Bart Gets an F
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"Bart Gets an F" is the first episode of The Simpsons' second season, which aired on October 11, 1990. It managed to gain over 33 million viewers, making it the second highest rated episode to date, behind only to "Who Shot Mr. Burns?".
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[edit] Synopsis
When Bart presents his book report at school on Treasure Island, it is clear to everyone that he has not read the book. Mrs. Krabappel tests Bart by asking him to name the main pirate in the book. He cannot. She warns him that his grades have gotten steadily worse since the beginning of the term, and warns Bart of an exam on Colonial America tomorrow, but he does not pay attention to a word she says. Bart tries to study, but he frequently procrastinates in his time intended for studying. Before the test, he "collapses" and sees the nurse, who suggests that Bart stay home because she believes he has amoria phlebitis. At home, Bart procrastinates again and calls Milhouse to see what answers he got. He takes the test, receives an F and is told that his effort is "even worse than Milhouse's exam." Homer and Marge have an interview with Mrs. Krabappel and the school's psychiatrist, Dr. J. Loren Pryor, who sees Bart as an underachiever and suggests that Bart be held back.
Not wanting to repeat the 4th grade, Bart looks to Martin for help. He helps Bart study, and Bart reciprocates by showing him how to be more popular, which encourages him to take on some of Bart's bad attitudes. Bart reminds the "new" Martin about the test, but he ignores it, preferring to hang out with his new friends and play practical jokes. Left with little time to study on his own, Bart prays to God that something will happen to make him miss school the next day so he can have more time to study. That night, Springfield is hit with a massive blizzard, and the schools are closed.
After recieving word of the school closures, Bart excitedly prepares for a fun snow day. However, Lisa reminds him of his prayer, and he decides to study for the rest of the day while everyone is outside having fun. Bart actually concentrates while he is studying, and after he finishes the test, he asks Mrs. Krabappel to grade it immediately. She gives it back to him, and he sees that he got 59%, another F. Extremely upset at this failure after his honest effort, Bart breaks down over the fact that now he knows how George Washington felt when he surrendered Fort Necessity to the French in 1754, and the stunned Mrs. Krabappel realizes that he did study after all. She gives Bart an extra point for demonstrating applied knowledge, pushing his grade up to a D-. Homer proudly displays Bart's new personal best on the fridge.
[edit] Trivia
- This was the first episode to feature the series' new, shorter opening sequence.
- Otto Mann has crashed the bus in several episodes. However, when Bart makes a request to crash the bus so he will not have to take the test, Otto replies that school regulations prohibit him from doing that intentionally.
- Benjamin Franklin's sled says "Don't Sled on Me"
- When the FOX network decided to show The Simpsons on Thursday at 8:00 P.M. EST against NBC's highly-rated The Cosby Show, many were expecting this to be a war for ratings. Surprisingly, this episode of The Simpsons drew higher ratings in its first airing than The Cosby Show, and it would lead to The Cosby Show's eventual cancellation in 1992.
- This is Mayor Quimby's first appearance.
- In 1999, Entertainment Weekly named this one of 100 moments in TV history of the 20th century.
- During the "Winter Wonderland" scene, not only is Sideshow Bob seen singing with the townspeople (he's supposed to be in jail after he framed Krusty in "Krusty Gets Busted"), but he's standing next to a cop. Although this may be explained that Sideshow Bob was awarded a prison furlough, and is standing next to a cop to ensure he does not run away, but is otherwise enjoying the day of freedom.
- Jacques the bowling instructor and Bob the RV salesman can be seen singing with the townspeople.
- Despite passing the fourth grade, Bart, of course, remains in Mrs. Krabappel's class in all subsequent episodes, since virtually no time ever really passes on the show.
- This episode is the first one broadcast-wise in which Bart's t-shirt is colored off-pink instead of its usual red, an error that was present in several early second season episodes.
- Bleeding Gums Murphy can be seen in the winter wonderland scene.
[edit] Cultural references
- Bart gives Treasure Island (whose copy was "published by the good people at McGraw-Hill") a 9 on the Simpson scale of 1 to 10.
- The "gorilla-film" that Homer and Bart are watching is an obvious spoof on King Kong.
- Bart claims that, "As God as my witness, I can pass the fourth grade!" This is a reference to Gone with the Wind when Scarlett O'Hara says, "As God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again!"
[edit] External links
- "Bart Gets an F" episode capsule at The Simpsons Archive
- "Bart Gets an F" at the Internet Movie Database
