Retrospecticus: Recent Episodes
Retrospecticus
Tom talks us through a mere 2,500 years of North Macedonian history to commemorate their entry into the UN on April 8th 1993. Meanwhile, Garreth gets snippy about clips in “So It’s Come To This: A Simpsons Clip Show”, which first aired just seven days earlier. We get double hit singles, a shocking Mandela effect moment, some epithet intrigue, and something revealed via unzipping (fnarr!)
We’ve got a strike on our hands in “Last Exit To Springfield”, first aired on March 11th 1993, the very same day that Janet Reno was appointed attorney general of the USA. We’ll learn all about American counties, witness too many Batman references, scoff at sexism in education, meet a celebrity gameshow contestant (that isn’t Tom) and a horrendous cult stand-off. But on the plus side, Garreth’s Christmasses come at once with this episode’s chart smash!
It’s hard times for the UK economy with the announcement that three million people were unemployed on February 18th 1993.
We’re sure they didn’t take any consolation in the debut of “Duffless” in the US that day. In this episode, Homer battles alcoholism and Lisa reprograms Bart’s brain, all of which is funnier than it sounds.
Along the way we’ll tackle dance crazes, guitar faces, sadistic foley artists, Tory sleaze, negative equity and various “black” days. Please listen and share!
Its a warm February in Springfield as we tackle “I Love Lisa”, the one where Ralph receives the infamous “Choo-choo chose you” card. Along the way we examine the mediocre presidents, including one who died after consuming a surfeit of cherries and iced milk.
For the history, Tom revists the oft-forgotten story of Nebiu Demeke, the last man to carry out a transatlantic plane hijacking.
Please listen and share!
Here are some words that rhyme with hiatus: status, fatus… Mark Gatiss… But no more, for Retrospecticus is BACK! Garreth witnesses Phil Hartman gives a masterclass in “Brother From The Same Planet”, broadcast on February 4th 1993, and Tom talks us through the bombing of the World Trade Centre three weeks later. And who’s that having a rap cut from a very famous nineties number one? Why not find out inside!
Retrospecticus rides the Whiplash (to be completed in 2026) on January 21st 1993 with Gareth’s thoughts on “Selma’s Choice”, a choice no less impactful for its later reversal, whilst Tom covers the assassination of the fearless Turkish investigative journalist Uğur Mumcu three days later. Along the way we’ll cover the epic history of Türkiye, exclusively reveal the other three of the Seven Duffs, and tell you what we’ve been up to for the last eternity!
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Episode 71 sees our regular intro finally come to fruition as Garreth tackles “Marge Vs The Monorail”, an all-time top-tier stone cold classic! They’ll tie themself in knots with a mega Leonard Nimoy crossover and discuss the ominous return of some omnipresent nineties chart-botherers.
After a record number of Memeable Moments, Tom somehow still has the energy to discuss IBM’s record losses, announced in the same week the episode was first broadcast. He’ll give you the 411 on IBM’s history of inventing everything, and how their hubris led to Bill Gates’ inexorable rise. Take ’em over, boys!
Episode 70, and it’s accidentally seasonal as Garreth looks at the nearest episode to Christmas 1992, “Homer’s Triple Bypass”, and Tom talks “Velvet Divorce” as we wave goodbye to Czechoslovakia. Along the way we’ll address the Twitter elephant in the room, serve up more defenestrations than is strictly healthy and present possibly the worst Randy Savage impression in history. All that and bad cops, this time on Retrospecticus!
