[3F11] Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield
Scenes from the Class Written by Jennifer Crittenden
Struggle in Springfield Directed by Susie Dietter
=======================================================================
Production Code: 3F11 Original Airdate in N.A.: 4-Feb-96
Capsule revision E, 6-Jun-96
"TV Guide" Synopsis
Marge's new designer suit (discounted, natch) nets her and
the family an invitation to the Springfield Country Club,
where she finds it's a stress to dress to impress. That's
also where PGA's Tom Kite praises "natural" golfer Homer,
who hits the links with Mr. Burns. Voices: Julie Kavner,
Tress MacNeille, Harry Shearer, Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley
Smith.
Opening Sequence
COUCH SCENE
The couch scene begins in "black light", then Homer turns on
a lamp and the colors return to normal. {ddg}
While the black light is on (distortion guitar): {jl}
(O1)L8 B> D# F# A#__.
When the regular light is turned on the harp plays and
normal music continues. {jl}
Did you notice...
... the Carnivale looks exactly like the old TV?
... the knockoff TV brands were Panaphonic, Magnetbox, and Sorny?
Ricardo A. Lafaurie Jr.:
... the Simpsons credits font is different in this episode, again?
... this is the first episode to be written and directed by women?
... while laughing at Bumblebee Man, Bart says "So good"?
... Bumblebee Man says 'El dentisto es loco' while Abe messes with
the TV?
... the salesman is describing necessary features of a TV?
... Cletus the hick has a female companion (wife, sister?) named
Brandine?
... OFF still has an LP player?
... Marge wears white pearls with her designer suit?
... Marge's high school acquaintance is named Evelyn?
... Marge hesitates to mention "skinnydipping"?
... Springfield's "poshest" country club is called Springfield Glen
Country Club?
... OFF never noticed they were driving into Krusty?
... Krusty tries to hit the car with his golf club?
... Marge has a Hummer sewing machine?
... Monty Burns' golf balls are anagrammed?
... if Marge had said how much it was with tax, it would have
revealed something about Springfield's location?
... Mayor Quimby was at the initiation?
... at the ball, Susan slurps her drink loudly? So much for
ettiquette.
... Lisa only eats french fries at the Krusty Burger, in keeping
with her vegeterianism?
... at the end, the puberty boy scratches his butt?
... we never hear Karin, Gillian, or Elyzabeth talk?
Haynes Lee:
... Homer is putting as in croquet?
... the fairway is from a golf computer game (and an actual golf
course)?
Benjamin Robinson:
... Marge is the only woman in the country club with the "proper"
big round eyes?
... Homer tries to play a golf ball as if it were a croquet ball?
... while doing his Nixon impression, Burns gains (for a few
frames) Nixon's jowls?
... Marge hops the curb as she parked in front of the outlet
mall?
... Maggie sucks on a french fry at the Krusty Burger?
Greg Franks:
... Evelyn drives a Mercedes-Benz station wagon?
... Patty and Selma's lamp shade has a heart, club, spade, and
diamond on it?
... Burns golf cap has crossed golf clubs on it that had it look
like a Malcolm X cap?
John Murray:
... the A-bomb-like smoke when the TV finally dies?
... the bra-barrel at the discount store?
... we don't see all of the Chanel label, and we're thus unsure of
whether it's real?
... Sanka's a treat to Marge?
... Burns wants petroleum distillate?
... Kent Brockman's daughter with the baloney?
... Homer thinks he should raise his score to cheat in golf?
... Homer's suggestion to put bumper stickers on the dress to make
it look different?
... Burns confused Simpson and Nixon?
... Burns licking his tongue sounds like sandpaper scraping?
... Homer would eat reptile eggs?
... the puberty boy thinks OFF came from the prom?
Tony Hill:
... Grandpa doesn't think making fun of someone who can't eat corn
is funny?
... Evelyn leaves Kwik-E-Mart without paying?
... the club admits Jews?
... Smithers has worked for Burns for at least 21 years?
... Smithers has balls inside his pants?
Aaron Varhola:
... Marge and company play spades, a trick-based variation on
bridge?
Mark Richey:
... for all the TV Homer watches, he can't recognize brand names?
... by the time Marge is vacuuming, the new TV's rabbit ears are
already bent?
... Homer watches "NYPD Blue"?
... Kent's daughter's hair looks exactly like her father's, except
for the ponytail?
... the nuclear waste barrel in the restroom?
... Homer doesn't quite grasp the concept of kissing up?
... the photo of Patty and Selma on Easter Island?
... Smithers' sunglasses?
... that Burns can actually hit the ball pretty far?
... the cartoon bump on Smithers' head after he gets hit?
... Homer catches on to Smithers' cheating relatively quickly?
... Krusty looks depressed at the banquet?
... Smithers doesn't like Burns' cake?
... the booth tables have Krusty's face on them?
Jason Hancock:
... using Homer's backroad route, Ogdenville is 431 miles from
Springfield?
... the backroad changes from pavement, to gravel, to dirt, to
pavement again?
... Brandine works at a Dairy Queen?
... the Kwik-E-Mart has self-service pumps?
... one of the ladies at the country club drinks martinis?
... Marge subscribes to Good Housekeeping?
... Marge's hair is at least 18 inches high?
... Hole One is a 275-yard par-3?
... the SNPP restrooms have blow dryers?
... Burns has 13 golf trophies?
... Marge wasn't wearing any underwear when she was trying on
Selma's old Halloween costume dress?
... Hole Eight is a 550-yard par-5?
... the cleat marks on Krusty's head after Homer steps on it?
... when Homer says how bad the family is, Marge sees the light --
literally?
... Krusty was invited to the ball after all the abuse he took on
the golf course?
Don Del Grande:
... in the opening, under flourescent black light, Maggie's hair
ribbon is red, and Bart and Lisa's clothes and Lisa's shoes
are pink?
... one of the "features" of the set is a two-pronged wall plug
(as opposed to a three-pronged one), which is good because
Homer's house has two-pronged wall outlets?
... Marge has to hold the price tag on the dress upside-down to
read both the new and the original prices?
... Burns is driving his own car, as opposed to Smithers driving
him, when he pulls into the Kwik-E-Mart?
... Springfield Glen Country Club is "proud home of the Tippling
Gadabout" (translation: liquor-drinking pleasure-seeker), and
its logo is a goose with a golf club (an iron of some sort)
wrapped around its neck?
... the women Marge is introduced to all have "normal" women's names
but with the accents on the last syllable?
... when Marge drinks her tea, her pinky is extended?
... when Lisa wears her pink "Sunday" dress, she doesn't wear her
pearls, but when she wears a different "fancy" dress on the
last night, she does?
