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» » The Simpsons Smart & Smarter (1989– )

Short summary

After a quarrel with Dr. Hibbert, Homer decides to enlist Maggie for a pre-nursery school. Maggie doesn't get tested because she can't talk. Back home Lisa discovers Maggie can make words and the family goes back to the pre-nursery school. This time Maggie passes the test gloriously and turns out to have an IQ of 167. This is more than Lisa's IQ (159) which makes her unsure about her identity.

Simon Cowell is featured in the credits.

This is not Simon Cowell's first appearance in The Simpsons his other appearance was in the animated version of American Idol as part of The Simpsons Movie's bonus features.

The title is based off the film "Dumb and Dumber".

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Delagamand
    Smart & Smarter is a great Simpsons episode with a well written plot and plenty of very funny scenes. It's an enjoyable episode as we focus on Lisa and Maggie's relationship, something that we see seldom on the show, as Lisa struggles with the possibility that Maggie may be more intelligent than she is. Normally Lisa episodes are quite weak, but I found this one Intriguing as we see the character feeling truly lost, and we gain more sympathy for her than we would in episodes where she is trying to save the environment or becoming a vegetarian.

    I did feel, however, that the plot does not go as deep as it should have, as if the writers were holding back. We should have seen Maggie achieving in her genius more, while Lisa stumbles far more, the most we ever see of Maggie doing well is with her teachers, we never get a proper showcase.

    Simon Cowell adds an extra boost and spirit to the episode, serving as a parody of his own judging background by criticising the intelligence of young children. The highlight for me was the closing credits, as he judges the cast and crew of the Simpsons.

    It is a sweet, different show as we get a closer look at the bond between Lisa and Maggie's bond, which is what I mainly took away. Funny and heartwarming, Smart & Smarter is a very enjoyable Simpsons.

    Lisa enters a crisis when she discovers she may no longer be the smartest member of the family.
  • Episode cast overview:
    Dan Castellaneta Dan Castellaneta - Homer Simpson / Grampa Simpson / Squeaky-Voiced Teen / Barney Gumble (voice)
    Julie Kavner Julie Kavner - Marge Simpson (voice)
    Nancy Cartwright Nancy Cartwright - Bart Simpson / Maggie Simpson / Ralph Wiggum / Nelson Muntz (voice)
    Yeardley Smith Yeardley Smith - Lisa Simpson (voice)
    Hank Azaria Hank Azaria - Apu / Chief Wiggum / Comic Book Guy / Lou / Moe Szyslak (voice)
    Harry Shearer Harry Shearer - Dr. Hibbert / Principal Skinner / 'Bark' Narrator (voice)
    Simon Cowell Simon Cowell - Henry (voice)
    Pamela Hayden Pamela Hayden - Milhouse Van Houten (voice)
    Tress MacNeille Tress MacNeille - Philippa (voice)
    Karl Wiedergott Karl Wiedergott - Additional Voices (voice)
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