# Simpsons: 18/11/01 - "Hi, my name's Barney, and ..." **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 19, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137 "2001-11-19T02:32:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dale\_The\_Bold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@Dale\_The\_Bold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_The_Bold)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/41 "2001-11-20T00:33:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mahaloth \* > \*\*What about when they get out of school with that huge celebration in one episode? They are out for summer vacation and when they come back for school, both Bart and Lisa are still in the same grade. \*\* Or when Bart _barely_ passes the fourth grade. No more Mrs. Krabappel (sp?). In another episode (_of their lives_): Lisa: “I feel like I’ve been wearing this same red dress for years.” ---
**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:** [November 20, 2001, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/42 "2001-11-20T01:03:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Tim \* > \*\*I think I just realized a pattern to Simpsons continuity. Things that happen on screen in the show tend to stick (Lisa becomming a vegitarian, Barney becomming sober, Maud dying). However the backstory of characters is in nearly constant flux. This includes references to off screen incidents that have occured in the time period which the show covers. I’m going to have to hunt through episode guides, reruns and the like to see if this theory is correct. Dopers I call upon you to help test my idea. \*\* I think this example is borderline, but…I don’t think we’ve ever seen or heard anything about Skinner really being “Armand Tanzerian” since it was revealed. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/43 "2001-11-20T02:54:29Z")
That’s because the entire town agreed never to speak of it again. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/44 "2001-11-20T03:11:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SuaSponte \* > [B- The “Grimy” episode - it is pointed out that Homer, Mr. Joe Schmoe, has had beers with Gerald Ford, traveled around the world, and even been to space (“You mean you’ve never been there?”). > > Sua \*\* You’ve never seen those episodes? Especially the one with Ford? [http://www.snpp.com/episodes/3F09.html](http://www.snpp.com/episodes/3F09.html) Okay, former President and Mrs. Bush move in across the street from the Simpsons. Bart and George Sr. assume a sort of Dennis the Menace-Mr. Wilson relationship. When Bart accidentally destroys Bush’s memoirs, the former president spanks him. Homer declares war on Bush, and they get into a prank war. (The funniest involves pouring super glue onto Bush’s head and sticking on a rainbow wig-the morning Bush is supposed to address an Elks club). Well, Bush gets fed up and he insists they move away after Gorbachev comes to visit them. Barbara and Marge-who had become friends-say goodbye. Next thing you know, Gerald Ford moves in: > [@](#): > > Gerry: Hi! Pleased to meet you, I just moved in. My name is Gerry > Ford. > Homer: [gasps] Former President Gerald Ford? Put her there! I’m Homer > Simpson! > Gerry: Say, Homer, do you like football? > Homer: Do I ever! > Gerry: Do you like nachos? > Homer: Yes, Mr. Ford. > Gerry: Well, why don’t you come over and watch the game, and we’ll have > nachos? And then, some beer. > Homer: Ooh! > [they walk across the street] > Gerry, I think you and I are going to get along just – > [they both trip] > Both: D’oh! ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/45 "2001-11-20T03:15:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weird\_AL\_Einstein \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by The Tim \* > > \*\*I think I just realized a pattern to Simpsons continuity. Things that happen on screen in the show tend to stick (Lisa becomming a vegitarian, Barney becomming sober, Maud dying). However the backstory of characters is in nearly constant flux. This includes references to off screen incidents that have occured in the time period which the show covers. I’m going to have to hunt through episode guides, reruns and the like to see if this theory is correct. Dopers I call upon you to help test my idea. \*\* > > I think this example is borderline, but…I don’t think we’ve ever seen or heard anything about Skinner really being “Armand Tanzerian” since it was revealed. \*\* Well, the judge said that nobody was allowed to mention it, under penalty of torture, and they rode the real Skinner out of town on a rail, so I guess the attack gophers have ensured that nobody even thinks about Armand Tanzarian. Heh heh … gophers are funny … heh heh! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Heath\_Doolin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Heath\_Doolin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heath_Doolin)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/46 "2001-11-20T17:55:04Z")
Their use of continuity dictates according to the whim of the writers mostly it seems. Some of which is great for a laugh. They stick with death pretty close and MAJOR changes in characters but also some small things like: -Homer’s Grammy win (the Grammy keeps showing up in places) and Homer regards winning a Grammy like winning a honorable mention in a race (rolling eyes, shrugging attitude). -Though not lately, their digs on Fox Broadcasting. Laughing at the thought of them showing serious programming, wondering what wonderful shows are on the other channels right now, etc. -The occasional “Act of God” excuse to avoid blame. Homer likes using it -The veiled identification of where the heck Springfield is. -Bart’s occasional breaking of the 4th wall to seemingly move the story along. He has done this more than once to stop a)anyone starting to identify a plot hole that is being created b)someone saying the exact same line as him A few others I cant really think of. Anyone got any other small continuity references? As far as explanations, the writers seem to like to revel in how people view them as rehashing ideas (Smithers showing up out of the blue saying Maggie shot Mr Burns again and walking off) As to other things brought up: Snowball I has shown up. It is a white cat who looks exactly like their black one (Snowball II). The first one was killed by Clovis, not Clarence. Hey one question, have they ever identified where the heck the Omec Indian Head in the basement came from? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/47 "2001-11-20T18:24:35Z")
[qoute]Hey one question, have they ever identified where the heck the Omec Indian Head in the basement came from? [/quote] It was a gift from Mr. Burns after his life was saved thanks to a blood donation from Bart who just happened to have the same rare blood type as Mr. Burns. ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/48 "2001-11-20T18:52:43Z")
In the episode where the divided Sprinfield in half by a wall of garbage, the Mall Angel Skeleton was in it. ---
