The Simpsons (season 11)

The Simpsons (season 11)
DVD cover
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	22
Release
Original network	Fox
Original release	September 26, 1999 – May 21, 2000

The Simpsons' 11th season originally aired between September 1999 and May 2000, beginning on Sunday, September 26, 1999, with "Beyond Blunderdome". The showrunner for the 11th production season was Mike Scully.^[1] The season contained four hold-over episodes from the season 10 (AABF) production line.

Production

Towards the end of the production of season 10, voice actress Maggie Roswell, who voiced Helen Lovejoy, Maude Flanders and Miss Hoover, among others,^[2] left the show because of a contract dispute.^[3] She returned to the show in season 14. As a result of Roswell's leaving, Marcia Mitzman Gaven was brought to voice many of her characters, but it was decided to kill off Maude Flanders in the episode "Alone Again, Natura-diddily" to open new storylines for that episode.^[4] Marcia Mitzman Gaven started voicing Roswell's characters in hold-over season 10 episode "Brother's Little Helper".

Writers credited with episodes in the 11th season include Al Jean, Dan Greaney, Donick Cary, Tim Long, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Carolyn Omine, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, John Swartzwelder and George Meyer. Animation directors included Bob Anderson, Mike B. Anderson, Mark Kirkland, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Lauren MacMullan, Pete Michels, Steven Dean Moore, Matthew Nastuk, Michael Polcino and Jim Reardon. The main cast consisted of Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown amongst others), Julie Kavner (Marge Simpson), Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpson, Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz), Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson), Hank Azaria (Moe Szyslak, Apu, Chief Wiggum, amongst others) and Harry Shearer (Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, amongst others).^[2] Other cast members included Marcia Wallace (Edna Krabappel), Pamela Hayden (Milhouse Van Houten, amongst others), Tress MacNeille (Agnes Skinner, amongst others), Russi Taylor (Martin Prince) and Karl Wiedergott (additional characters).^[2] This was the first full season in which Tress MacNeille appears in every episode, which she still does (as of 2015.)

Reception

Awards

Aside from winning several awards in 2000, The Simpsons family themselves were awarded on January 14, 2000, their own star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard. The 11th season itself gathered an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program,^[5] as well as an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Primetime or Late Night Animated Television Program,^[6] and a British Comedy Award for Best International Comedy TV Show.^[7] Alf Clausen also received a 2000 Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Television Production for his work on the episode "Behind the Laughter".^[6] In the same year, "Treehouse of Horror X" won the CINE Golden Eagle Award.^[8]

In 2000, music editor Bob Beecher was nominated for the Golden Reel Award for "Treehouse of Horror X".^[9] At the Prism Awards, "Days of Wine and D'oh'ses" received a commendation in the Comedy Series Episode category in 2001 for its frank depiction of alcoholism and drug rehabilitation.^[10] The show was also nominated for a Blimp Award in the Favorite Cartoon category at the 2000 Kids' Choice Awards,^[11] as well as for the Teen Choice Award in the category Choice TV Show — Comedy.^[12]

Nielsen rating

The show ranked 41st in the seasonal ratings making it the second highest rated show on Fox that season after Malcolm in the Middle, getting an 18-49 Nielsen Rating of 8.2//13.^[13]

