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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox Simpsons episode
{{Infobox Simpsons episode
| title = The Heartbroke Kid
| image = The Heartbroke Kid promo.jpg
| image = [[File:The Heartbroke Kid promo.jpg|200px]]
| caption = Promotional image
| caption = Promotional image
| season = 16
| season = 16
| episode = 17
| episode = 17<ref name = "IGN2" >{{cite web |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/objects/824/824946.html |title=IGN: The Heartbroke Kid |work=[[ign.com]] |publisher=IGN |accessdate=3 August 2009}}</ref>
| director = [[Steven Dean Moore]]
| director = [[Steven Dean Moore]]
| writer = [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]]
| writer = [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]]
| production = GABF11<ref name = "IGN2" />
| production = GABF11<ref name = "IGN2" />
| airdate = May 1, 2005
| airdate = {{Start date|2005|05|01}}
| guests = [[Albert Brooks]] as Tab Spangler and Jacques
| guests = [[Albert Brooks]] as Tab Spangler and Jacques<br />[[Marcia Wallace]] as [[Edna Krabappel]]
| blackboard = (first) I will not spank others (''similar to [[Homer Alone|8F14]]'') / (second) An obese Bart is placing coins in a vending machine instead of doing a chalkboard gag
| blackboard = An obese [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] buys a chocolate bar from a vending machine instead of doing a chalkboard gag during this episode.
| couch_gag = (first) The family, along with the couch, are launched by a [[catapult]] / (second) Everyone makes it to the couch normally, except an obese Bart, who walks in a few seconds later and suffers a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]]
| couch_gag = (first) The family, along with the couch, are launched by a [[catapult]]. / (second) Everyone makes it to the couch normally, except for the now-obese Bart, who walks in a few seconds later and suffers a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]].
| commentary = [[Al Jean]]<br>[[Ian Maxtone-Graham]]<br>[[Dana Gould]]<br>[[Michael Price (writer)|Michael Price]]<br>[[Matt Selman]]<br>[[Lance Kramer]]<br>[[Max Pross]]<br>[[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]]<br>[[Steven Dean Moore]]
| commentary = [[Al Jean]]<br />[[Ian Maxtone-Graham]]<br />[[Dana Gould]]<br />[[Michael Price (writer)|Michael Price]]<br />[[Matt Selman]]<br />[[Lance Kramer]]<br />[[Max Pross]]<br />[[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]]<br />[[Steven Dean Moore]]
| prev = [[Don't Fear the Roofer]]
| prev = [[Don't Fear the Roofer]]
| next = [[A Star Is Torn]]
| next = [[A Star Is Torn]]
}}
}}


"'''The Heartbroke Kid'''" is the seventeenth episode of the [[The Simpsons (season 16)|sixteenth season]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]''.<ref name="Plot">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/1617.htm |title=The Heartbroke Kid |work=[[The Simpsons|thesimpsons.com]] |publisher=[[20th Century Fox]] |accessdate=3 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727215600/http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/1617.htm |archivedate=July 27, 2009 }}</ref> It was written by [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]] and directed by [[Steven Dean Moore]]. It first aired on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]] in the United States on May 1, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050117fox02 |title=THE SIMPSONS' CELEBRATES EPIC 350TH EPISODE SUNDAY, MAY 1 |work= The Futon Critic |accessdate=3 August 2009}}</ref> [[Albert Brooks]] guest stars in the episode, playing the character Tab Spangler, as well as briefly reprising Jacques from [[Life on the Fast Lane]].
"'''The Heartbroke Kid'''" is the seventeenth episode<ref name = "IGN2" >{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/tv/the-simpsons/16 |title=The Simpsons Season 16 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=3 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106051149/http://www.ign.com/tv/the-simpsons/16|archive-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> of the [[The Simpsons season 16|sixteenth season]] of the American animated television series ''[[The Simpsons]]''.<ref name="Plot">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/1617.htm |title=The Heartbroke Kid |work=[[The Simpsons|thesimpsons.com]] |publisher=[[20th Century Fox]] |access-date=3 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727215600/http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/1617.htm |archive-date=July 27, 2009 }}</ref> It was written by [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]] and directed by [[Steven Dean Moore]]. It first aired on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]] in the United States on May 1, 2005.<ref name="TFC">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/01/17/the-simpsons-celebrates-epic-350th-episode-sunday-may-1-on-fox--17635/20050117fox02/ |title=The Simpsons' Celebrates Epic 350th Episode Sunday, May 1, on FOX|work= [[The Futon Critic]] |access-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref>


