The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed
Encyclopedia
"The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" is the sixteenth episode of The Simpsons
' twenty-first season
and the 457th episode overall. It aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 28, 2010 (Palm Sunday
and the eve of Passover
). In this episode, the Simpsons vacation in Israel with Ned Flanders, but Homer does not appreciate any of the culture—until an Israeli tour guide named Jakob shows him around and, in a severe state of dehydration, Homer believes he is the Messiah.
The episode was written by Kevin Curran
and directed by Michael Polcino
and guest stars Sacha Baron Cohen
as Jakob and Yael Naim
as Dorit and features references to films like Transformers and Veggie Tales. "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" received a 2.7/8 Nielsen Rating in the 18-49 demographic and received mixed reviews from critics.
becomes frustrated when Homer
disrupts his Bible study group, and Reverend Lovejoy recommends that Ned invite the Simpson family to join them on a tour of Jerusalem. Homer is skeptical, but Marge accepts and soon the family is on their way to Israel. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, where they are joined by Krusty the Clown, pass the Western Wall
and a Fiddler on the Roof
, they meet a talkative and pushy tour guide named Jakob.
At first, Homer and the other tourists show more interest in the hotel's buffet than they do in seeing the city, much to Ned's dismay. When they arrive at King David's
tomb, Ned implores Homer to show some respect. Homer, however, continues to goof off and Ned becomes increasingly impatient with him. When Jakob takes the group to the Western Wall
, Homer and Bart get in an argument over placing written prayers between the rocks. Bart escapes on his skateboard, but is chased down by Jakob's young niece, Dorit, who has military training and specializes in Krav Maga
. She subdues him with multiple kicks at his testicles.
Their next stop is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
, where Ned prays that Homer finds some meaning in the tour. But when he discovers Homer taking a nap on the tomb of the Savior, he loses his temper and yells at the situation. Ned is removed from the church by security when they hear the commotion, and is promptly given a lifetime banning from said site. Ned scolds Homer, telling him that his soul is "not worth saving", and storms off. Homer rushes after Ned to make amends, but loses sight of him and believes that Ned is lost in the desert. In actuallity, Ned merely went to get a cup of tea to calm his anger, and went to see a movie. He takes a camel
and rides off to find Ned, but soon becomes lost in a sandstorm. While feeling the effects of dehydration
Homer starts singing how thirsty he is. Homer arrives at the Dead Sea
, drinks some water and adds salt to the water after tasting the water. Still dehydrated, he hallucinates and in the hallucination, he is visited by the Veggie Tales and told that he is a new messiah.
After being rescued by Marge and a security guard, Dr. Hibbert diagnoses Homer with Jerusalem syndrome
, whose sufferers possess religiously-themed obsessive ideas. Homer escapes from the hotel and ends up at the Dome of the Rock
. Marge, the Simpson children and Dr. Hibbert chase after him, only to hear him preach that the similarities of different religions outweigh their differences, and that all should search for a common ground for a joint new religion, the so-called "Chrismujews
" (and in Homer's mind, this includes "peace and chicken" - chicken because it is accepted as food in each of the above-mentioned religions). Shortly afterwards, Agnes and Dr. Hibbert also develop the syndrome. Ned witnesses Homer's speech and is profoundly moved. In the end, most of the people on the tour develop Jerusalem Syndrome, and on the flight back to Springfield, Ned and Homer reconcile. Bart receives another hit in the testicles, this time from Lisa, during an argument over choice of seating.
, his second writing credit for the season after "Rednecks and Broomsticks
" although the other episode was produced for season 20 and directed by Michael Polcino
his second directing credit the season after "Thursdays with Abie
". Sacha Baron Cohen
guest stars as Jakob and Yael Naim
appears as Dorit.
This is one of few Simpsons episodes to use the Bleep censor
.
. There is also a parody of Transformers, titled ""The Reformers"". In the time Homer is lost with the camel in the desert, there is a direct reference of the film "Lawrence of Arabia
". Homer mistakes the Lord's Resting Place for that of cartoon character Porky Pig
. When Dorit is chasing Bart the music and surrounding characters are reminiscent of Run Lola Run
.
