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).