Midnight Towboy
Encyclopedia
"Midnight Towboy" is the third episode of The Simpsons
' nineteenth season
and first aired on October 7, 2007. This is the first Simpsons episode to premiere in October since season eleven
's "Treehouse of Horror X
", which aired on October 31, 1999. When Homer's car is towed, he meets Louie, a tow truck driver who introduces Homer to the joy of towing cars for a living. Homer soon goes too far, prompting Springfieldians to plot their revenge. Meanwhile, Marge becomes concerned about Maggie's clinginess and hires a counselor to make her independent. This episode was written by Stephanie Gillis, and directed by Matthew Nastuk
. Matt Dillon
guest stars as Louie. During its first airing, the episode gained 7.7 million viewers, fewer than the previous episode.
to bed, Marge
discovers Maggie is too clingy. After Maggie's attachment to Marge causes a jar of milk to be spilled, Marge attempts to email Creative Responses for Infant Edu-loving ("C.R.I.E.") pronounced as the word cry
, a group which enables attached children to be more independent, with the intention of finding a counselor for Maggie. Meanwhile, Homer
finds out the Kwik-E-Mart
and Moe's Tavern
do not have any more milk; Moe even charges him for accidentally serving him white paint, so he takes a trip past Shelbyville and Ogdenville to Guidopolis, a sleazy-looking town populated by Italian-American stereotypes. He goes to the "Mook-E-Mart", purchases milk, and winds up having his car towed by a man named Louie. After noticing Homer's fascination with towing, Louie releases Homer's car and introduces him to the joy of towing cars for a living. Louie decides to help Homer become a tow truck driver, if, and only if, Homer will "stay off his turf". Homer agrees, and becomes Springfield's official tow truck driver.
At home, a CRIE woman arrives to help with Maggie's independence. After the woman orders Marge to leave Maggie alone in the room, Maggie's crying makes Marge desperate to hug Maggie; when the woman explains that "hugs are drugs, and Maggie is addicted", Marge ignores her, kicks her in the groin, and rushes to the living room to find a newly independent Maggie spelling IMOK ("I'm Okay") on her building blocks. Later, a more independent Maggie climbs on a table leg in the kitchen, picks up a book and banana and seats herself in her high-chair, much to Marge's sad disappointment that she's no longer needed. After towing the Rich Texan's limo, a newly successful Homer goes so far as to tow down Arnie Pie's helicopter. After a brief celebration at Moe
's, he then tows Lenny's car, Principal Skinner
's car, and even the Sunday School bus, causing Ned
to sardonically call Homer, "Towmer".
The residents of Springfield become frustrated with Homer's continuing towing antics, prompting them to plan revenge upon him, with invaluable help from Agnes Skinner, a four-time widow — on the last three occasions, by tow truck drivers. After leaving a car in Guidopolis, they spray on a handicap parking logo, stuff multiple tickets under the windshield wipers, leave it beside a fire hydrant, and attach an incomprehensible license plate. They cover the Guidopolis city limits sign with one saying "You're still in Springfield", with the intention of luring Homer to Guidopolis, where Louie had forbidden him to go. At home, Maggie makes a baby book including her toenails and hair. After seeing her more independent, Marge begins to miss her, so she bonds with a sack of potatoes. At Guidopolis, however, Homer is abducted by Louie who keeps him in his basement with other tow truck drivers who trespassed his area, where he bonds with them.
Homer's absence causes parking pandemonium. Lenny and Carl smugly park their GMC in the handicapped area, prompting an angry, handicapped Mrs. Skinner to park sideways. Rainier Wolfcastle parks his Hummer on top of her in spite. Duffman lowers his blimp into a no-parking zone, where it is shot by the Sea Captain, causing it to deflate onto the pavement. A train engineer however, crashes through it all. Marge, meanwhile worries about Homer, who has not returned home for four days. Maggie, worried for her father and mother's happiness, uses her newfound independence to save Homer by riding on Santa's Little Helper
through the night to Guidopolis. A humble Maggie rescues all the tow truck drivers from the cellar by attaching Louie's towhook to the cellar window bars (unbeknownst to Louie) and returns home with Homer (as a reward, Homer
gives Maggie
back her "nose", but gives her Lisa's
instead). After giving the sack of potatoes a punch, Maggie gives Marge her pacifier and hugs Marge, reuniting with her.
