| Revision as of 11:35, 2 December 2006 edit211.28.166.216 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 02:46, 19 December 2024 edit undoToscahydra (talk | contribs)514 editsNo edit summaryTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit | ||
| (390 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}{{Good article}} | |||
| {{Infobox Simpsons episode | {{Infobox Simpsons episode | ||
| ⚫ | | image = | ||
| | episode_name = Jaws Wired Shut | |||
| | |
| caption = | ||
| | |
| season = 13 | ||
| | episode = 9 | |||
| | airdate = ], ] | |||
| | |
| director = ] | ||
| | writer |
| writer = ] | ||
| | production = DABF05 | |||
| | director = ] | |||
| | airdate = {{Start date|2002|01|27}} | |||
| | clarkborad = | |||
| | guests = * ] and ] | |||
| | couch_gag |
| couch_gag = The Simpsons are dressed as ] characters, with ] as ] (as ]). | ||
| | image = ] | |||
| | commentary = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>] | |||
| ⚫ | | |
||
| | prev = ] | |||
| | next = ] | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| "'''Jaws Wired Shut'''" is the ninth episode of the ] of the American animated television series '']''. It originally aired on the ] in the United States on January 27, 2002. In the episode, Homer's jaw is broken when he collides with a statue of ]. Homer's jaw is wired shut, leaving him unable to speak. At first Marge enjoys Homer's inability to talk, since it makes him a better listener and a more compassionate person. Eventually Marge misses Homer's wild antics. Craving excitement, she enters a demolition derby. | |||
| The episode was written by ] and directed by ]. The plot idea for the episode was pitched by Selman, as was the setpiece, which originated from a discussion he had with current ] ]. Comedian ] guest-starred as one of the gay dogs in the ] in the episode. In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 8.7 million viewers, making it the most watched scripted program on Fox that night. | |||
| "'''Jaws Wired Shut'''" is the ninth episode of the thirteenth season of '']''. | |||
| Following its home video release, "Jaws Wired Shut" received mostly positive reviews from critics. | |||
| ==Synopsis== | |||
| {{spoiler}} | |||
| ==Plot== | |||
| While ] are relaxing outside their home, they see the ] ] passing by. Many ]-themed floats pass by, including one with gay dogs, which intrigues ], which freaks ] out. He drags his family (and SLH) away and they go to the Springfield Googolplex to watch a flick, name "Shenani-Goats". | |||
| When the ] gay pride parade passes by the Simpsons' house, ] becomes tempted when three of the ] dogs start flirting with him. Uncomfortable, ] drags his family to the Springfield Googolplex. After growing impatient at several previews and public service announcements preceding the film, Homer flies into a rampage and demands the movie start. Wielding oversized ] bars, the ushers chase Homer from the cinema. While Homer is fleeing, his mouth collides with the fist of a large metal statue of boxer ], breaking his jaw in the process. | |||
| At Springfield General Hospital, ] ], leaving him unable to speak or eat solid food, and he attempts to use a nearby suicide machine, which Hibbert dismisses of any concern, saying that it "just provides sexual release". Homer is forced to listen to his family, which pleases them, especially ]. Since Homer is so well-behaved, Marge risks attending the annual formal event at the country club. When Homer's jaw wires are removed the next day, he and Marge appear on ''Afternoon Yak'' to discuss his transformation. With the help of the show's hosts, Marge pleads with Homer to abandon his "reckless ways" and stay well-behaved. Despite the temptation of an upcoming ], Homer behaves for Marge's sake. | |||
| However, the movie never seems to start, what with the number of ]s, ]s, ]s and the like. Homer starts getting tired of all these previews and jumps up in front of the screen chanting, "Start the movie!", to the approval of the audience, all except ] and ] (though ] has no trouble inciting his rage further). The ]s, fearing that this situation could spiral out of control, attack Homer with giant ] pieces. Homer runs, pursued by the confectionery-armed ushers. At the park, ] is inaugurating a large metal statue of boxer ]. Homer, turning his head to taunt the ushers, runs smack-dab into the statue's metal fist, which hits him squarely in the mouth. He hits the ground, with a broken jaw, crying in pain. | |||
