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"Papa Don't Leech" is the sixteenth episode of the nineteenth 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 Simpson, Homer, Marge ...
''. It originally aired in the United States on April 13, 2008 on the
Fox network The Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly known simply as Fox and stylized in all caps as FOX, is an American commercial broadcast television network owned by Fox Corporation and headquartered in New York City, with master control operations a ...
. It features the return of
Lurleen Lumpkin 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 ...
(voiced by special guest star
Beverly D'Angelo Beverly Heather D'Angelo (born November 15, 1951) is an American actress who starred as Ellen Griswold in the '' National Lampoon's Vacation'' films (1983–2015). She has appeared in over 60 films and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for ...
) from the third season episode "
Colonel Homer "Colonel Homer" is the twentieth episode of the third season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 26, 1992. In the episode, Homer and Marge quarrel aft ...
", after an absence of sixteen years (though she appeared in a few quick cameos on such episodes as "
Marge vs. the Monorail "Marge vs. the Monorail" is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 14, 1993. The plot revolves around Springfie ...
" and "
Team Homer "Team Homer" is the twelfth episode of the seventh season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 7, 1996. In the episode, Homer starts a bowling team with ...
"). The
Dixie Chicks The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and ...
also appear as themselves. The episode was written by
Reid Harrison Reid Harrison is an American screenwriter and television producer. He has written for television shows such as ''The PJs'', '' George and Leo'', ''Men Behaving Badly'', '' Brother's Keeper'', ''Gary & Mike'', '' George of the Jungle'', ''Pinky and ...
and directed by Chris Clements.


Plot

Lisa Lisa or LISA may refer to: People People with the mononym * Lisa Lisa (born 1967), American actress and lead singer of the Cult Jam * Lisa (Japanese musician, born 1974), stylized "LISA", Japanese singer and producer * Lisa Komine (born 1978), ...
tries to sell Girl Scout cookies to
Mayor Quimby Mayor Joseph Fitzgerald O'Malley Fitzpatrick O'Donnell The Edge "Joe" Quimby, nicknamed Diamond Joe, is a recurring character from the animated sitcom television series ''The Simpsons''. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta, and first appeared in th ...
, but finds the entire town treasury empty. Quimby explains that the city spent their funds on a new slogan, "Springfield: Good", so the town holds a meeting in order to raise money. They try faking a natural disaster in order to get relief money from
Federal Emergency Management Agency The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under President Jimmy Carter by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two Exe ...
. It turns out that the officials are impostors and the town goes into more debt than it was before. Lisa then reveals
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 ...
has millions in uncollected taxes, making the town collect them from its most notorious tax evaders (save
Mayor Quimby Mayor Joseph Fitzgerald O'Malley Fitzpatrick O'Donnell The Edge "Joe" Quimby, nicknamed Diamond Joe, is a recurring character from the animated sitcom television series ''The Simpsons''. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta, and first appeared in th ...
and
Mr. Burns Charles Montgomery Plantagenet Schicklgruber "Monty" Burns, usually referred to as Mr. Burns, Monty, or C. Montgomery Burns, is a recurring character and the main antagonist of the animated television series ''The Simpsons'', voiced initially by ...
). News reporter,
Kent Brockman Kent Brockman is a fictional character in the animated cartoon, animated television series ''The Simpsons''. He is voice acting, voiced by Harry Shearer and first appeared in the episode "Krusty Gets Busted". He is a grumpy, self-centered local ...
reveals that all tax evaders have been dealt with, all but
Lurleen Lumpkin 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 ...
, a country music star whom
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 ...
once managed, and who had previously fallen in love with Homer. Homer finds Lurleen hiding in his car, and learns that after leaving her, she became broke. After comforting her, Homer agrees to take her home.
Marge Marge is a feminine given name, a shortened form of Marjorie, Margot or Margaret. Notable Marges include: People *Marge (cartoonist) (1904–1993), pen name of Marjorie Henderson Buell, American cartoonist *Marge Anderson (1932–2013), Ojibwe El ...
remembers how Lurleen wrecked her and Homer's marriage, and demands that she leave. Angrily driving with Lurleen, Marge discovers that Lurleen is homeless and begins to pity her. Marge reluctantly allows her to stay with the family. As a thank you, Lurleen hosts a barbecue for the family. Lurleen is soon arrested by the police and taken to court. Judge Snyder is lenient with Lurleen, only requiring that she repay her debt to society. After the trial, Lurleen explains how she cannot pay off her taxes because all her money went to her ex-husbands, all of which resemble Homer. She goes to work for
Moe Szyslak Moe Szyslak is a recurring character from the animated television series ''The Simpsons''. He is voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the series premiere episode " Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". Moe is the proprietor and bartender of ...
at his bar, where Lenny and Carl both try to go on a date with her. She denies both of them. Lurleen becomes depressed, and is heard singing through the vent about her father, Royce. Marge realizes that Lurleen's father left her, and she had given up faith in all men. Marge decides to get Lurleen and her father back together. Scouring Springfield, she finally finds Lurleen's father, Royce, and reunites the two. She forgives him and writes a new song to celebrate their reunion: "Daddy's Back". The two appear to have a newfound happiness. However, Royce eventually leaves Lurleen again. Soon, The
Dixie Chicks The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and ...
play on TV, Lurleen's father is in their music video, and one of the Dixie Chicks claims that he wrote the song. The song is
plagiarized Plagiarism is the fraudulent representation of another person's language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions as one's own original work.From the 1995 '' Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary'': use or close imitation of the language and thought ...
from the song Lurleen wrote for their reunion. She goes to the Simpson's basement to sulk. Homer, in his
Colonel Homer "Colonel Homer" is the twentieth episode of the third season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 26, 1992. In the episode, Homer and Marge quarrel aft ...
attire and "Major Marge" come to her, and tell her to take control of her destiny. Lurleen tells the Dixie Chicks that her father stole her song, and they proceed to hit him with their instruments as payback. Lurleen becomes the new opening act for the Dixie Chicks and finds a new boyfriend (who also has a resemblance to Homer), and Marge and Lurleen embrace. Out of earshot, Marge warns Lurleen never to come near Homer again.


