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Difference between revisions of "The Heartbroke Kid"

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"'''The Heartbroke Kid'''" is the seventeenth episode of the [[List of The Simpsons episodes#Season 16 |sixteenth season]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]''. The episode aired on May 1, [[2005]] in the US.
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{{Tab}}
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{{EpisodePrevNext|Don't Fear the Roofer|A Star Is Torn}}
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{{Quote|Marge, I know this is ill-gotten, but can we use it to ... ?|[[Homer]]}}
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{{Quote|To give these Germans 'das boot'? Jawohl!|[[Marge]]}}
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{{Episode
 +
|image= The Heartbroke Kid promo.png
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|number= 352
 +
|season=16
 +
|snumber=17
 +
|prodcode= GABF11
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|airdate= May 1, [[2005]]
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|couchgag= Everyone makes it to the couch except Bart, who walks in a few seconds later and suffers a heart attack.
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|guests= [[Albert Brooks]] as [[Tab Spangler]] and [[Jacques]]
 +
|showrunner1= Al Jean
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|writer= [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]]
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|director= [[Steven Dean Moore]]
 +
}}
  
==Synopsis==
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"'''The Heartbroke Kid'''" is the seventeenth episode of [[season 16]]. It originally aired on May 1, [[2005]]. The episode was written by [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]] and directed by [[Steven Dean Moore]], It guest stars [[Albert Brooks]] as [[Tab Spangler]] and [[Jacques]].
{{spoiler}}
 
[[Principal Skinner]] is looking for a company to sign a vending machine contract with [[Springfield Elementary School|Springfield Elementary]], with half of the machine's profits going to the school. He looks at suggestions from the [[Sea Captain]] and from [[Ol' Gil|Gil]] and rejects them, until he gets a suggestion from [[Lindsay Naegle]], and the school has its vending machine. Some of the students like it, but the machine's biggest customer is [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], who seems to like it so much that in three weeks fast he has gained a lot of weight, and he suffers a heart attack.
 
  
Bart sees [[Dr. Hibbert]], who says that a snack—malted milk balls—has clogged his arteries. Either way, Bart still gets addicted to junk food heavily, continuously eating it until [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] intervenes and puts Bart on a diet. When that suggestion fails, he is caught by two representatives of a maximum security fat camp, Serenity Ranch. Bart ends up there with [[Apu]], [[Rainier Wolfcastle]] (who was last seen fattening up for a movie), and [[Kent Brockman]], and the camp's leader is none other than former junk food magnate Tab Spangler (who is dealing with many anger issues). However, when Bart is there, the family is faced with an expensive bill. To pay for the camp, the family converts their house into a youth hostel which attracts German tourists.
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== Synopsis ==
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{{Desc|Vending machines appear at [[Springfield Elementary School]], and [[Bart]] quickly gets hooked on the junk food they dispense. He gains a large amount of weight and has a heart attack. When Bart can't stay on a healthy diet, he is sent to a maximum-security fat camp to kick his junk food habit. Back at home, the family is faced with large bills for Bart's treatment, and needs extra income in order to pay for it. They convert the house into a youth hostel which brings in the money they need, but also attracts an unfriendly and demanding crowd of German tourists.}}
  
Bart has a hard time at camp, and Tab Spangler takes him home to visit the family to show him the horrors that occur. He suggests Bart fight his addiction, and he does, by destroying the vending machines in school. His addiction to junk food is over, and he steals the money from the vending machines, which the family uses to pay for the bill and give the Germans "Das Boot". Tab Spangler says that they still have three weeks left of treatment, and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] goes with him (if this is by choice or not is unknown), where the episode ends with them driving in Tad's car getting into an argument over the cheeseburger Homer is eating.
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== Plot ==
 +
[[Springfield Elementary School]] is seeking proposals for a vending machine contract. [[Principal Skinner]] and [[Superintendent Chalmers]] consider and reject ideas from [[Horatio McCallister]] and [[Gil Gunderson]]. [[Lindsay Naegle]] presents the next proposal, representing a vending machine chain called [[Scammer & Z-Dog]]. When Naegle mentions the fund-raising potential of the machines ("Half the profits go to your school or camp"), Skinner and Chalmers enthusiastically accept her proposal and the school has its vending machines.
  
