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{{goodGood article}}▼
{{Use mdy dates |date=April 2013}}
{{Infobox Simpsons episode
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* [[Barry White]] as himself
| blackboard = "I will return the [[Guide dog|seeing-eye dog]]"<ref name="book">{{cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Groening |editor1-first=Ray |editor1-last=Richmond |editor1-link=Ray Richmond |editor2-first=Antonia |editor2-last=Coffman |title=[[The Simpsons episode guides#The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family|The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family]] |edition=1st |year=1997 |location=New York |publisher=[[HarperPerennial]] |lccn=98141857 |ol=433519M |oclc=37796735 |isbn=978-0-06-095252-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/simpsonscomplete00groe/page/114 114] |ref={{harvid|Richmond & Coffman|1997}} }}.</ref>
| couch_gag = The Simpsons walk in, while the couch is replaced by a small wooden chair that they all sit on.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season4/page21.shtml |title=Whacking Day |access-date=2008-02-12 |author1=Martyn, Warren |author2=Wood, Adrian |year=2000 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=June 23, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030623215229/https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season4/page21.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
|access-date=2008-02-12 |author1=Martyn, Warren |author2=Wood, Adrian |year=2000 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>
| commentary = [[Matt Groening]]<br />[[Al Jean]]<br />[[Mike Reiss]]<br />[[Jeffrey Lynch]]<br />[[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]]
| prev = [[The Front (The Simpsons)|The Front]]
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}}
 
"'''Whacking Day'''" is the twentieth episode of the [[The Simpsons (season 4)|fourth season]] of the American animated television series ''[[The Simpsons]]''. It originally aired on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]] in the United States on April 29, 1993.<ref name="book"/> The episode revolves around the fictional holiday "Whacking Day", celebrated annually, in which the citizens of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]] drive snakes into the town square, then fatally club them. After [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] is expelled from school whenas punishment hefor injuresinjuring [[Superintendent Chalmers]], he applies the knowledge he gains from [[Marge Simpson|Marge]]'s [[homeschooling]] to help [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] expose the fraudulent and cruel nature of the holiday.
 
The episode was written by [[John Swartzwelder]] and directed by [[Jeffrey Lynch]];. Singer [[Barry White]], who had expressed a wish to appear in the show, guest stars as himself. It was pitched by [[George Meyer]], who wanted to create an episode against the mistreatment of snakes. The episode includes the first appearance of Superintendent Chalmers, and features an ''[[The Itchy & Scratchy Show|Itchy & Scratchy]]'' parody of [[Oliver Stone]]'s film ''[[JFK (film)|JFK]]''. "Whacking Day" won a [[Genesis Awards|Genesis Award]] for "consciousness-raising on behalf of animal issues".
 
==Plot==
During an inspection by [[Superintendent Chalmers]] at [[Springfield Elementary School]], [[Principal Skinner]] lures [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Jimbo Jones|Jimbo]], [[Kearney (The Simpsons)|Kearney]], [[Dolph (The Simpsons)|Dolph]], and [[Nelson Muntz|Nelson]] into the school's utility basement with the promise of free mountain bikes and locks the door. Bart escapes through a ventilation shaft and takes [[Groundskeeper Willie]]'s tractor for a joyride, accidentally crashing into Chalmers. Enraged at Bart for costing him a promotion, Skinner promptly expels Bart from the school. After Bart is quickly rejected from a private [[Christian school]], [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] decides to homeschool him. Marge assigns Bart to read ''[[Johnny Tremain]]'';. Bart is uninterested in the book until sheMarge letstells sliphim the title character has a deformed hand.; Bart saysthen "Theyreads should call thisthe book ''Johnnyin Deformed''",its entirety and readsloves it avidly.
 
Meanwhile, the local holiday Whacking Day is approaching. Each year on May 10, the people of [[Springfield (The Simpson)|Springfield]] drive snakes to the center of town and beat them to death. The tradition appalls [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], whois findsdisgusted noby supportthe fromtradition, anybut none of theSpringfield's adults ofsympathize thewith townher, even [[Homer Simpson|her own father]]. After Marge takes Bart on a [[field trip]] to Olde Springfield Towne, he discoversdeduces that the originsorigin of Whacking Day, which supposedly involved [[Jebediah Springfield]], is a liefalse because it conflicts with a major [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] battle in which heSpringfield took part. Bart readspurchases [[Bob Woodward]]'s book ''The Truth About Whacking Day'' by [[Bob Woodward]].
 