It’s episode 69 – nice! – and we’re playing witness to “Lisa’s First Word”, which first aired on 3 December 1992, just as the final word was being said on Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales’ marriage. Yes, we’re taking the most ill-timed trip to Buckingham Palace ever! (It was taped before last Thursday,… Read More »
Aliens, bio-duplication, nude conspiracies – none of these are why Retrospecticus took a long break, but we’ll explain why, whilst Garreth ploughs through the stone cold classic, “Mr Plow”, with tons of pure West and a visit to Crazy Vaclav’s! Then Tom will talk about the fire at the Royal Family’s second home, Pizza Express… Read More »
Episode 67, and Bart’s got a crush and Homer’s full of shrimp in “New Kid On The Block”, first aired on 12 November 1992 – one day after the Synod of the Church of England voted to ordain women priests! Along the way we’ll go from C and E to C of E, getting an… Read More »
Episode 66, and we’re gassing Tom Jones in “Marge Gets A Job”, first shown on 5 November 1992 – a mere month after Mortal Kombat first cut a bloody swathe through the arcades! Along the way we’ll fight the creature from the wrong lagoon, complain about sexism in fighting games and finally reveal the blood… Read More »
Episode 65, and we meet the unforgettable Bang Bang Bart in “Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie”, first aired on November 3rd 1992 – the day of a US Presidential election that elected Bill Clinton! Along the way we’ll drink milkshakes, watch Telemundo, find an unusual L7 cover and talk more Bush than you can shake… Read More »
We’re back… And it’s Halloween again! Garreth takes on apes, zombies and a killer doll in “Treehouse of Horror III”, first shown on 29 October 1992, while Tom takes us through Pope John Paul II’s apology to Galileo a few days later. Featuring manboys at number one and a whole lotta biochemistry! If you like… Read More »
This time Retrospecticus heartily endorses “Lisa The Beauty Queen”, which first aired on October 15th 1992, the same day as Charles Taylor launched Operation Octopus in the Liberian Civil War. As you might expect it’s a bloody tale, but there’s a double dip in the nineties charts and acronyms by the bucketload to sweeten the… Read More »
Retrospecticus is back, as long as no minor royals have died this week, with Homer’s new ways of worship in “Homer the Heretic”, first shown on October 8 1992, four days after the end of the civil war in Mozambique. We’ve got a none-more-nineties number one, the one reason anyone would want to join Britain,… Read More »
It’s episode 61, and “A Streetcar Named Marge” sees Marge treading the boards, while Sinéad O’Connor rips up a photo of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live. Along the way we’ll meet a singing dentist and possibly upset the Catholic Church – probably should have stuck with the singing dentist, then… In all… Read More »
Season four is upon us! Bart encounters everyone’s favourite non-recurring character Mr Black in “Kamp Krusty”! And meanwhile in Brazil, President Fernando Collor de Mello is in a spot of impeachment bother – so we’ll bring you up to date on the history of Brazil! Anyone got any Vargas? Lovely… If you enjoy the show,… Read More »
It’s the last show of season 3, for both The Simpsons and us! An embittered Uncle Herb returns in “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?”, and the UK Government could use use those two dimes as Black Wednesday runs wild! Meanwhile, we jump three months and miss the Summer of Rave, explain short-selling (we think),… Read More »
Happy 2021 everyone! We’re back to take a look at Bart’s Friend Falls in Love, the episode that sees Milhouse fall in love with Samantha Stinky, sorry, Stanky! It’s the episode that features some excellent sex education courtesy of Fuzzy Bunny, and Homer making use of a metal deely that you use to dig food.… Read More »
It’s a Christmas special of Retrospecticus! And a special calls for a special guest: writer and broadcaster Tim Worthington joins us to discuss Spinal Tap, as we reach “The Otto Show”, first aired on 23 April 1992 and coinciding with Betty Boothroyd’s arrival as the Speaker of the House of Commons. Along the way we’ll… Read More »
Sideshow Bob makes his first return in “Black Widower”, first shown on 9 April 1992, and we examine the life of Alberto Fujimori, the Peruvian leader who launched a coup against himself four days earlier. Along the way we’ll see the roots of Britpop, solve a mystery about writers that involves mystery writers, and introduce… Read More »
We’re looking at “Colonel Homer” this week, the one that introduces country and western singer Lurleen Lumpkin. Along the way we’ll visit Googolplex cinemas, the Beer ‘n Brawl, and Big Shirtless Ron. For the history we’re covering what happened in Iraq after the Gulf War, culminating in the destruction of the Al Atheer nuclear complex.… Read More »
