Bye Bye Nerdie
Encyclopedia
"Bye Bye Nerdie" is the sixteenth episode of the twelfth season
of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons
. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 11, 2001. In the episode, when she becomes the target of a female bully, Lisa
discovers a scientific reason as to why bullies pick on nerds. Meanwhile, Homer
goes into the baby-proofing business, which is threatening the businesses of pediatricians and greeting card salesmen. Kathy Griffin
guest starred in the episode as Francine, the female bully. During its original broadcast, "Bye Bye Nerdie" was seen in approximately 8.8 million homes. Since airing, the episode has received generally positive reviews from critics.
attempts to make friends with a new girl, Francine (who is much larger than Lisa), but Francine beats up Lisa severely. Even attempting to share an interest in Malibu Stacy does not work when Francine steals and ruins Lisa's Malibu Stacy doll. Lisa hires the school bullies (Nelson
, Dolph, Jimbo, and Kearney) to protect her, but they refuse since girls fight dirtier than boys. It is up to Lisa to investigate the reason why Francine is beating her up.
Meanwhile, Homer, fearing Maggie could die from touching things unsafe to her when he hears this from a baby-proofing saleswoman, starts his own baby-proofing crusade, selling cheap but safe and effective products and making Springfield
safe for children. However, this causes the baby-injury-related industries in Springfield, such as pediatricians, to go in decline.
Lisa does scientific research on nerd
s, and finds out that the odor of chemical nerd pheromone "poindextrose" attracts bullies like Francine, proving that both nerds and bullies are predisposed to be what they are. Lisa then tests the "poindextrose" extracted from the nerds on Drederick Tatum when he visits the school, which causes Nelson to start punching him uncontrollably and also gives him a wedgie. Lisa demonstrates her experiment at Professor Frink
's science contest, the "12th Annual Big Science Thing", using an antidote on herself and making Francine peaceful and friendly towards her, the antidote being just salad dressing which covers up the smell of the poindextrose. At the end, the salad dressing runs out and Francine goes on a rampage beating up all the scientists in the room.
and Don Payne and directed by Lauren MacMullan
as part of the twelfth season of The Simpsons (2000–2001). American actress and stand-up comedienne Kathy Griffin
guest starred in the episode as Francine. The original idea for the episode, which the writers first pitched, saw Lisa attempting to punch Francine, but would miss and punch Principal Skinner instead, resulting in her being sent to juvenile hall where she would make illegal jeans. The subplot of Homer entering the childproofing business was based on an instance when a salesman visited Payne and his pregnant wife. In an interview with Star-News
, he commented: "You hire this person to come into your home to look for changes you can make. They make you feel like the most horrible person in the world and that your house is the temple of doom." NRBQ
's song "Always Safety First" is played during a montage in the episode in which Homer is seen improving the safety of the infants of Springfield.
for the episode. Deleted scenes from the episode were also featured on the box set.
Critics gave given "Bye Bye Nerdie" generally positive reviews. DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson commented that "While this isn’t saying much, 'Nerdie' provides one of Season 12’s better shows. Both plots work well, though I prefer the childproofing side of things; it peters out at the end, but it has some good bits. The episode keeps us interested and entertained." Mac McEntire of DVD Verdict
cited the scene in which the children imagine what kind of person the new student will be as the greatest moment in the episode. In the July 26, 2007 issue of Nature
, the scientific journal's editorial staff listed "Bye Bye Nerdie" among "The Top Ten science moments in The Simpsons", writing: "Lisa isolates the element in nerd sweat that makes them irresistible targets for bullies. She presents her data at a conference with luminaries including former surgeon general C. Everett Koop
, a scene in which we find the true purpose of a science pole."
The Simpsons (season 12)
The Simpsons 12th season began on Wednesday, November 1, 2000 with "Treehouse of Horror XI".The season contains four hold over episodes from the season 11 production line. The show runner for the twelfth production was Mike Scully. The season features three episodes that were produced for the...
of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons
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...
. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 11, 2001. In the episode, when she becomes the target of a female bully, Lisa
Lisa 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...
discovers a scientific reason as to why bullies pick on nerds. Meanwhile, 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...
goes into the baby-proofing business, which is threatening the businesses of pediatricians and greeting card salesmen. Kathy Griffin
Kathy Griffin
Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Griffin is an American actress, stand-up comedienne, television personality, New York Times best-selling author and an LGBT rights advocate. Griffin first gained recognition for appearances on two episodes of Seinfeld, and then for her supporting role on the NBC sitcom...
guest starred in the episode as Francine, the female bully. During its original broadcast, "Bye Bye Nerdie" was seen in approximately 8.8 million homes. Since airing, the episode has received generally positive reviews from critics.
Plot
On an ordinary day at Springfield Elementary, 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...
attempts to make friends with a new girl, Francine (who is much larger than Lisa), but Francine beats up Lisa severely. Even attempting to share an interest in Malibu Stacy does not work when Francine steals and ruins Lisa's Malibu Stacy doll. Lisa hires the school bullies (Nelson
Nelson Muntz
Nelson Mandela Muntz is a fictional character and bully from the animated TV series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Nancy Cartwright. Nelson was introduced in Season 1's "Bart the General" as a bully but later turned into a friend of Bart Simpson, who is best identified by his signature laugh .-Role...
, Dolph, Jimbo, and Kearney) to protect her, but they refuse since girls fight dirtier than boys. It is up to Lisa to investigate the reason why Francine is beating her up.