==Trivia==
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The machines talk in hip-hop slang and feature strangely named snacks, some of which contain harmful ingredients such as depleted uranium. Except for [[Lisa]], none of the kids care about the harmful snacks, and they eagerly line up to feed their money into the machines and chow down on the snacks they dispense. The vending machines' biggest customer is [[Bart]], who becomes hooked on the junk food to the point where he won't eat any food that doesn't come from the machines, even rejecting [[Marge]]'s lovingly prepared tuna steak. In just three weeks, he gains an enormous amount of weight and suffers a heart attack.
*This episode was originally set to be the 350th episode (despite being the 352nd to air), but was inexplicably switched with [[Don't Fear the Roofer]].
 
*Spangler's car is a Volvo.
 
*Bart's line "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger" was also said by Homer in "[[Homer's Triple Bypass]]" following one of several heart attacks, which Dr. Hibbert quickly proved to be wrong.
 
*The montage near the end of the first act spoofs Bart's shots in the show's opening; additionally, [[Barney Gumble|Barney]] appears in place of where the now-deceased [[Bleeding Gums Murphy]] would've appeared.
 
* Homer has a fantasy about a robotic Marge, a reference to "[[Gump Roast]]" where "Marge becomes a robot" is suggested as a future plotline.
 
*This is [[Albert Brooks]]' fifth guest staring role on ''The Simpsons''. He is credited, as with all his episodes, as "A, Brooks".
 
*Homer's half-brother [[Herb Powell]] is mentioned in this episode, marking his only appearance or even mention since his starring roles in [[Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?]] and [[Brother Can You Spare Two Dimes?]].
 
*One of the candies that Bart eats is named [[Cop Killer| Cop Killaz]]
 
  
==Cultural references==
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Bart sees [[Dr. Hibbert]], who says that junk food—specifically, malted milk balls—has clogged his arteries. Bart, however, doesn't change his eating habits, almost continuously eating the snacks until Marge puts him on a diet. When Bart can't stick to the diet, the family and some friends and neighbors stage an intervention and send Bart to [[Serenity Ranch]], a maximum security fat camp. Also at the camp are [[Apu]], [[Rainier Wolfcastle]] (last seen fattening up for a movie role) and [[Kent Brockman]]. The camp's counselor is Marine veteran [[Tab Spangler]], who is dealing with many anger issues. Spangler puts the attendees through a wide range of treatment exercises with both physical and psychological components. Bart, however, does not do well, either cheating at the exercises or missing their point.
* The title of this episode is probably a spoof of the 1972 film ''[[The Heartbreak Kid (1972 film)|The Heartbreak Kid]]'' starring [[Charles Grodin]]. It may also reference [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) Superstar [[Shawn Michaels]] whose nickname is "The Heartbreak Kid".
 
*The song Homer sings for [[change|coins]] to the German students on vacation is "[[99 Luftballons]]".
 
*The song played during Bart's junkfood sequence is "Yummy yummy yummy" by [[The Ohio Express]].
 
* The line "raged against the machine" is a reference to the political rap-rock band [[Rage Against the Machine]].
 
* When Bart rips off the Krusty poster in his room which conceals a stash of junk food, it is a reference to "[[The Shawshank Redemption]]", where Andy DuFresne's means of escape is through a hole in the wall covered by a poster of [[Rita Hayworth]].
 
*Homer says "they're melting" in a style reminiscent of The Wicked Witch of the West in [[The Wizard of Oz]].
 
*This episode's storyline is likely a satire of the real-world problem of vending machines in schools. In fact, some states have made it illegal for public schools to sell junk food to its students during school hours.
 
  
==Goofs==
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Back in Springfield, the Simpson family are faced with large bills for Bart's treatment. To pay for the camp, the family convert their house into a youth hostel which attracts [[Germany|German]] tourists, who become boarders. Spangler confronts Bart about his cheating, and takes him home to show him what the family are going through in order to afford his treatment. Bart is horrified to see his parents and Lisa mistreated by the boarders. Spangler suggests that Bart fight his addiction, and Bart takes the suggestion literally, breaking into the school and destroying the vending machines with an axe. He then steals the money from the vending machines, goes home and announces that he's cured, as he's finally seen the true cost of his addiction. When the family see the money Bart took from the machines, Marge (at Homer's pleading) decides they can use the money to pay for the fat camp, even though the money is ill-gotten, and decide to give the Germans "Das Boot". Homer gleefully chases out the boarders ("Time to take out the Euro-trash!").
*How far is Spangler's compound from the Simpson house? Earlier in the episode it takes only an hour's drive; later, as Homer and Tab are out on the highway, Tab wants to stop at a motel overnight.
 
