"The Sweetest Apu" is the nineteenth episode of the
thirteenth season of the American animated television series ''
The Simpsons
''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, ...
''. It originally aired on the
Fox network in the United States on May 5, 2002. In the episode,
Homer
Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the ...
and
Marge
Marge is a feminine given name, a shortened form of Marjorie, Margot or Margaret (name), Margaret. Notable Marges include:
People
*Marge (cartoonist) (1904–1993), pen name of Marjorie Henderson Buell, American cartoonist
*Marge Anderson (1932 ...
discover that convenience store owner
Apu
APU or Apu may refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Apu Trilogy'', a series of three Bengali films, directed by Satyajit Ray, with the fictional character Apu Roy, comprising:
** ''Pather Panchali'' (''Song of the Little Road'') (1955), the first ...
is having an affair with the Squishee delivery lady working in his store.
"The Sweetest Apu" was written by
John Swartzwelder
John Joseph Swartzwelder Jr. (born February 8, 1949) is an American comedy writer and novelist, best known for his work on the animated television series ''The Simpsons''. Born in Seattle, Washington, Swartzwelder began his career working in adv ...
and directed by
Matthew Nastuk. It features ''
Inside the Actors Studio'' host
James Lipton
Louis James Lipton (September 19, 1926 – March 2, 2020) was an American writer, lyricist, actor, and Dean (education), dean emeritus of the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City. He was the executive producer, writer, ...
as himself. It also features references to ''
The New Yorker
''The New Yorker'' is an American weekly magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry. Founded as a weekly in 1925, the magazine is published 47 times annually, with five of these issues ...
'', photographer
Richard Avedon and the film ''
Wild Wild West''. In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 7.1 million viewers and finished in 37th place in the ratings the week it aired.
Following its home video release on August 24, 2010, the episode received mixed reviews from critics.
Plot
Apu
APU or Apu may refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Apu Trilogy'', a series of three Bengali films, directed by Satyajit Ray, with the fictional character Apu Roy, comprising:
** ''Pather Panchali'' (''Song of the Little Road'') (1955), the first ...
sells
Homer
Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the ...
a beer keg for the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...
reenactment of the Battle of
Springfield
Springfield may refer to:
* Springfield (toponym), the place name in general
Places and locations Australia
* Springfield, New South Wales (Central Coast)
* Springfield, New South Wales (Snowy Monaro Regional Council)
* Springfield, Queenslan ...
. At the reenactment,
Principal Skinner watches as Springfielders disobey him and hold a rather inaccurate battle (featuring an orange plaid clad "East" faction, a roller skating
Stonewall Jackson
Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (January 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, considered one of the best-known Confederate commanders, after Robert E. Lee. He played a prominent role in nearl ...
portrayed by
Disco Stu
The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The write ...
, and a giant
steam-powered super spider made by
Professor Frink). After the battle, Homer brings the empty, dented keg back to Apu at the
Kwik-E-Mart
The Kwik-E-Mart (spelled "Quick-E-Mart" in " Bart the General") is a convenience store in the animated television series ''The Simpsons''.
It is a parody of American convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven and Cumberland Farms, and depicts many of t ...
in an attempt to get the deposit. There, he hears a giggle coming from a closet and finds Apu making love with the woman who delivers Squishees to Kwik-E-Mart, Annette. He then walks backwards in shock all the way home to his bed and then relives the encounter in his dreams when he falls asleep.
Marge
Marge is a feminine given name, a shortened form of Marjorie, Margot or Margaret (name), Margaret. Notable Marges include:
People
*Marge (cartoonist) (1904–1993), pen name of Marjorie Henderson Buell, American cartoonist
*Marge Anderson (1932 ...
figures out what Homer saw from the movements of his pupil. They decide not to tell
Manjula
Manjula (Sanskrit: मंजुला) is a Hindu and Sanskrit female given name, which means, "melodious".
Notable people named Manjula
* Manjula (Kannada actress) (1954–1986), Indian actress
* Manjula Chellur (born 1955), Indian doctor and ...
but while they are playing
badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are "singles" (with one player per side) and "doubles" (with two players pe ...
, Homer and Marge act awkwardly with Manjula and Apu looking at them, trying not to give out hints Apu cheated on Manjula. They then confront Apu and he says he will break up with Annette. However, he breaks his promise. Later, Manjula watches the surveillance footage of Apu
cheating and kicks him out. To help get them together, Homer and Marge invite them both to dinner, but do not tell them that the other one is coming. After a failed attempt with Bart and Lisa, Apu tries to promise to Manjula that he will change, but Manjula refuses to listen and demands a
divorce
Divorce (also known as dissolution of marriage) is the process of terminating a marriage or marital union. Divorce usually entails the canceling or reorganizing of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the ...
.
Homeless, Apu moves into the apartment complex where
Kirk Van Houten
The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...
lives. The octuplets then speak their first words, which put together, say "Mommy, will you let daddy come back...cookie!" Marge and Manjula go to Apu's and arrive in time to prevent him from committing suicide by hanging. Apu is then subjected to several tasks to redeem himself, including breaking up with Annette, though Manjula says it will take time for everything to get back to normal. In bed, Manjula, finally satisfied with what he has done, kisses Apu while Homer watches from the window, on a ladder. The couple continues and Homer, traumatized, hops backwards on the ladder all the way home, without falling, mimicking what he did earlier.
