1 00:00:01,084 --> 00:00:02,252 (theme music playing) 2 00:00:02,919 --> 00:00:06,464 CHORUS: ♪ The Simpsons ♪ 3 00:00:17,058 --> 00:00:18,935 (bell ringing) 4 00:00:24,065 --> 00:00:25,025 (whistle blows) 5 00:00:30,363 --> 00:00:31,239 (beeping) 6 00:00:35,285 --> 00:00:37,787 (playing the blues) 7 00:00:37,871 --> 00:00:39,372 (jazzy solo) 8 00:00:47,505 --> 00:00:48,465 (chimes) 9 00:00:53,011 --> 00:00:53,928 (tires screeching) 10 00:00:58,850 --> 00:00:59,768 (honking horn) 11 00:01:04,272 --> 00:01:05,523 D'oh! 12 00:01:05,607 --> 00:01:06,608 (screams) 13 00:01:06,691 --> 00:01:07,734 (tires screeching) 14 00:01:09,903 --> 00:01:11,821 (rattling) 15 00:01:22,749 --> 00:01:26,211 CHORUS: ♪ The Simpsons ♪ 16 00:01:26,294 --> 00:01:29,130 {\an8}NARRATOR: They were the first family of American laughter... 17 00:01:37,222 --> 00:01:39,307 {\an8}surfing a tidal wave of hilarity... 18 00:01:39,390 --> 00:01:41,684 {\an8}-MAN: Look at her vacuum. -(laughing) 19 00:01:41,768 --> 00:01:44,312 {\an8}...onto the sands of Superstar Bay. 20 00:01:44,395 --> 00:01:46,064 {\an8}(dramatic cue) 21 00:01:46,147 --> 00:01:47,232 {\an8}But behind the chortles, 22 00:01:47,315 --> 00:01:49,067 {\an8}this funny fivesome was trapped 23 00:01:49,150 --> 00:01:50,235 {\an8}in a private hell. 24 00:01:52,779 --> 00:01:54,656 {\an8}Everybody wanted a piece of us. 25 00:01:54,739 --> 00:01:57,742 {\an8}They told us what to wear, how to dress, 26 00:01:57,826 --> 00:01:59,452 {\an8}which clothes we should put on. 27 00:01:59,536 --> 00:02:01,663 {\an8}The cops found me driving on the sidewalk. 28 00:02:01,746 --> 00:02:03,915 {\an8}I had no business hosting the Oscars. 29 00:02:03,998 --> 00:02:06,459 {\an8}After the show, Meryl Streep spit on me. 30 00:02:14,884 --> 00:02:18,388 NARRATOR: Tonight, the Simpsons as you've never seen them before 31 00:02:18,471 --> 00:02:19,848 on Behind The Laughter. 32 00:02:35,488 --> 00:02:37,740 {\an8}NARRATOR: The Simpsons' amazing journey began here 33 00:02:37,824 --> 00:02:40,618 {\an8}in the bustling heartland town of Springfield. 34 00:02:41,202 --> 00:02:43,454 {\an8}On this unassuming street, two nobodies 35 00:02:43,538 --> 00:02:46,791 {\an8}named Homer and Marge Simpson settled down to raise a family. 36 00:02:47,292 --> 00:02:48,877 First came baby Bart... 37 00:02:50,253 --> 00:02:52,005 then Lisa Simpson... 38 00:02:52,088 --> 00:02:53,089 (babbling) 39 00:02:53,173 --> 00:02:54,299 (chuckles, yells) 40 00:02:55,175 --> 00:02:56,217 (Marge grunting) 41 00:02:56,885 --> 00:02:58,178 And finally, Maggie. 42 00:02:58,636 --> 00:03:00,763 {\an8}(gasps) Eh! 43 00:03:01,806 --> 00:03:05,310 {\an8}Nobody told us how tough it is to raise kids. 44 00:03:05,393 --> 00:03:07,478 {\an8}They almost drove me to fortified wine. 45 00:03:07,562 --> 00:03:10,565 {\an8}Then we figured out we could park them in front of the TV. 46 00:03:10,648 --> 00:03:13,234 {\an8}That's how I was raised, and I turned out TV. 47 00:03:14,194 --> 00:03:17,113 {\an8}I'd see them sitting on that couch all day long, 48 00:03:17,197 --> 00:03:19,282 just staring at that Hollywood Hogwash. 49 00:03:19,365 --> 00:03:22,118 Our favorite show was Hollywood Hogwash. 50 00:03:22,202 --> 00:03:24,579 But we also loved The Dreck Squad. 51 00:03:24,662 --> 00:03:27,123 The Malarkeys, Dumbin' it Down. 52 00:03:27,207 --> 00:03:28,499 Sheriff Lowbrow. 53 00:03:28,583 --> 00:03:30,126 Home Improvement. 54 00:03:30,210 --> 00:03:33,755 But we never saw people like us on TV. 55 00:03:33,838 --> 00:03:36,799 TV families were always hugging and tackling issues. 56 00:03:36,883 --> 00:03:40,595 Homer kept saying he could do a more realistic family show. 57 00:03:40,678 --> 00:03:42,764 Finally, I said, "So, do it." 58 00:03:42,847 --> 00:03:45,058 Either (bleep) or get off the pot. 59 00:03:45,516 --> 00:03:46,893 NARRATOR: And (bleep) he did. 60 00:03:47,685 --> 00:03:49,312 Using his home as the studio 61 00:03:49,395 --> 00:03:50,855 {\an8}and his family as the cast, 62 00:03:50,939 --> 00:03:52,440 {\an8}this penniless peckinpah 63 00:03:52,523 --> 00:03:54,400 {\an8}shot a crude five-minute video. 64 00:03:54,484 --> 00:03:56,444 {\an8}My Funny Family, take one. 65 00:03:57,737 --> 00:03:59,239 {\an8}And... action! 66 00:03:59,322 --> 00:04:00,365 {\an8}Honey, I'm home. 67 00:04:00,782 --> 00:04:01,908 The boss is coming to dinner 68 00:04:01,991 --> 00:04:03,201 and I need a clean shirt. 