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| | The ninth season of the American [[Animated Cartoon|animated]] television series ''[[The Simpsons]]'' originally aired on the Fox network from September 21, 1997, to May 17, 1998. The season premiered with ''"[[The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson]]"'' and concluded with ''"[[Natural Born Kissers]]"''. [[Mike Scully]] served as showrunner for the season. |
| {{Short description|Season of television series}}
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| {{Infobox television season
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| | season_number = 9
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| | bgcolour = #7a335d
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| | image = The Simpsons - The Complete 9th Season.jpg
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| | caption = DVD cover featuring [[The Simpson family]] attending a showing of the [[Trash of the Titans|200th episode]].
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| | showrunner = [[Bill Oakley]] <br> [[Josh Weinstein]] (3 episodes) <br> [[Al Jean]] & [[Mike Reiss]] (2 episodes) <br> [[Mike Scully]] (20 episodes)
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| | network = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
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| | first_aired = {{Start date|1997|9|21}}
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| | last_aired = {{End date|1998|5|17}}
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| | num_episodes = 25
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| | episode_list = List of The Simpsons episodes (seasons 1-20)
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| }}
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| The ninth season of the American animated television series ''[[The Simpsons]]'' originally aired on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]] between September 21, 1997 and May 17, 1998, beginning on Sunday, September 21, 1997, with "[[The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson]]". [[Mike Scully]] served as [[showrunner]] for the ninth ''production'' season.<ref name="first"/> The ninth ''broadcast'' season contained three episodes with 4F-series production codes, indicating that they were hold-over episodes from ''production'' [[The Simpsons season 8|season eight]], and two episodes with 3G-series production codes, which are not explicitly confirmed to be part of any production season but are speculated to be relabeled 3F-series ([[The Simpsons season 7|seventh production season]]) episodes.<ref name="ny"/><ref name="pauper"/><ref name="lds"/><ref name="asad"/><ref name="jos"/><ref name="sax"/><ref name="st"/> This makes it the first broadcast season to include holdover episodes from ''two'' previous production seasons.
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| Season nine won three [[Emmy Award]]s: "[[Trash of the Titans]]" for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour)]] in 1998,<ref name="infopls">{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0764344.html |title=1997-1998 Emmy Awards |access-date=2006-09-25 |publisher=infoplease.com}}</ref> [[Hank Azaria]] won "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance" for the voice of [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.org/awards/awardsearch.php |title=1997-1998 Emmy Awards |access-date=2006-09-25 |publisher=emmy.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403022947/http://www.emmys.org/awards/awardsearch.php |archive-date=April 3, 2009 }}</ref> and [[Alf Clausen]] and [[Ken Keeler]] won the "Outstanding Music and Lyrics" award.<ref name="envelope">{{cite news |url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search,0,7169155.htmlstory?searchtype=person&query=the+simpsons&x=0&y=0 |title=Every show, every winner, every nominee |access-date=2006-09-25 |publisher=The Envelope}}</ref> Clausen was also nominated for "Outstanding Music Direction" and "Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)" for "[[Treehouse of Horror VIII]]".<ref name="infopls"/> Season nine was also nominated for a "Best Network Television Series" award by the [[Saturn Award]]s and "Best Sound Editing" for a [[Motion Picture Sound Editors#Golden Reel Awards|Golden Reel Award]].<ref name="envelope"/>
| | The ninth broadcast season included three episodes with 4F-series production codes, holdovers from season eight, and two episodes with 3G-series codes, speculated to be relabeled from the seventh production season. This marked the first time a broadcast season included holdover episodes from two different production seasons. |
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| ''[[The Simpsons]]'' 9th Season [[DVD]] was released on December 19, 2006, in [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 1]], January 29, 2007, in [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 2]] and March 21, 2007, in [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 4]]. The DVD was released in two different forms: a [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]]-shaped head, to match the [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]], [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] and [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] shaped heads from the three previous DVD sets, and also a standard rectangular shaped box. Like the previous DVD sets, both versions are available for sale separately.
| | == Production == |
| | Mike Scully took over as showrunner for the ninth season, succeeding Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein. Several writers from previous seasons returned, including John Swartzwelder, George Meyer, and Al Jean, while new writers joined the staff.[[File:Sheen, Martin (2008).jpg|thumb|200px|right|Martin Sheen guest-starred as the real Seymour Skinner in the infamous episode "[[The Principal and the Pauper]]"[[File:Alex Trebek at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards (cropped).jpg|thumb|200px|Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek made a guest appearance as himself in the Christmas episode "[[Miracle on Evergreen Terrace]]"]]]][[File:James Earl Jones (8516667383).jpg|thumb|200px|James Earl Jones narrated the episode "[[Das Bus]]"]]The ninth season also marked the final appearances of recurring characters Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure, both voiced by Phil Hartman. Hartman's final speaking role as Hutz was in the episode ''"Realty Bites"''. Following his death on May 28, 1998, both characters were retired from the series. |
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| ==Voice cast & characters== | | == Episodes == |
| {{Main|List of The Simpsons characters}}
| | The season consists of 25 episodes, starting with ''"The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson"'', which received positive critical reception for its humor and cultural references. The season also includes notable episodes such as: |
| [[File:Sheen, Martin (2008).jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Martin Sheen]] guest-starred as the real [[Seymour Skinner]] in the infamous episode "[[The Principal and the Pauper]]"]]
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| [[File:Alex Trebek at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards (cropped).jpg|thumb|200px|[[Jeopardy!]] host [[Alex Trebek]] made a guest appearance as himself in the Christmas episode "[[Miracle on Evergreen Terrace]]"]]
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| [[File:James Earl Jones (8516667383).jpg|thumb|200px|[[James Earl Jones]] narrated the episode "[[Das Bus]]"]]
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| This is the last season to feature the character [[Lionel Hutz]], voiced by [[Phil Hartman]]. Following Hartman's death on May 28, 1998, Hutz was retired along with Hartman's other recurring character [[Troy McClure]]; his final speaking role as Hutz was five months earlier, in the episode "[[Realty Bites]]", and has since occasionally appeared as a background character.
