Line #21 Recap/TheSimpsonsS5E19SweetSeymourSkinnersBaadasssssSong


1	[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sweet_seymour_skinners_baadasssss_song_promo_picture.gif]]
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3	'''Original air date:''' 4/28/1994
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5	'''Production code:''' 1F18
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7	In the 100th episode, Bart's latest hijinks get Principal Skinner fired, and Bart, for the first time in his life, feels bad about what he's done. While Bart befriends Seymour, Flanders is chosen as the new school principal, which throws the entire student body into chaos.
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9	!!This episode contains examples of:
10	* AmbiguouslyBi: Bart suggests Skinner get out of the army by making a pass at his CO. Skinner's reply: "Done and done. And I mean ''done''."
11	* AntagonistInMourning: Although Bart and Skinner become friendly after Skinner loses his job, it's the void of his presence at school that Bart comes back to after Skinner re-enlists in the army.
12	-->'''Bart:''' It's weird, Lise. I miss him as a friend, but I miss him even more as an enemy.
13	* ArchEnemy: After Bart admits he misses Skinner as an enemy:
14	-->'''Lisa:''' I think you need Skinner, Bart. Everybody needs a nemesis. Sherlock Holmes had his Dr. Moriarty. Mountain Dew has its Mellow Yellow. Even Maggie has that baby with the one eyebrow.\
15	''[Bart and Lisa see Maggie exchange glares with Gerald through the window]''
16	* ArtisticLicenseAnimalCare: Edna feeds Santa's Little Helper the raisin cookies Martin made. Grapes and, by extension raisins, are toxic to dogs, not unlike chocolate.
17	* BaitAndSwitch:
18	** Tough-looking guy Leopold scared the students by giving them the impression he'd replace Skinner as the Principal. Then he stepped aside and announced Ned Flanders as the new Principal.
19	** Chalmers is positively outraged at Skinner, but when Santa's Little Helper falls in his arms, he's content to forgive and forget. A moment later, a greasy half-naked Willie falls on him and Skinner is then fired.
20	* BitingTheHandHumor: Homer removes the Fox logo [[BreakingTheFourthWall from the bottom right-hand corner of the screen]] in the episode's CouchGag, and the rest of the family joins him in stomping on it.
21	* BittersweetEnding: Bart succeeds in getting Skinner his job as principal back, but this means they can no longer be friends unless Bart becomes a model student (he chooses not to). [[StatusQuoIsGod The two go back to being rivals again.]]
22	* BlatantLies: At first, Bart used to be sent to Principal Flanders' office eleven times a week. He started being sent there once every half hour after Principal Flanders started offering peanut butter cups and Bart suggested it to be a coincidence.
23	* BosssUnfavoriteEmployee: Chalmers makes clear that he hates Skinner so much that he would rather allow Springfield Elementary to become a lawless hellhole a billion times worse than it was while Skinner ran it than hire him again. He decides to rehire Skinner anyway when he discovers that Ned [[FelonyMisdemeanor leads students in prayer]].
24	* BreadEggsMilkSquick: While looking longingly at the school, Skinner remembers some of the things students have said to him.
25	-->'''Girl:''' I learned to read because of you, Principal Skinner.\
26	'''Martin:''' Sir, I baked you these raisin roundies.\
27	'''Ralph:''' Principal Skinner, I got carsick in your office.
28	* BurningBagOfPoop: Bart knows where Principal Skinner lives because he pulled this prank on the principal in the past.
29	-->'''Skinner''': A flaming bag, eh? Well, these new Italian loafers will make short work of it! SPLUT
30	* CallBack: Mrs. Krabapple responds to Santa's Little Helper's antics in class by saying "It thinks it's people," the same line Bart gave about Stampy the elephant [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS5E17BartGetsAnElephant two episodes earlier]].
31	* CassandraTruth: Two examples, back-to-back:
32	** When Santa's Little Helper escapes into the air vent, Ralph is the first one to spot him. Naturally, Miss Hoover doesn't bat an eye.
