Hurricane Neddy
Encyclopedia
"Hurricane Neddy" is the eighth episode of The Simpsons
' eighth season
which originally aired December 29, 1996. It was written by Steve Young
, directed by Bob Anderson
and features a cameo by Jon Lovitz
as Jay Sherman from The Critic
. In this episode, "Hurricane Barbara" viciously strikes Springfield but, by pure chance, the house of Ned Flanders
is the only one destroyed. As a result, he begins to lose his faith
in both God
and the townspeople around him.
to find out that a hurricane
is on the way. Lisa warns Homer
, but he is skeptical since there isn't any record of a hurricane ever hitting Springfield. Lisa reminds her father that the records only go back to 1978, "when the Hall of Records was mysteriously blown away". The evening news confirms that "Hurricane Barbara" is close, resulting in panicked citizens storming the Kwik-E-Mart
and Homer attempting to secure the Simpson home. The hurricane strikes and after a few treacherous hours, the storm ends and the family cautiously leaves the basement. Initially, they are thankful to see that their home is untouched and Marge comments that everything works out if one has a little faith.
Meanwhile, next door Ned
emerges from a heap of rubble and sees that his house was destroyed, along with everything else he owned except the family gravestones
. Ned is relieved that his family escaped serious injury, but it turns out to be little solace since he does not have home insurance
, as he considers insurance a form of gambling
. The Flanders family is forced to move into the Rescue Center in the church basement, although they appear to be the only family to be affected to that extent. Ned is further discouraged after learning that his business, the Leftorium, was looted following the hurricane. Distraught with annoyance, Ned begins to believe that God is punishing him and, seeking answers, he goes to read the Bible in the church but receives a paper cut. Interpreting it as further punishment, he sits down and laments about how he is falling apart, even after doing everything the Bible
says, even the things that contradict the other things.
The following day, Marge
arrives at the church and takes the Flanders family back to their house, completely rebuilt by the people of Springfield. Overjoyed, Ned inspects the house, but saddens after examining its extremely shoddy construction. After the inspection, the house soon collapses. Ned tries to calm down, knowing that the people tried their best for him, but is unable to contain his rage and finally snaps out. Expressing his deep anger in a way never before seen, even though he had lost his temper in earlier episodes, and even lashed out at people (Homer Loves Flanders
, Dead Putting Society
), he insults all the residents of Springfield and directs his most vehement invective at Homer (who believes he got off easy). Ned then drives himself to Calmwood Mental Hospital to seek psychotherapy
.
While in the asylum, Ned is visited by his childhood psychiatrist, Dr. Foster, who informs Ned of his childhood existence - a completely out-of-control brat raised by beatnik
parents who did not believe in discipline. As a result, the young Ned went through the University of Minnesota
Spankalogical Protocol, which involved eight months of continuous spanking. The treatment worked so well that it rendered him unable to express any anger at all and resulted in his trademark nonsensical jabbering at moments when he was particularly close to losing his temper. This caused Ned to unknowingly repress his anger until it built up inside him and erupted in his tirade of insults directed at the townspeople.
Dr. Foster enlists Homer to help Ned learn how to appropriately express emotions, as he is the person who Flanders harbors the most resentful feelings towards, as Homer does the same towards Flanders. After several failed generic remarks, Homer coaxes Flanders to admit that he hates the post office
and his parents. Upon hearing this, Dr. Foster declares Flanders cured and he is immediately released without his house being rebuilt Outside the hospital, Ned is greeted by the town, who cheer him. Ned promises that from now on, if anyone does something he doesn't like, they will hear about it, which Dr. Foster tells him is very healthy. Ned then goes to extremes when he says, "And if you really tick me off, I gonna run you down with my car." Homer ends the episode by laughing and saying, "Ned, you so cra-zay."
Steve Young
, a writer for the Late Show with David Letterman
, was brought in as a freelance writer to write this episode. The writers wanted to explore what made Flanders tick and examine what made him act the way he does. The original idea came from George Meyer
, who had also wanted an episode about Flanders's faith being tested. One of the key story points came from his friend Jack Handey
, a writer for Saturday Night Live
who wanted to do a sketch about a down-on-his-luck shoemaker who is visited by a bunch of elves who help him, but make very bad shoes. Likewise, it inspired the idea that the neighbors would rebuild Flanders's house, but do a bad job and provoke an outburst.
