[The long of it]
You might recall a couple months back that "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening claimed that Fox tried to suppress jokes about the network's supposedly right-leaning news operations. Fox's PR staff denied this, but there was some protest until Groening admitted that he had really made up the whole story as a lark, after all. Even so, it helped burnish "The Simpsons'" reputation as a subversive, stick-it-to-the- man, anti-establishment sort of show.
I am not wholly convinced, though. Despite its edgy appeal, "The Simpsons" in some respects is actually a conservative show. Consider its treatment of religion. The series doesn't hesitate to point out the hypocrisy that organized religion is sometimes guilty of, but how many other comedies even bother to show the religious lives of their characters *at all*. Also, for all the surface criticism, the underlying idea of faith -- that God exists, that He is worthy of worship, and that religion can be a force for good -- isn't questioned. "Today, I Am a Clown," with its punning look at the Jewish faith, keeps this trend going.
Actually, this show is two episodes in one, both of them pretty good. The main plot concerns Krusty who, since he never had his Bar Mitzvah ceremony, is denied a spot on the Jewish Walk of Fame. With a little nudging from Lisa, Krusty resolves to undergo this rite of passage and goes to his father for the necessary instruction. This half of the show parodies many of the totems of Jewish and Yiddish culture. Yiddish terms get thrown around in puns; one character says a giant potato pancake is "a lot of latke," and Mr. T (voicing himself) says he "pities the shul" that won't admit Krusty. A barbershop is called Fantastic Schlomo's. Names of Jewish luminaries like Chiam Potok and Sandy Koufax are dropped. There's a good "Itchy & Scratchy" cartoon centered on the briss. Jackie Mason even returns as Rabbi Krustovsky.
Yet for all the jokes, the show treats the religion itself sympathetically. Krusty's religious training goes smoothly, all things considered. A televised Bar Mitzvah ceremony in the third act is a funny abomination, but that's more a reflection of Krusty's character than of organized Judaism. Indeed, the faith is treated very respectfully. (Perhaps even more so than Christianity. There have been plenty of scenes through the years when we say Rev. Lovejoy fall short of his ideals, but nothing like that for other religions.)
A show entirely about Krusty's Bar Mitzvah might encourage the Gentiles in the audience to use their channel changers, so "Today" has a second, secular, plot. Krusty has grown observant enough to refuse to work on Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath), so he needs a guest host for weekend duty. Homer gets the job largely by virtue of standing near Krusty when he's making the decision. I was one of those people who really did want to see Marge's "memorable stint" as Sideshow Marge (from "Eight Misbehavin' (BABF03)"), so I was curious to see how Homer would approach the job. His show is a roundtable discussion between him and his friends from Moe's Tavern, and it's an improbable hit. Actually, we don't see that much of the show, but the audience reaction to it was nice. Construction workers encourage pretty ladies to tune in, and a pregnant woman switches a monitor from the sonogram of her twins to Homer's program. Eventually, Lisa tries to convince Homer to use his popularity as a force for social good, and I love what Homer imagined doing.
In case two plots aren't enough, there's also *two* openings. A scene where Maggie is locked in the bathroom is terrific, even though it has no relation whatsoever to anything else in the show. A second opener has SLH fathering another litter of puppies. Homer's flashback to a night on the town with the dog is interesting -- Springfield has a thriving red-light district for canines, for some reason. This opening eventually leads into the show proper, when Krusty takes one of the puppies for a walk on the Jewish Walk of Fame.
"Today, I Am a Clown" shares its religious theme and a major guest character with "Like Father, Like Clown (8F05)," but the newer show is played with a lighter touch. I miss the gravitas of the earlier show a little, but I think there's room for a program that exists mainly for laughs instead Touching Moments. After all, the first commandment of a comedy is, "Thou shalt be funny." Amen, right?
