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| {{Infobox Simpsons episode | {{Infobox Simpsons episode | ||
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| image = Fraudcast News.jpg | ||
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| image_size = 240 | ||
| | caption = Mr. Burns is outraged by the headline of Lisa's newspaper in a promotional image for the episode. | |||
| ⚫ | | |
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| season = 15 | ||
| | episode = 22 | |||
| ⚫ | | writer = ] | ||
| | director = ] | | director = ] | ||
| ⚫ | | writer = ] | ||
| | couch_gag = The couch is located at a Japanese bus stop and the family members fly in dressed as popular ] characters. | |||
| ⚫ | | production = FABF18 | ||
| | image = ] | |||
| | |
| airdate = {{Start date|2004|05|23}} | ||
| | couch_gag = The family members fly in dressed as popular ] characters (] is ], ] is ], ] is ], ] is Princess from '']'' and ] is ] from '']'') and land on a bench with "シンプソンズ" on it, Japanese for "Simpsons". | |||
| | commentary = ]<br />Don Payne<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />] | |||
| | prev = ] | |||
| | next = ] | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| "'''Fraudcast News'''" is the |
"'''Fraudcast News'''" is the twenty-second and final episode of the ] of the American animated television series '']''. It originally aired on the ] in the United States on May 23, 2004. The episode was written by ] and directed by ]. | ||
| In this episode, Mr. Burns acquires all media outlets in town to improve his image while Lisa begins publishing her own newspaper. The episode received positive reviews. Payne won the ]'s ], which honors works that focus on ] issues, for his work on the episode. | |||
| == |
==Plot== | ||
| ⚫ | ] holds a ceremony dedicating their newest national park, Geezer Rock, a rock formation which resembles the face of an old man in profile. As ] prepares to read a poem there at the behest of ], ] notices that there is a small tree growing in the eye of the rock. Fearing that it will destroy Geezer Rock over time, he rushes over and pulls it out. This causes Geezer Rock to fall apart, and everyone runs for their lives — except for ], who winds up in a ]. ] is fearful he has lost Mr. Burns. | ||
| {{spoiler}} | |||
| ⚫ | ] holds a ceremony dedicating their newest national park, Geezer Rock, a rock which |
||
| Lisa |
Lisa is saddened that no one ever heard her poem, and she publishes it on ] suggestion. Meanwhile, it turns out that Burns survived the horrible landslide through slithering his way out and subsisting on centipedes, insects and mole milk. However, Springfield's local news instead reports on the destruction of Geezer Rock and then labels Burns as being a hateful man nobody liked. | ||
| Lisa distributes the very first issue of her newspaper, ''The Red Dress Press'', which is well received. She enlists the help of ], ], ], ], and ] among others, to publish her newspaper's second issue. Meanwhile, to improve his image after the landslide, Burns acquires all media outlets in Springfield except Lisa's newspaper. He even makes an episode of '']'' promoting ]. Later, Burns tries to bait Lisa with ponies in an attempt to acquire her newspaper, but she will not give up. Lisa is saddened when all the other employees of the newspaper leave her, but is relieved when Bart decides to stay and help Lisa publish more issues. | |||
| Burns acquires all media outlets in Springfield...except Lisa's newspaper. His views are even promoted on '']'' (which he now writes and directs). Burns tries to bait Lisa with ponies in an attempt to buy her newspaper, but she won't give up. Burns gets back at Lisa by cutting the Simpsons' power off. Lisa writes her next issue through an old ] Skinner used in ]. Mr. Burns has a talk with Homer so he can dish some dirt on Lisa, which includes Burns drugging Homer. Lisa gives up on publishing, but Homer responds by creating his own newspaper, and other people also create their own newspaper. | |||
| Burns gets back at Lisa by cutting off the Simpsons' power, so Lisa is forced to write her next issue through an old ] that ] used ]. Burns finally wins the war by interrogating Homer with a ] so he can damage Lisa's reputation; the following day's ''Springfield Shopper'' boasts the headline, "LISA’S A TOTAL WACKO, IMPLIES FATHER", and goes further by humiliating Milhouse's crush upon her. Lisa writes her final "I Give Up" edition and shuts down the ''Red Dress Press''. Homer responds by creating his own newspaper, ''The Homer Times'', with which he defends Lisa and her journalistic integrity, while many of the townspeople, inspired by Homer, also create their own newspapers to voice their individual opinions. Burns realizes that, while he succeeded in defeating Lisa and her journal, he cannot possibly buy out everyone nor stop people criticizing him. As a result, he is forced to acknowledge that no one besides ] can truly control the whole media, and goes out on a shopping spree with Smithers for relief. | |||
