Springfield Googolplex (Adam Schoales and Nate Storring)
Explore every episode of Springfield Googolplex
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Sep 2022 | Ep. 1 - You Only Live Twice | 01:13:10 | |
This week, Adam introduces Nate to You Only Live Twice (1967), perhaps the most ridiculous James Bond film of the Connery era and fodder for the beloved Simpsons episode, “You Only Move Twice” (S8E2). Come for Roald Dahl’s wacky take on the James Bond formula, stay for the tremendous amount of cringe! Also in this episode: • Some of Bond’s most outlandish gadgets, including an autogyro named “Little Nellie” • A case of yellowface that rivals even The Simpsons • A deep dive into the legacy of Ken Adam’s iconic volcano lair, from The Simpsons to Austin Powers to The Incredibles • A roundup of favorite James Bond moments from The Simpsons • A few thoughts on parody mashups and how parodies work when viewers don’t know the source material Next week, Nate invites Adam to watch The Karate Kid (1984) for the first time. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter and Instagram! Find bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com | |||
| 24 Sep 2022 | Coming Attractions | 00:18:08 | |
Welcome to the Springfield Googolplex, the movie podcast for Simpsons fans! In this short episode, Nate and Adam share the inspiration for this podcast, what to expect in upcoming episodes, and their geekiness about movies and The Simpsons. Also in this episode: • How The Simpsons writers passed down the • tradition of secondhand movie literacy from Mad Magazine • Some of Adam and Nate’s favorite Simpsons seasons and episodes • Finding out that Paint Your Wagon (1969) isn’t just a joke made up for The Simpsons Now available: In episode 01, Adam introduces Nate to You Only Live Twice (1967), a wild entry in the James Bond series from the twilight of Sean Connery’s run as 007. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter and Instagram! Find bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com | |||
| 04 Oct 2022 | Ep. 2 - The Karate Kid | 01:41:48 | |
This week, Nate shares one of his favorite childhood films with Adam, The Karate Kid (1984). Immortalized by The Simpsons in “Dead Putting Society” (S2E6), this VHS classic brings together a potent mix of eighties style, karate action, and touching drama. You’re the best! Also in this episode: • Early Bart as a stand-in for Matt Groening • The unsung filmography of John G. Avildsen, a master of naturalism, underdog stories, and the training montage • An honest, unglamorous portrait of Los Angeles on film • Adam and Nate test out a different format for the show (let us know what you think!) • On the blog: A catalog of every Simpsons reference to The Karate Kid Next week, Nate and Adam revisit a movie they’ve both only seen once a long time ago, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964).
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| 11 Oct 2022 | Ep. 3 - Dr. Strangelove | 01:41:06 | |
This week, Nate and Adam revisit Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), our first of many Stanley Kubrick movies we will likely cover on the show, and a favorite of many Simpsons writers. You might remember it from such Simpsons episodes as “Homer the Vigilante” (S5E11) and “Sideshow Bob’s Last Gleaming” (S7E9). Also in this episode: • Is this the best comedy of all time? Is it funny at all? • The timelessness of nuclear annihilation • A pet theory about the title of the movie • Kelsey Grammer gives us Sideshow Bob at his Sideshow Bobbiest (welcome to the snot party) • Adam and Nate learn who the hell Maynard G. Krebs is • On the blog: A roundup of every Simpsons reference to Dr. Strangelove Next week, Nate forces Adam to watch Planet of the Apes (1968) for the first time. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter and Instagram! Find bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com. | |||
| 18 Oct 2022 | Ep. 4 - Planet of the Apes | 01:31:23 | |
Nate took Adam to Planet of the Apes (the movie, not the planet), one of the most thoroughly parodied movies on The Simpsons, after Citizen Kane. But will Adam resist its charms, or will Nate finally make a monkey out of him? Also in this episode: • One of the wildest movies to ever get a G rating from the MPAA • A deep dive into Troy McClure’s big musical comeback, arguably the greatest film parody in Simpsons history • The long shadow of Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone twist ending • An ode to the bang-on musical parodies of Simpsons composer Alf Clausen • On the blog: A roundup of every Simpsons reference to Planet of the Apes Next week, on our spooktacular Halloween episode, Adam “promises” to wake Nate up from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter and Instagram! Find bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com. | |||
| 25 Oct 2022 | Ep. 5 - A Nightmare on Elm Street | 01:47:27 | |
Nate and Adam strap on their spooky names for a very special Halloween viewing of A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Wes Craven’s surreal, funny, and maybe even beautiful slasher. Join us as we take our first dip into that near-bottomless well of Simpsons parodies, “Treehouse of Horror,” with a segment from the sixth entry in the series, “Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace” (S7E6). Also in this episode: • Freddy Krueger’s quippy, MTV-friendly place in the pantheon of iconic slashers • Discovering the seeds of Googolplex boys favorite Scream (1996) in Nightmare’s balance of teen drama and humor • What Fred Astaire, Wes Craven, and Christopher Nolan have in common • A sidebar on the Simpsons early experiment with 3D animation, and it’s Canadian predecessors Short Circuitz (1994-96) and ReBoot (1994-2001) • On the blog: A roundup of every Simpsons reference to A Nightmare on Elm Street Next week, Adam and Nate get their fill of glavins with The Nutty Professor (1963). Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter and Instagram! Find bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com. | |||
