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 Simpson is told that his heart is filled with plaque and doughnut residue; thus, he begins to have numerous heart attacks. Dr. Hibbert tells Homer that he needs a triple bypass, but the family resorts 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 that it is probably his heart, to Homer's relief. Mr. Burns calls Homer in to reprimand him for his poor work performance and taunts him with threats of dismissal. Because of Mr. Burns's taunting, Homer has a heart attack; however, Homer regains consciousness after Burns tells Smithers to send a ham to Marge.
Homer is sent to the hospital, where Marge visits him after cutting coupons with Patty and Selma. Dr. Hibbert comes along and informs Homer that he needs a triple bypass, which will cost $30,000 as the Springfield Nuclear 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 with the possibility of him performing the operation, as he offers it for $129.95. Despite Dr. Nick's incompetence, Homer agrees to allow him to perform the operation.
Just before the surgery, Dr. Nick, unaware of the basic procedures of the surgery, rents an instructional video, but the important aspects of the surgery are taped over with "People Who Look Like Things". While preforming the surgery, Dr. Nick realizes that he does not know what to do. 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
James L. Brooks conceived the episode's concept.[3] The writers were nervous about the episode because they felt it could across as too serious. 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] Silverman's father, who is a doctor, acted as a medical consultant for the episode.[4]
The episode was set to conclude with Homer eating a pizza in his hospital bed following the operation, before Marge asks a nurse where he got the pizza from. This reflects the earlier scene where Grampa Simpson watches him as an infant chewing on a slice of pizza in the hospital. The scene was replaced with the family cheering Homer 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
The episode accumulated a Nielsen rating of 14.2.[5] Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, authors of I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide called it "a cautionary tale that gives Dr Nick his biggest chance to shine." They also praised the "cloud goes up, cloud goes down" line.[2] IGN noted that "The Simpsons episode, "Homer's Triple Bipass", introduced fans to one of the show's more endearing background players, Dr. Nick."[6] In 2004 ESPN.com released a list of the Top 100 Simpsons sport moments, ranking Ben Franklin and Jimi Hendrix's air hockey game, a scene from the episode, at #83.[7]
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 Jean, Al (2004). The Simpsons: The Complete Fourth Season 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 Commentary for the Episode "Homer's Triple Bypass" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "How They Rate". St. Petersburg Times. December 25, 1992.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Pirrello, Phil (30 November, 2007). "OCD: The Simpsons' Mr. McGreg". IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Collins, Greg (January 23, 2004). "The Simpsons Got Game". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
External links