69 00:04:03,534 --> 00:04:05,119 I haven't done the laundry yet. 70 00:04:05,495 --> 00:04:08,164 Mama Mia! Now I'll have to do it. 71 00:04:08,248 --> 00:04:10,708 (humming) 72 00:04:12,335 --> 00:04:13,711 Dad, that's too much detergent-- 73 00:04:13,795 --> 00:04:14,712 Not now. 74 00:04:14,796 --> 00:04:15,755 I'm busy turning on 75 00:04:15,838 --> 00:04:16,965 this washing machine. 76 00:04:23,137 --> 00:04:24,514 {\an8}(deep voice) Simpson! 77 00:04:24,597 --> 00:04:26,474 Where's my dinner? 78 00:04:26,557 --> 00:04:27,850 Mama Mia! 79 00:04:27,934 --> 00:04:29,310 It was amazing how fast 80 00:04:29,394 --> 00:04:30,436 Dad betrayed his vision 81 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:31,896 of a realistic show. 82 00:04:31,980 --> 00:04:34,565 OK, the material was a little corny 83 00:04:34,649 --> 00:04:37,568 but Homer and I had real chemistry onscreen. 84 00:04:38,027 --> 00:04:40,488 Every day, I thought about firing Marge-- 85 00:04:40,571 --> 00:04:42,156 You know, just to shake things up. 86 00:04:43,241 --> 00:04:44,784 NARRATOR: Homer didn't fire Marge, 87 00:04:44,867 --> 00:04:46,286 but he did shake things up... 88 00:04:47,287 --> 00:04:48,788 show business things. 89 00:04:48,871 --> 00:04:49,789 D'oh! 90 00:04:49,872 --> 00:04:50,915 (horn honks) 91 00:04:53,001 --> 00:04:55,753 {\an8}NARRATOR: He tried to show his demo tape to the major networks... 92 00:04:58,256 --> 00:04:59,966 But couldn't get past the guards. 93 00:05:00,049 --> 00:05:01,092 (clang) 94 00:05:01,509 --> 00:05:02,427 (clang) 95 00:05:02,844 --> 00:05:04,762 (clang, clang, clang) 96 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,474 Fortunately, I had a network connection. 97 00:05:08,558 --> 00:05:11,894 The man who cut my hair was also President of Fox. 98 00:05:11,978 --> 00:05:13,688 (studio fanfare) 99 00:05:15,648 --> 00:05:17,859 NARRATOR: The Simpsons had their foot in the door. 100 00:05:18,735 --> 00:05:20,695 Fox ordered 13 episodes. 101 00:05:20,778 --> 00:05:22,238 But would the public respond? 102 00:05:22,572 --> 00:05:24,574 {\an8}HOMER: M, E, R. 103 00:05:24,657 --> 00:05:26,951 -OK. -RUPERT: R, U, P... 104 00:05:27,035 --> 00:05:29,203 -HOMER: You're almost there. Good! -...E, R, T. 105 00:05:29,287 --> 00:05:30,955 -("Twist and Shout" plays) -(screaming) 106 00:05:31,039 --> 00:05:32,790 ♪ Shake it up, baby ♪ 107 00:05:32,874 --> 00:05:36,085 -♪ Twist and shout ♪ -♪ Twist and shout ♪ 108 00:05:36,169 --> 00:05:38,254 (laughing) 109 00:05:38,338 --> 00:05:39,422 (gurgling) 110 00:05:39,505 --> 00:05:41,382 I first knew the show was a hit when I walked 111 00:05:41,466 --> 00:05:42,675 into school and a kid was wearing 112 00:05:42,759 --> 00:05:43,968 a Bart Simpson t-shirt. 113 00:05:44,677 --> 00:05:47,638 Fox had an endless supply of clever slogans, man. 114 00:05:48,431 --> 00:05:51,309 Suddenly, I was invited to every birthday party. 115 00:05:51,392 --> 00:05:53,144 Sometimes, I'd have to read the cake 116 00:05:53,227 --> 00:05:55,188 just to know who I was singing to. 117 00:05:55,813 --> 00:05:57,648 NARRATOR: The Simpsons was a smash. 118 00:05:57,732 --> 00:06:00,193 Viewers couldn't get enough of the show's fractured take 119 00:06:00,276 --> 00:06:01,486 on the modern family. 120 00:06:01,569 --> 00:06:04,364 The funniest stuff came right out of real life. 121 00:06:04,447 --> 00:06:07,992 {\an8}Son, let's go out for frosty chocolate milkshakes. 122 00:06:08,076 --> 00:06:09,702 {\an8}Cowabunga, dude. 123 00:06:09,786 --> 00:06:11,037 {\an8}And... Cut. 124 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:13,956 Dad, I've never said "cowabunga" in my life. 125 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:15,249 Your script sucks. 126 00:06:15,333 --> 00:06:16,334 Why, you little... 127 00:06:16,834 --> 00:06:18,753 (gagging) 128 00:06:18,836 --> 00:06:19,712 Hey, that's funny. 129 00:06:19,796 --> 00:06:21,047 (crew laughing) 130 00:06:21,631 --> 00:06:23,174 -(sputtering) -(Choking) 131 00:06:23,257 --> 00:06:24,759 (laughing continues) 132 00:06:24,842 --> 00:06:27,720 And that horrible act of child abuse 133 00:06:27,804 --> 00:06:30,890 became one of our most beloved running gags. 134 00:06:30,973 --> 00:06:33,643 NARRATOR: With Simpson merchandise selling like crazy 135 00:06:33,726 --> 00:06:36,646 and Simpson Gin wetting whistles worldwide, 136 00:06:36,729 --> 00:06:38,147 the money was pouring in. 137 00:06:38,940 --> 00:06:41,901 (laughing) 138 00:06:41,984 --> 00:06:43,152 (both growling) 139 00:06:45,113 --> 00:06:48,032 We were using $50 bills as toilet paper 140 00:06:48,116 --> 00:06:50,660 and toilet paper as dog toilet paper. 