Radioactive Man (24 Sep. 1995)

Milhouse is cast as Radioactive Man's sidekick in a Hollywood production of the comic book.

Director:

Susie Dietter

Writers:

Matt Groening (creator), James L. Brooks (developed by),

Stars:

Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Dan Castellaneta	...	Homer Simpson / Grampa / Barney Gumble / Krusty the Klown / Mayor Quimby / Others (voice)
Julie Kavner	...	Marge Simpson (voice)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Bart Simpson / Nelson Muntz / Todd Flanders / Ralph Wiggum / Others (voice)
Yeardley Smith	...	Lisa Simpson (voice)
Hank Azaria	...	Moe Szyslak / Chief Wiggum / Comic Book Guy / Kirk Van Houten / Others (voice)
Harry Shearer	...	Kent Brockman / Principal Skinner / Rainer Wolfcastle / Otto / Others (voice)
Phil Hartman	...	Troy McClure / Lionel Hutz (voice)
Mickey Rooney	...	Himself (voice)
Pamela Hayden	...	Milhouse Van Houten / Others (voice)
Doris Grau	...	Lunchlady Doris (voice)
Maggie Roswell	...	Luann Van Houten (voice)
Russi Taylor	...	Martin Prince / Others (voice)

Storyline

Action hero Rainier Wolfcastle is to play Radioactive Man in a blockbuster adventure movie to be filmed in Springfield. Bart auditions to play his sidekick Fall-Out Boy but is told he is too short and the part goes to Milhouse,causing friction among the boys. Milhouse is a reluctant actor and,despite encouragement from Mickey Rooney,walks out of the picture,which is shelved as a result but Bart gets his friend back.

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Plot Keywords:

2d animation | spinning newspaper | price gouging | artsy fartsy director

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1995 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Gracie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the battle with the Scoutmaster's "henchmen," two of the words that appear as sound effects, "SNUH!!" and "BORT!!" are words previously used in the series: SNUH is the acronym for Marge's public interest group, "Springfieldians for Nonviolence, Understanding, and Helping" (from "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge"), and "BORT" is the name on a novelty license plate Bart finds in the gift shop in "Itchy and Scratchy Land."

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Goofs

In the auditions for Fallout Boy, Bart got rejected because he's an inch too short and Milhouse got accepted; however, Bart is taller than Milhouse.

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Quotes

[Cheif Wiggum releases some attack dogs to look for Milhouse]
Kirk Van Houten: Will they just find him... or will they find him and kill him?
Chief Wiggum: They'll find him, and, um... um...
Kirk Van Houten: Um, excuse me, you didn't answer my question. You just trailed off.
Chief Wiggum: Yeah, I did, didn't I?

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Hit & Run (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Lean on Me"
Written and Performed by Bill Withers

User Reviews

One of the best from a wonderful season 7

Couch gag rating: 8/10 It isn't an elaborate one but still fairly creative.

The episode: A Radioactive Man movie is filming in Springfield and auditions for the part of his sidekick, Fallout Boy, take place at Springfield Elementary. Bart desperately wants the part but it goes to a reluctant Milhouse instead.

Favorite moment(s): Rainier Wolfcastle trying to say "Up and atom!" Bart trying to grow an inch overnight. Rainier Wolfcastle's "My eyes! The goggles do nothing." "Jiminy Jillikers." Bill Withers' "Lean On Me" at the end.

This episode comes from the 7th season. The Simpsons had already been on the air for many years and really knew what they were doing. This episode showcases a funny critique of Hollywood.

The guest work is great. Mickey Rooney appears as himself and he's very funny as the former child star sent to get Milhouse working again (or take his job).

Overall rating: 10/10 The Simpsons was at the peak of its creative potential here. Put Mickey Rooney, Rainier Wolfcastle, and Lionel Hutz in one episode, and you get greatness.