Encyclopedia Bartannica: A Simpsons Pop Culture Podcast

Today we're discussing The Simpsons Season 15, Episode 8, Marge Vs Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays: After a baby concert becomes a disaster, Lindsay Naegle rallies the town to favor childless adults, but Marge fights back with a voter initiative. 
I'm joined by Greg Iwinski, a 2x Emmy-winning TV writer who has worked on The Late Show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and the Disney series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. We discuss the late night situation with Stephen Colbert vs the Trump Administration, hating the things you love (Star Wars/Simpsons), and how being a parent has changed since this episode first aired 21 years ago. Greg also points out a joke in this episode that made him laugh so hard he had to leave the room the first time he watched it. 
Follow Greg on all socials: @garyjackson
Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.
Greg Recommends: Terrestrial History by Joe Mungo ReedThis Time Tomorrow by Emma StraubHarlem Shuffle Colson WhiteheadHarrison Recommends: The Baby Boon by Elinor Burkett
References
Frank Nelson and Jack BennyMummenschanz on the Muppet ShowNPR Code Switch: Unmasking The 'Outside Agitator'
 
 
 

It's another presidential-themed episode as we discuss The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 13, Two Bad Neighbors- Ex-President George HW Bush moves to Springfield, much to Homer's dismay.
I'm joined today by Jamison Webb; actor, comedian and fellow prez-head. We talk about his appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bush's best one-liners, and why he's a mix of Flanders and Smithers (spoiler: the man's a wimp!).
Follow Jamison @jamisonw on Instagram. 
Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.
Jamison Recommends: Oliver Stone's W. The 1st 10 minutes of Naked Gun 2The President's Club by Michael Duffy and Nancy Gibbs  
Harrison Recommends: The President's ClubMy Fellow Americans- Jack Lemmon and James Garner
 
Research for this episode came from: Dinner with the President Alex Prud’HommeRunning on Race Jeremy MayerAmerican Dynasty Kevin PhillipsFamily of Secrets Russ BakerWhat Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted Tevi ToryFrom Mount Vernon to Crawford: A History of the Presidents and Their Retreats Kenneth Walsh

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
 
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!

Happy Labor Day (week)! God bless the unions and power to workers around the world. To celebrate, we’re discussing The Simpsons Season 4 Episode 17, Last Exit to Springfield- Homer fights for a worker dental plan, Burns shuts off the city’s power, and Lenny listens to Classical Gas. It’s one of the few pro-union stories you could find on tv in the 90’s, and it still holds up!
My guest today is my sister, Danielle George. Not only has she been a huge help to the podcast, but she volunteered to be my first guest ever. That’s right, you’re looking at the 1st episode we ever recorded! We talk about the history of unions, how 90’s satire is just today’s reality, and how you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become Abe Simpson: teller of long stories that don’t go anywhere. 
Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.
Harrison Recommends: The books below, and the movies The Pajama Game, 9 to 5, and Norma Rae. 
Also, check out The Working Families Party; they're doing good work. I’ve signed up to attend a virtual rally on Labor Day- this Monday, Sep 1. The event is actually taking place in my old college town, Emporia, KS, which is pretty awesome. If you want to join me, check out workingfamilies.org or this link: https://mobilize.us/s/ydS3d0
Research for this episode came from:Fight Like Hell Kim Kelly- #1 rec. Lots of historical examples of activists who are not just straight white guys. Our Numbers Be Unlimited Sam Wallman- Graphic novel about working for Amazon.A History of America in 10 Strikes Erik Loomis- A good primer. Why Unions Matter Michael Yates- Almost like a text book, in a good way.

Ever see a podcast say goodbye to summer? You have now! 
To commemorate the end of summer, we’re reviewing The Simpsons “Summer of 4ft 2” from Season 7 with guest Alison Lynch (@alisonlunch, @bloomdropla). We discuss her new flower business, Bloomdrop, the power of reinventing yourself, and sibling rivalries. We also dive into the MANY amazing jokes in this episode; "It's a bird thing", Milhouse as The Dud, and more than 1 classic 90’s tv show reference. Sit back and enjoy as we say goodbye to summer 2025! 
Follow Alison @alisonlunch and her business @bloomdropla on Instagram.
Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.
 