Production and cultural references
![James Lipton by David Shankbone](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/James_Lipton_by_David_Shankbone.jpg)
"The Sweetest Apu" was written by former ''Simpsons'' writer
John Swartzwelder
John Joseph Swartzwelder Jr. (born February 8, 1949) is an American comedy writer and novelist, best known for his work on the animated television series ''The Simpsons''. Born in Seattle, Washington, Swartzwelder began his career working in adv ...
and directed by director
Matthew Nastuk. It was first broadcast on the
Fox network in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
on May 5, 2002. After seeing Apu cheating on Manjula with the squishee girl, an extensive scene in which Homer dramatically backs out of the room, into the Simpson house and into his bed is shown. The scene was conceived by episode writer Swartzwelder.
Another scene in the episode shows Apu breaking up with the Squishee lady in front of her house. Originally, police chief Clancy Wiggum would be seen in a robe inside the house, implying that other men in Springfield cheat on their wives as well, however it was dismissed because the writers thought it would look "too sad".
[Selman, Matt. (2010). Commentary for "The Sweetest Apu", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season'' VD 20th Century Fox.] Originally, Swartzwelder wanted the kama sutra sex position in the episode to show several arms and legs "sticking out in crazy positions", however it received a censor note and the ''Simpsons'' staff were allowed to show "less and less" of it as time progressed.
The episode features American writer and actor
James Lipton
Louis James Lipton (September 19, 1926 – March 2, 2020) was an American writer, lyricist, actor, and Dean (education), dean emeritus of the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City. He was the executive producer, writer, ...
, host of the television program ''
Inside the Actors Studio'', as himself.
The divorce lawyer was portrayed by series regular voice actor
Hank Azaria,
[Castellaneta, Dan. (2010). Commentary for "The Sweetest Apu", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season'' VD 20th Century Fox.] and was based on "many lawyers that the writing staff had faced," according to current show runner
Al Jean.
Professor Frink's steam-powered "Super-spider" seen during the reenactment is a reference to the 1999
steampunk
Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retrofuturistic technology and aesthetics inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. Steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the Victorian era or ...
film ''
Wild Wild West''.
[Jean, Al. (2010). Commentary for "The Sweetest Apu", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season'' VD 20th Century Fox.] One of Apu's promises to Manjula is to get a comic strip printed in ''
The New Yorker
''The New Yorker'' is an American weekly magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry. Founded as a weekly in 1925, the magazine is published 47 times annually, with five of these issues ...
''. American photographer
Richard Avedon is also mentioned in the episode.
[Lipton, James. (2010). Commentary for "The Sweetest Apu", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season'' VD 20th Century Fox.]
Release
In its original American broadcast on May 5, 2002, "The Sweetest Apu" received a 6.7 rating, according to
Nielsen Media Research, translating to approximately 7.1 million viewers. The episode finished in 37th place in the ratings for the week of April 29-May 5, 2002.
On August 24, 2010, "The Sweetest Apu" was released as part of ''The Simpsons: The Complete Thirteenth Season''
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kin ...
and
Blu-ray
The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of sto ...
set. Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Matt Selman, Tim Long, Dan Castellaneta, James Lipton and Matt Warburton participated in the audio commentary of the episode.
Following its home video release, "The Sweetest Apu" received mixed reviews from critics.
DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson wrote "I don’t recall ever being particularly excited by other Manjula episodes, and 'Sweetest' does nothing to alter that perception." He praised Homer's reaction to seeing Apu cheating on Manjula, but maintained that "much of the remaining gags tend to be lackluster." He concluded by writing "This ends up as a pretty flat, forgettable show."
Project-Blu's Nate Boss called it "An average episode, by this season's standards," describing it as "a bit too cut and dried for my taste."
Writing for Blu-ray.com, Casey Broadwater wrote that "The Sweetest Apu" is "near-laughless",
and Ryan Keefer of
DVD Talk wrote "The less said about this episode, the better."
Ryan Keefer of DVD Talk wrote, "Does Jean manage to get The Simpsons to reclaim some of the tarnish off the crown? Sure, but it's not without its duds; 'The Sweetest Apu' and 'The Old Man and The Key' were borderline painful'.
On the other hand, giving the episode a positive review, Jennifer Malkowski of
DVD Verdict
DVD Verdict was a judicial-themed website for DVD reviews. The site was founded in 1999. The editor-in-chief was Michael Stailey, who owned the website between 2004 and 2016, and the site employed a large editorial staff of critics, whose reviews ...
gave the episode a B, praising the "Badminton
cene Cene may refer to:
People
* Cene Marković, Serbian commander
* Cene Prevc (born 1996), Slovenian ski jumper
* Charles Le Cène (1647?–1703), French controversialist
* Ilhami Çene (born 1909), Turkish fencer
* Michel-Charles Le Cène (1684–17 ...
and its many double entendres" as the episode's "highlight".
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweetest Apu, The
The Simpsons (season 13) episodes
2002 American television episodes
Television shows written by John Swartzwelder
Television episodes about adultery