History Recap / TheSimpsonsS7E13TwoBadNeighbors

* AccidentallyAccurate: The writers at the time claim they did not know that GeorgeHWBush actually had a son named George Jr. (they knew about Jeb, though) -- and neither did most of the 1996 audience not living in Texas. So what was supposed to be Homer being an idiot as usual by calling one of the cardboard cutouts "George Bush Jr." nowadays looks like he knew all along.

* AluminumChristmasTrees: The writers at the time claim they did not know that GeorgeHWBush actually had a son named George Jr. (they knew about Jeb, though) -- and neither did most of the 1996 audience not living in Texas. So what was supposed to be Homer being an idiot as usual by calling one of the cardboard cutouts "George Bush Jr." nowadays looks like he knew all along.

* AluminumChristmasTrees: The writers at the time claim they did not know that GeorgeHWBush actually had a son named George Jr. (they knew about Jeb, though) -- and neither did most of the 1996 audience. So what was supposed to be Homer being an idiot as usual by calling one of the cardboard cutouts "George Bush Jr." nowadays looks like he knew all along.

* RealLifeWritesThePlot: This episode was based on one of the writers actually playing pranks on George H.W. Bush as a kid and wasn't meant to be a political attack on him. However, since George H.W. Bush and Barbara criticized ''TheSimpsons'' for being "stupid" and contributing to society's alleged downfall, there are some implications (both fortunate and unfortunate) that spring from this.

* NotSoDifferent: Between Homer and Bush (negatively). And also between Homer and Ford (positively).

-->'''Homer''':First Bush invades my home turf, then he takes my pals, then he makes fun of the way I talk -- probably. Now he steals my right to raise a disobedient, smart-alecky son! Well, that's it!

* UpToEleven: The cycle of revenge between Homer and Mr. Bush.

---> '''Homer''':First Bush invades my home turf, then he takes my pals, then he makes fun of the way I talk -- probably. Now he steals my right to raise a disobedient, smart-alecky son! Well, that's it!

* UpToEleven: The cycle of revenge between Homer and Mr. Bush.

* SeriousBusiness: Homer actaully goes through his word in this one.
* [[SmarterThanYouLook Smarter Than They Look]]: Homer and Bart coming up with ways to get at George Bush must've took from planning and skill consider how they are sperately.
* ShoutOut: the episode itself is one to [[ComicStrip/DennisTheMenaceUS the American version of Dennis the Menace]].

* ShoutOut: the episode itself is one to ComicStrip/DennisTheMenaceUS.

A remark then-President George H.W. Bush made at the 1992 National Religious Broadcasters' Convention was one that meant to call to attention what some were seeing as a loosening of American morality and traditional family values, replacing the latter with a perceived celebration of single-by-choice-parent households and dysfunctional families. Genuinely troubled by this trend, Bush remarked, "We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American family, to make American families a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons."

The comment's intent was in the right place. However, many also took offense to the remarks as crotchety and hopelessly unrealistic and old-fashioned ... and that included many who were associated with ''TheSimpsons''. Two years after Bush made his comments, production began on "'''Two Bad Neighbors'''" a satire not so much on President George H.W. Bush but his temperament and perceived tolerance for disrespectful youth who scoff at their parents and teachers and are proud underachievers. Which naturally made Bart Simpson – the very boy who was criticized for those very qualities – the perfect foil for the ex-president, here a newcomer neighbor to Evergreen Terrace.

During a neighborhood rummage sale, Homer sees a moving van at a vacant house across the street from his home and learns that the new neighbors are former President George H.W. Bush and ex-First Lady Barbara Bush. Everyone goes to meet their famous new neighbors, but when Homer can't get a word in edgewise, he decides that he doesn't like the former President. Bart pays a visit and is warmly greeted by Mrs. Bush. However, Bart's habit of calling adults by their first names and overall annoying attitude irritates Mr. Bush and he calls him on this; however, Bart scoffs at Bush's reprimand and never changes. Later, Mr. Bush is typing up his memoirs when Bart makes the latest in a series of unannounced-and-uninvited visits. When Mr. Bush tries to tell Bart to go away, Bart accidentally hits a switch on a fan, causing the loose papers the former president had set in a pile to blow into the blades, shredding them. Mr. Bush is justifiably angry ... but he oversteps his boundaries when he grabs Bart, sits him across his knee and spanks him.

