Friday, October 12, 2007

Five Best...Beatles References in Homer's Barbershop Quartet

In the Simpsons episode, "Homer's Barbershop Quartet," Homer tells the family about he time he, Apu, Skinner and Barney were in a successful barbershop group, and of the group's eventual downfall. Much of the story is based around the Beatles, and there's references to the Fab Four throughout the episode.

#5. After arriving in New York City, the Be Sharps hold a press conference just as The Beatles did upon coming to America:

Reporter: I have a question for Apu de Beaumarchais. Isn't it true that you're really an Indian?
Apu: By the many arms of Vishnu, I swear it is a lie.
Reporter: Barney! How did you join the group?
Barney: They found me on the men's room floor.
[Everyone laughs, but a tear rolls down Barney's cheek]
Reporter: Principal Skinner, you've been referred to as "the funny one." Is that reputation justified?
Skinner: [seriously] Yes. Yes, it is.

#4. This interaction:

Skinner: Only one question remains, gentlemen...what do we call ourselves?
Nigel: How about, "Handsome Homer Simpson Plus Three?"
Barney: I like it!
Apu: Wait, I do not.
Skinner: Er, um, we need a name that's witty at first, but that seems less funny each time you hear it.
Apu: How about, "The Be Sharps?"
[Everyone laughs loud at first, then less, then the laughter tapers off]
Skinner: Perfect!

#3. Just as Brian Epstein tells John Lennon to not let the fans know he's married, so to does the Be Sharps manager, Nigel, tell this to Homer:

Homer: Wait till I tell Marge!
Nigel: Oh, yes...Bouffant Betty. Well, I would prefer if we kept your marriage a secret. You see, a lot of women are going to want to have with you, and, er, we want them to think they can.
Homer: Well, if I explain it to Marge that way, I'm sure she'll understand
[scene change to the Simpson home]
Marge: [cries loudly]
Homer: C'mon, honey! It'll only be until we finish our tour of Sweden.

#2. One of the greatest lines in Simpsons history:

Lisa: I can't believe you're not still popular.
Bart: What'd you do? Screw up like the Beatles and say you were bigger than Jesus?
Homer: All the time! That was the title of our second album.

#1. "Where'd you get that brownie?!?" and "It's Been Done."

This is in the episode and has nothing to do with The Beatles, but it's hilarious:

Barney: David Crosby? You're my hero!
David: Oh, you like my music?
Barney: [Surprised] You're a musician?

(Different episode, but here's a clip about Marge's obsession with Ringo Starr)