Million Dollar Maybe

Last updated

"Million Dollar Maybe"
The Simpsons episode
MABF03.jpg
Promotional image for the episode, showing Homer and Bart watching Coldplay perform "Viva la Vida"
Episode no.Season 21
Episode 11
Directed by Chris Clements
Written by Bill Odenkirk
Production codeMABF03
Original air dateJanuary 31, 2010 (2010-01-31)
Guest appearance
Episode features
Couch gag Homer runs to the couch first. He pulls out an iPhone, presses the "Couch Gag" app and downloads Bart, Lisa, Marge, and Maggie making them run to the couch in the app. Homer then gets an incoming call from Mr. Burns, he screams and swallows the phone.
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Once Upon a Time in Springfield"		Next →
"Boy Meets Curl"
The Simpsons season 21
List of episodes

"Million Dollar Maybe" is the eleventh episode in the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons . It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 31, 2010. In this episode, Homer wins $1 million in the lottery. Later fearing that Marge will discover that he missed a wedding reception while buying the winning ticket, Homer uses his windfall to buy the family anonymous gifts. Meanwhile, Lisa uses a Funtendo Zii to make life more interesting for Grampa Simpson and his friends at the retirement home.

Contents

"Million Dollar Maybe" was written by Bill Odenkirk and directed by Chris Clements. The episode was well received by most television critics, who praised its humor and storyline. Upon its initial airing, the episode attained 5.11 million viewers and garnered a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic. "Million Dollar Maybe" featured a guest appearance from Chris Martin of Coldplay, as well as appearances from recurring voice actors and actresses for the series.

Plot

Homer and Marge are scheduled to do a singing toast at Marge's cousin Valerie's wedding, causing Marge to become nervous, due to her fear of embarrassment. Homer tells her not to worry, saying that he will make sure they do not mess up. Homer gets a fortune cookie stating that today will be his lucky day, but he does not believe so. However, he starts to believe this occurs when he crashes into a vending machine causing all of the snacks to fall out on him, and finds an Emerson, Lake & Palmer CD in the parking lot. He sings along to "Lucky Man", driving recklessly to the synthesizer solo. He then goes to the Kwik-E-Mart for a lottery ticket, even though he's running late for the wedding. After a long wait, Homer gets his lottery ticket, only to find out the wedding has ended. When he takes his eyes off the road for a second, he crashes. Homer wakes up in the hospital, and realizes he won a million dollars in the lottery. Homer does not want Marge to know he missed the wedding to get a lottery ticket, and has Barney pose as the winner. So that Marge does not know he won the money, he secretly leaves gifts for his family members. When Bart discovers Homer's scheme, he threatens to tell Marge unless Homer publicly embarrasses himself. Eventually, Homer decides to tell Marge himself and get it over with. Taking Marge on a hot-air balloon, he reveals he won the lottery, causing Marge to become very glad; he then tells her he spent it all, leaving them poor as usual. However, Marge does not care, saying at least they have each other. Homer then reveals he spent the last of the money on a giant cherry blossom grove in the shape of Marge's face with the words "Love of my Life". They then sing the song they were supposed to sing at the wedding together, off in the sunset.

In the sub-plot, Lisa discovers that the senior citizens at Grampa's nursing home do not have any entertainment, and decides to buy them a digital TV converter. However, while at the store to buy it, she discovers Mr. Burns feeling very happy playing Funtendo Zii Sports. She decides to buy this for the senior citizens. When playing the Zii, the senior citizens feel very happy and feel younger. This forces the nurses at the home to work extra hard after their workout, prompting them to destroy the machine. The senior citizens then return to their boring selves, staring at TV static.

Production

Chris Martin of Coldplay guest starred as himself in the episode. Chris Martin + Guitar, 2011 (1, cropped).jpg
Chris Martin of Coldplay guest starred as himself in the episode.