| | * '''"The Principal and the Pauper"''': A controversial episode revealing Principal Skinner as an impostor, often cited as a turning point in the series' decline by critics. |
| | * '''"Trash of the Titans"''': The series' 200th episode, featuring guest appearances by the band U2, which won a Primetime Emmy Award. |
| | * '''"Lisa the Skeptic"''': Featuring Stephen Jay Gould as a guest star, blending satire and commentary on belief systems. |
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| ===Main cast===
| | Recurring characters introduced this season include Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon and Cooder, while minor characters like the real Seymour Skinner also made their debuts. |
| * [[Dan Castellaneta]] as [[Homer Simpson]], [[Grampa Simpson]], [[Krusty the Clown]], [[Mayor Quimby]], [[Groundskeeper Willie]], [[Barney Gumble]], [[Santa's Little Helper]], and various others
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| * [[Julie Kavner]] as [[Marge Simpson]], [[Patty Bouvier]], [[Selma Bouvier]] and various others
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| * [[Nancy Cartwright]] as [[Bart Simpson]], [[Nelson Muntz]], [[Ralph Wiggum]] and various others
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| * [[Yeardley Smith]] as [[Lisa Simpson]]
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| * [[Hank Azaria]] as [[Moe Szyslak]], [[Chief Wiggum]], [[Professor Frink]], [[Carl Carlson]], [[Comic Book Guy]], [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon|Apu]], [[Bumblebee Man]] and various others
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| * [[Harry Shearer]] as [[Mr. Burns]], [[Waylon Smithers]], [[Ned Flanders]], [[Principal Skinner]], [[Dr. Hibbert]], [[Lenny Leonard]], [[Kent Brockman]], [[Reverend Lovejoy]], and various others
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| ===Recurring=== | | == Voice Cast == |
| * [[Pamela Hayden]] as [[Milhouse Van Houten]], [[Jimbo Jones]]
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| * [[Maggie Roswell]] as [[Maude Flanders]], [[Helen Lovejoy]], [[Luann Van Houten]] and [[Elizabeth Hoover|Miss Hoover]]
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| * [[Russi Taylor]] as [[Martin Prince]] and [[Sherri and Terri]]
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| * [[Tress MacNeille]] as [[Agnes Skinner]]
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| * [[Marcia Wallace]] as [[Edna Krabappel]]
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| ===Guest stars=== | | === Main Cast === |
| {{main|List of The Simpsons guest stars (seasons 1–20)}}
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| * [[Phil Hartman]] as [[Troy McClure]], [[Lionel Hutz]] and [[Noah]] (various episodes)
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| * [[Martin Sheen]] as the real [[Seymour Skinner]] ("[[The Principal and the Pauper]]")
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| * [[Fyvush Finkel]] as himself playing [[Krusty the Clown]] ("[[Lisa's Sax]]")
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| * [[Joe Namath]] as himself ("[[Bart Star]]")
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| * [[Roy Firestone]] as himself ("Bart Star")
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| * [[Mike Judge]] as [[Hank Hill]] ("Bart Star")
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| * [[Andrea Martin]] as Apu's mother ("[[The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons]]")
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| * [[Jan Hooks]] as [[Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon]] ("The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons")
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| * [[Stephen Jay Gould]] as himself ("[[Lisa the Skeptic]]")
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| * [[Alex Trebek]] as himself ("[[Miracle on Evergreen Terrace]]")
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| * [[Jim Varney]] as Cooder ("[[Bart Carny]]")
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| * [[James Earl Jones]] as the narrator ("[[Das Bus]]")
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| *[[Jack Ong]] as the Chinese fisherman ("Das Bus")
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| * [[Jay Leno]], [[Bruce Baum]], [[Janeane Garofalo]], [[Bobcat Goldthwait]], [[Hank Williams Jr.]] and [[Steven Wright]] as themselves ("[[The Last Temptation of Krust]]")
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| * [[Helen Hunt]] as Renee ("[[Dumbbell Indemnity]]")
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| * [[Rod Steiger]] as Captain Tenille ("[[Simpson Tide]]")
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| * [[Bob Denver]] as himself ("Simpson Tide")
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| * [[Michael Carrington (voice actor)|Michael Carrington]] as Drill Sergeant ("Simpson Tide")
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| * [[Paul Winfield]] as Lucius Sweet ("[[The Trouble with Trillions]]")
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| * [[Steve Martin]] as Ray Patterson ("[[Trash of the Titans]]")
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| * [[U2]] as themselves ("Trash of the Titans")
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| * [[Paul McGuinness]] as himself ("Trash of the Titans")
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| * [[Brendan Fraser]] as Brad ("[[King of the Hill (The Simpsons)|King of the Hill]]")
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| * [[Steven Weber]] as Neil ("King of the Hill")
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| ==Reception==
| | * '''Dan Castellaneta''' as Homer Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Grampa Simpson, Mayor Quimby, Groundskeeper Willie, and others |
| The ninth season is considered by some fans and critics to be the end of the Golden Age of ''The Simpsons''. Alasdair Wilkins of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' said: "From here on out, we're in The Simpsons' decline phase, though there's plenty of room to disagree just how stark the drop-off actually was."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-the-city-of-new-york-vs-homer-1798184136#_ga=2.53405994.32840529.1510709883-764445098.1505502889|title= The Simpsons (Classic): "The City Of New York Vs. Homer Simpson"|author=Alasdair Wilkins|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=21 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525161702/https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-the-city-of-new-york-vs-homer-1798184136#_ga=2.53405994.32840529.1510709883-764445098.1505502889|archive-date=May 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On Rotten Tomatoes, the ninth season of ''The Simpsons'' has a 67% approval rating based on 6 critical reviews.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_simpsons/s09 | title=The Simpsons | website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127205406/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_simpsons/s09 | archive-date=November 27, 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref>
| | * '''Julie Kavner''' as Marge Simpson, Patty and Selma Bouvier |
| | * '''Nancy Cartwright''' as Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum |
| | * '''Yeardley Smith''' as Lisa Simpson |
| | * '''Hank Azaria''' as Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Apu, and others |
| | * '''Harry Shearer''' as Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Dr. Hibbert |
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| The second episode of the ninth season, "[[The Principal and the Pauper]]" is often regarded as one of the most controversial episodes of the entire series. Many fans and critics reacted negatively to the revelation that [[Principal Skinner]], a recurring character since the [[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire|first episode]] who had undergone much [[Characterization|character development]], was an impostor. The episode has been criticized by series creator [[Matt Groening]], and by Skinner's voice actor [[Harry Shearer]]. In his 2004 book ''[[Planet Simpson]]'', Chris Turner describes the episode as the "broadcast that marked [the] abrupt plunge" from ''The Simpsons''<nowiki>'</nowiki> "Golden Age", which he says began in the middle of the show's [[The Simpsons season 3|third season]]. He calls the episode "[one of] the weakest episodes in ''Simpsons'' history", and adds, "A blatant, continuity-scrambling plot twist of this sort might've been forgivable if the result had been as funny or sharply satirical as the classics of the Golden Age, but alas it's emphatically not." Turner notes that the episode "still sports a couple of virtuoso gags", but says that such moments are limited.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=41-42}}
| | === Recurring Cast === |