. Louie's trapdoor is activated by a bust of Jon Bon Jovi
, à la the 1960s Batman TV show. Homer, Bart, Lisa, Ralph, and Milhouse parody a scene from Animal House, and sing "Shout" in togas. "Mr. T
is The Lion King
" is seen on a billboard while Homer drives to Guidopolis. Maggie owns a stuffed animal, Justin Timberwolf, a reference to Justin Timberlake
. The message in Maggie's blocks is a reference to Homer's "message" in “My Mother the Carjacker
.” Homer enthralls the kidnapped drivers by describing the plots of the summer 2007 releases Transformers and Shrek The Third
. The kidnapped drivers sing "Under the Boardwalk
" by the Drifters
. Also, Cochise
by Audioslave
is briefly heard on the radio while Homer is riding with Louie. When Maggie leaves the house through the doggy door on Santa's Little Helper's Back and rides around on him, this is a reference to Toy Story 2
.
In one scene, Bart cuts several swear words out of the Bible, stating that since they are in the Bible, he and Milhouse can use them. When Milhouse states that he doesn't think "Leviticus" is a swear word, Bart replies, "Shut up, you damn-ass-whore!"
gave the episode 7.4/10, better than each of the previous two episodes, calling it a "solid, funny episode". He felt that the "odd scene involving the Duff blimp, the Sea Captain's pirate ship and a train engine driving through the streets was simply too ridiculous not to be funny." Richard Keller of TV Squad called it a "decent, strong episode" that had many laughs and enjoyed the episode's subplot with Marge and Maggie and enjoyed the scene where Marge struggled with the computer.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
The Simpsons (season 19)
The Simpsons nineteenth season originally aired on the Fox network between September 23, 2007 and May 18, 2008.-Production:The nineteenth season of The Simpsons is the first one produced after the movie and contained seven hold-over episodes from season 18's JABF production line...
and first aired on October 7, 2007. This is the first Simpsons episode to premiere in October since season eleven
The Simpsons (season 11)
The Simpsons 11th season originally aired between September 1999 and May 2000, beginning on Sunday, September 26, 1999, with "Beyond Blunderdome". The show runner for the 11th production season was Mike Scully...
's "Treehouse of Horror X
Treehouse of Horror X
"Treehouse of Horror X" is the fourth episode of The Simpsons eleventh season, and the tenth annual Treehouse of Horror episode, consisting of three self-contained segments. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on Halloween 1999. In "I Know What You Diddily-Iddily-Did", the...
", which aired on October 31, 1999. When Homer's car is towed, he meets Louie, a tow truck driver who introduces Homer to the joy of towing cars for a living. Homer soon goes too far, prompting Springfieldians to plot their revenge. Meanwhile, Marge becomes concerned about Maggie's clinginess and hires a counselor to make her independent. This episode was written by Stephanie Gillis, and directed by Matthew Nastuk
Matthew Nastuk
Matthew Nastuk is an animation director on The Simpsons. He started directing during the tenth season, and has since directed over a dozen episodes and continues to direct today.-Season Ten:...
. Matt Dillon
Matt Dillon
Matthew Raymond "Matt" Dillon is an American actor and film director. He began acting in the late 1970s, gaining fame as a teenage idol during the 1980s.- Early life :...
guest stars as Louie. During its first airing, the episode gained 7.7 million viewers, fewer than the previous episode.
Plot
While putting MaggieMaggie Simpson
Margaret "Maggie" Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. She first appeared on television in the Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987. Maggie was created and designed by cartoonist Matt Groening while he was waiting in the lobby of James...
to bed, Marge
Marge Simpson
Marjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
discovers Maggie is too clingy. After Maggie's attachment to Marge causes a jar of milk to be spilled, Marge attempts to email Creative Responses for Infant Edu-loving ("C.R.I.E.") pronounced as the word cry
Cry
Cry usually refers to crying, the act of shedding tears.Cry may also refer to:* Cry, Yonne, a commune in France* CRY , worldwide non-profit organization-Songs:* "Cry" , 1951...
