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Radio Bart

"Radio Bart"
The Simpsons episode
Episode no. 48
Directed by Carlos Baeza
Written by Jon Vitti
Showrunner(s) Al Jean & Mike Reiss
Production code 8F11
Original air date January 9, 1992 (1992-01-09)
Chalkboard gag "I will not carve gods"
Couch gag The family bounces up and down on the couch
Commentary Matt Groening
Al Jean
Mike Reiss
Nancy Cartwright
Jon Vitti
David Silverman
Guest appearance(s)

Sting as himself

Seasons

Sting as himself

"Radio Bart" is the thirteenth episode of The Simpsons' third season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 9, 1992. In the episode, Bart receives a microphone that transmits sound to nearby AM radios. To play a prank on the citizens of Springfield, Bart places a radio deep inside a well and uses the microphone to trick the town into thinking a little boy is stuck in it. At first he is successful, but soon realizes that he left a "property of Bart Simpson" label on the radio and goes to retrieve it. Bart becomes trapped in the well and while the town decides to leave him there after finding out about the prank, his father Homer frantically tries to rescue him.

The episode was written by Jon Vitti and directed by Carlos Baeza. Musician Sting guest starred in the episode as himself, though the producers originally approached Bruce Springsteen to appear. The episode features cultural references to charity singles such as "We Are the World". Since airing, "Radio Bart" has received mostly positive reviews from television critics. It acquired a Nielsen rating of 14.1 and was the highest-rated show on the Fox network the week it aired. It was nominated for an Emmy Award, but lost to A Claymation Easter.

The Simpson family are busy preparing for Bart's birthday party. Homer sees a commercial on television for a prank microphone called the Superstar Celebrity Microphone that can be used to tap into localized AM radio systems and instantly decides to buy one for Bart. Subsequently, Bart experiences a crushingly disappointing birthday party when all his gifts turn out to be useless things like a cactus, a label maker, and a new suit. At first, he is also disappointed by the microphone, but later finds a use for it in creating practical jokes, such as tricking Ned Flanders' boys into believing that God is talking to them, listening in on Lisa and Janey's conversations about boys, and persuading Homer that Martians are invading the Earth.


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Wikipedia

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