It’s Episode 54, and the prognosis is bleak for Santa’s Little Helper in “Dog Of Death”, broadcast on 12 March 1992, but looking better for South Africa after their Apartheid referendum, which came five days later. Along the way we’ll get Covid tested, visit some dogs with evil owners, marvel at a song that lasts… Read More »
The world goes topsy turvy as Bart goes straight and Lisa flouts the rules in “Separate Vocations” – and meanwhile, Contra 3 drops on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, giving us a great opportunity to cover the history of videogames! Along the way we’ll cover a none-more-1992 single, still not love the police, introduce the… Read More »
Well Mr Burns had done it…if by “it” you mean wrecked a perfectly good works softball team in “Homer At The Bat”, aired on February 20 1992, the same day as Ross Perot announced his run as an independent candidate for President of the USA. Along the way we’ll drown in memes, find out which… Read More »
Episode 51, and it’s a doozy from the Simpsons side: “Bart The Lover” from 13 February 1992, featuring Woodrow, the swear jar and a world without zinc! Tom then takes us to meet Hugo Chavez and his attempted coup in Venezuela, which reached a crescendo a few days beforehand. Along the way Garreth will try… Read More »
Retrospecticus has reached the big five-oh, so we celebreate by talking about “Homer Alone”, the episode that sees Marge snap through stress and visit Rancho Relaxo, while Homer tries and fails to look after Maggie. The episode was first broastcast the day before the Maastricht treaty was signed, so we tell the story of how… Read More »
This week, Lisa and Homer bet on the Washington Football Team in “Lisa The Greek”, and we take a look at the history of Zaire, plus its bloody history as a colony of Belgium. Somehow we also touch on Pinchy the lobster and the Rumble in the Jungle, plus a king for hire, a genius… Read More »
As Britain reels from a Cayman Islands-style heatwave, your perspiring hosts take you back to a colder time – January 9, 1992 – to send our love down the well in “Radio Bart” and witness the merciful end of the Salvadoran Civil War. Along the way we’ll castigate pop stars for their charity efforts, negotiate… Read More »
So it’s come to this: the end of the Soviet Union, with a suitably nostalgic partner in “I Married Marge”. Along the way we’ll impersonate a world leader, say another goodbye to Freddie Mercury, and visit with a different Crazy Otto. And you’ll never believe who’s advertising Pizza Hut. If you enjoy the show, please… Read More »
We’re back in the USSR – but not for long! This week, we witness the signing of the Belovezha Accords, one of the last nails in the coffin for the USSR, whilst Springfield says a hearty willkommen bei den Deutschen in “Burns Verkaufen Der Kraftwerk”. Along the way we’ll meet the drummer for every band… Read More »
Welcome to the podcast where happiness is just a Flaming Homer away – yes! It’s time for “Flaming Moe’s”, an episode where greed tears a friendship asunder and Aerosmith play nightly. Plus, Tom looks at the life and times of Freddie Mercury, taking in the history of Zanzibar and some horrific behaviour from the UK… Read More »
This week we’re telling the tale of one Terry Waite, hostage negotiator turned hostage, whose fascinating story we recount along with “Saturdays Of Thunder”, in which Bart and Homer go soapbox derby racing. Along the way we’ll judge the grimness of the North, have a chance encounter with Idi Amin and probably mention that curling… Read More »
It’s episode 43, where Homer pulls double duty in “Lisa’s Pony” and we cover the death of Robert Maxwell, with a dive into his fascinating origins. Along the way we’ll discuss “My Ding-A-Ling” (but not our ding-a-lings, mercifully), the north-east’s top light entertainer, football mergers, Tetris and our old favourites, various totalitarian Eastern European regimes!… Read More »
Let terror commence as we unleash Treehouse of Horror 2 from Halloween 1991, and the independence of Turkmenistan as declared on October 27, 1991! If you thought the former was bizarre, wait until you hear the latter – how to make a sea disappear! Decree after decree after decree! And – we’re not kidding –… Read More »
It’s all about reconciliations this time at Retrospecticus, as we cover Krusty building bridges with his dad in “Like Father Like Clown” and the end of the Cambodia-Vietnam war. Along the way we’ll meet a seemingly never-ending prime minister, see the squarest moat ever and discover the traffic warden who changed 90s pop. Please listen… Read More »
We’ve made it all the way to episode 40, and we’re taking a look at Homer’s dumb luck in “Homer Defined” and the history of Azerbaijan, in particular its independence, as officially adopted the day after that episode aired! Along the way we’ll eviscerate a Beatle’s son and give you a great reason never to… Read More »
