Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious

"Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious" is the thirteenth episode of The Simpsons' eighth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 7, 1997. After Marge becomes stressed, the Simpsons hire a new nanny, a Mary Poppins parody, Shary Bobbins (voiced by Maggie Roswell), who tries to help them become better people. It was directed by Chuck Sheetz and was written and executive produced by Al Jean and Mike Reiss. It would also prove to be the last episode for which Mike Reiss received a writing credit. In 2014, Jean selected it as one of five essential episodes in the show's history.

After discovering that she is losing hair at an alarming rate, Marge visits Dr. Hibbert, who informs her that stress is the cause. The Simpson family decides to hire a nanny who can help clean the house and take care of the children. They start interviewing candidates, but none of them are right for the job (as Homer believes every candidate is a man in drag, à la Mrs. Doubtfire). Bart and Lisa sing a song about what they would consider to be the perfect nanny, and their wishes are answered when a woman with an umbrella glides down from the sky and introduces herself as Shary Bobbins, an obvious parody of Mary Poppins, which she vehemently denies. She seems perfect and is immediately hired.

Shary Bobbins proves to be very helpful for the Simpson family, helping the kids clean their rooms, singing them to sleep, and even making Mr. Burns happy. Marge recovers from her stress, and her hair returns to normal. The next day, as the reformed Simpsons sit down to a perfect dinner, Shary Bobbins declares that her work is finished and leaves the house. Just as she is starting to miss the Simpson family, she sees Homer strangling Bart as they are smashed through the living room window, Maggie attempting to put out a fire, and Marge losing her hair again; the family has instantly reverted to its previous state of dysfunction. Shary realizes that she must stay.