Springfield Googolplex

Bust out your telephoto lens, because this week we take a hard look at “Bart of Darkness” (S6E1) and Rear Window (1954) on its 70th anniversary. Nate and Adam are joined by That Shelf Managing Editor and Jeopardy champ Emma Badame to reminisce about baby’s first Alfred Hitchcock movie and the episode of The Simpsons that convinced us to do this podcast.Also in this episode:• The mystery references of this episode’s Hitchcockian climax• The insanely detailed set and sound design that take this movie from a “bottle episode” to a cinematic classic• Nate’s own Rear Window story and the ethics of neighborliness• Your epidermis is showing• Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingAfter a short break, we’ll be back on September 24, 2024, with Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) and a retrospective on Springfield’s favorite desperate salesman Ol’ Gil, starting with “Realty Bites” (S9E9).Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

Former Simpsons writer and showrunner Bill Oakley (now founder of the Steamed Hams Society) joins Adam and Nate as they continue their double feature inspired by “22 Short Films About Springfield” (S7E21) with a rewatch of Pulp Fiction (1994) on its 30th anniversary.Also in this episode:• Bill discusses his Brett Kavanaugh-like taste in movies, including Pulp Fiction and Cold Turkey (1971), the process of piecing together “22 Short Films about Springfield,” and the shared pop culture DNA of The Simpsons and Quentin Tarantino• Bill also provides the behind-the-scenes story of what killed the Simpsons spinoff “Springfield”• When does a mixed-up timeline work on film, and when is it just a gimmick?• Quentin Tarantino’s homage (French for “theft”) of one of his favorite directors Sergio Leone• Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, That Shelf Managing Editor Emma Badame joins the podcast to revisit Alfred Hithcock’s Rear Window (1954) on its 70th anniversary, and its parody in “Bart of Darkness” (S6E1).“The Simpsons” Surf-Rock style theme performed by The Supersonicos.Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

This episode, Adam and Nate will definitely hit their CanCon quota as they review Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (1993), the namesake of perhaps their favorite Simpsons episode, “22 Short Films about Springfield” (S7E21). This unconventional biopic about eccentric pianist Glenn Gould achieved escape velocity to find its way beyond the Canadian film world and into American media, from Siskel & Ebert to The Simpsons.Also in this episode:• A statistical analysis of title parodies on The Simpsons (where some of the spiciest movie references live!)• How this movie deconstructs the biopic genre through a series of mixed-media shorts • Our most Canadian episode yet, featuring Heritage Minutes, the National Film Board, an appreciation of Colm Feore, and the Genies!• Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, former Simpsons and showrunner Bill Oakley joins Adam and Nate as they continue their celebration of “22 Short Films about Springfield” (S7E21) and its parody of Pulp Fiction (1994).Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

Adam and Nate are joined once again by current Simpsons writer and producer Michael Price to share one of his favorite movies of all time, Peter Bogdanovich’s What's Up, Doc? (1972). We unpack his top moments from the movie, its parody in “Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy” (S6E10), and how its timeless slapstick and farce has influenced The Simpsons at large.Also in this episode:• Mike Price talks about directing Bogdanovich on The Simpsons, possible movie references in season 36, the first episode of The Simpsons he ever watched, and more• The Bugs Bunny-like magnetism of Barbra Streisand• One of cinema’s best—and funniest—car chases of all time • Six degrees of Peter Bogdanovich: We’re wowed by his wildly connected careerPlus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, extra credit, and further readingNext time, Adam and Nate begin another double feature on a GOAT of a Simpsons episode “22 Short Films about Springfield” (S7E21) by deconstructing its namesake, Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (1993).Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

In part two of a Batman double feature, special guest Shahbaz Siddiqui (The Movie Podcast) joins Adam and Nate to watch a contentious superhero reboot, Tim Burton's Batman (1989). They also dig into multiple Batman parodies in “Last Exit to Springfield” (S4E17), a unionization story that’s considered by many to be the best episode ever of The Simpsons. Also in this episode:• Two gloriously unhinged performances from Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson• How classic monster movies helped Burton to escape the campy tone of the 1960s TV series (kinda)• Danny Elfman: The musical connection between Batman and The Simpsons (plus a tangent on Prince’s Batman album)• The ripple effect of this movie on superhero media and Hollywood blockbustersNext time, Adam and Nate welcome back Simpsons writer and producer Michael Price to talk about one of his favorite movies, What’s Up Doc? (1972), alongside its Simpsons parody in “Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy” (S6E10).For complete show notes, including a complete list of Simpsons references, extra credit, and further reading, be sure to visit this episode’s show notes.

