The Italian Bob

Last updated

"The Italian Bob"
The Simpsons episode
Episode no.Season 17
Episode 8
Directed by Mark Kirkland
Written by John Frink
Production codeHABF02
Original air dateDecember 11, 2005 (2005-12-11)
Guest appearances
Episode features
Chalkboard gag "That one's more jazzy"
Couch gag A pair of cartoon hands deal out a wild royal flush, consisting of the jack of diamonds (Bart), the queen of diamonds (Marge), the king of diamonds (Homer), the ace of diamonds (Lisa), and the joker (Maggie).
Commentary
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Last of the Red Hat Mamas"		Next →
"Simpsons Christmas Stories"
The Simpsons season 17
List of episodes

"The Italian Bob" is the eighth episode of the seventeenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons . It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 11, 2005. The episode was written by John Frink and directed by Mark Kirkland.

Contents

In this episode, the Simpsons go to Italy to pick up Mr. Burns' new car and encounter Sideshow Bob after the car is involved in a collision. Serving as a sequel to "The Great Louse Detective", it features Kelsey Grammer in his ninth appearance as Sideshow Bob and is the first time the Simpsons visit Italy. Maria Grazia Cucinotta also guest starred. The episode received mixed reviews. Grammer won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for his performance in this episode. Frink won the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation for his script to this episode.

The episode's title is a reference to the 1969 British caper film The Italian Job . Among the locations the Simpsons visit in this episode are Pisa, Pompeii, Tuscany, Rome and Venice.

Plot

After Mr. Burns gets teased about his old car by the kids at Springfield Elementary School, he sends Homer Simpson to pick up a brand new Lamborgotti Fasterossa car in Italy. The Simpsons fly over on Alitalia, and tour the country. After a huge wheel of mortadella lands on their car and crushes the hood, they push it into a small fictional Tuscan village called Salsiccia (sausage), and are told that the mayor speaks English.

The Simpsons visit the mayor, who turns out to be Sideshow Bob. He explains that after he last attempted to kill Bart, he decided to get a fresh start in Italy. He helped the villagers crush grapes into wine using his enormous feet, and they elected him mayor. Bob has resisted all intention of killing Bart, and introduces the Simpsons to his wife, Francesca Terwilliger, and his son, Gino. Bob begs the Simpsons not to tell anyone about his past crimes and arranges to have the car fixed.

One month later, Bob hosts a farewell party for the Simpson family. Lisa gets drunk on wine and spouts off about Bob being an attempted murderer. He leads her away from the table, but as she stumbles backwards, she rips off his suit to reveal his prison uniform. Upon this revelation, the village sacks Bob as Mayor. Bob swears a murderous vendetta on the Simpsons. The family flees in the fixed car, but Bob follows on a motorcycle. Homer drives into a ditch and onto a Roman aqueduct, landing on top of Trajan's Column in the Roman Forum. Bob's wife and son catch up with him. Francesca professes her love and loyalty to Bob and offers to help him take revenge.

The Simpsons are left with no car and no money. Lisa spots a bus with a poster advertising Krusty the Clown's performance in the opera Pagliacci . They meet up with him at the Colosseum in Rome, and he puts them in as extras. Bob, Francesca, and Gino find them and corner them on the stage while Krusty flees through a trap door. Lisa warns the audience that the Terwilligers are about to actually kill her and the family, but Bob tricks the audience by performing the climax of Vesti la giubba . Before Bob and his family can kill the Simpsons, Krusty's limousine picks them up; Krusty needs them to smuggle an ancient artefact back to America. The Terwilligers are disappointed at first, but then walk away plotting revenge together.

Production

Maria Grazia Cucinotta guest starred as Sideshow Bob's wife Francesca. Tress MacNeille voiced the role of Bob's son Gino. [1]

Reception

Viewing figures

The episode earned a 3.7 rating and was watched by 10.30 million viewers, the 28th most-watched show that week. [2]

Critical response

Ryan J. Budke of TV Squad said the episode was funny but did not like the abrupt ending with Sideshow Bob singing. He highlighted the joke of Peter Griffin from the television series Family Guy being accused of plagiarism and Stan Smith from the television series American Dad! being accused of plagiarizing plagiarism. [3]

Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide said while Sideshow Bob episodes are usually good, this episode "doesn't live up to those heights, but it manages to mostly work well." [4]

On Four Finger Discount, Brendan Dando and Guy Davis enjoyed the episode, saying the episode with the Simpsons traveling abroad had a story that made sense and liked that it "poked fun" of the Italian stereotypes. [5]

In 2009, Robert Canning of IGN placed "The Italian Bob" last on his list of the "Top 10 Sideshow Bob Episodes". At that time, ten episodes revolving around the character had aired. Canning wrote that the episode "falls lowest in the ranking for a few reasons, but the biggest of these is the fact that Bob had no intention of killing Bart. Plus we're in Italy. Plus Bob is married and has a son. All the things we love about a Sideshow Bob episode—the vengeance, the familiar settings and characters, the elaborate scheming—were missing from this half-hour. Without it, Bob wasn't nearly as entertaining, and the episode didn't result in a whole lot of laughs." [6]

