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Springfield's Finest

A Deep Dive into The Simpsons Season 19

Season Overview 👇 Episode Guide 📺

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Season Overview

Broadcast Details

The nineteenth season of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons aired on the Fox network from September 23, 2007, to May 18, 2008. This season marked the final complete broadcast in the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio and standard definition. It was produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television, under the showrunner Al Jean.

Critical Acclaim

The season garnered significant recognition, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program for the episode "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind". Further accolades included another Emmy nomination, four Writers Guild of America Award nominations (with one win), and an Annie Award nomination, underscoring the creative output of this period.

Production Context

Produced following the release of The Simpsons Movie, this season incorporated seven hold-over episodes from the previous production cycle. The season's production was notably affected by the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, leading to a reduction in the planned number of episodes, a common challenge faced by television productions at the time.

Episode Compendium

Episode Guide

This section details each episode from Season 19, including broadcast information, key creative personnel, and viewership data. Expand each entry for a synopsis and guest star information.

No. Overall No. Season Title Director Writer Release Date Prod. Code Viewers (Millions)
401 1 "He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs" Mark Kirkland Joel H. Cohen September 23, 2007 JABF20 9.55
Homer's pursuit of wealth leads him to a corporate jet, only to discover the realities of the high life. Marge hires a life coach, and Homer attempts to maintain appearances until Bart exposes his deception. The episode concludes with Homer safely landing a plane, reinforcing his appreciation for his current life.
Guest Stars: Stephen Colbert and Lionel Richie.
402 2 "The Homer of Seville" Mike Frank Polcino Carolyn Omine September 30, 2007 JABF18 8.51
An accident transforms Homer into an opera singer, attracting the attention of a manipulative manager, Julia. Homer navigates fame and danger, ultimately firing Julia, who seeks revenge. Marge's intervention saves Homer, leading to his retirement from singing.
Guest Stars: Maya Rudolph and Plácido Domingo.
403 3 "Midnight Towboy" Matthew Nastuk Stephanie Gillis October 7, 2007 JABF21 7.89
Marge enrolls Maggie in a school for independent babies, leading to unexpected bonding. Homer befriends a tow-truck driver, Louie, and enters the towing business. A territorial dispute results in Homer's kidnapping, from which Maggie rescues him.
Guest Star: Matt Dillon.
404 4 "I Don't Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" Bob Anderson Dana Gould October 14, 2007 JABF19 8.70
Marge makes a promise to visit a bank robber, Dwight, in prison. When she struggles to keep her word, Dwight escapes and takes her on a chaotic amusement park adventure. Dwight ultimately sacrifices himself to save Chief Wiggum, and Marge fulfills her promise.
Guest Stars: Steve Buscemi, Ted Nugent and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
405 5 "Treehouse of Horror XVIII" Chuck Sheetz Marc Wilmore November 4, 2007 JABF16 11.74
The annual Halloween trilogy features parodies: "E.T., Go Home" (Bart aids an alien Kodos), "Mr. & Mrs. Simpson" (Homer and Marge as assassins), and "Heck House" (Ned Flanders confronts sin).
Guest Star: Maurice LaMarche.
406 6 "Little Orphan Millie" Lance Kramer Mick Kelly November 11, 2007 JABF22 10.53
Milhouse becomes popular after his parents are presumed dead. Bart's attempts to cheer him up backfire, but an adventurous uncle makes Milhouse even more popular. Meanwhile, Homer struggles to recall Marge's eye color.
Guest Star: Maurice LaMarche.
407 7 "Husbands and Knives" Nancy Kruse Matt Selman November 18, 2007 JABF17 10.56
The Comic Book Guy's store faces competition from a new comic shop. Marge buys the store and turns it into a women's gym. Homer undergoes plastic surgery due to insecurity, leading to comedic and dramatic consequences.
Guest Stars: Alan Moore, Art Spiegelman, Dan Clowes, Jack Black and Maurice LaMarche.