| 01 Nov 2022 | Ep. 6 - The Nutty Professor | 01:44:06 | |
Adam and Nate explore Jerry Lewis’s The Nutty Professor (1963), who helped inspire the voice and look of Professor Frink on The Simpsons, mm-hey. It’s a colorful, cartoony comedy filled with inventive filmmaking and Rat-Pack swagger. But watching this retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, we can’t help but talk about Lewis’s real-life duality, too. Also in this episode: • Exploring the cinematography, editing, and writing of the original auteur director • Professor Frink’s origin, evolution, and best bits • The process of creating a new Simpsons character • The rise, fall, and dark side of Jerry Lewis • On the blog: A roundup of every Simpsons reference to The Nutty Professor Next week, Adam and Nate talk about what they’ve learned so far about parody on The Simpsons and explore their growing database of 1,500+ movie references. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter and Instagram! Find bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com. | |||
| 08 Nov 2022 | Ep. 7 - So It's Come to This: A Googolplex Retrospective | 00:44:14 | |
Adam and Nate look back on the journey so far through the wonderful world of Simpsons movie parodies. They compare the first batch of movies they watched together, and sum up what they’ve learned about film, parody, and The Simpsons. Also in this episode: • What movies and directors are referenced most on The Simpsons? (The answer may surprise you.) • Exploring the full smorgasbord reference types: cinematography, background gags, music, and mashups • What the Simpsons chooses to parody, what it doesn’t, and why • What the hell is the difference between parody, homage, pastiche, and reference anyways? • The Simpsons Movie Reference Database, which collects, categorizes, and quantifies every movie reference in the first 13 seasons of The Simpsons Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter and Instagram! Find bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com. | |||
| 18 Dec 2022 | Ep. 8 - Non-Denominational Holiday Fun Fest: It's a Wonderful Life with Daniel Baptista | 01:47:50 | |
In this non-denominational holiday episode, Nate and Adam are joined by special guest DANIEL BAPTISTA (co-host of The Movie Podcast) as they revisit IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946), one of the top 10 most referenced movies on The Simpsons. From saving the Leftorium to the highly specific disguises of Homer’s guardian angels to a documentary imagining a world without zinc, we’ve got a bevy of Simpsons references to unwrap under the festive bush this year. Also in this episode: • The miraculous origins of this movie and the clerical error that made made it a Christmas favorite • How storytelling in The Simpsons replicates Frank Capra’s mastery of high highs and low lows • A countdown of the five times this movie makes Nate cry (he’s a softy) • Nate, Adam and Daniel share their middling Jimmy Stewart impressions • But is this really a Christmas movie? Adam asks the tough questions • On the blog: A roundup of every Simpsons reference to It’s a Wonderful Life
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| 23 May 2023 | Ep. 9 - On the Town | 01:29:59 | |
Adam and Nate start their tour of musical parodies on The Simpsons with On the Town (1949), known for being the first movie musical shot on location and better known as the inspiration for Bart and Milhouse’s Broadway-style Squishee bender in “Boy-Scoutz ‘n the Hood” (S5E8). Join Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and a third guy as they take New York City by storm! Also in this episode: Next time, Adam and Nate check out My Fair Lady (1964) with Simpsons writer and co-executive producer Michael Price! | |||
| 06 Jun 2023 | Ep. 10 - My Fair Lady with Michael Price | 01:42:07 | |
Adam and Nate are joined by Simpsons writer and co-executive producer Michael Price to talk My Fair Lady (1964) and the parody episode he wrote, “My Fair Laddy” (S17E12). It’s a loverly musical transformation tale with theatrical flair, speak-singing, and questionable Cockney accents. Also in this episode: • How Michael brought his background in musical theater to the Simpsons writer’s room Next time, Adam and Nate check out Mary Poppins (1964) with ThatShelf.com Senior Critic Rachel West! | |||
| 23 May 2023 | Introducing The Simpsons: The Musical: The Miniseries | 00:48:11 | |
Have you ever watched one of The Simpsons beloved musical numbers and been stumped by what the heck it’s parodying? Join Adam and Nate as they introduce a new miniseries all about the movies behind your favorite Simpsons musical numbers! Also in this episode: In the first episode (available now), Adam and Nate take shore leave in the Big Apple for On the Town (1949). Miniseries Air Dates: | |||
| 20 Jun 2023 | Ep. 11 - Mary Poppins with Rachel West | 01:39:15 | |
Adam and Nate team up with ThatShelf.com senior critic Rachel West to unpack Mary Poppins (1964), and The Simpsons’ first full musical episode, “Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious” (S8E13). We explore what happens when the immovable dysfunction of the Simpson family meets a British nanny so perfect that her butt waxes the banister. Also in this episode: Next time, Adam and Nate check out the infamous flop Paint Your Wagon (1969). Yes, it’s a real movie. | |||