The episode received lukewarm reviews. Robert Canning of IGN gave the episode a 7.3, calling it was "Decent" and adding, "I was underwhelmed with Sacha Baron Cohen
's voice work as the group's tour guide. He was like a sped up Borat and was actually a bit difficult to understand at times. The few jokes that did get through were only okay." Canning also stated that "It's difficult to keep your expectations in check when you hear about an upcoming guest star, and that likely affected my perception of this episode. But that it is what it is. Perhaps subsequent viewings will find me enjoying this more, but for now, "Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" was just this side of good." Todd VerDer Werff gave the episode a B+ and said "there were jokes here that went on way too long, like that whole krav maga
thing. But, for the most part, this was a funny vacation episode, and the show hasn't done one of those in a while." Jason Hughes of TV Squad gave the episode a negative review saying "I don't expect 'The Simpsons' to have that sharp edge of wit it used to in its earlier, more subversive days, but I do expect it to be able to create situations for humor from time to time; even if it's gentle humor. The TV Fanatic gave the episode a 3/5 saying "It manages to combine jokes, while still showing positive messages such as Homer showing genuine care after Flanders, his supposed enemy, takes off into the dessert . Or even Homer's positive message of re-uniting all faiths."
The episode was later used on a report on Jerusalem syndrome
, when people think they are the Messiah
, by CNN
.
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 21)
The Simpsons twenty-first season aired on Fox from September 27, 2009 to May 23, 2010. It was the first of two seasons that the show was renewed for by Fox, and also the first season of the show to air entirely in high definition....
and the 457th episode overall. It aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 28, 2010 (Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels. ....
and the eve of Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
). In this episode, the Simpsons vacation in Israel with Ned Flanders, but Homer does not appreciate any of the culture—until an Israeli tour guide named Jakob shows him around and, in a severe state of dehydration, Homer believes he is the Messiah.
The episode was written by Kevin Curran
Kevin Curran (writer)
Kevin Curran is an American television writer. He has written for Late Night with David Letterman, Married...with Children, and The Simpsons. He was also the voice of Buck the Dog on Married...with Children...
and directed by Michael Polcino
Michael Polcino
Michael Polcino is an animation director on The Simpsons. His brother, Dominic Polcino, is a former Simpsons director and currently works on Family Guy.-The Simpsons episodes:He has directed the following episodes:*"The Mansion Family"...
and guest stars Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Noam Baron Cohen is an English stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and voice artist. He is most widely known for his portrayal of three unorthodox fictional characters: Ali G, Borat, and Brüno...
as Jakob and Yael Naim
Yael Naim
Yael Naïm , is a French-Israeli singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in 2008 in the US after her hit single "New Soul" was used by Apple in an advertising campaign for its MacBook Air. The song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.-Biography:Yael Naïm was born in Paris, France to Tunisian Jewish...
as Dorit and features references to films like Transformers and Veggie Tales. "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" received a 2.7/8 Nielsen Rating in the 18-49 demographic and received mixed reviews from critics.
Plot
Ned FlandersNed 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...
becomes frustrated when 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...
disrupts his Bible study group, and Reverend Lovejoy recommends that Ned invite the Simpson family to join them on a tour of Jerusalem. Homer is skeptical, but Marge accepts and soon the family is on their way to Israel. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, where they are joined by Krusty the Clown, pass the Western Wall
Western Wall
The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount...
and a Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. It is based on Tevye and his Daughters by Sholem Aleichem...
, they meet a talkative and pushy tour guide named Jakob.
At first, Homer and the other tourists show more interest in the hotel's buffet than they do in seeing the city, much to Ned's dismay. When they arrive at King David's
David
David was the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel according to the Hebrew Bible and, according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, an ancestor of Jesus Christ through both Saint Joseph and Mary...
tomb, Ned implores Homer to show some respect. Homer, however, continues to goof off and Ned becomes increasingly impatient with him. When Jakob takes the group to the Western Wall
Western Wall
The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount...
