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» » Die Simpsons Principal Charming (1989– )

Short summary

After attending a co-worker's wedding, a depressed Selma begs Marge to help her find a man. Marge sets Homer to the task, and Homer is impressed by Principal Skinner. Homer invites Skinner to the Simpson home for dinner, but accidentally introduces him to Selma's twin, Patty.

First appearance of Groundskeeper Willie, Hans Moleman and Squeaky Voiced Teen.

Skinner sings the song "Inchworm" by Danny Kaye as he rings the bell to Patty and Selma's apartment.

Selma sings Lisa a lullaby version of the song "Brandy" by Elliot Lurie.

Moleman's drivers license says his name is Ralph Melish, a reference to the Monty Python sketch "The Adventures of Ralph Melish: Hot Dog and Knickers" from the 1973 album The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief.

While searching for a man worthy of Selma, Homer uses a computer-enhanced overlay on his vision similar to characters from the films Vakaru pasaulis (1973) and Terminatorius (1984).

Skinner carries Patty up the steps of the bell tower as Quasimodo did with Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939).

Selma's facial hair removal product, called "Gee, Your Lip Looks Hairless" is a take-off of a brand of shampoo called "Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific" which was popular during the 1970s but has not been manufactured for some time now.

David M. Stern particularly liked writing episodes about Marge and her sisters Patty and Selma. Executive producer Mike Reiss said none of the staff members could relate on a personal level to the twins, but Stern "seemed to really hook in to them, so he did some great episodes featuring members of the Bouvier family."

In this episode, Skinner implies that Bart is the only boy in Springfield Elementary with that name.

Lisa has a very minimal role in this episode. She only appears in two scenes - when Patty puts her to bed and during the dinner scene (though she has no lines in the latter).

Patty is actually lesbian, as revealed fourteen seasons later in Simpsonai: There's Something About Marrying (2005), which may explain her "celibacy" and reluctance to date Principal Skinner.

Due to the episode's romantic theme, the airdate was pushed back to Valentine's Day on February 14, 1991. It was, however, ready to be aired several months earlier.

When Patty bids farewell to Skinner, she says, "Goodnight, sweet principal", a reference to "Goodnight, sweet prince" from Hamlet.

When Skinner returns to school, he declares that "Tomorrow is another school day!", a reference to the line "Tomorrow is another day!" from the Vejo nublokšti (1939).

This is the first episode the short version is used with "D'oh!"

People who could be Selma's husbands: . Carl Carlson

. Waylon Smithers

. Ms. Finch . . Apu Nahasapeemapetilon

. A strange man in the Kwik-E-Mart

. A man on the billboard for Laramie Cigarettes

. Principal Skinner

Chalkboard gag: I will not belch on cue.

Couch gag: The couch springs out like a bed.

The episode title is a reference to the hero who appears in fairy tales: Prince Charming.

Bad Math????: When Principal Skinner and Patty Bouvier are on their big date at the Springfield Revolving Restaurant, Principal scolds their busboy, Jimmy Pearson, recalling Jimmy was from the "class of 71", then derisively mentioning he is almost thirty. The episode aired in 1991, which is twenty years after the year 1971, so Jimmy would have had to be less than ten years old when the Class of 1971 matriculated.

Skinner points out the Board of Education, which is a paddle, meaning the school once allowed corporal punishment.

This is the only episode of the series where the school has a bell tower. This tower is visible in Season 4 "Marge Gets a Job," but only as the eolf approaches the school.

The movie Principal Skinner and Patty see on their date, "Space Mutants V: The Land Down Under", in which a marsupial variant of the space monster (with a baby alien in a pouch) attacks Australia, is a reference to the werewolf movie Howling III (1987).

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Usaxma
    The fourteenth episode in the second season of the Simpsons is not as great as previous episodes due to some weak spots, but it's still a good episode. I'm not the one for romance, so maybe that's why I didn't like this episode as much. But there are some hilarious moments including the altercations between Bart and Skinner. A bonus is we get to meet the ever-charming Groundskeeper Willie for the first time.

    In this episode, "Principal Charming," a depressed Selma asks Marge to help her find a husband so she enlists Homer for the job. Homer gets Principal Skinner to ask Selma out, but he ends up asking Patty out. Now here will come the merry-go-round.

    Overall, this is a good episode, but not the greatest. The romance didn't sit well with me, but that doesn't stop this from being a well-crafted episode. Still pretty funny too with such cultural references from Gone with the Wind. I rate this episode 8/10.
  • comment
    • Author: GoodBuyMyFriends
    Romance does sit well with me, and this episode portrays love in all its highs and lows, with some very poignant moments. Nice to see this other side to some of the less focused on characters. Enjoy!
  • Episode cast overview:
    Dan Castellaneta Dan Castellaneta - Homer Simpson / Barney Gumble / Hans Moleman / Groundskeeper Willie / Guy at Theatre / Jewelry Clerk (voice)
    Julie Kavner Julie Kavner - Marge Simpson / Selma Bouvier / Patty Bouvier (voice)
    Nancy Cartwright Nancy Cartwright - Bart Simpson / Richard (voice)
    Yeardley Smith Yeardley Smith - Lisa Simpson (voice)
    Harry Shearer Harry Shearer - Principal Skinner (voice)
    Hank Azaria Hank Azaria - Stanley / Apu Nahasapeemapetilon / Moe Szyslak / Jimmy Pearson / Australian Actor (voice)
    Pamela Hayden Pamela Hayden - Milhouse Van Houten / Lewis / Australian Actress (voice)
    Marcia Wallace Marcia Wallace - Edna Krabappel (voice)
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