Papa Don't Leech
Encyclopedia
"Papa Don't Leech" is the sixteenth episode of The Simpsons
' nineteenth season
. It was first broadcast on April 13, 2008. It features the return of Lurleen Lumpkin (Beverly D'Angelo
) from the third season
episode "Colonel Homer
", after an absence of sixteen years (though she appeared in a few quick cameos on such episodes as "Marge vs. the Monorail
" and "Team Homer
"). The Dixie Chicks
also appear as themselves. It was written by Reid Harrison
and directed by Chris Clements.
tries to sell Girl Scout cookie
s to Mayor Quimby
, but finds the entire town treasury empty. Quimby explains the city spent their money on a new slogan, "Springfield: Good." A town meeting is held to inform the town they have to raise money. They try faking a natural disaster in order to get relief money from FEMA
, but the officials turn out to be fakes. They are tricked and end up in more debt than before. Lisa then reveals Springfield
has millions in uncollected taxes, and Springfield soon starts hitting up its most notorious tax evaders (save Mr. Burns and Mayor Quimby). In a news report, Kent Brockman
reveals that all tax evaders have been caught, and the only one remaining is Lurleen Lumpkin, a country music star who was once managed by Homer
and fell in love with him. As the city searches for her, Homer finds Lurleen hiding in his car, and learns that after leaving her, her career had gone into a downward spiral, even though he had advised her not to go into one of those.
Homer comforts the nerve-wracked Lurleen, who says she has no money. Homer agrees to take her home, but Marge
remembers how Lurleen caused a huge rift in her marriage, and demands that she gets out. Angrily driving her away, she discovers that Lurleen lives with the homeless. Marge begins to pity her. Marge 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. Judge Snyder decides to go easy on her, with one exception: Lurleen must find an immediate way to pay off her debt to society. When the trial finishes, she explains how she cannot pay off her taxes because all her money went to her ex-husbands (who all resemble Homer).
Lurleen becomes depressed, and the whole family soon hears Lurleen singing through the vent about her father. Marge realizes that after 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 finds him. Royce Lumpkin left Lurleen because he realized he could never be a great father. He is now deadbeat. Lurleen forgives him for leaving her, however, and she writes a new song to celebrate their reunion. The two appear to have a newfound happiness, and spend a lot of time together. But Royce eventually decides to leave Lurleen again. Lurleen is now more depressed than ever. Soon, a new song from the Dixie Chicks plays on TV. Lurleen's father is in the music video, and one of the Dixie Chicks claims that he wrote the song, which is a clear plagiarism
of the song Lurleen wrote for their reunion. She goes to the basement to sulk. Homer, in his Colonel Homer
attire and "Major Marge" come to her, and tell her to take control of her destiny. Lurleen tells the Dixie Chicks that her father stole her song and they proceed to hit him with their instruments (He tried to avoid the beating by pointing out that he was the most honorable music producer they had met. But despite agreeing with him, they refused to forgive him). Lurleen becomes the new opening act for the Dixie Chicks. She has a new husband (who also has a resemblance to Homer), and Marge and Lurleen embrace. Out of earshot, Marge then tells Lurleen that if she ever comes near Homer again, she will strangle her with her own hair extensions.
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. 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 IGN, "very un-Homer-like" by TV Squad, and "going too far" by FireFox.org.
The episode is currently the sixth lowest watched episode in the history of The Simpsons. It had a 3.2 Nielsen rating and a 9% audience share in its time slot.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
The Simpsons (season 19)
The Simpsons nineteenth season originally aired on the Fox network between September 23, 2007 and May 18, 2008.-Production:The nineteenth season of The Simpsons is the first one produced after the movie and contained seven hold-over episodes from season 18's JABF production line...
. It was first broadcast on April 13, 2008. It features the return of Lurleen Lumpkin (Beverly D'Angelo
Beverly D'Angelo
Beverly Heather D'Angelo is an American actress and singer.-Early life:D'Angelo was born in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Priscilla , a violinist, and Gene D'Angelo, a bass player and television station manager. She is of part Italian ancestry...
) from the third season
The Simpsons (season 3)
The Simpsons third season originally aired on the Fox network between September 19, 1991 and May 7, 1992. The show runners for the third production season were Al Jean and Mike Reiss who executive produced 22 episodes the season, while two other episodes were produced by James L. Brooks, Matt...
episode "Colonel Homer
Colonel Homer
"Colonel Homer" is the twentieth episode of The Simpsons third season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 26, 1992. In the episode, Homer embarrasses his wife Marge at a movie theater, leading to a big argument between the two...
