Whacking Day (29 Apr. 1993)

Marge attempts to home school Bart after he is expelled from Springfield Elementary. Meanwhile, Lisa protests a barbaric local holiday centered around clubbing snakes to death.

Director:

Jeffrey Lynch

Writers:

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

Stars:

Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Dan Castellaneta	...	Homer Simpson / Groundskeeper Willie / Tractor / Chicken / Cola Scientist #2 / Grampa / Barney Gumble / Squeaky-Voiced Teen / Kwik-E-Mart Customer / Choir Soloist / Mayor Quimby / Fleeing Snake / Irish Man (voice)
Julie Kavner	...	Marge Simpson (voice)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Bart Simpson / Nelson Muntz / Miss Springfield / Mrs. Glick (voice)
Yeardley Smith	...	Lisa Simpson (voice)
Hank Azaria	...	Man in Itchy & Scratchy Cartoon / Fort Sensible Actor / Apu Nahasapeemapetilon / Chief Wiggum / Lou / Man in Long Car / Man in Crowd (voice)
Harry Shearer	...	Principal Skinner / Superintendant Chalmers / Kent Brockman / Richard Nixon / Christian School Teacher / Cola Scientist #1 / Hitler / Scratchy / Auditioning Man / Fort Sensible Security Man / Rev. Lovejoy / Lenny / Mr. Largo (voice)
Barry White	...	Himself (voice)
Doris Grau	...	Lunchlady Doris (voice)
Pamela Hayden	...	Jimbo Jones / Scottish Woman / Casting Woman / Woman in Crowd (voice)

Storyline

Marge teaches Bart at home after Skinner expels him. Lisa is horrified to find that it is Whacking Day,when Springfield citizens beat snakes to death so,helped by Barry White,she and Bart rescue the snakes by directing them to the Simpsons' house. Bart discovers that the real origin of Whacking Day was to beat up Irishman,a fact which impresses Skinner who lets him back in the school.

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Plot Keywords:

2d animation

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1993 (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

First appearance of Superintendent Chalmers.

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Goofs

During the "O Whacking Day" song, Ralph and Lisa can clearly be heard singing, although neither is on screen as part of the group of kids singing.

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Quotes

Bart: Whacking Day is a sham. It was originally conceived in 1922 as an excuse to beat up on the Irish.
Old Irishman: 'Tis true. I took many a lump, but 'twas all in good fun.

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey"
(uncredited)
Music by Hughie Cannon

User Reviews

I am Evil Homer, I am Evil Homer

Whacking Day is a classic Simpsons episodes, one of the best in my opinion. When the Simpsons started Season 1 wasn't particularly good, Season 2 was a big improvement, Season 3 was when the Simpsons was starting to become really good, and Season 4 was when the show starting to become great.

Whacking Day has two plots. The first is about Bart getting expelled from school, after he runs over Superintendent Chalmers with a tractor. After Bart is unable to find a new school, Marge decides to homeschool Bart and his improves dramatically under her education. The second is one involving the town tradition of Whacking Day, where the whole town smash snakes to death in one day of bloodshed.

The episode had a good plot, written by the great John Swartzwelder (the best writer in the Simpsons' history) and based on the idea of George Meyer from his childhood. Whacking Day even won an award because of its role in animal rights. As well as the plot they are great jokes and satire in this episode, including about Middle American attitudes and the American education system. Some of the best are the famous 'Evil Homer', Grampa's World War II flashback and a nice little be involving the tractor.

It's truly a testament of the Simpsons at its best!