Step Brother from the Same Planet

"Step Brother from the Same Planet"
The Simpsons episode
Episode no.Season 34
Episode 8
Directed byMatthew Faughnan
Written byDan Vebber
Featured music"Yours Is an Empty Hope" by Nightwish
Production codeUABF22
Original air dateNovember 20, 2022 (2022-11-20)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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The Simpsons season 34
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"Step Brother from the Same Planet" is the eighth episode of the thirty-fourth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 736th episode overall. It aired in the United States on Fox on November 20, 2022. The episode was directed by Matthew Faughnan and written by Dan Vebber.

In this episode, Homer becomes jealous of Grampa's girlfriend's son when Grampa treats him better than Homer. The episode features guest star Melissa McCarthy as Calvin and received mixed reviews.

Plot

The Simpsons are at the park, and Lisa sees her classmates at a party, but she was not invited. They also run into Grampa and his new girlfriend, Blythe. He is planning to move in with her. At dinner, they meet Blythe's son, Calvin, whom Grampa treats better than Homer. This makes Homer jealous.

While retrieving Grampa's things at the retirement home, Bart and Lisa learn that his rent is still covered. They decide to throw a party there to make Lisa popular. The kids like it, so Lisa wants to throw more parties. Meanwhile, Homer is allergic to the wax Marge used to polish the house surfaces, so he is forced to room with Calvin where they constantly fight. One day, blinded by his eyedrops, Grampa comes in and praises Homer while he was imitating Calvin. Similarly, Grampa berates Calvin when he imitates Homer. Calvin and Homer come to an understanding with each other and plan to show Grampa how he makes Homer feel.

Homer and Calvin enter a taxidermy convention, and Homer's entry is two shells with eyes. He berates Homer until he sees that the shells represent them. Grampa apologizes to Homer and says that his behavior is his own fault. Meanwhile, Lisa's parties get out of control, so she calls the police to stop them. On the way out, Lisa sits in the police car and convinces Chief Wiggum to pretend to arrest her to make her look cool.

Later, Blythe breaks up with Grampa, and she and Calvin go to Africa with her new boyfriend.

Production

At San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Matt Selman announced that Melissa McCarthy would guest voice as a rival for Grampa Simpson's affection.[1] Selman stated that the producers were fans of McCarthy and were able to book her at the height of her career.[2] It was later revealed that McCarthy's character is a boy named Calvin.[3]

Carol Kane appeared as a guest voice for Blythe.[4] She previously voiced Maggie Simpson in the second season episode "Bart vs. Thanksgiving."[5]

Cultural references

Homer uses a Pikachu hat to make Calvin look like him.[6] The song "Yours Is an Empty Hope" by the band Nightwish plays in the scene where Homer and Calvin prank each other.[7]

Reception

Viewing figures

"Step Brother from the Same Planet" earned a 0.3 rating and 1.21 million viewers in its initial airing, which was the most watched show on Fox that night.[8]

Critical response

Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the episode 4 out of 5 stars. He praised the jokes that still allowed the sadness to come out. He also liked Lisa's rebellious side and how Grampa did not change how he felt about Homer. He also wanted Blythe to have more scenes.[9]

Matthew Swigonski of Bubbleblabber gave the episode a 4 out of 10. He felt the episode was a step backwards for the season with a straightforward and repetitive story.[10]

References

  1. ^ Fleming, Ryan (August 9, 2022). "'The Simpsons' Showrunner Matt Selman On "A New Intimacy To The Classic Homer And Marge Love Story" And His Excitement For Season 34". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Schneider, Michael (July 23, 2022). "'The Simpsons' Season 34 to Parody 'It,' 'Ellen,' 'Death Note' and Feature Guest Melissa McCarthy". Variety. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  3. ^ Swift, Andy (November 18, 2022). "The Simpsons Video: Meet Homer's New Step Brother… Melissa McCarthy?". TVLine. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  4. ^ "(SI-3322) "Step Brother from the Same Planet"". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Omine, Carolyn [@CarolynOmine] (November 21, 2022). "The talented and very dear, Carol Kane is adorable as our lovely Blythe. This is not her first time on @TheSimpsons – She was the uncredited voice of Maggie in Season 2" Bart Vs. Thanksgiving" (Tweet). Retrieved May 29, 2023 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Omine, Carolyn [@CarolynOmine] (November 21, 2022). "Homer using a Pikachu hat to make Calvin look like himself makes me very happy. @TheSimpsons" (Tweet). Retrieved May 29, 2023 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Alderslade, Merlin (November 22, 2022). "Nightwish featured in the latest episode of The Simpsons, band describe it as "one of the craziest honors"". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 22, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 11.20.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  9. ^ Sokol, Tony (November 21, 2022). "The Simpsons Gives Melissa McCarthy Quality Time". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Swigonski, Matthew (November 21, 2022). "Review: The Simpsons "Step Brother From The Same Planet"". Bubbleblabber. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
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