", after an absence of sixteen years (though she appeared in a few quick cameos on such episodes as "Marge vs. the Monorail
Marge vs. the Monorail
"Marge vs. the Monorail" is the twelfth episode of The Simpsonss fourth season and originally aired on January 14, 1993. The plot focuses around Springfield's purchase of a monorail from a conman, and Marge's dislike of the purchase. It was written by Conan O'Brien and directed by Rich Moore...
" and "Team Homer
Team Homer
"Team Homer" is the twelfth episode of The Simpsons seventh season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 7, 1996. In the episode, Homer starts a bowling team with Moe, Apu, and Otto. When Mr. Burns discovers the team was funded with his money, he insists on joining...
"). The Dixie Chicks
Dixie Chicks
The Dixie Chicks are an American country band which has also successfully crossed over into other genres. The band is composed of founding members Martie Erwin Maguire and Emily Erwin Robison, and lead singer Natalie Maines...
also appear as themselves. It was written by Reid Harrison
Reid Harrison
Reid Harrison is an American screenwriter and television producer. He has written for television shows such as The PJs, "George & Leo", "Men Behaving Badly", "Brother's Keeper", "Gary & Mike", George of the Jungle, Pinky and the Brain, Duckman, Drawn Together, The Mullets, 3 South, and Tak and the...
and directed by Chris Clements.
Plot
LisaLisa Simpson
Lisa Marie Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons. She is the middle child of the Simpson family. Voiced by Yeardley Smith, Lisa first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987. Cartoonist Matt Groening...
tries to sell Girl Scout cookie
Girl Scout cookie
Girl Scout cookies are cookies sold by Girl Scouts of the USA as one of its major fundraisers for local Scout units. Members of the GSUSA have been selling cookies since 1917 to raise funds. Girls who participate can earn prizes for their efforts. There are also unit incentives if the unit as a...
s to Mayor Quimby
Joe Quimby
Mayor Joseph "Joe" Quimby, nicknamed "Diamond Joe," is a recurring character from the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta, and first appeared in the episode "Bart Gets an F". A member of the Democratic Party, Quimby is the mayor of Springfield, and is a...
, but finds the entire town treasury empty. Quimby explains the city spent their money on a new slogan, "Springfield: Good." A town meeting is held to inform the town they have to raise money. They try faking a natural disaster in order to get relief money from FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
, but the officials turn out to be fakes. They are tricked and end up in more debt than before. Lisa then reveals Springfield
Springfield (The Simpsons)
Springfield is the fictional town in which the American animated sitcom The Simpsons is set. A mid-sized town in an undetermined state of the United States, Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. The geography of the town and its...
has millions in uncollected taxes, and Springfield soon starts hitting up its most notorious tax evaders (save Mr. Burns and Mayor Quimby). In a news report, Kent Brockman
Kent Brockman
Kent Brockman is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Harry Shearer and first appeared in the episode "Krusty Gets Busted"...
reveals that all tax evaders have been caught, and the only one remaining is Lurleen Lumpkin, a country music star who was once managed by Homer
Homer Simpson
Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
and fell in love with him. As the city searches for her, Homer finds Lurleen hiding in his car, and learns that after leaving her, her career had gone into a downward spiral, even though he had advised her not to go into one of those.
Homer comforts the nerve-wracked Lurleen, who says she has no money. Homer agrees to take her home, but Marge
Marge Simpson
Marjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
remembers how Lurleen caused a huge rift in her marriage, and demands that she gets out. Angrily driving her away, she discovers that Lurleen lives with the homeless. Marge begins to pity her. Marge 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. Judge Snyder decides to go easy on her, with one exception: Lurleen must find an immediate way to pay off her debt to society. When the trial finishes, she explains how she cannot pay off her taxes because all her money went to her ex-husbands (who all resemble Homer).
Lurleen becomes depressed, and the whole family soon hears Lurleen singing through the vent about her father. Marge realizes that after 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 finds him. Royce Lumpkin left Lurleen because he realized he could never be a great father. He is now deadbeat. Lurleen forgives him for leaving her, however, and she writes a new song to celebrate their reunion. The two appear to have a newfound happiness, and spend a lot of time together. But Royce eventually decides to leave Lurleen again. Lurleen is now more depressed than ever. Soon, a new song from the Dixie Chicks plays on TV. Lurleen's father is in the music video, and one of the Dixie Chicks claims that he wrote the song, which is a clear plagiarism
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined in dictionaries as the "wrongful appropriation," "close imitation," or "purloining and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as one's own original work, but the notion remains problematic with nebulous...
