# A Shadow Has Fallen On Middle Springfield-Who should be who in The Simpsons do LotR? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 4, 2002, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722 "2002-04-04T04:14:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/21 "2002-04-04T17:23:29Z")
I like (and may be repeating others above): Fellowship- Frodo= Lisa Sam= Ralph Merry= Bart Pippin= Milhouse Gandalf= Otto Aragorn= Principle Skinner (Arwen= Edna Krabappel) Gimli= Willie Legolas= Disco Stu Boromir= Rainer Wolfcastle Bilbo= Butterbur= Apu Tom Bombadil= Ned Goldberry= Maud Saruman= Burns Wormtounge= Smithers ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/22 "2002-04-04T17:30:10Z")
Oh, come on… **Comic Book Guy** needs to be somebody. How about the guy who yells “ProudFEET!” at Bilbo’s 111th birthday? ---
**Author:** ![Not\_A\_Tame\_Lion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@Not\_A\_Tame\_Lion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_A_Tame_Lion)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/23 "2002-04-04T17:39:40Z")
I don’t have any suggestions on casting–I think most of the major characters have already been well cast above. (I would affirm Mr. Burns for Sauron and Sideshow Bob for Saruman.) I just want to say that this is a hilarious, kick-ass idea and I would dearly love to see them do a show like this. It might be even funnier than _Bored of the Rings._ ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/24 "2002-04-04T17:43:17Z")
D’oh! hit reply by mistake– King of Rohan= Grandpa Eowyn= Marge Faramir= Dedrick Tatum Bilbo= Bleedin’ Gums Murphy Steward of Gondor= Jasper Elrond= Homer Sauron= Kang and Kodos hmm… gonna have to think about this some more ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/25 "2002-04-04T17:59:54Z")
I dissent! [ul] [li]The Comic Book Guy should be Gandalf. After all, Gandalf never really does much magic, he merely gabs about it too much. Grandpa Simpson would only be funny if Gandalf had decent spells, so Grandpa could misfire them.[/li][li]Now, Grandpa Simpson couldbe Bilbo; who is, after all, a worn-out leftover from the previous adventure. Grandpa’s up for that![/li][li]Sideshow Bob would indeed make a fine Saruman.[/li][li]Millhouse’s Dad could do a great Wormcast.[/li][li]Marge needs to be Galadriel.[/li][li]Lisa has always wanted a pony, so make her Eowyn.[/li][li]Wolfcastle could make a great Balrog. And then, beat the cr@p out of Comic Book Guy/Gandalf.[/li][li]Marge’s sisters could become a two-headed Shelob.{sp?}[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![finnofranco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@finnofranco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/finnofranco)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2002, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/26 "2002-04-06T17:06:42Z")
What about Hans Moleman as Gollum? \ I’d like the ring back, please… \ ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/27 "2002-04-07T04:35:37Z")
Well, if Bart was Frodo then Gandalf would have to be Krusty 🙂 But I would pick(in no particular order, after the Fellowship)… Frodo: Lisa Sam: Ralph Wiggum Merry & Pippen: Bart and Milhouse Boromir: Ranier Wolfcastle Gandalf: Comic Book Guy Aragorn: Homer (think more Bored then LOTR) Gimli: Willie Legolas: One-Armed Army Guy Bilbo: Grandpa Elrond: Troy McClure Sauron: Sideshow Bob Saruman: Burnsie (please note the Republican party conspiracy here) Grima Wormtongue: Smithers Gollum: Barney Eonwyn: Edna Krabappel Faramir: Drederick Tatum? Denethor: Principle Skinner Galadriel: Apu (as long as we’re genderbending) Ringwraiths: Chief Wiggum etc. Hobbit Goon Squad: Nelson and Kearney Shelob: Patty and Selma? Uter? Arwen: Marge Uruk-Hai: maybe an army of the nuclear plant ducks?? Orcs: Jimbo and Dolph Tom Bombadil: Disco Stu Treebeard: Troy McClure? I have vague ideas of Lionel Hutz, Kang and Kodos, and Lenny and Carl appearing somewheres, but I don’t know where exactly… ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/28 "2002-04-07T07:02:59Z")
sweet jesus this is funny stuff. Frodo: Lisa Sam: Ralph Merry & Pippen: Bart and Milhouse Boromir: Ranier Wolfcastle Gandalf: Aragorn: Gimli: Willie Legolas: Bilbo: Grandpa Elrond: Comic Book Guy ("No you are mistaken in your understanding of the events of the Second Age. However I do not widh to edu Sauron: Kang Saruman: Burns Grima Wormtongue: Smithers Gollum: Hans Moleman Eonwyn: Edna Krabappel Galadriel: Marge King of the Ringwraiths: Chief Wiggum Shelob: Patty and Selma Uruk-Hai: maybe an army of the nuclear plant ducks?? Orcs: Nelson, Jimbo etc. Barliman Butterbur: Apu ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/29 "2002-04-07T07:23:51Z")