... Maggie is wearing a baggie with a collar?
... at each hole on the golf course, all of the tees appear to be
on the same patch of grass and are all white? (Maybe they're
supposed to indicate just one teeing area - but then why have
multiple markers on them?)
... Homer's golf shoes don't have sharp spikes?
... Marge managed to drive to Ogdenville and back in one day?
... the Chanel boutique was open at night?
... Burns knows Homer's name now?
... Marge either had $3300 in cash or charged $3300 on a credit
card, neither of which seems possible given the events in past
episodes?
... when Maggie sucks on a french fry, it makes the same sound as
her pacifier?
... not once did anyone mention that Homer would still have to pay
the (presumably expensive) fees in order to remain in the club?
Jose Lafaurie:
... Homer frowns along with the kids when Marge announces they are
going to Ogdenville for the new TV?
... there are phone lines on the unpaved road?
... the spilled soda and the piece of paper outside the electronics
store?
... the Carnivale' is not a Chinese TV like their old one? (cf.
7F12)
... when Lisa says "Just like Mary Hart" you see a cast-off pair of
pants behind her?
... all the lights in the house are on at night, even the garage?
... Homer sleeps with his golf cap?
... a piece of toilet paper under one of the stalls?
... Burns says "schedule" like the British say it?
... Burns didn't find out if Homer "Nixon" was any relation like he
said he would do?
... Homer completely disobeyed Marge and shouts "Woo-hoo" even
before he won?
... Smithers runs in front of Burns? (So he could cheat.)
... the balls Smithers used to cheat are not monogrammed with "MB"?
(Following the rules of golf, the same ball must be played
throughout the whole game. Homer could have realized Mr. Burns
was cheating a long time ago.)
Dominik Halas:
... Maggie's walker-thingie in the corner of the TV room?
Adam Monteiro:
... after Burns hits the golf ball at the eighth hole, you see it
veer to the left?
Cast
Starring
- Dan Castellaneta (Pedro the bee, Homer, Abe, Krusty)
- Julie Kavner (Marge, Patty, Selma)
- Nancy Cartwright (Bart)
- Yeardley Smith (Lisa)
- Hank Azaria (salesman, Cletus, Apu, Carl, Puberty Boy)
- Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns, gatekeeper, Lenny, Smithers)
Special Guest Voice
- Tom Kite (himself)
Also Starring
- Pamela Hayden (Evelyn)
- Tress MacNeille (Brandine, Italian singer, Susan, Patricia,
saleswoman)
- Maggie Roswell (Rauberta, Brockman's daughter)
Movie, Music, and other References
Marx's "Communist Manifesto"
- he coined the term "class struggle", used in the title
+ "Scenes From the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills" {mar}
- episode title
- a mediocre movie from 1989 about the sexual relationships among
a group of rich people and their servents. It stars Jacqueline
Bisset and Ed Begley. Jr.
+ "Chespirito"
- the Bumblebee Man show (yes, it's a recurring situation) bears
many similarities
+ Panasonic, Magnavox, Sony
- the knock-off TV brands' names
+ "Steppin' Out", movie with Liza Minelli
- name of clothes store
+ Jacqueline Kennedy nee Bouvier {hl}
- she wore a similar pink Chanel dress in Dallas
+ La traviata, an opera by Giuseppe Verdi {dga}
- Aria "Sempre libera" played while Marge vacuumed.
+ "NYPD Blue"
- Detective Sipowicz is the character played by Dennis Franz
- coincidentally (or not?) Franz guest-starred in 2F06 as himself
playing Homer!
+ "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" {bjr}
- the music that plays when OFF first drives up to the clubhouse
comes from this movie
+ "The Great Gatsby" {rp}
- Lisa's line "the rich are different from you and me" is a
direct quote
+ "Caddyshack"
- Homer acts like the boorish Rodney Dangerfield character {hl}
- Tom Kite's scurrying away after Krusty's hit by Homer's
thrown club is similar to Bill Murray's sneaking away after the
bishop is hit by lightning during his "miracle round" in the
thunderstorm. {av}
+ "The New Our Bodies, Ourselves"
- Homer reads "The New Our Caddies Ourselves"
+ Groucho Marx {hl}
- Marge paraphrases a quote from him: "I would not want to join a
club that would have me as a member"
+ "After the Prom", a painting by Norman Rockwell {dga}
- Painting shows a young formally-clad couple at a cheap diner,
much like OFF at Krusty Burger.
- The puberty boy asks them, "Did you all just come from the prom?"
{gf}
Freeze Frame Fun
Highway signs
- Paved Road Ends
64 Miles
- Former Japanese
Internment Camp
90 Miles
- Ogdenville
277 Miles
Electronics store
A P P L I A N C E Z O N E
Your Grey Market Superstore!
Clothes Store
STEPPIN' OUT
FASHION MART
- Browse through
our
bra barrel!
Country club sign
[curved] SPRINGFIELD GLEN
COUNTRY CLUB
Proud Home of the Tippling Gadabout
Marge's hand {av}
Marge has 10 cards in her hand:
ace, king, queen, 9, 6, 5 of spades
2 of diamonds
queen of clubs
queen, jack of hearts.
An excellent hand, and a killer spades hand (especially cause
Evelyn has the 2)
Golf Book
T H E N E W , [picture of golfer holding up sign saying "Fore"]
T H E C A D D I E S,
O U R S E L V E S
A book by and for
golfers.
Billboard
OGDENVILLE OUTLET MALL
Thousands of irregular
salad bowls!
140 Miles
Sign on the golf course
Hole 8
Par 5 550 Yards
Technical Credits (if you care)
Overseas Animation: Akom {ddg}
Assistant Director: Chuck Sheetz
Animation Timer: Pat Shinagawa
Storyboard: Martin Archer, Ted Mathot, Jeff Myers {vm}
Miscellaneous FFF
- Patty and Selma's apartment number was 1599. {ddg}
- The knockoff TVs were Panaphonic, Magnetbox, and Sorny.