We’re back up to speed this time, with a look at arguably the dawn of the classic era of The Simpsons with “Bart The Murderer”, and the controversial appointment of Clarence Thomas as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the USA! We’ll also take a wider look at said court and say hello to… Read More »
Not even a Covid-19 outbreak can derail Retrospecticus! We’ve gone back to our Skype roots to discuss the opening of the Leftorium in “When Flanders Failed”, first aired as Slick Willie himself, Bill Clinton, announced he was running for the presidency of the USA! We’ll also look at other presidents in The Simpsons, be they… Read More »
The Simpsons get political this week, as we discuss Mr Lisa Goes to Washington. Along the way we address the correspondence between Barbara Bush and Marge Simpson, have a thumb through Reading Digest (yes, you read that right) and visit the cesspool on the Potomak. For the history, we go over the history of the… Read More »
It’s season three at last, and we’re keeping super cool and staying frosty with Otzi the iceman and then losing said cool over “Stark Raving Dad”. We’ll also tackle Wishbone Ash, mummy ownership and some famous bottoms! Please listen and share! Warning – we discuss the first episode of series three of the Simpsons, and… Read More »
We’ve reached “Blood Feud”, the final episode of Season 2 of The Simpsons! Look forward to watered mail, immortal lines and the genealogy of a big ol’ ugly Olmec head! Alon the way we’ll find out what is and what isn’t a real medical condition, and make at least one terrible pun. For the history… Read More »
It’s festive fury from a raging Retrospecticus, as we discuss paranoid thriller “Three Men And A Comic Book” and taunt Xenu with the New York Times’ expose on Scientology. Along the way we’ll get disgusted with politics, discuss Flanderization and dump a dead sheep outside the Brit awards. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Things take a turn for the vulgar this week, as we discuss “War of the Simpsons”, an episode written by the non-existent John Schwartzwelder that sees Homer embarrass himself at a party by getting drunk and lecherous, before winding up at a couples retreat where he almost catches a massive catfish. Along the way we… Read More »
We’re looking at easily the best episode of season two, as we tackle Lisa’s Substitute, an episode that sees Dustin Hoffman take on the role of substitute teacher Mr Bergstrom, while Bart runs for class president. For the history, we go over the conflict between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China,… Read More »
The podcast so good, you’ll hang it on your wall… yes! Enter Ringo Starr in “Brush With Greatness”, the Simpsons episode that starts in Mount Splashmore and culminates with Marge Simpsons painting Mr Burns in the nude. For the history bit, we tell the story of the exit (from the USSR) of Georgia, who declared… Read More »
Episode 30 sees us examine Grampa Simpson’s first on-screen romance in “Old Money”, an episode that sees an unjust surplus of Doctor Marvin Monroe, but it does include the debut of one Professor Frink! Tom tells the tale of the Birmingham Six, the six men wrongly imprisoned for the Birmingham pub bombings of 1974 and… Read More »
Political tensions are running high in the Retrospecticus powder keg, as we join the Assassins’ conspiracy in “Bart’s Dog Gets An ‘F'” and some police brutality against Rodney King sparks the LA riots. Along the way we’ll take in number ones from jeans adverts, learn some Korean social mores and celebrate animation’s greatest animal noise… Read More »
It’s brotherly love and terrorism this week, as we discuss “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?”, the episode of the Simpsons that sees Homer reunited with his long lost half brother Herb Powell, voiced by Danny DeVito. For the history we talk about the bombings of Paddington and Victoria stations by the Provisional IRA, part of… Read More »
Love and fury are in the air, as we discuss Valentines Day 1991’s “Principal Charming” and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization between tirades about the death of British democracy. Along the way we’ll take in sodium bonding conundrums, local tapas restaurants and how to invent fictional herbicides without arousing suspicions. You can thank us… Read More »
Retrospecticus Mobius loops in on itself as we tackle “Homer vs Lisa and the Eighth Commandment” and the democratic elections in Haiti! We’ll hear all about Haiti’s fascinating history, which is not for the weak of heart, see Columbus being a total bastard as usual, and learn both some commandment facts and a dance that’s… Read More »
Retrospecticus celebrates a quarter century of episodes by taking a trip to the seventies in “The Way We Was” and a trip to Somalia for a return to your regularly-scheduled tale of genocide and corruption. Along the way Garreth will go full Mr Bergstrom and Tom will introduce us to the land of Steve Punt!