I cant’ help but think we need parts for Kent Brockman and poor ol’ Gil. Anyone have any ideas for these two? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/30 "2002-04-07T07:39:54Z")
sweet jesus this is funny stuff. Frodo: Lisa Sam: Ralph Merry & Pippen: Bart and Milhouse Gandalf: Krusty (not crazy about this choice, but nobody fits) Aragorn: Homer Arwen: Marge Gimli: Willie Legolas: Otto (bizzare choice, but think about it) Bilbo: Grandpa Boromir: Ranier Wolfcastle Elrond: Rev. Lovejoy or Comic Book Guy (“No, you are mistaken in your understanding of the events of the Second Age. I know because I was there. However, I do not wish to educate you. And no, I will not take part in your disposal of the ring. Good day.”) Sauron: Kang Saruman: Burns Grima Wormtongue: Smithers Gollum: Hans Moleman King of the Ringwraiths: Chief Wiggum Shelob: Patty and Selma Orcs: Fat Tony and freinds Grishnakh (orc in TT): Snake Nelson, Jimbo etc. Hobbit Gang on RotK Barliman Butterbur: Apu Radagast= Frink Dethenor=Mayor Quimby Houses of Healing=Dr. Hibbert & Nick Rivera Charcters in search of a role Bee Guy Sea Captian Lionel Hutz Somebody needs to compile this list and send to Groening. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/31 "2002-04-07T07:41:22Z")
damn, I hate when I screw up. Mods! Please delete! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/32 "2002-04-07T20:12:51Z")
Shouldn’t we be paying a little more attention to the relationships, here? I mean, we can’t very well have Homer as Elrond and Marge as Eowyn at the same time, can we? That’s the advantage of Burns and Smithers as Saruman and Wormtongue-- The relationship is the same. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/33 "2002-04-07T20:35:47Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* \*\*I dissent! [ul] [li]The Comic Book Guy should be Gandalf. After all, Gandalf never really does much magic, he merely gabs about it too much. [/ul] \*\*[/li][/QUOTE] That would be hilarious! I can just see the Moria scenes now. When they wake up the Balrog: “Worst decision ever!” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/34 "2002-04-08T00:01:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chronos \* > \*\*Shouldn’t we be paying a little more attention to the relationships, here? I mean, we can’t very well have Homer as Elrond and Marge as Eowyn at the same time, can we? That’s the advantage of Burns and Smithers as Saruman and Wormtongue-- The relationship is the same. \*\* I agree. The way to go about this is to start by casting Frodo, who I think we can agree should be Lisa (short, brave, principled). If Lisa if Frodo, Sam has to be somebody disturbingly devoted to her. Milhouse springs to mind, but Ralph’s brand of relentless good nature tinged with serious mental retardation suits Sam better. Plus, Milhouse and Bart are naturals for Merry and Pippin. Now, Gandalf needs to be an authority figure, so any elder Simpson is automatically out. Comic Book Guy is too minor to be Gandalf, and he doesn’t really have any relationship with the other characters. I submit Principal Skinner as Gandalf. Lisa is a teachers pet, so the Lisa-Skinner dynamic matches the Frodo-Gandalf dynamic. Plus, Gandalf’s frequent exasperation with Pippin and Merry matches Skinner’s frequent exasperation with Bart. I liked Ned Flanders as Tom Bombadil, but if Tom didn’t make the cut for the two and a half hour movie, he sure as heck isn’t going to be in the half-hour Simpsons episode. Besides, Ned’s humble do-gooderism and surprisingly rock-hard pecs would play well as Aragorn. Boromir should be Ranier Wolfcastles, Bart and Milhouse idolize Wolfcastle, much as Merry and Pippin looked up to Boromir. Willie, of course, was born to play Gimli. Legolas is Otto. He’s got the long hair (wrong color, of course) and, as the busdriver, fits in with Skinner and Willie as school-employees-turned-Fellowship-members. Elrond and Galadriel are Homer and Marge. Sure, Elrond and Galadriel aren’t married to each other, but their relationship with Lisa is what’s important. As for the badguys, Saruman would have to be Burns. (“Who is that upstart hobbit?” “Frodo Baggins, sir. One of your drones from Sector Three. I mean, Bree.”) Not only does this allow Smithers as Wormtongue, but the idea of Saruman tearing down the forests around Isengard to build a nuclear power plant is too good to pass up. Plus, the nuclear plant gives us an obvious source for Saruman’s “mutant” orcs. Gollum should be Grandpa. His relationship to Lisa parallels Gollum’s hobbit ancestory, he’s got the age for it, and he has that combination of pathetic bitterness so particular to Gollum. Besides, Grandpa is just too funny to not get a major role. Sauron is Kang/Kodos. It’s all about the eye. Chief Wiggum as a Nazgul is good, but I was thinking Nelson and his gang. The Ringwraiths mostly just terrorize hobbits, which matches Nelson’s MO pretty well, too. (Nelson: “Why’re you stabbing yourself, huh? Why don’t you stop stabbing yourself?” \ Ned: “This was done by a black blade of Mordor. It’s beyond my skills to heal.” Nelson: “Ha-ha!”) ---