Previous Episode References
- [7G04] OFF decides to buy a new TV {fb}
- [7G04], [8F13], [3F10] Burns gets involved in sports {fb}
- [7G08], [7F02], [7F17], [8F06] Lisa's craze for ponies shows up {fb}
{hl}
- [7F02], [9F05], [1F08], [3F05] SNPP's restrooms are shown {fb} {jl}
- [7F06] A bystander running away when someone is hurt {dh2}
- [7F08] Putting/golfing tricks are given {fb}
- [7F12] OFF has problems with the TV {fb}
- [7F21], [1F06], [2F10] Family eating at Krusty Burger {fb}
- [7F24], [3F01] A family member wears pink {fb}
- [8F09] Burns imitates a well-known personality {fb}
- [9F03], [9F06], [1F01] That old Victrola is playing {fb}
- [9F09], [2F10] Homer wears his reading glasses {fb}
- [9F10] Ogdenville mentioned
- [9F19] The Playboy mansion is heffed, er, reffed. {th}
- [1F03] Homer shows his reluctancy to go out {fb}
- [1F12] Kent Brockman's daughter seen
- [1F12] Lisa jumping on furniture for attention as Bart did. {th}
- [1F18] Gas pumps in the Kwik-E-Mart
- [1F19] Homer manages to get free towels {fb}
- [2F01] Things shaped like diners are mentioned {dh2}
- [2F21] People are playing cards {fb}
- [3F01] One tries to find out what he likes from other members of OFF
{fb}
- [3F03], [3F09] The new, different Simpsons credit font is used
- [3F06] Anachronistic Burns (cf. Burns' "Prussia-Siam" letter in
3F06) {jl}
- [SI#?] one of the comics had Homer golf with Burns {jh}
Animation, Continuity, and other Goofs
c Bumblebee Man's "Ay" is mispelled as "Ai" in the captions.
= When Abe gets on top of the TV, it's directly against the wall,
but when it falls it's a good few inches away from the wall.
= Grampa throws the VCR towards the window, yet in the next shot, the
windowpane is intact. {dh2}
* The car goes unusually fast when OFF is headed to Ogdenville. {jl}
* During the drive to Ogdenville, the sun never changes position in the
sky; it should have moved in the time it took to drive at least the
64 miles to the end of the paved road. {ddg}
= There were two "Sopny" signs when Homer and Bart first walk into
the electronics store. In the next shot, the one to the right of
"Magnetbox" disappears and it changes into "Sorny". {jl}
= The layout of the price tags changed between when Homer and Bart
first walk into the store and in the closeup of Bart. {jl}
= The discount store was in the a mall the first time and the 2nd time
it was on a street. {jm}
= A black scarf in the bottom-right of the screen in the first shot
has turqoise polka dots; in the next shot, it has red polka dots.
{jl}
= A box of clothes to the left of Marge when she looks at the Chanel
suit moves far back in another shot. {jl}
* Brandine's belly button can be seen even though her back is to the
camera.
* Marge's "Chanel" suit buttons the wrong way for women's clothing.
{ar}
= Homer bought a new television, yet the old one is seen later in the
episode. {dga}
* When Apu shows Marge the spinning pen, the top section does not spin
at first. {ddg}
+ Gas pumps at the Kwik-E-Mart? {dga}
+ The layout of the Kwik-E-Mart is completely different:
- there never were gas pumps, except in 1F18 but that was
blown up.
- there is no bike rack {jl}
- it was unusually clean {jl}
- there never was a building to the left
- the doors are not automatic like they usually are
- there are not supposed to be trees in front of the
Kwik-E-Mart, but buildings
= The snack treats behind Evelyn changed form between shots. {jl}
- When Evelyn invited Marge to the Country Club, and Marge smiled,
her lipstick disappeared momentarily.
c When the Simpson family drive past the gate, orchestra music is
playing but the close captioning reads "choir singing". {hl}
= OFF's heads turn completely from one shot to the next. {jl}
- When Homer finishes observing his opulent surroundings, he turns and
one of his hairstrands comes out of the windshield. They don't
bother to fix it in the next shot either. {jl}
= A plant sprouts behind Marge. {jl}
= Homer's towels appear out of nowhere and then disappear. {dh2}
- In the bridge game, the nine of hearts has 7 hearts on it, and the
6 of hearts has them laid out 2-1-1-2 instead of 2-2-2. {ddg}
= A plant sprouts behind one of the bridge-playing women. {jl}
= The bag of clubs sat far from Homer before he made the shot. {jl}
+ How did Tom Kite know Homer's name?
+ Tom Kite said "You can keep the shoes." What shoes? Homer was
wearing his regular shoes.
* One of the girls leans on a croquet stick in a way which is really
impossible. {jl}
= Evelyn was to Marge's left in one shot, then in another she is
to Marge's right. {jl}
+ Mr. Burns' wall of monitors only showed Homer.
= While Marge is sewing, Lisa has a riding helmet beside on the bed,
but when she is jumping on the bed the helmet is missing. {gf}
- The mirror only reflected Marge in many shots. {jl}
= A pin appeared in Marge's mouth between shots. {jl}
* Marge does not think to step off the sewing machine pedal, which
would have stopped the machine from chewing her dress. {bjr}
= A jewel box that appears at the beginning of the sewing scene
disappears at the end of it. {jl}
= At the end of the sewing scene a perfume bottle formerly half
full was now empty. {jl}
* Patty and Selma's mirror only reflects the Bouviers; it doesn't
reflect the wall or ceiling.
+ Would the feeble Mr. Burns have enough strength to play golf with
_any_ degree of success? {dga}
+ How could have Burns let Nixon win if Smithers was cheating for him?
{fb}
+ Wouldn't OFF have to pay an obscenely high membership fee to join the
club, anyway? {dga}
+ Just how did Mr. Burns know that Marge badly wanted to be a member?
{jl}
= When Marge pulled up to Chanel she was on the left side of the
car (but the steering wheel was still on the right!) {jl}
+ Marge had no problem with driving the car up to the gates of the club
earlier, but later she wants to avoid being seen with it.
* Marge removed the key without turning the car off. {th}
+ Since when has OFF had a savings account with $3300? {dga}
+ Since when did Homer give a damn about his savings? {jl}
- At the Krusty Burger, Lisa eats the same french fry over and over.
- At the Krusty Burger, Homer chews on the same piece of burger for an
unusually long amount of time.
Comments and other observations
Opera Sounds Good when You're Vacuuming
Dale G. Abersold says, "The opera La traviata, a snippet of which was
played on the episode, is set in 19th century Paris, while the
screen showed a couple dressed in what appeared to be 18th century
garb. In addition, "Sempre libera" is an aria for the soprano in
an otherwise deserted stage. Of course, this probably bothered
only those of us who are fans both of The Simpsons and opera. So,
three or four of us, world-wide." [five, counting me --ed]
The Grey Market (or, "Malk?!")
The joke of the cheap prices of high-prices and near-brand name TVs is
explained by Benjamin Robinson: "When goods produced abroad are
sold in the United States, they are usually brought in by a
factory-authorized distributor. However, any distributor, not just
the official one, can import goods and then resell them. As it
turns out, many of them do just that, passing the savings along to
the customer. Although the name "grey market" suggests this is not
on the up-and-up, it is perfectly legal. Of course, there's a
catch: the factory warranty is available only through the factory
distributor. Still, if you're on a budget and willing to take a
gamble, the grey market may be for you."