33	** Principal Skinner is seen apologizing for not believing Yom Kippur is a real holiday.
34	* CharacterizationMarchesOn: Agnes is actually sweet and welcoming, like in the first season (although not as embarrassing), which is a shift from the Norman Bates-esque jokes about Principal Skinner and his "unseen" mother that had been the standard for several seasons. This is also a far cry from the strict, emotionally [[AbusiveParents abusive mother]] we see later in the series.
35	* CouchGag: The Simpsons sit on the couch just as the Fox logo appears in the lower right hand corner of the screen. [[BitingTheHandHumor Homer gets up from the couch, peels it off, and stomps on it, with the rest of the family joining in]], before returning to the couch.
36	* CutenessProximity: Everyone in Bart's class when they see Santa's Little Helper, except Martin. Even Chalmers is so taken in by the dog that he's completely prepared to absolve Skinner of everything. Or at least, he would have if Willie hadn't fallen on him.
37	* ADayInTheLimelight: The second major one for Skinner, here exploring his relationship with Bart and position as principal.
38	* EskimosArentReal: Principal Skinner used to dismiss Yom Kippur as a made-up holiday, apparently resulting in him mistakenly discriminating against a Jewish student.
39	* EveryoneHasStandards: Bart, who's a lazy underachiever, feels the school under Flanders has devolved too far.
40	* ExtinctAnimalPark: Principal Skinner wants to write the UsefulNotes/GreatAmericanNovel called ''Billy and the Cloneasaurus'' about [[Literature/JurassicPark a futuristic amusement park where dinosaurs are brought to life through advanced cloning techniques]]. A furious Apu then goes into a long rant explaining how [[ItsBeenDone it's already been done before]].
41	* ExtremeDoormat: Ned Flanders as principal. The school descends into absolute mayhem and the teachers refuse to leave the faculty lounge, but Ned does nothing to solve any of this. When students get sent up to his office, rather than scolding them, he gets distracted by being a good host.
42	* FanDisservice: Semi-naked greased up Willie, complete with one scene showing his (mercifully underpants-clad) underside. Downplayed, however, because Willie is shown to be in incredible shape, even though he inexplicably has a potbelly when he is fully dressed.
43	* FelonyMisdemeanor: Flanders is fired as school principal not for letting the children run wild, but for leading the school in a moment of prayer, because, as Chalmers said, "God has no place [in a public school], just as facts have no place in an organized religion".
44	* FiringDay: At the beginning of the episode, Skinner is fired from his job as principal of Springfield's elementary school after a series of shenanigans caused by Bart bringing his dog to school and losing track of him make Superintendent Chalmers snap and fire Skinner on the spot.
45	* FriendlyEnemies: Despite their previous antagonism towards one another, Bart and Skinner get along amicably after the latter loses his job. However, due to feeling guilty and missing having a nemesis, Bart decides he needs to help reinstate Skinner as the school principal, even though doing so means their friendship will have to come to an end.
46	* FromBadToWorse: Skinner gets fired for his unusual incompetence, but his replacement does an unimaginably worse job.
47	* HopeSpot: Happens rather early, when Chalmers is scolding Skinner in front of everybody and suddenly Santa's Little Helper lands on his arms and licks him, which softens him enough to forgive his subordinate, only for Willie to fall on top of him, which gets Skinner fired.
48	* InstantlyProvenWrong: The episode contains the first appearance of rude Italian restaurateur Luigi, to whose establishment Skinner takes Bart:
49	-->'''Skinner:''' They treat you real nice here. \
50	'''Luigi:''' ''(running into the kitchen)'' Hey, Salvatore, guess who's here! Mr. Kookalamanza and-a some real ugly kid.
51	* IntergenerationalFriendship: It seems that Skinner's duty to maintain order at the school was the ''only'' thing stopping him and Bart from becoming a full-blown case of this.
