Ep. 28 - Batman (1989) with Shahbaz Siddiqui
In part two of a Batman double feature, special guest Shahbaz Siddiqui (The Movie Podcast) joins Adam and Nate to watch a contentious superhero reboot, Tim Burton's Batman (1989). They also dig into multiple Batman parodies in “Last Exit to Springfield” (S4E17), a unionization story that’s considered by many to be the best episode ever of The Simpsons.
Also in this episode:
Two gloriously unhinged performances from Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson
How classic monster movies helped Burton to escape the campy tone of the 1960s TV series (kinda)
Danny Elfman: The musical connection between Batman and The Simpsons (plus a tangent on Prince’s Batman album)
The ripple effect of this movie on superhero media and Hollywood blockbusters
Next time, Adam and Nate welcome back Simpsons writer and producer Michael Price to talk about one of his favorite movies, What’s Up Doc? (1972), alongside its Simpsons parody in “Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy” (S6E10).
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Every Simpsons Reference to Batman
By our count, Batman has been directly referenced 7 times in the first 13 seasons of The Simpsons. The first reference appears in “Old Money” (S2E17) from 1991, 2 years after the release of the movie.
Scene & Plot References
Marge vs. the Monorail (S4E12): After trying to trick the people of Springfield, Mr. Burns and Smithers's escape from the town hall meeting with a Batman-style grapple gun.
Last Exit to Springfield (S4E17) & Homie the Clown (S6E15): The scene where Joker first sees his new appearance in this movie is parodied twice in The Simpsons, first when Lisa gets her vintage braces, and second when Krusty tries to get facial reconstruction to escape the mob, but accidentally gets a breast augmentation instead.
Small References
Old Money (S2E17): The long line-up filled with costumed fans is in itself a reference to the premier of Batman, which many of the writers attended together. In addition, one of the people in line dresses as the Joker.
Mr. Plow (S4E9): When the Simpsons run into Adam West at the Springfield Auto Show, he complains about the new Batman movies, including Michael Keaton’s molded plastic abs and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.
Last Exit to Springfield (S4E17): While the matching fire poles in Burns’s manor mimic the 1960s Batman TV show, the score here briefly plays the theme from the 1989 Batman movie (composed by Danny Elfman who also did the Simpsons theme).
Radioactive Man (S7E2): Much like Batman was famously trying to get away from its campy 1960s predecessor, the new Radioactive Man movie hopes to be a serious reboot of the franchise.
Extra Credit
Looking for more like this or an interesting double feature? Here are our recommendations.
From Shahbaz: American Psycho (2000)
From Nate: Darkman (1990)
From Adam: The Shadow (1994), Dick Tracy (1990), Batman Begins (2005)
Further Reading & Viewing
Article: Jacob Uitti, “Behind The Song: The ‘60s Batman Theme,“ American Songwriter, 2022. Prince learned music from the 1960s Batman TV show, and was inspired to write the concept album for the 1989 movie.
Interview: Rich Cline, “Meet the Creator: An Audience with the Father of the Simpsons, Matt Groening,“ Shadows on the Wall, July 4, 2007. Matt Groening talks about his relationship with Danny Elfman.