It’s a bumper episode of Super Retrospecticus: Turbo Champion Edition, as we tackle Homer’s last day on Earth in “One Fish…” and the release of Street Fighter 2. We’ll teach you all about compound time and tetrodotoxin, stop in with West Brom’s greatest modern forward line, and Tom will sing terrace classics in the opera… Read More »
An action-packed Retrospecticus this time as the Gulf War starts and Bart gets hit by a car, and dies! Along the way there’s a ton of debuts, an Alliss fact, Stormin’ Norman’s great left hook, a cheap plug for Salad and a discussion of phallic imagery in the theatre of war!
Garreth and Tom both struggle with pronunciation as they tackle Beethoven and Michelangelo in “Itchy and Scratchy and Marge” and the Polish government in exile! They’ll also stumble over Russ Meyer, Winged Hussars, more royal epithets and Denis Thatcher! All this, plus Cliff Richard gets a well-deserved slagging off – unmissable!
Episode 21, and this time out we discuss “Homer Falls Down The Gorge”… I mean, “Bart The Daredevil” and Saddam Hussein’s rise to power. We cover around 8,000 years of Iraqi history, from the Sumerians to the build up to the Gulf War. Also featuring: Asterix! “Steel Justice”! Sergeant Slaughter! And a bonus amount of… Read More »
A huge moment in the Retrospecticus timeline as Maggie Maggie Maggie is OUT! OUT! OUT!… And we cover “Bart vs. Thanksgiving”! Featuring loadsa cool Peter Alliss facts, Karl Marx getting mistaken for a Caramac, Marilyn Manson in Milton Keynes and the debunking of a whippy myth. And all the while we ask: where’s Cersei’s elephant?
Be prepared for wrath, feuds, beer and mini golf this week as we tackle Dead Putting Society, a Simpsons episode that sees Homer lose his rag with Flanders and enter into a bet based on the outcome of their sons miniature golf tournament. In the history bit we’re looking at the birth of the World… Read More »
Let Retrospecticus take you out to the baaaaall gaaaame… No, it’s not that one – it’s “Dancin’ Homer”, and the ascendance of Japan’s Emperor Akihito. Along the way we naturally stop in at an MK Dons nil-nil draw and mourn a fallen Sideshow. Plus Godzilla by the bucket load. This one is a real treat… Read More »
Our new episode is packed with fun for every Joe Sixpack and Sally Housecoat! We discuss the Simpsons episode “Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish” and the ascendancy of Mary Robinson, the first woman to become president of Ireland. Along the way we kick the Beautiful South while they’re down… Read More »
It’s a spooktacular episode as we look at ‘Treehouse Of Horror’ and the collapse of the Norwegian Government. But don’t worry, we’ll still have time for digressions such as Brock not being canon, John Schwartzwelder’s ‘The Raven’, the Viking with the least threatening nickname and a horrible feeling of vu deja…
It’s a rather hirsute episode this week as we look at the Simpsons episode Simpson and Delilah, which features Homer acquiring a supply of Dimoxinil, growing a full head of hair and gaining a promotion eighties-style. We talk about his assistant Karl and the Simpsons first gay kiss (sort of). The episode first aired shortly… Read More »
Retrospecticus is BACK!!! It’s the start of season two and we’ve got “Bart Gets An ‘F'” and Transnistria to discuss. Along the way we take in our Christmas presents, camera angles in a cartoon, more Irish names than you can shake a stick it, the bad blood between the Moldovan Popular Front and the Popular… Read More »
Hoist the colours for a very special episode! Garreth and Tom talk flags, both real world and Springfieldian. Along the way we’ll learn why it’s OK for ducks to be racist (sort of), get some tips on the practicalities of bondage, indulge in some more John Swartzwelder speculation and touch on a certain chemically-enriched cereal.… Read More »
Episode 13 is here, and put a fork in season one, it’s done! We discuss “Some Enchanted Evening” and the Burmese elections of 1990 that didn’t see Aung San Suu Kyi come to power. Along the way we’ll also dicuss QEDcon, fourth wall breaking, a song that was the scourge of nineties clothes shops, the… Read More »