Cultural references

The episode's title is a take-off of singer Madonna's song, "
Papa Don't Preach "Papa Don't Preach" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Madonna for her third studio album ''True Blue (Madonna album), True Blue'' (1986). The song was written by Brian Elliot with additional lyrics by Madonna, who produced it alo ...
". Lurleen is shown singing the song, "Bunk with Me Tonight" (from "
Colonel Homer "Colonel Homer" is the twentieth episode of the third season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 26, 1992. In the episode, Homer and Marge quarrel aft ...
") with Kermit; another
Muppet The Muppets are an American ensemble cast of puppet characters known for an absurdist, burlesque, and self-referential style of variety-sketch comedy. Created by Jim Henson in 1955, they are the focus of a media franchise that encompasses tele ...
,
Miss Piggy Miss Piggy is one of the Muppet characters known for her breakout role in Jim Henson's '' The Muppet Show''. Since her debut in 1976, Miss Piggy has been notable for her temperamental diva superstar personality, tendency to use French phrases i ...
, appears and drop-kicks him. The opening dream scene where Homer suffocates his father parodies ''
The Sopranos ''The Sopranos'' is an American Crime film#Crime drama, crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story revolves around Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey-based American Mafia, Italian-American mobster, portraying h ...
'' episode "
Kennedy and Heidi "Kennedy and Heidi" is the 83rd episode of the HBO television series ''The Sopranos'', the sixth episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, and the 18th episode of the season overall. Written by Matthew Weiner and series creator and sho ...
" where
Tony Tony may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer * Motu Tony (born 1981), New Zealand international rugby leag ...
suffocates
Chris Chris is a short form of various names including Christopher, Christian, Christina, Christine, and Christos. Chris is also used as a name in its own right, however it is not as common. People with the given name * Chris Abani (born 1966), N ...
in a similar way.
Bart Bart is a masculine given name, usually a diminutive of Bartholomew, sometimes of Barton, Bartolomeo, etc. Bart is a Dutch and Ashkenazi Jewish surname, and derives from the name ''Bartholomäus'', a German form of the biblical name ''Barth ...
is seen playing with
Mr. Potato Head Mr. Potato Head is an American toy brand consisting of a plastic model of a potato "head" to which a variety of plastic parts can attach — typically ears, eyes, shoes, hat, nose, pants and mouth. Mr. Potato Head was invented and manufac ...
. Marge's bodywash is Estée Lauder. In the final scene, Marge silently threatens Lurleen that if she ever comes near Homer again, she will strangle her with her own hair extensions. This parodies a scene in the
HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...
series ''
Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus ( legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...
'', in which
Atia of the Julii This is a list of characters from the HBO series ''Rome''. The historical figures upon which certain characters are based are noted where appropriate. Main Recurring Guest * (historically, ''Antonia the Elder'' or ''Antonia Minor''), dau ...
, a Roman aristocrat, whispers death threats to
Queen Cleopatra Cleopatra VII Philopator ( grc-gre, Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ}, "Cleopatra the father-beloved"; 69 BC10 August 30 BC) was Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC, and its last active ruler.She was also a ...
after an awkward social dinner. When everyone is singing the "Daddy's Back" song Lisa is reading ''
Harry Potter ''Harry Potter'' is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students a ...
''.


Reception

The episode received mixed reviews by critics. Richard Keller of
TV Squad Weblogs, Inc. was a blog network that published content on a variety of subjects, including tech news, video games, automobiles and pop culture. At one point, the network had as many as 90 blogs, although the vast majority of its traffic could be ...
expressed dislike for the episode stating that he hopes the show will reconsider the next time they decide to give a solo opportunity to a supporting character many people don't remember. Robert Canning of
IGN ''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa dist ...
said, "there were too few laugh-out-loud moments in this lackluster episode. Overall, it was nice to see Lurleen again, but she'd probably get more laughs in future cameos than in carrying an entire episode." He gave the episode a 6/10. The opening sequence where Homer murders Grampa in a dream was criticized, being called "the least funny thing I've ever seen on the show" by IGN, "very un-Homer-like" by TV Squad.


References


External links


Papa Don't Leech
at
Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...
{{The Simpsons episodes, 19 The Simpsons (season 19) episodes 2008 American television episodes