| Five weeks later, Marge — bored with the sudden peace and quiet — enters the demolition derby. When Homer wakes and finds Marge gone, he heads to the derby with the kids to stop her. At first Marge enjoys the derby, but things soon get too dangerous for her. Since he has given up recklessness, Homer has no idea how to save her. ] has an idea: he orders a can of beer from a vendor. After Homer drinks the beer the way ] eats ] for a burst of energy, he rescues Marge. She makes him promise not to make her the live wire of the family. | |||
| Later, at the Springfield General Hospital, ] wires Homer's jaws shut, saying that he will not be able to speak for a while... and not be able to eat solid food. On hearing this, Homer tries to commit ], by trying to use a suicide machine. However, being so large, the ] only provide sexual release. | |||
| ==Production== | |||
| At home, unable to eat a ], he tries to snort it, but ends up feeling more woozy than satisfied. Bart takes advantage of Homer's problem, by asking if he had any ''verbal'' objection to him using ] as a human ]. At ], they are visited by ], who is there for the Duff Trivia Challenge, i.e., anyone who answers the trivia question correctly wins a lifetime supply of ]. The question is: "What beverage, brewed since ancient times, is made from hops and grains?" Homer knows but is unable to say it. The other barflies and Moe are too dumb or drunk to know it. Finally, time runs out and Duffman says that the answer is: ''']'''. Homer is grief-stricken at the thought of having lost the chance of a lifetime supply of Duff. | |||
| ].]] | |||
| The episode was written by executive producer ] and directed by ]. It was first broadcast on the ] in the ] on January 27, 2002. The episode's ] was pitched by Selman, and originated from a discussion he had with current showrunner ], about "how much crap there is at the movie theater before the movie actually begins."<ref name="Selman" /> The episode's plot was also pitched by Selman, who had wanted to do an episode with a "jaws-wired-shut plot" for a while. It was not until long after the episode was completed that Selman learned that one can in fact talk with one's jaw wired shut. He learned this from fellow ''Simpsons'' writer ], who had had his jaw wired shut once in high school. Kelley joined the writing staff during the writing stage of the episode, however he did not mention that one could talk, since he did not want to "ruin" the episode. However, he did say that one should eat a lot before since one will lose weight when their jaw is wired shut. These trivias were subsequently included in the episode.<ref name="Selman">Selman, Matt. (2010). Commentary for "Jaws Wired Shut", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season'' . 20th Century Fox.</ref> | |||
| According to Jean, the episode's table read went "great" until the third act.<ref name="Jean">Jean, Al. (2010). Commentary for "Jaws Wired Shut", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season'' . 20th Century Fox.</ref> The ''Simpsons'' writers found the third act "pretty challenging" to write, because by having Homer's jaws wired shut, they "took funniest character" and "remove comedy."<ref name="Selman" /> In the DVD commentary for the episode, Selman described it as "It's the comedy of saying: 'Oh, he can't do all the stuff you want him to do'."<ref name="Selman" /> It was also hard to "keep the story moving" back to normal, since they kept having to "re-use the premise".<ref name="Selman" /> The episode features American comedian ] as one of the dogs in the gay pride parade in the beginning of the episode.<ref name="McCann">{{cite book | last = McCann | first = Jesse L. |author-link2=Matt Groening |first2=Matt |last2=Groening | title = ] | publisher = ]| year = 2005 | isbn = 0-06-081754-2 |pages=28–29}}</ref> Barbara Walters and Star Jones, the hosts of ''The View'', were portrayed by American voice-actor ]. In the DVD commentary for the episode, Jean stated that MacNeille is "very versatile". Lisa Ling and Joy Behar were portrayed by voice-actor ].<ref name="Jean" /> | |||
| Homer starts using a little ] to communicate with people while unable to speak. That night, in bed with Marge, he asks her (using the chalkboard) about her day. Pleasantly surprised at Homer's attention, she starts talking about not liking ] for wanting to ban ] from the school, which makes Homer love her more. The next day, when Lisa comes home angry, she finds an attentive ear in Homer and gets a hug from him (although it's only to "cork her ]"). Bart also confides in Homer about his negative feelings about being the class clown. Homer even listens to ]'s rambling out whatever is on his senile old mind. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Cultural references== | ||