141 00:06:51,786 --> 00:06:53,788 (laughing) 142 00:06:57,333 --> 00:06:58,459 NARRATOR: Convinced that the good times 143 00:06:58,543 --> 00:06:59,669 would never stop rolling, 144 00:06:59,752 --> 00:07:00,711 the Simpsons moved out 145 00:07:00,795 --> 00:07:02,004 of their trademark house 146 00:07:02,088 --> 00:07:03,381 and into M.C. Hammer's. 147 00:07:04,298 --> 00:07:05,383 (thud) 148 00:07:05,466 --> 00:07:08,094 (grunting) 149 00:07:08,177 --> 00:07:10,179 We found a secret room that was filled to the ceiling 150 00:07:10,263 --> 00:07:11,681 with parachute pants. 151 00:07:11,764 --> 00:07:12,682 I'm wearing some now. 152 00:07:13,099 --> 00:07:15,351 (humming) 153 00:07:18,271 --> 00:07:21,899 NARRATOR: But pants or no pants, the Simpsons were flying high. 154 00:07:22,275 --> 00:07:24,694 {\an8}Yeah, I've seen all the overnight sensations-- 155 00:07:25,027 --> 00:07:28,322 {\an8}Brad Hall, Rich Hall, Rich Little, Little Richard-- 156 00:07:28,656 --> 00:07:30,741 {\an8}But the Simpsons blew them all away. 157 00:07:31,325 --> 00:07:32,660 {\an8}They even had a hit record. 158 00:07:33,161 --> 00:07:36,497 {\an8}Meanwhile, "Krustophenia" sits on the shelf. 159 00:07:36,581 --> 00:07:38,291 None of us had ever sung before 160 00:07:38,374 --> 00:07:40,084 but Mr. Geffen believed in us. 161 00:07:40,626 --> 00:07:42,503 ♪ We're gonna groove tonight ♪ 162 00:07:42,587 --> 00:07:44,505 ♪ We'll make you feel all right ♪ 163 00:07:44,589 --> 00:07:46,090 ♪ Simpsons Boogie ♪ 164 00:07:47,175 --> 00:07:48,593 NARRATOR: "Simpsons Boogie," 165 00:07:48,676 --> 00:07:50,094 "Lovely to love your lovin'," 166 00:07:50,428 --> 00:07:53,014 and "Simpsons Christmas Boogie" went mega-platinum 167 00:07:53,097 --> 00:07:54,390 and swept the Grammys. 168 00:07:54,474 --> 00:07:55,516 Right, 169 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:56,726 {\an8}and the award for 170 00:07:56,809 --> 00:07:59,353 {\an8}"Best Hardcore Thrash Metal" goes to... 171 00:08:00,605 --> 00:08:02,523 {\an8}"Simpsons Christmas Boogie"? 172 00:08:02,899 --> 00:08:04,484 ♪ Simpsons Christmas Boogie ♪ 173 00:08:04,567 --> 00:08:06,319 (growls) 174 00:08:06,986 --> 00:08:08,821 NARRATOR: For America's favorite family, 175 00:08:08,905 --> 00:08:10,865 everything was coming up roses 176 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,785 but those roses contained ready-to-sting bees. 177 00:08:16,245 --> 00:08:17,330 When we come back... 178 00:08:17,413 --> 00:08:19,123 I want to set the record straight. 179 00:08:19,582 --> 00:08:23,419 I thought the cop was a prostitute. 180 00:08:25,338 --> 00:08:27,507 NARRATOR: When Behind The Laughter continues. 181 00:08:27,590 --> 00:08:28,633 (rock music) 182 00:08:32,220 --> 00:08:33,221 {\an8}(rock music) 183 00:08:36,224 --> 00:08:37,558 NARRATOR: By the end of their first season, 184 00:08:37,642 --> 00:08:38,893 the Simpsons were burning up 185 00:08:38,976 --> 00:08:41,020 Nielsen Boxes in the U.S. 186 00:08:41,103 --> 00:08:43,105 and creating a sensation overseas. 187 00:08:43,189 --> 00:08:44,690 HOMER: Hello, Mr. Lobster. 188 00:08:44,774 --> 00:08:45,691 D'oh! 189 00:08:46,609 --> 00:08:48,611 (goofy, British-accented laughter) 190 00:08:48,694 --> 00:08:50,154 Oh, dear... 191 00:08:51,197 --> 00:08:52,365 Bathtubs of money, 192 00:08:52,448 --> 00:08:54,200 wheelbarrows of awards, 193 00:08:54,283 --> 00:08:56,202 fire hoses of respect-- 194 00:08:56,285 --> 00:08:57,870 The Simpsons had it all. 195 00:08:57,954 --> 00:09:02,250 (whooping and cheering) 196 00:09:02,333 --> 00:09:05,127 (bored, halfhearted quasi-cheers) 197 00:09:05,211 --> 00:09:06,337 (groans) 198 00:09:06,420 --> 00:09:08,422 But behind the streamers and confetti, 199 00:09:08,506 --> 00:09:10,258 storm clouds were gathering. 200 00:09:10,967 --> 00:09:12,301 (thunder crashing) 201 00:09:12,385 --> 00:09:14,220 Figurative storm clouds. 202 00:09:14,303 --> 00:09:17,932 {\an8}Oh, Homer was spending money like a teenage Arab, heh. 203 00:09:18,349 --> 00:09:21,227 He bought me a Rolex and Cashmere jeans. 204 00:09:21,310 --> 00:09:22,436 I felt kind of guilty 205 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:23,354 'cause I was always trying 206 00:09:23,437 --> 00:09:24,814 to score with his wife. 207 00:09:25,523 --> 00:09:26,649 So, when do we start filming? 