“Maybe they’re not good or bad parents. Maybe they’re just parents.” 

Today we’re talking about Season 4 Episode 6’s Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie. After messing up 1 too many times, Bart is banned from seeing the Itchy and Scratchy movie forever. 

I’m joined by an old friend and new mom, Jodi Fabbri. Jodi is our 1st guest who doesn’t like The Simpsons! I loved hearing about her experience watching the show as a non-Simpsons freak. We discuss why Bart is such a little stinker, and how Homer and Marge could help Bart sort himself out. We also talk about the “Where’s the Beef” ads, the great VHS Format Wars of the late 80s, and the terrible thing Bart did to the new kid, Arthur (it involves firecrackers).

You can follow Jodi at jodifayefabbri on Instagram.

You can follow this show at @bartannicapodcast on Instagram.

Jodi Recommends: 

Harrison Recommends: 

“WE’VE BEEN GOING TO THE SAME PARTY FOR 30 YEARS AND IN NO WAY IS THAT PATHETIC.”

Hi Everybody and welcome to Gamehendge! This week I'm joined by musician, comedian, and certified Phish Fan Steve Plock (The Curls, Tobacco City, Jessica Risker) to chat about all things Phish. We talk about Steve's Phish journey (he's seen them 88 times!!) and why people love to hate on jam bands.

We review Season 13 Episode 16, Weekend at Burnsie's- after being attacked by crows, Homer gets addicted to medicinal marijuana. This leads to him being hired to laugh at Mr. Burns' jokes. Also, Phish is here! 

I do a deep dive into the history of medicinal marijuana in America, a totally chill topic that totally won't piss you off hearing how the government treats illegal drugs. And we ask the important question: is stoned Homer a better dad than drunk Homer? 

Follow Steve's bands: @thecurls_coolband, @truthzonerecs on Instagram.

And his improv team Dumb John @dumbjohn. 

And follow this show @bartannicapodcast. 

Steve Recommends: 

Harrison Recommends: 

Research for this episode came from: 

Phish/Simpsons Connections- Phish.net

Today we're discussing Season 15, Episode 8, Marge Vs Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays: After a baby concert becomes a disaster, Lindsay Naegle rallies the town to favor childless adults, but Marge fights back with a voter initiative. 

I'm joined by Greg Iwinski, a 2x Emmy-winning TV writer who has worked on The Late Show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and the Disney series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. We discuss the late night situation with Stephen Colbert vs the Trump Administration, hating the things you love (Star Wars/Simpsons), and how being a parent has changed since this episode first aired 21 years ago. Greg also points out a joke in this episode that made him laugh so hard he had to leave the room the first time he watched it. 

Follow Greg on all socials: @garyjackson

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at [email protected].

Greg Recommends: 

References

Frank Nelson and Jack Benny

It's another presidential-themed episode as we discuss Season 7 Episode 13, Two Bad Neighbors- Ex-President George HW Bush moves to Springfield, much to Homer's dismay.

I'm joined today by Jamison Webb; actor, comedian and fellow prez-head. We talk about his appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bush's best one-liners, and why he's a mix of Flanders and Smithers (spoiler: the man's a wimp!).

Follow Jamison @jamisonw on Instagram. 

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at [email protected].

Jamison Recommends:

Harrison Recommends: 

Research for this episode came from: 

Love is in the air this week as we discuss Season 4 Episode 15, I Love Lisa- after receiving a Valentine from Lisa (out of pity), Ralph Wiggum starts courting her, much to her dismay. 

My guest today is Nicole Vespa (Redacted, Voila), an actor and improvisor in Chicago. We talk about parents giving bad advice, unrequited school crushes, and the bizarre death of President Zachary Taylor.

Follow Nicole at @nvespa on Instagram.

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at [email protected].