of the song Lurleen wrote for their reunion. She goes to the basement to sulk. Homer, in his Colonel Homer
Colonel Homer
"Colonel Homer" is the twentieth episode of The Simpsons third season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 26, 1992. In the episode, Homer embarrasses his wife Marge at a movie theater, leading to a big argument between the two...
attire and "Major Marge" come to her, and tell her to take control of her destiny. Lurleen tells the Dixie Chicks that her father stole her song and they proceed to hit him with their instruments (He tried to avoid the beating by pointing out that he was the most honorable music producer they had met. But despite agreeing with him, they refused to forgive him). Lurleen becomes the new opening act for the Dixie Chicks. She has a new husband (who also has a resemblance to Homer), and Marge and Lurleen embrace. Out of earshot, Marge then tells Lurleen that if she ever comes near Homer again, she will strangle her with her own hair extensions.
Cultural references
- The episode's title is a take-off of singer MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's song, "Papa Don't PreachPapa Don't Preach"Papa Don't Preach" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. The song was written by Brian Elliot with additional lyrics by Madonna, and produced by Stephen Bray and Madonna for her third studio album True Blue, released in June 1986...
". - Lurleen is shown singing the song, "bunk with me tonight" (from "Colonel HomerColonel Homer"Colonel Homer" is the twentieth episode of The Simpsons third season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 26, 1992. In the episode, Homer embarrasses his wife Marge at a movie theater, leading to a big argument between the two...
") with KermitKermit the FrogKermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
; another MuppetThe MuppetsThe Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson starting in 1954–55. Although the term is often used to refer to any puppet that resembles the distinctive style of The Muppet Show, the term is both an informal name and legal trademark owned by the Walt Disney Company in reference...
, Miss PiggyMiss PiggyMiss Piggy is a Muppet character who was primarily played by Frank Oz on The Muppet Show. In 2001, Eric Jacobson began performing the role, although Oz did not officially retire until 2002....
appears and drop-kicks him. - The opening scene where Homer suffocates his father parodies The SopranosThe SopranosThe Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
episode "Kennedy and HeidiKennedy and Heidi"Kennedy and Heidi" is the eighteenth episode of the two-part sixth season—the sixth episode of the second part—of the HBO television drama series The Sopranos and the show's eighty-third overall episode. It was written by Matthew Weiner and series creator and showrunner David Chase,...
", in which Tony suffocates Christopher in a similar manner. - BartBart SimpsonBartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by actress Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
is seen playing with Mr. Potato HeadMr. Potato HeadMr. Potato Head! is an American toy consisting of a plastic model of a potato which can be decorated with a variety of plastic parts that can attach to the main body. These parts usually include ears, eyes, shoes, a hat, a nose, and a mouth. The toy was invented and developed by George Lerner in...
. - Marge's bodywash is Estée LauderEstée Lauder CompaniesEstée Lauder Companies, Inc. is a manufacturer and marketer of prestige skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The company has its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.-History:...
. - When Lisa said "double eww," it's similar to Jackie's catch phrase, "Eww, eww, and double eww."CyberchaseCyberchase is an American educational television series for children age 6-12, that teaches children discrete mathematics. The show airs on Public Broadcasting Service and PBS Kids GO! in the United States. Seasons one through five were produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and Nelvana...
- In the final scene, Marge silently threatens Lurleen that if she ever comes near Homer again she'll strangle her with her own hair extensions. This parodies a scene in the HBO series RomeRomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, in which Atia of the JuliiAtia of the JuliiAtia of the Julii is a fictional character from the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series Rome, played by Polly Walker. The niece of Julius Caesar and mother of Octavian/Augustus and Octavia, she is depicted as a cheerfully amoral and opportunistic manipulator...
, a Roman aristocrat, whispers death threats to Queen Cleopatra after an awkward social dinner. - When everyone is singing the "Daddy's back" song Lisa is reading Harry PotterHarry PotterHarry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
.
Reception
The episode was panned by critics. Richard Keller of TV Squad expressed dislike for the episode stating that he hopes the show will reconsider the next time they decide to give a solo opportunity to a supporting character many people don't remember.Robert Canning of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
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. The opening sequence where Homer murders Grampa
Patricide
Patricide is the act of killing one's father, or a person who kills his or her father. The word patricide derives from the Latin word pater and the Latin suffix -cida...
in a dream was criticized, being called "the least funny thing I've ever seen on the show" by IGN, "very un-Homer-like" by TV Squad, and "going too far" by FireFox.org.
The episode is currently the sixth lowest watched episode in the history of The Simpsons. It had a 3.2 Nielsen rating and a 9% audience share in its time slot.
External Links
- Papa Don't Leech at Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...