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
227	1	"Beyond Blunderdome"	Steven Dean Moore	Mike Scully	September 26, 1999	AABF23	8.1[14]
After destroying an "Elec-Taurus" electric car in a test run, the Simpsons are given free tickets to Mel Gibson's new film, a remake of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Mel Gibson, however, laments his current role without violence and wants someone to give him criticism. When Homer sees Mel talking with Marge, he gives Mel a brutal review, leading Mel to believe that Homer is the only man brave enough to give suggestions. As a result, he hires him to create a better ending. However, when the ending proves to be too controversial, Mel and Homer end up on the run from studio executives with the film.[15] Guest star: Mel Gibson and Jack Burns
228	2	"Brother's Little Helper"	Mark Kirkland	George Meyer	October 3, 1999	AABF22	N/A
After getting in trouble for flooding the school gym during Fire Prevention Day, Bart is revealed to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and prescribed a Ritalin-esque drug called Focusyn. At first, the drug makes Bart well-behaved and intellectual, but soon, Bart becomes paranoid, claiming that there are satellites owned by Major League Baseball that are spying on the town. When ordered to stop, Bart refuses, devours a few hundred, and proves his theory right by destroying the satellite with a tank. All is restored when Bart goes back to his ordinary pills.[16] Guest star:: Mark McGwire
229	3	"Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner?"	Nancy Kruse	Al Jean	October 24, 1999	AABF21	N/A
Homer becomes a food critic for a Springfield newspaper and ends up annoying the restaurant owners of Springfield after he makes negative reviews just to be mean, advice he took from fellow critics. Springfield's restaurant owners then attempt to kill Homer by feeding him a poisoned éclair.[17] Guest star: Edward Asner
230	4	"Treehouse of Horror X"	Pete Michels	Donick Cary, Tim Long & Ron Hauge	October 31, 1999	BABF01	8.7[18]
Intro: The Simpsons (all dressed as characters from previous Treehouse of Horror episodes, save Lisa, who is an axe murder victim) watch Kang and Kodos's lame attempt at a Halloween variety show. I Know What You Diddily-Iddily-Did – In this parody of I Know What You Did Last Summer, the Simpsons accidentally run over and kill Ned Flanders, and end up getting away with murder -- until someone (or something) haunts them with claims that he witnessed the crime. Desperately Xeeking Xena (a.k.a. "Stretch Dude and Clobber Girl in: 'Enter the Collector'") – Bart and Lisa gain super powers (Bart gains the ability to stretch while Lisa becomes super-strong) after a freak accident during a candy inspection on Halloween Night in the Springfield Elementary School gym and must save Lucy Lawless (dressed as Xena) from the Collector (Comic Book Guy). Life's a Glitch, Then You Die – After Homer forgets to make all the computers at the nuclear plant Y2K-compliant, the Y2K bug spreads to every computer and electronic device in the world, causing a technological apocalypse. Guest star: Dick Clark, Tom Arnold and Lucy Lawless[19]
231	5	"E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)"	Bob Anderson	Ian Maxtone-Graham	November 7, 1999	AABF19	N/A
Inspired by a cheesy "Zorro" movie, Homer begins slapping people with a glove and challenging them to duels (with the victims giving Homer whatever he wants instead of accepting the challenge), but when a real Southern gentleman accepts Homer's request for a duel, the Simpsons run off to the old farm Homer lived in with his parents (as seen in the season six episode Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy) and breed a dangerously addictive but successful tobacco/tomato hybrid called "tomacco". Just when they are about to gain a hundred million dollars from the hybrid, dangerously addicted animals ruin their plan. Homer proceeds to duel, only to get shot in the arm.[20] Guest star: The B-52's
232	6	"Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder"	Mike B. Anderson	Al Jean	November 14, 1999	BABF02	N/A
Homer becomes a local celebrity after bowling a 300 game, but his fame quickly fades as "yesterday's news". After a botched suicide attempt foiled by Otto, Homer decides to spend time with Maggie after seeing Ron Howard spend time with his children. When Homer tries to teach Maggie swimming, he fails due to her mistrust of him, and has to pulled out the beach by Maggie. Eventually, Homer brings Maggie to a bowling game, where she bowls a perfect game.[21] Guest star: Ron Howard, Pat O'Brien, Nancy O'Dell and Penn & Teller