52	* ItsBeenDone: Skinner tells Bart about his idea to write a book about a dinosaur-filled amusement park. Apu is not pleased, launching into a legendary tirade that seems to last for ''hours''.
53	-->'''Skinner:''' I finally have time to do what I've always wanted: write the UsefulNotes/GreatAmericanNovel. Mine is about a futuristic amusement park where dinosaurs are brought to life through advanced cloning techniques. I call it "''Billy and the Cloneasaurus''".\
54	'''Apu:''' Oh, you have ''got'' [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe to be kidding, sir.]] First you [[LampshadeHanging think of an idea that has already been done.]] Then you give it a [[StupidestThingIveEverHeard title that nobody could possibly like]]. [[DidntThinkThisThrough Didn't you think this through]]...?\
55	''(time skip)'' ...[[Literature/JurassicPark was on the bestseller list for eighteen months!]] Every magazine cover had...\
56	''(time skip)'' ...[[Film/JurassicPark most popular movies of all time, sir!]] {{What were you thinking}}?!... (''{{beat}}'') I mean, thank you, come again.
57	* KickMePrank: After Bart gets Principal Skinner his job back they embrace before returning to their old rivalry. Bart attaches a "Kick Me" sign to Skinner; however, Skinner also managed to attach a "Teach Me" sign to Bart.
58	* LamePunReaction: The students find Ned Flanders' puns funnier than Chalmers', despite not being much different.
59	-->'''Ned:''' As chairman of the P.T.A., I am de-didilly-lighted to take over, and I think I can [[PuttingThePalInPrincipal put the "pal" back in principal]].\
60	''(the kids laugh)''\
61	'''Chalmers:''' Yeah, and [[YouPutTheXInXY I'll put the "super" back in superintendent!]]\
62	''(no one laughs)''\
63	'''Chalmers:''' It's the same exact joke. What gives, Leo?\
64	''(later, when the kids laugh at Ned's similar "put the stew back in students" pun)''\
65	'''Chalmers:''' It's just a damn popularity contest with you kids! ''(walks off annoyed)''\
66	'''Leo:''' Now look what you've done, you little freaks! ''(walks off angrily)''
67	* LawOfDisproportionateResponse: Chalmers is unbothered by the fact that the school has descended into utter madness with the bullies running the asylum and at least one hapless nerd in a ''cage'' under Ned's NiceGuy jurisdiction, but when he hears Ned announcing "Let's thank the Lord for another beautiful school day," he construes the declaration as a prayer and fires him on the spot.
68	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Marge objects to Bart's initial idea of using her and Homer's embarrassing home movies to entertain his classmates during Show and Tell:
69	-->'''Marge:''' How would you like it if twenty years from now, people were laughing at things ''you'' did?
70	-->'''Bart:''' [[SelfDeprecation Not likely]].
71	* LongList: Principal Skinner (on deciding which laundry detergent to use): "Let's see: Tide...Cheer...Bold...Biz...Fab...All...Gain...Wisk. I believe today I will try...Bold."
72	* ManlyTears: Shed by the now former Principal Skinner when he stops one night by the school (in his classic working attire) and remembers his old days as a teacher and voice of authority.
73	* MundaneMadeAwesome: Willie chasing after Santa's Little Helper in the vents plays out like something out of the ''Aliens'' movie.
74	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Bart wasn't trying to get Skinner fired, he just didn't think about bringing a dog into the school.
75	* NoodleIncident:
76	** The start of the episode showed Skinner was already in hot water apparently because he thought a Jewish student made up Yom Kippur.
77	** Maggie's rivalry with Baby Gerald ("that one baby with the weird eyebrow") was this when this episode aired, since Baby Gerald had never been mentioned before.
