"Werking Mom" is the 646th episode of the American animated television series '' The Simpsons'' and the seventh episode of

season 30 A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pola ...

. The episode was directed by Mike Frank Polcino and written by

Carolyn Omine Carolyn Omine is an American television writer. She won four Emmy Awards for her writing work on ''The Simpsons''. Writing credits ''The Simpsons'' episodes Omine has written the following episodes: *"Little Big Mom" (2000) *"Treehouse of ...

and Robin Sayers. The episode was also dedicated in memory of

Stan Lee Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...

of Marvel Comics fame, who died on November 12, 2018 and had guest starred three times on the show, in the episodes "

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", "

Married to the Blob "Married to the Blob" is the tenth episode of the twenty-fifth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' and the 540th episode of the series. It premiered on the Fox network in the United States on January 12, 2014. The e ...

" and "

Caper Chase "The Caper Chase" is the nineteenth episode of the twenty-eighth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'', and the 615th episode of the series overall. The episode was directed by Lance Kramer and written by Jeff Westbr ...

" respectively.

Plot

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� ...

attempts to earn extra money by arranging Tubberware parties, but no one is eager to host. Her hairdresser Julio agrees to play host, and invites many of his fellow gay friends. When Marge seems nervous, he gives her an over-the-top makeover. The party goes well, until Julio realizes that the guests have mistaken Marge for a drag queen. He later convinces Marge to just go with it, and introduces her to Springfield's drag scene. When Homer realizes what she's doing, he interrupts a party and reveals her true gender, a decision he immediately regrets. Marge is furious, but when Homer shows up to the drag club dressed like a woman, she forgives him. Meanwhile, in an homage to the movie '' Amélie'', Lisa discovers a box that belonged to Jasper when he was a child. She secretly returns it, greatly cheering him up. She decides to help all of Springfield's outcasts, including Gil, Agnes and Seymour Skinner, and the Van Houtens. When Agnes discovers the trick, Lisa is ashamed, but those people she helped invite her to lunch on the roof of the school as they appreciate her efforts.

Production

RuPaul RuPaul Andre Charles (born November 17, 1960; stylized as RuPaul) is an American drag queen, television personality, actor, musician, and model. Best known for producing, hosting, and judging the reality competition series ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' ...

was cast as Queen Chante, who is a drag queen. Raja, the winner of season 3 of '' RuPaul's Drag Race'', also appeared as herself.

Reception

Viewing figures

"Werking Mom" scored a 1.6 rating with a 7 share and was watched by 4.34 million people, making ''The Simpsons'' Fox's highest rated show of the night.

Critical response

Dennis Perkins of '' The A.V. Club'' gave the episode a B+ ranking, stating "'Werking Mom’ is written by Carolyn Omine, who’s been credited with some of the most grounded and surprising (in that good way) Simpsons episodes in recent years...Alongside first-time co-writer Robin Sayers, whose only other IMDb credit is for a Jerky Boys project unpromisingly enough, Omine has penned a spiritual sequel to ‘ Homer's Phobia’ that might not equal one of the show’s most groundbreaking and enduringly funny episodes, but is still so locked onto the core of the show’s heart that it provides a blueprint for the show going forward, should anyone in The Simpsons’ hierarchy care to listen." Tony Sokol of '' Den of Geek'' gave the episode 3 and a half out of 5 points ranking, stating "'Werking Mom' is a sweet episode, not unlike mille-feuille pastry. Everyone gets what they want. Lisa finds a place to eat her lunch. Marge is reassured. Homer both regains the will to drink and a place to store his pot. Such is the power of dinner party salespersonship and inclusion, at least of an exciting beat. The jokes work playfully but softly without subversive rancor or larger social commentary. It is a family episode in other people's homes."

References

External links

* {{Drag performance 2018 American television episodes The Simpsons (season 30) episodes Drag (entertainment)-related mass media LGBT-related animated television episodes American LGBT-related television episodes Television episodes written by Carolyn Omine