233	7	"Eight Misbehavin'"	Steven Dean Moore	Matt Selman	November 21, 1999	BABF03	N/A
After Manjula gives birth to octuplets that were the result of fertility drugs, she and Apu unintentionally allow a zookeeper to exploit their babies in exchange for help after corporate sponsors abandon them for a mom that has given birth to nontuplets in Shelbyville. After a failed rescue attempt by Homer and Apu, the zoo keeper agrees to return the babies only if Butch Patrick and Homer ride a tricycle dressed as Eddie Munster on stage while attacked by cobras.[22] Guest star: Garry Marshall and Butch Patrick
234	8	"Take My Wife, Sleaze"	Neil Affleck	John Swartzwelder	November 28, 1999	BABF05	N/A
Homer wins a Harley-Davidson motorcycle at a fifties dancing contest and starts his own biker gang, naming it "Hell's Satans". However, this attracts the real biker gang called "Hell's Satans" to crash at their house. However, after a while, they begin to appreciate Marge, who takes care of them, and kidnaps her. Homer tracks them down and scuffles with Meathook, the leader. At Marge's suggestion, the gang settles down and lives normal lives.[23] Guest star: John Goodman, Henry Winkler, Jay North and NRBQ
235	9	"Grift of the Magi"	Matthew Nastuk	Tom Martin	December 19, 1999	BABF07	7.76[24]
Principal Skinner hires Fat Tony's construction company to build wheelchair ramps for the school. These ramps promptly break down, forcing Skinner to close down Springfield Elementary. However, a toy company led by Jim Hope takes over the school; in school, the children are only taught to provide marketing schemes and suggestions. Soon, a new toy called Funzo that mysteriously resembles the children's ideas is invented. After a brief showdown Gary Coleman and the Funzo, things return to normal as Burns decides to fund the school after a visit from the three Christmas spirits.[25] Guest star: Joe Mantegna, Gary Coleman, Tim Robbins and Clarence Clemons
236	10	"Little Big Mom"	Mark Kirkland	Carolyn Omine	January 9, 2000	BABF04	N/A
While the Simpson family goes skiing, Marge remains at the ski lodge due to her fear of skiing, only to break her leg from a falling clock. As a result, while hospitalised, Marge leaves Lisa to deal with the slovenly Bart and Homer, who do nothing but take their toll on their house. However, in an attempt to motivate them, she pulls a prank suggested by the ghost of Lucille Ball on Bart and Homer by making it look like they have leprosy. At Ned Flanders' suggestion, Bart and Homer end up in Hawaii; with them gone, Lisa finishes cleaning the house as Marge arrives home, her cast off. The pair then go to retrieve Homer and Bart, who are enjoying themselves despite the shock therapy.[26] Guest star: Elwood Edwards
237	11	"Faith Off"	Nancy Kruse	Frank Mula	January 16, 2000	BABF06	N/A
Bart believes he has the power to heal others through faith after removing a bucket glued to Homer's head. However, when Bart knocks Milhouse's glasses off in order to cure his myopia, Milhouse is nearly run over by a truck that he thinks is a dog as he cannot see without his glasses. Consequently, Bart, feeling guilty, ends his career as a faith healer. Meanwhile, Homer creates a homecoming game float for Springfield University. However, he soon forgets about it, and accidentally injures the star player, Anton Lubchenko. After getting in trouble with Fat Tony, Homer is saved when Lubchenko sacrifices his leg to win the game; the leg is surgically reattached by Doctor Hibbert, who is relieved at the end of Bart's healing career.[27] Guest star: Don Cheadle and Joe Mantegna
238	12	"The Mansion Family"	Michael Polcino	John Swartzwelder	January 23, 2000	BABF08	11.3[28]
Mr. Burns goes to the Mayo Clinic for a checkup after being declared the oldest man in Springfield, leaving the Simpsons to house-sit for him and Homer to take advantage of living as a rich man. However, when Homer wants to throw a party, he goes to Moe's, where he must buy the alcohol in international waters as it is Sunday before 2 PM. There, they are captured by Chinese pirates. Later, Burns discovers that as a result of having all the existing diseases, he is perfectly healthy as all the germs simply cancel each other out. Consequently, he returns and kicks out the Simpsons, who have not even enjoyed being rich, causing Homer to be extremely bitter and resentful.[29] Guest star: Britney Spears
