The Heartbroke Kid (GABF11)
... the scream as Skinner sweeps the army men into the drawer? ... apparently Skinner instituted a no animal policy after SLH's adventure in 1F20? ... Jacques speaks as Bart runs over his foot? ... Bart doesn't notice all the cars parked outside his own house? ... Patty and Selma's license plate reads "MANH8ER"?
"The Heartbreak Kid" (movie) - title
Scratchy's many fates
[DABF15] churned into butter [FABF18] decapitated by windmill [3F02] impaled by the Space Needle [9F01] squashed by the moon [1F16] printed into money [3F03] tricked into eating himself [4F12] hung by his intestine [3F16] impaled on a cactus [EABF10] killed in a plane crash with Buddy Holly
[7G09], [7G11], [1F05], [3F23] Albert Brooks guest stars [7F09], [9F22] Scratchy undergoes unnecessary surgery [7F09] Scratchy's grave is seen [7F22] Bart's allergies mentioned [8F14], [FABF10], [GABF10] a member of OFF goes to a facility to overcome an addiction/medical condition [8F17], [GABF07] the poor health of a family member leads to cutting costs and alternate sources of money [8F22], [2F31] Scratchy has a wife [9F09] eating habits lead to heart problems for a member of OFF [9F06], [5F11] Das Boot referenced [9F22], [4F07] title sequence parodied [3F05] Bart aspires to be obese [3F16] Itchy steals Scratchy's girl [4F17] Lisa announces the danger of something to no avail; a member of OFF suffers a heart attack [5F03] Bart is labeled "fat" [5F15] Willie vs. Bart's skateboard [3G04], [EABF02] [FABF11] Do the Bartman referenced [BABF14], [CABF10] an obese Rainier Wolfcastle appears [CABF09] an obese Bart appears [DABF06] Wolfgang Puck referenced [DABF12] Marge becomes a robot [DABF11], [EABF12] an intervention is held or planned for a member of OFF [FABF10] Homer surprises the family by announcing he has been fired [FABF13] a member of OFF goes to fat camp [FABF19] a member of OFF suffers from an eating disorder [GABF03] Skinner uses street slang
Dr. Hibbert is NOT just a pediatrician.
Tonight's second outing managed to top the first, leaving us with a great Bart episode and one of the season's best offerings. Once again, the plot got going right away, introducing Bart to his chocolaty nemesis, leading to a humorous addiction. Humor was great, rarely failing, with the only notable exception being Krusty's cardiac zipper. Highlights include the Skinner/Chalmers opening, the milkshake festival, Bart's intervention, the offhand reference to Herb Powell, and of course the parody of the opening sequence. Bart was also characterized in a way that allowed you to empathize with him, even though his plight was entirely self-inflicted. And Albert Brooks made a great return after eight years of absence, delivering an hilarious performance as Tab Spangler. Seeing the family in a realistic struggle for money was refreshing, and it provided a humorous sideplot, and resolution to Bart's snack addiction. While a 10-year-old suffering from cardiac arrest was a bit hard to swallow, it worked, and ultimately gained the episode a 9/10. (A-)
Obesity in American children is more prevalent now than ever before, leaving Bart with millions of others who share in his plight with plumpness. Childhood obesity, while rarely causing the afflicted to suffer the same serious heart problems as older overweight individuals, does lead to similar problems down the road. The more immediate risks include childhood diabetes, respiratory problems, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Approximately 9 million children over the age of six are now obese, a figure which has tripled within the last thirty years.
A movement to remove the treacherous treats from the access of children with a propensity for pigging out has been recently started, with laws being passed and debates ensuing over the placement of vending machines, doling out sodas and sweets to whomever has a dollar to spare, in public elementary, middle and high schools. Many school districts and states have banned the desirable contraband from being sold on school premises, offering the prepubescent and adolescent individuals healthier alternatives, such as fruit and water. Once again, the city of Springfield is a step behind.
Alternate Title: Don't Break My Bart
Homer's lines after Bart's heart attack in the ER were changed from the promo. Originally he said this:
Homer: Little kids aren't supposed to have heart attacks. They're supposed to skin their knees, and choke on toys, and get eaten by witches.
Announcer: It's an all-new Simpsons, when the unthinkable happens to Bart. (Obese Bart is shown staggering around the living room, clutching at his chest, moaning and collapsing on the floor. Cut to OFF and Dr. Hibbert surrounding him in an emergency room bed.) Homer: Little kids aren't supposed to have heart attacks. They're supposed to skin their knees, and choke on toys, and get eaten by witches. Announcer: An all-new Simpsons, part of a full hour at 8/7c, FOX Sunday!