The Simpsons/Take My Wife, Sleaze

Take My Wife, Sleaze
11x08
Airdate	November 28, 1999
Production Number	BABF05
Written by	John Swartzwelder
Directed by	Neil Affleck
← 11x07 Eight Misbehavin'	11x09 → Grift of the Magi
The Simpsons — Season Eleven

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Take My Wife, Sleaze is the eighth episode of the eleventh season of The Simpsons, and the two-hundred and thirty-fourth episode overall.

Guest Stars: NRBQ (Themselves), Pamela Hayden (Milhouse Van Houten, Rod Flanders), John Goodman (Meathook), Jan Hooks (Manjula), Jay North (Himself), Henry Winkler (Ramrod)

Trivia

Allusions and References

• American Graffiti: Wolfguy Jack's unnamed girlfriend is a knockoff of the Debbie Dunham character from the 1973 movie starring Ron Howard.
• The 1950s: Both in the commercial for Greaser's Café (the 1950s concept restaurant) and at the restaurant itself:
  • Allen Ginsberg: The "Allen Ginsburger" is named for the 1950s beatnik writer.
  • Dick Clark: The long-time host of American Bandstand, which he began hosting in 1957.
  • Coca-Cola and milkshakes: Although meant to evoke memories of (actual) 1950s-early 1960s malt shops and enjoying the soft drink with a meal.
  • Dennis the Menace: Jay North, who played the 1959-1963 TV adaptation of the comic strip character, makes a special appearance at the grand opening of Greaser's Cafe.
  • Ford Thunderbird: The 1956 Ford Thunderbird that Wolfguy Jack and his assistant, Debbie Dunham, are riding in during the commercial is one of many seen at the restaurant.
  • Hula hoop — A popular fad in the late 1950s.
  • "Jailhouse Rock": One of the 1950s-esque songs playing at Greaser's is a parody of the 1957 Elvis Presley classic.
  • McCarthyism: The "Un-American Cheese Sandwich" -- likely, a grilled cheese sandwich -- is named after Sen. Joe McCarthy's pejorative toward people he accused of being Communists.
  • Polio Dogs: Likely hot dogs, likely named after Jonas Salk's polio vaccine.
  • Squares and Cool Cats: Used for the restrooms, the names are 1950s slang for people -- the term "square" was used to refer to a person believed to be rigidly conventional, conservative and hopelessly out of touch with current trends, while "cool cats" were the exact opposite (trendy, liberal and flexible).
  • Television: (To which Homer famously gasps and remarks in disbelief, "I remember television"); likely referring to the Golden Age of Television and classic television shows of the 1950s.
• Guinness World Records — The TV special the family watches — complete with Lisa echoing criticism about the reliability of the records — is a takeoff of several Fox "Guinness" specials that had aired in the late 1990s.
• Hell's Angels: The Hell's Satans is a parody of the motorcycle organization.
• There's Something About Mary' — The sign in front of Springfield Church says "There's Something About the Virgin Mary."
• Nostalgic-themed restaurants: Concept restaurants with nostalgic times -- mainly, 1950s through pre-Beatles early 1960s -- is referenced with Greaser's Café, which were briefly in vogue in the 1990s and early 2000s, but in some cases are still popular today. These include Johnny Rockets, Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater restaurant at Disney-MGM, and Maid-Rite.
• The Princess Bride: The climatic fight scene between Homer and Meathook is inspired by a similar scene in the 1987 movie.
• Rebel Without a Cause: The unnamed movie about a rebellious teenager is a knockoff of the 1955 movie starring James Dean.
• The Sixth Sense: The chalkboard gag "I can't see dead people" is a reference to Haley Joel Osmot's line "I see dead people" in the thriller.
• Wolfman Jack: Wolfguy Jack, the pitchman for and owner of Greaser's Café, is a parody of the longtime rock music radio host.
• Henny Youngman: The episode title is a play on the comedian's line "Take my wife, please."

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