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| In July 2007, in an article in ''[[The Guardian]]'', Ian Jones argues that the "show became stupid" in 1997, pointing to the episode as the bellwether. "Come again? A major character in a long-running series gets unmasked as a fraud? It was cheap, idle storytelling", he remarks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rise and fall of a comic genius |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jul/12/features.features11 |work=[[The Guardian]] |author=Jones, Ian |date=July 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015150613/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jul/12/features.features11 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |url-status=live}} Retrieved on August 17, 2008.</ref> In a February 2006 article in ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', [[Alan Sepinwall]] and Matt Zoller Seitz cite the episode when asserting that the quality of ''The Simpsons'' "gets much spottier" in season nine.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |author2=Matt Zoller Seitz |title=Eight is enough |work=[[The Star-Ledger]] |page=31 |date=February 14, 2006}}</ref> Alan Sepinwall observes in another ''Star-Ledger'' article, "[The episode] was so implausible that even the characters were disavowing it by the end of the episode."<ref>{{cite news |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |title=Mmmm ... 300 episodes; Homer's odyssey continues as 'The Simpsons', America's favorite animated family, reaches a comic milestone |work=The Star-Ledger |page=1 |date=February 16, 2003}}</ref> [[Jon Hein]], who coined the term "[[jumping the shark]]" to refer to negative changes in television series, writes in ''Jump the Shark: TV Edition'', "We finally spotted a fin at the start of the ninth season when Principal Skinner's true identity was revealed as Armin Tamzarian."<ref>{{cite book |title=Jump the Shark: TV Edition |last=Hein |first=Jon |year=2003 |publisher=Plume |isbn=0-452-28410-4 |page=88}}</ref> James Greene of ''[[Nerve.com]]'' put the episode fifth on his list "Ten Times The Simpsons Jumped the Shark", calling it a "nonsensical meta-comedy" and arguing that it "seemed to betray the reality of the show itself".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nerve.com/entertainment/2010/05/07/ten-times-the-simpsons-jumped-the-shark |title=Ten Times The Simpsons Jumped the Shark |author=James Greene Jr. |date=May 6, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |publisher=Nerve.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016201354/http://www.nerve.com/entertainment/2010/05/07/ten-times-the-simpsons-jumped-the-shark |archive-date=October 16, 2017}}</ref> On the 25th anniversary of the episode airing, ''Fatherly'' looked back negatively at the episode, described the plot twist as the moment the show stopped being perfect, saying: "It wasn't funny, it was just mean, and the ending of the episode inadvertently made you complicit in its viciousness. Ultimately, the citizens of Springfield decide to force things back to normal by tying the real Skinner to a departing train and legally declaring that Tamzarian's theft of an entire life is fine. And, well, yeah we as the viewers wanted things to go back to normal once the episode was over, but…this was just heartless."<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.fatherly.com/entertainment/the-simpsons-first-bad-episode-principal-and-the-pauper|title= 25 Years Ago, The Simpsons Dropped Its Most Controversial Episode|date= September 29, 2022|access-date= September 29, 2022}}</ref>
| | * '''Pamela Hayden''' as Milhouse Van Houten |
| | * '''Tress MacNeille''' as Agnes Skinner |
| | * '''Maggie Roswell''' as Maude Flanders, Helen Lovejoy |
| | * '''Marcia Wallace''' as Edna Krabappel |
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| ==Episodes== | | === Guest Stars === |
| {{see also|List of The Simpsons episodes}}
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| <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Episode table|main
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| |background=#7a335d
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| |overall = 5
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| |season = 5
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| |title = 26
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| |director = 14
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| |writer = 22
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| |airdate = 12
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| |prodcode = 7
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| |viewers = 9
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| |country = U.S.
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| |dontclose = y}}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
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| |EpisodeNumber=179
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| |EpisodeNumber2=1
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| |Title=[[The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson]]
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| |DirectedBy=[[Jim Reardon]]
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| |WrittenBy=[[Ian Maxtone-Graham]]
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| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|9|21}}
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| |ProdCode=4F22
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| |ShortSummary=Homer allows [[Barney Gumble|Barney]] to use his car when Barney is picked to be the designated driver for that night at [[Springfield (The Simpsons)#Moe's Tavern|Moe's Tavern]]. However, Barney disappears for two months with the car, and returns without it. Homer searches for his car, and eventually receives a letter from the [[New York City|City of New York]]. The family is excited to go there to obtain the car, but Homer, who had had a bad experience in New York when he was younger, is reluctant. After reaching New York City, Homer sees the car parked near the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]], where he must wait by so that an officer can remove the [[wheel clamp]]. He is distracted from standing watch for the police when he has to go the bathroom, and causes him to miss the police officer. Homer gets angry and leaves the city with the clamp on.<ref name="ny">Gimple, p. 10–11</ref>
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| '''Note:''' First appearance of Duffman. | | * '''Martin Sheen''' as the real Seymour Skinner (''"The Principal and the Pauper"'') |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=17.44<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41385768/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 15–21)|date=September 24, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| | * '''James Earl Jones''' as the narrator (''"Das Bus"'') |
| |LineColor=7a335d
| | * '''Jay Leno''', '''The Ramones''', '''U2''', '''Steve Martin''', and others. |
| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
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| |EpisodeNumber=180
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| |EpisodeNumber2=2
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| |Title=[[The Principal and the Pauper]]
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| |DirectedBy=[[Steven Dean Moore]]
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| |WrittenBy=[[Ken Keeler]]
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| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|9|28}}
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| |ProdCode=4F23
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| |ShortSummary=When a celebration is held at Springfield Elementary to honor his 20 years as principal, [[Principal Skinner]] is revealed to be an impostor when the real Principal, Sgt. Principal Skinner, shows up. The principal's real name is revealed to be Armin Tamzarian, an orphan from [[Springfield (The Simpsons)#Capital City|Capital City]]. Armin soon leaves to return to Capital City, and Sgt. Principal Skinner takes over as principal. However, many, including [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Agnes Skinner|Agnes Skinner]], soon decide they preferred the old Seymour. After persuading him to come back from Capital City to be Principal Skinner again, the townspeople send Sgt. Skinner out of town on a railroad.<ref name="pauper">Gimple, p. 12</ref><BR>
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| ''Guest star:'' [[Martin Sheen]]
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| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=14.86<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41307958/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 22–28)|date=October 1, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| |LineColor=7a335d
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
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| |EpisodeNumber=181
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| |EpisodeNumber2=3
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| |Title=[[Lisa's Sax]]
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| |DirectedBy=[[Dominic Polcino]]
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| |WrittenBy=[[Al Jean]]
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| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|10|19}}