"Million Dollar Maybe" was written by Bill Odenkirk and directed by Chris Clements. In July 2009, it was announced that singer Chris Martin of the band Coldplay would guest star as himself in the episode. [1] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly , showrunner Al Jean commented: "When Bart goes to the bathroom, Coldplay has to stop." [1]

The episode featured a new character created by the winner of the "Best. Character. Ever." contest, in which fans could submit their own ideas for a new, and possibly recurring, Simpsons character. [2] [3] Over 25,000 entries were sent in. The winner of the contest was 52 year old Peggy Black from Orange, Connecticut, who created the character Ricardo Bomba. [4] She described Ricardo as "someone that all the women love and all the men want to be". Black's inspiration for the character came from the fact that there were no characters like him on The Simpsons, and she thought Springfield needed "something like a Casanova". [5] As part of the winning prize, Black was sent to work with the show's producers in Los Angeles. She worked with the animators to bring the character to life. In an interview with the Associated Press, Black stated she "described the character and they drew him so I could see if that was my vision of him". She continued, "It's amazing to see how they captured what I imagined. He's over the top." [5] Executive producer Al Jean was one of the judges of the contest, which he described as "a thank you to loyal fans". Jean also noted that there is a possibility the Ricardo character might appear on the show again although this seems unlikely since the character appears to have been killed in a fiery car crash. [5]

This episode contains several references pertaining to music, media, film, and other pop cultural phenomena. "Million Dollar Maybe" is the second episode in the series to have a title that parodies that of the film Million Dollar Baby , the first being the seventeenth-season episode "Million Dollar Abie". The Funtendo Zii is a fictional console that parodies the Nintendo Wii. And Zii Sports is a fictional game that parodies the game that is bundled with most Wii consoles, Wii Sports . [6]

Reception

"Million Dollar Maybe" was originally broadcast on January 31, 2010, in the United States as part of the animation television night on Fox. It was succeeded by episodes of The Cleveland Show , Family Guy , and American Dad! . The episode was viewed by 5.11 million viewers, despite simultaneously airing with the 52nd Grammy Awards on CBS, Desperate Housewives on ABC, and Dateline on NBC. [7] It attained a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to Nielsen ratings, translating to 3.1 million viewers. [7] [8] Although it was the second highest rated program of the night, it was the lowest rated episode in the series' history up until the season twenty-two episode "The Great Simpsina". [7] [9] Total viewership and ratings for "Million Dollar Maybe" significantly declined from the previous episode, "Once Upon a Time in Springfield", which received 9.084 million viewers and garnered a 6.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to Nielsen ratings. [10]

"Million Dollar Maybe" was well received by television critics. Emily VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club gave the episode a 'B' grade, the highest of the night. VanDerWerff was polarized with the plot, opining that it was convoluted and stated, "This was a completely stupid plot, but to the show's credit, it commented on this when Homer told Marge he won the lottery and she said she'd much rather have the money than the wedding reception performance he missed." [6] Similarly, VanDerWerff was split with the subplot of "Million Dollar Maybe". In regards to the subplot, she wrote, "The Lisa gets the old people a Wii stand-in plot was one of those ones where the Simpsons writers have obviously noticed something in pop culture but have yet to wholly grasp what it is or why it's important." [6]

Robert Canning of IGN gave the episode an 8.1 out of 10, signifying a "great" rating. Canning felt that the episode was impressive, expressing that it was "a fun and funny episode focused on Homer and his always dysfunctional relationship with his family [...] just what we've come to love and expect after 20 years." [11]

Jason Hughes of TV Squad gave the episode a more mixed review, praising the episode's humor, but calling it "random". Hughes wrote, "A lot about this episode bothered me, and I think The Simpsons has been having a pretty strong season for the most part." He resumed, "This one just didn't hold together as strongly as most of the prior ones." [12] He went on to criticize the character development of Ricardo, opining that it was a "slap to the face to the winner." He then commented: "Peggy Black created Ricardo Bomba as a new ladies man type of figure, so the writers had him drive into a cliff wall and subsequent fiery explosion right away upon his first appearance. He didn't even get to finish what was, I guess, going to be his catchphrase." [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Simpsons</i> season 21 Season of television series

The twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons aired on Fox from September 27, 2009, to May 23, 2010. It was the first of two seasons that the show was renewed for by Fox, and also the first season of the show to air entirely in high definition, season 20 having nine holdover episodes from season 19 that were in standard definition. The season was produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television. Executive producer Al Jean remained the showrunner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homer the Whopper</span> 1st episode of the 21st season of The Simpsons

"Homer the Whopper" is the twenty-first season premiere of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on September 27, 2009.

