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Revision as of 08:39, 29 November 2005 by Closedmouth (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Template:Infobox The Simpsons season nine "The Principal and the Pauper" is the second episode of The Simpsons' ninth season. The episode first aired on September 28, 1997. The episode has been criticized by some Simpsons fans as the worst episode ever. It has been mocked in several episodes by Simpsons writers.
Episode details
Production Number: 4F23
Original Air Date: September 28, 1997
Writer: Ken Keeler
Director: Steven Dean Moore
Couch Gag: The family dresses up in spacesuits, and the couch blasts off like a rocket.
Guest Voice: Martin Sheen as Sergeant Seymour Skinner
Synopsis
Seymour Skinner is about to celebrate his 20th anniversary as principal, and it goes smoothly until a man who says his name is Seymour Skinner comes in, pointing out that Agnes Skinner is his mother. Principal Skinner admits he is not the real Seymour Skinner, and is only an imposter. He tells his story, in a parody of the life of Martin Guerre, and admits that his real name is Armin Tamzarian, but assumed the identity of Sergeant Seymour Skinner. Soon, the sergeant becomes the school's principal, because he says he had intentions to be the principal of Springfield Elementary School.
Afterwards, Springfield prefers Tamzarian over the real Skinner. Tamzarian, however, had left Springfield and went to Capital City. The Simpsons devise a plan to get Tamzarian back to Springfield, by coming to Capital City to get him. Back in town, the citizens of Springfield force Sergeant Skinner to leave on a train, and Tamzarian returns to being Principal Skinner through an order by Judge Snyder, saying that no one will mention "Tamzarian" again under penalty of torture.
Trivia
- The title of the episode is a reference to the title of the book The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain.
Quotes
- Lisa: "Ralph and I could do the report together."
Ms. Hoover: "Your funeral." - Homer's brain (after Skinner says he's a fraud): Keep looking shocked...and move slowly towards the cake.
- Homer: Okay, once more. Where are we going?
Edna: To Capital City.
Homer: And why are you and the old lady in the car?
Agnes: We're gonna talk Armin Tanzarian into coming back.
Homer: And why is Marge here?
Marge: I came up with the idea.
Homer: And why am I here?
Marge: Because the streets of Capital City are no place for three unescorted ladies.
Homer: Why are the kids here?
Marge: Because we couldn't find Grandpa to sit for them.
Homer: Why is Grandpa here?
Abe: Because Jasper didn't want to come by himself!
Homer: Huh, fair enough.