Bartless
Script error: No such module "Draft topics". Script error: No such module "AfC topic".
| "Bartless" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 34 Episode 15 |
| Directed by | Rob Oliver |
| Written by | John Frink |
| Production code | OABF08 |
| Original air date | March 5, 2023 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
| Episode features | |
Search Bartless on Amazon.
"Bartless" is the fifteenth episode of the thirty-fourth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 743rd episode overall. It aired in the United States on Fox on March 5, 2023. The episode was directed by Rob Oliver and written by John Frink.
In this episode, Homer and Marge wonder how their lives would be if Bart was not their son. The episode received positive reviews.
Plot[edit]
At school, Bart is reading to a kindergartener, who is not interesting in the story. He makes up a new story while drawing in the book, which makes all the kindergarteners interested. They start drawing in their own books. Homer and Marge become angry at Bart for ruining the books at school. However, Bart’s teacher explains that Bart made the younger children think reading is fun. Homer and Marge reevaluate their feelings towards their son and wonder if they have become resentful towards him because they are his parents.
The next day, Homer and Marge wake up in a world where Bart is not their son. They live in a fancy house. Marge is a veterinarian, and Homer is a stadium scoreboard operator. After a family outing, the family accidentally hits a boy named Bart with their car. He has amnesia, and they take him in until they figure out where he belongs.
Bart starts to annoy the family with his behavior. With Homer, he plays with the scoreboard controls, but it also delights the crowd. At the animal hospital, no one listens to Marge until she tells them to "eat my shorts." Bart and Lisa watch cartoons into the night. Homer and Marge see that Lisa is happier, and Maggie is also happy when Bart adds her into a story he makes up. Chief Wiggum comes to take Bart to an orphanage, and Homer and Marge run after Bart as Wiggum takes him away. They wake up and realize they experienced a dream, and they go to tell Bart that they like him for who his is.
Production[edit]
Kerry Washington reprised her role as Rayshelle Peyton.[1] The character was introduced in the thirty-third season episode "My Octopus and a Teacher."[2]
Cultural References[edit]
The book that Bart reads refers to the type of books written by Richard Scarry.[3] The name of the animal hospital where Marge works refers to Shondaland, which produces the hopsital drama Grey's Anatomy.[4][5] The Itchy & Scratchy cartoon parodies The Great British Bakeoff with hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding.[6]
Reception[edit]
Viewing figures[edit]
The episode earned a 0.23 rating and was watched by 0.93 million viewers, which was the most watched show on Fox that night.[7]
Critical response[edit]
Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4.5 out of 5 stars. He stated that the episode takes many dark turns to show how Bart is needed for the family dynamic. He also complimented Ralph's surreal adventure.[8]
John Schwarz of Bubbleblabber gave the episode an 8 out of 10. He stated that although there are flaws in the plot, the jokes were enough to keep watching. He also highlighted the writing for the Bart character.[9]
Jesse David Fox of Vulture stated that this episode stands with the best of the classic episodes. He said that the show was revisiting its relationship with Bart and felt like a reboot of the series.[10]
Samuel Williamson of Collider said that the episode proved that the series has been creatively improving although it may not be as good as the early seasons. Williamson highlighted the risks the writers took with the alternate reality while showing the positive impact of Bart.[11]
References[edit]
- ↑ "(SI-3408) "Bartless"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ↑ Snierson, Dan (April 21, 2022). "Kerry Washington joins The Simpsons cast as Bart's new teacher — get a first look". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ↑ Selman, Matt [@mattselman]. "Bart the book-buddy is reading "Everybody Loves Their Job" — a legally-approved @TheSimpsons version of a perhaps Richard Scarry-type classic children's picture book" (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Twitter. Missing or empty |date= (help)
- ↑ Selman, Matt [@mattselman]. "Always lots of melodrama at St. Shondaland Animal Hospital @TheSimpsons" (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Twitter. Missing or empty |date= (help)
- ↑ Zachary, Brandon (March 12, 2023). "The Simpsons Takes a Dig at Grey's Anatomy - And It Works". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ↑ Selman, Matt [@mattselman]. "Itchy & Scratchy @TheSimpsons shout-out (scream-out?) to The Great British Baking Show @RealMattLucas @noelfielding11" (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Twitter. Missing or empty |date= (help)
- ↑ Salem, Mitch (March 7, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 3.5.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ↑ Sokol, Tony (2023-03-06). "The Simpsons Contemplates Life Without Bart". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
- ↑ Schwarz, John (2023-03-06). "Review: The Simpsons "Bartless"". Bubbleblabber. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
- ↑ Fox, Jesse David (June 5, 2023). "The Simpsons Is Good Again". Vulture. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ↑ Williamson, Samuel (February 1, 2024). "This 'Simpsons' Episode Packs a Gut Punch in the Show's Later Seasons". Collider. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
External links[edit]
- "Bartless" on IMDb
| Themed episodes | |
|---|---|
| See also | |
This article "Bartless" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Bartless. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
