"The Boy Who Knew Too Much" | |
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The Simpsons episode | |
Episode no. | 101 |
Directed by | Jeffrey Lynch |
Written by | John Swartzwelder |
Showrunner(s) | David Mirkin |
Production code | 1F19 |
Original air date | May 5, 1994 |
Chalkboard gag | "There are plenty of businesses like show business" |
Couch gag | The family runs to the couch, but they look around to see that they are not at their house; they are on the set of David Letterman's talk show. |
Commentary |
Matt Groening David Mirkin David Silverman |
Guest appearance(s) | |
Season 5 episodes
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Seasons | |
"The Boy Who Knew Too Much" is the twentieth episode of The Simpsons' fifth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 5, 1994. In the episode, Bart runs away from a pursuing Principal Skinner after attempting to skip school. During part of his escape, he witnesses an event in which Freddy Quimby, the spoiled nephew of Mayor Quimby, is accused of beating up a French waiter. Though the entire town believes that Freddy is guilty, Bart witnessed something else. At the trial, Bart testifies for Freddy, claiming that the waiter simply hurt himself because he was clumsy. Though attempting to deny the allegations, the waiter proves the truth in Bart's words by falling out the window.
The episode was written by John Swartzwelder and directed by Jeffrey Lynch. The new character Freddy, voiced by Dan Castellaneta, was given the same type of cheekbones and nose as Quimby to make them resemble each other. The episode features cultural references to films such as Westworld, Last Action Hero, and Free Willy, and the fictional characters Huckleberry Finn, Eddie, and Darwin. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver are also referenced in the episode. Since airing, the episode has received mostly positive reviews from television critics. It acquired a Nielsen rating of 10.1, and was the fifth-highest rated show on the Fox network the week it aired.