| The episode is a satire of the ]'s new rules on media ownership. | |||
| == |
==Reception== | ||
| ===Viewing figures=== | |||
| *The ] gave this episode a 2005 WGA Award, winning the ] Award, which honors works that focus on ] issues. | |||
| In its original airing, this episode was watched by 9.2 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonschannel.com/2004/05/ratings-fraudcast-news/ |title=Ratings: Fraudcast News |date=2004-05-24 |publisher=Simpsons Channel |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117201132/http://www.simpsonschannel.com/2004/05/ratings-fraudcast-news/ |archivedate=November 17, 2011|access-date=November 15, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
| *Geezer Rock, both the collapse and the formation itself, is a parody of the ] collapse on May 3, 2003. | |||
| *At the end of the ] cartoon in the show, the last bit of dialogue is: (Burns Vulture) - "Nuclear Power is your friend, and so is Monty Burns", (Itchy) - "God Bless America! This cartoon was made in Korea (spoken quicker and quieter than "God Bless America"). That final line is accurate. The Simpsons is animated by ] in ], ], as well as ] and Anivision. | |||
| *Shortly after Mr. Burns turns off the Simpson's power, Homer pulls out batteries that he claims have lasting power. He puts them into a radio machine, and the radio plays a tape with the song ] by the ]. | |||
| == |
===Critical response=== | ||
| Colin Jacobson of ''DVD Movie Guide'' thought the episode was better than the previous episode even though they both dealt with political commentary. He said the episode was "a good capper for a spotty but often enjoyable season."<ref>{{cite web|first=Colin|last=Jacobson|date=December 13, 2012|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifteenth Season (2003)|url=http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonfifteen.shtml|website=DVD Movie Guide|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806152020/http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonfifteen.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| *The title is a play on the name of ]' ] film, '']''. | |||
| *Mr. Burns' ] falls out of his ], tiny and shriveled. This gag is lifted straight from "]"--perhaps not surprising, as ], director of several '']'' shorts, has written several '']'' episodes and is credited as a producer. | |||
| *The headline of Lisa's newspaper (shown above, in screenshot) is a reference to a 1970s ] headline: "] to City: Drop dead!" | |||
| *At one point when the crew is working on the paper, Bart calls Lisa "Chief," leading her to say "Don't call me chief." ], editor of the Daily Planet in ] comics, often says this after ] calls him "chief." | |||
| *The song played during Skinner's flashback is '']'' by ]. This song was also featured in ] | |||
| On ''Four Finger Discount'', Brendan Dando and Guy Davis liked the final two acts and felt the episode's plot was realistic in contrast with the previous episode.<ref>{{cite podcast|first1=Guy|last1=Davis|first2=Brendan|last2=Dando|title=Fraudcast News (S15E22)|work=Four Finger Discount (Simpsons Podcast)|date=July 22, 2023|url=https://fourfingerdiscount.podbean.com/e/fraudcast-news-simpsons-podcast-review/|time=5:20|access-date=November 15, 2024}}</ref> | |||
| ==Quotes== | |||
| *'''Squeaky-voiced Teen:''' (jumping off a cliff) Why did they cancel '']''?</br>(Falls and lands in a car with a couple kissing)</br>'''Girl:''' You crushed my boyfriend! You better be good at making out! (starts kissing Squeaky-voiced Teen) | |||
| *'''Ralph:''' I wanna be a fire truck. </br> '''Lisa:''' How 'bout a feature columnist? </br> '''Ralph:''' Yay! I'm a feature columnist! ''(imitates a fire truck)'' | |||
| *''']:''' Thank you, Geezer Rock, for doing what none of us had the courage to do. Smoosh Mr. Burns. | |||
| *'''Smithers:''' Sir! You're alive! </br> '''Mr. Burns:''' ''(chuckles)'' Yes, that's right, I pulled a ]. | |||
| *'''Bart:''' What's the big deal about a rock that looks like a dude? I've got a dad that looks like a ]! </br> ''(Homer's appearance is akin to a monkey, complete with a banana.)'' </br> '''Homer:''' Bart! You promised you'd stop making that comparison! ''(strangles Bart)'' As per our agreement! | |||