In 2022, Lloyd Farley of Collider ranked the episode last out of 15 Sideshow Bob episodes. He said that it lacked Bob's schemes and intentions to kill Bart, which what makes Sideshow Bob's episodes special. [1]

Awards and nominations

Kelsey Grammer won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance at the 58th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for his voice portrayal of Sideshow Bob in this episode. [7] This marks the third time a credited guest star for the show has won an Emmy, the other two being Marcia Wallace and Jackie Mason although Wallace and Mason both won theirs as a joint win with the rest of the main cast the first time the category was awarded in 1992. [8]

John Frink won the Writers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Writing in Animation at the 59th Writers Guild of America Awards for his script to this episode. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krusty the Clown</span> Fictional character from The Simpsons franchise

Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky, better known by his stage name Krusty the Clown, is a recurring character on the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta. He is the long-time clown host of Bart and Lisa Simpson's favorite TV show, a variety show consisting of various kid-friendly sketches and often highly violent cartoons, most notably The Itchy & Scratchy Show. Despite his cheery onscreen persona, Krusty is actually a cynical, burnt-out, addiction-riddled smoker who is made miserable by show business but continues on anyway. He has become one of the most frequently occurring characters outside the main Simpson family and has been the focus of many episodes, some of which also feature Sideshow Bob.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sideshow Bob</span> Fictional character from The Simpsons franchise

Robert Underdunk Terwilliger Jr., PhD, better known as Sideshow Bob, is a recurring character and antagonist in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Kelsey Grammer and first appeared in the episode "The Telltale Head". Bob is a self-proclaimed genius who is a graduate of Yale University and a champion of high culture, including the adoption of a transatlantic accent, similar to that of Grammer's portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane from the sitcoms Cheers and Frasier. He began his career as a sidekick on Krusty the Clown's television show, but after enduring constant abuse, Bob framed his employer for armed robbery in "Krusty Gets Busted", only to be foiled by Bart Simpson, and sent to prison. Bob started seeking revenge against Bart while in prison, and the two became feuding arch-enemies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like Father, Like Clown</span> 6th episode of the 3rd season of The Simpsons

"Like Father, Like Clown" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on October 24, 1991. In the episode, Krusty the Clown reveals to the Simpsons that he is Jewish and that his father, Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky, kicked him out for pursuing a career in comedy. Bart and Lisa try to reunite a heartbroken Krusty with his estranged father.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Grazia Cucinotta</span> Italian actress (born 1968)

Maria Grazia Cucinotta is an Italian actress who has featured in films and television series since 1990. Internationally she is best known for her roles in Il Postino and as the Bond girl, credited as "Cigar Girl", in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough.

"Cape Feare" is the second episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 7, 1993. The episode features guest star Kelsey Grammer in his third major appearance as Sideshow Bob, who attempts to kill Bart Simpson again after getting out of jail, spoofing the 1962 film Cape Fear and its 1991 remake. Both films are based on John D. MacDonald's 1957 novel The Executioners and allude to other horror films such as Psycho.

"Krusty Gets Busted" is the twelfth and penultimate episode of the first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on April 29, 1990. The episode was written by Jay Kogen and Wallace Wolodarsky and directed by Brad Bird. In the episode, Krusty the Clown is convicted of armed robbery of the Kwik-E-Mart. Believing that Krusty has been framed for it, Bart and Lisa investigate the crime and learn that Krusty's sidekick, Sideshow Bob, is the culprit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Today I Am a Clown</span> 6th episode of the 15th season of The Simpsons

"Today I Am a Clown" is the sixth episode of the fifteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 7, 2003. The episode was written by Joel H. Cohen and directed by Nancy Kruse.

"Future-Drama" is the fifteenth episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. The 350th episode overall, it originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 17, 2005. In the episode, Bart and Lisa stumble into Professor Frink's basement, and he gives them a look into their future as teenagers getting ready for their high school graduation.

"Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming" is the ninth episode of the seventh season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on November 26, 1995. In this episode, Sideshow Bob attempts to rid Springfield of television by threatening to detonate an atomic bomb. When that backfires, he attempts to kill Bart once again, but this time along with Krusty the Clown.

"Day of the Jackanapes" is the thirteenth episode of the twelfth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 18, 2001. In the episode, Krusty announces his retirement due to interference from network executives and the growing popularity of the game show Me Wantee. When Krusty reveals that all of the episodes featuring Sideshow Bob have been erased, Bob decides to murder Bart again by hypnotizing him into murdering Krusty during his farewell show.