A caricature of John Swartzwelder
can be seen shutting the door of a room in Calmwood Mental Hospital. Later in the episode, during the scene where the townsfolk are welcoming Ned back, someone can be seen holding a sign that says "Free John Swartzwelder." During the sequence where Flanders yells at the town, a man with a ponytail and wearing a white shirt who is a caricature of Bob Anderson
can be seen.
, is based on the events of the 1992 Los Angeles riots
. Todd is wearing a Butthole Surfers
shirt, however the censors only allowed "Buttho Surfers". Jay Sherman from The Critic
, who had previously appeared in "A Star Is Burns
", can also be seen in the mental hospital repeatedly saying, "It stinks". The small door at the end of the hallway in Flander's rebuilt house echoes the improbably small hallway in the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
.
of 8.7, equivalent to approximately 8.4 million viewing households. It was the second highest-rated show on the Fox network that week, following The X-Files
.
Marge's line, "Dear God, this is Marge Simpson. If You stop this hurricane and save our family, we will be forever grateful and recommend You to all our friends," was cited by journalist Mark Pinsky as an example of how "Simpson family members are both defined and circumscribed by religion." Journalist Ben Rayner speculated that some fans, whom he called "nerd
s," would want an explanation of "how Barney
fit through that tiny door to the 'master bedroom' in the rebuilt Flanders family home."
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
The Simpsons (season 8)
The Simpsons eighth season originally aired between October 27, 1996 and May 18, 1997, beginning with "Treehouse of Horror VII". The show runners for the eighth production season were Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein. The aired season contained two episodes which were hold-over episodes from season...
which originally aired December 29, 1996. It was written by Steve Young
Steve Young (writer)
Steve Young is a television writer for The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with David Letterman. He is a Harvard University graduate and former writer for the Harvard Lampoon. He also wrote The Simpsons season eight episode "Hurricane Neddy". Steve Young adapted the holiday book...
, directed by Bob Anderson
Bob Anderson (director)
Bob Anderson is an animation director on The Simpsons. He also contributed additional sequence direction on The Simpsons Movie....
and features a cameo by Jon Lovitz
Jon Lovitz
Jonathan "Jon" Lovitz is an American comedian, actor, and singer. He is best known as a cast member of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 1990.-Early life:...
as Jay Sherman from The Critic
The Critic
The Critic is an American prime time animated series revolving around the life of film critic Jay Sherman, voiced by actor Jon Lovitz. It was created by Al Jean and Mike Reiss, both of whom had worked as writers on The Simpsons. The Critic had 23 episodes produced, first broadcast on ABC in 1994,...
. In this episode, "Hurricane Barbara" viciously strikes Springfield but, by pure chance, the house of Ned Flanders
Ned Flanders
Nedward "Ned" Flanders, Jr. is a recurring fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Harry Shearer, and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the next door neighbor to the Simpson family and is generally...
is the only one destroyed. As a result, he begins to lose his faith
Religion in The Simpsons
Religion is one of the major themes on the American animated television series The Simpsons. Much of the series religious humor satirizes aspects of Christianity. However, the series is not necessarily anti-religious, as the Simpsons themselves are Christian and some episodes are actually...
in both God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and the townspeople around him.
Plot
In midst of a quiet afternoon, the wind starts to pick up, which leads LisaLisa Simpson
Lisa Marie Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons. She is the middle child of the Simpson family. Voiced by Yeardley Smith, Lisa first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987. Cartoonist Matt Groening...
to find out that a hurricane
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
is on the way. Lisa warns Homer
Homer Simpson
Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
, but he is skeptical since there isn't any record of a hurricane ever hitting Springfield. Lisa reminds her father that the records only go back to 1978, "when the Hall of Records was mysteriously blown away". The evening news confirms that "Hurricane Barbara" is close, resulting in panicked citizens storming the Kwik-E-Mart
Kwik-E-Mart
The Kwik-E-Mart is a fictional chain of convenience stores in the animated television series The Simpsons. It is a parody of American convenience store chains, such as 7-Eleven and Circle K, and represents many myths and stereotypes of them. It is notorious for its high prices and the poor quality...
and Homer attempting to secure the Simpson home. The hurricane strikes and after a few treacherous hours, the storm ends and the family cautiously leaves the basement. Initially, they are thankful to see that their home is untouched and Marge comments that everything works out if one has a little faith.