408 8 "Funeral for a Fiend" Rob Oliver Michael Price November 25, 2007 KABF01 9.01
Sideshow Bob plots revenge against Bart during a family dinner. Bart inadvertently foils Bob's plan, leading to Bob faking his death and conspiring with his family to kill Bart. Lisa uncovers the plot, and Bart is rescued.
Guest Stars: Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney and Keith Olbermann.
409 9 "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind" Chuck Sheetz J. Stewart Burns December 16, 2007 KABF02 10.07
Homer wakes with amnesia and must retrace his steps to discover what happened to his family. He believes Marge is having an affair, but discovers she was planning a surprise party. Moe had erased his memory to ensure the surprise.
410 10 "E Pluribus Wiggum" Mike Frank Polcino Michael Price January 6, 2008 KABF03 8.04
Springfield becomes the first city to hold primary elections due to Homer's actions. The town elects Ralph Wiggum as a joke presidential candidate, who then embraces the role seriously.
Guest Stars: Jon Stewart and Dan Rather.
411 11 "That '90s Show" Mark Kirkland Matt Selman January 27, 2008 KABF04 7.45
A discovered diploma reveals a ten-year gap between Bart's birth and Homer and Marge's meeting. Marge's college aspirations and budding romance with a professor lead Homer down a path of musical fame and depression, until she returns to him.
Guest Stars: Kurt Loder and "Weird Al" Yankovic.
412 12 "Love, Springfieldian Style" Raymond S. Persi Don Payne February 17, 2008 KABF05 7.81
Stuck in a Tunnel of Love ride on Valentine's Day, the Simpson family tells stories of famous couples: Bonnie and Clyde (Homer/Marge), Lady and the Tramp (Homer/Marge), and Sid Vicious/Nancy Spungen (Nelson/Lisa).
413 13 "The Debarted" Matthew Nastuk Joel H. Cohen March 2, 2008 KABF06 8.18
Bart befriends a new student, Donny, who takes the blame for his pranks. Principal Skinner uses Donny as an informant. Meanwhile, Homer becomes attached to a rental car, eventually abandoning it for his old vehicle.
Guest Stars: Topher Grace and Terry Gross.
414 14 "Dial 'N' for Nerder" Bob Anderson Carolyn Omine & William Wright March 9, 2008 KABF07 7.31
Bart and Lisa's prank on Martin Prince goes awry, leading them to believe they caused his death. Feeling guilty, they complete his project, but Lisa confesses. Martin reappears, revealing he survived. Marge suspects Homer of cheating on his diet, confronting him via a reality TV show.
415 15 "Smoke on the Daughter" Lance Kramer Billy Kimball March 30, 2008 KABF08 7.14
Lisa's ballet improves with cigarette smoke exposure. Homer's secret beef jerky project is overrun by raccoons. He allows Lisa to dance despite the smoking, but a raccoon theft disrupts her performance, causing her to quit.
416 16 "Papa Don't Leech" Chris Clements Reid Harrison April 13, 2008 KABF09 6.93
Lurleen Lumpkin seeks refuge at the Simpsons' home, causing Marge distress. Marge reunites Lurleen with her father, who abandons her again. Lurleen exposes him when he sells her song to the Dixie Chicks.
Guest Stars: Beverly D'Angelo and The Dixie Chicks.
417 17 "Apocalypse Cow" Nancy Kruse Jeff Westbrook April 27, 2008 KABF10 7.75
Bart joins the 4-H Club and befriends a cow, Lou. To save Lou from slaughter, Bart enters into a traditional marriage with a country girl, Mary. Marge disrupts the wedding, and Lou is sent to India.
Guest Star: Zooey Deschanel.
418 18 "Any Given Sundance" Chuck Sheetz Daniel Chun May 4, 2008 KABF11 6.28
Lisa's short film is accepted into the Sundance Film Festival. The family's portrayal in the film is poorly received, causing Lisa distress. She finds solace seeing other families face similar or worse challenges.
Guest Stars: Jim Jarmusch and John C. Reilly.
419 19 "Mona Leaves-a" Mike B. Anderson & Ralph Sosa Joel H. Cohen May 11, 2008 KABF12 6.08
Homer's radical mother, Mona Simpson, returns, vowing to end her protests. After her death, Homer fulfills her wish to spread her ashes, inadvertently triggering a nuclear missile launch. The family helps Homer escape and avert disaster.
Guest Stars: Glenn Close, Lance Armstrong.
420 20 "All About Lisa" Steven Dean Moore John Frink May 18, 2008 KABF13 6.19
Lisa becomes Krusty the Clown's intern and rises to stardom. After winning an award, she relinquishes her show back to Krusty. Meanwhile, Bart and Homer search for a rare coin, eventually tricking Mr. Burns into giving it to them.
Guest Star: Drew Carey.