  
==Quotes==
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Tab Spangler says that they still have three weeks of non-refundable treatment left, and [[Homer]] goes with Spangler back to the camp (whether by choice or otherwise is unknown). The episode ends with Homer and Spangler driving in Spangler's car. Spangler suggests that they stop for the night and split a hotel room (even though he had previously told Bart that the drive between Serenity Ranch and Springfield only took an hour); just after that, they get into an argument over the cheeseburger that Homer is eating.
*'''People in the Simpson house: INTERVENTION!!!'''<br />'''Bart:''' What the family?!<br />'''Ned:''' Son, we're all here to help you with...uh, what [[addiction|addic-diddly-iction]] are we going for? <br /> '''Homer:''' Overeating and if there's time, we'll get to my drinking. But there won't be time.
 
*'''Bart:''' I've learned that even made-up corporate shills can lie to you. <br /> '''Homer:''' (holds up a decrepit, dirty plush fox with the Fox Network logo on it) Did you hear that Foxie, the [[Fox Network]] [[fox]]?
 
*'''Tab Spangler:''' This is nothing, Bart. One family had to take in [[dry cleaning]]. The chemicals killed their [[dog]]! At least that's what they said in the [[lawsuit]]. I don't see a dog living past fourteen anyway.
 
*'''Bart:''' What doesn't kill me makes me stronger! (catches his breath) Boy, that was a lot of words.
 
*'''Chalmers:''' It's not my birthday, Seymour. You know I'm a Sagittarius. <br /> '''Skinner:''' Really? I'm a Libra. There's a lot of compatibility there. <br /> '''Chalmers:''' Be gay on your own time, Skinner.
 
*'''Sea Captain:''' Everyone loves a [[gumball]] machine. So why not a [[gumbo|gum-'''''bo''''']] machine?
 
*'''Bart:''' Help! Kidnappers! <br /> '''Marge:''' They're not kidnappers. They're professionally-trained child snatchers...
 
*'''Homer [drunkenly]:''' Lisa! Take a picture of me with all the [[milkshake]]s. There, are we all in? We're all in. Hurry! They're melting!
 
*'''Tab Spangler''' We have something here called Tough Luck [points at sign]<br />'''Marge''' Don't you mean Tough Love?<br /> '''Tab''' Tough Love... I knew that sign never made any sense, the sign guy lied to me!!!
 
*'''Tab Spangler''' [to Bart]: We'll look for your father and, time permitting, look for mine.
 
*'''Bart''' [after chopping through the coin slot on a vending machine]: I'm ending your vending, dog!
 
*'''Homer:''' Time to take out the Euro-Trash!<br>'''German Woman:''' Oh no. Who will put up with our nonsense now?<br>'''German Man:''' To [[Disneyland]], where we will heap the scorn on [[Goofy]].
 
*'''Bart:''' ''(reading a container of [[cottage cheese]] Marge bought him)'' Kot-a-hey cheese?<br />'''Marge:''' ''Cottage'' cheese!<br />'''Bart:''' Yuck! From the looks of it, this cheese has already been eaten.
 
*'''Tab Spangler:''' Mr. Simpson, you're suffering from P.S.I.: "Poor [[Self-esteem|Self-Esteem]]". [does a [[double-take]] and becomes incensed] Esteem doesn't start with "I". Every sign is wrong! [rips sign off dashboard and throws it out the window]
 
*'''Vending machine:''' I'm gonna cap a pop in yo ass!
 
*'''German backpacker:''' Problem with America number 35: No [[universal healthcare]]! Problem number 36: No [[metric system]]! What is this! The time of [[Charlemagne]]? Answer me! Answer me now!
 
*'''Marge:''' So, I've been replaced by a machine? <br /> '''Homer:''' Marge, no machine could replace you...''(has a thought)''...or could it? <br /> ''(a thought-bubble appears in which Homer walks into the house)'' <br /> '''Homer:''' Oh Marge-bot, I'm ready for some [[sexual intercourse|loving]]. <br /> ''(at that moment, Marge-bot, a [[The Terminator|Terminator-esque]] [[robot]], appears with a [[machine gun]] and kills Homer)'' <br /> ''(back to reality)'' <br /> '''Homer:''' Oh, why did I give her a gun? But I repeat, no one is being replaced by a machine...until all the [[Software bug|kinks]] are worked out.
 