On Whacking Day, [[Barry White]] arrives to begin the festivities, but quickly leaves in disgust when he discovers what the holiday is aboutdedicated to killing snakes. Bart suggests to Lisa that they lure the snakes to safety by playing music with heavy bass from the stereo speakers. White, who just happens to be walking by, agrees to help by singing "[[Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe]]", attracting hundreds of snakes into the house.
 
The pursuing crowd arrives, but they are soon turned around on the subject of Whacking Day by Bart's newfound knowledge; the first Whacking Day was actually held in 1924 as an excuse to beat up [[Irish diaspora|Irish]] [[Immigration to the United States|immigrants]]. Lisa also tellsreminds the towntownspeople aboutof the positive influencesthings that the snakes have haddone on thefor townthem, such as killing rodents. The townspeople agree to give up the tradition.
 
Skinner is impressed with Bart's efforts and welcomes him back to the school, but then realizes in horror that he completely forgot about Jimbo, Dolph, Kearney and Nelson, whobecause they are still in the utility basement; they are shown talking about their feelings and comforting each other. Skinner and Willie race to the school with the mountain bikes for the boys to avoid a potential lawsuit. When Willie asks Skinner what they will do if the boys are dead, Skinner assures him that the two of them will ride the bikes into [[Mexico]]. However, Willie mutters to himself that he plans on turning Skinner over at the [[Mexican border]].
 
==Production==
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Writer [[George Meyer]], who was very "animal conscious", was interested in writing an episode related to [[Rattlesnake round-up|an annual ritual]] held in a [[Texas|Texan]] town, where the townspeople would beat rattlesnakes with sticks. Meyer did not have time to pen the episode himself, so the idea was given to [[John Swartzwelder]].<ref name=Jean>{{cite video |people=Jean, Al |date=2004 |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fourth Season Commentary for the Episode "Whacking Day" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The subject matter of "beating snakes" worried the staff who thought that many would deem it cruel, even though the episode's message is against the mistreatment of snakes.<ref name=Jean/> The episode's first act was one of the shortest the staff had ever written at that time, roughly ten pages in length, but with no ideas to expand, they left it as it was.<ref name=Jean/> Due to this, the main plot does not start until the beginning of the second act, as the writers could not come up with much material for it.<ref name=Jean/>
 
In order to speed up animation, director [[Jeffrey Lynch]] "begged" [[storyboard]] artists Kevin O'Brien and Steve Markowski to help him with the episode. The three spent several months on the episode.<ref name=Lynch>{{cite video |people=Lynch, Jeffrey |date=2004 |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fourth Season Commentary for the Episode "Whacking Day" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> [[Barry White]] wanted to guest star on the show, so he was written into the plot. He sang "[[Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe]]" speciallyespecially for the episode, rather than using a recorded version.<ref name=Jean/>
 
The song Grampa was supposed to sing in his flashback, showing how he posed as a German cabaret singer in World War II, was "[[Lili Marlene]]" by [[Marlene Dietrich]]. The staff could not get the rights to it because, according to the people who own the song, "everybody makes fun of it". Much of the flashback was pitched by [[Conan O'Brien]].<ref name=Reiss>{{cite video |people=Reiss, Mike |date=2004 |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fourth Season Commentary for the Episode "Whacking Day" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>
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==Cultural references==
Over newsreel footage of Whacking Day, [[Kent Brockman]] says "After exposing [[Alger Hiss]], Honorary Grand Marshall [[Richard Nixon]] goes after another deadly hiss." Marge assigns ''[[Johnny Tremain]]'' to Bart. The untitled [[The Itchy & Scratchy Show|Itchy & Scratchy]] short by "guest director" [[Oliver Stone]] is a parody of the scene where footage is shown of [[Jack Ruby]] shooting [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] in Stone's film ''[[JFK (film)|JFK]]'': someone is heard to shout, "Oh God! Get his gun!" as the short draws to a close.<ref name="BBC"/> Bart makes a joke about [[Oprah Winfrey]]'s appetite for baked ham. In Olde Springfield Towne, an applicant for "Village Idiot" says he "played Panicky Idiot Number Two in ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)| The Poseidon Adventure]]''." Bart uses his [[Cockney slangaccent]]: "Shine your boots, guv'nor?" Homer replies, "No son of mine is gonna be a 19th century cockney bootblack!" The song "O Whacking Day" uses the same tune as the Christmas carol "[[O Tannenbaum]]", known in English as "O Christmas Tree".<ref name="book"/> [[Bob Woodward]] is shown to be the author of the book ''The Truth About Whacking Day''.<ref name="book"/> The song [[Born Free (Matt Monro song)| "Born Free"]] plays as the snakes slither off into the sunset.
 