, a group which enables attached children to be more independent, with the intention of finding a counselor for Maggie. 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...
finds out the Kwik-E-Mart
Kwik-E-Mart
The Kwik-E-Mart is a fictional chain of convenience stores in the animated television series The Simpsons. It is a parody of American convenience store chains, such as 7-Eleven and Circle K, and represents many myths and stereotypes of them. It is notorious for its high prices and the poor quality...
and Moe's Tavern
Moe Szyslak
Momar / Morris "Moe" Szyslak is a fictional character in the American animated television series, The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"...
do not have any more milk; Moe even charges him for accidentally serving him white paint, so he takes a trip past Shelbyville and Ogdenville to Guidopolis, a sleazy-looking town populated by Italian-American stereotypes. He goes to the "Mook-E-Mart", purchases milk, and winds up having his car towed by a man named Louie. After noticing Homer's fascination with towing, Louie releases Homer's car and introduces him to the joy of towing cars for a living. Louie decides to help Homer become a tow truck driver, if, and only if, Homer will "stay off his turf". Homer agrees, and becomes Springfield's official tow truck driver.
At home, a CRIE woman arrives to help with Maggie's independence. After the woman orders Marge to leave Maggie alone in the room, Maggie's crying makes Marge desperate to hug Maggie; when the woman explains that "hugs are drugs, and Maggie is addicted", Marge ignores her, kicks her in the groin, and rushes to the living room to find a newly independent Maggie spelling IMOK ("I'm Okay") on her building blocks. Later, a more independent Maggie climbs on a table leg in the kitchen, picks up a book and banana and seats herself in her high-chair, much to Marge's sad disappointment that she's no longer needed. After towing the Rich Texan's limo, a newly successful Homer goes so far as to tow down Arnie Pie's helicopter. After a brief celebration at Moe
Moe Szyslak
Momar / Morris "Moe" Szyslak is a fictional character in the American animated television series, The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"...
's, he then tows Lenny's car, Principal Skinner
Seymour Skinner
Principal W. Seymour Skinner is a fictional character in the American animated sitcom The Simpsons. He is voiced by Harry Shearer. Born in Capitol City, he is the principal of Springfield Elementary School...
's car, and even the Sunday School bus, causing Ned
Ned Flanders
Nedward "Ned" Flanders, Jr. is a recurring fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Harry Shearer, and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the next door neighbor to the Simpson family and is generally...
to sardonically call Homer, "Towmer".
The residents of Springfield become frustrated with Homer's continuing towing antics, prompting them to plan revenge upon him, with invaluable help from Agnes Skinner, a four-time widow — on the last three occasions, by tow truck drivers. After leaving a car in Guidopolis, they spray on a handicap parking logo, stuff multiple tickets under the windshield wipers, leave it beside a fire hydrant, and attach an incomprehensible license plate. They cover the Guidopolis city limits sign with one saying "You're still in Springfield", with the intention of luring Homer to Guidopolis, where Louie had forbidden him to go. At home, Maggie makes a baby book including her toenails and hair. After seeing her more independent, Marge begins to miss her, so she bonds with a sack of potatoes. At Guidopolis, however, Homer is abducted by Louie who keeps him in his basement with other tow truck drivers who trespassed his area, where he bonds with them.
Homer's absence causes parking pandemonium. Lenny and Carl smugly park their GMC in the handicapped area, prompting an angry, handicapped Mrs. Skinner to park sideways. Rainier Wolfcastle parks his Hummer on top of her in spite. Duffman lowers his blimp into a no-parking zone, where it is shot by the Sea Captain, causing it to deflate onto the pavement. A train engineer however, crashes through it all. Marge, meanwhile worries about Homer, who has not returned home for four days. Maggie, worried for her father and mother's happiness, uses her newfound independence to save Homer by riding on Santa's Little Helper
Santa's Little Helper
Santa's Little Helper is a recurring character in the American animated television series The Simpsons. He is the pet greyhound of the Simpson family. The dog was introduced in the first episode of the show, the 1989 Christmas special "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", in which his owner abandons...
through the night to Guidopolis. A humble Maggie rescues all the tow truck drivers from the cellar by attaching Louie's towhook to the cellar window bars (unbeknownst to Louie) and returns home with Homer (as a reward, 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...
gives Maggie
Maggie Simpson
Margaret "Maggie" Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. She first appeared on television in the Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987. Maggie was created and designed by cartoonist Matt Groening while he was waiting in the lobby of James...
back her "nose", but gives her Lisa's
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...
instead). After giving the sack of potatoes a punch, Maggie gives Marge her pacifier and hugs Marge, reuniting with her.