In this episode, Bart gains weight from eating sugary snacks and is forced to attend a camp to lose weight after suffering a heart attack. Meanwhile, the Simpsons turn their house into a youth hostel to pay for the camp. [[Albert Brooks]] guest stars in the episode, playing the character Tab Spangler, as well as briefly reprising Jacques from "[[Life on the Fast Lane]]". The episode received mixed reviews.
⚫
"The Heartbroke Kid" is the 352nd episode in the program's history and was broadcast straight after the 351st episode, "[[Don't Fear the Roofer]]", on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]] in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4496585.stm |title=Simpsons celebrates 350th episode |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=29 April 2005 |accessdate=3 August 2009}}</ref>

⚫
"The Heartbroke Kid" is the 352nd episode in the program's history and was broadcast straight after the 351st episode, "[[Don't Fear the Roofer]]", on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]] in the [[United States]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4496585.stm |title=Simpsons celebrates 350th episode |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=29 April 2005 |access-date=3 August 2009 |archive-date=December 18, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061218202851/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4496585.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
[[Principal Skinner]] is looking for a company to sign a [[vending machine]] contract with [[Springfield Elementary School|Springfield Elementary]], with half of the machine's profits going to the school.<ref name = "Plot" /> He looks at suggestions of a [[gumbo]] machine from the [[Captain Horatio McCallister|Sea Captain]] that seriously burned the Sea Captain's hand and a request box from [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Gil Gunderson|Gil]] and rejects them, until he gets a suggestion from [[Lindsey Naegle]]. The unhealthy vending machines sponsored by hip-hop artists are installed, and most of the students use the machines (save for [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], who protests their extremely high sugar content and artificial additives), but [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] is seen using it the most frequently. Due to the high fat and sugar content in the snacks, and due to the high frequency of their consumption, three weeks later, Bart significantly gains weight and becomes [[Obesity|obese]], and during an in-show parody of the opening credits, he suffers a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] after slowly trying to make it home from school.
[[Principal Skinner]] is looking for a company to sign a [[vending machine]] contract with [[Springfield Elementary School|Springfield Elementary]], with half of the machine's profits going to the school.<ref name = "Plot" /> He looks at suggestions of a [[gumbo]] machine from the [[Captain Horatio McCallister|Sea Captain]] that seriously burned the Sea Captain's hand and a request box from [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Gil Gunderson|Gil]] and rejects them, until he gets a suggestion from [[Lindsey Naegle]]. The unhealthy vending machines sponsored by hip-hop artists are installed, and most of the students use the machines (save for [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], who protests their extremely high sugar content and artificial additives), but [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] is seen using it the most frequently. Due to the high fat and sugar content in the snacks, the high frequency with which he eats them, and the fact that he sold off his skateboard to Groundskeeper Willie (who starts using it and gets injured from falling down the stairs while on said skateboard) to buy snacks, after three weeks, Bart significantly gains weight and becomes [[Obesity|obese]] and, during an in-show parody of the opening credits, he suffers a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] after slowly trying to make it home from school.