==Reception==
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For "consciousness-raising on behalf of animal issues",<ref>{{cite news |title=Using Awards to Fight Cruelty to Animals – Preview: Show Cites Media and Entertainment Contributions to Cause of Humane Treatment |date=June 20, 1994 |page=F-10 |publisher=[[The Orange County Register]] |first=Gary |last=Lycan}}</ref> the episode was awarded the [[Genesis Awards|Genesis Award]] for "Best Television Prime Time Animated Series" in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |title=''Free Willy'', ''Simpsons'' Win Genesis Awards |publisher=[[Rocky Mountain News]] |page=56A |date=January 30, 1994}}</ref>
 
Jeffrey Lee Puckett of ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'' cited "Whacking Day" as "the series' richest episode". He wrote: "In 22 remarkable minutes, 'Whacking Day' skewers the quality of America's educational system, self-aggrandizing politicians, greed, the [[mob mentality]], sexuality in the age of political correctness and the whole notion of political correctness, and makes a hero of [[Barry White]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Toons for Our Times |date=March 27, 1999 |page=12S |publisher=[[The Courier-Journal]] |first=Jeffrey Lee |last=Puckett}}</ref> Chris Vognar of ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' noted the episode was one of the fourth season's best episodes in his review of the DVD.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Fine Song and Dance: ''Simpsons'' Musical Spoofs are Worthy of an Encore |date=June 18, 2004 |page=16-H |publisher=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |first=Chris |last=Vognar}}</ref> Andrew Martin of Prefix Mag named White his fifth favorite musical guest on ''The Simpsons'' out of a list of ten.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Andrew |title=Top 10 Best Musical Guests On 'The Simpsons' |url=http://www.prefixmag.com/features/50-cent-barry-white-cypress-hill-george-harrison-johnny-cash-lionel-richie-michael-jackson-rem-spinal-tap-the-white-stripes/top-10-best-musical-guests-on-the-simpsons/57220/ |work=Prefix Mag |access-date=October 8, 2011 |date=October 7, 2011 |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015010229/http://www.prefixmag.com/features/50-cent-barry-white-cypress-hill-george-harrison-johnny-cash-lionel-richie-michael-jackson-rem-spinal-tap-the-white-stripes/top-10-best-musical-guests-on-the-simpsons/57220/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Chris[[Matt VognarGroening]] ofconsiders ''[[TheHomer Dallas Morning NewsSimpson|Homer]]''s noted"I theam evil Homer" fantasy episodeto wasbe one of the fourth season's"all-time bestgreat episodesmoments" in his review of the DVDshow's history.<ref name=Groening>{{cite newsvideo |titlepeople=AGroening, FineMatt Song|date=2004 and|title=The DanceSimpsons: ''Simpsons''The MusicalComplete SpoofsFourth areSeason WorthyCommentary offor anthe EncoreEpisode |date=June"Whacking 18, 2004Day" |pagemedium=16-HDVD |publisher=[[The20th DallasCentury Morning News]] |first=Chris |last=VognarFox}}</ref>
 
A 2003 article in ''[[The Journal News]]'' reported that records show genuine "Whacking Days" having taken place in [[Eastchester (town), New York|Eastchester, New York]] from 1665 onwards: "That one day every spring be chosen for the destroying of rattle snakes." The article quoted [[show runner]] [[Al Jean]] as saying: "I agree with the premise of the episode: leave the snakes alone. They didn't hurt anybody."<ref>{{cite news |title=Move Over, Homer! Eastchester Had Its Own 'Whacking Day' |date=July 31, 2003 |page=9-A |publisher=[[The Journal News]] |first=Chris |last=Serico}}</ref> Since 2009, citizens in [[North Queensland]], Australia, have held an annual "[[Toad Day Out]]" every March 29 in which thousands of cane toads (an invasive and highly destructive species not native to Australia) are captured and humanely destroyed. The event was inspired by the episode.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/thousands-killed-in-toad-day-out-20110327-1cbnu.html |title=Thousands killed in "Toad Day Out" |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=March 27, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2022 |author1=Kym Agius |author2=Evan Schwarten |name-list-style=amp |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116055519/https://www.smh.com.au/national/thousands-killed-in-toad-day-out-20110327-1cbnu.html |url-status=live }}</ref>▼
The show's creator [[Matt Groening]] considers [[Homer Simpson|Homer]]'s "I am evil Homer" fantasy to be one of the greatest moments in the show's history.<ref name=Groening>{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt |date=2004 |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fourth Season Commentary for the Episode "Whacking Day" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>
 