Voice Ensemble & Characters

Main Cast

  • Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, Mayor Quimby, Grampa Simpson, and others.
  • Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, and Selma Bouvier.
  • Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson, Ralph Wiggum, and Nelson Muntz.
  • Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson.
  • Hank Azaria as Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Professor Frink, and others.
  • Harry Shearer as Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, and others.

Supporting Cast

  • Pamela Hayden as Milhouse Van Houten, Jimbo Jones.
  • Tress MacNeille as Agnes Skinner, Crazy Cat Lady, Dolph Shapiro.
  • Maggie Roswell as Luann Van Houten, Helen Lovejoy.
  • Russi Taylor as Martin Prince, Sherri, Terri.
  • Karl Wiedergott as additional characters.

Notable guest stars included Jon Stewart, Jack Black, Lionel Richie, Stephen Colbert, Steve Buscemi, Maya Rudolph, Dan Rather, Plácido Domingo, Matt Dillon, Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney, Kurt Loder, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Keith Olbermann, Beverly D'Angelo, and Topher Grace.

Production Insights

Season Development

This season was part of a two-season renewal announced in March 2006. It marked the first season produced after the theatrical release of The Simpsons Movie and included several episodes carried over from the previous season's production line (JABF). Al Jean continued his role as showrunner, a position he had held since Season 13.

Writers' Strike Impact

The 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike significantly impacted production schedules across the industry. For The Simpsons, this resulted in the season comprising 22 episodes, rather than the initially planned 23. This situation required careful management to ensure the season's completion, affecting the workflow for many animated and live-action series.

Critical Reception

Review Summary

Critics offered mixed assessments of the season. Robert Canning of IGN rated the season 6.6 out of 10, describing it as "Passable." While acknowledging criticisms regarding the perceived decline in quality in recent seasons, Canning noted that later episodes of Season 19 showed improvement.

Awards and Nominations

Major Accolades

  • Emmy Awards: Won Outstanding Animated Program ("Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind"); Nominated for Outstanding Music Composition ("Treehouse of Horror XVIII").
  • Writers Guild of America Awards: Won for Television: Animation ("Apocalypse Cow"). Nominated for "E Pluribus Wiggum", "The Debarted", and "The Homer of Seville".
  • Annie Awards: Nominated for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production ("The Debarted").

Home Media Release

DVD Details

Announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, The Simpsons Season 19 was released on DVD in the United States and Canada on December 3, 2019, by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. This release coincided with Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

  • Format: 4-disc DVD set
  • Episodes: 20
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Surround, French 2.0 Dolby Surround
  • Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
  • Special Features: Optional commentaries for all episodes, "A Plea for Sanity" introduction by Matt Groening, Special Language Feature for "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind", and a "Thank You" featurette.

Scholarly References

Source Citations

The information presented herein is derived from publicly available data. Comprehensive details and source attributions are managed programmatically.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the The Simpsons season 19 Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This document was generated by an AI language model, synthesizing information from publicly accessible data sources, primarily Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, this content is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

This is not professional analysis. The information provided does not constitute expert commentary on television production, animation history, or cultural impact. Users should consult primary sources and academic literature for rigorous study. The creators of this page assume no liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.