Meanwhile, next door Ned
Ned Flanders
Nedward "Ned" Flanders, Jr. is a recurring fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Harry Shearer, and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the next door neighbor to the Simpson family and is generally...
emerges from a heap of rubble and sees that his house was destroyed, along with everything else he owned except the family gravestones
Headstone
A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. In most cases they have the deceased's name, date of birth, and date of death inscribed on them, along with a personal message, or prayer.- Use :...
. Ned is relieved that his family escaped serious injury, but it turns out to be little solace since he does not have home insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
, as he considers insurance a form of gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
. The Flanders family is forced to move into the Rescue Center in the church basement, although they appear to be the only family to be affected to that extent. Ned is further discouraged after learning that his business, the Leftorium, was looted following the hurricane. Distraught with annoyance, Ned begins to believe that God is punishing him and, seeking answers, he goes to read the Bible in the church but receives a paper cut. Interpreting it as further punishment, he sits down and laments about how he is falling apart, even after doing everything the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
says, even the things that contradict the other things.
The following day, Marge
Marge Simpson
Marjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
arrives at the church and takes the Flanders family back to their house, completely rebuilt by the people of Springfield. Overjoyed, Ned inspects the house, but saddens after examining its extremely shoddy construction. After the inspection, the house soon collapses. Ned tries to calm down, knowing that the people tried their best for him, but is unable to contain his rage and finally snaps out. Expressing his deep anger in a way never before seen, even though he had lost his temper in earlier episodes, and even lashed out at people (Homer Loves Flanders
Homer Loves Flanders
"Homer Loves Flanders" is the sixteenth episode of The Simpsons fifth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 17, 1994. In the episode, Ned Flanders helps Homer Simpson get tickets to a football game...
, Dead Putting Society
Dead Putting Society
"Dead Putting Society" is the sixth episode of The Simpsons second season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 15, 1990. In the episode, Homer's son, Bart, and Ned Flanders' son, Todd, decide to enter a miniature golf tournament...
), he insults all the residents of Springfield and directs his most vehement invective at Homer (who believes he got off easy). Ned then drives himself to Calmwood Mental Hospital to seek psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
.
While in the asylum, Ned is visited by his childhood psychiatrist, Dr. Foster, who informs Ned of his childhood existence - a completely out-of-control brat raised by beatnik
Beatnik
Beatnik was a media stereotype of the 1950s and early 1960s that displayed the more superficial aspects of the Beat Generation literary movement of the 1950s and violent film images, along with a cartoonish depiction of the real-life people and the spiritual quest in Jack Kerouac's autobiographical...
parents who did not believe in discipline. As a result, the young Ned went through the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
Spankalogical Protocol, which involved eight months of continuous spanking. The treatment worked so well that it rendered him unable to express any anger at all and resulted in his trademark nonsensical jabbering at moments when he was particularly close to losing his temper. This caused Ned to unknowingly repress his anger until it built up inside him and erupted in his tirade of insults directed at the townspeople.
Dr. Foster enlists Homer to help Ned learn how to appropriately express emotions, as he is the person who Flanders harbors the most resentful feelings towards, as Homer does the same towards Flanders. After several failed generic remarks, Homer coaxes Flanders to admit that he hates the post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
and his parents. Upon hearing this, Dr. Foster declares Flanders cured and he is immediately released without his house being rebuilt Outside the hospital, Ned is greeted by the town, who cheer him. Ned promises that from now on, if anyone does something he doesn't like, they will hear about it, which Dr. Foster tells him is very healthy. Ned then goes to extremes when he says, "And if you really tick me off, I gonna run you down with my car." Homer ends the episode by laughing and saying, "Ned, you so cra-zay."
Production
Steve Young (writer)
Steve Young is a television writer for The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with David Letterman. He is a Harvard University graduate and former writer for the Harvard Lampoon. He also wrote The Simpsons season eight episode "Hurricane Neddy". Steve Young adapted the holiday book...
, a writer for the Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
, was brought in as a freelance writer to write this episode. The writers wanted to explore what made Flanders tick and examine what made him act the way he does. The original idea came from George Meyer
George Meyer
George A. Meyer is an American producer and writer. Raised in Tucson, Arizona in a Roman Catholic family, Meyer attended Harvard University. There, after becoming president of the Harvard Lampoon, he graduated in 1978 with a degree in biochemistry. Abandoning plans to attend medical school, Meyer...