, Homer and Bart get in an argument over placing written prayers between the rocks. Bart escapes on his skateboard, but is chased down by Jakob's young niece, Dorit, who has military training and specializes in Krav Maga
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a noncompetitive eclectic self-defense system developed in Europe that involves striking techniques, wrestling and grappling. Krav Maga is known for its focus on real-world situations and extremely efficient, brutal counter-attacks...
. She subdues him with multiple kicks at his testicles.
Their next stop is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also called the Church of the Resurrection by Eastern Christians, is a church within the walled Old City of Jerusalem. It is a few steps away from the Muristan....
, where Ned prays that Homer finds some meaning in the tour. But when he discovers Homer taking a nap on the tomb of the Savior, he loses his temper and yells at the situation. Ned is removed from the church by security when they hear the commotion, and is promptly given a lifetime banning from said site. Ned scolds Homer, telling him that his soul is "not worth saving", and storms off. Homer rushes after Ned to make amends, but loses sight of him and believes that Ned is lost in the desert. In actuallity, Ned merely went to get a cup of tea to calm his anger, and went to see a movie. He takes a camel
Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. There are two species of camels: the dromedary or Arabian camel has a single hump, and the bactrian has two humps. Dromedaries are native to the dry desert areas of West Asia,...
and rides off to find Ned, but soon becomes lost in a sandstorm. While feeling the effects of dehydration
Dehydration
In physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
Homer starts singing how thirsty he is. Homer arrives at the Dead Sea
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea , also called the Salt Sea, is a salt lake bordering Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its surface and shores are below sea level, the lowest elevation on the Earth's surface. The Dead Sea is deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world...
, drinks some water and adds salt to the water after tasting the water. Still dehydrated, he hallucinates and in the hallucination, he is visited by the Veggie Tales and told that he is a new messiah.
After being rescued by Marge and a security guard, Dr. Hibbert diagnoses Homer with Jerusalem syndrome
Jerusalem syndrome
The Jerusalem syndrome is a group of mental phenomena involving the presence of either religiously themed obsessive ideas, delusions or other psychosis-like experiences that are triggered by a visit to the city of Jerusalem...
, whose sufferers possess religiously-themed obsessive ideas. Homer escapes from the hotel and ends up at the Dome of the Rock
Dome of the Rock
The Dome of the Rock is a shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. The structure has been refurbished many times since its initial completion in 691 CE at the order of Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik...
. Marge, the Simpson children and Dr. Hibbert chase after him, only to hear him preach that the similarities of different religions outweigh their differences, and that all should search for a common ground for a joint new religion, the so-called "Chrismujews
Abrahamic religions
Abrahamic religions are the monotheistic faiths emphasizing and tracing their common origin to Abraham or recognizing a spiritual tradition identified with him...
" (and in Homer's mind, this includes "peace and chicken" - chicken because it is accepted as food in each of the above-mentioned religions). Shortly afterwards, Agnes and Dr. Hibbert also develop the syndrome. Ned witnesses Homer's speech and is profoundly moved. In the end, most of the people on the tour develop Jerusalem Syndrome, and on the flight back to Springfield, Ned and Homer reconcile. Bart receives another hit in the testicles, this time from Lisa, during an argument over choice of seating.
Production
The episode was written by Kevin CurranKevin Curran (writer)
Kevin Curran is an American television writer. He has written for Late Night with David Letterman, Married...with Children, and The Simpsons. He was also the voice of Buck the Dog on Married...with Children...
, his second writing credit for the season after "Rednecks and Broomsticks
Rednecks and Broomsticks
"Rednecks and Broomsticks" is the seventh episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 29, 2009...
" although the other episode was produced for season 20 and directed by Michael Polcino
Michael Polcino
Michael Polcino is an animation director on The Simpsons. His brother, Dominic Polcino, is a former Simpsons director and currently works on Family Guy.-The Simpsons episodes:He has directed the following episodes:*"The Mansion Family"...
his second directing credit the season after "Thursdays with Abie
Thursdays with Abie
"Thursdays with Abie" is the ninth episode of The Simpsons twenty-first season. It aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company in the United States on January 3, 2010. In the episode, Grampa meets a human interest journalist who writes and publishes Grampa's life stories making Homer jealous and while...
". Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Noam Baron Cohen is an English stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and voice artist. He is most widely known for his portrayal of three unorthodox fictional characters: Ali G, Borat, and Brüno...
guest stars as Jakob and Yael Naim
Yael Naim
Yael Naïm , is a French-Israeli singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in 2008 in the US after her hit single "New Soul" was used by Apple in an advertising campaign for its MacBook Air. The song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.-Biography:Yael Naïm was born in Paris, France to Tunisian Jewish...
appears as Dorit.
This is one of few Simpsons episodes to use the Bleep censor
Bleep censor
A bleep censor is the replacement of profanity or classified information with a beep sound , in television or radio...
.
Cultural references
The episode features the characters from VeggieTalesVeggieTales
VeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
. There is also a parody of Transformers, titled ""The Reformers"". In the time Homer is lost with the camel in the desert, there is a direct reference of the film "Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia (film)
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel through his British company, Horizon Pictures, with the screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. The film stars Peter O'Toole in the title role. It is widely...
". Homer mistakes the Lord's Resting Place for that of cartoon character Porky Pig
Porky Pig
Porky Pig is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. He was the first character created by the studio to draw audiences based on his star power, and the animators created many critically acclaimed shorts using the fat little pig...
. When Dorit is chasing Bart the music and surrounding characters are reminiscent of Run Lola Run
Run Lola Run
Run Lola Run is a 1998 German crime thriller film written and directed by Tom Tykwer and starring Franka Potente as Lola and Moritz Bleibtreu as Manni. The story follows a woman who needs to obtain 100,000 German marks in 20 minutes to save her boyfriend's life...
.
Reception
In its original airing, "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" was viewed by 5.698 million viewers and got a Nielsen Rating of 2.7, with an 8% share of the audience. It came second in its timeslot and second in the "Animation Domination" lineup.The episode received lukewarm reviews. Robert Canning of IGN gave the episode a 7.3, calling it was "Decent" and adding, "I was underwhelmed with Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Noam Baron Cohen is an English stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and voice artist. He is most widely known for his portrayal of three unorthodox fictional characters: Ali G, Borat, and Brüno...
's voice work as the group's tour guide. He was like a sped up Borat and was actually a bit difficult to understand at times. The few jokes that did get through were only okay." Canning also stated that "It's difficult to keep your expectations in check when you hear about an upcoming guest star, and that likely affected my perception of this episode. But that it is what it is. Perhaps subsequent viewings will find me enjoying this more, but for now, "Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" was just this side of good." Todd VerDer Werff gave the episode a B+ and said "there were jokes here that went on way too long, like that whole krav maga
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a noncompetitive eclectic self-defense system developed in Europe that involves striking techniques, wrestling and grappling. Krav Maga is known for its focus on real-world situations and extremely efficient, brutal counter-attacks...
thing. But, for the most part, this was a funny vacation episode, and the show hasn't done one of those in a while." Jason Hughes of TV Squad gave the episode a negative review saying "I don't expect 'The Simpsons' to have that sharp edge of wit it used to in its earlier, more subversive days, but I do expect it to be able to create situations for humor from time to time; even if it's gentle humor. The TV Fanatic gave the episode a 3/5 saying "It manages to combine jokes, while still showing positive messages such as Homer showing genuine care after Flanders, his supposed enemy, takes off into the dessert . Or even Homer's positive message of re-uniting all faiths."
The episode was later used on a report on Jerusalem syndrome
Jerusalem syndrome
The Jerusalem syndrome is a group of mental phenomena involving the presence of either religiously themed obsessive ideas, delusions or other psychosis-like experiences that are triggered by a visit to the city of Jerusalem...
, when people think they are the Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
, by CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
.
External links
- "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" at The Simpsons ArchiveThe Simpsons ArchiveThe Simpsons Archive, better known as snpp.com or simply SNPP , is a Simpsons fan site that has been online since 1994...