208 00:09:27,733 --> 00:09:28,985 Oh. 209 00:09:29,068 --> 00:09:31,028 {\an8}Even Bart was throwing dough around. 210 00:09:31,112 --> 00:09:32,863 {\an8}He paid me and Carl a 1000 bucks 211 00:09:32,947 --> 00:09:34,031 {\an8}to kiss each other. 212 00:09:34,657 --> 00:09:35,992 Hey, did we ever get that money? 213 00:09:39,078 --> 00:09:41,872 NARRATOR: But reckless spending and interracial homoeroticism 214 00:09:41,956 --> 00:09:43,416 were just volume one 215 00:09:43,749 --> 00:09:45,960 of The Encyclopedia Self-Destructica. 216 00:09:49,839 --> 00:09:51,549 Even more harrowing were the events 217 00:09:51,632 --> 00:09:53,175 of one April afternoon. 218 00:09:54,802 --> 00:09:56,721 (spring squeaking) 219 00:09:56,804 --> 00:09:59,515 The script originally called for me to jump the gorge, 220 00:09:59,599 --> 00:10:01,684 but I'd been up all night paying people to kiss, 221 00:10:01,767 --> 00:10:03,519 so Dad volunteered to do the stunt. 222 00:10:04,020 --> 00:10:05,730 Everything was going great at first. 223 00:10:05,813 --> 00:10:08,524 I felt like I was king of the world. 224 00:10:08,608 --> 00:10:11,193 I'm king of the world! Whoo-hoo! Whoo-hoo! 225 00:10:11,277 --> 00:10:13,279 Right about here I realize something's wrong. 226 00:10:13,362 --> 00:10:14,196 -(screaming) 227 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:15,364 Yup, there I go. 228 00:10:16,115 --> 00:10:17,199 Then came the rocks... 229 00:10:17,658 --> 00:10:18,784 Jagged rocks... 230 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:21,287 -Hitting me with their jags. -(groaning) 231 00:10:21,370 --> 00:10:24,081 NARRATOR: The sequence became an instant comedy classic 232 00:10:24,498 --> 00:10:25,916 {\an8}but what the audience didn't see 233 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,627 {\an8}was the unfunny aftermath. 234 00:10:27,710 --> 00:10:30,755 (agonized screaming) 235 00:10:34,008 --> 00:10:35,009 Mmm. 236 00:10:35,092 --> 00:10:36,218 NARRATOR: Somehow, Homer became 237 00:10:36,302 --> 00:10:37,720 addicted to painkillers. 238 00:10:38,054 --> 00:10:39,597 It was the only way he could perform 239 00:10:39,680 --> 00:10:41,223 -the bone-cracking physical comedy... -Ow! My leg! 240 00:10:41,307 --> 00:10:42,266 NARRATOR: ...that made him a star. 241 00:10:42,350 --> 00:10:44,060 This is the worst pain ever. 242 00:10:44,143 --> 00:10:45,895 Stop pummeling me! 243 00:10:45,978 --> 00:10:47,021 (screaming) 244 00:10:47,104 --> 00:10:49,190 It's really painful! 245 00:10:49,273 --> 00:10:50,775 Why did I take such punishment? 246 00:10:51,233 --> 00:10:53,277 Let's just say that fame was like a drug. 247 00:10:53,819 --> 00:10:56,697 But, what was even more like a drug was the drugs. 248 00:10:56,781 --> 00:10:58,366 NARRATOR: But despite their mounting problems, 249 00:10:58,449 --> 00:11:00,534 the Simpsons' star continued to rise 250 00:11:00,618 --> 00:11:02,662 like a plastic bag caught in an updraft. 251 00:11:03,621 --> 00:11:04,872 LISA: It was such an honor 252 00:11:04,955 --> 00:11:06,123 to be on the Walk of Fame. 253 00:11:06,207 --> 00:11:07,416 I mean, there we were 254 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:08,542 with Hollywood royalty 255 00:11:08,626 --> 00:11:09,835 like Milton Berle 256 00:11:09,919 --> 00:11:11,295 and Nelson Mandela... 257 00:11:12,088 --> 00:11:15,841 And just a few stars down from the Cheerios Honey Bee. 258 00:11:15,925 --> 00:11:17,551 {\an8}Awards and honors are great, 259 00:11:17,635 --> 00:11:19,845 {\an8}but they don't pay the pickle man. 260 00:11:19,929 --> 00:11:21,472 We were earning millions, 261 00:11:21,555 --> 00:11:23,349 but we were always strapped for cash. 262 00:11:23,432 --> 00:11:25,518 {\an8}One time, Lisa bought a first edition 263 00:11:25,601 --> 00:11:26,977 {\an8}of Susan B. Anthony Man. 264 00:11:27,770 --> 00:11:29,855 Her check bounced higher than Rubber Girl. 265 00:11:30,856 --> 00:11:32,149 NARRATOR: Where did the money go? 266 00:11:32,692 --> 00:11:34,902 Marge lost much of the family fortune 267 00:11:34,985 --> 00:11:37,113 investing in birth control products. 268 00:11:37,196 --> 00:11:38,781 I learned something. 269 00:11:39,156 --> 00:11:41,158 When people reach for their diaphragm, 270 00:11:41,242 --> 00:11:43,452 they don't want to see my picture. 271 00:11:44,787 --> 00:11:46,205 NARRATOR: As the Simpsons' money dwindled, 272 00:11:46,288 --> 00:11:47,623 their expenses soared. 273 00:11:47,998 --> 00:11:49,750 From the original group of five, 274 00:11:49,834 --> 00:11:51,669 the cast ballooned to dozens... 