| *'''Burns:''' ''(after Lisa rejects his bribe)'' You just made a mistake! I'm going to shred you like a ]! Now get out! <br/> '''Lisa:''' I can't! My mom's not picking me up for an hour! <br/> ''(Burns and Lisa fall into an awkward silence)'' <br/> '''Burns:''' So...what do you think of today's ] scene? <br/> '''Lisa:''' I think it distracts people from more important social issues. <br/> '''Burns:''' My God, are you ''always'' on? | |||
| *(In a "]" episode, ] and ] by Mr. Burns, Scratchy is a ] protesting a nuclear power plant when he is impaled by a business-type Itchy on a ]) <br/> '''Itchy:''' (calm) Let me tell you why you and all protestors are wrong. <br/> '''Scratchy:''' Okay. <br/> (they drive past an ] with several Itchy and Scratchy children) <br/> '''Itchy:''' Nuclear power helps heat that orphanage and keeps that ] humming. <br/> (shows a hospital where a Scratchy with several imbedded weapons is taken away by two Itchy ]s) <br/> '''Scratchy:''' What about ]? It's cheap and safe. <br/> '''Itchy:''' Is it? <br/> (Scratchy is then beheaded by a giant windmill. A ] with Burns' facial features flies down) <br/> '''Burns-Vulture:''' Remember children, nuclear power is your friend and so is Monty Burns. <br/> '''Scratchy:''' Don't end up like me! Vote ]! <br/> '''Itchy:''' God bless ]! (quickly) This cartoon was made in Korea. | |||
| *'''Burns:''' ''(after learning the town does not miss him)'' I must find someway to get this town to love me. <br/> '''Smithers:''' Sir, you can get the town's love through various good deeds. <br/> '''Burns:''' Don't I already give out ] slices to the poor? <br/> '''Smithers:''' You eliminated that program in the ], sir. <br/> '''Burns:''' They were getting too grabby! | |||
| *'''Lisa:''' Okay, Nelson, what ] skills do you have? <br> ''']:''' Um, making ]s cry? <br> '''Lisa:''' Okay, you'll be a ]. | |||
| *'''Lisa:''' Dad! Someone cut our power! Now I can't print my paper!<br/> '''Homer:''' These two ] have to power everything in our home. <br/> ''(Homer plugs the batteries into something, which turns out to be a ]. He then begins playing loudly and singing along to "]" by the ], which drains the batteries in about five seconds)''<br/> '''Homer:''' That was totally worth it. | |||
| *'''Burns:''' Hello, Beefcake Charlie. | |||
| *'''Boobarella:''' He's got a heart as big as my boooobs! | |||
| *''']''': Thank you, ]. Sorry to hear about Sweat. | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ===Awards and nominations=== | |||
| ] | |||
| At the ], writer ] won the ] for this episode.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Barnes|date=March 27, 2013|title='Simpsons,' 'Thor' Screenwriter Don Payne Dies at 48|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/screenwriter-don-payne-dies-thor-simpsons-431319/|website=]|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624041349/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/screenwriter-don-payne-dies-thor-simpsons-431319/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, he was also nominated for the ] for his script to this episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2004/tv/news/wing-still-has-the-write-stuff-1117915059/|title='Wing' still has the write stuff|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=15 December 2004|website=]|accessdate=23 February 2019|archive-date=August 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824182407/https://variety.com/2004/tv/news/wing-still-has-the-write-stuff-1117915059/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| == External links == | |||
| {{Wikiquote|The_Simpsons/Season_15#Episode_22.Fraudcast_News|"Fraudcast News"}} | |||
| {{Portal|The Simpsons}} | |||
| * {{IMDb episode|0763030}} | |||
| {{The Simpsons episodes|15}} | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 19:36, 27 December 2024
22nd episode of the 15th season of The Simpsons
| "Fraudcast News" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |||
 Mr. Burns is outraged by the headline of Lisa's newspaper in a promotional image for the episode. | |||
| Episode no. | Season 15 Episode 22 | ||
| Directed by | Bob Anderson | ||
| Written by | Don Payne | ||
| Production code | FABF18 | ||
| Original air date | May 23, 2004 (2004-05-23) | ||
| Episode features | |||
| Couch gag | The family members fly in dressed as popular anime characters (Bart is Astro Boy, Homer is Ultraman, Lisa is Sailor Moon, Marge is Princess from Science Ninja Team Gatchaman and Maggie is Pikachu from Pokémon) and land on a bench with "シンプソンズ" on it, Japanese for "Simpsons". | ||
| Commentary | Al Jean Don Payne Ian Maxtone-Graham Matt Selman Michael Price Tom Gammill Max Pross | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
| |||
| The Simpsons season 15 | |||
| List of episodes | |||
"Fraudcast News" is the twenty-second and final 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 May 23, 2004. The episode was written by Don Payne and directed by Bob Anderson.