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| |ProdCode= 3F26<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.acmearchivesdirect.com/collections/simpsons-production-art/products/3f26-season-9-f5409|title=3F26 (Season 9) – Simpsons Production Art|author=Lisa's Sax|work=[[20th Century Animation]]|publisher=ACME Archives|access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref> 3G02
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| |ShortSummary=After being disrupted by Lisa's [[saxophone]] practice, Bart gets into a fight with Lisa, ultimately causing her saxophone to be thrown out the window and run over by a Woolworth's truck, flattening it. Lisa is depressed when her sax is flattened. Trying to console her, Homer shares the story of how she got her saxophone. After finishing the story, Homer once again decides to not spend the money on an air conditioner and buys a new saxophone for Lisa instead.<ref name="sax">Gimple, p. 13</ref>
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| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=12.85<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41309132/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 13–19)|date=October 22, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| |LineColor=7a335d
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
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| |NumParts=3
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| |EpisodeNumber=182
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| |EpisodeNumber2=4
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| |Title=[[Treehouse of Horror VIII]]
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| |DirectedBy=[[Mark Kirkland]]
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| |WrittenBy_1=[[Mike Scully]]
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| |WrittenBy_2=[[David X. Cohen]]
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| |WrittenBy_3=[[Ned Goldreyer]]
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| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|10|26}}
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| |ProdCode=5F02
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| |ShortSummary=A [[Treehouse of Horror (series)|Halloween special]] which is divided into three short stories:<br />''The HΩmega Man'' – After the French strike Springfield with a [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear bomb]], Homer discovers that he is the only one who survived the attack, until mutants come after him.<br />''Fly Vs. Fly'' – Bart uses [[Professor Frink]]'s teleporter to turn himself into a fly.<br />''Easy Bake Coven'' – In a 1600s [[Puritan]] town, Marge is accused of being a [[Witchcraft|witch]], which turns out to be true. She flees to her sisters' cave, where the three become the inventors of [[Halloween]].<ref name="first">Gimple, pp. 14–15</ref>
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| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=19.03<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41386271/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 20–26)|date=October 29, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| |LineColor=7a335d
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
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| |EpisodeNumber=183
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| |EpisodeNumber2=5
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| |Title=[[The Cartridge Family]]
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| |DirectedBy=[[Pete Michels]]
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| |WrittenBy=[[John Swartzwelder]]
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| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|11|2}}
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| |ProdCode=5F01
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| |ShortSummary=After a large soccer riot leads to an extended period of mob rule throughout Springfield, Homer decides to forgo an expensive security system in favor of a gun. As Marge disapproves of a gun in the house, Homer takes her to an [[National Rifle Association of America|NRA]] meeting to sell her on the concept. Marge's objections continue, finally forcing Homer to agree to get rid of the weapon. Bart and [[Milhouse Van Houten|Milhouse]] later discover it concealed in the refrigerator. Infuriated and frightened, Marge takes the kids and leaves Homer. With nothing but his gun and his indignation for company, Homer hosts an NRA meeting in his empty house, only to be kicked out of the group when the members themselves acknowledge his reckless and irresponsible treatment of firearms. Thus humbled, Homer seeks out his family to admit his mistake.<ref>Gimple, p. 16</ref>
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| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=18.03<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41295054/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 27–Nov. 2)|date=November 5, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=184
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=6
| |
| |Title=[[Bart Star]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Dominic Polcino
| |
| |WrittenBy=[[Donick Cary]]
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|11|9}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F03
| |
| |ShortSummary=When the children of Springfield are deemed to be [[overweight]], many parents place their children in the peewee [[American football|football]] team, including Bart. [[Ned Flanders|Ned]] is the coach of the team, until he quits after Homer's heckling, which ultimately leads to Homer being the new coach. While being tough on Bart originally, Homer realizes how rough his father was on him when he played sports. This leads Homer to make Bart the [[quarterback]] instead of the more skilled [[Nelson Muntz|Nelson]], causing the team to lose a few games and Bart to become angry at his father. Unwilling to make Nelson the quarterback again initially, Homer finally apologizes to Bart for pressuring him and replaces him with Nelson, thus allowing the team to win the championship.<ref>Gimple, p. 17</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=17.91<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41385906/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 3-9)|date=November 12, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
| |
| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=185
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=7
| |
| |Title=[[The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Steven Dean Moore
| |
| |WrittenBy=[[Richard Appel]]
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|11|16}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F04
| |
| |ShortSummary=After Marge enters [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon|Apu]] into a bachelor auction, many women find an interest in him. However, Apu soon receives a letter from his mother, regarding the [[arranged marriage]] he is supposed to have. He does not want to marry the stranger, and following the advice of Homer, tells his mother that he is already married. Curious, his mother comes to America to see his wife, which Homer says Marge can pretend to be. But his mother soon realizes that she is not actually his wife, making the plans for the arranged marriage to continue. Apu becomes depressed until he learns at his wedding that his arranged wife, [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon|Manjula]], is actually quite lovely.<ref>Gimple, p. 18–19</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=19.80<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41313879/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 10–16)|date=November 19, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=186
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=8
| |
| |Title=[[Lisa the Skeptic]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=[[Neil Affleck]]
| |
| |WrittenBy=David X. Cohen
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|11|23}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F05
| |
| |ShortSummary=Lisa discovers that a [[shopping mall]] is going to be built at a site where [[Prehistory|prehistoric]] fossils were found. Afraid of there being more prehistoric items at the site, Lisa complains to the developers and starts an archaeological survey at the site. Late into the dig, Lisa unearths a skeleton with bones that resemble wings, similar to an [[angel]]'s. Despite the whole town believing it to be an angel, Lisa takes a sample of the skeleton and has it tested to see if it is one of a human. The results are inconclusive, leaving Lisa still skeptical. After an interview about her beliefs, there is a town riot against the science community. During the riots, the skeleton is stolen. The town finally discovers it on a hillside with the message, "The End Will Come at Sundown" carved into it. However, the entire ordeal turns out to be publicity stunt that was pulled off by the mall's developers. Surprisingly, the town is not angry, but is instead fascinated by the low prices at the mall.<ref>Gimple, p. 20</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=16.01<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41384655/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 17-23)|date=November 26, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=187