| 04 Jul 2023 | Ep. 12 - Paint Your Wagon | 01:37:02 | |
What happens when a multiple Oscar-winning screenwriter and a Pulitzer Prize-winning director adapt a musical by one of the most successful Broadway duos of all time? An absolute disaster. Adam and Nate force themselves to watch Paint Your Wagon (1969), an infamous musical flop and part of the hilarious wraparound for Simpsons musical clip show, “All Singing, All Dancing” (S9E11). Also in this episode: • An attempt to capitalize on 1960s counterculture with a cowboy throuple and folk music Next time, Adam and Nate check out a blockbuster that barely exists, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). | |||
| 18 Jul 2023 | Ep. 13 - The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas | 01:49:39 | |
Adam and Nate watch The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), a top-grossing musical comedy that barely exists. Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton star as star-crossed lovers, a small-town sheriff and a madam, both trying to save the local brothel from a meddling media personality. Sound familiar? This movie/musical/true story inspired the plot of “Bart After Dark” (S8E5), one of Nate and Adam’s favorite Simpsons episode of all time. Also in this episode: • The real-life Maison Derriere, a brothel that operated illegally (and discretely) near LaGrange, Texas, for 63 years • How parodies of overblown media, side-stepping politicians, and mob mentality make this one of the most Simpsons-y movies we’ve watched so far • The short and underappreciated career of Colin Higgins (Harold and Maude, 9 to 5) • The rise of Dolly Parton, the fall of Burt Reynolds, and the magic moment where they overlapped • Adam and Nate fall down a deep Dom DeLuise rabbit hole (The Charlie Horse Music Pizza, anyone?) Next time, Adam and Nate step up for A Chorus Line (1985). | |||
| 01 Aug 2023 | Ep. 14 - A Chorus Line | 01:51:27 | |
In the final episode of our musical miniseries, Adam and Nate tackle Richard Attenborough’s A Chorus Line (1985), the maligned movie adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning stage show that tells the true life stories of Broadway dancers trying to book their next job. It’s also the subject of a short but memorable Simpsons parody in “Treehouse of Horror V” (S6E6), which starts with a fog that turns people inside out. Also in this episode: • Perhaps the best damn dancing we’ve seen in this miniseries • Why do so many musical film adaptations add a weird love story? • Some very eighties twists on this seventies musical • Can Michael Douglas overcome his sex-thriller-creep mystique in this role? • The value of movie adaptations of stage shows—even imperfect ones We are taking a brief hiatus for the Toronto International Film Festival, but we’ll be back on September 26, 2023 with Thelma & Louise (1991)! | |||
| 26 Sep 2023 | Ep. 15 - Thelma & Louise | 02:33:12 | |
Adam and Nate watch Thelma & Louise (1991), a groundbreaking road movie about two women escaping the patriarchy, as well as The Simpsons full spoof episode “Marge on the Lam” (S5E6). This movie brings together a breakout screenplay, career performances by Susan Sarandon and Gina Davis, and the high style of Ridley Scott. Also in this episode: • Does Marge also have her arms stuck in her own metaphorical vending machines? • How Thelma & Louise became the Barbie phenomenon of its day • A star-making performance from a very young, very hot Brad Pitt • When a movie parody isn’t a parody • The movie’s cliff-top climax has been spoiled and parodied to death, but does it fly today? • Plus more bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com Next time, Adam and Nate load up Full Metal Jacket (1987) and “Bart the General” (S1E5)! Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd. | |||
| 10 Oct 2023 | Ep. 16 - Full Metal Jacket | 01:45:51 | |
Adam and Nate discuss the Vietnam War classic Full Metal Jacket (1987) and its parody in “Bart the General” (S1E5), one of the earliest episodes of The Simpsons to go hard on movie parody mashups. Also in this episode: • Does Stanley Kubrick really wait to make the last, best movie in every genre? • Revisiting Nate’s claim that this is Kubrick’s most “accessible” movie… • How Full Metal Jacket is like My Fair Lady • The perverse entertainment of R. Lee Ermey’s Gny. Sgt. Hartman • What’s the mysterious connection between Private Pyle and Animal Mother? Next time, Adam and Nate capture King Kong (1933) and “Treehouse of Horror III” (S4E5) with film critic and horror aficionado Dede Crimmins! | |||
| 24 Oct 2023 | Ep. 17 - King Kong with Dede Crimmins | 01:58:19 | |
Adam and Nate welcome film critic and horror expert Dede Crimmins to wrestle with King Kong (1933), a precursor to the modern blockbuster with a legacy as unbreakable as chrome steel. We talk about the full-length Simpsons parody “King Homer” from “Treehouse of Horror III” (S4E5), many other references to the movie throughout the series, and whether this special effects-driven love story between ape and woman holds up. Also in this episode: • Is King Kong a horror movie? • Dede’s Simpsons fandom from early animation festivals to the latest season • The surprising amount of runtime dedicated to dinosaurs in this movie • Why are the Simpsons writers so obsessed with putting a giant ape on Broadway? • Plus bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com Next time, Adam and Nate load up The Mask of Zorro (1998) and “E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)” (S11E5)! | |||
| 07 Nov 2023 | Ep. 18 - The Mask of Zorro | ||
