The Twisted World of Marge Simpson
Encyclopedia
"The Twisted World of Marge Simpson" is the eleventh episode of the The Simpsons
' eighth season
, which originally aired January 19, 1997. It was written by Jennifer Crittenden and directed by Chuck Sheetz
. The episode guest stars Jack Lemmon
as Frank Ormand and Joe Mantegna
as Fat Tony
. Over the course of the episode, Marge sets up her own business, selling pretzel
s.
admits that she is reluctant to invest money in high-risk ventures and is ejected from the group. After some consideration, Lisa
convinces Marge to buy her own franchise. During a Franchise
Expo, the Investorettes become members of the glamorous "Fleet-A-Pita
" franchise, in return prompting Marge to join a much smaller one called "Pretzel
Wagon", owned by a man named Frank Ormand (Jack Lemmon). After watching a promotional video, Marge sets up a makeshift office in her garage, distributes flyers, and with Homer
, Bart
and Lisa's help, proceeds to make pretzels.
To begin with, Marge sets up shop outside the Springfield Power Plant, with Homer convincing his colleagues to each try the new snack. However, the Investorettes' Fleet-A-Pita van rolls up, and within a few seconds, converts Marge's customers. Lisa suggests that Marge "think big", and so the family offer "Free Pretzel Day" at the Springfield Isotopes baseball stadium. Before the crowd has a chance to consume their complimentary pretzel, it is announced that Mr. Burns
has won a 1997 Pontiac Astro Wagon
in the day's give-away competition. The supporters react angrily to the news and bombard the field with the pretzels, knocking out Whitey Ford
in the process. No one tries the food and Marge's efforts end in vain once again.
Homer, seeing Marge depressed, decides to take matters into his own hands and searches for someone who can help Marge. After discovering that Frank Ormand has died in a car accident (as has the executor of his estate), Homer establishes a "business agreement" with Fat Tony
. The following day, Marge surprisingly receives a large order for pretzels and the business is reinvigorated. Many snack-food vendors, Luigi's restaurant and the Girl Scouts. are intimidated by the mob, culminating with the Investorettes' Fleet-A-Pita van violently exploding. Shortly after, Fat Tony greets Homer and demands he pay for his "favors" but he promptly refuses. As a result, Marge is given an order to be delivered to a remote location on the outskirts of the town where she is approached by Fat Tony and his goons. He informs her of the deal he made with Homer and claims that he is entitled to a 100% stake of Marge's profits as a result. Marge confronts Homer about this and he comes clean, explaining that he was only trying to help her. They decide to put their argument aside to make the pretzels and to determine whether or not to pay their debt.
The following morning the mob arrives, but Marge and Homer have decided to refuse to pay them any money. As the mob advances on the pair, the Investorettes arrive with the Japanese Yakuza
. The rival gangs begin to fight and the Simpsons retreat to the house. Homer apologizes for his indiscretion, and Marge forgives him.
The main plot of the episode concerning the two rival snack food franchises was selected because at the time of production, Pita bread and pretzels were "becoming popular." Josh Weinstein expressed his wish that the ideas had been changed to something more "fun", as both snacks have since "gone out of fashion." The Fleet-A-Pita chef was an early version of the "Khlav-Kalash" man from "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
." At the Expo, many of the franchises were based on real franchises and get-rich-quick scheme
s. In the scene where Homer is inspecting pretzels, there was originally a shot where he gave thumbs down to Marge's pretzels.
The episode was written by Jennifer Crittenden who wrote four other episodes. Homer's line "Yeah Homer's right" during the scene where the pretzel wagon arrives was ad-libbed by Dan Castellaneta
. In another scene, Cletus
calls for his many children to come out of the house; the names of which were all "trendy names from the nineties". The 1997 Pontiac Astro Wagon that Mr. Burns wins was designed to accurately resemble one. The episode's final scene, the mob war, was conceived by Matt Groening
as no one else could come up with an ending.