Alison Recommends:“Good Girl Gone Bad” movies: Grease, Easy A, The Craft, etc. 
Harrison Recommends:“Myra Breckenridge” by Gore VidalThe movie “Mermaids” with Cher, Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci!

Snakes, why’d it have to be snakes? Because we’re talking about  The Simpsons “Whacking Day”, that’s why! We’re joined by LA writer, actor and comedian Sophie Delaney to review this Season 4, Episode 20 classic. We talk about playing “Mission Impossible” as kids, if the bass guitar is the funniest instrument of all time, and a REALLY weird Josh Groban song about farts. 
Follow Sophie @sophiewalterd on Instagram and @chompinpod on TikTok.
Follow this show @bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.
 
Sophie Recommends: The Dustbowl documentary by Ken Burns and JFK by Oliver Stone 
Harrison Recommends: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn and The Fruit, The Tree and The Serpent by Lynne Isbell. 
 
Show notes
Josh Groban Song About Beans

This week we take a little trip to the Sodom and Gomorrah of the Missisipp, New Orleans for Season 4 Episode 2 of The Simpsons, “A Streetcar Named Marge” with guest Clayton Margeson. Clayton and I talk about his connection to this episode, why Steve McQueen was, to quote Bart, “such a bitch”, and the joy of having grown-up hobbies.
Follow Clayton at @king.claz on Instagram.
Follow this show at bartannicapodcast on Instagram, or email the show at bartannica@gmail.com.
 
Clayton Recommends: The Great Escape, BioShock.Harrison Recommends: “Who Am I This Time?” by Kurt Vonnegut (book and movie) and this article: The Quiet Radicalism of Being a Weird Little Guy with Weird Little Hobbies
 

Hot Stuff, Coming Through! Episode 2 with guest Becca Slack. We are reviewing The classic Simpson's episode Homer's Phobia, featuring the amazing John Waters. We discuss Becca's love for John Waters and Hairspray, how TV was a 3rd parent growing up, and the history of gay representation on television, including The Ellen Show and Will and Grace. 
 
Follow Becca Slack at @ohboybeccaslack on Instagram. 
 
Follow us on Instagram @bartannicapodcast, or email us at bartannica@gmail.com.
 
Research References: 
Notes on Camp Susan Sontag
Tacky- Love Letters to the Worst Culture We Have to Offer Rax King
Honey I’m Homo Matt Baume 
Gay New York George Chauncey 
Mr. Know It All John Waters Audiobook
Interviews with John Waters James Egan
 
And buy your own Cactus Candy here!

It’s the first episode! I’m joined by comedian Andrew Tisher as we discuss The Simpsons Season Six, Episode 24 The Lemon of Troy. Andrew shares his family’s love of the Simpsons, we talk about phrases you hear in comedies that you never hear in real life, and I present my theory that Bart=Achilles. We wrap up with a great conversation about Ned Flanders and how his character has changed over the years.
 
Follow Andrew Tisher on Instagram and Letterboxd @tishertisher. 
 
Follow us on Instagram @bartannicapodcast, or email us at bartannica@gmail.com.
 
Research: 
Musical Sounds of Medieval French Cities: Gretchen Peters
Rerun Nation: Derek Kompare
Citrus: A World History: David Mabberley
Homer: Barbara Graziosi
Homer: Essays: Robert Fagles
Pandora’s Jar: Natalie Haynes
Turnip Juice Recipe

Ahoy-hoy! This is the trailer for the new podcast, Encyclopedia Bartannica, a podcast about Simpsons references hosted by Harrison George. It's part Simpsons review show, part pop culture discussion with a different guest every episode. Every two weeks we review a classic Simpsons episode and break down its references and what they really mean. From the many homages to The Godfather, to Homer's surprising knowledge of Supreme Court Justices, we cover it all!