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=9
| |
| |Title=[[Realty Bites]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=[[Swinton O. Scott III]]
| |
| |WrittenBy=[[Dan Greaney]]
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|12|7}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F06
| |
| |ShortSummary=Homer takes Marge to a police-seized property auction, where he buys a Lil' Bandit. On the ride home, Marge decides to walk because of Homer's erratic driving in the new car. She runs into [[Lionel Hutz]], who is now a [[National Association of Realtors|realtor]]. Interested, Marge takes a test to become one, and soon works for a realtor company, Red Blazer Realty. However, after being threatened to be fired for failing to sell any houses, Marge must lie to the Flanders to sell them a house where murders had once taken place. Feeling guilty, Marge tells them the truth after they stay there for a night, which only seems to make them more fascinated in living in the home. Meanwhile, Snake hears about the auction of his car and is so angry that he breaks out of jail to get it back. As he and Homer fight at the power plant, the car crashes into the house, causing the Flanders to move back to their home, and Marge to get fired.<ref>Gimple, p. 21</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=17.73<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41308255/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 1-7)|date=December 10, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=188
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=10
| |
| |Title=[[Miracle on Evergreen Terrace]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Bob Anderson
| |
| |WrittenBy=[[Ron Hauge]]
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|12|21}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F07
| |
| |ShortSummary=On [[Christmas]] morning, Bart wakes up earlier than the rest of the family and goes to open his presents. After playing with a remote control firetruck, Bart accidentally starts a fire, causing the plastic [[Christmas tree]] and the presents to melt. Bart hides the melted mess, but when the rest of the Simpson family wakes up, Bart reports to the family that there had been a robber. The news media soon reports this, and the community rallies to their aid and donates $15,000, which Homer spends on a car he soon crashes. However, Bart soon tells the truth to his family; that there never was a robber. The community soon finds out, and demands their money back. Marge decides to go on ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' to make the money back, but does not succeed. When the family comes back home, they find that the town has looted their entire house of everything except a washcloth.<ref>Gimple, p. 22–23</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=16.17<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41315246/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 15–21)|date=December 24, 1997|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=189
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=11
| |
| |Title=[[All Singing, All Dancing]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Mark Ervin
| |
| |WrittenBy=[[Steve O'Donnell (writer)|Steve O'Donnell]]
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|1|4}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F24
| |
| |ShortSummary=Homer goes out and rents a [[Western (genre)|western movie]] to watch with his family on the [[Videocassette recorder|VCR]]. However, the movie turns out to be a [[Musical film|musical]], which disgusts Homer. The family reminds Homer of the past times that he has sung and danced in enjoyment, and soon, the family is singing and dancing themselves. Snake enters the house through a window and threatens the family, but decides they would not be good hostages. The family sings once more, and later, Snake comes back, threatening to kill them for putting an annoying tune in his head, but realizes he is out of ammunition and leaves. The family continues to sing, until Snake returns to kill them, but the family tells him they are finished singing. The episode ends with Marge humming nearby the living room window, causing Snake to shoot through it.<ref name="asad">Gimple, p. 24</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=15.90<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41304722/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 29-Jan. 4)|date=January 9, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=190
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=12
| |
| |Title=[[Bart Carny]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Mark Kirkland
| |
| |WrittenBy=John Swartzwelder
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|1|11}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F08
| |
| |ShortSummary=While the family is at a [[traveling carnival]], Bart accidentally crashes [[Adolf Hitler]]'s car. To pay off the debts, Homer and Bart get jobs at the carnival by helping with the booths and exhibits, where they befriend Cooder and Spud, a father-and-son [[carny]] team. Homer causes their booth to get shut down, when he does not recognize the bribe [[Chief Wiggum]] was asking for. Homer decides to allow the two carnies to stay at his home. The next day, the family goes to a glass bottom boat ride with the tickets Cooder gave them, only to discover their house has been taken over by the two carnies when they return. After brainstorming on how to get the house back, Homer decides to make Cooder a deal: If Homer can get a [[hula hoop]] around the house's chimney, he can have his house back, but if he does not, he will sign the deed of the house to Cooder. However, the family fool the two carnies, and rush back into the house before the two can do anything.<ref>Gimple, p. 25</ref><BR>
| |
| ''Guest star:'' [[Jim Varney]] | |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=19.21<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373787/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 5–11)|date=January 14, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
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| |EpisodeNumber=191
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| |EpisodeNumber2=13
| |
| |Title=[[The Joy of Sect]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Steven Dean Moore
| |
| |WrittenBy=Steve O'Donnell
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|2|8}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F23
| |
| |ShortSummary=After encountering two recruiters of a sect called "The Movementarians", Homer attends a session that teaches about their sect, where he is [[Brainwashing|brainwashed]] to join. Homer moves the entire family to their compound, where the entire family, except Marge, is brainwashed. Marge escapes through a dangerous getaway, and finds [[Reverend Lovejoy]], Ned Flanders and [[Groundskeeper Willie]] for help. The four manage to kidnap the family back. They are able to persuade Lisa and Bart to not believe in the sect anymore, but are unable to get Homer back, as the sect's lawyers take him back before they are able to. However, Homer no longer believes in the sect when he arrives, and manages to expose them as fake. The group then disbands, and the family goes back home.<ref name="jos">Gimple, p. 26–27</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=16.20<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41316393/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 2–8)|date=February 11, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=192
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=14
| |
| |Title=[[Das Bus]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Pete Michels
| |
| |WrittenBy=David X. Cohen
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|2|15}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F11
| |
| |ShortSummary=As the students of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)#Springfield Elementary School|Springfield Elementary]] are being driven to a model [[United Nations|UN]] conference, [[Otto Mann|Otto]] drives the bus off a bridge after his brake pedal is blocked by a grapefruit. To obtain help, Otto swims off, while the kids are still in the bus. Soon, when the bus is nearly full of water, the kids manage to escape and swim to an island. Once there, the kids find no food, causing Bart to swim back to the sunken bus to get the cooler full of food. Lisa advises everyone to not eat much, as it may be the only food they could have for some time. However, the cooler is found empty the next morning, with the food wrappings discarded around [[Milhouse Van Houten|Milhouse]], who claims a monster ate it. Lisa champions the charter of the Model UN and insists on giving Milhouse a trial, wherein he is found innocent. The verdict angers the kids, however, inciting violence against Lisa, Milhouse, and Bart, who are forced to flee. The three hide in a cave, but are chased out by a boar, which is soon found out to be the "monster". The kids kill the boar and eat it, and a narration assures that [[Moe Szyslak|Moe]] saves the kids. Meanwhile, Homer starts his own internet company, but it is eventually destroyed by [[Bill Gates]].<ref>Gimple, p. 28</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=15.98<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373707/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 9-15)|date=February 19, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=193
