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Study Guide: The Simpsons: 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' - A Critical and Pedagogical Review

Cheat Sheet:
The Simpsons: 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' - A Critical and Pedagogical Review Study Guide

Production and Initial Broadcast

"Secrets of a Successful Marriage" is the twenty-second and final episode of the sixth season of *The Simpsons*.

Answer: False

Explanation: The episode 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' is the twenty-second and final episode of the *fifth* season, not the sixth.

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The episode "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" originally aired on May 19, 1994, on the Fox network in the United States.

Answer: True

Explanation: The episode 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' premiered on May 19, 1994, on the Fox network in the United States.

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Phil Hartman made a guest appearance in the episode, voicing the character Lionel Hutz.

Answer: True

Explanation: Phil Hartman provided the voice for the character Lionel Hutz in a guest appearance during the episode.

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The couch gag depicted the Simpson family running in, colliding, and exploding, with Maggie's pacifier falling to the floor.

Answer: True

Explanation: The couch gag featured the Simpson family running in, colliding, and exploding, with Maggie's pacifier being the only item to fall to the floor afterward.

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David Mirkin, Greg Daniels, and Matt Groening provided commentary for the DVD release of "Secrets of a Successful Marriage."

Answer: False

Explanation: Commentary for the DVD release was provided by David Mirkin, Greg Daniels, and David Silverman, not Matt Groening.

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When did "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" originally air?

Answer: May 19, 1994

Explanation: The episode 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' originally aired on May 19, 1994.

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Who directed the episode "Secrets of a Successful Marriage"?

Answer: Carlos Baeza

Explanation: Carlos Baeza directed the episode 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage'.

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Which guest star appeared in "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" and in what role?

Answer: Phil Hartman as Lionel Hutz

Explanation: Phil Hartman made a guest appearance in the episode, voicing the character Lionel Hutz.

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How was the couch gag depicted in this episode?

Answer: The family ran in, collided, and exploded, with Maggie's pacifier falling.

Explanation: The couch gag featured the Simpson family running in, colliding, and exploding, with Maggie's pacifier falling to the floor.

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Who served as the executive producer for "Secrets of a Successful Marriage"?

Answer: David Mirkin

Explanation: David Mirkin was the executive producer for the episode 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage'.

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Narrative Arc and Marital Conflict

Homer enrolls in an adult education center to teach a class on advanced physics after feeling unintelligent.

Answer: False

Explanation: Homer enrolls in an adult education center due to feeling unintelligent, but he chooses to teach a class on successful marriage, not advanced physics.

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Marge advised Homer to take an adult education course after he felt his family and peers considered him "slow."

Answer: True

Explanation: Marge suggested Homer take an adult education course when he expressed feeling 'slow' in the eyes of his family and peers.

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Homer decided to teach a class on successful marriage because he believed it was the only subject he was qualified to teach among the available adult education courses.

Answer: True

Explanation: Homer's decision to teach a class on successful marriage stemmed from his assessment that it was the only subject he was qualified to instruct among the adult education offerings.

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Homer initially struggled as a teacher because his students were uninterested in his personal anecdotes, leading him to share Marge's secrets.

Answer: False

Explanation: Homer initially struggled because he couldn't help students with their relationship problems, not because they were uninterested in his anecdotes. He then shared Marge's secrets to regain their interest.

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Marge became upset and kicked Homer out of the house after he refused to stop revealing her personal secrets to his students.

Answer: False

Explanation: Marge evicted Homer after he invited his students to dinner and Moe revealed another of her secrets, not simply because Homer refused to stop revealing secrets.

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After being kicked out, Homer slept in the family car for several nights.

Answer: False

Explanation: After being evicted, Homer slept in Bart's treehouse, not the family car.

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Bart and Lisa were concerned that their parents' conflict might lead to a divorce.

Answer: True

Explanation: Bart and Lisa expressed worry that the significant dispute between Homer and Marge could result in their parents' divorce.

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Homer reconciled with Marge by bringing her flowers and promising to never reveal her secrets again.

Answer: False

Explanation: Homer's attempt to reconcile with flowers was preempted by Moe. He ultimately reconciled by offering Marge 'complete and utter dependency,' which made her feel needed.

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What was Homer's primary motivation for enrolling in an adult education center?

Answer: He felt he was perceived as unintelligent and wanted to improve himself.

Explanation: Homer enrolled in the adult education center because he felt his family and peers considered him 'slow' and he wished to improve his perceived intelligence.

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What advice did Marge give Homer when he felt his peers considered him "slow"?

Answer: To take an adult education course.

Explanation: Marge advised Homer to enroll in an adult education course when he expressed feeling 'slow' among his family and peers.

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Why did Homer decide to teach a class on successful marriage?

Answer: He believed it was the only subject he was qualified to teach.