Nicole Recommends: 

Harrison Recommends: 

Research for this episode came from: 

Accidental Presidents : Eight Men Who Changed America by Jared Cohen

Are You Prepared for the Storm of Lovemaking? : Letters of Love and Lust From the White House by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler

By One Vote: The Disputed Election of 1876 by Michael Holt

Combing Through the White House by Theodore Pappas

Dangerous Crooked Scoundrels Edwin Battistella

Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar

The Carnival Campaign by Ronald Shafer

The President is Dead by Louis Picone

What Ails the White House: Medical History of the American Presidency by Dr. Jay Murphy 

Who’s Buried in Grants Tomb by Brian Lamb

Zachary Taylor : Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest by K. Jack Bauer

For more information about the presidents, check your local library!

Happy Labor Day (week)! God bless the unions and power to workers around the world. To celebrate, we’re discussing Season 4 Episode 17, Last Exit to Springfield- Homer fights for a worker dental plan, Burns shuts off the city’s power, and Lenny listens to Classical Gas. It’s one of the few pro-union stories you could find on tv in the 90’s, and it still holds up!

My guest today is my sister, Danielle George. Not only has she been a huge help to the podcast, but she volunteered to be my first guest ever. That’s right, you’re looking at the 1st episode we ever recorded! We talk about the history of unions, how 90’s satire is just today’s reality, and how you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become Abe Simpson: teller of long stories that don’t go anywhere. 

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at [email protected].

Harrison Recommends: The books below, and the movies The Pajama Game, 9 to 5, and Norma Rae. 

Also, check out The Working Families Party; they're doing good work. I’ve signed up to attend a virtual rally on Labor Day- this Monday, Sep 1. The event is actually taking place in my old college town, Emporia, KS, which is pretty awesome. If you want to join me, check out workingfamilies.org or this link: https://mobilize.us/s/ydS3d0

Research for this episode came from:

Ever see a podcast say goodbye to summer? You have now! 

To commemorate the end of summer, we’re reviewing “Summer of 4ft 2” from Season 7 with guest Alison Lynch (@alisonlunch, @bloomdropla). We discuss her new flower business, Bloomdrop, the power of reinventing yourself, and sibling rivalries. We also dive into the MANY amazing jokes in this episode; "It's a bird thing", Milhouse as The Dud, and more than 1 classic 90’s tv show reference. Sit back and enjoy as we say goodbye to summer 2025! 

Follow Alison @alisonlunch and her business @bloomdropla on Instagram.

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at [email protected].

Alison Recommends:

Harrison Recommends:

Snakes, why’d it have to be snakes? Because we’re talking about “Whacking Day”, that’s why! We’re joined by LA writer, actor and comedian Sophie Delaney to review this Season 4, Episode 20 classic. We talk about playing “Mission Impossible” as kids, if the bass guitar is the funniest instrument of all time, and a REALLY weird Josh Groban song about farts. 

Follow Sophie @sophiewalterd on Instagram and @chompinpod on TikTok.

Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at [email protected].

Sophie Recommends:

Harrison Recommends:

Show notes

Josh Groban Song About Beans

This week we take a little trip to the Sodom and Gomorrah of the Missisipp, New Orleans for Season 4 Episode 2 of the Simpsons, “A Streetcar Named Marge” with guest Clayton Margeson. Clayton and I talk about his connection to this episode, why Steve McQueen was, to quote Bart, “such a bitch”, and the joy of having grown-up hobbies.

Follow Clayton at @king.claz on Instagram.

Follow this show at bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at [email protected].

Clayton Recommends: The Great Escape, BioShock.

Hot Stuff, Coming Through! Episode 2 with guest Becca Slack. We are reviewing The classic Simpson's episode Homer's Phobia, featuring the amazing John Waters. We discuss Becca's love for John Waters and Hairspray, how TV was a 3rd parent growing up, and the history of gay representation on television, including The Ellen Show and Will and Grace. 

Follow Becca Slack at @ohboybeccaslack on Instagram. 

Follow us on Instagram @bartannicapodcast, or email us at [email protected].

Research References: 

Notes on Camp Susan Sontag

Tacky- Love Letters to the Worst Culture We Have to Offer Rax King

Honey I’m Homo Matt Baume 

Gay New York George Chauncey 

Mr. Know It All John Waters Audiobook

Interviews with John Waters James Egan

And buy your own Cactus Candy here!