Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts (2 Oct. 2011)

Superintendant Chalmers gets fired after using unconventional methods to teach Bart and his friends about Teddy Roosevelt, so the boys take over Springfield Elementary until he gets his old job back.

Director:

Steven Dean Moore

Writers:

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

Stars:

Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Dan Castellaneta	...	Homer Simpson (voice)
Julie Kavner	...	Marge Simpson (voice)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Bart Simpson / Additional Voices (voice)
Yeardley Smith	...	Lisa Simpson (voice)
Hank Azaria	...	Nobel Prize Announcer / Wiseguy / Van Krusten / European Judge #1 / Roofi / Easy Reader / Sprooklyn Bum / Guy Talking To Krusty / Moe Szyslak (voice)
Harry Shearer	...	Kent Brockman / Dutch Policeman / Otto / Mr. Largo / European Judge #2 (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pamela Hayden	...	Milhouse Van Houten (voice)
Tress MacNeille	...	Dolph (voice)
Theodore Roosevelt	...	Theodore Roosevelt (archive footage)
Maggie Roswell	...	Miss Hoover (voice)

Storyline

Principal Skinner challenges superintendent Gary Chalmers to take over Bart's education after one of Bart's pranks leads to a school fundraiser debacle. Chalmers takes an unconventional approach to teaching American history which sparks a fascination in President Teddy Roosevelt. Encouraged by Bart's educational renaissance, Chalmers takes Bart and his band of "Rough Riders" on an overnight excursion to Springfield Forest, but after a minor accident, the school administration fires Chalmers for taking the boys on an unauthorized field trip. Determined to get Chalmers' job back, Bart and the boys hold the school hostage until the administration reinstates Chalmers, and they stand up for the teacher who made a meaningful impact.

---

Plot Keywords:

field trip | rough riders | fundraiser | reference to theodore roosevelt | theodore roosevelt | 

---

Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family

---

Details

Release Date:

2 October 2011 (USA)

Company Credits

Did You Know?

Quotes

Lisa Simpson: Bart, what are you doing?
Bart Simpson: Locking the school with the kids inside.
Lisa Simpson: I'm telling mom!
Bart Simpson: Go right ahead. You can use the closet phone.
[locks Lisa in broom closet]
Lisa Simpson: Hello, mom?
Bart Simpson: There really is a closet phone?
[Bart opens door; Lisa is just standing there sticking her tongue out; Bart closes door on her]
Bart Simpson: Real mature.

---

Connections

References Hannity (2009)

---

Soundtracks

"Asinine"
(uncredited)
Music by Jack Shaindlin
Plays during the John Kricfalusi couch gag.

User Reviews

The Simpsons are starting to become funny again

This episode of The Simpsons in season 23 was, in a word, fine; nowhere near in quality of episodes of seasons 2-9, but to me, its better than all the episodes of season 1; this episode could've been made ten years ago,it's that good; the writers did something they have never done before: have Superintendent Chalmers as one of the lead roles for once, rather than being in a minor supporting role like they have done in all episodes before this one.

I liked this episode, even though it felt like a history lesson of a former American President; it was kind of quite unrealistic that the bad boy Bart Simpson would actually be interested in education, and even more unrealistic that the bullies Nelson, Jimbo, Kearney and Dolph would also take an interest; they don't even bully anyone in the episode! The first act shows Bart up to his pranks, like the troublemaker he is, making it classic; the second act is an adventure, which I found alright; but the third act felt like it has been done before though, but shows that Bart is the bad boy we all know and love. I always look for originality in new Simpsons episodes, and this screams it!