"The Great Wife Hope" is the third episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. Originally broadcast on the Fox network in the United States on October 11, 2009, it sees the men of Springfield taking immense interest in a new combat sport called mixed martial arts (MMA). Marge is appalled by the violent sport and demands that the creator put a stop to it, but he agrees only if she will fight him in a match and win.

"Pranks and Greens" is the sixth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 22, 2009. The episode was written by Jeff Westbrook and directed by Chuck Sheetz.

"The Devil Wears Nada" is the fifth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 15, 2009. In the episode, Marge and a group called the "Charity Chicks" pose for a history-oriented calendar in hopes of raising money for charity, but Marge becomes the talk of the town due to the erotic poses she made after a few drinks of red wine. Meanwhile, Carl is chosen as the newest supervisor at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, and hires Homer to be his personal assistant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Once Upon a Time in Springfield</span> 10th episode of the 21st season of The Simpsons

"Once Upon a Time in Springfield" is the tenth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 10, 2010. It was promoted as the 450th episode of the series, but is actually the 451st, and aired alongside The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!. The episode is dedicated to posthumous guest star Eartha Kitt, who died December 25, 2008, over one year before the episode first aired.

"Wedding for Disaster" is the fifteenth episode of the twentieth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 29, 2009. In the episode, Marge and Homer's second marriage turns out to be invalid, so they decide to get married again. Right before the remarriage, Homer goes missing, and Bart and Lisa suspect that he has been kidnapped by Sideshow Bob. The episode was written by Joel H. Cohen and directed by Chuck Sheetz. It features Kelsey Grammer in his 12th vocal appearance as Sideshow Bob.

"The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" is the sixteenth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 457th episode overall. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 28, 2010. In this episode, the Simpsons vacation in Jerusalem with Ned Flanders, but Homer does not appreciate the city's religious importance—until he gets lost in the desert, and in a severe state of dehydration, believes himself to be the Messiah.

"O Brother, Where Bart Thou?" is the eighth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. Being the last episode to air in the 2000s, it originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 13, 2009. In this episode, Bart goes on a quest to get a baby brother out of jealousy of the sisterly bond Lisa has with Maggie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boy Meets Curl</span> 12th episode of the 21st season of The Simpsons

"Boy Meets Curl" is the twelfth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 14, 2010. In this episode, Homer and Marge Simpson form a mixed curling team with Agnes and Seymour Skinner, which is chosen to play in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Meanwhile, Lisa begins collecting pins shaped like Olympic mascots, but her obsession soon turns to desperation.

"The Squirt and the Whale" is the nineteenth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. The 460th episode of the series overall, it originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 25, 2010. In the episode, the Simpson family attempts to save a beached whale that washed up onshore, only for it to die.

"The Color Yellow" is the thirteenth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 21, 2010. In this episode, Lisa discovers that her ancestors from Florida helped a black slave named Virgil escape to freedom, but Milhouse has a piece of family history that shows Lisa's ancestors giving Virgil up in an act of cowardice.

"American History X-cellent" is the seventeenth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 458th episode overall. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 11, 2010. In this episode, Mr. Burns is arrested for possessing stolen art and Smithers is chosen to run the nuclear plant—only to turn into a misanthropic slave driver when his subordinates begin taking advantage of his kindness.

"Chief of Hearts" is the eighteenth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 18, 2010. In this episode, Homer and Chief Wiggum become friends after Homer shares a sandwich with Wiggum during his community service sentence. Meanwhile, Bart becomes addicted to a Japanese kids' game called Battle Ball, but Marge and Principal Skinner believe that Bart is dealing drugs. It is also the first episode in which Lisa does not deliver any dialogue.

