Trivia / The Simpsons S4E14 "Brother from the Same Planet"

• Creator Backlash:
  • While this has long been a fan-favorite episode, according to the DVD Commentary, almost everyone on the staff at the time hated it. James L. Brooks himself warned David Mirkin "not to make shit like this" when he was hired to be a showrunner for season five.
  • The jokes about Tuesday Night Live being lame and unfunny are this to the writers of The Simpsons who used to be on Saturday Night Live (George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, and Jon Vitti).
• Crossdressing Voices: The Homer-looking woman who sings "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar" is voiced by Dan Castellaneta
• Executive Meddling: Nickelodeon was strict about what The Simpsons was allowed to do with Ren and Stimpy, and the producers were not allowed to have the savageness that they wanted.
• The Other Darrin: Ren and Stimpy were voiced by Dan Castellaneta rather than their then-voices John Kricfalusi and Billy West^note West would eventually voice both characters after Kricfalusi was kicked off the show.
• Playing Against Type: Rare case of this happening within a show. Phil Hartman typically plays characters with a shady side, such as Lionel Hutz, Troy Mc Clure and Lyle Lanley. Here, he plays Tom, a noble Ace Pilot and Big Brother Mentor to Bart.
• What Could Have Been: The part of Tom was written for Tom Cruise, as the producers were told he was interested in guest starring on the show, but he turned the part down.

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