239	13	"Saddlesore Galactica"	Lance Kramer	Tim Long	February 6, 2000	BABF09	9.6[30]
The Simpsons rescue a diving horse named Duncan from abuse and keep him as a pet (despite Comic Book Guy's protest that the Simpsons have done this before), but when the cost of upkeeping the horse rises, Homer and Bart train Duncan to be a racing horse. Meanwhile, Lisa is upset over her school losing the band competition to Ogdenville unfairly at the state fair and writes a letter to Bill Clinton in protest.[31] Guest star: Bachman–Turner Overdrive and Jim Cummings
240	14	"Alone Again, Natura-diddily"	Jim Reardon	Ian Maxtone-Graham	February 13, 2000	BABF11	10.8[32]
Maude Flanders is killed in a freak accident during a stock car race, devastating Ned and prompting Homer to find a new woman for his grieving neighbor. However, Ned begins losing his faith in God before being prompted back by a Christian rock band.[4] Guest star: Shawn Colvin
241	15	"Missionary: Impossible"	Steven Dean Moore	Ron Hauge	February 20, 2000	BABF10	N/A
Homer gets in trouble with PBS after confessing he does not have $10,000 to give them for their pledge drive--and ends up a missionary on a South Pacific island.[33] Guest star: Betty White
242	16	"Pygmoelian"	Mark Kirkland	Larry Doyle	February 27, 2000	BABF12	N/A
After getting his face censored out on the Duff Calendar for not being photogenic, Moe gets plastic surgery and becomes the star of a popular soap opera. Meanwhile, Bart and Lisa go after Maggie's pink elephant balloon after it floats away.[34]
243	17	"Bart to the Future"	Michael Marcantel	Dan Greaney	March 19, 2000	BABF13	8.77[35]
After their vacation in the woods is cut short due to a mosquito infestation, The Simpsons stop by at an Indian casino, where Bart tries to sneak in and ends up in the office of an Indian mystic who shows Bart's future in the year 2030 as a washed-up rock star living with Ralph Wiggum while Lisa is the President of the United States trying to get the country out of financial trouble.[36]
244	18	"Days of Wine and D'oh'ses"	Neil Affleck	Deb Lacusta & Dan Castellaneta	April 9, 2000	BABF14	N/A
Barney realizes how much of a pathetic drunk he is after watching his birthday party video and decides to give up alcohol forever, which does not sit well with Homer. Meanwhile, Bart and Lisa work together to take a memorable photo for a new phone book cover contest.[37]
245	19	"Kill the Alligator and Run"	Jen Kamerman	John Swartzwelder	April 30, 2000	BABF16	7.46[38]
Homer has a nervous breakdown when it is revealed on a quiz that he only has three years left to live. To calm him down, the family goes to Florida for vacation--and end up in the middle of a raucous spring break, where Homer joins in on the party and ends up getting himself and his family in trouble for killing the county's beloved mascot: an alligator named Captain Jack.[39] Guest star: Kid Rock, Joe C., Robert Evans, Charlie Rose and Diedrich Bader
246	20	"Last Tap Dance in Springfield"	Nancy Kruse	Julie Thacker	May 7, 2000	BABF15	N/A
Inspired by a movie about a girl who enters a tango contest and wins, Lisa decides to sign up for dance lessons -- and ends up taking tap lessons from a former child star. Meanwhile, Bart and Milhouse hide out at the mall to escape going to summer camp.[40] Guest star: Frank Welker
247	21	"It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge"	Steven Dean Moore	Larry Doyle	May 14, 2000	BABF18	N/A
Otto dumps his fiancee, Becky, at the altar, leaving her to become the Simpsons' latest houseguest, prompting Marge to go insane when Patty and Selma scare Marge with thoughts of Becky replacing Marge as a wife and mother. Meanwhile, Springfield Elementary gives Bart's fourth grade class videocameras (after slashing geography out of the budget) and Bart sets out to create a movie.[41] Guest star: Parker Posey
248	22	"Behind the Laughter"	Mark Kirkland	Tim Long, George Meyer, Mike Scully & Matt Selman	May 21, 2000	BABF19	N/A
In a parody of VH1's Behind the Music, viewers take an inside look at The Simpsons' rise to fame--and the many scandals, feuds and break-ups that threatened to end the show and split up the family.[42] Guest star: Jim Forbes and Willie Nelson

