Lard of the Dance

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The Simpsons episode
"Lard of the Dance"

Episode no.	204
Prod. code	5F20
Orig. Airdate	August 23, 1998
Show Runner(s)	Mike Scully
Writer(s)	Jane O'Brien
Director(s)	Dominic Polcino
Chalkboard	none
Couch gag	The family attempts to sit on the couch, but it moves backwards and they fall to the floor. Nelson, pointing his finger at the family, says, "Haw haw!"
Guest star(s)	Lisa Kudrow as Alex Whitney
SNPP capsule
Season 10 August 23, 1998 – May 16, 1999
Lard of the Dance The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace Bart the Mother Treehouse of Horror IX When You Dish upon a Star D'oh-in in the Wind Lisa Gets an "A" Homer Simpson in: "Kidney Trouble" Mayored to the Mob Viva Ned Flanders Wild Barts Can't Be Broken Sunday, Cruddy Sunday Homer to the Max I'm with Cupid Marge Simpson in: "Screaming Yellow Honkers" Make Room for Lisa Maximum Homerdrive Simpsons Bible Stories Mom and Pop Art The Old Man and the "C" Student Monty Can't Buy Me Love They Saved Lisa's Brain Thirty Minutes over Tokyo
List of all Simpsons episodes...

"Lard of the Dance" is the season premiere of The Simpsons' tenth season. It aired on August 23, 1998, earlier than normal to boost the ratings for the premiere of That '70s Show.

1 Synopsis
2 Trivia
3 Cultural references
4 External links

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Homer learns from Apu that recycling plants will pay money for used grease. He decides to enter the grease business and is undettered when his efforts only yield some spare change. He recruits Bart to help out, neglecting the fact that Bart should be in school. Meanwhile, Lisa is in school, where she volunteers to show a new girl named Alex around. Alex turns out to be a sophisticated mini-adult who owns a cell phone and credit cards and is unimpressed by Lisa's dolls and jacks. Lisa feels alienated, but Alex soon becomes wildly popular with the other girls of Springfield Elementary.

The girls begin to imitate Alex, dressing in trendy styles and becoming interested in boys. Alex even convinces Principal Skinner to hold a school dance. Lisa resists the trend until she realizes that she is the only girl left without a date for the dance. She tries to redefine her personality, but soon discovers that she is too late, and all the boys have dates too. Desperate, she tries to threaten Milhouse into taking her. Suddenly, she realizes she is not being herself and apologizes to Milhouse.

Meanwhile, Homer and Bart set off to steal the grease from the Springfield Elementary cafeteria on the night of the dance. They break into the kitchen, but are soon confronted by Groundskeeper Willie as they vacuum the grease traps. A fight ensues as Willie chases them into the air ducts. Below, the dance is a disaster - the boys and girls are too nervous and awkward to go near each other. Alex laments that they are "acting like kids." Lisa tells her that they should act like kids, since this is their only chance to do so. As she speaks, Homer's vaccuum tube explodes in the air ducts above, dumping gallons of grease (along with Homer, Bart and Willie) into the dance. The kids, finally seeing a chance for some fun, begin to frolic and play in the grease.

[edit] Trivia

Both the plot and subplot are referenced in the episode title.
Alex is seen again in many more episodes as a student at Springfield Elementary.
Lisa claims Alex drinks "Iced Tea", although in the episode "Simple Simpson", Lisa tells Homer that she left her iced tea in the basement.

[edit] Cultural references

The title itself refers to the dance show Lord of the Dance.
Alex tells Lisa not to be a "Phoebe". Guest star Lisa Kudrow is best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends. She also tells Lisa that she loves her name.