Meanwhile, Homer, fearing Maggie could die from touching things unsafe to her when he hears this from a baby-proofing saleswoman, starts his own baby-proofing crusade, selling cheap but safe and effective products and making 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...
safe for children. However, this causes the baby-injury-related industries in Springfield, such as pediatricians, to go in decline.
Lisa does scientific research on nerd
Nerd
Nerd is a derogatory slang term for an intelligent but socially awkward and obsessive person who spends time on unpopular or obscure pursuits, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Nerds are considered to be awkward, shy, and unattractive...
s, and finds out that the odor of chemical nerd pheromone "poindextrose" attracts bullies like Francine, proving that both nerds and bullies are predisposed to be what they are. Lisa then tests the "poindextrose" extracted from the nerds on Drederick Tatum when he visits the school, which causes Nelson to start punching him uncontrollably and also gives him a wedgie. Lisa demonstrates her experiment at Professor Frink
Professor Frink
Professor John Nerdelbaum Frink, Jr., or simply Professor Frink, is a recurring character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria, and first appeared in the 1991 episode "Old Money". Frink is Springfield's nerdy scientist and professor and is extremely...
's science contest, the "12th Annual Big Science Thing", using an antidote on herself and making Francine peaceful and friendly towards her, the antidote being just salad dressing which covers up the smell of the poindextrose. At the end, the salad dressing runs out and Francine goes on a rampage beating up all the scientists in the room.
Production
The episode was written by John FrinkJohn Frink
John Frink is an American television writer and producer. He has written several episodes of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons, many of which he co-wrote with his former writing partner Don Payne. Frink and Payne started their career in television writing for the short-lived sitcom Hope...
and Don Payne and directed by Lauren MacMullan
Lauren MacMullan
Lauren MacMullan is an animation director. Her first primetime TV job was on The Critic, followed by directing for King of the Hill. She went on to become the supervising director and designer for Mission Hill. After the show was cancelled quickly, she got a job directing on The Simpsons, and...
as part of the twelfth season of The Simpsons (2000–2001). American actress and stand-up comedienne Kathy Griffin
Kathy Griffin
Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Griffin is an American actress, stand-up comedienne, television personality, New York Times best-selling author and an LGBT rights advocate. Griffin first gained recognition for appearances on two episodes of Seinfeld, and then for her supporting role on the NBC sitcom...
guest starred in the episode as Francine. The original idea for the episode, which the writers first pitched, saw Lisa attempting to punch Francine, but would miss and punch Principal Skinner instead, resulting in her being sent to juvenile hall where she would make illegal jeans. The subplot of Homer entering the childproofing business was based on an instance when a salesman visited Payne and his pregnant wife. In an interview with Star-News
Star-News
Star-News is the daily newspaper for Wilmington, North Carolina, and its surrounding area . It is owned by The New York Times Company....
, he commented: "You hire this person to come into your home to look for changes you can make. They make you feel like the most horrible person in the world and that your house is the temple of doom." NRBQ
NRBQ
NRBQ is an American rock band founded in 1967. It is known for its live performances, containing a high degree of spontaneity and levity, and blending rock, pop, jazz, blues and Tin Pan Alley styles. Its best known line-up is the 1974–1994 quartet of pianist Terry Adams, bassist Joey Spampinato,...
's song "Always Safety First" is played during a montage in the episode in which Homer is seen improving the safety of the infants of Springfield.
Release
The episode originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 11, 2001. During this broadcast, it was watched in approximately 8.8 households. It received an 8.7 Nielsen rating, ranking twenty-sixth in the ratings for the week of March 5–11, 2001. The episode was seen by a fourteen percent share of the television audience during the broadcast. On August 18, 2009, "Bye Bye Nerdie" was released on DVD as part of the box set The Simpsons – The Complete Twelfth Season. Staff members Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Don Payne, Matt Selman, Tim Long, Tom Gammill, Yeardley Smith, Lauren MacMullan, and Steven Dean Moore participated in the DVD audio commentaryAudio commentary
On disc-based video formats, an audio commentary is an additional audio track consisting of a lecture or comments by one or more speakers, that plays in real time with video...
for the episode. Deleted scenes from the episode were also featured on the box set.
Critics gave given "Bye Bye Nerdie" generally positive reviews. DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson commented that "While this isn’t saying much, 'Nerdie' provides one of Season 12’s better shows. Both plots work well, though I prefer the childproofing side of things; it peters out at the end, but it has some good bits. The episode keeps us interested and entertained." Mac McEntire of DVD Verdict
DVD Verdict
DVD Verdict is a judicial themed website for DVD reviews. The site was founded in 1999. Current editor in chief is Michael Stailey, who also reviews for Rotten Tomatoes...
cited the scene in which the children imagine what kind of person the new student will be as the greatest moment in the episode. In the July 26, 2007 issue of Nature
Nature (journal)
Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
, the scientific journal's editorial staff listed "Bye Bye Nerdie" among "The Top Ten science moments in The Simpsons", writing: "Lisa isolates the element in nerd sweat that makes them irresistible targets for bullies. She presents her data at a conference with luminaries including former surgeon general C. Everett Koop
C. Everett Koop
Charles Everett Koop, MD is an American pediatric surgeon and public health administrator. He was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and served as thirteenth Surgeon General of the United States under President Ronald Reagan from 1982 to 1989.-Early years:Koop was born...
, a scene in which we find the true purpose of a science pole."
External links
- "Bye Bye Nerdie" at The Simpsons.com
- NRBQ - "Always Safety First"; music used during episode