It has sword fights. It has romance. It has Anthony Hopkins questionably cast as a Mexican noble. It’s The Mask of Zorro (1998), perhaps the height of the nineties blockbuster. Adam and Nate revisit this action adventure gem alongside “E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)” (S11E5), our first Simpsons episode to showcase the titular Springfield Googolplex cinema. Also in this episode: Next time, Adam and Nate step into the ring with Rocky (1976) and “The Homer They Fall” (S8E3)! Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Letterboxd, and YouTube. | |||
| 21 Nov 2023 | Ep. 19 - Rocky | 01:59:19 | |
Gonna fly now! Adam and Nate step into the ring with Rocky (1976), a classic that not only changed the boxing genre, but may surprise some with its human drama. They compare and contrast with to The Simpsons episode “The Homer They Fall” (S8E3), a mashup of boxing movie parodies. Also in this episode: • Parodies of convenience: When a movie reference is just a means to an end • Is every memorable moment in Rocky thanks to director John G. Avildsen? • Five stellar performances that balance quirky character with emotional realism • How Rocky changed cinematography and editing in the boxing genre and beyond • Nate gives Adam a lightning round on the sequels he’s never seen, from Rocky II to Rocky VII: Adrian’s Revenge! Next time, Adam and Nate celebrate the 50th anniversary of a classic of American cinema, with Simpsons references in “Treehouse of Horror XI” (S12E1)! | |||
| 05 Dec 2023 | Ep. 20 - The Day of the Dolphin | 01:48:21 | |
“Unwittingly, he trained a dolphin to kill the president of the United States.” What a tagline. This episode, Adam and Nate dive into The Day of the Dolphin (1973), a forgotten entry from director Mike Nichols (The Graduate, The Birdcage) that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Does this forgotten movie deserve a second look, or is its parody in The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror XI” (S12E1) segment “Night of the Dolphin” enough? Also in this episode: • Who is this movie for? Is it a political thriller or an animal movie for kids? • Adam finds out whether or not dolphins can actually talk • A preposterous plot… or is it? • Plus, every Simpsons reference to The Day of the Dolphin and more bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com Next time, Adam and Nate celebrate their second Non-Denominational Holiday Fun Fest with a surprise episode under the festive bush! Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Letterboxd, and YouTube. | |||
| 19 Dec 2023 | Ep. 21 - Non-Denominational Holiday Fun Fest II: The Exorcist | 02:28:55 | |
To celebrate the festive season, Adam and Nate revisit a classic Christmas movie on its 50th anniversary—The Exorcist (1973)! Considered by some to be the scariest movie ever made, this The Simpsons has mostly parodied this William Friedkin joint with blink-and-you-miss-it references, including in “Faith Off” (S11E11). Also in this episode: • Why the heck was this movie released the day after Christmas? • What’s scarier, the demon inside Regan or the medical treatments to get it out? • How a slow-moving movie can satisfy even an impatient editor’s standards for pacing • When great directors can’t stop messing with their movies—and can’t keep their stories straight The boys will be taking a short break for the holidays, but the podcast will return Tuesday, February 13, 2024, with a brand new season of movie and their Simpsons parodies. | |||
| 13 Feb 2024 | Ep. 22 - Westworld | 02:03:34 | |
Adam and Nate take a trip to Westworld (1973), Michael Crichton’s somewhat forgotten directorial debut with a long shadow that reaches into sci-fi and slashers movies, theme parks, and open-world video games. Along the way, they dig into The Simpsons’ full-length parody, “Itchy & Scratchy Land” (S6E4). Also in this episode: • The incomparable influence of Michael Crichton on 1990s culture • Special effects that changed the face of movie-making • The Simpsons’ many unclear movie references, including Principal Skinner’s walk through the river in “The Boy Who Knew Too Much” (S5E20) • Our memories of Disneyland, including its recent shift toward role playing Next time, special guest Marko Djurdjic joins Adam and Nate to turn it up to 11 with This Is Spinal Tap (1984) and “The Otto Show” (S3E22). | |||
| 27 Feb 2024 | Ep. 23 - This Is Spinal Tap with Marko Djurdjic | 02:47:12 | |
Film and music writer Marko Djurdjic joins Adam and Nate to revisit Rob Reiner’s groundbreaking rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984), alongside the band’s Simpsons cameo in “The Otto Show” (S3E22). Also in this episode: • How mockumentaries became the baseline in contemporary comedy • The attention to detail that make this the best faux documentary around • Marko’s guide to the sublime and the ridiculous in heavy metal • Why do we poke fun at the things we love? Plus every Simpsons reference to Spinal Tap at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com Next time, Adam and Nate enroll in Police Academy (1984) and one of the many Simpsons slams on this movie in “Marge Be Not Proud” (S7E11) to celebrate (or lament?) the movie’s 40th anniversary.
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| 12 Mar 2024 | Ep. 24 - Police Academy | 02:07:56 | |
On its 40th anniversary, Adam and Nate endured Police Academy (1984) so you don’t have to! They also give a rundown of the many times The Simpsons has slammed this movie, with a deep dive into the episode, “Marge Be Not Proud” (S7E11), a hilarious and heartbreaking classic that Adam can barely watch. Also in this episode: Next time, Adam and Nate take a swing at The Natural (1984) and The Simpsons’ ode to baseball “Homer at the Bat” (S3E17).
