Lurleen then sees her father on television too, as the new manager of the Dixie Chicks. Lurleen becomes upset and angry over her father's betrayal so Homer and Marge dress up as "Colonel Homer" and "Major Marge" to cheer her up and tell her to take control of her own destiny. Lurleen then goes to confront Royce at [[White Trash Records]] about him stealing her song. After the Dixie Chicks find out that he stole the song, they attack Royce with their instruments.
 +
 
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Back at the Simpson house, Lurleen shows off her new boyfriend, who looks similar to Homer, then leaves to go on tour with the Dixie Chicks. As Marge and Lurleen hug, Marge tells Lurleen that if she ever comes near Homer again she would strangle Lurleen with her hair extensions.
  
 
== Production ==
 
== Production ==
The episode was written by Reid Harrison and directed by Chris Clements.
+
The opening scene is an almost shot-for-shot parody of ''[[The Sopranos]]''.<ref name="Jean">{{Com|Jean, Al|Papa Don't Leech|Nineteenth|(2019).|link=Al Jean}}</ref> The animators watched a lot of videos of people doing hamboning to get the scenes of Royce hamboning down properly.<ref name="Silverman">{{Com|Silverman, David|Papa Don't Leech|Nineteenth|(2019).|link=David Silverman}}</ref>
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:KABF09_Script.jpg
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File:KABF09 Script.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
== Reception ==
 
== Reception ==
Richard Keller of TV Squad expressed dislike for the episode stating that he hopes, "The Simpsons will reconsider the next time they decide to give a solo opportunity to a supporting character many people don't remember."<ref name="TVsquad"/> He found most of the plot, especially the sudden and seemingly unnecessary inclusion of her father and the Dixie Chicks, and the return of Lurleen Lumpkin after such a long time derogative.<ref name="TVsquad">{{cite web| last = Keller| first = Richard
+
Robert Canning of {{W|IGN}} said "there were too few laugh-out-loud moments in this lackluster episode. Overall, it was nice to see Lurleen again, but she'd probably get more laughs in future cameos than in carrying an entire episode." He gave the episode a 6/10. Canning also said that the opening sequence where Homer murders Grampa in a dream was "the least funny thing I've ever seen on the show".<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/14/the-simpsons-papa-dont-leech-review IGN - "The Simpsons: "Papa Don't Leech" Review"]</ref>
| title = Papa Don't Leech| url = http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/13/the-simpsons-papa-dont-leach/| publisher = TV Squad| accessdate = 2008-04-14 }}</ref> Robert Canning of {{W|IGN}} said "there were too few laugh-out-loud moments in this lackluster episode. Overall, it was nice to see Lurleen again, but she'd probably get more laughs in future cameos than in carrying an entire episode." He gave the episode a 6/10.<ref name="ign">{{cite news|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/866/866216p1.html|title=The Simpsons: "Papa Don't Leech" Review|accessdate=2008-04-15|date=[[2008-04-14]]|publisher=IGN|author=Robert Canning}}</ref> The opening sequence where Homer murders Grampa in a dream was criticized, being called "the least funny thing I've ever seen on the show" by Robert Canning<ref name="ign"/> and "very un-Homer-like" by Richard Keller.<ref name="TVsquad"/>
+
 
 +
Richard Keller of {{W|TV Squad}} questioned why a character like Lurleen was given an episode focused on her, especially after nearly two decades since her initial appearance.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090606085903/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/13/the-simpsons-papa-dont-leach/ TV Squad - "The Simpsons: Papa Don't Leech - VIDEO"] (archived on {{W|Wayback Machine}})</ref>
  
The episode was the highest-watched program on Fox the evening it was shown, with an estimated 6.9 million viewers. It had a 3.2 Nielsen rating and a 9% audience share in its time slot.<ref>{{cite news|author=James Hibberd|title=Disappointing return for 'Housewives' |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i745f0e46da86e5a05748658e4c28ac5e|publisher=Hollywood Reporter|date=2008-04-14|accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref>
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As of May [[2023]], the episode has a 6.1 rating on {{W|IMDb}}.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1211739/ IMDb - "Papa Don't Leech]"</ref>
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
  
 +
{{Images|ep=yes}}
 
{{season 19}}
 
{{season 19}}
  
 
[[Category:2008]]
 
[[Category:2008]]
 
[[Category:TV-14 Episodes]]
 
[[Category:TV-14 Episodes]]
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[[Category:Homer episodes]]
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[[Category:Marge episodes]]
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[[Category:Musical episodes]]
 
[[Category:Episodes written by Reid Harrison]]
 
[[Category:Episodes written by Reid Harrison]]
 
[[Category:Episodes directed by Chris Clements]]
 
[[Category:Episodes directed by Chris Clements]]
  
 
[[sv:Papa Don't Leech]]
 
[[sv:Papa Don't Leech]]

Revision as of 12:12, May 1, 2023

Season 19 Episode
415 "Smoke on the Daughter"
416
"Papa Don't Leech"
"Apocalypse Cow" 417
"Wait a minute -- he's a deadbeat dad, and yet he's getting as much love as me, a Dad too lazy to run away! [moans] And he has hair! Bart, get me my suicide axe."
Homer Simpson
"Papa Don't Leech"
Papa Don't Leech.jpg
Episode Information
Episode number: 416
Season number: S19 E16
Production code: KABF09
Original airdate: April 13, 2008
Couch gag: The Simpson family is painted on the couch.
Guest star(s): Beverly D'Angelo as Lurleen Lumpkin
The Chicks as themselves
Showrunner: [[Al Jean]]
Written by: Reid Harrison
Directed by: Chris Clements



"Papa Don't Leech" is the sixteenth episode of season 19 of The Simpsons and the four-hundred and sixteenth episode overall. It originally aired on April 13, 2008. The episode was written by Reid Harrison and directed by Chris Clements. It guest stars Beverly D'Angelo as Lurleen Lumpkin and The Chicks as themselves.