, who had also wanted an episode about Flanders's faith being tested. One of the key story points came from his friend Jack Handey
Jack Handey
Jack Handey is an American humorist. He is best known for his Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey, a large body of surrealistic one-liner jokes, as well as his "Fuzzy Memories" and "My Big Thick Novel" shorts. Although many people assume otherwise, Handey is a real person, not a pen name or ...
, a writer for Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
who wanted to do a sketch about a down-on-his-luck shoemaker who is visited by a bunch of elves who help him, but make very bad shoes. Likewise, it inspired the idea that the neighbors would rebuild Flanders's house, but do a bad job and provoke an outburst.
A caricature of John Swartzwelder
John Swartzwelder
John Swartzwelder is an American comedy writer and novelist, best known for his work on the animated television series The Simpsons, as well as a number of novels. He is credited with writing the largest number of Simpsons episodes by a large margin...
can be seen shutting the door of a room in Calmwood Mental Hospital. Later in the episode, during the scene where the townsfolk are welcoming Ned back, someone can be seen holding a sign that says "Free John Swartzwelder." During the sequence where Flanders yells at the town, a man with a ponytail and wearing a white shirt who is a caricature of Bob Anderson
Bob Anderson (director)
Bob Anderson is an animation director on The Simpsons. He also contributed additional sequence direction on The Simpsons Movie....
can be seen.
Cultural references
The scene at the beginning of the episode, in which the people of Springfield mob the Kwik-E-MartKwik-E-Mart
The Kwik-E-Mart is a fictional chain of convenience stores in the animated television series The Simpsons. It is a parody of American convenience store chains, such as 7-Eleven and Circle K, and represents many myths and stereotypes of them. It is notorious for its high prices and the poor quality...
, is based on the events of the 1992 Los Angeles riots
1992 Los Angeles riots
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots or South Central Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest were sparked on April 29, 1992, when a jury acquitted three white and one hispanic Los Angeles Police Department officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King following a...
. Todd is wearing a Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
shirt, however the censors only allowed "Buttho Surfers". Jay Sherman from The Critic
The Critic
The Critic is an American prime time animated series revolving around the life of film critic Jay Sherman, voiced by actor Jon Lovitz. It was created by Al Jean and Mike Reiss, both of whom had worked as writers on The Simpsons. The Critic had 23 episodes produced, first broadcast on ABC in 1994,...
, who had previously appeared in "A Star Is Burns
A Star is Burns
"A Star Is Burns" is the eighteenth episode of The Simpsons sixth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 5, 1995. In the episode, Springfield decides to hold a film festival, and famed critic Jay Sherman is invited to be a judge...
", can also be seen in the mental hospital repeatedly saying, "It stinks". The small door at the end of the hallway in Flander's rebuilt house echoes the improbably small hallway in the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 musical film adaptation of the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, directed by Mel Stuart, and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. The film tells the story of Charlie Bucket as he receives a golden ticket and visits Willy...
.
Reception
In its original broadcast, "Hurricane Neddy" finished 18th in ratings for the week of December 23-29, 1996, with a Nielsen ratingNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
of 8.7, equivalent to approximately 8.4 million viewing households. It was the second highest-rated show on the Fox network that week, following The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
.
Marge's line, "Dear God, this is Marge Simpson. If You stop this hurricane and save our family, we will be forever grateful and recommend You to all our friends," was cited by journalist Mark Pinsky as an example of how "Simpson family members are both defined and circumscribed by religion." Journalist Ben Rayner speculated that some fans, whom he called "nerd
Nerd
Nerd is a derogatory slang term for an intelligent but socially awkward and obsessive person who spends time on unpopular or obscure pursuits, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Nerds are considered to be awkward, shy, and unattractive...
s," would want an explanation of "how Barney
Barney Gumble
Barnard "Barney" Gumble is a fictional character on the American animated sitcom The Simpsons. The character is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the town drunk and Homer Simpson's best friend. His capacity for...
fit through that tiny door to the 'master bedroom' in the rebuilt Flanders family home."
External links
- "Hurricane Neddy" at The Simpsons.com