| Marge decides that, since Homer is so well-behaved, they can chance going to the Springfield formal ball, at the Country Club. Apparently last year's dance didn't go so well, with Homer and a donkey making a mess of the place. At the ball, he is rewarded by an impressed ], who thinks that Homer has correctly guessed that the music playing is from Southern ], when Homer actually wrote "So hungry" on his chalkboard. Homer is complimented for not having laughed at an aristocrat's crazy eye (no matter how hard he tries) and for passing on the appetisers. They even get invited to have dinner with a socialite some day. As they dance, Marge is ecstatic that Homer did nothing to screw up this magical evening. He even passes up an opportunity to horse around with the donkey (from last year). Just then, Dr. Hibbert informs Homer that he can remove the jaw wires the next day. Though Homer is happy, Marge is anything but. | |||
| The title of the episode was pitched by ''The Simpsons'' writer ], and is a reference to ]'s 1999 drama film '']''. According to Jean, the writers chose the title because " thought it would have been more well-remembered."<ref name="Jean" /> When Homer's jaw is wired shut, he writes words on a portable chalkboard to communicate with people. This is a reference to ]' character in '']'', who, after having a stroke, also communicates with people using a chalkboard.<ref name="Selman" /> The song used in the ballet scene is "]", which was also used in '']'', another film by Kubrick.<ref name="Jean" /> | |||
| A scene in the episode takes place on the talk show "Afternoon Yak", a parody of '']'', with the hosts based on ''The View''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s real-life host ] and ], and former hosts ] and ]. ''The View''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s audience members are also referenced, and are depicted in the episode as "giv a huge response" to everything in the program.<ref name="Jean" /> The play that Bart and Homer are rehearsing in the living room was written by American playwright ].<ref name="Selman" /> Near the end of the episode, Homer gains strength by drinking a can of beer. The scene parodies the character ], who gained super-strength from eating spinach. Homer also talks in a manner similar to Popeye after drinking the beer. Marge also resembles Popeye's love interest ] in the scene.<ref name="Jean" /> | |||
| The next day, the jaw wires come off. At Moe's, Homer tells ] and ] about the virtues of just listening. They try it and hear ], in the backroom, trying to arrange for an escort. ], now a guest booker for the talk show "Afternoon Yak", invites Homer and Marge to the show. During the ]-filled show, Marge, with the support of the hosts, pleads with Homer to stop his "wascally ways". Despite the upcoming ], Homer decides to do it for her sake. | |||
| Another scene shows the Simpsons in a movie theater, where ] tries to solve the following quiz: "Name that character: MOT HANKS". She answers, seemingly obvious, "]", while the right answer turns out to be "Otm Shank", "''India's answer to ]''" according to fellow moviegoer ]. The ''Itchy & Scratchy'' PSA showing at the theater is titled "To Kill a Talking Bird", a play on the 1960 novel '']''. | |||
| The next day, Marge comes home to a clean house, just the way she left it. However, she hears Homer declare that he's going to kill someone. When she investigates, she finds that he is rehearsing a play with Bart. Homer even starts to drink milk, instead of his usual beer, and goes to sleep earlier than usual. However, all this peace and quiet is having an adverse effect on Marge, who starts going crazy with boredom. The demolition derby form flies into her hand, and she decides to give it a try. When she leaves, Homer wakes up and finds that Marge is gone and so is the demolition derby form. He puts two and two together, and heads off to the derby, with the kids in tow. | |||
| The sign on the Springfield Civic Center mentions that the demolition derby was featured in the 1985 film '']'', an entry in the controversial ] ] film series ''Faces of Death''. | |||
| At the derby, Marge, in her ], wearing a safety helmet, smashes into another car and feels good about it. However, all good feeling goes down the gutter when a large black ] crashes into the stationwagon. Homer and the kids show up and see Marge in trouble. Homer has no idea how to save his wife, considering he has given up being reckless. Bart comes up with an idea and calls for a beer-can from a vendor. He opens it, ]-style, by squeezing it, till its contents come bursting out and fall into Homer's open mouth. Homer, in a Popeye accent, declares that he is going to save his wife. He rides the same mischievous donkey (from the ball) into the arena. In the meantime, Marge, having spotted Homer, starts gesturing wildly (like ] in distress) towards him. The donkey stops, exhausted, and Homer feels that he needs "some fuel for his mule; some gas for his ass". He feeds the donkey beer, energising it for a second, and putting it to sleep immediately after. | |||