Holy Dutch angles, Batman! Inspired by the Simpsons episode, “Radioactive Man” (S7E2), Adam and Nate are taking on their first double feature focused on two versions of Batman. In the first installment, they’re teaming up with special guest Daniel Grant (Spoiled Rotten, Uncolonized Podcast) to revisit Batman: The Movie (1966), its TV origins, and its Simpsons parody in the campy sixties version of Radioactive Man.Also in this episode:• What is camp? The tragically ludicrous? The ludicrously tragic? Something else entirely?• The stacked cast of character actors that flocked to this silly superhero romp.• The Batcave, the Batmobile, the Bat Repellent Shark Spray—we unpack the Batman arsenal, and what makes this rendition of the Caped Crusader unique.• A slew of sign gags and other shared comedy DNA with The Simpsons.Plus every Simpsons reference to Batman: The Movie and more bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.comNext time, Adam and Nate complete their double feature with Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and “Last Exit to Springfield” (S4E17). Tune in two weeks from now! Same Plex time, same Plex channel!For complete show notes, including a complete list of Simpsons references, extra credit, and further reading, be sure to visit this episode’s show notes.Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

Few movies have been as shaped by their pop culture legacy as Godzilla (1954), and hey, that’s the premise of this podcast! Adam and Nate watch this influential monster movie for the first time on its 70th anniversary alongside “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo” (S10E23), the Simpson family’s controversial vacation to Japan.Also in this episode:• Godzilla vs. Kong (or is it Godzilla x Kong?): We compare the rampages of these two iconic movie monsters• How the American adaptation, Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), influenced how the world understood the original for 50 years• What movie has the most Simpsons actors besides The Simpsons Movie?• Something called an “oxygen destroyer”After a short break, we’ll be back in June with Batman: The Movie (1966)—the Adam West one—and the Simpsons send-up of superhero movies, “Radioactive Man” (S7E2).

Ah, The Natural (1984), a classic American tale about… an underdog baseball team, a serial killer, a love triangle, a match fixing scandal, a freak accident in the outfield, and a magic baseball bat? We’ll get into it, along with “Homer at the Bat” (S317), a star-studded Simpsons episode that stretched the reality of the show.Also in this episode:• Randy Newman (yes, of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” fame) delivers a banger of a score that The Simpsons parody again and again• Is all the plot nonsense worth it for that astonishing Hollywood ending?• Bump Bailey and other old-time Swartzweldian baseball nicknames• How can a star like Robert Redford get beyond roles like “baseball Jesus”?Next time… GODZILLA. …The 1954 version. Also, “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo” (S10E23).

With the 96th annual Academy Awards complete, Adam and Nate review the night’s festivities and finally get a chance to talk about recent movies for a change. Also in this episode:• Highlights from the show, from its “perfectly cromulent” host* to Al Pacino’s big moment—hoo-ah!• Adam and Nate’s (very different) lists of top 10 movies of 2023• A trivia game about Best Picture Winners parodied on The Simpsons, fresh from the Simpsons Movie Reference Database Next time, we return to our regularly scheduled programming with The Natural (1984) and The Simpsons’ ode to baseball “Homer at the Bat” (S3E17).