Homer learns what had happened and is outraged. It is at this point that both men begin a cycle of revenge, with one man trying to outdo the other's last prank. For instance, Homer glues a rainbow-colored wig on Mr. Bush's head just before he is to give a speech at the local Elks Club. Mr. Bush then takes his car and heavily vandalizes the Simpsons' lawn by driving over it and tearing tire tracks in the landscaping. Eventually, Marge and Mrs. Bush have enough of their husbands' behavior and demand that they stop, but neither man is willing to heed (as doing so would concede defeat to the other). Homer, just before he and Bart release hundreds of locusts into the service sewer line leading to the Bushes' house, once again calls for Mr. Bush to apologize for spanking Bart. Not only does Mr. Bush refuse, he demands that Bart apologize for ruining his memoirs. This leads to a huge fight and prompts Bart to release the locusts, which promptly attack Mr. Bsuh.

It is then when former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev arrives at the mansion to bring a housewarming present for the Bush family ... only for him to see Homer and Mr. Bush fighting over something trivial. Only when he sees Premier Gorbachev does Mr. Bush let up. It is at this point his wife ''makes'' her husband apologize ... and in front of Gorbachev, yet! Homer celebrates his apparent victory as Mr. Bush concedes defeat and, having enough of Bart and Homer, decides to move.

Not long after the house is vacant, another former president moves in ... Gerald Ford! This time, Homer and Mr. Ford get off to a great start.

* AwkwardFatherSonBondingActivity: Does war with George Bush count since that what Homer and Bart are doing.

* SmarterThanYouLook: Homer and Bart coming up with ways to get at George Bush must've took from planning and skill consider how they are sperately.

* BerserkButton: Homer's rights being violated by Bush after learning what happened to Bart... ''First Bush invades my home turf, then he takes my pals, then he makes fun of the way I talk -- probably. Now he steals my right to raise a disobedient, smart-alecky son! Well, that's it!''

* BerserkButton: Homer's rights about violated... ''First Bush invades my home turf, then he takes my pals, then he makes fun of the way I talk -- probably. Now he steals my right to raise a disobedient, smart-alecky son! Well, that's it!''

* BerserkButton: Homer's rights about violated... "First Bush invades my home turf, then he takes my pals, then he makes fun of the way I talk -- probably. Now he steals my right to raise a disobedient, smart-alecky son! Well, that's it!"

* ShoutOut: the episode itself is one to DennisTheMenace

* AluminumChristmasTrees: The writers at the time did not know that GeorgeHWBush actually had a son also named George (they knew about Jeb, though) -- and neither did the 1996 audience.

A remark then-President George H.W. Bush made at the 1992 National Religious Broadcasters' Convention was one that meant to call to attention what some were seeing as a loosening of American morality and traditional family values, replacing the latter with a perceived celebration of single-by-choice-parent households and dysfunctional families. Genuinely troubled by this trend, Bush remarked, "We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American family, to make American families a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons"

The comment's intent was in the right place. However, many also took offense to the remarks as crotchety and hopelessly unrealistic and old-fashioned ... and that included many who were associated with ''TheSimpsons''. Two years after Bush made his comments, production began on "'''Two Bad Neighbors'''" a satire not so much on President George H.W. Bush but his temperament and perceived tolerance for disrespectful youth who scoff at their parents and teachers and are proud underachievers. Which naturally made Bart Simpson – the very boy whom was criticized for those very qualities – the perfect foil for the ex-president, here a newcomer neighbor to Evergreen Terrace.

The comment's intent was in the right place. However, many also took offense to the remarks as crotchety and hopelessly unrealistic and old-fashioned ... and that included many who were associated with ''TheSimpsons''. Two years after Bush made his comments, production began on "'''Two Bad Neighbors'''" a satire not so much on President George H.W. Bush but his temperament and perceived tolerance for disrespectful youth who scoff at their parents and teachers and are proud underachievers. Which naturally made Bart Simpson – the very boy whom was criticized for those very qualities – the perfect foil for the ex-president ... and newcomer neighbor to Evergreen Terrace.

* ShoutOut: the episode itself is one to DennisTheMenace