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Send In the Clowns

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
For the song first printed in "Krusty Gets Kancelled", see Send In the Clowns (song).
Send In the Clowns
Send in the Clowns comic.png
Comic Story information
Released: September 1996
Comic series: Simpsons Comics
Pages: 22
Written by: Mary Trainor


Send In the Clowns is a Simpsons Comics story first printed in Simpsons Comics #24.

Synopsis[edit]

"A media circus hits Springfield when Campaign USA arrives in town. However, Lisa's hopes of seeing a political debate are dashed when she realizes that every politician is unlikable."


Plot[edit]

Homer is out watering the front garden and Marge tells him that she wishes he wouldn't hose down every living thin in the yard. She then tells Homer that she registered to vote and that he should do so too. Homer complains about this, saying that all politicians are morons. Bart, Lisa, and Maude then come out of their houses to tell Homer and Ned to watch the news. Kent Brockman reports that a potentially devastating mass of hot air was approaching Springfield from the southeast. The people of Springfield then get ready to barricade themselves in their homes until this passes. Eventually, the hot air arrives in town and turns out to actually be a media circus from Campaign USA where presidential candidates arrive in town to try and get votes.

Waylon Smithers tries to sign up to help at the GOP mobile headquarters, but is turned away. Lisa also arrives, hoping to get to see a potential president in person, but is told that members of the public aren't allowed to be in the area. She then decides to spy on Joe "Duke" Cannon so she can see him in person. However, Lisa is grabbed by a security guard who identifies her as a potential terrorist. News reporter Sam Reason helps defuse the situation and tells Lisa again that the general public aren't allowed to interact directly with the politicians and that the media will decide on who they vote for. Lisa then gets home where the family are still hiding away.

At Moe's Tavern, Insiders' Clubhouse is being filmed, hosted by Ed Anderson. Anderson's panel includes Jack White, Dan Smith, and Harry P. Armstrong and they discuss whether the political process is out of touch with the average America. The panel all decides that it's not and that the media picking the winners for them makes it exciting. The next day, Marge and Lisa go to the Kwik-E-Mart where senator John "John-John" Johnson also shows up. Lisa is excited as Johnson is her personal pick for president, but Johnson reveals that he is out of touch with the middle class and just wants women sent up to his room. When Johnson sees Marge in the Kwik-E-Mart, he mistakes her for one of the women he gets. When it's revealed that Marge is just a member of the public, he calls Marge a waste of his time and storms out. Later, L. Ron Percent, an independent candidate, is on the news talking about pie charts. Marge and Lisa then get home and Lisa complains about Campaign USA, saying that it's like a circus that the townspeople aren't allowed to see. Homer dismisses Lisa and says that the general public don't want to see this circus. The news then reports that Campaign USA has left town and that regular programming will commence. Everything then goes back to normal and Homer goes back to watering the yard. Ned asks Marge if she has decided who to vote for and Marge says that she hasn't, but she will vote as someone has to keep democracy alive, and it won't be the politicians.

Reprints[edit]

Comic issue Release date Country
Simpsons Comics on Parade May 19, 1998 Flag of the United States.png
Bart Simpson #23 December 31, 1998 800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png
The Best of The Simpsons #12 June 24, 2004 800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png
Simpsons Classics #13 Summer 2007 Flag of the United States.png
Simpsons Comics #74 May 30, 2024 800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to Send In the Clowns.