**Author:** ![Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/49 "2001-11-20T19:23:33Z")
> [@](#): > > -The veiled identification of where the heck Springfield is.— **Heath Doolin** This is one of my favorite things they play with. I love the one where they’re in Washington, where Lisa exposes corruption. The corrupt representative is introduced as “…the honorable representative from Springfield, in the great state of…” and he’s interrupted right there. Another one is where Lisa points to Springfield on a map, but while she’s pointing to it, Bart steps in front of the “camera” and says nothing of consequence to the story, but does serve to block us from seeing Lisa point the place out. Then the behind-the-scenes episode of the Simpsons’ private, “off-camera” lives finishes with the narrator saying something about “this southern Missouri family.” Yes, Springfield is a significant city in southern Missouri, but I’m sure that’s just another detail offered to mess with our heads. I mean, on one hand, the local radio stations do begin with K and not W, but on the other, there’s nowhere in the Ozarks quite as ominous as the vast Springfield Gorge, and at any rate, Springfield Gorge is right outside of town, while the Ozarks aren’t quite so close to Springfield, Missouri. They’re not near any ocean, like Missouri, but the color scheme on the license plates resembles that of California or (until recently) Pennsylvania. Of course, the reason that Springfield was chosen is because there’s a Springfield in every state, so it serves as an “everytown” of sorts. I think it’s fun to put excessive thought into its actual location because that just serves to remind us that the creators never intended us to think that the city is any more locatable than, say, Duckburg. Mind you, if you’re really interested in knowing where Springfield is, you just have to pore over a map and figure out where Capitol City is. (Hint: the capitol of Missouri is Jefferson City, so you might want to try a different state…) ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/50 "2001-11-21T00:14:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tuckerfan \* > \*\*The _real_ reason Barney became sober is that the voice actor who plays Barney was tired of him being a drunk all the time and insisted that Barney be sober or he’d quit the show. The actor (and I don’t remember which one it is who plays him) said he was the only happy with that decision, but for moral reasons, yadda, yadda, yadda, he just couldn’t continue to play Barney as an alcoholic. \*\* Dan Castellaneta must be an idiot. If he was really against drinking, he should continue playing Barney as drunk. Does he think Barney is glamorizing alcoholism? Are kids saying “I can’t wait until I can get drunk every day in bar, so I can be JUST LIKE Barney! BUUURRRRRRP!” ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/51 "2001-11-21T00:28:33Z")
There are so many plot holes, but it’s not ment to be exactly perfect, it gives it character. My fav little plot hole was in the episode w/ the “B Sharps”. On the front of the church there was a sign that announced that the B-sharps was playing, that was before they had the name for the group. little error, but gives it character. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/52 "2001-11-21T14:31:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chance the Gardener \* > Then the behind-the-scenes episode of the Simpsons’ private, “off-camera” lives finishes with the narrator saying something about “this southern Missouri family.” You sure? I remember the narrator referring to them as a “Northern Kentucky family”. Springfield KY is near Shelbyville, btw. Of course, that’s the REAL Simpsons, not the cartoon version, so we still don’t know where the cartoon Springfield is. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/53 "2001-11-21T16:52:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElvisL1ves \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Chance the Gardener \* > > Then the behind-the-scenes episode of the Simpsons’ private, “off-camera” lives finishes with the narrator saying something about “this southern Missouri family.” > > You sure? I remember the narrator referring to them as a “Northern Kentucky family”. Springfield KY is near Shelbyville, btw. > \*\* Different states were mentioned in different areas where the episode was aired. ---
**Author:** ![Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/54 "2001-11-21T18:02:39Z")
Really? I never heard of that! That’s great! Missouri was used by the New York Fox affiliate, and I’ve seen the episode in reruns, still referring to Missouri (though I don’t imagine they’d have any reason to run an episode with a different state around here.) Any idea how many variations there were, and which states’ Springfields were used? Man… that’s a great joke. Thanks, **Revtim**! ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/55 "2001-11-21T23:08:15Z")
There were only two variations: Kentucky for the original, and Missouri for the rerun. In one episode, Superintendant Chalmers commented that Springfield Elementary was rated the worst school in all of Missouri…then moved brick by brick to its current state. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/56 "2001-11-22T14:27:42Z")
I was not aware of the different states, either. That’s a shame–we were feeling pretty full of ourselves about it here in Kentucky. We do have a Springfield and a Shelbyville here in KY, but they’re about 62 miles away from one another. The drive takes over an hour and a half because there’s no good road connecting the two. Also, Springfield is in nearly the dead center of the state, rather than the northern part mentioned on the show. Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/57 "2001-11-23T05:01:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Heath Doolin \* > **-The veiled identification of where the heck Springfield is.** Am I the only one who saw the “Simpsons: Behind the scenes” mockumentary episode where they finally revealed it? (hesitates to mention it, afraid of spoiling things for my fellow Dopers… You’ll find it[here](http://www.snpp.com/episodes/BABF19).) Anyway, my favourite continuity joke has got to be when they’re watching the demolition of the casino. Marge comments on how odd it is that they all sort of forgot about it after it was built. Lisa expresses surprise that they bothered to move it when they moved the town ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/58 "2001-11-23T05:03:19Z")
Ooops – didn’t notice the second page… ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/59 "2001-11-23T07:04:57Z")
And, in a recent episode, they mentioned Springfield Elementary as being the least funded school in … Missouri! Of course, maybe some stations said Kentucky. MO(le asses) or KY (jelly)? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137/60 "2001-11-23T07:06:04Z")
The episode was about Lisa cheating. She bought crib sheets from Nelson. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-18-11-01-hi-my-names-barney-and/94137.md?page=4)