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=15
| |
| |Title=[[The Last Temptation of Krust]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=[[Mike B. Anderson]]
| |
| |WrittenBy=Donick Cary
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|2|22}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F10
| |
| |ShortSummary=After a rude awakening to his own hackneyed and dated comedy act, [[Krusty the Clown|Krusty]] does some heavy drinking and wakes up in front of the Flanders' house. Bart takes him inside his house and into his room, where Krusty, looking at all the Krusty merchandise, realizes that he has [[selling out|sold out]] instead of focusing on comedy. Bart invites [[Jay Leno]] to help clean up Krusty, and modernize his jokes. However, Krusty's attempts fail, causing him to announce his retirement. During his announcement, the group of reporters find his tirade against modern comedians hilarious, influencing Krusty to try a hipper, more honest blend of comedy and social criticism. Although he becomes a popular comedian again, Krusty ends up selling out once more when some advertisers bribe him to endorse a car, in return for a free one.<ref>Gimple, p. 29</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=16.50<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41371946/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 16-22)|date=February 25, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
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| |EpisodeNumber=194
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=16
| |
| |Title=[[Dumbbell Indemnity]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Dominic Polcino
| |
| |WrittenBy=Ron Hauge
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|3|1}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F12
| |
| |ShortSummary=After several unsuccessful attempts at getting a girlfriend, Moe finally gets one after walking away from a [[disco]] with Homer. The woman, Renee, surprisingly finds Moe attractive, resulting in Moe treating her lavishly. After spending too much, Moe's credit card maxes out, causing him to become desperate for money. He soon devises a plan to have Homer steal his car and crash it to accomplish [[insurance fraud]]. Homer gets caught and ends up in jail. With the insurance money, Moe decides not to bail Homer out of jail, but instead take a [[Hawaii]]an vacation with Renee. After finding out, Homer escapes and decides to find Moe for revenge. Meanwhile, Moe confesses the truth to Renee, who is happy at first, but is disgusted with him after his plans to free Homer involve lying again. Renee leaves Moe, then he accidentally starts a fire at his tavern. At the same time, Homer comes to fight Moe, but both faint from smoke inhalation. Finally, [[Barney Gumble|Barney]] comes and saves the two, and Homer allows Moe to temporarily run his bar at the Simpsons' house.<ref>Gimple, p. 30–31</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=17.35<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373362/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 23-March 1)|date=March 4, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
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| |EpisodeNumber=195
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=17
| |
| |Title=[[Lisa the Simpson]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=[[Susie Dietter]]
| |
| |WrittenBy=Ned Goldreyer
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|3|8}}
| |
| |ProdCode=4F24
| |
| |ShortSummary=Soon after being unable to solve a brain-teaser that several others at school were able to solve, and forgetting some of her day to day tasks, Lisa learns from [[Grampa Simpson|Grampa]] that the [[Simpson family|Simpsons]] have a long history of losing their intelligence in late childhood. Lisa soon realizes that she cannot escape genetics, and accepts that she will soon be very unintelligent. After realizing the importance of sharing what you can with the world while you still have the chance, she lies her way onto a news broadcast to deliver a message on treasuring your brain. Homer sees this and, upon learning what Abe told her, attempts to disprove the theory of the "Simpson gene" by gathering every Simpson in the area together to showcase their merits. It is quickly apparent that Homer did not research this project much, as many of his guests prove to be simpletons, deadbeats, and stooges. Lisa's salvation only comes when she begins to meet the Simpson women, including a doctor who then informs Lisa that the defective "Simpson gene" is located only on the Y-chromosome. Re-validated, Lisa celebrates that she is once again herself, an event aptly crowned when she finally manages to solve the brain-teaser that so plagued her.<ref name="lds">Gimple, p. 32</ref> Meanwhile, Apu finds out that Jasper has locked himself inside a freezer at the Kwik-E-Mart and decides to turn it into a freak house.
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=17.79<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373578/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 2–8)|date=March 11, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=196
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=18
| |
| |Title=[[This Little Wiggy]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Neil Affleck
| |
| |WrittenBy=Dan Greaney
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|3|22}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F13
| |
| |ShortSummary=When Marge realizes that [[Ralph Wiggum]] has no friends, she volunteers Bart to be his friend. Initially unwilling, Bart discovers that Ralph's father, [[Chief Wiggum]], owns a key that opens every lock in Springfield. The two go out at night and open many places to have fun, but soon encounter bullies Nelson, [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Dolph Starbeam|Dolph]], [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Jimbo Jones|Jimbo]], and [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Kearney Zzyzwicz|Kearney]]. The four pressure Bart and Ralph to sneak into an abandoned prison, but Bart decides not to when he sees that Ralph is scared. The key is thrown over into the prison by the trouble-makers, causing Bart and Ralph to go retrieve it. While in the prison, the two find an old [[electric chair]], which they turn on to see if it still works, and later go home. The next day, [[Mayor Quimby]] announces the prison is reopened, and decides to demonstrate what criminals could face by sitting in the, unknown to the police and the mayor, active chair. Bart rushes to Ralph for help to tell the mayor that the chair is active, leading Lisa to fire a small rocket with a note attached to the prison. The rocket misses and crashes into the power plant. Mr. Burns responds and, upon realizing the prison has been using free electricity, turns off the power, saving the mayor.<ref>Gimple, p. 33</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=14.96<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41370417/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 16–22)|date=March 25, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=197
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=19
| |
| |Title=[[Simpson Tide]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Mike B. Anderson
| |
| |WrittenBy=[[Joshua Sternin]] & [[Jennifer Ventimilia]]
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|3|29}}
| |
| |ProdCode=3G04
| |
| |ShortSummary=Homer is fired from the Nuclear Power Plant following a near meltdown, and decides to join the [[United States Navy Reserve|Naval Reserve]]. Meanwhile, Bart decides to get an earring. Homer graduates from basic training, and must go off on a mission of war games, but not before taking Bart's earring, which he disapproves of. Later, on the [[submarine]], Homer befriends the Captain, who leaves him in charge when he goes to check a blocked torpedo. Homer believes the ship is being fired at, and launches a torpedo, accidentally ejecting the Captain. Homer eventually gets the submarine lost, and is considered a traitor by the media. The United States Navy fires at the submarine, causing a leak which Homer stops with Bart's earring. The submarine is soon surfaced, and Homer is taken into custody by the Navy. However, he escapes any trouble due to the Navy judges having to resign over various scandals that they are involved in. Homer then leaves the Navy with a [[Military discharge#Dishonorable discharge (DD)|dishonorable discharge]].<ref name="st">Gimple, p. 34–35</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=14.77<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41310058/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 23–29)|date=April 1, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=198
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=20
| |
| |Title=[[The Trouble with Trillions]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Swinton O. Scott III
| |
| |WrittenBy=Ian Maxtone-Graham
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|4|5}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F14
| |