Cars in this episode (from Robinson the Groening-mechanic)
Benjamin Robinson says, "Those of us who DON'T have fifteen reasons to
prefer horses to cars will notice some clever car "casting" in
this episode. Marge's new friend drives a Mercedes 300-series
touring wagon. (I think the exact model number is 300TD or 300TE.)
These cars are popular among the country-club set; they have more
snob appeal than and Olds Vista Cruiser, plus plenty of space for
antiques and brie. Notice that the car shown in this episode has
the aftermarket gold-tint trim. Some circles, particularly old-
money circles, consider that rather gauche.
"Burns' quadricycle defies positive identification, but clearly
comes from the 1895-1905 time frame. Period touches include:
- acetylene headlamps
- skinny tires
- bulb horn
- tiller steering (the steering wheel hadn't been invented yet)
- leaf spring suspension, with the "leaves" mounted left-right,
rather than front-back."
Grifting (it's not that bad movie with Anjelica Huston?!)
Haynes Lee tells us, "To `grift' is an American corruption of `graft'
which means to gain an unfair advantage. `Grifting' usually refers
to cheating at cards or dice. It is very obscure and probably jargon
that an old coot like Grampa would know about."
"Did you know that Kennedy and Lincoln had the same handicap?"
Tony Hill explains, "Kennedy and Lincoln having the same handicap is a
ref to the Kennedy-Lincoln coincidences, such as Lincoln shot in
theatre, killer hid in warehouse; Kennedy shot from warehouse,
killer hid in theatre, etc."
Maybe we need a fund for Jewish clowns...
Benjamin Robinson explains Krusty's quote: "In the olden days, country
clubs certainly were exclusive. Blacks could not get in. Neither
could Jews. (This is why Krusty wonders if "my kind" is welcome.)
In fact, anyone who wasn't rich, white, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant
was left standing at the gate. The clubs dropped these
restrictions as bigotry became less fashionable. Or so they
claim."
The Spanish in this episode (or, Tu Eres un Hijo de Puta)
Ay, que agoni'a - Ow, the pain!
Ay, Dios no me ama - Ow, God doesn't love me.
El dentisto es loco - The dentist is crazy
Duh, was it "Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida"?? :-B
In case you didn't know what the music playing for the trailers of
this episode was, it's Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik", First
Movement. Thanks to Jose Lafaurie for pointing this out.
Why Bother Saving Money if You're Wasting It on Gas?
From Tony Hill: "The distance to Ogdensville is a parody on the recent
U.S. practice of opening outlet malls at some distance from major
cities so as not to offend manufacturers' customers. Of late,
outlet malls have been opening closer and closer to the cities."
Correlation between Bumblebee Man and "Chespirito"
As an occasional watcher of "Chespirito", I can testify that there are
similarities between "Chespirito" and the Bumblebee Man on "The
Simpsons". "Chespirito" is a bumbling idiot dressed up in a bug
costume (red, with a heart on his chest), often chased around
by police officers and other characters with oversized objects.
The episode that caught the Chespirito spoof the most was "Mr.
Plow". The music, situation, and intonations were dead-on.
Where is Springfield? (The Loser Question of the Century)
Tony Hill says, "Japanese internment camps were almost all in
California. But... there are no Dairy Queens in California; and
obviously Springfield isn't in Vermont or Washington state
tonight." I beg to differ though: I live in Moreno Valley,
California, and there is a Dairy Queen at the corner of Heacock
and Alessandro, and another one in the Moreno Valley Mall.
Look at it if you're around.
Also note that Lisa asked Marge how much her dress was with tax, and
keep in mind that Oregon doesn't have a sales tax. Can anyone
recall where Ogdenville was positioned on Lanley's map in 9F10?
Reviews
[opinions on this episode was polarized big-time --ed]
Dale G. Abersold - Any episode centering on Marge is doomed to failure,
and this one was not an exception; on the other hand, the golf
subplot was not bad. In general, however, this episode seemed like
it could have been written for any sitcom, with the characters
warped to meet the plot, rather than molding the plot to meet the
characters. D+/C-.
Erik Berliner - It's good to see the Simpsons returning to the
character driven stories, There were some great laughs (Burns at
the gas station, Homer in golf clothes, hicks, etc.), but mostly,
there was a great picture of OFF realizing who they are, and
realizing that they are happy with that. I was truly touched when
Marge (excellently chracterized) forbids the family to drive to
the house, and Homer replies that just once, he'd like to be called
"sir". The subplot was funny, and added humor and levity to a good
main story. My Grade: A-
Ben Cohen - The entire episode, while delivering some singularly funny
lines, was not The Simpsons that I once knew and loved. The days
of subtle humor, deserving and thoghtful references, cutting
political satire, and revealing social commentary are gone. Sure,
it was better than some of this season, but realative to past
years, this wouldn't be in the top 10%. I'd give it a D+.
Chris Courtois - "Scenes From the Class Struggle in Springfield" was a
fairly dull episode. It didn't suck like the George Bush ep, but
it didn't have much going for it either. The storyline has been
done before on many other sitcoms, although the golf subplot had
some funny moments. Crittenden is finally getting a handle on
the characters, with the glaring exception of Lisa. Basically a
few good gags surrounded by an uninspired story and a lot of flat
gags. D+/C-.
Don Del Grande - It was a fairly straightforward "ordinary folk in
society" story with a few good laughs, but it just came to a
crashing halt in the last scene.
Dominik Halas - Another ho-hum episode from Jennifer Crittenden. There
weren't any horrible bits, but there was nothing particularly good
about the episode, either. The jokes seemed stiff and unoriginal,
and the ending was too quick and unrealistic. Grade: D+.
Jason Hancock - A so-so episode. I did not care for Marge's crabbiness
and her demands for perfection. But I loved Burns' Nixon
impression, and the golf course scenes were hilarious. At least
now we know why OFF isn't an upper-class family. Grade: C+; higher
if the focus was on Homer instead of Marge.
Tony Hill - A muted episode, IMHO. I know we should be critiquing what
was aired rather than what we THINK should have been aired, but
this one ended with a whimper. Think of the oodles of things Bart
and Homer could have done! (Even Lisa could have screwed it up.)
Never was a mention of the money. I know I've complained that some
eps are too predictible, but this was unpredictible in the wrong
ways. C+
Gary Huckabay - Generally, fairly forgettable. C. Nice to see Cletus,
though. I actually thought that the portrayal of Lisa was very
much within character, and admire the efforts of Ms. Crittenden to
maintain such. Lisa has her value set, but she has demonstrated an
affinity/weakness for horses. Can anyone else not get enough of Mr.