Andrew Martin of Prefix Mag named [[Barry White]] his fifth favorite musical guest on ''The Simpsons'' out of a list of ten.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Andrew |title=Top 10 Best Musical Guests On 'The Simpsons' |url=http://www.prefixmag.com/features/50-cent-barry-white-cypress-hill-george-harrison-johnny-cash-lionel-richie-michael-jackson-rem-spinal-tap-the-white-stripes/top-10-best-musical-guests-on-the-simpsons/57220/ |work=Prefix Mag |access-date=October 8, 2011 |date=October 7, 2011}}</ref>
 
A 2003 article in ''[[The Journal News]]'' reported that records show genuine "Whacking Days" having taken place in [[Eastchester (town), New York|Eastchester, New York]] from 1665 onwards: "That one day every spring be chosen for the destroying of rattle snakes." The article quoted [[show runner]] [[Al Jean]] as saying: "I agree with the premise of the episode: leave the snakes alone. They didn't hurt anybody."<ref>{{cite news |title=Move Over, Homer! Eastchester Had Its Own 'Whacking Day' |date=July 31, 2003 |page=9-A |publisher=[[The Journal News]] |first=Chris |last=Serico}}</ref>
 
▲Since 2009, citizens in [[North Queensland]], Australia, have held an annual "[[Toad Day Out]]" every March 29 in which thousands of cane toads (an invasive and highly destructive species not native to Australia) are captured and humanely destroyed. The event was inspired by the episode.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/thousands-killed-in-toad-day-out-20110327-1cbnu.html |title=Thousands killed in "Toad Day Out" |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=March 27, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2022 |author1=Kym Agius |author2=Evan Schwarten |name-list-style=amp }}</ref>
 
In ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', Nathan Rabin writes “'Whacking Day' is arguably the purest and most scathing attack on mob mentality in ''The Simpsons''’ oeuvre, purer and more trenchant even than '[[Marge Vs. The Monorail]]'...By the time Mayor Quimby shows up at the Simpson home—where the snakes have found shelter from the mob after being attracted by the bass in Barry White's voice—to bask in Springfield’s hatred of snakes, he’s surprised and a little disgusted to discover that the angry mob has turned unexpectedly into an aggregation of snake-fanciers. 'You’re nothing but a pack of fickle mush-heads!' he yells in disgust, to which the mob can only add, 'He’s right!' and 'Give us hell, Quimby!'
In 'Whacking Day' and ''The Simpsons'', the mob can be a force for good, a force for bad, or, in this case, a force for evil that morphs into a force for good. That’s the duality of mob mentality in ''The Simpsons'': What the mob gives it can also take away and no show has ever spoofed the madness of crowds as adroitly or consistently as ''The Simpsons'', especially in its radiant, God-like prime."<ref>{{cite news| last=Rabin| first=Nathan| title=The Simpsons (Classic): Whacking Day| work=The A.V. Club| url=https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-whacking-day-1798174273| access-date=December 8, 2023| archive-date=December 8, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208205428/https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-whacking-day-1798174273| url-status=live}}</ref>▼
 
▲In 'Whacking Day and ''The Simpsons'', the mob can be a force for good, a force for bad, or, in this case, a force for evil that morphs into a force for good. That’s the duality of mob mentality in ''The Simpsons'': What the mob gives it can also take away and no show has ever spoofed the madness of crowds as adroitly or consistently as ''The Simpsons'', especially in its radiant, God-like prime."<ref>{{cite news| last=Rabin| first=Nathan| title=The Simpsons (Classic): Whacking Day| work=The A.V. Club| url=https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-whacking-day-1798174273}}</ref>
 
==References==
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{{The Simpsons episodes|4}}
 
▲{{good article}}
 
[[Category:Fictional holidays]]
[[Category:The Simpsons (season 4) episodes]]
[[Category:1993 American television episodes]]
[[Category:Television showsepisodes written by John Swartzwelder]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of George Washington]]
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