Encyclopedia Bartannica: A Simpsons Pop Culture Podcast

Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily with Mads Horwath

We're discussing a classic episode with a true Simpsons fanatic, Mads Horwath (New Yorker, Guardian). They tell an insane story about tricking their classmates into a Simpsons-related prank, we discuss the weird feeling of visiting other peoples' homes and why the stakes are so high in this episode- it threatens the very nature of the Simpsons' being! 
We are reviewing Season 7 Episode 3 Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily from October 1995- this is the one where Bart, Lisa and Maggie are taken to the Flanders for foster care as Marge and Homer fight to regain custody. Stupid Babies Need the Most Attention, America Loves Ted Kennedy, and we love this episode! 
Follow Mads @madelinehorwath to see their cartoons and also to order a pet portrait with all proceeds going to help people in need in Gaza. 
Follow this show at bartannicapod on Instagram and WATCH THE FULL EP ON YT starting next week! Exciting! Mads recommends: Detectorists 
Harrison Recommends:Chucky 2
Eli Recommends: Paco

Lisa's Date with Density with Devin Leary

We've got a very special episode with a special guest- Eli's fiancée, Devin Leary (THIRST TRAP, The Quiz Show with Julia and Devin). We are discussing Season 8 Episode 7 of the Simpsons "Lisa's Date with Density", where Lisa gets a crush on Nelson Muntz! We talk about the good girl/bad boy trope, our own experiences dating the wrong person, and Harrison watches Rebel Without a Clue. 
You can follow Devin at devin_hunter_leary on socials and her substack at: lightdisorder.substack.com. Listen to The Quiz Show with Julia and Devin wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Devin Recommends: Gilmore Girls
Eli Recommends: Getting Engaged
Harrison Recommends: 10 Things I Hate About You

Lost Our Lisa With Megan Nolan

Today we're reviewing a very sweet Simpsons episode, and we have a very sweet guest to boot. We're discussing Season 9 Episode 24 "Lost our Lisa" with guest Megan Nolan (Acts of Desperation, Ordinary Human Failings). 
We discuss her 2 novels and how she created such a compelling characters. We also talk about the father-daughter relationship at the heart of the episode, and what traits we'd want to instill in Lisa if we were Homer. 
We also talk A LOT about Egyptian museum exhibits and buses. And Eli talks about his recent trip to Italy! 
You can follow Megan at mmegannolan on Instagram. You can follow this show at bartannicapod. 
Megan Recommends: Cider House RulesHarrison and Eli Recommend: Going to museumsReading Megan's books! 

Marge Vs the Monorail with Mike Finn

Today we're covering one of the best Simpsons episodes of all time, Season 4 Episode 12 "Marge Vs the Monorail" and we have one of the best people in the whole world as a guest, Mike Finn. 
Mike, Harrison and Eli used to do improv as Cool Jacket and have been friends for over a decade. We talk about what Mike does (and doesn't) want his kids watching (including KPop Demon Hunters), watching The Simpsons on The Tracey Ullman Show, and our shared love of watching grass grow. 
We also debate if Monorail is truly the best episode of The Simpsons, how the town of Springfield should probably just get some new buses, and Eli and Harrison BOTH read a book about Genghis Khan!

A Star is Burns with Matt Crowe

This week we have one of Harrison's oldest friends, Matt Crowe, on the show! Harrison and Matt have been friends for over 20 years and during that time they've shared over roughly 1,000 Simpsons memes, quotes and clips with each other. It only made sense to have him on the pod to discuss this great episode. 
Today we're discussing Season 6 Episode 18 A Star is Burns- this is is the one where Jay Sherman (The Critic) stops by to judge a Springfield film festival: football in the groin, Don't Cry For Me I'm Already Dead, and Boo-urns. 
We discuss Matt's love of rewatching old shows, his sense of humor as a nurse, and I discuss some of the MANY movies I watched this week that are referenced in the episode. 
Matt Recommends: Tallgrass Film Festival The Critic
Eli Recommends: Siskel and Ebert Reviews
Harrison Recommends:Reel Politk by Nathan GelgudA Man for All Seasons (movie and play)

Brother From the Same Planet with Clayton Margeson

Today we're talking about the classic Simpsons' episode from Season 4, Episode 14 and we've got our first ever RETURNING GUEST Clayton Margeson!! The 3 of us discuss why this is the best Simpsons episode we've reviewed so far: "I Love You, Pepsi", Krusty's terrible SNL appearance, and Tom, the perfect Big Brother, full of barely contained rage. 
We also talk about why the "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" jokes don't land, Jesus as a hog-caller, and the history of 1900 numbers. 
Follow Clayton at king.claz on Instagram, and this show at bartannicapod. 
Clayton Recommends: "In Pieces" by Sally FieldsJack Frost- the movie about Michael Keaton as a CGI snowman who looks like George Clooney 
Eli Recommends: The Public Enemy starring James CagneyTaking Improv Classes with Clayton
Harrison Recommends: Taking Improv Classes with ClaytonThe kids movie triptych: Mrs. Doubtfire, Liar Liar and the Santa Clause  
References: The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow: The Dark History of American Orphanhood by Kristen Martin1900-Cry CommercialIndiana Jones Bad Nazi Face Melting Behind the ScenesThe Tommy Westphall Extended Universe

