Production code: GABF-13
After her family falls ill from organic food, Lisa uses her singing voice to comfort them, and Homer sees his daughter's talent as a chance to compete on a reality talent show for kids.
"A Star is Torn" contains examples of:
- Artistic License – Law Enforcement: Homer asks for a change for $1 to call the police at the Kwik-E-Mart. However, payphones do not require payment for 911 emergency calls—which an armed robbery in progress would definitely qualify for.
- Author Tract: Parodied in Lisa's Imagine Spot of being animated on Itchy & Scratchy, where she gives a message on animal cruelty.Scratchy: For details, log onto PETA.org.
- Blatant Lies: Li'l Starmaker's disclaimer. They said they never heard of American Idol. It wasn't the first time a Simpsons episode used that sort of lie.
- Broke the Rating Scale: In-Universe of the Out of Bounds. Since Krusty find it too hard to judge the candidate, he uses a noise meter to pick the most worthy one via popularity of the audience, rating from Sarcastic (0) to Thunderous (10). Lisa’s performance jumps to 10 then shoots the arrow into Krusty’s eye, making her pick him without any contest.
- Casting Gag: One of the young singers is played by Fantasia Barrino, who was a contestant on American Idol, which "American Starmaker" is a parody of.
- Continuity Nod: The opening lyrics to Lisa's audition song are, "I've been to Paris and London and Tokyo town..."
- Everybody Has Standards: Homer's Stage Dad attitude becomes so obnoxious that Lisa has no choice but to fire him, pointing out that his behaviour was bad enough that not even the showbiz world would allow it.
- Irony: Homer wrote a song praising Springfield (with most of the tune plagarised) and then calls it a "godforsaken hellhole".Marge: But your song said you liked Springfield.
Homer: I wrote it about Shelbyville, then changed the names. - The Mole: After Lisa fires Homer, he begins managing Cameron... who then loses all his fans and popularity in the final. Homer shows himself to be this to Lisa at the end.
- Musical Episode: Homer writes several original songs for Lisa to sing. The one that Lisa wrote herself, "Always My Dad", was nominated for an Emmy®. (It lost to "Mary Jane/Mary Lane" from Reefer Madness: The Musical.)
- Privileged Rival: Lisa wins because Homer tricks Cameron into singing a song that describes him as a spoiled brat who has no shame about flaunting his wealth.
- Reading Foreign Signs Out Loud: In the Spanish dub, Lisa quickly and quietly reads Homer's "10% sadder" sign out loud during her song.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: When Homer and Lisa begin arguing (see below), Marge hurriedly asks Bart if he wants to go to the arcade. He replies that he'll even go shoe shopping, and the two immediately get out of the car.
- Special Guest: American Idol's 3rd Season winner Fantasia Barrino as Clarissa Wellington.
- Stage Mom: Homer becomes a gender-flipped case, where he beats up other people to get Lisa what she wants. Lisa finds it all sickening and fires him as her manager.Lisa: Dad, I'm sorry you're hurt, but you left me no choice. You were obnoxious at a level not even permitted in show business.
Homer: Do you know the hours I worked, the people I had to yell at, the tires I had to slash?
Lisa: No one asked you to yell and slash!
Homer: IT'S CALLED SCHMOOZING! - Thing-O-Meter: Krusty uses an applause-o-meter so he won't have to pay attention to the songs.
