‘The Simpsons’ Briefly Revisited Their Michael Jackson Episode Last Night

In recent years, The Simpsons has started casually referencing older episodes. I’m thinking back to Season 25’s “The Kid Is All Right,” when one of the show’s most-beloved one-time characters, Mr. Bergstrom, appeared in a non-speaking cameo, all for the sake of an otherwise unmemorable “someone who loves you” joke at Lisa’s expense. During last night’s Springfield-centered episode, “Walking Big & Tall,” the same sort of thing happened with another adored Golden Era episode, “Stark Raving Dad,” a.k.a. the one where Bart meets “Michael Jackson.”

Here’s a conversation Bart and Lisa had, with a tag provided by Homer.

It’s not a bad joke — Homer walking through the scene saves it from being just a reference — but it also sort of undercuts the majesty of the original episode, and in particular the scene where Bart and Not-MJ, But Actually MJ sing “Happy Birthday, Lisa.” That being said, it’s impressive 10-year-old Bart can think back on something that happened 24 years ago.

Via Sand and Glass

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