On its 40th anniversary, Adam and Nate endured Police Academy (1984) so you don’t have to! They also give a rundown of the many times The Simpsons has slammed this movie, with a deep dive into the episode, “Marge Be Not Proud” (S7E11), a hilarious and heartbreaking classic that Adam can barely watch.Also in this episode:• Trying to empathize with the fans who give this 10/10 on IMDb• What makes good low-brow humor?• Speculation about why the Simpsons writers hate this movie so much• CanCon corner: Toronto on film, playing itself and others • Plus every Simpsons reference to Spinal Tap at SpringfieldGoogolplex.comNext time, Adam and Nate take a swing at The Natural (1984) and The Simpsons’ ode to baseball “Homer at the Bat” (S3E17).Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

Film and music writer Marko Djurdjic joins Adam and Nate to revisit Rob Reiner’s groundbreaking rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984), alongside the band’s Simpsons cameo in “The Otto Show” (S3E22).Also in this episode:• How mockumentaries became the baseline in contemporary comedy• The attention to detail that make this the best faux documentary around• Marko’s guide to the sublime and the ridiculous in heavy metal• Why do we poke fun at the things we love?Plus every Simpsons reference to Spinal Tap at SpringfieldGoogolplex.comNext time, Adam and Nate enroll in Police Academy (1984) and one of the many Simpsons slams on this movie in “Marge Be Not Proud” (S7E11) to celebrate (or lament?) the movie’s 40th anniversary.Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

Adam and Nate take a trip to Westworld (1973), Michael Crichton’s somewhat forgotten directorial debut with a long shadow that reaches into sci-fi and slashers movies, theme parks, and open-world video games. Along the way, they dig into The Simpsons’ full-length parody, “Itchy & Scratchy Land” (S6E4).Also in this episode:• The incomparable influence of Michael Crichton on 1990s culture• Special effects that changed the face of movie-making • The Simpsons’ many unclear movie references, including Principal Skinner’s walk through the river in “The Boy Who Knew Too Much” (S5E20)• Our memories of Disneyland, including its recent shift toward role playingNext time, special guest Marko Djurdjic joins Adam and Nate to turn it up to 11 with This Is Spinal Tap (1984) and “The Otto Show” (S3E22).

To celebrate the festive season, Adam and Nate revisit a classic Christmas movie on its 50th anniversary—The Exorcist (1973)! Considered by some to be the scariest movie ever made, this The Simpsons has mostly parodied this William Friedkin joint with blink-and-you-miss-it references, including in “Faith Off” (S11E11).Also in this episode:• Why the heck was this movie released the day after Christmas?• What’s scarier, the demon inside Regan or the medical treatments to get it out?• How a slow-moving movie can satisfy even an impatient editor’s standards for pacing• When great directors can’t stop messing with their movies—and can’t keep their stories straight The boys will be taking a short break for the holidays, but the podcast will return Tuesday, February 13, 2024, with a brand new season of movie and their Simpsons parodies.

“Unwittingly, he trained a dolphin to kill the president of the United States.” What a tagline. This episode, Adam and Nate dive into The Day of the Dolphin (1973), a forgotten entry from director Mike Nichols (The Graduate, The Birdcage) that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Does this forgotten movie deserve a second look, or is its parody in The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror XI” (S12E1) segment “Night of the Dolphin” enough?Also in this episode:• How the great Mike Nichols and George C. Scott ended up making a movie about talking dolphins• Who is this movie for? Is it a political thriller or an animal movie for kids?• Adam finds out whether or not dolphins can actually talk• A preposterous plot… or is it?• Plus, every Simpsons reference to The Day of the Dolphin and more bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com Next time, Adam and Nate celebrate their second Non-Denominational Holiday Fun Fest with a surprise episode under the festive bush!Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Letterboxd, and YouTube.

Gonna fly now! Adam and Nate step into the ring with Rocky (1976), a classic that not only changed the boxing genre, but may surprise some with its human drama. They compare and contrast with to The Simpsons episode “The Homer They Fall” (S8E3), a mashup of boxing movie parodies.Also in this episode:• Parodies of convenience: When a movie reference is just a means to an end• Is every memorable moment in Rocky thanks to director John G. Avildsen?• Five stellar performances that balance quirky character with emotional realism• How Rocky changed cinematography and editing in the boxing genre and beyond• Nate gives Adam a lightning round on the sequels he’s never seen, from Rocky II to Rocky VII: Adrian’s Revenge!Next time, Adam and Nate celebrate the 50th anniversary of a classic of American cinema, with Simpsons references in “Treehouse of Horror XI” (S12E1)!