Explanation: Homer chose to teach a class on successful marriage after reviewing the available adult education courses and concluding it was the only subject for which he possessed the necessary qualifications.

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What tactic did Homer use to re-engage his students after they started losing interest in his class?

Answer: He started telling personal secrets about Marge.

Explanation: To re-engage his students, Homer began disclosing Marge's personal secrets, which proved effective in rekindling their interest.

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What was Marge's initial reaction when she discovered Homer was revealing her personal secrets?

Answer: She confronted him, and he promised to stop, but later relented.

Explanation: Upon discovering Homer was revealing her secrets, Marge confronted him, and he initially promised to cease, though he later resumed the practice.

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What specific event led to Marge evicting Homer from their house?

Answer: Homer invited his students to observe family dinner, and Moe revealed another secret about Marge.

Explanation: Marge evicted Homer after he invited his students to a family dinner, during which Moe inadvertently disclosed another of Marge's personal secrets, leading to her fury.

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Where did Homer sleep after Marge kicked him out of the house?

Answer: In Bart's treehouse

Explanation: After being evicted by Marge, Homer slept in Bart's treehouse.

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What concern did Bart and Lisa express regarding their parents' conflict?

Answer: That their parents would get divorced.

Explanation: Bart and Lisa were concerned that the significant conflict between Homer and Marge might result in their parents divorcing.

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How did Homer ultimately reconcile with Marge?

Answer: He offered her "complete and utter dependency," making her feel needed.

Explanation: Homer reconciled with Marge by articulating his 'complete and utter dependency' on her, which, despite initial hesitation, made her feel needed and led to their reunion.

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Themes and Character Analysis

Greg Daniels was inspired to write the episode by wanting to portray Homer as truly good at something, specifically being a good husband.

Answer: True

Explanation: Greg Daniels' motivation for writing the episode was to depict Homer as genuinely competent, specifically as an effective husband, contrasting his usual portrayal.

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By Season 5, the focus of *The Simpsons* had shifted from Bart to Homer, according to writer/showrunner Al Jean.

Answer: True

Explanation: Al Jean stated that by Season 5, the narrative focus of *The Simpsons* had indeed transitioned from Bart to Homer, due to the latter's greater potential for adult storylines.

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David Mirkin commented that Homer's IQ is consistently high, which is key to the show's success.

Answer: False

Explanation: David Mirkin stated that Homer's IQ is 'fairly flexible,' not consistently high, and that balancing his character is key to the show's success.

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David Mirkin considered the major fight between Homer and Marge in the episode to be a minor disagreement that didn't genuinely worry the audience.

Answer: False

Explanation: David Mirkin viewed the major fight between Homer and Marge as a 'really great' exploration of their marriage that was intended to make the audience genuinely worry, not a minor disagreement.

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Mirkin explained that Homer and Marge stay together despite arguments due to a unique, fictional bond unlike real relationships.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mirkin explained that Homer and Marge remain together due to 'some sort of connection' that reflects how real people maintain relationships, not a unique fictional bond.

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What was Greg Daniels' inspiration for writing this episode regarding Homer's character?

Answer: To find something Homer was truly good at, like being a good husband.

Explanation: Greg Daniels' inspiration was to depict Homer as genuinely competent, specifically as a good husband, contrasting his typical portrayal as incompetent.

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According to Al Jean, what shift in focus occurred in *The Simpsons* by Season 5?

Answer: From Bart to Homer.

Explanation: Al Jean indicated that by Season 5, the show's focus had shifted from Bart to Homer, due to Homer's potential for more complex adult storylines.

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What did showrunner David Mirkin comment about Homer's IQ?

Answer: It is "fairly flexible."

Explanation: David Mirkin described Homer's IQ as 'fairly flexible,' emphasizing the importance of balancing his character for the show's success.

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How did David Mirkin view the major fight between Homer and Marge in the episode?

Answer: As a "really great" exploration of their marriage that made the audience genuinely worry.

Explanation: David Mirkin considered the significant marital conflict between Homer and Marge a 'really great' exploration of their relationship, intended to evoke genuine concern from the audience.

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According to Mirkin, why do Homer and Marge remain together despite their arguments?

Answer: Because there is "some sort of connection" between them, reflecting real relationships.

Explanation: Mirkin explained that Homer and Marge's enduring relationship, despite their arguments, is sustained by an underlying 'connection' that mirrors real-world marital dynamics.

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Intertextual References and Parody

The chalkboard gag in the episode referenced the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

Answer: True

Explanation: The chalkboard gag, stating 'Five days is not too long to wait for a gun,' directly referenced the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

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Homer sang a portion of the theme song to the television series *Cheers* while speaking with an administrator.

Answer: False

Explanation: Homer sang a portion of the theme song to the television series *Family Ties*, not *Cheers*, during his conversation with an administrator.

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Smithers' recollection of his marriage parodied plays by Arthur Miller.