"The Fight Before Christmas" is the eighth episode of the twenty-second season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 5, 2010, and consists of four short dream segments that all take place during Christmas. In the first segment, Bart travels to the North Pole and sets out to get Santa into giving him the dirt bike he has wished for every year. In the second one, set during World War II, Lisa has to cope with the absence of her mother who has been deployed as a soldier overseas. Martha Stewart arrives at the Simpsons' home in the third dream segment, helping Marge save the family's Christmas. Finally, in the last segment the entire family has become puppet characters in a theater show that also stars Katy Perry.

"Judge Me Tender" is the twenty-third and final episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. The 464th episode of the series overall, it originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 23, 2010. In the episode, Moe discovers his talent for judging in competitions and is invited to appear on the show American Idol. Meanwhile, Homer drives Marge crazy when he starts spending too much time at home, and Lisa tries to comfort Santa's Little Helper.

"Lisa Simpson, This Isn't Your Life" is the fifth episode of the twenty-second season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 14, 2010. In this episode, when Lisa discovers that Marge was also a model student, she tries to find out where everything changed so that she doesn't repeat her mistakes. Meanwhile, a series of chance accidents cause Bart to replace Nelson as school bully.

"Elementary School Musical" is the twenty-second season premiere of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on September 26, 2010. In this episode, Krusty the Clown invites Homer to the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Oslo. Later turning out to be a hoax, Krusty is sued by the International Court of Justice for his many instances of public indecency. Meanwhile, Marge takes Lisa to a performing arts camp for a week.

"The Food Wife" is the fifth episode of the twenty-third season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 13, 2011, and was seen by around 7.5 million people during this broadcast. In the episode, Homer feels left out when Marge, Bart, and Lisa join a group of foodies. Their personal blog quickly becomes popular and the trio is invited to a molecular gastronomy restaurant. Feeling pity toward Homer, Marge invites him along. However, after beginning to worry that he will reclaim his position as the parent perceived as the most fun by the children, she sends him to the wrong address. Homer unknowingly arrives at a meth lab, where a gunfight starts as the police burst in.

"The Real Housewives of Fat Tony" is the nineteenth episode of the twenty-second season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 1, 2011. This episode mainly centers around Marge Simpson and one of her older sisters, Selma, who falls in love with mobster Fat Tony. Selma later begins the glamorous lifestyle associated with being in the Mafia and the couple agrees to marry each other. The marriage leads to tension between Marge and Selma. Fat Tony later invites Homer and Marge to his mansion in New Jersey, in hopes of mending the sisters' relationship. Meanwhile, Bart acquires an ability to trace the location of truffles, which leads Lisa to attest to her growing greed for eating truffles.

References

  1. 1 2 Snierson, Dan (July 24, 2009). "'The Simpsons': Coldplay's Chris Martin, Sarah Silverman among season 21 guests". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on July 26, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Springfield or bust! A new neighbor is coming to town with "The Simpsons" character contest". FoxFlash. October 16, 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Fan to create Simpsons character". BBC News. October 16, 2009. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Can Oprah really stop talk?". Times-Union . November 20, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 "'Simpsons' character contest winner is the Bomba". New York Post . November 19, 2009. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 VanDerWerff, Emily (February 1, 2010). ""Million Dollar Maybe"/"Our Gang"/"Dial Meg for Murder"/"A Jones for a Smith"". The A.V. Club . The Onion. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Gorman, Bill (February 1, 2010). "TV Ratings Sunday: Grammy Awards Drown Out The Competition". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2001.
  8. ↑ Gorman, Bill (February 2, 2011). "TV Ratings: Grammy Awards, American Idol, House and NCIS top weekly viewing". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on February 5, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  9. ↑ Gorman, Bill (April 11, 2011). "TV Ratings Sunday: 'Cleveland Show' Up; 'Family Guy' Stable; As 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Celebrity Apprentice,' 'Secret Millionaire,' 'Simpsons,' 'American Dad' Fall - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  10. ↑ "TV Ratings: Pro and College Football and The Simpsons and NCIS top weekly viewing". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  11. ↑ Canning, Robert (February 1, 2010). "The Simpsons: "Million-Dollar Maybe" Review". IGN . Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Hughes, Jason (February 1, 2010). "Review: The Simpsons - Million Dollar Maybe". HuffPostTV. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.