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"Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" is the twelfth 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 February 15, 2004. The episode was written by David and Julie Chambers and was directed by Matthew Nastuk.

In this episode, Bart becomes depressed when Milhouse moves away, so he bonds with Lisa while Homer begs for money to buy gifts for Marge. Actress Isabel Sanford appeared as herself while Nick Bakay, William Daniels, and Dick Tufeld reprised their roles from other television series. The episode received positive reviews.

Plot

During a school field trip to the Museum of Television and TV, Bart notices a change in Milhouse's behavior. Milhouse talks back to Mrs. Krabappel and wanders away from the group. He causes mischief with Bart, and tells him that he does not care what anyone thinks of him anymore. Finally, Milhouse reveals that he is moving to Capitol City with his mother. Bart visits Milhouse in Capitol City, only to find that Milhouse has dyed his hair blond, is wearing fashionable clothes, and is cultivating a "bad-boy" image, even going so far as to give Bart a wedgie in front of his new Capitol City friends. At home, seeing how depressed Bart is, Marge suggests he spend more time with Lisa. The two begin to bond by washing the car and riding bikes, and after they discover an Indian burial mound together, they become best friends.

Meanwhile, at Moe's Tavern, Apu and Manjula are celebrating their anniversary, and Homer realizes he does not have a gift for Marge for their anniversary. After being thrown out of the bar, Homer sits on the street and people start giving him money. He dances and earns enough money to buy Marge some flowers. He also does a rendition of the song "Mr. Bojangles" and asks for money. Homer continues his panhandling, and eventually makes enough money to buy Marge a pair of diamond earrings. When he continues panhandling afterward, angry bums bring Marge to see what Homer is doing. Marge is mortified and angry, but cannot bring herself to throw the earrings away.

Milhouse returns to Springfield when his father wins custody of Milhouse via court order. After she finds out Bart told Milhouse about their secret Indian burial mound, Lisa feels that Bart is acting like their friendship never existed and that he has been using her to fill a void. Bart, however, shows her that he still values her as a sister by giving her a set of cards with nice things he will do for her on them, and the two hug. Zooming out to a video being played at the Museum of Television and TV, Isabel Sanford demonstrates how this ending is an example of how sitcoms end with a sentimental moment.

Production

Actress Isabel Sanford appeared as herself in her final performance to air before her death. When recording her lines, Sanford questioned why producer Marc Wilmore, who was known to do an impression of her character Louise Jefferson, was not performing her part. Nick Bakay reprised his role as the cat Salem Saberhagen from the television series Sabrina the Teenage Witch. William Daniels reprised his role as KITT from the television series Knight Rider. Daniels previously reprised this role in the tenth season episode "The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace" because The Simspons was his son's favorite show. Dick Tufeld reprised his role as Robot from the television series Lost in Space.

Reception

Viewing figures

The episode was watched by 9.43 million viewers, which was the 49th most-watched show that week.

Critical response

Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide said it was an "above-average episode" and liked both the main plot and subplot.

On Four Finger Discount, Guy Davis and Brendan Dando enjoyed the Bart and Lisa plot and highlighted the character moment with Bart and the cards. They did not like the subplot with Homer panhandling.

In 2015, Drew Mackie of People named the episode as one of the 25 episodes of the series that "go for the heart".

In 2021, Hannah Saab of Screen Rant named the episode as one of the 10 best episodes featuring Milhouse.

Awards and nominations

David and Julie Chambers were nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Writing in Animation at the 57th Writers Guild of America Awards for their script to this episode.

References

1. McLellan, Dennis (July 13, 2004). "From the Archives: Isabel Sanford, 86; Won Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
2. Warner, Sam (February 1, 2021). "'The Simpsons' writer Marc Wilmore dies after contracting coronavirus". NME. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
3. Maga, Carly (March 11, 2013). "'Sabrina the Teenage Witch': Where are they now?". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
4. Harris, Will (March 28, 2015). "William Daniels on 1776, Knight Rider, The Graduate, and Boy Meets World". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
5. Noland, Claire (January 25, 2012). "Dick Tufeld obituary: 'Danger, Will Robinson!' voice actor dies at 85". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
6. "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 9-15)". The Los Angeles Times. February 20, 2004. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Jacobson, Colin (December 13, 2012). "The Simpsons: The Complete Fifteenth Season (2003)". DVD Movie Guide. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
8. Davis, Guy; Dando, Brendan (June 22, 2023). ""Bart Has Two Mommies" Podcast Review (S17E14)". Four Finger Discount (Simpsons Podcast) (Podcast). Event occurs at 4:05. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
9. Mackie, Drew (January 15, 2015). "Celebrate 25 Years of 'The Simpsons' with 25 Episodes That Go for the Heart". People. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
10. Saab, Hannah (November 13, 2021). "The Simpsons: 10 Best Milhouse Episodes, Ranked". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
11. McNary, Dave (December 15, 2004). "'Wing' still has the write stuff". Variety. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2019.

External links

• "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" at IMDb

• The Simpsons season 15 episodes
• 2004 American television episodes