. Frank Ormand's "You'll be there" speech mirrors that of Tom Joad
from John Steinbeck
's The Grapes of Wrath
. Lemmon's portrayal of Frank Ormand is based on the character Shelley Levene in Glengarry Glen Ross
, also played by Lemmon. The character Gil Gunderson, who would not be introduced until the episode "Realty Bites
", was also based on Levene. Rumer and Scout, two of Cletus's children, are named after Bruce Willis
and Demi Moore
's children.
of 8.2, equivalent to approximately 8.0 million viewing households. It was the fifth highest-rated show on the Fox network that week, following The X-files
, King of the Hill
, Melrose Place, and Beverly Hills, 90210
.
The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, called it "A clever, and rather unusual, idea for an episode that shows a frightening bitchiness beneath the middle-class veneer of smalltown businesswomen." The scene with Cletus's children is one of two scenes from this episode that Josh Weinstein considers to be "classic", with the second being the sequence when the crowd throw their free pretzels onto the baseball field, knocking Whitey Ford unconscious. The Ford scene was placed twenty-fourth on ESPN.com's list of the "Top 100 Simpsons sport moments", released in 2004. Greg Collins, the author of the list, added that "Every time it looks like a fight is about to start at a baseball game, I start quoting this scene." The A.V. Club named the baseball commentator's line "Aaaannnd heeerrre come the pretzels" one of the quotes from The Simpsons that can be used in everyday situations.
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 8)
The Simpsons eighth season originally aired between October 27, 1996 and May 18, 1997, beginning with "Treehouse of Horror VII". The show runners for the eighth production season were Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein. The aired season contained two episodes which were hold-over episodes from season...
, which originally aired January 19, 1997. It was written by Jennifer Crittenden and directed by Chuck Sheetz
Chuck Sheetz
Chuck Sheetz is an animation director on The Simpsons. He was the producer on 'What's new, Scooby-Doo?", the director of the TV series, Recess. He has also done work on Bobby's World, Rocko's Modern Life, King of the Hill, Recess, and Welcome to Eltingville in addition to directing the Drawn...
. The episode guest stars Jack Lemmon
Jack Lemmon
John Uhler "Jack" Lemmon III was an American actor and musician. He starred in more than 60 films including Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Mister Roberts , Days of Wine and Roses, The Great Race, Irma la Douce, The Odd Couple, Save the Tiger John Uhler "Jack" Lemmon III (February 8, 1925June...
as Frank Ormand and Joe Mantegna
Joe Mantegna
Joseph Anthony "Joe" Mantegna, Jr. is an American actor, producer, writer,director, and voice actor. He is best known for his roles in box office hits such as Three Amigos , The Godfather Part III , Forget Paris , and Up Close & Personal...
as Fat Tony
Fat Tony
Marion Anthony "Fat Tony" D'Amico is a recurring character in the animated sitcom The Simpsons. He is voiced by Joe Mantegna and first appeared in the third season episode "Bart the Murderer"...
. Over the course of the episode, Marge sets up her own business, selling pretzel
Pretzel
A pretzel is a type of baked food made from dough in soft and hard varieties and savory or sweet flavors in a unique knot-like shape, originating in Europe...
s.
Plot
At a meeting of the Springfield Investorettes, MargeMarge 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...
admits that she is reluctant to invest money in high-risk ventures and is ejected from the group. After some consideration, 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...
convinces Marge to buy her own franchise. During a Franchise
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
Expo, the Investorettes become members of the glamorous "Fleet-A-Pita
Pita
Pita or pitta is a round pocket bread widely consumed in many Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines. It is prevalent in Greece, the Balkans the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey. The "pocket" in pita bread is created by steam, which puffs up the dough...
" franchise, in return prompting Marge to join a much smaller one called "Pretzel
Pretzel
A pretzel is a type of baked food made from dough in soft and hard varieties and savory or sweet flavors in a unique knot-like shape, originating in Europe...