78	* TheNotSoHarmlessPunishment: After Superintendent Chalmers is angry enough at Skinner before Santa's Little Helper causes a crisis, and Groundskeeper Willie falling on him seems to be the last straw:
79	-->'''Chalmers:''' Seymour?...You're fired!\
80	'''Skinner''': ''(offended)'' I'm sorry, did you...did you just call me a ''liar?''\
81	'''Chalmers:''' No, I said you were fired.\
82	'''Skinner:''' Oh... ''({{Beat}})'' That's much worse...
83	* OddFriendship: A major part of the episode is Bart and Skinner forming one.
84	* OutOfCharacter: Skinner's incompetence pretty much contrasts with the no-nonsense stance he had in the show's earlier seasons.
85	* PetTheDog: Bart is given a good mark for bringing Santa's Little Helper in for Show and Tell.
86	* PuttingThePalInPrincipal: The TropeNamer. Deconstructed with Ned, who takes such a hands-off approach to running the Elementary School that it becomes a lawless hellhole.
87	* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Parodied. When Ned says how his father was harsh on him as a boy, we see a flashback of Nedward going on a tirade on his son after young Ned spills some ink. Being as he's a beatnik, said tirade is all about calling Ned a square in several ways.
88	-->'''Nedward Flanders''': Oh maaaan! Ned’s spilled ink all over my poems! He’s a real flat tire. I mean a cube, man. He’s putting us on the train to Squaresville, Mona.
89	* SelectiveEnforcement: Chalmers lets Flanders get away with ten times the mayhem and incompetence he fired Skinner over. He nonchalantly admits that Skinner really bugs him and public schools are going down the tubes anyway.
90	* ShoutOut:
91	** The title refers to the genre-defining {{Blaxploitation}} film ''Film/SweetSweetbacksBaadasssssSong''.
92	** Some of Willie's pursuit of Santa's Little Helper in the vents echoes a scene from ''Film/{{Alien}}''.
93	** While imprisoned, Martin does some ironing while singing the Toreador march.
94	* SkewedPriorities:
95	** Apu's ItsBeenDone example follows him being only mildly irritated by Bart abusing the Kwik-E-Mart's self-serve policy and making a big mess.
96	** After brazenly excusing the problems occurring on Ned's watch, Chalmers objects to his invoking God.
97	--->'''Chalmers:''' God has no place within these walls, just like facts have no place within organized religion! Simpson, you get your wish! Flanders is history!
98	* SpecialGuest: Creator/FrankWelker as Santa's Little Helper's vocal effects.
99	* SwissCheeseSecurity: Bart rides his bike into Fort Springfield right past the guard, who's looking the other way.
100	* TakeThat: Chalmers' quote about organized religion. See SkewedPriorities above.
101	* TeachersOutOfSchool: ZigZagged. After Skinner loses his job, Bart gets to know him outside of work. Even though Skinner is as boring as ever, Bart ''still'' manages to befriend him.
102	* TemptingFate: When Chalmers arrives at the gym, Skinner tries assuring him that everything is under control. At that very moment, a ladder leading up to an air vent falls over, taking with it the scoreboard, a nearby window, and Chalmers' patience. Soon after, Santa's Little Helper falls into Chalmers' arms. For that, he's tempted to forgive Skinner of his transgressions... until a half-naked Willie drops on top of him.
103	* TwoDecadesBehind: Skinner listens to classical music on a 1960s-era reel-to-reel tape machine (although, that's possibly for the same reason he washes his laundry in a public launderette - he lives with MyBelovedSmother who won't allow him to use modern technology).
104	* YearningForANemesis: After Bart gets Skinner fired and builds a friendship with him, Bart feels that something isn't right and tells Lisa. Lisa puts it as Bart yearning for a disciplinarian nemesis, someone he can rebel against (Ned Flanders allowing the school to go to hell with his hands-off approach also turns it into a kind of VictoryIsBoring situation). With this in mind, Bart decides to help Skinner regain his job.
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Context Recap / TheSimpsonsS5E19SweetSeymourSkinnersBaadasssssSong