Burns?
Jose Lafaurie - What a sorry episode! Once again, Marge's personality
was pushed to the breaking point of unbelievability. It's like
something straight out of junior high; all you want is acceptance?!
I still can't blame the writers for trying; Marge is a pretty
complex character. As for the golf plot, it was pretty unfinished
and went by too fast. Didn't like the country club gig one bit.
Although this whole episode kept me ROTFC (Crying), there were
a couple of funny parts that made me look up and giggle: Tom Kite's
unpredictable maliciousness, and Smithers' brain hemorrhage when
he ate Burns' cake. GRADE: D
Norman J. Landis - ... I don't understand all the *really* negative
reviews so far. While I wouldn't classify this episode as a great
one, I certainly had my share of laughs... This was a very
straightforward episode, with a clear-cut plotline and consistent
and solid character development. Marge's desire for something
"better" and Lisa's head being turned by the opportunity to ride
horses was completely in keeping with previous character
development. Overall Grade: B.
Haynes Lee - An overdue episode that gives Marge some more
characterization. The sub-plot of Homer versus Burns at golf is
seamlessly woven in. B+
Adam Lipkin - I sat motionlessly and watched this one...laughed maybe
three times tops. This episode just wasn't up to the Simpson
standard. Not believable, not in character, not funny. C-/D+.
John Martin - Some real good jokes, along with a good split story line
(Homer vs. Burns on the links, Marge and the snoots). I didn't
like the ending until they showed that the Simpsons would have been
made members. Great jokes with Apu's "hot dog hot dog" line, Mr.
Burns' car, both scenes with Tom Kite, and Krusty's line "I knew my
kind wasn't welcome here." Overall, a B+.
John Murray - Grade B-. An Ok episode with a poor plot with some great
lines, but too few of them. The general plot was really bad, but
great lines from Burns, Grandpa and Apu made up for some of it.
Burns quotes showing how old he was, Burns doing Nixon, Apu's crazy
motorized pen, and Grandpa "fixing" the TV all had me ROFL. Also
the Krusty scenes were great.
Keith Palmer - This episode suffered from bad characterisation
(Jennifer Crittenden should just give up on writing scenes with
Lisa in them) and an abrupt ending, but contained some fairly
pleasant gags, and wasn't as bad as it might have been. Grade: C+
Mark Richey - Ho, hum. Another mediocre episode. What would have been
side-splittingly funny two or three years ago just sits there.
For the first time, I'm really feeling that OFF is going downhill.
Three years ago, the idea of the Simpsons at a country club would
have been minted for all comic value possible. However, except
for the women's names, they completely dropped the ball. While
it's nice to see an episode focusing on Marge, she deserves better.
Grade: C-
Benjamin Robinson - A comedy of manners that does not quite capitalize
on its premise. The final scene was nice, but getting there's a
long trip. (C)
Dan Ryazansky - No, this episode did not have it. If the writers tried
to make a point with this episode, well, it didn't work. The whole
Marge-as-upper-class thing was way out of her character. We didn't
see Homer or Bart ruining the country club like I thought they
would. No. Something was missing from this episode. Without Homer
vs. Burns, this episode would get a D-. With it, it's a C-. A
generous C-. Nice to see the hicks back, though...
Christine Tiplady - I have to weigh in with the first positive review
of this episode. It was all worth it for the quality Lisa-time.
. . . I liked the episode because I like family-focus vs. high-
concept. It was pointed out to me that the ep lacked "guffaws",
but I prefer the kind of "touching" family-humor [i.e. Lisa jumping
on the bed]. I don't care much for this type of lame-o happy
ending, though.
Aaron Varhola - Jennifer Crittenden redeems herself. Marge and Lisa are
characterized well, as they are affected negatively, becoming more
selfish by their exposure to "society"; the ending seemed to be a
cop-out until the acceptance twist. A solid episode. B+.
Yours Truly - I don't hold Crittenden with the same bad esteem as
others in this newsgroup, but still this episode was a tad mediocre
for my tastes. They could have trashed the golf subplot (which
I, unlike others, didn't like) and added a scene of OFF wrecking
the country club ball. Also, Dietter proves herself an incompetent
director with mounds of animation errors. I give this one a C+.
AVERAGE GRADE: C+ (2.24)
Quotes and Scene Summary
Thanks to Jose Lafaurie for correcting this transcription.
The Simpsons watch Bumblebee man on TV.
Oh, he wants that corn so much!
-- Homer watches Bumblebee man,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Abe wants to see what's on the other broadcasts and ends up wrecking
the TV. From whence the family drop him back off at the Retirement
Castle. Then the family cheer because now they get to buy a new
TV.
Bart: Let's go to the Sharper Image. They've got a TV shaped like a
'50s diner.
Lisa: No, let's go to the Nature Company. They've got a TV assembled
by Hopi Indians.
-- The Simpsons go to buy a new TV,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge says they can't afford a store with philosophy just to get a
TV, and the family goes to the Outlet Mall in Ogdenville. Signs
pass: "Paved Road Ends - 64 Miles", "Former Japanese Internment Camp
90 Miles", "Ogdenville - 277 Miles"... Homer and Bart check out the
TVs available in a grey-market store.
Homer: [gasps] Look at these low, low prices on famous brand-name
electronics!
Bart: Don't be a sap, Dad. These are just crappy knock-offs.
Homer: Pfft. I know a genuine Panaphonics when I see it. And look,
there's Magnetbox and Sorny.
Salesman: [walking up] Listen, I'm not going to lie to you. Those
are all superior machines. But if you like to watch your TV,
and I mean _really_ watch it, you want the Carnivale'.
[shows Homer and Bart a TV very similar to their old one]
It features two-pronged wall plug, pre-molded hand grip well,
durable outer casing to prevent fallapart...
Homer: Sold. You wrap it up, I'll start bringing in the pennies.
-- Seems like that TV and me have been together forever,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Meanwhile, Lisa and Marge shop for clothes.
Marge: [holding up a headband] Mmm, honey, I don't think these
clothes are us.
Lisa: Who are they?
Cletus: Hey, Brandine. [holds up a short shirt reading "Classy
Lassy"] You can wear this shirt to work.
Brandine: Oh, Cletus. You know I gotta wear the shirt what Dairy
Queen give me.
-- Not even theirs?, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Lisa discovers a Chanel suit hidden within the racks of the bargain
basement clothes. It's $90, but marked down from $2800. Marge
tries it on, and Lisa thinks she looks sophisicated, "just like Mary
Hart", but Marge still isn't convinced...
