The Simpsons season 12
The Simpsons | |
---|---|
Season 12 | |
![]() DVD cover featuring Comic Book Guy | |
Showrunner | Mike Scully |
No. of episodes | 21 |
Release | |
Original network | Fox |
Original release | November 1, 2000 May 20, 2001 | –
Season chronology | |
The twelfth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons originally aired between November 2000 and May 2001. It began on Wednesday, November 1, 2000 with "Treehouse of Horror XI". The season contains four hold-over episodes from the season 11 (BABF) production line. The showrunner for the twelfth production season was Mike Scully. The season won and was nominated for numerous awards including two Primetime Emmy Awards wins and an Annie Award. Season 12 was released on DVD in Region 1 on August 18, 2009, Region 2 on September 28, 2009, and Region 4 on September 2, 2009.[citation needed]
Production
[edit]The season's executive producer was once again Mike Scully, in his last season as executive producer, while it was produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television. He later returned to the series in season fourteen as a writer and executive producer for the episode "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation". Mike Scully has stated his goal during his tenure was to "not wreck the show".[1]
Don Payne, John Frink and Bob Bendetson began writing for the series, while Larry Doyle, Julie Thacker and Tom Martin left following the completion of this season. Rob LaZebnik received his first sole writing credit for the episode "Homer vs. Dignity". LaZebnik would not get a writing credit for another episode until the 20th season, where he was credited for writing "Father Knows Worst". Shaun Cashman received his sole directing credit on the series this season (for the 250th episode "A Tale of Two Springfields"), while Neil Affleck received his final directorial credit (also for "Homer vs. Dignity"). Tom Gammill and Max Pross have been promoted to produce this season. As of 2009, Gammill & Pross are still credited as such, along with David Mirkin. Mike Reiss (Al Jean's former writing partner) returned to the writing staff as a producer.
The season began with the annual Treehouse of Horror episode, beginning a practice of starting the season with the episodes, as well as airing the episodes shortly after Halloween in November, due to Fox's coverage of the World Series. This season brought back Sideshow Bob, who had not been seen since the eighth-season episode "Brother from Another Series". Ian Maxtone-Graham's episode "Tennis the Menace" became the second episode of the series to be animated using digital ink and paint, which had not been used since the season seven episode "Radioactive Man" and would not be used again (this time on a permanent basis) until the 14th season. The season would also have five episodes that would air the following season.
Voice cast & characters
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Stephen_King%2C_Comicon.jpg/200px-Stephen_King%2C_Comicon.jpg)
![Portrait of a young Edward Norton smiling](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Ed_Norton_1997.jpg/200px-Ed_Norton_1997.jpg)
Main cast
[edit]- Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Mayor Quimby, Groundskeeper Willie, Barney Gumble, Santa's Little Helper, and various others
- Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, Selma Bouvier and various others
- Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum and various others
- Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson
- Hank Azaria as Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Professor Frink, Carl Carlson, Comic Book Guy, Apu, Bumblebee Man and various others
- Harry Shearer as Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Dr. Hibbert, Lenny Leonard, Kent Brockman, Reverend Lovejoy, and various others
Recurring
[edit]- Pamela Hayden as Milhouse Van Houten, Jimbo Jones
- Marcia Mitzman Gaven as Helen Lovejoy, Miss Hoover and various others
- Russi Taylor as Martin Prince and Sherri and Terri
- Tress MacNeille as Agnes Skinner and various others
- Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel
- Karl Wiedergott as additional characters
Guest stars
[edit]- Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony (2 episodes)
- Gary Coleman as himself (2 episodes)
- Frank Welker as assorted animal voices (2 episodes)
- Roger Daltrey as himself ("A Tale of Two Springfields")
- John Entwistle as himself ("A Tale of Two Springfields")
- Paul Townshend as his brother Pete Townshend ("A Tale of Two Springfields")
- Drew Barrymore as Sophie ("Insane Clown Poppy")
- Jay Mohr as Christopher Walken ("Insane Clown Poppy")
- Stephen King as himself ("Insane Clown Poppy")
- Amy Tan as herself ("Insane Clown Poppy")
- John Updike as himself ("Insane Clown Poppy")
- Joshua Jackson as Jesse Grass ("Lisa the Tree Hugger")
- Leeza Gibbons as herself ("Homer vs. Dignity")
- Patrick McGoohan as Number Six ("The Computer Wore Menace Shoes")
- Edward Norton as Devon Bradley ("The Great Money Caper")
- Robby Krieger as himself (deleted scene; "The Great Money Caper")
