FanPost

3/5 Evening OT: The Whackin' Edition




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"Whacking Day" is the twentieth episode of The Simpsons' fourth season, and originally aired April 29, 1993.[1] It concerns the fictional holiday "Whacking Day", celebrated annually May 10, in which the citizens of Springfield drive snakes into the town square, then club them to death. The episode was written by John Swartzwelder and directed by Jeffrey Lynch; Barry White, who had expressed a wish to appear in the show, guest stars as himself. It was pitched by the "animal conscious" George Meyer who wanted to create an episode against the mistreatment of snakes. The episode includes the first appearance of Superintendent Chalmers. It features an Itchy & Scratchy parody of Oliver Stone's JFK, and won a Genesis Award.

During an inspection by Superintendent Chalmers, Principal Skinner lures Bart, Jimbo, Kearney, Dolph and Nelson into a utility basement with the promise of free mountain bikes and locks the door. Bart escapes through a ventilation shaft and takes Groundskeeper Willie's tractor for a joyride, crashing into Chalmers. Having lost any chance of a promotion, rather than giving detention, Skinner instead expels Bart. After he is quickly expelled from a new private Christian school, Margedecides to homeschool Bart.

Meanwhile, Kent Brockman announces that Springfield's annual "Whacking Day" is approaching. Each year on May 10, the people of Springfield drive snakes to the center of town and beat them to death. The tradition appalls Lisa. Barry White arrives to begin the festivities, but is disgusted when he discovers what the holiday is about. Bart learns the true origin of Whacking Day and suggests to Lisa that they lure the snakes to safety by playing music with a lot of bass and putting the stereo speakers to the ground. White helps by singing "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe," attracting hundreds of snakes into the house.

The pursuing crowd arrives, but they are soon turned around on the subject of Whacking Day by Bart's newfound knowledge. It turns out that the day was actually invented in 1924 as an excuse to beat up the Irish. Mayor Quimby, not knowing the city has had a change of heart, shows up with pre-whacked snakes and is booed. Skinner is impressed with Bart's efforts and welcomes him back to the school, but then realizes in horror that the bullies are still in the utility basement. While the bullies are spending the time talking about their feelings, Skinner and Willie race to the school with the mountain bikes to avoid a potential lawsuit. Skinner tells Willie if the bullies are dead, they make for Mexico and Willie agrees, but privately mutters that he will turn Skinner in at the first tollbooth.