Ep. 29 - What’s Up, Doc? with Michael Price
Adam and Nate are joined once again by current Simpsons writer and producer Michael Price to share one of his favorite movies of all time, Peter Bogdanovich’s What's Up, Doc? (1972). We unpack his top moments from the movie, its parody in “Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy” (S6E10), and how its timeless slapstick and farce has influenced The Simpsons at large.
Also in this episode:
Mike Price talks about directing Bogdanovich on The Simpsons, possible movie references in season 36, the first episode of The Simpsons he ever watched, and more
The Bugs Bunny-like magnetism of Barbra Streisand
One of cinema’s best—and funniest—car chases of all time
Six degrees of Peter Bogdanovich: We’re wowed by his wildly connected career
Next time, Adam and Nate begin another double feature on a GOAT of a Simpsons episode “22 Short Films about Springfield” (S7E21) by deconstructing its namesake, Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (1993).
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Every Simpsons Reference to What’s Up Doc?
By our count, What’s Up Doc? has been directly referenced 3 times in the first 13 seasons of The Simpsons. The first reference appears in “Bart Gets an Elephant” (S5E17) from 1994, 22 years after the release of the movie.
Scene & Plot References
New • Bart Gets an Elephant (S5E17): When Stampy escapes, it sets off a chase sequence that’s interrupted by two guys carrying a sheet of glass. As Mike Price points out on the podcast, by the time What’s Up, Doc? came out, this was already an old gag, possibly dating back to the likes of Laurel and Hardy. So, is The Simpsons referencing this movie, or are they both referencing something even older? (Unconfirmed)
Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy (S6E10): This episode begins with a Homer and Marge watching a movie called “Goodtime Slim, Uncle Doobie and the Great Frisco Freak-out,” which seems to be a mash-up of What’s Up, Doc?, Up in Smoke, and possibly some other seventies fare.
Much like this movie, it includes a mix-up involving some bags and a car chase in a Volkswagen Beetle through the streets of San Francisco.
New • Lost Our Lisa (S9E24): When Homer climbs a cherry picker to try to spot Lisa, it naturally rolls downhill toward the harbor, resulting in a moment much like the end of the car chase in this movie. As Homer gets to the dock, the vehicle breaks through, causing Homer to get a face full of wood, much like when one man whose head gets caught in a tent. (Unconfirmed)
Bonus: Other Connections
Matt Groening, “The Los Angeles Way of Death,” Life in Hell, 1982.
Simpsons creator Matt Groening first came to the attention of producer James L. Brooks when Polly Platt, production designer on both What’s Up, Doc? and Brooks’ own Terms of Endearment (1983), sent him a copy of one of Groening’s Life in Hell comic strips, “The Los Angeles Way of Death.” (h/t GW Gottesman)
Extra Credit
Looking for more like this or an interesting double feature? Here are our recommendations.
From Nate: Shoot ‘Em Up (2007), The Fall Guy (2024)
From Adam: Noises Off (1992), Clue (1985)
Further Reading & Viewing
Podcast: The Plot Thickens, TCM, April 28, 2020–Present. Season 1 tracks the career of Peter Bogdanovich from top to bottom.
“Please, Marge. How often can I see a movie of this calibre on late-night TV?”