Bart sees [[Dr. Hibbert]], who says that [[Maltesers|malted milk balls]] have clogged his [[artery|arteries]], and that a wad of [[Laffy Taffy]] is blocking his [[liver]]. He informs the family that Bart is addicted to [[junk food]] and tells [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] to put him on a [[dieting|diet]]. However, Lisa discovers that Bart has been hiding junk food in his walls, and the family stages an [[Intervention (counseling)|intervention]]. When Bart tries to run away, due to his widened and obese frame, he gets stuck in a fence and is caught by two representatives of a maximum security [[fat camp]], Serenity Ranch. Bart ends up there with [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon|Apu]], [[Rainier Wolfcastle]] (who was last seen fattening up for a movie), and [[Kent Brockman]], and the camp's leader is none other than former junk food magnate Tab Spangler (who is dealing with many anger issues). However, when Bart is there, the family is faced with an expensive bill. To pay for the camp, the family converts their house into a youth [[hostel]], which attracts [[Germany|German]] tourists.
Bart sees [[Dr. Hibbert]], who says that [[Maltesers|malted milk balls]] have clogged his [[artery|arteries]], and that a wad of [[Laffy Taffy]] is blocking his [[liver]]. He informs the family that Bart is addicted to [[junk food]] and tells [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] to put him on a [[dieting|diet]], although the family's attendance at a [[milkshake]] festival fails to persuade him. Lisa discovers that Bart has been hiding junk food in the wall of his room, and the family stages an [[Intervention (counseling)|intervention]]. When Bart tries to run away, due to his widened and obese frame, he gets stuck in a fence and is caught by two representatives of a maximum security [[fat camp]], Serenity Ranch. Bart ends up there with [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon|Apu]], [[Rainier Wolfcastle]] (who was last seen fattening up for a movie), and [[Kent Brockman]], and the camp's leader is none other than former U.S. Marine Tab Spangler (who is dealing with many anger issues). However, whilst Bart is there, the family is faced with an expensive bill. To pay for the camp, the family converts their house into a youth [[hostel]], which attracts [[Germany|German]] backpackers.


At the fat camp, Bart cheats by sneaking food, so Tab Spangler takes him home to visit the family to show him the horrors that occur. His family is working continually to appease the students staying in their home. The Germans humiliate the family, making Homer dance for change and forcing Marge and Lisa to clean intentional messes while pointing out America's problems one by one. He suggests Bart fight his addiction, and he does, by destroying the vending machines in school. His addiction to junk food is over, and he steals the money from the vending machines, which the family uses to pay for the bill and give the Germans "Das Boot". Homer gets revenge by beating up the Germans, and tossing them out. Tab Spangler says that Bart still has three weeks left of non-refundable treatment, and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] goes with Tab (by force from the family), where the episode ends with them driving in Tab's car arguing over the [[cheeseburger]] Homer is eating.
At the fat camp, Bart cheats by sneaking food that is disposed of, so Spangler takes him home to visit the family to show him the horrors that occur. His family is working continually to appease the backpackers staying in their home. The Germans humiliate the family, making Homer sing & dance for change and forcing Marge and Lisa to clean intentional messes while pointing out America's problems one by one. He suggests Bart fight his addiction, and he does, by destroying the vending machines in school. His addiction to junk food is over, and he steals the money from the vending machines, which the family uses to pay for the bill and give the Germans "Das Boot". Homer gets revenge by chasing out the Germans, and tossing one of them out. Spangler says that Bart still has three weeks left of non-refundable treatment, and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] goes with Spangler (by force from the family, presumably as payback for calling Bart a "freeloading fatso"), where the episode ends with them driving in Spangler's car arguing over the [[cheeseburger]] Homer is eating.


==Production==
==Production==
[[Albert Brooks]] guest starred in the episode as Bart's fitness instructor at fat camp in his fifth appearance on the show. It was his first appearance for almost a decade, having previously voiced characters in the episodes "[[The Call of the Simpsons]]" (1990); "[[Life on the Fast Lane]]" (1990); "[[Bart's Inner Child]]" (1993) and "[[You Only Move Twice]]" (1996).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-brooks8-2008jun08,0,281778.story |title=Albert Brooks' long TV hiatus ends with 'Weeds' guest role |work=latimes.com |publisher=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |first=Lynn |last=Smith |date=8 June 2008 |accessdate=3 August 2009}}</ref><ref name = "IGN">{{cite web |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/730/730566p5.html |title=IGN: Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances |work=[[ign.com]] |publisher=IGN |first1=Eric |last1=Goldman |first2=Dan |last2=Iverson |first3=Brian |last3=Zoromski |accessdate=3 August 2009}}</ref> In ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'' (2007), Brooks voiced another character, [[Russ Cargill]].
[[Albert Brooks]] guest starred in the episode as Bart's fitness instructor at fat camp in his fifth appearance on the show. It was his first appearance for almost a decade, having previously voiced characters in the episodes "[[The Call of the Simpsons]]" (1990); "[[Life on the Fast Lane]]" (1990); "[[Bart's Inner Child]]" (1993) and "[[You Only Move Twice]]" (1996).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-brooks8-2008jun08,0,281778.story |title=Albert Brooks' long TV hiatus ends with 'Weeds' guest role |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |first=Lynn |last=Smith |date=8 June 2008 |access-date=3 August 2009 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103014429/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-brooks8-2008jun08,0,281778.story |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "IGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/04/top-25-simpsons-guest-appearances |title=Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances |website=[[IGN]] |first1=Eric |last1=Goldman |first2=Dan |last2=Iverson |first3=Brian |last3=Zoromski |date=January 4, 2010 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-date=June 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622134744/http://tv.ign.com/articles/730/730566p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'' (2007), Brooks voiced another character, [[Russ Cargill]].