[The short of it]
Social watchdogs and right-wing pundits may condemn "The Simpsons" as corrosive to family values (whatever those are), but when it comes to religion, it's a fairly conservative show. Judaism gets parodied with a passion in the main plot with cute puns, name-dropping, and an "I&S" cartoon, yet the treatment of the core religion is quite respectful. I like that the producers went to the trouble of getting Jackie Mason back, too (with Mr. T as a bonus!). A secondary plot with Homer as guest host is also funny, and keeps people who might not get the Jewish references interested. It lacks the deep emotional aspect of "Like Father, Like Clown," but this is a nice episode in its own right. (A-)
[DYNs]
... it's official: Lenny's last name is Leonard? ... nobody bothers to replace the "LENNY" mug after Lenny leaves the show? ... when OFF goes to the Gilded Truffle, we can see Fat Tony and his men at a table in the background? ... Homer imagines doing something altruistic with his "powers," rather than something self-interested as he usually does? ... the water damage near the vents and windows at Fox World Headquarters? ... the Yiddisha Guy is at Krusty's second Bar Mitzvah service?
[References]
"Batman" (TV series) - opening sequence straight out of the campy 60s series - the family slides down labeled poles, miraculously changing from their street clothes to their crime-fighting costumes - Homer ends up dressed as Batman, Bart is Robin, and Marge and the girls are each dressed as Batgirl
"Ring of Fire" (song) - Homer makes up new lyrics to this tune
Bob Guccione ("Penthouse" magazine publisher) - Hibbert calls SLH "Bob Poochione"
Rosa Parks (civil-rights activist) - Hibbert's poodle is named, "Rosa Barks"
"Behind the Green Door" (movie) - adult movie parodied as "Behind the Doggie Door"
"Long Dong Silver" (movie) - another adult flick parodied as "Long Dog Silver"
"On Golden Pond" (movie) - becomes "On Golden Retriever" at the doggie-pr0n theater
"Knotts Landing" (TV series) - prime-time soap opera inspires the name of the dog-neutering clinic
L. L. Bean (clothing maker) - there's an L. L. Beanie store in the Jewish part of town
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! (margarine) - bakery advertises "I Can't Believe It's Not Trayfe" products
Fantastic Sam's (barbershop/hairdresser chain) - there's also a "Fantastic Schlomo's"
Hollywood Walk of Fame (tourist attraction) - Krusty's neighborhood has the Jewish version
"A Kiss Before Dying" - the Itchy & Scratchy cartoon is called, "A Briss Before Dying"
~ "The View" (TV series) - Homer's show is the male equivalent of this one, which is a quartet of women sitting around for some light banter
Andy Warhol's portrait of Marilyn Monroe - portrait of Krusty in his living room done in the same style
Grammys Emmys (award ceremonies) - the combined Grammy/Emmy trophy is the Emmy lady holding up a gramophone
"Joe Millionaire" (TV series) - Krusty pitches a similar show to the Fox execs, with him in the Joe part
"Simple Life" (TV series) - Krusty suggests a series where he lives with poor people, like this recent Fox show
Sea World (amusement park) - has a show called "Wet'N'Wild" - numerous whale shows warn that rows closest to the aquarium may get splashed; here, Krusty warns against conversion
"Kokomo" (song) - The Beach Boys Experience sing event-appropriate lyrics to this Beach Boys hit
"Everybody Loves Raymond" (TV series) - Fox executive declares Krusty's ratings as, "'Raymond' rerun good"
[Previous Episode References]
[8F05] Krusty's father appears [2F18] SLH sires a litter of puppies [5F15] Crazy cat lady shows up
[FFF]
At the "adult" dog theater:
BEHIND THE DOGGIE DOOR
LONG DOG SILVER
ON GOLDEN RETRIEVERDog-neutering place:
NUTS LANDING
DOG NEUTERINGSigns in Krusty's old neighborhood:
/-\ L. L. Beanie [ Hebrew ] FANTASTIC
|K|MART [lettering] SCHLOMO'S
\-/ BARGAIN I CAN'T
BASEMENT BELIEVE PAYOS TRIMS,
[Star ] FOR FINE IT'S NOT TWO FOR ONE!
[ of ] YARMULKES TRAYFE!