Synopsis

"Country music star Lurleen Lumpkin reappears in Springfield, destitute and a fugitive from justice due to owing a fortune in back taxes. Homer and Marge take Lurleen in, reunite her with her long-lost father Royce, and help her re-launch her musical career."


Plot

Grampa is driving Homer at night and they argue about whether Grampa is able to drive at night. As Grampa is messing around with the music, they swerve onto the other side of the road and are almost hit by Patty and Selma. Homer ans Grampa then tumble over the edge of the cliff and crash down. As Homer gets out of the car, Grampa tells Homer to call an ambulance, and tells Homer that he'd have to look after him. Homer then decides to suffocate Grampa instead. Homer then wakes up in the car as he's driving Lisa, revealing that he was just dreaming. Homer then drops Lisa off at the Town Hall so that she can sell Girl Scout Cookies to Mayor Quimby. However, Mayor Quimby can't give Lisa the money for the cookies as the town is broke. After a scuffle, Lisa leaves with the cookies.

Mayor Quimby holds an emergency town meeting and the town decides to scam the government out of emergency relief money. An official from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrives and tells Springfield that they will get money to help with their faked hurricane destruction. However, the FEMA official turned out to be a scammer and scammed more money out of the town. During this time, Lisa found out that many people of Springfield owed millions in taxes. Everyone's unpaid taxes were collected, with only one person left to pay; Lurleen Lumpkin.

The people of Springfield start to search for Lurleen so they could get the satisfaction of ruining her life. As Homer is driving back home, Lurleen reveals herself to Homer, having managed to get into the back of his car. Homer takes Lurleen home, thinking that Marge would be fine with Lurleen staying with the Simpsons. However, Marge decides to take Lurleen back to her home. After finding out that Lurleen lived under a bridge with several homeless people, Marge decided to bring Lurleen to live with them temporarily. Chief Wiggum then found Lurleen and she ended up going to court over her unpaid taxes and is ordered to pay back $100 a week until country music comes back into popularity.

Lurleen takes up a job at Moe's Tavern, where Lenny and Carl both flirt with her, but Lurleen rejects them both. Back at the Simpson house, Homer and Marge discuss why Lurleen might hate men now. Lurleen then sings "Cryin' in My Cradle", which moves the whole family. Marge then decides to find Lurleen's father, Royce Lumpkin. After spending a while searching, Marge finally finds Royce and brings him home to see Lurleen. The two of them make up and spend time together, and Lurleen writes a song about Royce being back in her life, "Daddy's Back". However, after the song, Royce leaves the house and her daughter once more.

After Royce leaves, Lurleen becomes depressed. She then sees the Dixie Chicks on television performing a song, "America's Back", which sounds very similar to "Daddy's Back". Lurleen then sees her father on television too, as the new manager of the Dixie Chicks. Lurleen becomes upset and angry over her father's betrayal so Homer and Marge dress up as "Colonel Homer" and "Major Marge" to cheer her up and tell her to take control of her own destiny. Lurleen then goes to confront Royce at White Trash Records about him stealing her song. After the Dixie Chicks find out that he stole the song, they attack Royce with their instruments.

Back at the Simpson house, Lurleen shows off her new boyfriend, who looks similar to Homer, then leaves to go on tour with the Dixie Chicks. As Marge and Lurleen hug, Marge tells Lurleen that if she ever comes near Homer again she would strangle Lurleen with her hair extensions.

Production

The opening scene is an almost shot-for-shot parody of The Sopranos.[1] The animators watched a lot of videos of people doing hamboning to get the scenes of Royce hamboning down properly.[2]

Reception

Robert Canning of IGN said "there were too few laugh-out-loud moments in this lackluster episode. Overall, it was nice to see Lurleen again, but she'd probably get more laughs in future cameos than in carrying an entire episode." He gave the episode a 6/10. Canning also said that the opening sequence where Homer murders Grampa in a dream was "the least funny thing I've ever seen on the show".[3]

Richard Keller of TV Squad questioned why a character like Lurleen was given an episode focused on her, especially after nearly two decades since her initial appearance.[4]

As of May 2023, the episode has a 6.1 rating on IMDb.[5]

References


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Papa Don't Leech".
Season 19 Episodes
He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs The Homer of Seville Midnight Towboy I Don't Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Treehouse of Horror XVIII Little Orphan Millie Husbands and Knives Funeral for a Fiend Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind E Pluribus Wiggum That '90s Show Love, Springfieldian Style The Debarted Dial "N" for Nerder Smoke on the Daughter Papa Don't Leech Apocalypse Cow Any Given Sundance Mona Leaves-a All About Lisa