Brother From Another Series with Rob Grabowski

Today we're reviewing The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 16, "Brother From Another Series": David Hyde Pierce guest stars as Sideshow Bob's brother, Cecil. 
We've got a great guest- Rob Grabowski (Hitch*Cocktails, Clued In)! We discuss if Frasier is a show for boys, if Sideshow Bob is really reformed, and why Cecil bombs his Krusty audition. 
Follow Rob at robgrabo on Instagram and Threads. 
You can follow this show on Instagram at Bartannicapod. 
Rob RecommendsSpamalot Diaries
Eli RecommendsWet Hot American Summer
Harrison RecommendsThe HostThis article about dams by Joan Didion

Classic Krusty Re-release: I Love Lisa with Nicole Vespa

In honor of Valentine's Day, we are re-sharing this classic episode, now with a new intro with Eli! 
 
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Love is in the air this week as we discuss The Simpsons Season 4 Episode 15, I Love Lisa- after receiving a Valentine from Lisa (out of pity), Ralph Wiggum starts courting her, much to her dismay. 
My guest today is Nicole Vespa (Redacted, Voila), an actor and improvisor in Chicago. We talk about parents giving bad advice, unrequited school crushes, and the bizarre death of President Zachary Taylor.
Follow Nicole at @nvespa on Instagram.
Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.
Nicole Recommends: Drunk HistoryThe Demon of Unrest by Erik LarsonBob's Burgers
Harrison Recommends: To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Eli Recommends:Being in Love
 
Research for this episode came from: 
Accidental Presidents : Eight Men Who Changed America by Jared Cohen
Are You Prepared for the Storm of Lovemaking? : Letters of Love and Lust From the White House by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
By One Vote: The Disputed Election of 1876 by Michael Holt
Combing Through the White House by Theodore Pappas
Dangerous Crooked Scoundrels Edwin Battistella
Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
The Carnival Campaign by Ronald Shafer
The President is Dead by Louis Picone
What Ails the White House: Medical History of the American Presidency by Dr. Jay Murphy 
Who’s Buried in Grants Tomb by Brian Lamb
Zachary Taylor : Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest by K. Jack Bauer
 
For more information about the presidents, check your local library!

Dancin' Homer with Asher Perlman

Today marks a new chapter in Bartannica history- Eli Mandel has joined the show! And we have a great episode to kick off this new era: today we're talking about the classic Simpsons episode from Season 2, Episode 5 Dancin' Homer, written by Ken Levine and David Isaacs and directed by Mark Kirkland. This the episode where Homer becomes the official mascot for the Springfield Isotopes. We're talking Tony Bennett, the Capital City Goofball, and Baby Elephant Walk! 
We're joined by comedian and artist Asher Perlman. Asher is a cartoonist for the New Yorker, a writer for the late show with Stephen Colbert, a performer with the improvised Shakespeare company, and an alumnus of the second city in Chicago. His second book of cartoons, a follow up to his bestselling debut, has just been released. 
We talk about how rare it is to see Homer give a shit about his obsession of the week, why Lisa loves the National Anthem, and if a gorilla could out-pitch The Great Bambino. 
You can follow Asher @asherperlman on Twitter, Instagram, and Substack. 
You can follow this show @bartannicapod on Instagram.Asher and Eli Recommend: Going to a Minor League baseball game!
Harrison Recommends: Ken Levine's blog (Here) and his podcast Hollywood and Levine
 

Bart Sells His Soul with Eli Mandel

“When you see one of these kitschy places like TGI Fridays, are they expecting you to be like “Whoa! There’s signs! Crocodiles don’t wear sunglasses!”? But Marge is exactly the type of person those are targeted for.”
 
Wow what an episode we have for you today! Not only is our guest super funny, not only is he one of my best friends, he’s also the new CO-HOST of the show! Welcome to the show Eli Coyote Mandel! Eli has written for shows like Saturday Night Live and Search Party and performs at UCB in New York. 
 
Today we’re reviewing the Simpsons episode “Bart Sells His Soul” from Season 7 Episode 4. This is the one where Bart sells his soul to Milhouse, and immediately suffers the consequences. This episode has it all: Iron Butterfly, Moe’s Family Feedbag, Ow, My Freaking Ears, and of course the return of Alf (in POG form!). We discuss the wild history of family restaurants with lots of crazy crap on the walls, the search for the human soul, and why After Hours is the most accurate NYC movie ever. 
 
You can follow Eli on Instagram at @elicoyote, on TikTok @elicoyotemandel, and @nickandelicomedy on both.
You can follow this show @bartannicapod on Instagram.
 
Eli RecommendsAfter HoursSonnetsETIn-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly
Harrison RecommendsDamn YankeesThe works of Pablo NerudaDr Faustus by Christopher MarloweEli’s Videos:
A Guy The Day After His Server Was Nice to Him
A Disney Channel Original Movie but Dad Took It Too Far
Dad Is Also Scared Of Bullies
 
Research: Orange Roofs, Golden Arches: the Architecture of American Chain Restuarants by Philip Langdon 
The Death of Flair: As Friday's Goes Minimalist, What Happens to the Antiques?
When T.G.I. Friday's Loses Its Flair