275 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:53,963 then hundreds. 276 00:11:55,923 --> 00:11:57,591 I'd never acted before in my life 277 00:11:57,675 --> 00:12:00,136 but, uh, if the sea captain could be in the show, 278 00:12:00,636 --> 00:12:01,637 {\an8}why not me? 279 00:12:01,721 --> 00:12:03,097 {\an8}I've even got a catch phrase. 280 00:12:03,431 --> 00:12:04,473 {\an8}(imitating Edward G. Robinson) Nyah... 281 00:12:04,557 --> 00:12:06,892 (quacking) 282 00:12:06,976 --> 00:12:08,436 No. I lost it. 283 00:12:08,519 --> 00:12:10,688 NARRATOR: Then another bombshell. 284 00:12:10,771 --> 00:12:13,232 An anonymous tipster alerted Uncle Sam 285 00:12:13,649 --> 00:12:16,527 that the Simpsons were evading their income taxes. 286 00:12:18,237 --> 00:12:21,031 {\an8}(Apu's voice) Yes, I finked on Homer, but, you know, he deserved it. 287 00:12:21,615 --> 00:12:23,117 {\an8}Never have I seen such abuse 288 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,119 {\an8}of the "take a penny, leave a penny" tray. 289 00:12:27,371 --> 00:12:28,956 {\an8}NARRATOR: The tax men were merciless. 290 00:12:29,039 --> 00:12:31,041 Hey! What the... 291 00:12:32,084 --> 00:12:33,085 (screams) 292 00:12:35,421 --> 00:12:37,965 {\an8}Hey, they can't take our house. 293 00:12:38,424 --> 00:12:40,760 My potbellied pig is in there. 294 00:12:40,843 --> 00:12:41,844 (sobbing) 295 00:12:42,678 --> 00:12:44,805 Oh, Mr. Porky. 296 00:12:44,889 --> 00:12:48,100 (weeping) 297 00:12:50,144 --> 00:12:52,438 NARRATOR: Inevitably, the behind-the-scenes turmoil 298 00:12:52,521 --> 00:12:54,565 took its toll on their TV series. 299 00:12:54,648 --> 00:12:56,150 {\an8}DIRECTOR: And... action! 300 00:12:57,401 --> 00:12:58,694 {\an8}Hold on. Cut. 301 00:12:58,778 --> 00:13:00,988 -(groans) For crying out loud. -Oh, man. 302 00:13:01,071 --> 00:13:03,491 DIRECTOR: Bart, if it's not too much trouble... 303 00:13:03,574 --> 00:13:05,618 Fine. I'll do Teen Wolf III. 304 00:13:05,701 --> 00:13:07,453 I've got fair-weather friends to feed. 305 00:13:08,829 --> 00:13:10,873 Dad, I want to go to bed. 306 00:13:10,956 --> 00:13:13,000 Aren't there child labor laws? 307 00:13:13,083 --> 00:13:14,960 Who told you about those laws? 308 00:13:15,377 --> 00:13:16,837 Was it Marge? 309 00:13:16,921 --> 00:13:18,255 Hey, you've been riding me all day. 310 00:13:18,339 --> 00:13:19,715 Why don't you poop in your hat? 311 00:13:20,132 --> 00:13:21,675 Are you going to need us tonight? 312 00:13:21,759 --> 00:13:23,219 I have ballet tickets. 313 00:13:23,302 --> 00:13:25,387 Not that they'll do much good now. 314 00:13:26,180 --> 00:13:27,473 NARRATOR: With the family in disarray, 315 00:13:27,556 --> 00:13:29,141 episodes increasingly resorted 316 00:13:29,225 --> 00:13:30,976 to gimmicky premises 317 00:13:31,060 --> 00:13:32,686 {\an8}and nonsensical plots. 318 00:13:32,770 --> 00:13:35,648 {\an8}I'm... An impostor. 319 00:13:37,191 --> 00:13:39,735 {\an8}That man is the real Seymour Skinner. 320 00:13:39,819 --> 00:13:40,945 {\an8}(all gasping) 321 00:13:41,445 --> 00:13:42,488 {\an8}NARRATOR: Trendy guest stars 322 00:13:42,571 --> 00:13:43,739 {\an8}were shamelessly trotted out 323 00:13:43,823 --> 00:13:45,157 {\an8}to grab ratings... 324 00:13:45,241 --> 00:13:46,951 {\an8}(electronic voice) If you are looking for trouble, 325 00:13:47,034 --> 00:13:47,952 {\an8}you found it. 326 00:13:48,035 --> 00:13:49,578 {\an8}Just try me, you... Oh! 327 00:13:49,662 --> 00:13:51,455 {\an8}(karate yells) 328 00:13:52,957 --> 00:13:54,917 NARRATOR: But there were bigger problems offscreen. 329 00:13:55,376 --> 00:13:58,170 After judging a Miss Hawaiian Tropic Beauty Contest 330 00:13:58,254 --> 00:14:00,130 at The Sheraton Haleakalualea, 331 00:14:00,714 --> 00:14:03,259 Bart created a ruckus on a Hawaiian airline jet, 332 00:14:04,134 --> 00:14:05,845 attacking several flight attendants. 333 00:14:06,345 --> 00:14:09,348 While he was in rehab, the part of Bart Simpson was played 334 00:14:09,431 --> 00:14:11,559 {\an8}by his good friend, Richie Rich. 335 00:14:11,642 --> 00:14:13,936 {\an8}Bart, what do you mean you have jury duty? 336 00:14:14,436 --> 00:14:15,771 {\an8}Don't have a cow, Mother. 