Today I wanted revisit the classic Simpsons episode "Kamp Krusty", which just happens to be my favorite episode.
Kent Brockman: Ladies and gentlemen, I've been to Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and I can say without hyperbole that this is a million times worse than all of them put together.
The Story:
Bart and Lisa excitedly discuss their visit to Kamp Krusty, a summer camp run by Krusty the Clown. Homer has made Bart's visit conditional on him getting at least a C- average on his report card. Bart receives a D- in each subject from Ms. Krabappel, so he changes each grade into straight A+. Homer chides Bart for not faking plausible grades, but lets him go to camp anyway, because he does not want Bart hanging around throughout the summer.
The camp's director, Mr. Black, has licensed Krusty's name from the comedian. The campers find out that the camp is a dystopia. Dolph, Jimbo and Kearney, the camp counselors, take the children on death marches, feed them gruel and force them into making knockoff wallets for export.
Homer and Marge enjoy their summer alone, with Homer losing weight and growing hair. Lisa writes to them, describing the camp's brutal conditions, but her parents think she is exaggerating. Bart hopes that Krusty will save them, but he remains unaware of the camp's nature, and is currently visiting England for the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament.
To keep the children complacent, Mr. Black informs the campers that Krusty has finally come, but it is actually Barney dressed as Krusty. Bart leads the campers in rebellion, driving out Mr. Black and the bullies, and changing the camp's name to Camp Bart. Kent Brockman reports on the revolt, where Bart explains the camp's deplorable conditions that caused him and the campers to rebel in the first place. The stress of seeing Bart as the leader of the rebellion during the report on TV causes Homer to immediately lose the hair he grew and regain the lost weight. Krusty is called away from his vacation, and arrives at the camp where the kids at first don't believe its him, until a rough search reveals his iconic pacemaker scar. Krusty apologizes to the children for the poor conditions, saying that he was bribed to approve the camp. As compensation, Krusty takes them to "the happiest place on Earth", Tijuana, Mexico.
Homer: Son, if you really want something in life, you have to work for it. Now quiet, they're about to announce the lottery numbers.
Just before Kent Brockman interviews Bart, the TV briefly shows a pig head on a stick surrounded by flies. This is a direct reference to the book "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding.
I read "Lord of the Flies" in High School and didn't care for it much, but the reference in this episode was hilarious.
After he saw the completed episode, James L. Brooks called the writers and suggested that the script be used as a plotline for a film. However, the episode ran very short, and to make it barely fit the minimum time the Kamp Krusty song had to be lengthened by a number of verses. The episode was also chosen to be the first episode of the season, further complicating matters. As Al Jean told Brooks, "First of all, if we make it into the movie then we don't have a premiere, and second, if we can't make 18 minutes out of this episode how are we supposed to make 80?"
When Lisa is reciting to Dr. Hibbert the immunizations that she needs, she mentions Hansen's Disease. This ailment is more commonly known as leprosy.
I would want a shot for that to. Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be if your nose fell off in front of all your friends?
Krusty yells, "Where were you when I sang at Farm Aid?" This alludes to Jackie Mason shouting at a detractor, "Where were you when I marched in the Civil Rights Movement?"
Wait ... Krusty sang at Farm Aid? Oh that's right it was a trio including Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.
Krusty doesn't remember the girl who played his daughter in "President Clown", though she stuck up a liquor store. This alludes to Dana Plato of Diff'rent Strokes (1978) fame, who committed armed robbery.
Bart: All right, that's it! I've been scorched by Krusty before. I got a rapid heartbeat from those Krusty Brand vitamins, my Krusty calculator didn't have a 7 or an 8, and Krusty's autobiography was self-serving with many glaring omissions, but this time he's gone too far! We want Krusty!
Krusty the Clown: Kamp Krusty is built on an ancient Indian burial ground. We've got archery, wallet-making, the whole megillah! And for all you fat kids, my exclusive program of diet and ridicule will really get results!
I it's heyday The Simpson's was the funniest and most creative show on television. Sadly the show 'jumped the shark' around the year 2000, which reminds me 'why is it still on the air eighteen years later?"
Sources - Wiki and Imdb
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