It’s a tongue twisting Retrospecticus this time, as Garreth discovers that “sideshow” and “slideshow” are a deadly combination in “Krusty Gets Busted”, and Tom tries to avoid Baltic names during The Singing Revolution. Plus: wacky early plans for Marge and Krusty, the least essential cultural artefact of the nineties, compound flags and the return of… Read More »
It’s episode eleven of Retrospecticus, and we’re discussing Bart’s (first) trip to France in “The Crepes Of Wrath”. Tom tells the story of the election of the first democratically chosen East German prime minister, which hastened the end of the Cold War. We also tackle reds under the bed, laugh at Ian Maxton-Graham’s small automobile,… Read More »
This week on the show we discuss “Homer’s Night Out” and London’s Poll Tax Riots. Along the way we take in a schism in the world of international darts, a Simpsons character appearing in the flesh and whether or not anarchy was de riguer at the time (spoiler: it wasn’t). And after ten episodes, the… Read More »
This week on the show we discuss “Life on the Fast Lane”, an episode that sees Homer buy a bowling ball for himself as a Birthday present and Marge tempted by Jacques, a suave bowling coach with a French-ish accent. For the history we tell the story of Imelda Marcos, the former First Lady of… Read More »
This episode we talk about “The Telltale Head”, a Simpsons morality tale featuring bullying, stealing, terrible life advice and decapitation. For this history bit, we tell the story of the 1990 Nicaraguan election, the background of which contains revolution, counter revolution, hostage taking, dodgy CIA arms dealings, a highly successful literacy program and assassination with… Read More »
This week on the show we discuss Call of the Simpsons, the one where Homer buys an RV and eventually gets mistaken for Bigfoot. The discussion ends up meandering into a rant about Mr Blobby, so look out for that! For the history we talk about the UK and Argentina restoring diplomatic relations, but really… Read More »
This week Tom and Garreth talk about Tom’s favourite episode from Series 1 of the Simpsons, “Moaning Lisa”, an episode which deals with important topics such as video boxing and Lisa Simpson going through an existential crisis. It was first aired on the day Nelson Mandela was released from prison, so naturally the history bit… Read More »
Join your hosts Tom and Garreth for another episode of Retrospecticus! On this show we talk about the episode “Bart the General” and discuss the opening of the first McDonald’s in the Soviet Union. Tom corrects himself on some Panamanian flagwrong from the previous episode, Garreth tells us about a conspiracy theory on the existence… Read More »
In this episode of the show Garreth tackles the rather strange Simpsons episode “There’s No Disgrace Like Home”, the first to be penned by legendary Simpsons writers Al Jean and Mike Reiss. For the history, Tom tells the story of the roller coaster ride that was the life of Manuel Noriega, former military leader of… Read More »
Things take a fairly dark turn this episode as we discuss Homer’s Odyssey, which begins with Homer Simpson tying a boulder around his waist and going to a river to commit suicide. Garreth tells us about the legend of John Henry, the steel-driving man. Tom lightens the mood with the story of Robert Tappan Morris,… Read More »
It’s our first episode with a special guest! We take a look at the Simpsons episode “Bart the Genius”. Tom has a revelation about the “Staphylococci virus”, Garreth tells us about all things banana related, and we are joined by Simon Singh, author of “The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets” to talk about the maths… Read More »
In the first proper episode of Retrospecticus, we take a look at “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”, the first full episode of The Simpsons and the only one to be broadcast in the 1980’s. For the modern history, we tell the story of the Romanian Revolution that overthrew Nicolae Ceausescu. If you’d like to… Read More »