Adam and Nate welcome film critic and horror expert Dede Crimmins to wrestle with King Kong (1933), a precursor to the modern blockbuster with a legacy as unbreakable as chrome steel. We talk about the full-length Simpsons parody “King Homer” from “Treehouse of Horror III” (S4E5), many other references to the movie throughout the series, and whether this special effects-driven love story between ape and woman holds up.Also in this episode:• Is King Kong a horror movie?• Dede’s Simpsons fandom from early animation festivals to the latest season• The surprising amount of runtime dedicated to dinosaurs in this movie• Why are the Simpsons writers so obsessed with putting a giant ape on Broadway?• Plus bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.comNext time, Adam and Nate load up The Mask of Zorro (1998) and “E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)” (S11E5)!

Adam and Nate discuss the Vietnam War classic Full Metal Jacket (1987) and its parody in “Bart the General” (S1E5), one of the earliest episodes of The Simpsons to go hard on movie parody mashups. Also in this episode:• Does Stanley Kubrick really wait to make the last, best movie in every genre?• Revisiting Nate’s claim that this is Kubrick’s most “accessible” movie…• How Full Metal Jacket is like My Fair Lady• The perverse entertainment of R. Lee Ermey’s Gny. Sgt. Hartman• What’s the mysterious connection between Private Pyle and Animal Mother?Next time, Adam and Nate capture King Kong (1933) and “Treehouse of Horror III” (S4E5) with film critic and horror aficionado Dede Crimmins!

Adam and Nate watch Thelma & Louise (1991), a groundbreaking road movie about two women escaping the patriarchy, as well as The Simpsons full spoof episode “Marge on the Lam” (S5E6). This movie brings together a breakout screenplay, career performances by Susan Sarandon and Gina Davis, and the high style of Ridley Scott.Also in this episode:• Does Marge also have her arms stuck in her own metaphorical vending machines?• How Thelma & Louise became the Barbie phenomenon of its day• A star-making performance from a very young, very hot Brad Pitt• When a movie parody isn’t a parody• The movie’s cliff-top climax has been spoiled and parodied to death, but does it fly today?• Plus more bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.comNext time, Adam and Nate load up Full Metal Jacket (1987) and “Bart the General” (S1E5)!Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd.

In the final episode of our musical miniseries, Adam and Nate tackle Richard Attenborough’s A Chorus Line (1985), the maligned movie adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning stage show that tells the true life stories of Broadway dancers trying to book their next job. It’s also the subject of a short but memorable Simpsons parody in “Treehouse of Horror V” (S6E6), which starts with a fog that turns people inside out.Also in this episode:• Perhaps the best damn dancing we’ve seen in this miniseries• Why do so many musical film adaptations add a weird love story?• Some very eighties twists on this seventies musical• Can Michael Douglas overcome his sex-thriller-creep mystique in this role?• The value of movie adaptations of stage shows—even imperfect onesWe are taking a brief hiatus for the Toronto International Film Festival, but we’ll be back on September 26, 2023 with Thelma & Louise (1991)!

Adam and Nate watch The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), a top-grossing musical comedy that barely exists. Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton star as star-crossed lovers, a small-town sheriff and a madam, both trying to save the local brothel from a meddling media personality. Sound familiar? This movie/musical/true story inspired the plot of “Bart After Dark” (S8E5), one of Nate and Adam’s favorite Simpsons episode of all time.Also in this episode:• The real-life Maison Derriere, a brothel that operated illegally (and discretely) near LaGrange, Texas, for 63 years • How parodies of overblown media, side-stepping politicians, and mob mentality make this one of the most Simpsons-y movies we’ve watched so far• The short and underappreciated career of Colin Higgins (Harold and Maude, 9 to 5)• The rise of Dolly Parton, the fall of Burt Reynolds, and the magic moment where they overlapped• Adam and Nate fall down a deep Dom DeLuise rabbit hole (The Charlie Horse Music Pizza, anyone?)Next time, Adam and Nate step up for A Chorus Line (1985).