Episode Guide
"LISA"
Identity: Slim adolescent posing as Lisa Simpson in "The Simpson's Smile-Time Variety Hour" (based loosely on Geri Reischl, pictured on right, who replaced Eve Plumb on The Brady Bunch Hour)
Energy Level: Peppy; occasionally bubbly.
Hair Color: Blonde.
Intellect: Marginal.
Honors: Sophomore prom queen five years running.
Enjoys: Leading cheers in annoying fashion.
The Simpson's Spinoff Showcase/ "The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour"
May 11, 1997
Voted the 19th best episode of The Simpsons by Entertainment Weekly - February 7, 2003
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Written by David S. Cohen, Dan Greaney, and Steve Tompkins Directed by Neil Affleck
featuring the voice of Pamela Hayden as "Lisa"
( for more complete information on this episode, go this webpage )
Webmaster's Note: Simpsons composer Alf Clausen got his start on television working for Sid & Marty Krofft as a musical director for The Donny and Marie Show. This may partially explain the inspiration for this spoof. The fake "Lisa" is a combination of Geri Reischl, who replaced Eve Plumb as Jan on The Brady Bunch Hour, and the replacement Becky on Roseanne.
Synopsis:
(Click on thumbnails to view full-size photo)
Troy McClure hosts this special episode of
The Simpsons featuring three possible "Simpsons" spinoffs:
"Chief Wiggum P.I.", "The Love-Matic Grandpa", and "The
Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour".
McClure is seen walking down a hallway of
the "Museum of TV and Television", on the walls are large posters
depicting numerous television shows. He stops at one of these from the 1970's
program "Fish" and proclaims the excitement of the television spinoff.
McClure explains that the network had been meeting with Simpsons producers
about spinoff ideas to fill vacancies in the programming lineup, thus
transplanting already popular characters into new locales and situations.
In the final spinoff of the Showcase,
McClure explains that "the Simpson family finally gets the chance to show
off the full range of their talents. Unfortunately one family member didn't want
that chance and refused to participate. But thanks to some creative casting, you
won't even notice." (Note: Obvious
reference to Eve Plumb.)
"Live from Radio City Music Room in
downtown Springfield, it's 'The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour!'
Featuring the Waylon Smithers Dancers and the Springfield Baggy-Pants
Players...and now, a family that doesn't know the meaning of the word 'cancelled', the Simpsons!" (Note:
Obvious reference to The Brady Bunch, "The family that won't go
away".)
The Simpson family runs onstage, wearing
coordinated 70s-era outfits, and sing "Come Along and Bring the Family."
The opening number is interrupted when Homer turns up missing, but
he is soon found curled up in the orchestra pit hiding from the "special
ghost". Marge explains that their special GUEST is Tim Conway, who then
walks in to shake hands with Homer.
As the stage splits apart into three
sections, Homer and Marge stand on the center piece as it rolls forward. Marge
explains that the family has been busy as beavers getting the show ready, and
Homer wonders what it would be like if the family really were beavers. (Note:
Viewers will notice a spoof on a caricature
regularly seen on the old Sonny & Cher Show.)
Marge and Homer are then seen living in a
beaver dam and wearing beaver costumes. Lots of beaver jokes with much canned
laughter. Homer comes home from his work nibbling down trees. Marge prepares his favorite for dinner- (wooden)
"stakes". Bart enters and makes a bad beaver joke-
"Hey, could you two close the dam door?". The fake-Lisa notes Maggie
has grown her first tooth, a buck tooth. The doorbell rings,
it is Tim Conway dressed in a skunk costume. Everyone faints. (Note:
In The Brady Bunch Hour, guest stars would often make their first
appearance at the Brady's home by ringing the doorbell.)
The next sketch involves a 1950's soda
shop. (Note: A 1950's sketch also appeared in
the Pilot episode of The Brady Bunch Hour.) Marge asks Homer what is still pure and
good about the world, he replies "Candy!". The orchestra then begins
to play the music number "I Want Candy!".
This segues into "The
Peppermint Twist" where Bart, "Lisa", and Maggie and dance on
huge pieces of peppermint candy. Jasper appears and sings the 1960's
"Lollipop Song" and accidentally launches his dentures into the air
while trying to make that finger popping sound inside his mouth. Waylon Smithers
then performs a rendition of Devo's "Whip It" while dressed as a
cowboy and uses his whip to pop a bubble Selma is blowing. This leads into a big
dancing finale and reprise of "I Want Candy!". At the conclusion, the
family pants from exhaustion.
Hans Moleman, of Hans' Poetry Corner, then
appears a recites a strange poem about his cataracts. Conway appears again in
his skunk costume and says "And they thought I stunk".
The Simpsons then address the studio
audience from an enormous bed, Tim Conway surprises them by appearing from under
the covers. They say goodnight and everyone but Conway engages in a pillow fight.