337 00:14:16,438 --> 00:14:18,858 {\an8}NARRATOR: Fans reacted to these slapdash episodes 338 00:14:18,941 --> 00:14:20,317 -with yawns... -(man yawns) 339 00:14:20,401 --> 00:14:21,861 -Angry yawns. -(angry yawns) 340 00:14:21,944 --> 00:14:23,737 Desperate to polish their tarnished image, 341 00:14:23,821 --> 00:14:25,906 {\an8}the family agreed to a live appearance 342 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:27,741 {\an8}at the Iowa State Fair. 343 00:14:27,825 --> 00:14:31,036 Right from the start, I had a bad feeling about that gig. 344 00:14:31,412 --> 00:14:34,164 NARRATOR: It was an evening none of them would ever forget. 345 00:14:34,623 --> 00:14:35,708 -Or would they? -(country music playing) 346 00:14:36,125 --> 00:14:37,167 No. 347 00:14:37,251 --> 00:14:40,129 (cheering) 348 00:14:40,212 --> 00:14:41,714 Hello, Iowa! 349 00:14:41,797 --> 00:14:43,632 Does anyone have a donut? 350 00:14:43,716 --> 00:14:45,926 (laughing) 351 00:14:46,719 --> 00:14:48,470 Now, Homer, this is no time 352 00:14:48,554 --> 00:14:50,222 to be thinking about food. 353 00:14:50,306 --> 00:14:52,099 Yeah, forget the donuts. 354 00:14:52,182 --> 00:14:53,934 We're here to go nuts... 355 00:14:54,393 --> 00:14:55,477 Musically, that is. 356 00:14:55,561 --> 00:14:57,313 What kind of songs should we play? 357 00:14:57,396 --> 00:15:01,066 Something that swings with the beat of New Orleans. 358 00:15:01,150 --> 00:15:02,818 No. Something that rocks. 359 00:15:02,902 --> 00:15:04,653 That's the sound of today. 360 00:15:04,737 --> 00:15:05,946 -Swings. -Rocks. 361 00:15:06,030 --> 00:15:07,406 -Swings. -Rocks. 362 00:15:07,740 --> 00:15:08,991 NARRATOR: Sadly, this argument 363 00:15:09,074 --> 00:15:10,409 was not part of the act. 364 00:15:10,492 --> 00:15:11,744 I'll kill you! 365 00:15:11,827 --> 00:15:14,038 (groans) You don't have the guts, little man. 366 00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:16,665 Folks, we're just having a little family tiff. 367 00:15:16,749 --> 00:15:17,958 If you'll just bear with us... 368 00:15:18,042 --> 00:15:19,293 Oh, shut up. 369 00:15:19,376 --> 00:15:20,836 Always trying to act so mature. 370 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:22,171 I'm glad you make the least money. 371 00:15:22,254 --> 00:15:23,130 Oh, that's it. 372 00:15:24,131 --> 00:15:26,091 -Hey! Hey, stop it! -Stop it! 373 00:15:26,175 --> 00:15:27,676 You-- Ah, let go of me! 374 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:29,261 NARRATOR: Before a riot could break out, 375 00:15:29,345 --> 00:15:30,846 Jimmy Carter came to the rescue 376 00:15:30,930 --> 00:15:32,473 with his comedy break dancing. 377 00:15:32,556 --> 00:15:34,141 ♪ Got a brother named Billy ♪ 378 00:15:34,224 --> 00:15:35,309 ♪ And my teeth look silly ♪ 379 00:15:35,392 --> 00:15:36,727 ♪ Break it down, now ♪ 380 00:15:36,810 --> 00:15:38,270 (cheering) 381 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,941 (clamoring) 382 00:15:42,358 --> 00:15:45,235 Oh, why you, I'll get ya... Oh! 383 00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:53,285 NARRATOR: The dream was over. 384 00:15:53,369 --> 00:15:55,663 (busy signal) 385 00:15:55,746 --> 00:15:56,747 Coming up... 386 00:15:56,830 --> 00:15:58,457 Was the dream really over? 387 00:15:59,166 --> 00:16:00,668 Yes, it was. 388 00:16:00,751 --> 00:16:01,877 Or was it? 389 00:16:01,961 --> 00:16:03,921 And Homer finds a new passion... 390 00:16:05,839 --> 00:16:08,342 Dusting and polishing mixing boards. 391 00:16:09,718 --> 00:16:12,388 When Behind The Laughter continues. 392 00:16:12,471 --> 00:16:13,722 (rock music) 393 00:16:16,892 --> 00:16:17,851 {\an8}(rock music) 394 00:16:20,688 --> 00:16:22,356 NARRATOR: The Simpsons' TV show started out 395 00:16:22,439 --> 00:16:23,899 on a wing and a prayer, 396 00:16:24,316 --> 00:16:26,151 but now the wing was on fire 397 00:16:26,527 --> 00:16:28,112 and the prayer had been answered 398 00:16:28,195 --> 00:16:29,113 by Satan. 399 00:16:29,196 --> 00:16:30,155 (laughs) 400 00:16:30,239 --> 00:16:32,199 After the state fair fiasco, 401 00:16:32,282 --> 00:16:34,368 none of the family were speaking to each other. 402 00:16:34,827 --> 00:16:36,537 {\an8}Fox put the show on hiatus 403 00:16:36,620 --> 00:16:38,288 {\an8}and replaced it with hidden camera footage 404 00:16:38,372 --> 00:16:40,457 from the dressing room at Ann Taylor. 405 00:16:40,958 --> 00:16:44,294 That slugfest at the state fair was really a blessing. 406 00:16:44,378 --> 00:16:46,964 It gave us a chance to pursue solo projects. 407 00:16:47,047 --> 00:16:50,342 I returned to my first love, the legitimate theater. 