In January 2005, the episode was originally promoted as the 350th episode of the series.<ref name="TFC"/> News reports also identified the previous episode as the 350th episode.<ref name="bbc"/>
==Cultural references==

{{More citations needed|section|date=May 2011}}
==Release==
* When Bart says "I raged against the machine and money poured out", he is referencing American protest band [[Rage Against the Machine]].
The episode aired at 8:30 PM ET/PT immediately following the previous episode.<ref>{{cite web|title=(SI-1611) "The Heartbroke Kid" |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20050415fox04/|website=[[The Futon Critic]]|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=(SI-1610) "Don't Fear The Roofer" |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20050415fox03/|website=[[The Futon Critic]]|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref>
* The title of the episode is a reference to the 1972 film ''[[The Heartbreak Kid (1972 film)|The Heartbreak Kid]]''.
* The song Homer sings to the Germans is "[[99 Luftballons]]" by [[Nena (band)|Nena]] (in its original German).
* Tab's car resembles a [[Volvo V70]].
* Homer says "they're melting" in a style reminiscent of [[The Wicked Witch of the West]] in ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz]]''.
* Homer urges Bart to "[[Do the Bartman]]" to try to fight his heart attack.
* When the Simpsons family are talking about keeping the money Bart stole and using it to get rid of the German backpackers, Marge uses the phrase "... give them Das Boot." in reference to the 1981 movie ''[[Das Boot]]''.
* Bart hides his sweets in a hole in the wall hidden behind a poster and also stands in a shower of sweets, in reference to the 1994 film ''[[The Shawshank Redemption]]''.
* Some of the snacks in the vending machine are named after [[Krishna]], the [[Dalai Lama]], [[Lolapalooza]] and [[Screaming Yellow Zonkers]].


==Reception==
==Reception==
===Viewing figures===
⚫
[[IGN]] listed Albert Brooks as the top guest star on ''The Simpsons'' for voicing Tab Spangler, along with his previous voice roles.<ref name = "IGN" />
The episode earned a 4.3 rating and was watched by 11.92 million viewers, which was the 23rd most-watched show that week.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet|date=May 3, 2005|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050305_05|title=Weekly Program Rankings|access-date=November 27, 2011|archive-date=March 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311232151/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050305_05|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Critical response===
Colin Jacobson of ''DVD Movie Guide'' did not like the episode for having a moral message but liked the performance by Albert Brooks.<ref>{{cite web|first=Colin|last=Jacobson|date=December 11, 2013|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Sixteenth Season [Blu-Ray] (2004)|url=http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonsixteen.shtml|website=DVD Movie Guide|access-date=November 16, 2024|archive-date=September 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927063408/http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonsixteen.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

On ''Four Finger Discount'', Guy Davis and Brendan Dando liked the episode. They highlighted the performance by Albert Brooks and thought the story was relatable from both a child's and a parent's perspective.<ref>{{cite podcast|first1=Guy|last1=Davis|first2=Brendan|last2=Dando|title=The Heartbroke Kid (S16E17)|work=Four Finger Discount (Simpsons Podcast)|date=November 17, 2022|url=https://fourfingerdiscount.podbean.com/e/heartbroke-kid-simpsons-podcast-review/|time=15:15|access-date=November 16, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518124613/https://fourfingerdiscount.podbean.com/e/heartbroke-kid-simpsons-podcast-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>