Cultural references
The episode title is a reference to Midnight CowboyMidnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film based on the 1965 novel of the same name by James Leo Herlihy. It was written by Waldo Salt, directed by John Schlesinger, and stars Dustin Hoffman and newcomer Jon Voight in the title role. Notable smaller roles are filled by Sylvia Miles, John...
. Louie's trapdoor is activated by a bust of Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
, à la the 1960s Batman TV show. Homer, Bart, Lisa, Ralph, and Milhouse parody a scene from Animal House, and sing "Shout" in togas. "Mr. T
Mr. T
Mr. T is an American actor known for his roles as B. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team, as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III, and for his appearances as a professional wrestler. Mr. T is known for his trademark African Mandinka warrior hairstyle, his gold jewelry,...
is The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
" is seen on a billboard while Homer drives to Guidopolis. Maggie owns a stuffed animal, Justin Timberwolf, a reference to Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
. The message in Maggie's blocks is a reference to Homer's "message" in “My Mother the Carjacker
My Mother the Carjacker
"My Mother the Carjacker" is the second episode of The Simpsons fifteenth season and first aired on November 9, 2003. Homer receives a cryptic message in the newspaper informing him to come to a certain place at midnight, and soon discovers that the person who wrote the message is his mother, Mona...
.” Homer enthralls the kidnapped drivers by describing the plots of the summer 2007 releases Transformers and Shrek The Third
Shrek the Third
Shrek the Third is a 2007 American animated film, and the third film in the Shrek series. It was produced by Jeffrey Katzenberg for DreamWorks Animation, and is distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was released in U.S. theaters on May 18, 2007...
. The kidnapped drivers sing "Under the Boardwalk
Under the Boardwalk
"Under the Boardwalk" is a hit pop song written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick and recorded by The Drifters in 1964.-Premise:The lyric describes a tryst between a man and his beloved in a seaside town, who plan to privately meet "out of the sun" and out of sight from everyone else under a...
" by the Drifters
The Drifters
The Drifters are a long-lived American doo-wop and R&B/soul vocal group with a peak in popularity from 1953 to 1963, though several splinter Drifters continue to perform today. They were originally formed to serve as Clyde McPhatter's backing group in 1953...
. Also, Cochise
Cochise (song)
"Cochise" is the first single by Audioslave for their eponymous debut album released in 2002. The single was released with a white and a black cover...
by Audioslave
Audioslave
Audioslave was an American rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001. It consisted of former Soundgarden lead singer/rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell and the former instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello , Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk...
is briefly heard on the radio while Homer is riding with Louie. When Maggie leaves the house through the doggy door on Santa's Little Helper's Back and rides around on him, this is a reference to Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2 is a 1999 American computer animated film directed by John Lasseter and co-directed by Lee Unkrich and Ash Brannon. It is the sequel to the 1995 film Toy Story, released by Walt Disney Pictures and the third film to be produced by Pixar...
.
In one scene, Bart cuts several swear words out of the Bible, stating that since they are in the Bible, he and Milhouse can use them. When Milhouse states that he doesn't think "Leviticus" is a swear word, Bart replies, "Shut up, you damn-ass-whore!"
Reception
The episode had 7.8 million viewers. Robert Canning of IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the episode 7.4/10, better than each of the previous two episodes, calling it a "solid, funny episode". He felt that the "odd scene involving the Duff blimp, the Sea Captain's pirate ship and a train engine driving through the streets was simply too ridiculous not to be funny." Richard Keller of TV Squad called it a "decent, strong episode" that had many laughs and enjoyed the episode's subplot with Marge and Maggie and enjoyed the scene where Marge struggled with the computer.
External links
- "Midnight Towboy" at The Simpsons.com