| ==Release== | |||
| Determined to save Marge, Homer runs over to the station wagon and pulls Marge to safety just before the black SUV delivers another crushing blow. Marge, relieved to be alive, decides that though the family needs a live wire, it's not her. Homer comforts her by saying that she's a good wet blanket, the kind he likes wrapped around him. They leave the derby and go home. | |||
| In its original U.S. broadcast on January 27, 2002, "Jaws Wired Shut" received an 8.7 rating, according to ], translating to approximately 8.7 million viewers. The episode finished in 22nd place in the ratings for the week of January 21–27, 2002, making it the most watched scripted program on Fox that night.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV RATINGS|date=February 1, 2002|page=7D|publisher=] |author=St. Petersburg Times |author-link=St. Petersburg Times }}</ref> On August 24, 2010, "Jaws Wired Shut" was released as part of ''The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season'' DVD and Blu-ray set. Matt Groening, Al Jean, Matt Selman, Carolyn Omine, Dana Gould, Joe Mantegna and Pete Michels participated in the audio commentary of the episode.<ref name="Selman" /> | |||
| {{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center |width=220px |align=right | quote = This episode, in particular, is a welcome return to a more old school Simpsons storytelling style, capable of being both comical, and, in its own bizarro way, touching. With the advent of South Park and other edgy animated sitcoms, it's easy to see how ''The Simpsons'' felt pressured to drop its sense of sentiment and go for more outlandish gags, so it's good to occasionally see the softer side of Homer. | source = '''Casey Broadwater, Blu-ray.com'''<ref name="blu-ray" /> | |||
| }} | |||
| Following its home video release, "Jaws Wired Shut" received mostly positive reviews from critics. | |||
| Stuart O'Conner of Screen Jabber described "Jaws Wired Shut", "]", "]" and "]" as "first-rate ep."<ref name="screenjabber">{{cite web |url=http://www.screenjabber.com/the-simpsons-S13-DVD-review |title=The Simpsons: Season 13 review (DVD) |date=August 24, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2011 |last=O' Connor |first=Stuart |publisher=Screen Jabber |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128103400/http://www.screenjabber.com/the-simpsons-S13-DVD-review |url-status=usurped }}</ref> | |||
| Giving the episode a B+, Jennifer Malkowski of ] described the episode as having "nicely gooey family moments." She called the "gay pride parade's 'Salute to Safer Sex' float" the episode's "highlight".<ref name="DVDverdict">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/simpsons13bluray.php |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season (Blu-Ray) |date=September 6, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2011 |last=Malkowski |first=Jennifer |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209001817/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/simpsons13bluray.php |archive-date=December 9, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| Casey Broadwater of Blu-ray.com gave the episode a positive review as well, calling it "a welcome return to a more old school ''Simpsons'' storytelling style, capable of being both comical, and, in its own bizarro way, touching."<ref name="blu-ray">{{cite web |url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Simpsons-The-Thirteenth-Season-Blu-ray/11327/#Review |title=The Simpsons: The Thirteenth Season Blu-ray Review |date=September 5, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2011 |last=Broadwater |first=Casey |publisher=Blu-ray.com |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909155639/http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Simpsons-The-Thirteenth-Season-Blu-ray/11327/#Review |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide wrote "While Season 13 doesn’t threaten to approach the high standards of the series’ strongest years, episodes like "Shut" help make it better than expected. Sure, it follows fairly predictable patterns, but it develops them in a satisfying comedic manner." He concluded his review by writing that the episode's overall "entertaining," even though its ending "falters."<ref name="DVDmg">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonthirteen.shtml |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season (Blu-Ray) (2001) |date=September 2, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2011 |last=Jacobson |first=Colin |publisher=DVD Movie Guide |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404202638/http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonthirteen.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| On the other hand, Ron Martin of 411Mania gave the episode a mixed review, calling it "uneven at best, mediocre at worst."<ref name="411mania">{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/movies/dvd_reviews/153026 |title=The Simpsons Season 13 DVD Review |date=September 15, 2010 |access-date=May 7, 2020|last=Martin|first=Ron|publisher=411Mania|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015004733/http://www.411mania.com/movies/dvd_reviews/153026 |archive-date=October 15, 2010 }}</ref> Although he praised the episode's setpiece, Nate Boss of Project-Blu gave the episode an overall negative review, writing: "With a hilarious take on movie theaters to start the episode, the duldrum of the rest can be forgiven...almost."<ref name="Project-blu">{{cite web|url=http://project-blu.com/reviews/simpsons13.html |title=The Simpsons: The Thirteenth Season |date=September 8, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2011 |last=Boss |first=Nate |publisher=Project-Blu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622070047/http://project-blu.com/reviews/simpsons13.html |archive-date=June 22, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| Adam Rayner of Obsessed with Film wrote that the episode was "woefully weak" and felt "contrived, rushed and handled by hacks." He added that the episode was "Dull".<ref name="Obsessedwithfilm">{{cite web|url=http://www.obsessedwithfilm.com/reviews/dvd-review-the-simpsons-season-13.php |title=DVD Review: THE SIMPSONS SEASON 13 |date=September 20, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2011 |last=Raynor |first=Adam |publisher=Obsessed With Film |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126160306/http://www.obsessedwithfilm.com/reviews/dvd-review-the-simpsons-season-13.php |archive-date=November 26, 2010 }}</ref> | |||
| In an article on gay marriage, '']'' references the Simpsons' blasé acceptance of the annual Springfield gay pride parade in this episode as being "a few steps ahead of real life. But only a few".<ref>{{Cite news | title = Out and proud parents | newspaper = The Economist | date = June 28, 2007 | url = https://www.economist.com/united-states/2007/06/28/out-and-proud-parents | access-date = January 26, 2022 | archive-date = January 26, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220126050200/https://www.economist.com/united-states/2007/06/28/out-and-proud-parents | url-status = live }}</ref> | |||
| ] was nominated for the ] at the ] for his script to this episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/events/futuramasnags-writers-guild-award/|title=Futurama Snags Writers Guild Award|last=Ball|first=Ryan|date=11 March 2003|website=Animation Magazine|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819185509/https://www.animationmagazine.net/events/futuramasnags-writers-guild-award/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| The derby announcers recap quickly the episode's highlights and end the show. | |||
| == |
==References== | ||
| {{Reflist|2}} | |||
| *This is not the ] Homer has misbehaved in a ] ]. | |||
| *This is the first time they acknowledge that there has been (and, in future episodes, will be) more than one ]. As the current incarnation enters Moe's, Lenny remarks "I thought he was dead?" Duffman responds he "can never die; only the actors who play him!" This point is further emphasized in the episode "]". | |||
| *If you look closely at the x-ray of Homer's skull, specifically his brain, you can see the crayon logged in his brain from the episode "]". | |||
| == External links == | |||
| ⚫ | ==Cultural |
||
| {{wikiquote|The_Simpsons/Season_13#Jaws_Wired_Shut|"Jaws Wired Shut"}} | |||
| *During the gay pride parade, Maggie is pictured holding a balloon in the shape of a ], an international symbol of gay pride. | |||
| {{portal|The Simpsons}} | |||
| *"Afternoon Yak" is an obvious parody of '']''. | |||
| *{{IMDb episode|0701141}} | |||
| *Watch for the ] parody during the demolition derby, right down to ]'s imitation of the sailor's mutterings, the substitution of ] for ], and the movement of Marge's arms similarly to ] histrionics. | |||
| *{{snpp capsule|DABF05}} | |||
| *The title is a reference to the film '']''. | |||
| *Similar to the '']'' short "That Smarts", in which Marge tries to achieve balance in the family by becoming the wacky one, just as Brain used his machine to become the dumb one after Pinky's new intelligence outdoes him. | |||
| *Homer getting clocked in the mouth by the fist of a golden statue recalls the fate of an ]-hating ] in an episode of '']''. | |||