⚫
''[[IGN]]'' listed Albert Brooks as the top guest star on ''The Simpsons'' for voicing Tab Spangler, along with his previous voice roles.<ref name = "IGN" />


==References==
==References==
Line 50: Line 53:


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
*{{IMDb title|0701242}}
*[http://www.snpp.com/episodes.html The Simpsons Archive]
*[http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/1617.htm "The Heartbroke Kid"] at TheSimpsons.com
*{{tv.com episode|the-simpsons/the-heartbroke-kid-383729}}
{{Wikiquote|The_Simpsons/Season_16#The_Heartbroke_Kid|"The Heartbroke Kid"}}
{{Wikiquote|The_Simpsons/Season_16#The_Heartbroke_Kid|"The Heartbroke Kid"}}
{{Portal|The Simpsons}}
{{Portal|The Simpsons}}
⚫
*{{IMDb episode|0701242}}
*[http://www.snpp.com/episodes.html The Simpsons Archive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208140620/http://www.snpp.com/episodes.html |date=2013-02-08 }}

{{The Simpsons episodes|16}}
{{The Simpsons episodes|16}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Heartbroke Kid, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heartbroke Kid, The}}
[[Category:The Simpsons (season 16) episodes]]
[[Category:The Simpsons season 16 episodes]]
[[Category:2005 American television episodes]]
[[Category:2005 American television episodes]]
[[Category:Summer camps in television]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in summer camps]]
[[Category:Television episodes about obesity]]
[[Category:Television episodes about obesity]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by Ian Maxtone-Graham]]

Latest revision as of 07:17, 30 November 2024

"The Heartbroke Kid"
The Simpsons episode
Promotional image
Episode no.Season 16
Episode 17
Directed bySteven Dean Moore
Written byIan Maxtone-Graham
Production codeGABF11[1]
Original air dateMay 1, 2005 (2005-05-01)
Guest appearances
Albert Brooks as Tab Spangler and Jacques
Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel
Episode features
Chalkboard gagAn obese Bart buys a chocolate bar from a vending machine instead of doing a chalkboard gag during this episode.
Couch gag(first) The family, along with the couch, are launched by a catapult. / (second) Everyone makes it to the couch normally, except for the now-obese Bart, who walks in a few seconds later and suffers a heart attack.
CommentaryAl Jean
Ian Maxtone-Graham
Dana Gould
Michael Price
Matt Selman
Lance Kramer
Max Pross
David Silverman
Steven Dean Moore
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Don't Fear the Roofer" 		Next →
"A Star Is Torn"
The Simpsons season 16
List of episodes

"The Heartbroke Kid" is the seventeenth episode[1] of the sixteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons.[2] It was written by Ian Maxtone-Graham and directed by Steven Dean Moore. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 1, 2005.[3]

In this episode, Bart gains weight from eating sugary snacks and is forced to attend a camp to lose weight after suffering a heart attack. Meanwhile, the Simpsons turn their house into a youth hostel to pay for the camp. Albert Brooks guest stars in the episode, playing the character Tab Spangler, as well as briefly reprising Jacques from "Life on the Fast Lane". The episode received mixed reviews.

"The Heartbroke Kid" is the 352nd episode in the program's history and was broadcast straight after the 351st episode, "Don't Fear the Roofer", on the Fox network in the United States.[4]

Plot

[edit]

Principal Skinner is looking for a company to sign a vending machine contract with Springfield Elementary, with half of the machine's profits going to the school.[2] He looks at suggestions of a gumbo machine from the Sea Captain that seriously burned the Sea Captain's hand and a request box from Gil and rejects them, until he gets a suggestion from Lindsey Naegle. The unhealthy vending machines sponsored by hip-hop artists are installed, and most of the students use the machines (save for Lisa, who protests their extremely high sugar content and artificial additives), but Bart is seen using it the most frequently. Due to the high fat and sugar content in the snacks, the high frequency with which he eats them, and the fact that he sold off his skateboard to Groundskeeper Willie (who starts using it and gets injured from falling down the stairs while on said skateboard) to buy snacks, after three weeks, Bart significantly gains weight and becomes obese and, during an in-show parody of the opening credits, he suffers a heart attack after slowly trying to make it home from school.