DVD release

The Simpsons season 11 DVD digipak, special Krusty head edition

The DVD boxset for Season 11 was released by 20th Century Fox in the United States and Canada on October 7, 2008, eight years after it had completed broadcast on television, in the UK on October 6, 2008, and in Australia on November 5, 2008. The special features include deleted scenes, storyboards/animatics, and commentaries.

This is the first season release following the series of five Simpson family member shaped boxes. The character-themed packaging continues and, as with those seasons, this set was released in two different packagings: A "Collector's Edition" plastic packaging molded to look like Krusty the Clown's head, and a smaller standard rectangular cardboard box featuring Krusty.^[43] Unlike the previous seasons, the Collector's Edition packaging is a removable molded face attached to a cardboard sleeve, as opposed to a fully plastic clamshell. Both versions have changed from a digipak style of disc tray in previous seasons, to an accordion-style series of cardboard sleeves into which the discs slide. Following the release of the set, there were a number of complaints regarding the style of packaging due to the fact that the cardboard packaging may scratch the discs; David Lambert of TVShowsOnDVD.com described the set as "functionally defective."^[44]

The Complete Eleventh Season
Set details[45]			Special features[45]
22 episodes 4-disc set 1.33:1 aspect ratio Languages: English (Dolby Digital 5.1, with subtitles)[45] Latin Spanish (Dolby Digital, with subtitles)[45] French Canadian (Dolby Digital)[45] Special Language Feature for "Beyond Blunderdome" (Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, German)			Optional commentaries for all 22 episodes Introduction from Matt Groening Deleted scenes with optional commentaries Featurette: "The Many Faces of Krusty" Featurette: "A Star on Hollywood Boulevard" Extra: "And Then There Were Menus" Sketch gallery Animation Showcases
Release dates
Region 1	Region 2	Region 4
October 7, 2008	October 6, 2008	November 6, 2008

References

General

• Groening, Matt; McCann, Jesse Leon (2002). Simpsons: Beyond Forever!: a Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family...Still Continued. Bt Bound. ISBN 9780613621601.
• Turner, Chris (2004). Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation. Foreword by Douglas Coupland. (1st ed.). Toronto: Random House Canada. ISBN 978-0-679-31318-2. OCLC 55682258.

Specific

1. Groening, p. 12.
2. McCann 2005, pp. 118–119
3. Cartwright 2000, p. 96
4. Groening, p. 34.
5. Jean, Al (2004). The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Mr. Plow" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
6. "28th Annual Annie: Award Nominees and Winners (2000)". Annie Award. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
7. "The British Comedy Awards — Past Winners 2000". The British Comedy Awards. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
8. "CINE Golden Eagle Film & Video Competition 2000 Winner Directory" (PDF). CINE. (Section Animation, entry The Simpsons — Treehouse of Horror X). Retrieved 1 January 2014.
9. "Past Golden Reel Awards". Motion Picture Sound Editors. Archived from the original on 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
10. "PRISM Commendations". Entertainment Industries Council. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
11. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Kids_Choice_Awards_USA/2000
12. http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Teen_Choice_Awards/2000
13. http://fbibler.chez.com/tvstats/recent_data/1999-00.html
14. Associated Press (September 29, 1999). "Prime-time Nielsen ratings". Associated Press Archive.
15. Groening, p. 13.
16. Groening, pp. 14-15.
17. Groening, p. 16.
18. Associated Press (November 4, 1999). "Quick end to series wounds NBC's ratings". Sun-Sentinel (MediaNews Group). p. 4E.
19. Groening, p. 11.
20. Groening, p. 19.
21. Groening, p. 20.
22. Groening, pp. 21-22.
23. Groening, p. 23.
24. Moore, Frazier (1999-12-22). "CBS scores a narrow victory in weekly ratings". Daily Breeze.
25. Groening, p. 25.
26. Groening, pp. 26-27.
27. Groening, p. 28.
28. Associated Press (2000-02-06). "Weekly Nielsen Ratings". The Stuart News. p. P10.
29. Groening, p. 29.
30. Associated Press (2000-02-10). "'Millionarie' is a Nielsen darling once again". The Orlando Sentinel. p. E6.
31. Groening, p. 32.
32. Associated Press (2000-02-27). "Weekly Nielsen Ratings". The Stuart News. p. P10.
33. Groening, p. 35.
34. Groening, p. 37.
35. Bauder, David (Associated Press) (2000-03-23). "'Millionaire' lifts ratings – for shows airing after it". The Augusta Chronicle. p. B04.
36. Groening, p. 38.
37. Groening, pp. 39-40.
38. Associated Press (2000-05-04). "ABC, NBC dead even in prime-time ratings". Sun-Sentinel. p. 4E.
39. Groening, p. 42.
40. Groening, pp. 43-44.
41. Groening, p. 45.
42. Groening, p. 48.
43. "The Simpsons — The Complete 11th Season (Lisa Head)". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
44. Lambert, David (2008-10-21). "The Simpsons — Editorial: Season 11: Worst... Packaging... Ever!". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
45. Lambert, David. "Here's Krusty... The Simpsons: The Complete Eleventh Season DVD collection". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved 2008-09-02.

External links

• Season 11 at The Simpsons.com