| {{The Simpsons episodes|13}} | |||
| ==Quotes== | |||
| *'''Activists:''' "We're here! We're queer! Get used to it!<br/>'''Lisa:''' "You do this every year! We ''are'' used to it."<br/>'''Activist:''' "Spoilsport!"<br/> | |||
| *'''Duffman:''' "] can never die; only the actors who play him! OH-yeah!" | |||
| *'''Homer:''' "Stop the madness! Start the movie!"<br/>'''Lisa:''' "Maybe we should try to calm Dad down."<br/>'''Bart:''' "I prefer to egg him on. Hey Dad, has the movie started yet?"<br/> | |||
| *'''Drederick Tatum:''' "] is my most treacherous foe. I would like to eat its children."<br/> | |||
| *'''Marge:''' "Oh, dear, you can't eat solid foods. Those are his favorites."<br/> | |||
| *'''Bart:''' "], you ready to imitate that '']'' show?"<br/>'''Milhouse:''' "All those disclaimers made me want to do it more!"<br/> | |||
| *'''Lisa:''' "We were playing ], and I called no double-taps. And ] double-taps. And I said, 'You're out,' and he said, 'I can do a ]', which has nothing to do with anything!"<br/> | |||
| *'''Bart:''' "So, the substitute teacher comes in and says her name is Mrs. Doody, and everyone's looking at me like, 'Take it, Bart, run with it!', and it hits me... I've become a ]- a ]. And it sickens me."<br/> | |||
| *'''Marge:''' "This has been one of the most magical evenings of my life."<br/>'''Homer (tries to talk with the wires on):''' "I'm 'orny."<br/>'''Marge:''' "...I don't know what you said, but I'm sure it was beautiful."<br/> | |||
| *'''Moe:''' "Hello? Yeah, I would like to arrange, uh, for an ], please? ...''To where? How 'bout ]ville?!'' Hello? Hello?"<br/> | |||
| *'''Homer:''' "''I'm gonna kill you!''"<br/>'''Marge:''' "Well, so much for the new Homer. What's going on?"<br/>'''Bart:''' "We're rehearsing a play."<br/>'''Homer:''' "Yes, and I was merely reading the title. 'I'm Going to Kill You.'"<br/>'''Marge:''' "Oh... it's just a false alarm."<br/>'''Homer:''' "Yep. Nothing to get excited about."<br/>'''Marge:''' "Well, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."<br/>'''Homer: (dramatically, apparently to Bart)''' "'Professor Van Doren, so good to see you.'"<br/>'''Professor Van Doren: (walking in)''' "Ah, rehearsing a play, I see."<br/> | |||
| *'''] :''' Yes, the music is from southern ]. That's quite an ear. Here, have some money. '''' | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 02:46, 19 December 2024
9th episode of the 13th season of The Simpsons
| "Jaws Wired Shut" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 13 Episode 9 | ||
| Directed by | Nancy Kruse | ||
| Written by | Matt Selman | ||
| Production code | DABF05 | ||
| Original air date | January 27, 2002 (2002-01-27) | ||
| Guest appearances | |||
| Episode features | |||
| Couch gag | The Simpsons are dressed as silent film characters, with Homer as Charlie Chaplin (as the Tramp). | ||
| Commentary | Matt Groening Al Jean Matt Selman Carolyn Omine Dana Gould Joe Mantegna Pete Michels | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
| |||
| The Simpsons season 13 | |||
| List of episodes | |||
"Jaws Wired Shut" is the ninth episode of the thirteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 27, 2002. In the episode, Homer's jaw is broken when he collides with a statue of Drederick Tatum. Homer's jaw is wired shut, leaving him unable to speak. At first Marge enjoys Homer's inability to talk, since it makes him a better listener and a more compassionate person. Eventually Marge misses Homer's wild antics. Craving excitement, she enters a demolition derby.
The episode was written by Matt Selman and directed by Nancy Kruse. The plot idea for the episode was pitched by Selman, as was the setpiece, which originated from a discussion he had with current showrunner Al Jean. Comedian John Kassir guest-starred as one of the gay dogs in the pride parade in the episode. In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 8.7 million viewers, making it the most watched scripted program on Fox that night.
Following its home video release, "Jaws Wired Shut" received mostly positive reviews from critics.
Plot
When the Springfield gay pride parade passes by the Simpsons' house, Santa's Little Helper becomes tempted when three of the gay dogs start flirting with him. Uncomfortable, Homer drags his family to the Springfield Googolplex. After growing impatient at several previews and public service announcements preceding the film, Homer flies into a rampage and demands the movie start. Wielding oversized Kit Kat bars, the ushers chase Homer from the cinema. While Homer is fleeing, his mouth collides with the fist of a large metal statue of boxer Drederick Tatum, breaking his jaw in the process.