"Black Widower" is the twenty-first episode of the third season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on April 9, 1992. The episode was written by Jon Vitti and directed by David Silverman. Kelsey Grammer guest-starred as Sideshow Bob for the second time, becoming a reoccurring character as Bart's archenemy. In the episode, Sideshow Bob — Bart's new archenemy — returns, apparently in a romantic relationship with Bart's aunt Selma, but when Bart later realizes that Bob is planning to kill Selma, he prevents the attempted murder and Bob is sent back to prison. "Black Widower" finished 39th in Nielsen ratings for the week that it originally aired. Reviewers generally enjoyed the episode, and gave Grammer's portrayal of Sideshow Bob particular praise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brother from Another Series</span> 16th episode of the 8th season of The Simpsons

"Brother from Another Series" is the sixteenth episode of the eighth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 23, 1997. Sideshow Bob is released from prison after his arrest in "Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming" into the care of his brother Cecil and claims to be a changed man. However, Bart does not believe him and tries to find out what Bob is up to. It was the first episode directed by Pete Michels and was written by Ken Keeler. The episode guest stars Kelsey Grammer in his sixth appearance as Sideshow Bob and David Hyde Pierce in his first appearance as Cecil. The title is not only a pun on the movie The Brother from Another Planet, but for the fact that guest stars Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce also played bickering brothers Frasier Crane and Niles Crane, respectively, on the NBC sitcom Frasier.

"Marge's Son Poisoning" is the fifth episode of the seventeenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 13, 2005. The episode was the first one written by Daniel Chun and was directed by Mike B. Anderson.

<i>The Simpsons</i> season 12 Season of television series

The twelfth season of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons aired on Fox from November 1, 2000, to May 20, 2001. It premiered with "Treehouse of Horror XI". The season contains four hold-over episodes from the eleventh season (BABF) production line. The showrunner for the twelfth production season was Mike Scully. The season won and was nominated for numerous awards including two Primetime Emmy Awards wins and an Annie Award nomination. Season 12 was released on DVD in Region 1 on August 18, 2009, Region 2 on September 28, 2009, and Region 4 on September 2, 2009.

<i>The Simpsons</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons aired on Fox from September 4, 1994 to May 21, 1995. The Simpsons is an animated series about a working class family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional city of Springfield, and lampoons American culture, society, television and many aspects of the human condition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Funeral for a Fiend</span> 8th episode of the 19th season of The Simpsons

"Funeral for a Fiend" is the eighth episode of the nineteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 25, 2007. It was written by Michael Price and was directed by Rob Oliver. Serving as a stand-alone sequel to "The Italian Bob", it features Kelsey Grammer in his tenth appearance as Sideshow Bob, as well as David Hyde Pierce in his second appearance as Cecil Terwilliger. John Mahoney makes his sole appearance as their father, Doctor Robert Terwilliger Sr.. Keith Olbermann also makes a guest appearance as himself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All About Lisa</span> 20th episode of the 19th season of The Simpsons

"All About Lisa" is the twentieth and final episode of the nineteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 18, 2008. Lisa Simpson becomes Krusty the Clown's newest assistant and steals his spotlight. She wins Entertainer of the Year at the Springfield Media awards, but is warned that with her sudden fame comes a new attitude towards others and herself. Meanwhile, Homer and Bart bond over their newfound love of coin collecting. The episode features narration by Sideshow Mel. It was written by John Frink and directed by Steven Dean Moore. Drew Carey guest voices himself, appearing as a guest on Krusty's show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bob Next Door</span> 22nd episode of the 21st season of The Simpsons

"The Bob Next Door" is the twenty-second and penultimate 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 May 16, 2010. In the episode, Bart Simpson becomes convinced that their new neighbor is Sideshow Bob in disguise, but after a trip to the Springfield Penitentiary they find a distressed Bob still incarcerated. Eventually, Bart discovers that Bob has surgically swapped faces with Walt, who was his cellmate at that time, and still plans to kill him, although he is ultimately defeated.

"Gone Boy" is the ninth episode of the twenty-ninth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 627th episode of the series overall. The episode was directed by Rob Oliver and written by John Frink. It aired in the United States on Fox on December 10, 2017. The title is a spoof of the novel Gone Girl.

References

  1. 1 2 Farley, Lloyd (March 17, 2022). "Hello, Bart: 'The Simpsons' Sideshow Bob Episodes, Ranked". Collider . Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings (Dec. 5-11)". ABC Medianet. December 13, 2005. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  3. ↑ Budke, Ryan J. (December 12, 2005). "The Simpsons: The Italian Bob". TV Squad . Archived from the original on February 3, 2006. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  4. ↑ Jacobson, Colin (December 10, 2017). "The Simpsons: The Complete Seventeenth Season [Blu-Ray] (2005-06)". DVD Movie Guide. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  5. ↑ Davis, Guy; Dando, Brendan (April 20, 2023). ""The Italian Bob" Podcast Review (S17E08)". Four Finger Discount (Simpsons Podcast) (Podcast). Event occurs at 10:05. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  6. ↑ Canning, Robert (December 9, 2012). "The Simpsons: Top 10 Sideshow Bob Episodes". IGN . Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  7. ↑ Elber, Lynn (August 28, 2006). "'24' captures best drama; 'The Office' wins best comedy". Ocala StarBanner . Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Briefing–'Simpsons' score big in Prime-Time Emmys". Daily News of Los Angeles . August 3, 1992. p. L20.
  9. ↑ McNary, Dave (February 11, 2007). "'Departed' shines at WGA kudos". Variety . Archived from the original on February 19, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
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.