[David]Walk of fame sign:
JEWISH
WALK OF
FAME"Itchy & Scratchy" title card:
A BRISS
BEFORE DYINGNewspaper headline:
VARIETY
SIMPSON A SMASH
GRAMMYS, EMMYS TO MERGE
[trophy]At the trailer:
WORLD HEADQUARTERS - - FOX NETWORK
Krusty's Bar Mitzvah marquee:
KRUSTY THE CLOWN'S
WET'N'WILD BAR MITZVAH[Krusty]
WARNING: FIRST TWO ROWS
MAY GET CONVERTEDBand at first Bar Mitzvah:
The
Beach Boys
ExperienceCar-stop sign:
AUDIO DEPARTMENT
[Oops!]
It sounds like Lisa reads in "Complete Guide to OFF" that SLH was neutered. The real-life description doesn't mention this.
[Personal Comments & Observations]
Lisa consults her copy of "The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family" to find out when SLH has fathered puppies. This is *so* weird when you think about it.
Sandy Koufax -- Baseball pitcher, whose team once reached the World Series. Being a World Series pitcher brings enough pressure as it is, but Koufax had an extra dilemma. One of the World Series games that year fell on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in which both work and entertainment is strictly forbidden. Koufax had to choose between honoring his religion, or helping his team. He chose the former, a decision I sure would have pleased Rabbi Krustovsky.
Alan King [seen on the walk, but not mentioned] -- Comedian and actor. He recently appeared in "Sunshine State," as a real-estate developer.
Joey Bishop [seen only] -- Talk-show host. He was an early competitor to Johnny Carson and "The Tonight Show," but like most of Carson's competitors, he faded from the scene.
Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop -- Puppeteer. Her most famous creation was Lamb Chop, a sheep sock-puppet.
Albert Einstein -- Geez, you ought to know who this is without me telling you.
Lorne Michaels -- Actor noted for his roles on "Bonanza," "Little House on the Prairie," and "Highway to Heaven."
Chiam Potok -- Author. In addition to his books, he was also a literary consultant for the Jewish Publication Society's most recent translation of the Holy Scriptures. He has no known connection with the Klingon Empire.
Billy Crystal [seen only] -- Actor who was on "Saturday Night Live" and "City Slickers." ("Simpsons" connection: Yeardley "voice of Lisa" Smith had a small role in the movie.)
Chevy Chase -- Like Billy Crystal, a comic actor who was on "Saturday Night Live" before making the leap to films ("National Lampoon's Family Vacation," and others of that ilk). He also had a failed talk show, which is probably what Krusty and Mr. T were roasting him about.
The Bar Mitzvah is an important ceremony in a Jewish boy's life. It marks the time when he is considered mature enough to participate in religious services (like reading from the Torah) and be responsible for one's own actions. Normally, the Bar Mitzvah is held when you're 13, but it can be done later. My cousin, along with nine other women, had her Bat Mitzvah -- the female equivalent to the Bar Mitzvah -- in her eighties.
A circle with a K inside it (as in the neighborhood's K-Mart) is the mark of one of the authorities that certify food as being kosher. (Not, "kasher," as Krusty mispronounces it.) Dr. Brown, the soda Rabbi Krustovsky rewards his son with, makes a variety of kosher sodas. While we're on the subject of kosher, its opposite is "trayfe," a term that shows up in the sign, "I Can't Believe it's not trayfe."
Payos, I think, are those locks of hair that grow from the temples of Orthodox Jewish men.
"Putz" is one of the millions of Yiddish words meaning "jerk" or "schmuck." "Schmeer" is used in the phrase, "the whole schmeer," meaning all of something. A "latke" is a potato pancake, which where the punning "that's a lot of latke" comes from. Mr. T says he pities the shul that won't let Krusty join -- "shul" being a term for a Jewish temple or place of worship.
Brandeis, the alma mater of Lisa's imaginary friend, is a prestigious school with a largely Jewish student body.
The briss is the Jewish circumcision ceremony, held when the baby is eight days old. The baby is also officially named at this time. One of Itchy's relatives says, "mouse-el tov," a play on "Mazel Tov," meaning, "Congratulations!"
Finally, since Krusty can no longer do a show on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, someone suggests he tape two shows on Friday. That would only work if he can tape quickly. The Sabbath really runs from Friday evening to Saturday evening, so he'd have to finish both tapings before sundown. Feh! Who needs that kind of work? Much better to hire a Shabbes Goy to be your weekend host.