| |ShortSummary=Forgetting to do his annual [[income tax]]es until the night they are due, Homer rushes to fill out his forms with false information. Soon after, he is arrested for tax fraud, but makes a deal to work for the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] for immunity from the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]]'s prosecutions. After a successful operation made by Homer, the FBI decides to have Homer obtain a one trillion dollar bill that is in the hands of [[Mr. Burns|Montgomery Burns]]. Homer leads Mr. Burns to believe that he is a reporter, causing Mr. Burns to show him the bill. The FBI rushes into the mansion and arrests Mr. Burns, but Homer decides to rescue him. Mr. Burns gets the help of [[Waylon Smithers]], and with Homer, the three escape in Mr. Burns' plane. Looking for an island to buy, Mr. Burns decides to land in [[Cuba]], where the three meet [[Fidel Castro]]. Castro does not wish to sell Cuba, but is interested in seeing the trillion dollar bill. However, after he is handed the bill, he decides to not return it. The show ends with the three on a raft back to the United States.<ref>Gimple, p. 36</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=11.39<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41314398/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 30-April 5)|date=April 8, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| |
| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=199
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=21
| |
| |Title=[[Girly Edition]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=[[Mark Kirkland]]
| |
| |WrittenBy=[[Larry Doyle (writer)|Larry Doyle]]
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|4|19}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F15
| |
| |ShortSummary=Lisa becomes a [[News presenter|news anchor]] of a children's news segment on the "Krusty the Clown Show" when the channel discovers that it requires some educational programming. Meanwhile, Bart destroys [[Groundskeeper Willie]]'s shack after he takes away Bart's skateboard. Later, Marge makes Lisa allow Bart to be the sports anchor, but after the channel sees Bart's success, they promote him to co-anchor. To prove to Lisa that he is a good anchor, Bart starts to produce "Bart's People", which are [[human interest story|human interest stories]], a news segment that becomes extremely popular. Resentful of his success, Lisa sends Bart a fake letter. In it, she pretends to be an [[Immigration|immigrant]] who lost his home. Seeing an opportunity, Bart rushes to the [[landfill]] to do a live "Bart's People", only to discover that the immigrant was actually Groundskeeper Willie, who goes after Bart. Seeing what she did, Lisa rushes to save Bart, and is able to persuade Willie to let Bart go, using the emotion striking techniques Bart used in his segments.<ref>Gimple, p. 37</ref>
| |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=13.46<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41300708/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 13–19)|date=April 22, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
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| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=200
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=22
| |
| |Title=[[Trash of the Titans]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=Jim Reardon
| |
| |WrittenBy=Ian Maxtone-Graham
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|4|26}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F09
| |
| |ShortSummary=When Homer is unable to take all of his trash to the curb, barely missing the [[garbage truck]], Homer insults the garbage men, leading the family to have their garbage collection service cut off. After the house collects a huge amount of trash, Marge writes an apology letter to the sanitary commission, signing with Homer's name. However, Homer finds out and goes to city hall to rescind it. Following an angry meeting with the commissioner, Homer decides to run for his position. Homer's campaigning fails to win much support, until he promises the town that they will no longer need to do any garbage-related work. This causes Homer to win in a landslide. Initially, Homer is able is keep his promise, but he uses an entire year's budget in a month, causing the workers to go on strike, fearing they will not be paid. Homer makes a deal with neighboring towns to dump their trash in Springfield's abandoned mines to make money, but when the mines are filled, trash starts to burst out of the ground. The town is then forced to completely move five miles away.
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| '''Note 1:''' This is the show's 200th episode.<ref>Gimple, p. 38–39</ref><br>'''Note 2:''' This episode was dedicated to [[Linda McCartney]].
| | == Reception and Legacy == |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=17.35<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41307269/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 20–26)|date=April 29, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| | The ninth season has received mixed reviews from both fans and critics. Some consider it the beginning of the show's decline after the "Golden Age" of seasons 3-8. The episode ''"The Principal and the Pauper"'' in particular has been widely criticized for its controversial twist revealing Principal Skinner as an impostor named Armin Tamzarian. Critics such as Matt Groening and Harry Shearer have expressed dissatisfaction with the episode, with Shearer stating it undermined established character development. |
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| | Despite criticism, the season received accolades and recognition. |
| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| | |
| |EpisodeNumber=201
| | === Awards === |
| |EpisodeNumber2=23
| | |
| |Title=[[King of the Hill (The Simpsons)|King of the Hill]]
| | * '''Primetime Emmy Awards''': |
| |DirectedBy=Steven Dean Moore
| | ** ''"Trash of the Titans"'' – Outstanding Animated Program |
| |WrittenBy=John Swartzwelder
| | ** Hank Azaria – Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for Apu Nahasapeemapetilon |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|5|3}}
| | ** Alf Clausen & Ken Keeler – Outstanding Music and Lyrics |
| |ProdCode=5F16
| | * '''Annie Award''': Best Animated Television Production |
| |ShortSummary=Bart becomes disappointed with his father after he fails miserably in a game of Capture the Flag. Thus shamed, Homer decides to go to a gym every night to exercise, while eating an energy bar called "Powersauce" and being trained by [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Rainier Wolfcastle|Rainier Wolfcastle]]. In time Homer develops quite the impressive build, so much so that when Wolfcastle refuses two Powersauce representatives when they ask him to climb Springfield's tallest mountain, the Murderhorn, Homer is the one to take over this publicity stunt. To make sure Homer gets to the top, the company hires two [[Sherpa people|Sherpas]] to drag Homer up the mountain during the night. However, Homer soon realizes the Sherpas are doing this, and fires them so that he can climb solo. After much climbing, Homer believes he has finally made it to the top, but then sees that he has only made it to a plateau of the mountain. Feeling that he cannot climb any higher, Homer places a flag where he is. This creates a crack which breaks the top of the mountain off, making the plateau where Homer is standing become the peak. After climbing back down, Bart shows that he is proud of his father again.<ref>Gimple, p. 40</ref>
| | * '''Saturn Award''': Best Network Television Series (nominated) |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=14.80<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373233/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 27-May 3)|date=May 6, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| | * '''Golden Reel Award''': Best Sound Editing (nominated) |
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| }}
| | == Home Media == |
| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| | The ninth season was released on DVD on: |
| |EpisodeNumber=202
| | |
| |EpisodeNumber2=24
| | * '''Region 1''': December 19, 2006 |
| |Title=[[Lost Our Lisa]]
| | * '''Region 2''': January 29, 2007 |
| |DirectedBy=Pete Michels
| | * '''Region 4''': March 21, 2007 |
| |WrittenBy=[[Brian Scully]]
| | |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|5|10}}
| | The DVD set was released in two editions: a Lisa-shaped box and a standard rectangular box, similar to previous releases featuring family members' faces. Both editions included audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes content. |
| |ProdCode=5F17
| | |
