This week’s newest episode ‘Pranks and Greens’ did not really impress me. Once again we have Bart solving someone’s problem, jokes being repeated over and over, and just unfunny writing. I’m sorry to be the one to say this but after 20 years on the air FOX has probably run out of good ideas for this family. I recently heard that the winner of the Simpsons character contest developed a character that is described as, “a smooth talking hunk that moves into Springfield,” but honestly, we already know what’s going to happen in that story, it’s no mystery. I’ll say it again, The Simpsons is getting WAY too predictable and this episode pushed that idea further. This week ‘Pranks and Greens’ scored an ok rating of 7.03 million viewers trailing a new episode of Family Guy with 7.39 million viewers.
Plot
After Bart is apprehended for playing pranks on the teachers of Springfield Elementary, Principal Skinner reveals to Bart that he is not the greatest prankster to ever walk the halls of that school. Bart is shocked by this revelation and sets out to discover the identity of this prankster. After sifting through countless back issues of the school paper, he discovers that there is a two week gap in its publication dating back 10 years, and that there is a substantial change in Principal Skinner’s demeanor and appearance before and after the gap. Groundskeeper Willie tells Bart that he was once the school swim instructor, and that Principal Skinner was once fun-loving and laid-back until an incident dubbed “Night of the Wigglers.” Here, a prankster locked Skinner in a pool full of earthworms for an entire weekend. This experience changed Skinner’s personality for the worst. Willie then tells Bart that the prankster was named Andy Hamilton.
Meanwhile, Marge is harshly criticized by other Springfield mothers for serving unhealthy snacks at their “Midday Mommies” meeting. She burns the family’s junkfood, to Homer’s horror. The family purchases organic food, which is very expensive and has a short shelf life (much to Homer’s chargin), at a local market. Unfortunately, Marge meets with more criticism when she uses non-stick bakeware and plastic drinking bottles. The other mothers storm away and Marge realizes that she misses eating junk food. Homer catches Marge eating from his stash of candy and the two of them indulge in junk food together. They then agree to only make the kids eat healthy.