408 00:16:51,677 --> 00:16:53,679 As a young female artist, 409 00:16:53,762 --> 00:16:56,515 I really love living in this East Village loft. 410 00:16:56,598 --> 00:16:57,975 -(knocking) -Oh, 411 00:16:58,058 --> 00:16:59,184 that must be our new landlord, 412 00:16:59,268 --> 00:17:01,103 Mr. Stingeley. 413 00:17:01,186 --> 00:17:03,147 (evil laughter) 414 00:17:03,230 --> 00:17:04,898 ♪ Where is the rent ♪ 415 00:17:04,982 --> 00:17:06,859 ♪ I must have the rent ♪ 416 00:17:07,192 --> 00:17:08,777 ♪ Dollars, dimes and nickels ♪ 417 00:17:08,861 --> 00:17:12,823 ♪ I need them all right now ♪ 418 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,159 I literally chewed the scenery. 419 00:17:15,492 --> 00:17:16,577 NARRATOR: The other family members 420 00:17:16,660 --> 00:17:17,619 were also spreading 421 00:17:17,703 --> 00:17:19,163 their creative wings. 422 00:17:19,246 --> 00:17:20,956 Bart replaced Lorenzo Lamas 423 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:23,792 in the syndicated action series, Renegade. 424 00:17:24,209 --> 00:17:27,129 If Esposito thinks he's gonna muscle us, he's wrong! 425 00:17:27,504 --> 00:17:29,173 I hear that, Renegade. 426 00:17:29,256 --> 00:17:30,549 Let's do this thing. 427 00:17:33,427 --> 00:17:35,387 NARRATOR: Marge put together a nightclub act. 428 00:17:36,096 --> 00:17:38,182 ("I Shot the Sheriff" plays) 429 00:17:38,265 --> 00:17:40,642 ♪ I shot the sheriff ♪ 430 00:17:41,268 --> 00:17:44,313 ♪ But I did not shoot the deputy ♪ 431 00:17:44,688 --> 00:17:45,939 ♪ She didn't do it ♪ 432 00:17:46,023 --> 00:17:47,316 ♪ She didn't do it ♪ 433 00:17:47,399 --> 00:17:49,485 So the next time you see a sheriff, 434 00:17:49,568 --> 00:17:51,361 -shoot him... -(all gasping) 435 00:17:51,445 --> 00:17:52,988 -...a smile! -(all sighing) 436 00:17:53,072 --> 00:17:54,823 Good night, Laughlin! 437 00:17:54,907 --> 00:17:55,908 ♪ She didn't do it ♪ 438 00:17:55,991 --> 00:17:57,034 ♪ She didn't do it ♪ 439 00:17:57,117 --> 00:17:58,577 (audience cheering) 440 00:17:58,660 --> 00:18:00,245 NARRATOR: Lisa "sang," too, 441 00:18:00,662 --> 00:18:03,207 in a tell-all book blasting the family. 442 00:18:03,582 --> 00:18:05,584 To prolong the run of the series, 443 00:18:05,667 --> 00:18:08,754 I was secretly given anti-growth hormones. 444 00:18:08,837 --> 00:18:09,755 (all gasping) 445 00:18:09,838 --> 00:18:11,507 (shutters clicking) 446 00:18:11,590 --> 00:18:13,258 That's ridiculous. 447 00:18:13,342 --> 00:18:16,261 How could I even get all five necessary drops 448 00:18:16,345 --> 00:18:17,763 into her cereal? 449 00:18:18,931 --> 00:18:20,057 What? 450 00:18:20,140 --> 00:18:24,061 {\an8}In that family, nobody trusted nobody. 451 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:27,940 They even brought their lawyers to Thanksgiving dinner. 452 00:18:28,565 --> 00:18:29,608 So, uh... 453 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:31,568 How's everybody doing? 454 00:18:31,652 --> 00:18:32,861 You don't have to answer that. 455 00:18:32,945 --> 00:18:34,905 Shut up, all of you, or I'll sue! 456 00:18:35,364 --> 00:18:37,991 Oh, save it for your next book, you little snitch. 457 00:18:38,075 --> 00:18:40,327 {\an8}That's assault! That is assault! 458 00:18:41,495 --> 00:18:43,664 It was the best Thanksgiving ever. 459 00:18:43,747 --> 00:18:45,624 I mean, emotionally, it was terrible. 460 00:18:45,707 --> 00:18:48,293 But the turkey was so moist. 461 00:18:48,377 --> 00:18:50,420 NARRATOR: The carcass of The Simpsons' empire 462 00:18:50,504 --> 00:18:51,880 had been picked clean. 463 00:18:52,339 --> 00:18:55,801 But then came help from an unexpected source. 464 00:18:55,884 --> 00:18:58,470 {\an8}I knew there was only one person 465 00:18:58,554 --> 00:19:00,472 {\an8}who could reunite this troubled clan-- 466 00:19:00,556 --> 00:19:02,432 {\an8}My old fraternity brother, Willie Nelson. 467 00:19:05,269 --> 00:19:07,521 {\an8}I'd do anything for Kegmeister Julius, 468 00:19:07,604 --> 00:19:09,606 {\an8}so I cooked up a phony awards show. 469 00:19:09,690 --> 00:19:11,692 (warning buzzer) 470 00:19:11,775 --> 00:19:12,943 Not again! 471 00:19:13,277 --> 00:19:14,945 Time-saver, my ass! 472 00:19:15,028 --> 00:19:16,613 When Willie asked me to be a presenter 473 00:19:16,697 --> 00:19:18,198 at the New Awareness Awards, 474 00:19:18,282 --> 00:19:19,533 I had to think about it... 475 00:19:19,950 --> 00:19:21,493 for about a microsecond! 476 00:19:21,577 --> 00:19:24,580 You just don't say "no" to the redheaded stranger. 