Springfield Googolplex

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” (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.

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.

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). 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.

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.

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.

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: • The delicious stone soup of Cameron’s budget filmmaking and special effects • 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 4, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

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) • Is this Al Pacino’s last performance as a real human being? (Hooah!) • David Mamet’s snappy dialogue and brass balls • The Neo-Noir stylings of director James Foley, from Madonna music videos to Fear (1996) to Fifty Shades Darker (2017) • Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further reading 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.

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. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

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. Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

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.

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. Also in this episode: • Mike Price talks about directing Bogdanovich on The Simpsons, possible movie references in season 36, the first episode of The Simpsons he ever watched, and more • The Bugs Bunny-like magnetism of Barbra Streisand • One of cinema’s best—and funniest—car chases of all time • Six degrees of Peter Bogdanovich: We’re wowed by his wildly connected career 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). Follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Letterboxd.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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).