- Michael Keaton as Jack Crowley ("Pokey Mom")
- Charles Napier as the warden ("Pokey Mom")
- Bruce Vilanch as himself ("Pokey Mom")
- Robert Schimmel as a prisoner ("Pokey Mom")
- Tom Savini as himself ("Worst Episode Ever")
- Andre Agassi as himself ("Tennis the Menace")
- Pete Sampras as himself ("Tennis the Menace")
- Venus and Serena Williams as themselves ("Tennis the Menace")
- Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob ("Day of the Jackanapes")
- NSYNC as themselves ("New Kids on the Blecch")
- Natural as the Party Posses ("New Kids on the Blecch")
- Ben Bledsoe as Ralph
- Marc Terenzi as Nelson
- Michael 'J' Horn as Milhouse
- Michael Johnson as Bart
- Stacy Keach as Howard K. Duff VIII ("Hungry, Hungry Homer")
- Kathy Griffin as Francine ("Bye Bye Nerdie")
- Jan Hooks as Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon ("Bye Bye Needie")
- Frankie Muniz as Thelonious ("Trilogy of Error")
- Shawn Colvin as Rachel Jordan ("I'm Goin' to Praiseland")
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]The twelfth season has received mostly positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the twelfth season of The Simpsons has an 80% approval rating based on 5 critical reviews.[2] Matt Haigh of Den of Geek said that "The bad episodes are never really terrible, it's more that they're a bit boring and will most likely have you yawning 10 minutes in. With this in mind, season 12 ends up being very much a 50/50 affair".[3] Nancy Basile gave a list of "Must See TV" episodes and "Not So Must See TV" episodes — with more of the former.[4]
Awards
[edit]"HOMR" was nominated for various awards. Al Jean received a nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) the eleventh win for the series.[5] Another Primetime Emmy Award nomination is for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series.[6] Another win for "HOMR" is an Annie Award for Outstanding Writing in an Animated Television Production.[7] Other Primetime Emmy Awards nominations include Hank Azaria for "Worst Episode Ever".[8] Lisa Simpson also won a Board of Directors Ongoing Commitment Award.[9] The show also won at the 2002 Kids' Choice Awards.[10]
Nielsen Rating
[edit]The season ranked 21st in the seasonal ratings with an average of 14.7 million viewers an episode, rising 6% from last season.[11] As of 2023, season 12's Nielsen ranking of #21 remains the highest in the show's history.
Episodes
[edit]No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
249 | 1 | "Treehouse of Horror XI" | Matthew Nastuk | Rob LaZebnik | November 1, 2000 | BABF21 | 13.23[12] | ||||||||
John Frink & Don Payne | |||||||||||||||
Carolyn Omine | |||||||||||||||
This year's Halloween story sees The Simpsons as "The Munsters" (with everyone except Lisa getting killed), Homer as a wandering spirit on the hunt for a good deed in "G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad," Bart and Lisa as peasants in a fairy tale forest in "Scary Tales Can Come True," and Lisa inadvertently dooming mankind by rescuing a dolphin in "Night of the Dolphin." | |||||||||||||||
250 | 2 | "A Tale of Two Springfields" | Shaun Cashman | John Swartzwelder | November 5, 2000 | BABF20 | 16.18[12] | ||||||||
While calling Animal Control over a badger taking residence in Santa's Little Helper's doghouse, Homer discovers that Springfield has two different area codes–and ends up leading a revolt that splits the town in two. | |||||||||||||||
251 | 3 | "Insane Clown Poppy" | Bob Anderson | John Frink & Don Payne | November 12, 2000 | BABF17 | 16.44[13] | ||||||||
252 | 4 | "Lisa the Tree Hugger" | Steven Dean Moore | Matt Selman | November 19, 2000 | CABF01 | 14.87[14] | ||||||||
Lisa falls for the teenaged leader of a militant environmentalist group and tries to impress him by living in Springfield's oldest tree in order to keep it from being cut down. | |||||||||||||||
253 | 5 | "Homer vs. Dignity" | Neil Affleck | Rob LaZebnik | November 26, 2000 | CABF04 | 14.99[15] | ||||||||
When the Simpsons once again have financial problems, Mr. Burns pays Homer to play pranks on others and humiliate himself in public. Meanwhile, Smithers creates a Malibu Stacy-themed musical. | |||||||||||||||
254 | 6 | "The Computer Wore Menace Shoes" | Mark Kirkland | John Swartzwelder | December 3, 2000 | CABF02 | 15.60[16] | ||||||||
Homer decides to buy a computer after turning up at the plant to find that it is closed, and that, not having a computer, he did not receive the e-mail telling the workers. He then creates his own website and it eventually gains attention when he posts gossip. Homer dubs himself as "Mr. X" to conceal his identity. When he reveals that he is Mr. X, he becomes drugged into a mysterious island where people who know too much are imprisoned after Homer starts writing conspiracy theories such as flu shots causing increased holiday spending. | |||||||||||||||
255 | 7 | "The Great Money Caper" | Mike Frank Polcino | Carolyn Omine | December 10, 2000 | CABF03 | 16.84[17] | ||||||||