477 00:19:24,663 --> 00:19:26,498 And when I heard it was for awareness, 478 00:19:26,582 --> 00:19:28,083 that sealed the deal. 479 00:19:28,167 --> 00:19:29,918 NARRATOR: Would Willie's fence-mending eggs 480 00:19:30,002 --> 00:19:31,211 bear fruit 481 00:19:31,295 --> 00:19:32,546 or would his olive branch 482 00:19:32,629 --> 00:19:33,755 be torn apart 483 00:19:33,839 --> 00:19:35,799 by woodpeckers of mistrust? 484 00:19:35,883 --> 00:19:37,467 (loud pecking) 485 00:19:37,551 --> 00:19:39,094 That night, fate wore 486 00:19:39,178 --> 00:19:41,180 a cumberbund of suspense... 487 00:19:41,263 --> 00:19:44,725 (applause) 488 00:19:44,808 --> 00:19:47,519 Thank you, Taco, for that loving tribute to Falco. 489 00:19:47,895 --> 00:19:51,190 And now to present the award for "Most Violent Rap Group," 490 00:19:51,732 --> 00:19:52,900 Homer Simpson! 491 00:19:52,983 --> 00:19:54,985 -Hi. -(applause) 492 00:19:55,068 --> 00:19:56,862 And Marge Simpson! 493 00:19:57,196 --> 00:19:58,238 What? 494 00:19:58,322 --> 00:19:59,656 (applause) 495 00:19:59,740 --> 00:20:01,033 What's she doing here? 496 00:20:01,116 --> 00:20:03,368 And Bart and Lisa Simpson. 497 00:20:04,077 --> 00:20:05,037 (gasps) 498 00:20:05,120 --> 00:20:06,997 Hey, what's going on? 499 00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:08,207 Well, I'll be honest. 500 00:20:08,290 --> 00:20:09,499 The New Awareness Awards 501 00:20:09,583 --> 00:20:11,043 are all an elaborate sham. 502 00:20:11,585 --> 00:20:14,713 What? (sputters) I knew it was too good to be true. 503 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:21,678 So this whole thing was just a trick to get us back together. 504 00:20:21,762 --> 00:20:23,305 I'm also trying to patch things up 505 00:20:23,388 --> 00:20:25,265 between Van Halen and Sammy Hagar. 506 00:20:26,266 --> 00:20:27,184 (both groan) 507 00:20:27,267 --> 00:20:28,518 But the main thing is for you folks 508 00:20:28,602 --> 00:20:30,062 to stop this silly feud. 509 00:20:30,145 --> 00:20:31,563 Isn't that right, people? 510 00:20:31,647 --> 00:20:33,357 (cheering) 511 00:20:35,442 --> 00:20:37,861 Hug! Hug! Hug! 512 00:20:37,945 --> 00:20:40,739 CROWD: Hug! Hug! Hug! Hug! 513 00:20:40,822 --> 00:20:43,533 Hug! Hug! Hug! Hug! 514 00:20:43,617 --> 00:20:46,745 Hug! Hug! Hug! (cheering) 515 00:20:49,665 --> 00:20:51,917 NARRATOR: The Simpsons' bitter past was forgotten, 516 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,294 and now the future looks brighter than ever 517 00:20:54,378 --> 00:20:56,255 for this Northern Kentucky family. 518 00:20:56,338 --> 00:20:58,966 {\an8}We put all the craziness behind us 519 00:20:59,049 --> 00:21:01,468 {\an8}and now it's time to get back to what matters, 520 00:21:01,551 --> 00:21:04,471 {\an8}the show and the Sunday comic strip. 521 00:21:04,554 --> 00:21:06,056 {\an8}Which Homer writes himself. 522 00:21:06,139 --> 00:21:07,641 So you know it's great. 523 00:21:07,724 --> 00:21:09,268 Why, you little... 524 00:21:09,601 --> 00:21:12,980 NARRATOR: So whether choking their son or poking some fun, 525 00:21:13,063 --> 00:21:16,149 the Simpsons will keep on gagging for years to come. 526 00:21:16,608 --> 00:21:17,693 (tape rewinds) 527 00:21:18,151 --> 00:21:19,194 I can't believe it. 528 00:21:19,278 --> 00:21:21,113 We won another contest. 529 00:21:21,196 --> 00:21:23,740 The Simpsons are going to Delaware. 530 00:21:23,824 --> 00:21:25,617 I want to see Wilmington. 531 00:21:25,701 --> 00:21:27,619 I want to visit a screen door factory. 532 00:21:28,120 --> 00:21:29,329 This will be the last season. 533 00:21:30,622 --> 00:21:32,499 Next week on Behind the Laughter. 534 00:21:32,916 --> 00:21:34,126 Huckleberry Hound. 535 00:21:34,501 --> 00:21:38,380 I was so gay, but I couldn't tell anyone. 536 00:21:39,172 --> 00:21:40,549 (rock music playing) 537 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:45,971 (disco music playing) 538 00:21:51,476 --> 00:21:55,397 SIMPSONS: ♪ We're gonna groove tonight, we'll make you feel all right ♪ 539 00:21:55,856 --> 00:21:58,066 ♪ Simpsons Christmas Boogie ♪ 540 00:21:59,026 --> 00:22:03,113 ♪ We're dancing to the beat, we'll make you move your feet ♪ 541 00:22:03,572 --> 00:22:05,574 ♪ Simpsons Christmas Boogie ♪ 542 00:22:11,038 --> 00:22:12,873 ♪ Simpsons Christmas Boogie ♪ 543 00:22:18,795 --> 00:22:20,630 ♪ Simpsons Christmas Boogie ♪ 544 00:22:24,593 --> 00:22:26,428 -(murmuring) -Shh! 545 00:22:29,556 --> 00:22:31,558 {\an8}Captioned by Visual Data Media Services