Fraudcast News
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"Fraudcast News" is the 22nd and last episode of The Simpsons' fifteenth season, first aired on May 23, 2004 in the United States on FOX. The Writers Guild of America gave this episode a 2005 WGA Award, winning the Paul Selvin Award, which honors works that focus on First Amendment issues.
[edit] Plot
Springfield holds a ceremony dedicating their newest national park, Geezer Rock, a rock formation which resembles a face in profile. As Lisa prepares to read a poem there, Homer notices that there is a small tree growing in the eye of the rock, and pulls it out, believing he is doing the right thing. Unfortunately, this causes Geezer Rock to fall apart (a parody of the Old Man of the Mountain collapse on May 3, 2003), and everyone runs for their lives—except for Mr. Burns, who winds up in a landslide. Smithers fears he has lost Mr. Burns.
Lisa is saddened that no one ever heard her poem, and she publishes it on Marge's suggestion. Meanwhile, it turns out that, Burns survived the horrible landslide—through slithering his way out—but nobody except Smithers has missed him. To improve his image, he decides to acquire every media outlet in Springfield.
Lisa distributes the very first issue of her newspaper, "The Red Dress Press", which is well-received. She enlists the help of Bart, Milhouse, and Nelson, among others, to publish her newspaper's second issue.
Burns acquires all media outlets in Springfield...except Lisa's newspaper. His views are even promoted on Itchy & Scratchy (which he now writes and directs). Lisa is saddened that all the others left her, but is relieved when Bart decides to stay and help Lisa publish more issues. Later, Burns tries to bait Lisa with ponies in an attempt to acquire her newspaper, but she will not give up. Burns gets back at Lisa by cutting off the Simpsons' power. Lisa writes her next issue through an old mimeograph Skinner used in Vietnam. Mr. Burns has a talk with Homer (and even drugs him) so he can dish some dirt on Lisa. Lisa writes her final "I Give Up" edition and gives up, but Homer responds by creating his own newspaper, and other people also create their own newspapers to help her.
Burns ultimately decides that acquiring all media outlets is not so great, so rather than conceding defeat (in which he hates), he goes out on a shopping spree with Smithers.
The episode is a satire of the FCC's new rules on media ownership, as well as containing blatant criticisms of Rupert Murdoch, the ultimate owner of Fox.
[edit] Cultural references
- In the episode Willie the groundskeeper said the word "shite" a scottish term for "shit" just before Lisa was talking. Willie was of course reporting about tractors which he had done a review on.
- Blood, Sweat and Tears — Mayor Quimby's introduction of the band as Blood and Tears — and his additional statement, "Sorry to hear about Sweat" — is a reference to the 1960s-1970s rock band.
- Booberella — The anchor partner of Kent Brockman is a parody of movie hostesses Elvira and Vampira.
- Broadcast News — The title of the episode is a play on the name of James L. Brooks' 1987 film.
- "Sven Hoek" — The scene involving Mr. Burns's brain falling out of his ear in a tiny and shriveled state is taken from the episode of the Nickelodeon animated series, Ren and Stimpy.
- 'Red Dress Press' - a reference to publishing house 'Red Dress Ink'. Red Dress Ink publishes Harlequin-type romances novels in international markets like Italy.
- Journalism scandals — Milhouse's admission that he fabricated articles for Lisa's newspaper is a reference to various high-profile journalism scandals, most notably those involving reporters employed at the USA Today and New York Times.
- New York Daily News — The headline of Lisa's newspaper (shown above, in screenshot) is a reference to a 1970s Daily News headline, "Ford to City: Drop dead!"
- Superman — The dialogue where Lisa admonishes Bart about calling her "Chief" is taken from the comic book series, where cub reporter Jimmy Olsen frequently calls The Daily Planet editor Perry White by that name.
- Futurama - Squeaky-Voice Teen jumps off Geezer Rock, depressed due to Futurama's cancellation
- Geezer Rock crumbling is in reference to the Old Man of the Mountain, which had recently collapsed.
[edit] Soundtrack
- "Incense and Peppermints" — The Strawberry Alarm Clock song is played during Skinner's flashback.
- "Spinning Wheel" — A band performing at the Geezer Rock dedication plays the Blood, Sweat and Tears song.