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| 26 Mar 2024 | Ep. 25 - The Natural | 01:50:32 | |
Ah, The Natural (1984), a classic American tale about… an underdog baseball team, a serial killer, a love triangle, a match fixing scandal, a freak accident in the outfield, and a magic baseball bat? We’ll get into it, along with “Homer at the Bat” (S317), a star-studded Simpsons episode that stretched the reality of the show. Also in this episode: • Randy Newman (yes, of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” fame) delivers a banger of a score that The Simpsons parody again and again • Is all the plot nonsense worth it for that astonishing Hollywood ending? • Bump Bailey and other old-time Swartzweldian baseball nicknames • How can a star like Robert Redford get beyond roles like “baseball Jesus”? Next time… GODZILLA. …The 1954 version. Also, “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo” (S10E23). | |||
| 09 Apr 2024 | Ep. 26 - Godzilla (1954) | 01:55:16 | |
Few movies have been as shaped by their pop culture legacy as Godzilla (1954), and hey, that’s the premise of this podcast! Adam and Nate watch this influential monster movie for the first time on its 70th anniversary alongside “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo” (S10E23), the Simpson family’s controversial vacation to Japan. Also in this episode: • Godzilla vs. Kong (or is it Godzilla x Kong?): We compare the rampages of these two iconic movie monsters • How the American adaptation, Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), influenced how the world understood the original for 50 years • What movie has the most Simpsons actors besides The Simpsons Movie? • Something called an “oxygen destroyer” After a short break, we’ll be back in June with Batman: The Movie (1966)—the Adam West one—and the Simpsons send-up of superhero movies, “Radioactive Man” (S7E2). | |||
| 14 Mar 2024 | 2024 Oscar Special | 02:37:10 | |
With the 96th annual Academy Awards complete, Adam and Nate review the night’s festivities and finally get a chance to talk about recent movies for a change. Also in this episode: • Highlights from the show, from its “perfectly cromulent” host* to Al Pacino’s big moment—hoo-ah! • Adam and Nate’s (very different) lists of top 10 movies of 2023 • A trivia game about Best Picture Winners parodied on The Simpsons, fresh from the Simpsons Movie Reference Database Next time, we return to our regularly scheduled programming with The Natural (1984) and The Simpsons’ ode to baseball “Homer at the Bat” (S3E17). | |||
| 04 Jun 2024 | Ep. 27 - Batman: The Movie (1966) with Daniel Grant | 01:53:06 | |
Holy Dutch angles, Batman! Inspired by the Simpsons episode, “Radioactive Man” (S7E2), Adam and Nate are taking on their first double feature focused on two versions of Batman. In the first installment, they’re teaming up with special guest Daniel Grant (Spoiled Rotten, Uncolonized Podcast) to revisit Batman: The Movie (1966), its TV origins, and its Simpsons parody in the campy sixties version of Radioactive Man. Also in this episode: • What is camp? The tragically ludicrous? The ludicrously tragic? Something else entirely? • The stacked cast of character actors that flocked to this silly superhero romp. • The Batcave, the Batmobile, the Bat Repellent Shark Spray—we unpack the Batman arsenal, and what makes this rendition of the Caped Crusader unique. • A slew of sign gags and other shared comedy DNA with The Simpsons. Plus every Simpsons reference to Batman: The Movie and more bonus content at SpringfieldGoogolplex.com Next time, Adam and Nate complete their double feature with Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and “Last Exit to Springfield” (S4E17). Tune in two weeks from now! Same Plex time, same Plex channel! For complete show notes, including a complete list of Simpsons references, extra credit, and further reading, be sure to visit this episode’s show notes. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd. | |||
| 18 Jun 2024 | Ep. 28 - Batman (1989) with Shahbaz Siddiqui | 01:59:38 | |
In part two of a Batman double feature, special guest Shahbaz Siddiqui (The Movie Podcast) joins Adam and Nate to watch a contentious superhero reboot, Tim Burton's Batman (1989). They also dig into multiple Batman parodies in “Last Exit to Springfield” (S4E17), a unionization story that’s considered by many to be the best episode ever of The Simpsons. Also in this episode: • Two gloriously unhinged performances from Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson • How classic monster movies helped Burton to escape the campy tone of the 1960s TV series (kinda) • Danny Elfman: The musical connection between Batman and The Simpsons (plus a tangent on Prince’s Batman album) • The ripple effect of this movie on superhero media and Hollywood blockbusters Next time, Adam and Nate welcome back Simpsons writer and producer Michael Price to talk about one of his favorite movies, What’s Up Doc? (1972), alongside its Simpsons parody in “Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy” (S6E10). For complete show notes, including a complete list of Simpsons references, extra credit, and further reading, be sure to visit this episode’s show notes. | |||
| 02 Jul 2024 | Ep. 29 - What’s Up, Doc? with Michael Price | 02:08:02 | |
Adam and Nate are joined once again by current Simpsons writer and producer Michael Price to share one of his favorite movies of all time, Peter Bogdanovich’s What's Up, Doc? (1972). We unpack his top moments from the movie, its parody in “Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy” (S6E10), and how its timeless slapstick and farce has influenced The Simpsons at large.
Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, extra credit, and further reading Next time, Adam and Nate begin another double feature on a GOAT of a Simpsons episode “22 Short Films about Springfield” (S7E21) by deconstructing its namesake, Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (1993). | |||
| 16 Jul 2024 | Ep. 30 - Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould | 01:49:02 | |
This episode, Adam and Nate will definitely hit their CanCon quota as they review Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (1993), the namesake of perhaps their favorite Simpsons episode, “22 Short Films about Springfield” (S7E21). This unconventional biopic about eccentric pianist Glenn Gould achieved escape velocity to find its way beyond the Canadian film world and into American media, from Siskel & Ebert to The Simpsons. Also in this episode: • A statistical analysis of title parodies on The Simpsons (where some of the spiciest movie references live!) • How this movie deconstructs the biopic genre through a series of mixed-media shorts • Our most Canadian episode yet, featuring Heritage Minutes, the National Film Board, an appreciation of Colm Feore, and the Genies! • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Next time, former Simpsons and showrunner Bill Oakley joins Adam and Nate as they continue their celebration of “22 Short Films about Springfield” (S7E21) and its parody of Pulp Fiction (1994). Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd. | |||
| 30 Jul 2024 | Ep. 31 - Pulp Fiction with Bill Oakley | 01:46:48 | |
Former Simpsons writer and showrunner Bill Oakley (now founder of the Steamed Hams Society) joins Adam and Nate as they continue their double feature inspired by “22 Short Films About Springfield” (S7E21) with a rewatch of Pulp Fiction (1994) on its 30th anniversary. Also in this episode: • Bill discusses his Brett Kavanaugh-like taste in movies, including Pulp Fiction and Cold Turkey (1971), the process of piecing together “22 Short Films about Springfield,” and the shared pop culture DNA of The Simpsons and Quentin Tarantino • Bill also provides the behind-the-scenes story of what killed the Simpsons spinoff “Springfield” • When does a mixed-up timeline work on film, and when is it just a gimmick? • Quentin Tarantino’s homage (French for “theft”) of one of his favorite directors Sergio Leone • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Next time, That Shelf Managing Editor Emma Badame joins the podcast to revisit Alfred Hithcock’s Rear Window (1954) on its 70th anniversary, and its parody in “Bart of Darkness” (S6E1). “The Simpsons” Surf-Rock style theme performed by The Supersonicos. | |||
| 13 Aug 2024 | Ep. 32 - Rear Window with Emma Badame | 02:12:10 | |
Bust out your telephoto lens, because this week we take a hard look at “Bart of Darkness” (S6E1) and Rear Window (1954) on its 70th anniversary. Nate and Adam are joined by That Shelf Managing Editor and Jeopardy champ Emma Badame to reminisce about baby’s first Alfred Hitchcock movie and the episode of The Simpsons that convinced us to do this podcast. Also in this episode: • The mystery references of this episode’s Hitchcockian climax • The insanely detailed set and sound design that take this movie from a “bottle episode” to a cinematic classic • Nate’s own Rear Window story and the ethics of neighborliness • Your epidermis is showing • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading After a short break, we’ll be back on September 24, 2024, with Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) and a retrospective on Springfield’s favorite desperate salesman Ol’ Gil, starting with “Realty Bites” (S9E9). Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. | |||
| 24 Sep 2024 | Ep. 33 - Glengarry Glen Ross | 02:06:49 | |
Adam and Nate dig into the backstory of The Simpsons character Gil Gunderson and his debut in “Realty Bites” (S9E9) by watching Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) for the first time. Does this real estate-based whodunnit live up to its reputation as one of the best movies of the 1990s? Also in this episode: • A superhero team-up of a cast led by the incomparable Jack Lemmon, one-time Simpsons guest star in “The Twisted World of Marge Simpson” (S8E11) Next time, as we enter into spooky season, Matthew Simpson joins the podcast to discuss the completely cursed Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) and its parodies in “Treehouse of Horror II” (S3E7) and “Treehouse of Horror IV” (S5E5). The frogurt is also cursed. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd. | |||
| 08 Oct 2024 | Ep. 34 - Twilight Zone: The Movie with Matthew Simpson | 01:46:52 | |
Submitted for your approval, that twilighty movie about that zone. Film critic and podcaster Matthew Simpson joins Nate and Adam to unpack Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), a cursed compilation of episode remakes from Rod Serling’s pioneering TV series directed by Stephen Spielberg, Joe Dante, George Miller, and Simpsons shudder John Landis. We also revisit The Simpsons’ own adaptations of two of the same Twilight Zone episodes in "Treehouse of Horror II" (S3E7) and "Treehouse of Horror IV" (S5E5). Also in this episode: • Matthew regails us with his quest to watch and rank every “Treehouse of Horror” segment • An ode to the horror anthology format, from Eerie Tales (1919) to Black Mirror (2011) • Nancy Cartwright gets sucked into a cartoon on TV for all eternity (oh, and that happens in the movie, too) • The on-set tragedy that led to new Hollywood safety standards and overshadows this movie’s legacy today • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Next time, returning guest Dede Crimmins joins the podcast as we delve even deeper into “Treehouse of Horror IV” (S5E5) and its parody of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992). God bless Bonerland. For more of Matthew Simpson’s film reviews and journalism check out Stretched.ca or catch him every week on The Awesome Friday Podcast.