It wouldn't be right to buy something just for me. If it were a
suit we all could wear, maybe...
-- Marge tries on a Chanel suit,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Lisa: Come on, Mom, you never treat yourself to anything.
Marge: Oh sure I do. I treated myself to Sanka not three days ago.
-- You were out of Montreal Morn, I presume?,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Lisa: Just buy [the suit]. You don't have to rationalize everything.
Marge: All right, I will buy it. It'll be good for the economy.
-- All Keynesian models considered,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
At home, Marge puts on a classy record and shows off her new dress to
Homer.
Homer: [whistles at Marge] You look great.
Marge: Really? You like it? Oh, I'd love to wear this someplace
special.
Homer: Spurlock's Cafeteria, it is.
-- They got cocktail weenies there,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge was thinking more along the lines of the symphony or the
theatre...
What's the point of going out? We're just gonna wind up back here
anyway.
-- Homer, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Later, we see an aria being sung, but as a vacuum fires up and
lines of fuzz appear on your view, we see it's on TV. (Marge is
vacuuming with her suit on.)
Marge buys some foodstuffs from the Kwik-E-Mart, wearing her suit.
Apu: Oh, Mrs. Simpson, you are looking very prosperous today.
Might I interest you in some of our impulse items here by the
cash register? Perhaps a crazy motorized wiggle pen.
[demonstrates]
[laughing] Ohh, look at... the craziness.
-- Marge shops at the Kwik-E-Mart wearing a Chanel suit,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Woman: Attendant, I'd like some gas.
Apu: Yes, I'm sorry, I do not speak English, okay.
Woman: But you were just talking to...
Apu: Yes, yes. Hot dog, hot dog. Yes sir, no sir. Maybe, okay.
-- I learned my English from the Police Academy movies,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Evelyn: Well, I can't pump [the gas] myself. I'm calling AAA.
Marge: [stops her] I used to be a little overwhelmed too, but it's not
that hard. I can show you.
Evelyn: Marge, is that you? Marge Bouvier from high school?
Marge: Um... yeah. Hi... hi, Evelyn.
Evelyn: How about that? Marge, you look wonderful. And to think I
heard you married Homer Simpson.
Marge: I did marry Homer.
Evelyn: [pause] Come, you must show me the pumps.
-- Didn't go to the prom with him, though,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Outside, Marge shows Evelyn how to operate the gas pumps...
Marge: 90% of the time, if the gas isn't pumping, this is your
problem.
[turns a switch at back which resets the pump]
Evelyn: Automotive skills and fashion sense. Why, you've come a long
way from the girl I knew nothing about in high school.
Marge: We ran with our different crowds. You had your debutante balls
and... skinny-dipping, and I had my... home shoe repair course.
Evelyn: Oh Marge, you haven't changed a bit as far as I know. Say, why
don't you drop by the country club tomorrow?
[drives off]
Oh, and bring the family.
[Marge watches her pull off and smiles]
[Burns pulls up in a quadricycle]
Burns: [honks horn (awooooga)] You there, fill it up with petroleum
distillate, and re-vulcanize my tires, post-haste.
-- Love in the Time of Leaded Gasoline and Tiller Steering,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge gives the family advice on how to behave for the country
club.
Marge: Bart, comb your hair. Homer, I don't think you should wear a
short-sleeved shirt with a tie.
Homer: But Sipowicz does it.
Marge: If Detective Sipowicz jumped off a cliff, would you do that too?
Homer: Ohh, wish I was Sipowicz.
Lisa: Do I have to go? That country club is a hotbed of exclusionist
snobs and status-seeking social climbers.
Marge: I've told you, I don't like you using the word "hotbed".
Please, Lisa, we so rarely get to do things like this. And
everybody, everybody _please_ be on your best behavior. Bart,
no grifting.
Bart: [puts a deck of cards in his sleeve] Aw, raspberries.
-- Raspa-raspa-raspberries,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
The family arrive at the gates of the country club.
Gatekeeper: Name, please.
Homer: Simpson family.
Marge: We're not poor.
[looks around nervously]
Well, we're not.
-- At the gates of the country club,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
The gatekeeper says, "Go on in. They're expecting you at the
clubhouse." The Simpsons drive in and "wow" excitedly at their posh
surroundings.
Everybody, keep smiling, and I know we're going to fit right in.
-- Marge, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
The car runs into the golf course and nearly runs over Krusty.
[End of Act One. Time: 6'27"]
Evelyn welcomes Marge and her family to the country club.
Evelyn: Karin, Gillian, Elyzabeth, Patricia, Rauberta, Susan, meet
Marge.
[the ladies greet Marge]
Marge: Pleased to meet you. You look like such a happy bunch... of
people.
Susan: That's the trouble with first impressions. You only get to
make one.
-- And you just made yours, jealous wannabe,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Evelyn reminds the family that they're free to enjoy the club,
but they prefer to wait in the car until Marge is done fitting
in.
Later, Evelyn, Marge, and their warped rich friends discuss the
benefits of mail order...
I get the sneaking suspicion that L.L. Bean and Eddie Bauer are selling
me the same honey.
-- Susan, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge adds her two cents:
Marge: I get food in the mail, but in a different way. Every month,
Good Housekeeping arrives in my mailbox bursting with
recipes. Sometimes the most satisfying meal is the one you
cook yourself.
[pause from the ladies]
Patricia: Mmm. That's so true, Marge. One night, Wif and I came home
late. We decided not to wake Iris, so instead, we microwaved
our own soup. [laughs]
[the ladies murmur and agree]
Of course, it was a horrible mess, but Iris didn't mind
cleaning it up.
-- The secret ingredient is turntables,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
At home, Marge asks if everyone enjoyed the country club, but the
family have a hard time agreeing.
Bart: That place is weird. A man in the bathroom kept handing
me towels, until I paid him to stop.
Homer: [holding a stack of towels] Should have held out longer,
boy.
-- You can never have enough towels,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Lisa: The rich are different from you and me
Marge: Yes, they're better.
-- Socially better, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Today, while the rest of you were being different, I did a very good
job of fitting in.
-- Marge, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
... so good, in fact, that Evelyn gave her a guest pass, and Marge
hopes they might be invited to join. "Boy, Marge." Homer remarks.
"You must have really done a number on those rich suckers!" "Don't
thank me," Marge tells him, "thank my beautiful new suit."
Bart and Lisa observe Kent Brockman's daughter reject a baloney
sandwich, telling the server she asked for abalone. Lisa is
infuriated, but her tirade is distracted by a man riding a pony.