| |ShortSummary=When Bart comes home with some novelty items [[Cyanoacrylate|superglue]]d to his face, Marge takes him to the emergency room, spoiling Lisa's chance to go the Springfield Museum to catch the last day of the Isis Exhibit. Marge forbids Lisa to take public transportation to the museum by herself, but Lisa is able to manipulate her father for his permission to take the bus. However, Lisa takes the wrong bus and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Meanwhile, Homer realizes that he should not have given Lisa permission to take the bus by herself. He rushes to the museum to find her, but she has managed to get downtown after much travel. Near the museum, Homer decides to use a [[cherry picker]] to locate Lisa, but the cherry picker loses control and falls into the pier, and floats off to a [[drawbridge]]. Lisa sees this, and quickly tells the bridge operator to lower the bridge, which catches Homer by his head to save him. The exhibit is closed, but Homer promises to break into the museum at night with Lisa, where the two discover one of the exhibits' objects is a [[Music box|musical box]].<ref>Gimple, p. 41</ref>
| | == Ratings == |
| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=12.86<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41304257/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 4–10)|date=May 13, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| | The season maintained strong viewership despite critical debate over its content. It ranked No. 32 in U.S. household ratings with a 9.3 household rating and a 15% audience share, while achieving No. 18 in total viewers with an average of 15.3 million viewers per episode. |
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| }}
| |
| {{#invoke:Episode list|sublist|The Simpsons season 9
| |
| |EpisodeNumber=203
| |
| |EpisodeNumber2=25
| |
| |Title=[[Natural Born Kissers]]
| |
| |DirectedBy=[[Klay Hall]]
| |
| |WrittenBy=[[Matt Selman]]
| |
| |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|5|17}}
| |
| |ProdCode=5F18
| |
| |ShortSummary=Homer and Marge go out on their anniversary dinner, but are forced to take the kids. They end up having an unromantic dinner, and lose interest in being intimate later that night. Later, the two must go purchase a new refrigerator motor, but during a rainstorm, their car gets stuck in the mud, so the two rush into a barn. When the farm owner nearly discovers them, the two become excited and have sex. When they return home, they decide to spend a weekend at a bed and breakfast, but when they are there, they find themselves romantically uninspired once again, until a maid discovers them on a bed. They then realize that the fear of getting caught makes them excited. Later, they decide to go to a [[miniature golf]] course to have sex in the windmill there, just like they did when they were younger. The people there soon realize there is something inside the windmill, and the two barely manage to escape unseen. However, the people see their underwear, and realize someone was there. To get home, the nude couple steals a [[hot air balloon]], but they accidentally wind up landing on a football field full of people. Homer and Marge travel back home, and are in the newspaper the next day.<ref>Gimple, p. 42–43</ref>
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| |NoViewersOnMainList=y|Viewers=14.12<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41306012/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 11–17)|date=May 20, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 10, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
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| }}
| |
| {{End|html=y|Episode table}}</onlyinclude>
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| ==Nielsen ratings== | | ==Nielsen ratings== |
| In terms of households, the show ranked just outside the Top 30, coming in at No. 32 with a 9.3 household rating and a 15 percent audience share.<ref name="sfgate.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Final-Ratings-for-97-98-TV-Season-3006101.php|title = Final Ratings for '97-'98 TV Season|date = 25 May 1998}}</ref> However, in terms of total viewers, the show ranked within the Top 20, coming in at No. 18 for the season, (tying with ''[[Dateline NBC|Dateline Tuesday]]'') and being watched by an average of 15.3 million viewers per episode.<ref name="season9">{{cite magazine |date=May 29, 1998 |title=The Final Countdown |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=434 |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/05/29/what-ranked-and-what-tanked/ |access-date=February 12, 2010}}</ref> | | In terms of households, the show ranked just outside the Top 30, coming in at No. 32 with a 9.3 household rating and a 15 percent audience share.<ref name="sfgate.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Final-Ratings-for-97-98-TV-Season-3006101.php|title = Final Ratings for '97-'98 TV Season|date = 25 May 1998}}</ref> However, in terms of total viewers, the show ranked within the Top 20, coming in at No. 18 for the season, (tying with ''Dateline Tuesday'') and being watched by an average of 15.3 million viewers per episode.<ref name="season9">{{cite magazine |date=May 29, 1998 |title=The Final Countdown |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=434 |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/05/29/what-ranked-and-what-tanked/ |access-date=February 12, 2010}}</ref> |
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| ==DVD release== | | ==DVD release== |
| [[Image:Simpsons s9 - Lisa.jpg|175px|right|thumb|''The Simpsons'' season 9 DVD [[digipak]], special Lisa head edition]]
| | The DVD boxset for season nine was released by 20th Century Fox in the United States and Canada on December 19, 2006, eight years after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including deleted scenes, [[Traditional animation#Animatic|animatics]], and commentaries for every episode. As with the two preceding seasons, the set was released in two different packagings: A "Collector's Edition" plastic packaging molded to look like Lisa's head, and a standard rectangular cardboard box featuring Lisa with a backstage pass to a show at a club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Simpsons-Complete-9th-Season-Lisa-Head/6259 |title=The Simpsons — The Complete 9th Season (Lisa Head) |access-date=2005-06-06 |publisher=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030002821/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Simpsons-Complete-9th-Season-Lisa-Head/6259 |archive-date=2007-10-30 }}</ref> The menus continue the same format from the previous four seasons, and the overall theme is various characters waiting in line at a club. |
| The DVD boxset for season nine was released by [[20th Century Fox]] in the United States and Canada on December 19, 2006, eight years after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including [[deleted scene]]s, [[Traditional animation#Animatic|animatics]], and commentaries for every episode. As with the two preceding seasons, the set was released in two different packagings: A "Collector's Edition" plastic packaging molded to look like Lisa's head, and a standard rectangular cardboard box featuring Lisa with a backstage pass to a show at a club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Simpsons-Complete-9th-Season-Lisa-Head/6259 |title=The Simpsons — The Complete 9th Season (Lisa Head) |access-date=2005-06-06 |publisher=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030002821/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Simpsons-Complete-9th-Season-Lisa-Head/6259 |archive-date=2007-10-30 }}</ref> The menus continue the same format from the previous four seasons, and the overall theme is various characters waiting in line at a club. | |
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| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
| {{Portal|The Simpsons}}
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| * [[List of The Simpsons episodes]] | | * [[List of The Simpsons episodes]] |
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| ==References==
| |
| ;General
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| {{refbegin}}
| |
| * {{cite book |last=Gimple |first=Scott |title=[[The Simpsons episode guides#The Simpsons Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ...Continued|The Simpsons Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ...Continued]] |year=1999 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers |isbn=0-06-098763-4}}
| |
| * {{cite book |last=Turner |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Turner (author) |title=Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation |title-link=Planet Simpson |others=Foreword by [[Douglas Coupland]] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-679-31318-2 |edition=1st |location=Toronto |publisher=Random House Canada |oclc=55682258}}
| |
| {{refend}}
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| ;Specific
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| <references />
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| ==External links==
| |
| {{wikiquote|The Simpsons/Season 9|The Simpsons season 9}}
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| * {{Official website|https://www.fox.com/the-simpsons/}}
| |
| * {{IMDb episodes|0096697}}
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| {{The Simpsons}}
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| {{The Simpsons episodes|9}}
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| {{Featured list}}
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| {{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Simpsons'' season 9}} | | {{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Simpsons'' season 9}} |
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