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| 22 Oct 2024 | Ep. 35 - Bram Stoker's Dracula with Dede Crimmins | 01:58:09 | |
Film critic and horror aficionado Dede Crimmins (That Shelf, Rue Morgue) is back to help Adam introduce Nate to Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and its Simpsons parody in “Treehouse of Horror IV” (S5E5). Will they gush over Francis Ford Coppola’s bloody visual feast, or will his overly loyal adaptation leave them cold? Also in this episode: • The origin story of this film from Coppola’s time as a drama camp counselor • Can the scenery chewing of Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins allow us to forgive Keanu Reeves’ flat performance? • Coppola and his magician of a son Roman show how style over substance isn’t always a bad thing • Are movies that call for Tom Waits (or his lookalikes) a sub-genre? Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading. Next time, filmmaker and podcaster Devan Scott joins the podcast to discussAll the President’s Men and “Sideshow Bob Roberts” (S6E5) just in time for the scariest day of all—election day in America. For more of Dede Crimmins’ film reviews, check out her profile on Muck Rack or follow her on Twitter/X at @dedecrim. And a special thanks to Bill Watterson (not that Bill Watterson) for the updated typography in our album art this week! Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd. | |||
| 05 Nov 2024 | Ep. 36 - All the President’s Men with Devan Scott | 02:44:53 | |
On our election day special in America, Nate and Adam invited filmmaker and podcaster Devan Scott (How Would Lubitsch Do It?) to dissect the painfully relevant political thriller All the President’s Men (1976) and its Simpsons send-up in “Sideshow Bob Roberts” (S6E5). Join us as we try to laugh through the nausea and exorcize the ghosts of elections past! Also in this episode: • The Simpsons’ surprisingly timeless satire of populism and corruption in American politics • Why they call cinematographer Gordon Willis the “Prince of Darkness” and why they shouldn’t • The delightful chemistry and realism of Robert Redford’s Woodward and Dustin Hoffman’s Bernstein • Is it a bad sign that a movie about a real-life government conspiracy orchestrated by one of the most corrupt presidents in American history makes us feel nostalgic about simpler times? • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Next time, Adam and Nate explore the film adaptation of Terry Southern’s cult classic novel, The Magic Christian (1969) and Homer and Mr. Burns’s reenactment in “Homer vs. Dignity” (S12E5). Peter Sellers. Ringo Starr. Elaborate practical jokes. Pow. For more of Devan Scott’s film content, check out the complete podcast How Would Lubitsch Do It? and his video essays on YouTube, or follow him on Twitter, Letterboxd, and Instagram. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd. | |||
| 19 Nov 2024 | Ep. 37 - The Magic Christian | 01:59:07 | |
Remember that time when Homer became Mr. Burns’ prank monkey? Adam and Nate watch The Magic Christian (1969), an adaptation of Terry Southern’s satirical novel that inspired The Simpsons episode “Homer vs. Dignity” (S12E5). Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr punking rich Brits to prove that everyone has their price—how could you go wrong? Well, let us tell you. Also in this episode: • Terry Southern’s influence on The Simpsons, Stanley Kubrick, The Beatles and beyond • Is Peter Sellers’ talent as big as his ego? • The undeniable and underutilized magnetism of Ringo Starr • How this movie became a pop culture vortex in the careers of The Beatles, Monty Python, Yul Brynner, and Roman Polanski • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading We’ll be taking a brief hiatus, but for our Non-Denominational Holiday Fun Fest on December 17th, we’ll be back to revisit The Terminator (1984) and “Grift of the Magi” (S11E9) with “the villain of Letterboxd” Matt Lynch. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd. | |||
| 17 Dec 2024 | Ep. 38 - The Terminator with Matt Lynch | 02:27:25 | |
For our annual Non-Denominational Holiday Fun Fest this year, we unwrap “Grift of the Magi” (S11E9)—the Simpsons episode that gave us the name of this special—and its climactic spoof of James Cameron’s The Terminator (1984). Podcaster and prolific Letterboxd reviewer Matt Lynch joins us to break down the greatest movie ever made about a son sending his father back in time to have sex with his mother. (Oh yeah, and save the world in the process.) Also in this episode: • Is this a slasher movie? Does it simply borrow slasher tropes? Did those tropes exist in 1984? • How James Cameron makes corniness as well as Frank Capra • Why ‘90s kids saw T2: Judgment Day first, and why we need to break the cycle • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Springfield Googolplex is taking a break for the holidays, but we will be back on February 18, 2025, with a new batch of episodes. In the meantime, have a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a cwazy Kwanzaa, a tip top Tet, and a solemn and dignified Ramadan. For more of Matt Lynch, check out his popular Letterboxd profile, his thriller movie podcast The Suspense Is Killing Us, Scarecrow Video’s YouTube channel VIVA! Physical Media, or the massive library of Scarecrow Video itself and its awesome rent-by-mail program. For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. | |||
| 18 Feb 2025 | Ep. 39 - Wild Wild West | 01:35:06 | |
