Homer's Triple Bypass
| "Homer's Triple Bypass" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
| File:TripleBypass.jpg | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 |
| Directed by | David Silverman |
| Written by | Gary Apple Michael Carrington |
| Original air date | December 17 1992 |
| Episode features | |
| Chalkboard gag | "Coffee is not for kids." |
| Couch gag | A very small Simpsons family sits on a giant couch. |
| Commentary | Matt Groening Al Jean Mike Reiss Michael Carrington David Silverman |
"Homer's Triple Bypass" is the eleventh episode of The Simpsons' fourth season, which originally aired on December 17, 1992.[1] Homer is told his heart is filled with plaque and doughnut residue, and thus begins to have numerous heart attacks. Dr. Hibbert tells Homer he needs a triple bypass, but the family resort to using a discount surgeon after learning how expensive the operation would cost in a regular hospital. The episode was written by Gary Apple and Michael Carrington and directed by David Silverman.[2]
Plot
After being warned by Marge about his unhealthy eating habits, Homer begins to feel chest pains, which return the following morning at breakfast. After refusing Marge's oatmeal breakfast and consuming eggs and bacon instead, Homer drives to work. On the drive, his chest pain worsens, but he believes the irregular thumping to be the car transmission. He stops to see a mechanic, who tells him it's probably his heart, to Homer's relief. At work, Mr. Burns calls Homer in to reprimand him for his poor work performance and taunting him with threats of dismissal. Because of Burns's taunting, Homer's chest pains become worse, and eventually, he has a heart attack. Homer quickly regains consciousness after Burns tells Smithers to send a Ham to his widow, Marge.
Homer is sent to hospital, where Marge visits him after cutting coupons with Patty and Selma. Dr. Hibbert comes along and informs Homer he needs a triple bypass and it will cost $30,000 as the Power plant does not offer health-insurance. Upon hearing this, Homer suffers another heart attack, which increases the price to $40,000. Homer later suffers a third heart attack after being denied-health insurance because of his poor health. Unable to afford the surgery, Marge and Homer inquire Dr. Nick Riviera with the possibility of him performing the operation, as he offers it for $129.95. Despite Riviera's incompetence, Homer agrees to allow him to perform the operation at an affordable price.
Just before the surgery, Dr. Nick, unaware of the basic procedures of the surgery, rents an instructional video. The important aspects of the surgery are taped over with "People Who Look Like Things". When surgery day comes, Dr. Nick begins the surgery, but quickly realizes he does not know what to do. However, Lisa, who is watching the operation in the amphitheater, uses her knowledge of cardiology and guides Dr. Nick through the process. The surgery is successful, and Homer makes a full recovery.
Production
The idea of Homer suffering a heart attack and needing triple bypass surgery came from James L. Brooks.[3] The writers were nervous about the episode because they were unsure how funny people would think Homer's heart attack would be. The episode's production staff decided that David Silverman would be able to make the episode funny, so he was selected to direct it.[3] Dan Castellaneta provided the voice for Homer singing when remembering his childhood years.[3] David Silverman used his father, who is a doctor, as a medical consultant for the episode.[4] Originally, the episode was set to conclude with Homer eating a pizza in his hospital bed following on from the operation, before Marge asks a nurse where he got the pizza from. This would reflect the earlier scene where Grampa watches him as an infant chewing on a slice of pizza in the hospital. The scene was deleted and replaced with Homer's family cheering him on while he is in intensive care.[4]
Cultural references
The opening sequence of the episode is a parody of American television show COPS.[4] When Homer is performing a sock-puppet show to Lisa and Bart, he uses "Akbar" and "Jeff," both of whom are characters from Matt Groening's weekly comic strip Life in Hell.[2][3]
Reception
Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, the authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide wrote "Cloud goes up, cloud goes down...' A cautionary tale that gives Dr Nick his biggest chance to shine."[2] In a review of "Obscure characters of pop culture," IGN noted that "The Simpsons episode, "Homer's Triple Bipass", introduced fans to one of the show's more endearing background players, Dr. Nick."[5] The episode accumulated a Nielsen rating of 14.2 for the weeks ratings.[6]
References
- ^ ""Homer's Triple Bypass"". The Simpsons.com. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ a b c "Homer's Triple Bypass". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
- ^ a b c d Jean, Al (2004). The Simpsons The Complete Fourth Season DVD commentary for the episode "Homer's Triple Bypass" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ a b c Silverman, David (2004). The Simpsons The Complete Fourth Season DVD commentary for the episode "Homer's Triple Bypass" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Pirrello, Phil (30 November, 2007). "OCD: The Simpsons' Mr. McGreg". IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "How They Rate". St. Petersburg Times. December 25, 1992.
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External links