In this episode, Mr. Burns acquires all media outlets in town to improve his image while Lisa begins publishing her own newspaper. The episode received positive reviews. Payne won the Writers Guild of America's Paul Selvin Award, which honors works that focus on First Amendment issues, for his work on the episode.
Plot
Springfield holds a ceremony dedicating their newest national park, Geezer Rock, a rock formation which resembles the face of an old man in profile. As Lisa Simpson prepares to read a poem there at the behest of Mayor Quimby, Homer notices that there is a small tree growing in the eye of the rock. Fearing that it will destroy Geezer Rock over time, he rushes over and pulls it out. This causes Geezer Rock to fall apart, and everyone runs for their lives — except for Mr. Burns, who winds up in a landslide. Smithers is fearful he has lost Mr. Burns.
Lisa is saddened that no one ever heard her poem, and she publishes it on Marge's suggestion. Meanwhile, it turns out that Burns survived the horrible landslide through slithering his way out and subsisting on centipedes, insects and mole milk. However, Springfield's local news instead reports on the destruction of Geezer Rock and then labels Burns as being a hateful man nobody liked.
Lisa distributes the very first issue of her newspaper, The Red Dress Press, which is well received. She enlists the help of Bart, Milhouse Van Houten, Martin Prince, Nelson Muntz, and Ralph Wiggum among others, to publish her newspaper's second issue. Meanwhile, to improve his image after the landslide, Burns acquires all media outlets in Springfield except Lisa's newspaper. He even makes an episode of The Itchy & Scratchy Show promoting nuclear power. Later, Burns tries to bait Lisa with ponies in an attempt to acquire her newspaper, but she will not give up. Lisa is saddened when all the other employees of the newspaper leave her, but is relieved when Bart decides to stay and help Lisa publish more issues.
Burns gets back at Lisa by cutting off the Simpsons' power, so Lisa is forced to write her next issue through an old mimeograph that Principal Skinner used in Vietnam. Burns finally wins the war by interrogating Homer with a truth serum so he can damage Lisa's reputation; the following day's Springfield Shopper boasts the headline, "LISA’S A TOTAL WACKO, IMPLIES FATHER", and goes further by humiliating Milhouse's crush upon her. Lisa writes her final "I Give Up" edition and shuts down the Red Dress Press. Homer responds by creating his own newspaper, The Homer Times, with which he defends Lisa and her journalistic integrity, while many of the townspeople, inspired by Homer, also create their own newspapers to voice their individual opinions. Burns realizes that, while he succeeded in defeating Lisa and her journal, he cannot possibly buy out everyone nor stop people criticizing him. As a result, he is forced to acknowledge that no one besides Rupert Murdoch can truly control the whole media, and goes out on a shopping spree with Smithers for relief.
Reception
Viewing figures
In its original airing, this episode was watched by 9.2 million viewers.
Critical response
Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide thought the episode was better than the previous episode even though they both dealt with political commentary. He said the episode was "a good capper for a spotty but often enjoyable season."
On Four Finger Discount, Brendan Dando and Guy Davis liked the final two acts and felt the episode's plot was realistic in contrast with the previous episode.
Awards and nominations
At the 57th Writers Guild of America Awards, writer Don Payne won the Paul Selvin Award for this episode. In addition, he was also nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation for his script to this episode.
References
- "Ratings: Fraudcast News". Simpsons Channel. May 24, 2004. Archived from the original on November 17, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- Jacobson, Colin (December 13, 2012). "The Simpsons: The Complete Fifteenth Season (2003)". DVD Movie Guide. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- Davis, Guy; Dando, Brendan (July 22, 2023). "Fraudcast News (S15E22)". Four Finger Discount (Simpsons Podcast) (Podcast). Event occurs at 5:20. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- Barnes, Mike (March 27, 2013). "'Simpsons,' 'Thor' Screenwriter Don Payne Dies at 48". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- McNary, Dave (December 15, 2004). "'Wing' still has the write stuff". Variety. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
