Lisa's Substitute (25 Apr. 1991)

Lisa has a crush on her substitute teacher, who seemingly represents everything that Homer is not. Meanwhile, Bart decides to run for class president, and becomes the overwhelming favorite.

Director:

Rich Moore

Writers:

Matt Groening (creator), James L. Brooks (developer),

Stars:

Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Dan Castellaneta	...	Homer Simpson / Station Announcer / Guard (voice)
Julie Kavner	...	Marge Simpson (voice)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Bart Simpson / Ralph Wiggum (voice)
Yeardley Smith	...	Lisa Simpson (voice)
Harry Shearer	...	Principal Skinner (voice)
Jo Ann Harris	...	Chuck / Woman at Apartment (voice) (as Jo Anne Harris)
Pamela Hayden	...	Milhouse Van Houten / Janey Powell / Others (voice)
Maggie Roswell	...	Miss Hoover / Donations Lady (voice)
Russi Taylor	...	Martin Prince / Wendell / Sherri / Terri / Adrian (voice)
Marcia Wallace	...	Edna Krabappel (voice)
Dustin Hoffman	...	Mr. Bergstrom (voice) (as Sam Etic)

Storyline

Lisa's teacher, Miss Hoover, is stricken with Lyme disease, and Mr. Bergstrom, a cool, witty, substitute teacher takes her place. Lisa is smitten with the smart, sensitive man, who contrasts so favorable; it seems, with her own father. Meanwhile, Bart decides to run for class president where he is expected to easily triumph over class brain Martin Prince.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to william shakespeare | 2d animation

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 1991 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Gracie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dustin Hoffman is credited here under the name Sam Etic. This is most likely a reference to the word "Semitic", since his character here is Jewish.

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Goofs

According to Bart's narration of his "kittens" video he shows his class, Snowball II was a kitten that the first Snowball had. But in The Simpsons: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, it's clearly stated that Snowball II was bought.

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Quotes

Miss Hoover: Children, I won't be staying long. I just came from the doctor, and I have Lyme disease. Principal Skinner will run the class until a substitute arrives.
Ralph: What's Lyme disease?
Principal Skinner: I'll field that one.
[goes to blackboard]
Principal Skinner: Lyme disease is spread by small parasites called 'ticks'.
[writes 'TICKS' on blackboard]
Principal Skinner: When a diseased tick attaches itself to you, it begins sucking your blood...
Miss Hoover: [not calmed] Oh...
Principal Skinner: Malignant spirochetes infect your bloodstream, eventually spreading to your spinal fluid and on into...
[...]

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Connections

References The Thing from Another World (1951)

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Soundtracks

"Home on the Range"
Written by Daniel E. Kelley and Brewster M. Higley
Performed by Dustin Hoffman

User Reviews

So sad, yet so beautiful

"Lisa's Substitute" has got to be one of the saddest Simpsons episode of all time. Every time I watch this episode I just can't help but cry every time. It's just so sad.

The Simpsons was best known for being a very funny cartoon, but yet they did have several sad episodes, particularly during season 2.

The most touching part of this episode was when Lisa's substitute teacher Mr. Bergstrom (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) had to leave because he had to take a job to another city and Lisa was very sad about it. She never wanted him to go, but he gave her a little note that said "You Are Lisa Simpson". You can't help but cry during this part.

Overall, this was probably one of the saddest, but most beautiful Simpsons episodes of all time.