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Homer the Clown

"Homie the Clown"
The Simpsons episode
Episode no. 118
Directed by David Silverman
Written by John Swartzwelder
Showrunner(s) David Mirkin
Production code 2F12
Original air date February 12, 1995
Chalkboard gag "Next time it could be me on the scaffolding"
Couch gag The Simpsons sit down in midair; the couch builds itself on top them.
Commentary Matt Groening
David Mirkin
Mark Kirkland
David Silverman
Guest appearance(s)
Seasons

Dick Cavett as himself
Johnny Unitas as himself
Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony

"Homie the Clown" is the fifteenth episode of The Simpsons' sixth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 12, 1995. In the episode, Homer becomes a Krusty the Clown impersonator, but is mistaken for the real Krusty by the Springfield Mafia. Joe Mantegna returned as Fat Tony, while Dick Cavett and Johnny Unitas guest starred as themselves.

The episode was conceived and written by John Swartzwelder and directed by David Silverman. Swartzwelder's script required very little rewriting and Silverman considers this one of the best episodes he has directed. He later used it to help him when directing The Simpsons Movie. One dropped storyline for The Simpsons saw Krusty being revealed as Homer's secret identity and this episode allowed writers to comment upon the similarity of the two characters' design. The episode features references to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Godfather, and The Maltese Falcon.

Krusty's massive gambling debts and extravagant personal life land him in deep trouble with the Springfield Mafia. To make money, he launches a training college for clowns, and Homer enrolls. After graduating, he impersonates Krusty at private and public events that the real Krusty deems unworthy of his personal appearance.


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Wikipedia

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