At Springfield General Hospital, Dr. Hibbert wires Homer's broken jaw shut, leaving him unable to speak or eat solid food, and he attempts to use a nearby suicide machine, which Hibbert dismisses of any concern, saying that it "just provides sexual release". Homer is forced to listen to his family, which pleases them, especially Marge. Since Homer is so well-behaved, Marge risks attending the annual formal event at the country club. When Homer's jaw wires are removed the next day, he and Marge appear on Afternoon Yak to discuss his transformation. With the help of the show's hosts, Marge pleads with Homer to abandon his "reckless ways" and stay well-behaved. Despite the temptation of an upcoming demolition derby, Homer behaves for Marge's sake.
Five weeks later, Marge — bored with the sudden peace and quiet — enters the demolition derby. When Homer wakes and finds Marge gone, he heads to the derby with the kids to stop her. At first Marge enjoys the derby, but things soon get too dangerous for her. Since he has given up recklessness, Homer has no idea how to save her. Bart has an idea: he orders a can of beer from a vendor. After Homer drinks the beer the way Popeye eats spinach for a burst of energy, he rescues Marge. She makes him promise not to make her the live wire of the family.
Production
The episode was written by executive producer Matt Selman and directed by Nancy Kruse. It was first broadcast on the Fox network in the United States on January 27, 2002. The episode's setpiece was pitched by Selman, and originated from a discussion he had with current showrunner Al Jean, about "how much crap there is at the movie theater before the movie actually begins." The episode's plot was also pitched by Selman, who had wanted to do an episode with a "jaws-wired-shut plot" for a while. It was not until long after the episode was completed that Selman learned that one can in fact talk with one's jaw wired shut. He learned this from fellow Simpsons writer Brian Kelley, who had had his jaw wired shut once in high school. Kelley joined the writing staff during the writing stage of the episode, however he did not mention that one could talk, since he did not want to "ruin" the episode. However, he did say that one should eat a lot before since one will lose weight when their jaw is wired shut. These trivias were subsequently included in the episode.
According to Jean, the episode's table read went "great" until the third act. The Simpsons writers found the third act "pretty challenging" to write, because by having Homer's jaws wired shut, they "took funniest character" and "remove comedy." In the DVD commentary for the episode, Selman described it as "It's the comedy of saying: 'Oh, he can't do all the stuff you want him to do'." It was also hard to "keep the story moving" back to normal, since they kept having to "re-use the premise". The episode features American comedian John Kassir as one of the dogs in the gay pride parade in the beginning of the episode. Barbara Walters and Star Jones, the hosts of The View, were portrayed by American voice-actor Tress MacNeille. In the DVD commentary for the episode, Jean stated that MacNeille is "very versatile". Lisa Ling and Joy Behar were portrayed by voice-actor Pamela Hayden.
Cultural references
The title of the episode was pitched by The Simpsons writer Max Pross, and is a reference to Stanley Kubrick's 1999 drama film Eyes Wide Shut. According to Jean, the writers chose the title because " thought it would have been more well-remembered." When Homer's jaw is wired shut, he writes words on a portable chalkboard to communicate with people. This is a reference to Anthony Hopkins' character in Legends of the Fall, who, after having a stroke, also communicates with people using a chalkboard. The song used in the ballet scene is "The Blue Danube Waltz", which was also used in 2001: A Space Odyssey, another film by Kubrick.
A scene in the episode takes place on the talk show "Afternoon Yak", a parody of The View, with the hosts based on The View's real-life host Barbara Walters and Joy Behar, and former hosts Lisa Ling and Star Jones. The View's audience members are also referenced, and are depicted in the episode as "giv a huge response" to everything in the program. The play that Bart and Homer are rehearsing in the living room was written by American playwright Edward Albee. Near the end of the episode, Homer gains strength by drinking a can of beer. The scene parodies the character Popeye, who gained super-strength from eating spinach. Homer also talks in a manner similar to Popeye after drinking the beer. Marge also resembles Popeye's love interest Olive Oyl in the scene.
Another scene shows the Simpsons in a movie theater, where Lisa tries to solve the following quiz: "Name that character: MOT HANKS". She answers, seemingly obvious, "Tom Hanks", while the right answer turns out to be "Otm Shank", "India's answer to Brian Dennehy" according to fellow moviegoer Apu. The Itchy & Scratchy PSA showing at the theater is titled "To Kill a Talking Bird", a play on the 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
The sign on the Springfield Civic Center mentions that the demolition derby was featured in the 1985 film Faces of Death III, an entry in the controversial mondo horror film series Faces of Death.