Homer and Bart become father–son con artists (after Bart is given money out of pity when Homer decided to not take him home), but soon find that they are the ones being had. | |||||||||||||||
256 | 8 | "Skinner's Sense of Snow" | Lance Kramer | Tim Long | December 17, 2000 | CABF06 | 15.87[18] | ||||||||
A snowstorm traps the students of Springfield Elementary inside, with them overthrowing Principal Skinner when he uses his Army skills to control them. Meanwhile, Ned temporarily redeems himself to help Homer rescue the children–using his car. | |||||||||||||||
257 | 9 | "HOMR" | Mike B. Anderson | Al Jean | January 7, 2001 | BABF22 | 18.52[19] | ||||||||
While working as a human guinea pig (to pay off the family's lost savings after making a bad investment), Homer discovers the root cause of his subnormal intelligence: a crayon that was lodged in his brain ever since he was a boy. He decides to have it removed to increase his IQ, but discovers that being smart does not necessarily equal being happy. | |||||||||||||||
258 | 10 | "Pokey Mom" | Bob Anderson | Tom Martin | January 14, 2001 | CABF05 | 15.01[20] | ||||||||
Marge tries to rehabilitate a convict with remarkable artistic talent. Meanwhile, Homer uses a trash can to fix people's spines. | |||||||||||||||
259 | 11 | "Worst Episode Ever" | Matthew Nastuk | Larry Doyle | February 4, 2001 | CABF08 | 18.50[21] | ||||||||
Bart and Milhouse are banned from The Android Dungeon after stopping Comic Book Guy from buying a box of priceless Star Wars memorabilia for $5, but are hired as his replacements when Comic Book Guy has a heart attack and is advised to leave his job in order to make friends. | |||||||||||||||
260 | 12 | "Tennis the Menace" | Jen Kamerman | Ian Maxtone-Graham | February 11, 2001 | CABF07 | 13.98[22] | ||||||||
While making funeral arrangements for Grampa's future, the funeral planner pitches the idea of a mausoleum that uses the same amount of cement as a full-sized tennis court. This prompts Homer to instead build a tennis court in his backyard, initially mistaking the sport for "Foxy Boxing". The tennis court makes Marge and Homer popular in town, but it turns out that this is only because Homer's inferior tennis ability makes them an easy target. Bart on the other hand, shines as a natural. | |||||||||||||||
261 | 13 | "Day of the Jackanapes" | Michael Marcantel | Al Jean | February 18, 2001 | CABF10 | 15.39[23] | ||||||||
Krusty announces his retirement due to interference from network executives and the growing popularity of the big-money game show "Me Wantee", but when Krusty reveals to Sideshow Bob that all of the episodes featuring him have been erased, Sideshow Bob uses Krusty's biggest fan (Bart) to murder him during Krusty's farewell show. | |||||||||||||||
262 | 14 | "New Kids on the Blecch" | Steven Dean Moore | Tim Long | February 25, 2001 | CABF12 | 18.12[24] | ||||||||
A music producer selects Bart, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph to be members of the next hit boy band, who record subliminal songs about joining the Navy. | |||||||||||||||
263 | 15 | "Hungry, Hungry Homer" | Nancy Kruse | John Swartzwelder | March 4, 2001 | CABF09 | 17.55[25] | ||||||||
Homer becomes a Good Samaritan after discovering the simple joys of helping people in need–which is put to the test when he goes on a hunger strike after the owner of the Springfield Isotopes attempts to discredit him when Homer stumbles on his plot to discreetly move the team to Albuquerque, New Mexico. | |||||||||||||||
264 | 16 | "Bye Bye Nerdie" | Lauren MacMullan | John Frink & Don Payne | March 11, 2001 | CABF11 | 16.11[26] | ||||||||
When Lisa becomes the target of a female bully, she discovers a scientific reason as to why bullies pick on nerds. Meanwhile, Homer goes into the baby-proofing business, which unfortunately threatens those of pediatricians and greeting card salesmen. | |||||||||||||||
265 | 17 | "Simpson Safari" | Mark Kirkland | John Swartzwelder | April 1, 2001 | CABF13 | 13.28[27] | ||||||||
When the Simpsons run out of food thanks to a bag boy strike (caused by Homer), the family finds an old box of animal crackers with a sweepstakes that sends The Simpsons to Africa. | |||||||||||||||
266 | 18 | "Trilogy of Error" | Mike B. Anderson | Matt Selman | April 29, 2001 | CABF14 | 14.41[28] | ||||||||
Homer's rush to the hospital to reattach his thumb, Lisa's rush to school to win the science fair, and Bart's run-in with an illegal fireworks scheme are interconnected in a parody of Go and Run Lola Run. | |||||||||||||||
267 | 19 | "I'm Goin' to Praiseland" | Chuck Sheetz | Julie Thacker | May 6, 2001 | CABF15 | 13.06[29] | ||||||||
After finding a sketchbook belonging to his late wife Maude, Ned Flanders opens a Bible-themed amusement park to honor her memory. | |||||||||||||||
268 | 20 | "Children of a Lesser Clod" | Mike Frank Polcino | Al Jean | May 13, 2001 | CABF16 | 13.81[30] | ||||||||
After injuring his knee during a basketball game, Homer begins taking care of the neighborhood kids to cure his boredom during his recovery from surgery, prompting jealousy from Bart and Lisa, who feel that Homer is giving the kids the attention they never had. | |||||||||||||||