She cuts her tirade short to find out about the ponies.
Meanwhile, Marge (still wearing the same Chanel suit) plays bridge
with her friends, and discovers she has a winning hand.
Marge: [thinking] Oh, we've got a winning hand, we can take the
rest of the tricks.
[camera pans higher up]
[thinking] Oh, we'd better be careful. The purpose of this
game is to make friends. You don't make friends by winning.
[camera pans higher up]
[thinking] Still, there's nothing more popular than a gracious
winner.
[camera pans to the end of her hair]
[thinking] Don't ask me, I'm just hair. Your head ended 18
inches ago.
-- A hair-brained scheme,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge plays her hand. "I believe the rest are ours," she announces.
Rauberta remarks that she and Susan could have stopped her if Susan
had changed to a different suit. Susan remarks, "I thought that
perhaps changing suits had gone out of fashion, eh Marge?" Marge
"mmm"s to herself.
Homer tries unsuccessfully to hit his golf ball, hitting himself in
the foot. He then attempts to cheat by changing his score card,
but a fellow golfer tells him that the usual way of cheating is
decreasing your score. He introduces himself as Tom Kite, PGA golf
pro, and shows Homer how to play.
Tom Kite: Now, you don't want to overthink.
Homer: Not an issue.
Tom Kite: Keep your head down.
Homer: [raising his head] Huh?
Tom Kite: Pretend there's no one else here.
[Homer scratches his butt with the club and burps]
And just go at your own pace.
[Homer hits the ball very close to the hole]
Wow, very impressive. You're a natural, Mr. Simpson.
Homer: Really?
Tom Kite: Uh huh. All you need is your own set of clubs, and stay
the _hell_ out of my locker!
[grabs the clubs]
[walking off] You can keep the shoes!
-- You're stuck here! (Mood swings!),
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
At home, Homer reads a book about golfing, while Marge alters her
suit.
Marge, did you know that Kennedy and Lincoln had the same handicap?
-- Homer reads a book about golf,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge: Homer, please. I have to alter this suit so it looks
different for tomorrow.
Homer: [yawns] Just slap some bumper stickers on it and come to bed,
will you, Marge?
-- Some rhinestones oughta do nicely as well,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Her friends at the country club are impressed by Marge's altered
suit.
Rauberta: Love your outfit, Marge. The vest says "Let's have lunch",
but the culottes say "You're paying".
-- At the country club, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Lisa gallops by on a pony.
Mom, look, I found something more fun than complaining!
-- Lisa rides the pony at the country club,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Evelyn tells Marge that if all goes right at Saturday's ball, she
would be willing to sponsor Marge for membership. Marge says "I'll
be there with bells on", but Susan says, "Where exactly will you be
attaching them to that mangled Chanel suit?" Marge groans.
Don't worry, Marge. [Susan's] idea of wit is nothing more than an
incisive observation humorously phrased and delivered with impeccable
timing.
-- Evelyn, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
At work, Homer shows off his golfing talent to Lenny and Carl by
hitting golf balls into the toilet, and impresses them thoroughly
by hitting one into the handicapped stall, seat down. Meanwhile,
Burns watches him intently on his video monitors.
Burns: Who is that lavatory linksman, Smithers?
Smithers: Homer Simpson, sir. One of the fork and spoon operators
from sector 7-G.
Burns: Well, he's certainly got a loose waggle. Perhaps I've
finally found a golfer worthy of a match with Monty Burns,
eh?
Smithers: His waggle is no match for yours, sir. I've never seen you
lose a game. Except for that one in '74 when you let
Richard Nixon win. That was very kind of you, sir.
Burns: Oh, he just looked so forlorn, Smithers, with his [imitating
Nixon] "Oh, I can't go to prison, Monty. They'll eat me
alive!"
[Smithers laughs]
I wonder if this Homer Nixon is any relation?
Smithers: Unlikely, sir. They spell and pronounce their names
differently.
Burns: Bah. Schedule a game and I'll ask him myself.
-- I run my plant precisely on "shedule",
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
At home, Homer tries to talk to Marge about the golfing challenge
he got from Burns, while Marge once again alters her suit.
Oh, this game could mean big things for me, Marge. If I beat
Mr. Burns, I mean really wallop him bad, I'm sure to get that big
raise I've been gunning for!
-- Homer, unclear on the concept,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge: All right, all right, but if you win, don't make a
scene and dance around with your "woo-hoo"s, please! We
can't afford a single slipup. They're judging us.
[Homer kisses Marge and Lisa, who is on the bed]
Lisa: Mom, did you like horses when you were my age, 'cause I--?
Marge: I don't know. Look, tonight is very important. Mommy has to
alter her suit so it looks like a totally new suit.
Lisa: [75 RPM] Mom, do you want to know the fifteen reasons I like
horses better than cars? One, a horse never has to--
Marge: I really need to concentrate on this, Lisa, would you mind
just--?
Lisa: You know how a horse goes like this? [jumps up and down on
the bed] Mom, like this!
Marge: I've already altered this so many times, it's not impossible--
Lisa: Whinny, whinny! Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mo-m!
Marge: [yelling] LISA, PLEASE!!!
[pause]
[Lisa runs out while Marge continues her sewing]
[Marge pulls out her altered suit and examines it]
[Marge pushes on the pedal and her suit gets pulled into the
sewing machine]
No! No, no, no, noooo!
[pulls out her mangled suit]
At times like this, I guess all you can do is laugh.
[5 second pause]
-- Or sit until we fade to black,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
[End of Act Two. Time: 14'16"]
Marge seeks help from Patty and Selma.
Marge: I need a formal dress for tonight!
Patty: You've come to the right place.
Selma: We've got classy duds up the yin-yang.
-- No dress too horrible,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
The first dress is "Fantasy in Maroon", an exceedingly large dress.
"It's got some cigarette burns, but you can patch them with
NuVinyl." Marge puts it in the "Maybe" pile.
Then there's a Halloween costume that's too tight, but somehow made
its way into Selma's regular rotation.
Homer, meanwhile, arrives to play golf with Burns.
Homer: Good morning, Mr. Burns. Beautiful day to be outside, isn't
it?
Burns: Rant on, Simpson, but your vainglorious boasting will only add
savor to my inevitable triumph.
Homer: [pause] Yes.
-- No, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Homer drives the ball up high, and he yells "Woo-hoo!" while it
flies in the air, but it lands in the sand trap: "D'oh!" Burns
adds, "Yes, you're in deep d'oh now." It's Burns' turn, and
he hits the ball far. Smithers remarks "Perfect as always, sir.
Right on the green."
Homer tries to get the ball out of the sand trap.