Release
In its original U.S. broadcast on January 27, 2002, "Jaws Wired Shut" received an 8.7 rating, according to Nielsen Media Research, translating to approximately 8.7 million viewers. The episode finished in 22nd place in the ratings for the week of January 21–27, 2002, making it the most watched scripted program on Fox that night. On August 24, 2010, "Jaws Wired Shut" was released as part of The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season DVD and Blu-ray set. Matt Groening, Al Jean, Matt Selman, Carolyn Omine, Dana Gould, Joe Mantegna and Pete Michels participated in the audio commentary of the episode.
Casey Broadwater, Blu-ray.comThis episode, in particular, is a welcome return to a more old school Simpsons storytelling style, capable of being both comical, and, in its own bizarro way, touching. With the advent of South Park and other edgy animated sitcoms, it's easy to see how The Simpsons felt pressured to drop its sense of sentiment and go for more outlandish gags, so it's good to occasionally see the softer side of Homer.
Following its home video release, "Jaws Wired Shut" received mostly positive reviews from critics.
Stuart O'Conner of Screen Jabber described "Jaws Wired Shut", "The Parent Rap", "She of Little Faith" and "Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge" as "first-rate ep."
Giving the episode a B+, Jennifer Malkowski of DVD Verdict described the episode as having "nicely gooey family moments." She called the "gay pride parade's 'Salute to Safer Sex' float" the episode's "highlight".
Casey Broadwater of Blu-ray.com gave the episode a positive review as well, calling it "a welcome return to a more old school Simpsons storytelling style, capable of being both comical, and, in its own bizarro way, touching."
Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide wrote "While Season 13 doesn’t threaten to approach the high standards of the series’ strongest years, episodes like "Shut" help make it better than expected. Sure, it follows fairly predictable patterns, but it develops them in a satisfying comedic manner." He concluded his review by writing that the episode's overall "entertaining," even though its ending "falters."
On the other hand, Ron Martin of 411Mania gave the episode a mixed review, calling it "uneven at best, mediocre at worst." Although he praised the episode's setpiece, Nate Boss of Project-Blu gave the episode an overall negative review, writing: "With a hilarious take on movie theaters to start the episode, the duldrum of the rest can be forgiven...almost."
Adam Rayner of Obsessed with Film wrote that the episode was "woefully weak" and felt "contrived, rushed and handled by hacks." He added that the episode was "Dull".
In an article on gay marriage, The Economist references the Simpsons' blasé acceptance of the annual Springfield gay pride parade in this episode as being "a few steps ahead of real life. But only a few".
Matt Selman was nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Writing in Animation at the 55th Writers Guild of America Awards for his script to this episode.
References
- ^ Selman, Matt. (2010). Commentary for "Jaws Wired Shut", in The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season . 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Jean, Al. (2010). Commentary for "Jaws Wired Shut", in The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season . 20th Century Fox.
- McCann, Jesse L.; Groening, Matt (2005). The Simpsons One Step Beyond Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ...Continued Yet Again. HarperCollins. pp. 28–29. ISBN 0-06-081754-2.
- St. Petersburg Times (February 1, 2002). "TV RATINGS". Times Publishing Company. p. 7D.
- ^ Broadwater, Casey (September 5, 2010). "The Simpsons: The Thirteenth Season Blu-ray Review". Blu-ray.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- O' Connor, Stuart (August 24, 2010). "The Simpsons: Season 13 review (DVD)". Screen Jabber. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- Malkowski, Jennifer (September 6, 2010). "The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season (Blu-Ray)". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on December 9, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- Jacobson, Colin (September 2, 2010). "The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season (Blu-Ray) (2001)". DVD Movie Guide. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- Martin, Ron (September 15, 2010). "The Simpsons Season 13 DVD Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on October 15, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- Boss, Nate (September 8, 2010). "The Simpsons: The Thirteenth Season". Project-Blu. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- Raynor, Adam (September 20, 2010). "DVD Review: THE SIMPSONS SEASON 13". Obsessed With Film. Archived from the original on November 26, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- "Out and proud parents". The Economist. June 28, 2007. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- Ball, Ryan (March 11, 2003). "Futurama Snags Writers Guild Award". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
