Author Archives: Tom Williamson

Episode 61 – A Streetcar Named Sinéad O’Connor

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 »

Episode 60 – Kamp Fernando Collor de Mello

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 »

Episode 59 – Black Wednesday Can You Spare Two Dimes?

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 »

Episode 58 – The Space Shuttle Endeavour Falls in Love

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 »

Episode 57 – The Betty Boothroyd Show

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 »

Episode 56 – Fujimori Widower

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 »

Episode 55 – Colonel Al Atheer

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 »

Episode 54 – Apartheid of Death

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 »

Episode 53 – Contra 3 Vocations

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 »

Episode 52 – Ross Perot at the Bat

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 »