The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 15: Bart the Fink

After staying in a haunted house for a night, each member of the Simpsons receives $100 to do with as they like. Marge has Bart and Lisa open bank accounts at the Bank of Springfield. Bart is excited with his new checking account, and begins writing checks to his friends. Bart wants to obtain Krusty the Clown's autograph, though. To get his autograph, Bart slips a check into Krusty's pocket, hoping that when he gets his bank statement, he will get his autograph. 

However, when Bart receives the check, he gets a stamp instead of a signature. Upset, Bart takes the check back to the bank so that they can force Krusty to sign it. A bank teller questions why Krusty gave a stamp instead of a signature. The teller investigates, and within minutes Krusty is exposed as one of the biggest tax cheats in American history.

The IRS take control of Krusty's personal belongings and his show, and Krusty is shocked of what happens. One evening, a depressed Krusty pilots his airplane into a mountainside, and is later pronounced dead. Bart believes otherwise when he begins to see a Krusty look-alike around town. With Lisa's help, he soon discovers that Krusty has gone into disguise of Rory Bellows, a old docker worker. 

Bart and Lisa try to convince him to return to his TV life, and Krusty finally accepts when they tell him that he is more respected than the scientists and teachers. Krusty gives up his new life, and assures the two that with the life insurance from his identity of Rory Bellows, he should be able to pay off the government.

My thoughts:

How many time have I watched it: Thrice.

Couch Gag: Same as S7 E2

My thoughts: I enjoyed this episode. When Milhouse exposes his autographed stomach to some grossed-out girls; I laughed. The 100 tacos gag was funny, The IRS Burger gag had 10 jokes in 20 seconds, with the franchise name clever enough. At the crash site, Wiggum says this: “Folks, show’s over, nothing to see here, oh my God, a horrible plane crash! Hey everybody, get a load of this flaming wreckage! Come on, crowd around, don’t be shy, crowd around!” Very good with the jokes in this episode.

The story itself is a bit weak, as Krusty's fake death was predictable. The bank scene was fine, but it was too long. At the end, the solution to have Krusty return to the showbiz was rushed. But Bart and Lisa working together to get him back was pleasant to see, they did some good detective work, and it's great to see teamwork, unlike these new episodes. 

Overall, while the plot was only above average, the laughs were great, and it's a solid episode.

My grade: B+