The year 1999 was a big one for film. Star Wars returned to the big screen, The Matrix changed action movies forever, and notorious producer Jon Peters finally got his giant spider in a movie. In our first episode of 2025, Nate and Adam revisit Peters’ and Barry Sonnenfeld’s notorious flop Wild Wild West (1999) and its eight-legged parody in “The Sweetest Apu” (S13E19). Is this movie as bad as you remember, or has Hollywood lowered our standards to meet it halfway? Let’s find out. Also in this episode: • One of the greatest Simpsons episodes of season 13 • Special effects and production design that have aged like fine wine • Sexual politics that have aged like milk • Is this the height of the ‘90s trend of end-credits raps that summarize the plot? Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Next time, Adam and Nate revisit the Simpsons-Critic crossover “A Star Is Burns” (S6E18) on its 30th anniversary and Mr. Burns’s rip-off of Ben-Hur (1959). For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. | |||
| 01 Apr 2025 | Ep. 42 - The Fortune Cookie | 01:47:32 | |
Why does “Bart Gets Hit by a Car” (S2E10) show the episode title on screen at the beginning, unlike nearly every other episode of The Simpsons? We think we found an answer in The Fortune Cookie (1966), the very first pairing of longtime comedy duo Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. They’re the original odd couple! This forgotten movie provided the plot for this early episode of The Simpsons, and possibly much more. Also in this episode: • A classic example of “homage, French for theft” • How this movie may have inspired the origins of Lionel Hutz and Dr. Nick Riviera • When does Walter Matthau sound most like season 1 Homer in this movie? • Adam and Nate unwisely try to rewrite Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, two masters of comedy writing Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Next time, filmmaker and podcaster Devan Scott returns to discuss Jaws (1975) on its 50th anniversary, alongside its culty parody in “The Joy of Sect” (S9E13). For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. | |||
| 04 Mar 2025 | Ep. 40 - Ben-Hur | 02:12:31 | |
When Jay Sherman showed up as a guest judge for the Springfield Film Festival, it created the perfect platform for one of the most movie parody-packed episodes of The Simpsons ever. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of “A Star Is Burns” (S6E18), Adam and Nate explore an equally epic movie—Ben-Hur (1959)—as well as The Critic, an even more movie-saturated series developed by several Simpsons alumni. Also in this episode: • Is this movie actually as Christian as it seems, or is there very little meat in this gym mat? • Which actor is more Troy McClure-ish, Charlton Heston or Stephen Boyd? • Does the chariot race that launched a thousand homages hold up today? • Are the lepers in Ben-Hur as scary as Maude Flanders thinks? Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Next time, Nate and Adam look back on our favorite movies of the year and recap the surprises, snubs, and the Simpsons-related host of the 97th Academy Awards. For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. | |||
| 18 Mar 2025 | Ep. 41 - 2025 Oscars Special | 01:59:47 | |
Sean Baker’s movie had heart, but Football in the Groin had a football in the groin. Adam and Nate review the 97th Academy Awards, and compare their top five movies of 2024. Also in this episode: • The biggest surprises, snubs, and satisfying wins of the night • Does former Simpsons writer Conan O’Brien work as host of the Oscars? • A round-up of the night’s best Simpsons memes • A trivia game about the most reference Best Picture-winners on The Simpsons, fresh from the Simpsons Movie Reference Database Plus, check out our show notes for our top five lists, trivia answers, and more bonus content Next time, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming with The Fortune Cookie (1966), a Billy Wilder joint that had its plot stolen for The Simpsons episode “Bart Gets Hit By a Car” (S2E10).
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| 15 Apr 2025 | Ep. 43 - Jaws with Devan Scott | 02:15:19 | |
What more can be said about Jaws (1975)? For the 50th anniversary of the original summer blockbuster, we invited filmmaker and podcaster Devan Scott to help us unpack how it quietly became one of the most referenced movies in the classic years of The Simpsons. Also in this episode: • The many parodies of Quint and his iconic introduction, including our Simpsons double feature, “The Joy of Sect” (S9E13) • A deep dive on the dolly zoom, from Hitchcock to Spielberg to The Simpsons • How Amity provides a template for the small-town politics of Springfield • Why does The Simpsons leave the climax of this movie untouched by parodies? • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading Next time, for our season finale, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of the most memorable Simpsons finales of all time, “Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part One” (S6E25) and its parody of Goldfinger (1964). For more of Devan Scott’s film content, check out the complete podcast How Would Lubitsch Do It? and his video essays on YouTube, or follow him on Bluesky, Letterboxd, and Instagram. Plus, check out Arrow Video’s new definitive 4K UHD release of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966), which Devan consulted on as part of a “weird Leone amateur brain trust.” (Nate has already pre-ordered.) For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network. | |||