Answer: False

Explanation: Smithers' recollection of his marriage parodied plays by Tennessee Williams, specifically *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* and *A Streetcar Named Desire*, not Arthur Miller.

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Homer's bedroom rant to Marge was a parody of lines from *A Few Good Men*, *Patton*, and *Chinatown*.

Answer: False

Explanation: Homer's bedroom rant parodied lines from *...And Justice for All*, *A Few Good Men*, *Patton*, and *Chinatown*, not just the latter three.

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One of the lines Homer delivered in his film-parody rant was, "You can't handle the truth!"

Answer: True

Explanation: Homer's film-parody rant included the iconic line, 'You can't handle the truth!'

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Which theme song did Homer sing a portion of while speaking with an administrator?

Answer: *Family Ties*

Explanation: Homer sang a segment of the theme song from the television series *Family Ties* during his conversation with an administrator.

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Which American playwright's works were parodied in Smithers' recollection of his marriage?

Answer: Tennessee Williams

Explanation: Smithers' marital recollection parodied plays by American playwright Tennessee Williams, specifically *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* and *A Streetcar Named Desire*.

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Which of the following films was NOT referenced in Homer's bedroom rant to Marge?

Answer: *Goodfellas*

Explanation: Homer's bedroom rant referenced *...And Justice for All*, *A Few Good Men*, *Patton*, and *Chinatown*. *Goodfellas* was not among the referenced films.

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What specific line did Homer deliver in his film-parody rant?

Answer: "You can't handle the truth!"

Explanation: Homer's film-parody rant included the line 'You can't handle the truth!'

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Critical Reception and Academic Commentary

Alma Harris et al. critiqued the episode for portraying adult learners as highly motivated and adult education tutors as having high status.

Answer: False

Explanation: Alma Harris et al. critiqued the episode for portraying adult learners as 'stupid and lazy' and undercutting the status of adult education tutors, which is the opposite of highly motivated and high status.

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"Secrets of a Successful Marriage" achieved a Nielsen rating of 12.5 upon its original broadcast.

Answer: False

Explanation: The episode achieved a Nielsen rating of 9.8 upon its original broadcast, not 12.5.

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Since airing, the episode has received mostly negative reviews from television critics.

Answer: False

Explanation: Since its initial airing, the episode has garnered predominantly positive reviews from television critics, not negative.

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Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood considered "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" a "confident finale" to the fifth season.

Answer: True

Explanation: Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood indeed described 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' as a 'confident finale' to the fifth season in their unofficial guide.

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Bill Gibron of DVD Talk gave "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" a score of 3 out of 5.

Answer: False

Explanation: Bill Gibron of DVD Talk assigned 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' a score of 4 out of 5, not 3 out of 5.

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Ricky Gervais praised Homer's line, "I know now what I can offer you that no one else can. Complete and utter dependence," calling it "so sweet."

Answer: True

Explanation: Ricky Gervais indeed lauded Homer's line about 'complete and utter dependence' as 'so sweet' and accurate, naming it a reason for the episode being a favorite.

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*Today* ranked the episode as the third on its list of top ten *The Simpsons* episodes.

Answer: False

Explanation: *Today* ranked 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' seventh on its list of top ten *The Simpsons* episodes, not third.

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What critique did Alma Harris, Roy Fisher, Ann Harris, and Christine Jarvis offer about the episode's portrayal of adult education?

Answer: It portrays adult learners as "stupid and lazy" and undercuts the status of tutors.

Explanation: Alma Harris et al. criticized the episode for depicting adult learners as 'stupid and lazy' and diminishing the professional standing of adult education tutors.

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What Nielsen rating did "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" achieve upon its original broadcast?

Answer: 9.8

Explanation: Upon its original American broadcast, 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' achieved a Nielsen rating of 9.8.

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How did the episode rank in ratings compared to other shows on the Fox network during its airing week?

Answer: It was the second highest-rated show on Fox, following *Melrose Place*.

Explanation: For its airing week, the episode was the second highest-rated program on the Fox network, trailing only *Melrose Place*.

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What was the general critical reception of "Secrets of a Successful Marriage"?

Answer: Mostly positive reviews.

Explanation: Since its broadcast, 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' has generally received positive reviews from television critics.

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Why did Ricky Gervais name "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" as one of his favorite *Simpsons* episodes?

Answer: For Homer's line about "complete and utter dependence," calling it "so sweet."

Explanation: Ricky Gervais cited Homer's line, 'I know now what I can offer you that no one else can. Complete and utter dependence,' as 'so sweet' and a key reason for the episode being a favorite.

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How did *Today* rank "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" on its list of top ten *The Simpsons* episodes?

Answer: Seventh

Explanation: *Today* placed 'Secrets of a Successful Marriage' seventh on its compilation of the top ten *The Simpsons* episodes.

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