Wagon", owned by a man named Frank Ormand (Jack Lemmon). After watching a promotional video, Marge sets up a makeshift office in her garage, distributes flyers, and with 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...
, Bart
Bart Simpson
Bartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by actress Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
and Lisa's help, proceeds to make pretzels.
To begin with, Marge sets up shop outside the Springfield Power Plant, with Homer convincing his colleagues to each try the new snack. However, the Investorettes' Fleet-A-Pita van rolls up, and within a few seconds, converts Marge's customers. Lisa suggests that Marge "think big", and so the family offer "Free Pretzel Day" at the Springfield Isotopes baseball stadium. Before the crowd has a chance to consume their complimentary pretzel, it is announced that Mr. Burns
Montgomery Burns
Charles Montgomery "Monty" Burns, usually referred to as Mr. Burns, is a recurring fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer and previously Christopher Collins. Burns is the evil owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and is Homer...
has won a 1997 Pontiac Astro Wagon
Pontiac Trans Sport
The Pontiac Trans Sport and its siblings, the Chevrolet Lumina APV and Oldsmobile Silhouette were a set of minivans that débuted with radical styling in fall 1989 as 1990 models. There was also a Chevrolet Trans Sport sold in Europe until 2005 that was a version of the Chevrolet Venture that had...
in the day's give-away competition. The supporters react angrily to the news and bombard the field with the pretzels, knocking out Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
in the process. No one tries the food and Marge's efforts end in vain once again.
Homer, seeing Marge depressed, decides to take matters into his own hands and searches for someone who can help Marge. After discovering that Frank Ormand has died in a car accident (as has the executor of his estate), Homer establishes a "business agreement" with Fat Tony
Fat Tony
Marion Anthony "Fat Tony" D'Amico is a recurring character in the animated sitcom The Simpsons. He is voiced by Joe Mantegna and first appeared in the third season episode "Bart the Murderer"...
. The following day, Marge surprisingly receives a large order for pretzels and the business is reinvigorated. Many snack-food vendors, Luigi's restaurant and the Girl Scouts. are intimidated by the mob, culminating with the Investorettes' Fleet-A-Pita van violently exploding. Shortly after, Fat Tony greets Homer and demands he pay for his "favors" but he promptly refuses. As a result, Marge is given an order to be delivered to a remote location on the outskirts of the town where she is approached by Fat Tony and his goons. He informs her of the deal he made with Homer and claims that he is entitled to a 100% stake of Marge's profits as a result. Marge confronts Homer about this and he comes clean, explaining that he was only trying to help her. They decide to put their argument aside to make the pretzels and to determine whether or not to pay their debt.
The following morning the mob arrives, but Marge and Homer have decided to refuse to pay them any money. As the mob advances on the pair, the Investorettes arrive with the Japanese Yakuza
Yakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
. The rival gangs begin to fight and the Simpsons retreat to the house. Homer apologizes for his indiscretion, and Marge forgives him.
Production
The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
"The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" is the first episode of The Simpsons ninth season, and premiered on September 21, 1997 on Fox. The episode sees the Simpson family traveling to Manhattan to recover the family car, which was taken by Barney Gumble and abandoned outside the World Trade Center...
." At the Expo, many of the franchises were based on real franchises and get-rich-quick scheme
Get-rich-quick scheme
A get-rich-quick scheme is a plan to acquire high rates of return for a small investment. The term "get rich quick" has been used to describe shady investments since at least the early 1900s....
s. In the scene where Homer is inspecting pretzels, there was originally a shot where he gave thumbs down to Marge's pretzels.