Bart sees Dr. Hibbert, who says that malted milk balls have clogged his arteries, and that a wad of Laffy Taffy is blocking his liver. He informs the family that Bart is addicted to junk food and tells Marge to put him on a diet, although the family's attendance at a milkshake festival fails to persuade him. Lisa discovers that Bart has been hiding junk food in the wall of his room, and the family stages an intervention. When Bart tries to run away, due to his widened and obese frame, he gets stuck in a fence and is caught by two representatives of a maximum security fat camp, Serenity Ranch. Bart ends up there with Apu, Rainier Wolfcastle (who was last seen fattening up for a movie), and Kent Brockman, and the camp's leader is none other than former U.S. Marine Tab Spangler (who is dealing with many anger issues). However, whilst Bart is there, the family is faced with an expensive bill. To pay for the camp, the family converts their house into a youth hostel, which attracts German backpackers.

At the fat camp, Bart cheats by sneaking food that is disposed of, so Spangler takes him home to visit the family to show him the horrors that occur. His family is working continually to appease the backpackers staying in their home. The Germans humiliate the family, making Homer sing & dance for change and forcing Marge and Lisa to clean intentional messes while pointing out America's problems one by one. He suggests Bart fight his addiction, and he does, by destroying the vending machines in school. His addiction to junk food is over, and he steals the money from the vending machines, which the family uses to pay for the bill and give the Germans "Das Boot". Homer gets revenge by chasing out the Germans, and tossing one of them out. Spangler says that Bart still has three weeks left of non-refundable treatment, and Homer goes with Spangler (by force from the family, presumably as payback for calling Bart a "freeloading fatso"), where the episode ends with them driving in Spangler's car arguing over the cheeseburger Homer is eating.

Production

[edit]

Albert Brooks guest starred in the episode as Bart's fitness instructor at fat camp in his fifth appearance on the show. It was his first appearance for almost a decade, having previously voiced characters in the episodes "The Call of the Simpsons" (1990); "Life on the Fast Lane" (1990); "Bart's Inner Child" (1993) and "You Only Move Twice" (1996).[5][6] In The Simpsons Movie (2007), Brooks voiced another character, Russ Cargill.

In January 2005, the episode was originally promoted as the 350th episode of the series.[3] News reports also identified the previous episode as the 350th episode.[4]

Release

[edit]

The episode aired at 8:30 PM ET/PT immediately following the previous episode.[7][8]

Reception

[edit]

Viewing figures

[edit]

The episode earned a 4.3 rating and was watched by 11.92 million viewers, which was the 23rd most-watched show that week.[9]

Critical response

[edit]

Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide did not like the episode for having a moral message but liked the performance by Albert Brooks.[10]

On Four Finger Discount, Guy Davis and Brendan Dando liked the episode. They highlighted the performance by Albert Brooks and thought the story was relatable from both a child's and a parent's perspective.[11]

IGN listed Albert Brooks as the top guest star on The Simpsons for voicing Tab Spangler, along with his previous voice roles.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "The Simpsons Season 16". IGN. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  2. ^ a b "The Heartbroke Kid". thesimpsons.com. 20th Century Fox. Archived from the original on July 27, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  3. ^ a b "The Simpsons' Celebrates Epic 350th Episode Sunday, May 1, on FOX". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Simpsons celebrates 350th episode". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. April 29, 2005. Archived from the original on December 18, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  5. ^ Smith, Lynn (June 8, 2008). "Albert Brooks' long TV hiatus ends with 'Weeds' guest role". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  6. ^ a b Goldman, Eric; Iverson, Dan; Zoromski, Brian (January 4, 2010). "Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances". IGN. Archived from the original on June 22, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  7. ^ "(SI-1611) "The Heartbroke Kid"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  8. ^ "(SI-1610) "Don't Fear The Roofer"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 3, 2005. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  10. ^ Jacobson, Colin (December 11, 2013). "The Simpsons: The Complete Sixteenth Season [Blu-Ray] (2004)". DVD Movie Guide. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Davis, Guy; Dando, Brendan (November 17, 2022). "The Heartbroke Kid (S16E17)". Four Finger Discount (Simpsons Podcast) (Podcast). Event occurs at 15:15. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
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