*'''Tab Spangler [about Homer's cheeseburger]:''' I just want the cheese, I don't want the meat..I ''do'' want the meat!
 
*'''Tab Spangler:''' I have a story I want to tell you. It's about a boy who came here and quit. Well, actually that is the story. I shouldn't call a sentence a story.
 
*'''Homer:''' Well, who else here needs to lose weight? Maggie? Grampa? My seldom-seen half-brother Herb?
 
*'''Tab Spangler:''' (about Homers Cheeseburger) I have smelt it now so I must eat it!
 
*''(on a racetrack, Spangler has tied Bart, Kent Brockman, Apu and Rainer Wolfcastle to a chariot)'' <br/> '''Tab Spangler:''' You are going to pull me across this racetrack. As we pick up speed, I'm going to whip you and you will tell me why you are here. Go! ''(Spangler's men begin running)'' Sound off! ''(cracks [[whip]] at Kent)'' <br/> '''Kent:''' Kent Brockman, Channel 6 News. I gorge on kettle corn between weather and sports! <br/> '''Tab Spangler:''' Yeah, I can see your gut spilling over to channel 5 and 7. I hope you're getting three paychecks! ''(cracks whip at Bart)'' <br/> '''Bart:''' I'm Bart Simpson and I'm just big boned! <br/> '''Tab Spangler:''' No such thing. ''(cracks whip at Bart again)'' <br/> '''Bart:''' Growth spurt!? <br/> '''Tab Spangler:''' Doesn't exist. ''(cracks whip at Bart again)'' <br/> '''Bart:''' This can't be legal! <br/> '''Tab Spangler:''' It's legal enough.
 
*'''Homer''' [after Bart's heart attack] Um, we're all going to the library. <br /> '''Bart''' Where are you really going? <br /> '''Homer''' Milkshake festival, look you can see it from your window. <br /> [cut to outside] <br />'''Milkshake mascot''' Today only: free milkshakes for 10 year old boys, drink your weight in milkshakes-and get a free milkshake! 
 
*'''Tab Spangler:''' I'm driving. I'll kill us.<br/>'''Homer:''' Fine. I'd rather die. 
 
*'''Homer (entering wearing [[lederhosen]] and a [[Bavarian hat]] and carrying a large [[wurst]] platter):''' Guten abend, mein brave [[Bavaria]]n overlords. The best wurst in town. 
 
*'''Homer:''' Marge, do you think we could... <br/> '''Marge:''' Give these Germans [[Das Boot|das boot]]? Jawohl!
 
  
{{Season 16}}
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== Production ==
 +
This episode was originally set to be the 350th episode (despite being the 352nd to air), but was inexplicably switched with "[[Don't Fear the Roofer]]".
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:GABF11 Script.jpg
 +
</gallery>
  
[[Category: Season 16]]
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== Reception ==
 +
IGN listed Albert Brooks as the top guest star on The Simpsons for voicing Tab Spangler.
 +
 
 +
{{Images|ep=yes}}
 +
{{season 16}}
 +
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heartbroke Kid, The}}
 +
 
 +
[[Category:2005]]
 +
[[Category:Bart episodes]]
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[[Category:Episodes written by Ian Maxtone-Graham]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes directed by Steven Dean Moore]]
 +
 
 +
[[sv:The Heartbroke Kid]]

Latest revision as of 14:07, March 28, 2024

Season 16 Episode
351 "Don't Fear the Roofer"
352
"The Heartbroke Kid"
"A Star Is Torn" 353
"Marge, I know this is ill-gotten, but can we use it to ... ?"
Homer
"To give these Germans 'das boot'? Jawohl!"
Marge
"The Heartbroke Kid"
The Heartbroke Kid promo.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 352
Season number: S16 E17
Production code: GABF11
Original airdate: May 1, 2005
Couch gag: Everyone makes it to the couch except Bart, who walks in a few seconds later and suffers a heart attack.
Guest star(s): Albert Brooks as Tab Spangler and Jacques
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Ian Maxtone-Graham
Directed by: Steven Dean Moore


"The Heartbroke Kid" is the seventeenth episode of season 16. It originally aired on May 1, 2005. The episode was written by Ian Maxtone-Graham and directed by Steven Dean Moore, It guest stars Albert Brooks as Tab Spangler and Jacques.