269 | 21 | "Simpsons Tall Tales" | Bob Anderson | John Frink & Don Payne | May 20, 2001 | CABF17 | 13.43[31] | ||||||||
Bob Bendetson | |||||||||||||||
Matt Selman | |||||||||||||||
When Homer refuses to pay a five dollar airport tax to fly to Delaware, the family is forced to ride in a livestock car of a train instead. There they meet a singing hobo who tells three tall tales:
|
Home media
[edit]The DVD boxset for season twelve was released by 20th Century Fox in the United States and Canada on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, eight years after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release feature bonus material including deleted scenes, animatics, and commentaries for every episode. The boxart features Comic Book Guy, and a special limited edition "embossed head case" package was also released.
...The Complete Twelfth Season... | ||||
Set Details[32] | Special Features[32] | |||
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Release Dates | ||||
Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | ||
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 | Monday, September 28, 2009[33] | Wednesday, September 2, 2009[34] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Electric Journeys | BBC World Service". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "The Simpsons (2000 - 2001)". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ "The Simpsons Season 12 DVD review". Den of Geek. October 1, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ ""The Simpsons" Season 12 Review". Animatedtv.about.com. October 6, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ White, Cindy (August 18, 2009). "The Simpsons: The Complete Twelfth Season DVD Review". IGN. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Award Database". Emmys.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Legacy - 29th Annual". Annie Awards. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ Dutka, Elaine (August 14, 2001). "Morning Report". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
- ^ "Lisa Simpson animates environmental awards". USA Today. November 15, 2001. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2011". Nick.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "The Bitter End". Entertainment Weekly. June 1, 2001. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2000)". The Los Angeles Times. November 8, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 6-12, 2000)". The Los Angeles Times. November 15, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 13-19, 2000)". The Los Angeles Times. November 22, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 20-26, 2000)". The Los Angeles Times. December 1, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2000)". The Los Angeles Times. December 6, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 4-10, 2000)". The Los Angeles Times. December 13, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 11-17, 2000)". The Los Angeles Times. December 20, 2000. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 1-7, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. January 10, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 8-14, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. January 19, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. February 7, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 5-11, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. February 14, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 12-18, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. February 22, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 19-25, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. February 28, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 26-March 4, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. March 7, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (March 5-11, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (March 26-April 1, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. April 4, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 23-29, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. May 2, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 30-May 6, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. May 9, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May 7-13, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. May 16, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May 14-20, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. May 23, 2001. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ a b c "Release Date Finally Revealed for the Long-Awaited 12th Season DVDs!". TVShowsOnDVD. May 20, 2009.
- ^ "Release Date For Season 12 on Amazon.co.uk!". Amazon. May 20, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ "Simpsons, The — The 12th Season: Collector's Edition (4 Disc Box Set) @ EzyDVD". EzyDVD. May 26, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
- Bibliography
- 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.