The episode was written by Jennifer Crittenden who wrote four other episodes. Homer's line "Yeah Homer's right" during the scene where the pretzel wagon arrives was ad-libbed by Dan Castellaneta
Dan Castellaneta
Daniel Louis "Dan" Castellaneta is an American actor, voice actor, comedian, singer and screenwriter. Noted for his long-running role as Homer Simpson on the animated television series The Simpsons, he voices many other characters on The Simpsons, including Abraham "Grampa" Simpson, Barney Gumble,...
. In another scene, Cletus
Cletus Spuckler
Cletus Delroy Spuckler is a recurring character in the Fox animated series, The Simpsons, and is voiced by Hank Azaria. Cletus is Springfield's resident hillbilly stereotype. He is very messy and is usually portrayed wearing a white sleeveless shirt and pair of blue jeans.- Biography :Cletus was...
calls for his many children to come out of the house; the names of which were all "trendy names from the nineties". The 1997 Pontiac Astro Wagon that Mr. Burns wins was designed to accurately resemble one. The episode's final scene, the mob war, was conceived by Matt Groening
Matt Groening
Matthew Abram "Matt" Groening is an American cartoonist, screenwriter, and producer. He is the creator of the comic strip Life in Hell as well as two successful television series, The Simpsons and Futurama....
as no one else could come up with an ending.
Cultural references
The scene in which the Springfield Mafia destroy all of the competition to "Pretzel Wagon" is based on a scene from GoodfellasGoodfellas
Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a film adaptation of the 1986 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scorsese...
. Frank Ormand's "You'll be there" speech mirrors that of Tom Joad
Tom Joad
Tom Joad is a fictional character from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath portrayed by Henry Fonda in John Ford's film adaption.-Role in the novel:...
from John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck
John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was an American writer. He is widely known for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden and the novella Of Mice and Men...
's The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath is a novel published in 1939 and written by John Steinbeck, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962....
. Lemmon's portrayal of Frank Ormand is based on the character Shelley Levene in Glengarry Glen Ross
Glengarry Glen Ross (film)
Glengarry Glen Ross is a 1992 American drama film, adapted by David Mamet from his acclaimed 1984 Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning play of the same name...
, also played by Lemmon. The character Gil Gunderson, who would not be introduced until the episode "Realty Bites
Realty Bites
"Realty Bites" is the ninth episode of the animated television series The Simpsons ninth season, which originally aired December 7, 1997 on Fox. The episode sees Marge becoming a real estate agent, meanwhile Homer enjoys Snake's new car. It was written by Dan Greaney and directed by Swinton O...
", was also based on Levene. Rumer and Scout, two of Cletus's children, are named after Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles...
and Demi Moore
Demi Moore
Demi Guynes Kutcher , known professionally as Demi Moore, is an American actress. After minor roles in film and a role in the soap opera General Hospital, Moore established her career in films such as St...
's children.
Reception
In its original broadcast, "The Twisted World of Marge Simpson" finished 55th in ratings for the week of January 13-19, 1997, with a Nielsen ratingNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
of 8.2, equivalent to approximately 8.0 million viewing households. It was the fifth highest-rated show on the Fox network that week, following The X-files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
, King of the Hill
King of the Hill
King of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
, Melrose Place, and Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
.
The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, called it "A clever, and rather unusual, idea for an episode that shows a frightening bitchiness beneath the middle-class veneer of smalltown businesswomen." The scene with Cletus's children is one of two scenes from this episode that Josh Weinstein considers to be "classic", with the second being the sequence when the crowd throw their free pretzels onto the baseball field, knocking Whitey Ford unconscious. The Ford scene was placed twenty-fourth on ESPN.com's list of the "Top 100 Simpsons sport moments", released in 2004. Greg Collins, the author of the list, added that "Every time it looks like a fight is about to start at a baseball game, I start quoting this scene." The A.V. Club named the baseball commentator's line "Aaaannnd heeerrre come the pretzels" one of the quotes from The Simpsons that can be used in everyday situations.
External links
- "The Twisted World of Marge Simpson" at The Simpsons.com