Synopsis[edit]

"Vending machines appear at Springfield Elementary School, and Bart quickly gets hooked on the junk food they dispense. He gains a large amount of weight and has a heart attack. When Bart can't stay on a healthy diet, he is sent to a maximum-security fat camp to kick his junk food habit. Back at home, the family is faced with large bills for Bart's treatment, and needs extra income in order to pay for it. They convert the house into a youth hostel which brings in the money they need, but also attracts an unfriendly and demanding crowd of German tourists."


Plot[edit]

Springfield Elementary School is seeking proposals for a vending machine contract. Principal Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers consider and reject ideas from Horatio McCallister and Gil Gunderson. Lindsay Naegle presents the next proposal, representing a vending machine chain called Scammer & Z-Dog. When Naegle mentions the fund-raising potential of the machines ("Half the profits go to your school or camp"), Skinner and Chalmers enthusiastically accept her proposal and the school has its vending machines.

The machines talk in hip-hop slang and feature strangely named snacks, some of which contain harmful ingredients such as depleted uranium. Except for Lisa, none of the kids care about the harmful snacks, and they eagerly line up to feed their money into the machines and chow down on the snacks they dispense. The vending machines' biggest customer is Bart, who becomes hooked on the junk food to the point where he won't eat any food that doesn't come from the machines, even rejecting Marge's lovingly prepared tuna steak. In just three weeks, he gains an enormous amount of weight and suffers a heart attack.

Bart sees Dr. Hibbert, who says that junk food—specifically, malted milk balls—has clogged his arteries. Bart, however, doesn't change his eating habits, almost continuously eating the snacks until Marge puts him on a diet. When Bart can't stick to the diet, the family and some friends and neighbors stage an intervention and send Bart to Serenity Ranch, a maximum security fat camp. Also at the camp are Apu, Rainier Wolfcastle (last seen fattening up for a movie role) and Kent Brockman. The camp's counselor is Marine veteran Tab Spangler, who is dealing with many anger issues. Spangler puts the attendees through a wide range of treatment exercises with both physical and psychological components. Bart, however, does not do well, either cheating at the exercises or missing their point.

Back in Springfield, the Simpson family are faced with large bills for Bart's treatment. To pay for the camp, the family convert their house into a youth hostel which attracts German tourists, who become boarders. Spangler confronts Bart about his cheating, and takes him home to show him what the family are going through in order to afford his treatment. Bart is horrified to see his parents and Lisa mistreated by the boarders. Spangler suggests that Bart fight his addiction, and Bart takes the suggestion literally, breaking into the school and destroying the vending machines with an axe. He then steals the money from the vending machines, goes home and announces that he's cured, as he's finally seen the true cost of his addiction. When the family see the money Bart took from the machines, Marge (at Homer's pleading) decides they can use the money to pay for the fat camp, even though the money is ill-gotten, and decide to give the Germans "Das Boot". Homer gleefully chases out the boarders ("Time to take out the Euro-trash!").

Tab Spangler says that they still have three weeks of non-refundable treatment left, and Homer goes with Spangler back to the camp (whether by choice or otherwise is unknown). The episode ends with Homer and Spangler driving in Spangler's car. Spangler suggests that they stop for the night and split a hotel room (even though he had previously told Bart that the drive between Serenity Ranch and Springfield only took an hour); just after that, they get into an argument over the cheeseburger that Homer is eating.

Production[edit]

This episode was originally set to be the 350th episode (despite being the 352nd to air), but was inexplicably switched with "Don't Fear the Roofer".

Reception[edit]

IGN listed Albert Brooks as the top guest star on The Simpsons for voicing Tab Spangler.


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "The Heartbroke Kid".
Season 16 Episodes
Treehouse of Horror XV All's Fair in Oven War Sleeping with the Enemy She Used to Be My Girl Fat Man and Little Boy Midnight Rx Mommie Beerest Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass Pranksta Rap There's Something About Marrying On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister Goo Goo Gai Pan Mobile Homer The Seven-Beer Snitch Future-Drama Don't Fear the Roofer The Heartbroke Kid A Star Is Torn Thank God It's Doomsday Home Away from Homer The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star