Burns: Oh, quit cogitating, Steinmetz, and use an open-faced club.
The sand wedge!
Homer: Mmm... open-faced club sandwich.
-- One-track mind, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge hurries back to the Ogdenville Outlet Mall.
Homer and Burns advance to hole eight. "You're four strokes behind,
Simpson," Burns reminds Homer, and proceeds to hit a hook. But
Smithers uses binoculars to see the ball get on the green. Homer
bats his club on the ground repeatedly in anger, wondering how
Burns can hit so far, and the club flies away from his hands,
hitting Krusty (being advised by Tom Kite) in the head. Kite
scurries away.
Marge: Miss? Miss? Do you have a Chanel suit or any other
high quality clothes?
Saleswoman: No, ma'am, but we do have a shipment of slightly burned
Sears activewear coming in this afternoon.
Marge: Oh, I give up. [walks away]
Cletus: What time and how burnt?
-- At night, burnt to a crisp,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Burns and Homer continue their golf game, and Homer hits one far
near the hole, against Smithers' head. Homer and Burns run to his
aid.
Burns: Smithers, what are you doing up here?
Homer: And what are you doing with this ball, and all those other
balls?
[many anagrammed golf balls pour forth from Smithers'
clothes]
Smithers: Uh, there are no other balls, just these, uh, reptile eggs.
Step away, they're endangered.
Homer: [puts one in his mouth] These aren't reptile eggs. You've
been cheating! No matter where Mr. Burns hits the ball,
you put a fresh one on the green.
Burns: [gasps] Cheating? For me? Why, Smithers, that's patently
unnecessary. I'm one of the world's finest golfers. Why,
in all the years you've caddied for me, I've never lost a--
[realizing] Oh.
-- Megalomania is shot down again,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Smithers would prefer that Homer kept silent so that they could
sponsor him for membership, but Homer scoffs and says that he
wouldn't want to be a member anyway. "But does your wife?," asks
Burns. Homer walks away dejected, stepping over Krusty in the
process.
I knew my kind wasn't welcome here.
-- Krusty at the country club,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
At night, Marge searches one of the posher parts of Springfield
for a Chanel suit, and stops at the source: Chanel.
About to leave for the ball, the family observes Marge's new
dress. Bart and Lisa both agree that she looks great, and Lisa
adds, "You can do anything with that sewing machine." Marge
retorts, "No I can't, come on, let's go." Lisa badgers it out of
Marge that she got it at the Outlet Store at a dollar (fibs, duh)
before Marge screams "Why do you have to question everything
I do?" "You look nice, is all," Lisa says sadly, and walks
away.
The car pulls into the country club, and Homer drives up to
the entrance.
[Homer drives to the entrance of the country club]
Marge: Homer, what are you doing?
Homer: I'm driving up to the main building. They got valet parking.
Marge: We can't drive this up there. They'll see the dent. They'll
see the coat hanger antenna. Stop the car, we're walking.
Homer: But Marge, valets! Maybe for once, someone will call me "sir"
without adding, "You're making a scene."
-- Yes, sir, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
But Marge will have none of it. She pulls the keys out and they
walk up the hill.
Homer: I'm going to regale everyone with my anecdote. You know, the
one I tried to say on the radio? Heh, heh. Who's going to
"bleep" me this time?
Bart: I'm going to pose as an Italian count and get some old lady to
leave me all her money.
Lisa: I'm going to ask people if they know their servant's last
names, or in the case of butlers, their first.
Marge: No, no, no! Not tonight! No vulgarity, no mischief, no
politics. Just be good!
[an uncomfortable pause]
Bart: I'm sorry, mom. I'll behave.
Lisa: I won't say anything controversial.
Homer: I just won't say anything, okay, honey?
Maggie: *suck* *suck* *suck* *suck* *suck*
[Marge glares at her]
[silence]
-- Silence of the Laughs,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge huffs off to the main building.
You kids should thank your mother. Now that she's a better person,
we can see how awful we really are.
-- Homer at the country club,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Marge hears this and her heart unhardens. She runs back to the
family and takes Maggie in her arms.
Marge: Homey, I like your in-your-face humanity. I like the way
Lisa speaks her mind. I like Bart's--
[Bart smiles, but it fades]
I like _Bart_.
[Bart smiles again]
-- I like your sheets, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
"And I like my old green dress." Marge lets it out that she spent
her savings on this gown. But don't worry, she has the receipt
(good for credit in Chanel). Homer wonders if there's any beer and
gum there.
Let's go. I wouldn't want to join any club that would have _this_
me as a member.
-- Marge waxes philosophical,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Lisa: It's okay. Those snobs would have never made us members,
anyway.
[at the ball, a huge gala had been set up for OFF]
Evelyn: Well, I wonder where Marge could be? She's missing her
own initiation.
Susan: I hope she didn't take my attempt to destroy her too
seriously. [slurps her drink loudly]
Burns: Where's Homer? Oh, and to think I spent all afternoon
baking him this cake.
[a pink messy cake reading "Welcome Homer"]
Smithers: Mmm... [tastes the cake] Ugh!
Burns: I pickled the figs myself.
-- Looks deceive, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
Meanwhile, the family is at Krusty Burger, alone, while the acne-
faced boy mops the floor.
Boy: [mopping] Hey, did you guys just come from the prom?
Bart: Sort of.
Marge: But, you know, we realized we're more comfortable in a place
like this.
Boy: [nods, then realizes] Man, you're crazy. This place is a dump!
-- If only they knew about the secret sauce,
"Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield"
The boy continues mopping, muttering to himself, while an overhead
shot of the Simpsons at their table closes the episode.
[End of Act Three. Time: 21'29"]
Contributions
{dga} - Dale G. Abersold
{fb} - Frederic Briere
{ddg} - Don Del Grande
{dh2} - Dominik Halas
{gf} - Greg Franks
{jh} - Jason Hancock
{th} - Tony Hill
{jl} - Jose Lafaurie
{hl} - Haynes Lee
{vm} - Veronica Marquez
{jm} - John Murray
{rp} - Ren Paradis
{mar} - Mark Richey
{ar} - Adam Rubin
{bjr} - Benjamin Robinson
{av} - Aaron Varhola
Legal crud
The above compilation of observations, quote summaries, statistics, and
other miscellaneous information copyright 1996 Chips-Fey Productions.
Not to be used in a public forum without explicit permission from the
author (Ricardo A. Lafaurie Jr.) or his brother Jose Lafaurie.
Any quoted material above remains property of the original authors;
mainly, quoted material and episode summaries remain property of The
Simpsons, and copyright to Twentieth Century Fox. The compilation is
what I did. So don't sue.