Ep. 24 - Police Academy

Season 4
Written By Bart Simpson

On its 40th anniversary, Adam and Nate endured Police Academy (1984) so you don’t have to! They also give a rundown of the many times The Simpsons has slammed this movie, with a deep dive into the episode, “Marge Be Not Proud” (S7E11), a hilarious and heartbreaking classic that Adam can barely watch.

Also in this episode:

  • Trying to empathize with the fans who give this 10/10 on IMDb

  • What makes good low-brow humor?

  • Speculation about why the Simpsons writers hate this movie so much

  • CanCon corner: Toronto on film, playing itself and others 

Next time, Adam and Nate take a swing at The Natural (1984) and The Simpsons’ ode to baseball “Homer at the Bat” (S3E17). But first, you can expect a very special Oscar recap and 2023 year-in-review episode!

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Every Simpsons Reference to Police Academy

By our count, Police Academy has been directly referenced 4 times in the first 13 seasons of The Simpsons. The first reference appears in “Principal Charming” (S2 E14) from 1991, 7 years after the release of the original movie, and two years after its most recent sequel.

Character References

The Springfield Connection (S6E23): When Marge enrolls in Springfield’s own police academy, one of the cadets is very eager to get his hands on a gun, much like Tackleberry in this movie. Is it a true reference or a coincidental trope? (Unconfirmed)

Notably, the writers may have been inspired by the release of the final and least successful movie in the Police Academy franchise, Mission to Moscow on August 26, 1994, during the period that this episode would have been development for its May 7, 1995 air date.

Small References

Principal Charming (S2E14): When Homer can’t keep Marge’s sisters straight, Marge tries to remind him by pointing out that Selma likes Police Academy movies—yet another difference of opinion that puts Homer at odds with Marge’s family.

The Springfield Connection (S6E23): In the same episode as Tackleberry’s doppelgänger, Homer says, “When I first heard that Marge was joining the police academy, I thought it would be fun and zany, like that movie Spaceballs. But, instead, it’s been painful and disturbing like that movie Police Academy."

Marge Be Not Proud (S7E11): When Bart’s parents catch him shoplifting, Homer gives him a long, rambling speech. At one point, he says, “Why do you think I took you to all those Police Academy movies, for fun?! Well, I didn't hear anybody laughing! Did you?! Except at that guy who made sound effects.”

 

Bonus: Two Later or Related Simpsons References to Police Academy

Homer the Great (S6E12): While this isn’t a direct reference to Police Academy, in the Stonecutter’s anthem “We Do,” the secret society takes credit for making Steve Guttenberg a star. Of course, the true culprit behind his stardom is much more troubling—the popularity of this movie franchise.

Friends and Family (S28E2): While enjoying being home alone, Homer decides to outdo even President Bill Clinton by watching a marathon of all the Police Academy movies—at the same time. Does this sequence completely break with all of Homer’s previous feelings about Police Academy? Yes. Is it also pretty funny? Yes.

Bart Simpson
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