**Author:** ![Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c67d28/32.png) [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/35 "2002-04-08T02:22:29Z")
Ahh. My idea seems to be taking off. Excellent. Eeeex-elllent. So…the main lines of contention seem to be as follows: 1 Who should be Frodo, Lisa, Bart, or dark horse candidate Homer? I never would have thought of Homer/Barney myself, it would be a hoot no doubt, but I think that is the least likely. I am partial to Bart, with Milhouse as Sam, but Miller makes an excellent case on behalf of those who want Lisa/Ralph. He also suggest Principal Skinner as Gandalf, but I think if Bart were Frodo then Krusty might be a good choice here…it would be worth it just to hear what Yiddish curses he would be spewing while falling into the pit with the Balrog. 2 Sauron…should it be Burnsie, or Kang/Kodos with Burns as Saruman? I still say Burns should be Sauron, with Smithers as the Mouth of Same…the towers of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant fit with the architectural motif of Mordor, for one thing, and I think Kang/Kodos would be much better as the Balrog…but Burns/Smithers as Saruman/Wormtongue is intrigueing. Although really, now that I think of it, I don’t see Smithers as Wormtongue. He’s a grovelling sycophant, yes, but he’s not _that_ pathetic. And he wouldn’t be the one to do something idiotic thing like throw the Palantir overboard from Orthanc…that sounds more like Homer. There does seem to be a wide though not perfect consensus that Police Chief Wiggum et al should be the Ringwraiths. I think **Katisha** summed it up best with this: “That’s some nice wraithing, boys.” Also my suggestion of Willie as Gimli seems to have caught on. But not Comic Store Guy as Saruman. But if he’s not Saruman, who should he be? We can’t waste CSG…he has to be _something_. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/36 "2002-04-08T03:48:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weird\_AL\_Einstein \* > \*\* > Also my suggestion of Willie as Gimli seems to have caught on. But not Comic Store Guy as Saruman. But if he’s not Saruman, who should he be? We can’t waste CSG…he has to be _something_. \*\* How about the bartender in Bree? “Excuuse me, little hobbit…” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/37 "2002-04-08T04:32:41Z")
Never read or seen LOTR, but I’m sure there’s a role for Principal Skinnner’s Mother. My theory is that there’s ALWAYS an evil hag needed somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/38 "2002-04-08T17:13:54Z")
Everybody is blinded by their love of Ralph and want to put him as Sam. It is clear that he was made to play the happy go lucky role of Gollum. That and the lesser known Golden Rule of Simpsons. Don’t split up Lisa and Bart; they are the funniest when paired with each other. Frodo:Lisa Sam:Bart Merry & Pippen: Nelson & Milhouse Gandalf: Homer (go with me here, stars always get the best parts) Aragorn: Principle Skinner Gimli: Willie Legolas: Apu Boromir: Barney Bilbo: Grandpa Elrond: Comic Book Guy Sauron: Kang Saruman: Burns Grima Wormtongue: Smithers Gollum: Ralph Eonwyn: Edna Krabappel Galadriel: Marge King of the Ringwraiths: Chief Wiggum ---
**Author:** ![delini8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@delini8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delini8r)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/39 "2002-04-08T17:47:08Z")
“Saruman has been very vocal on de subject of de Hobbits: Where’s de Hobbits? When are you getting de Hobbits? Why aren’t you getting de Hobbits now? And so on…” ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722/40 "2002-04-08T19:01:09Z")
Or maybe Bart should be someone evil? He does a good manic laugh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-shadow-has-fallen-on-middle-springfield-who-should-be-who-in-the-simpsons-do-lotr/101722.md?page=3)