"" is an episode of '' The Simpsons ''. The title is a pun on '' The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes '', a 1969 film that has a loosely related plot. However, this episode makes many references the popular TV show '' The Prisoner '' and controversial journalist Matt Drudge .
CABF02
December 3 , 2000
John Swartzwelder
Mark Kirkland
"I will only provide a urine sample when asked"
Santa's Little Helper dances like Snoopy from Peanuts
Patrick McGoohan as Number Six
Homer shows up to work, but no one lets him in. Lenny and Carl stop by and tell him the plant is closed; everyone else was informed via E-mail . Homer decides to buy a Computer . The best one costs $5,000 and Homer must start a fifth Mortgage . After he gives up on learning how to use it, Lisa sets up the computer. Homer quickly catches on and starts his own Webpage , which contains copyrighted material from other pages. To avoid getting sued, Homer calls himself " Mr. X ". When no one visits his page, Homer posts a rumor that Mayor Quimby spent the street repair fund on a secret Swimming Pool . The rumor is later proved to be true.
Homer later decides to post more rumors and keep digging and probing until everyone is in Jail . He later uncovers that Apu is using donuts instead of bagels, a police scandal, and that Mr. Burns is selling Uranium to Terrorists . Homer wins the Pulitzer Prize , but when he hears the cash reward is going to starving children, he reveals that he is Mr. X. With the whole town aware of Homer's double identity, no one wants to talk to him. As his webpage's popularity goes down, Homer posts made-up stories. As Homer's page gets popular again, he gets kidnapped.
Homer wakes up on "the Island" , a strange community straight out of '' The Prisoner '' (with the exception of the name, which in The Prisoner is "the Village".) Everyone there has a secret that a powerful organization doesn't want to share with the world. Homer learns that one of his stories was true (the story he was captured for indicated that flu shots control your mind). While he is trapped, Homer is replaced at home by an impersonator with a German accent. Homer gets help from Number Six (voiced by Patrick McGoohan ) and escapes the island. He returns home and defeats his German double. However, the entire family is drugged by the dog and taken back to the Island, where they are quite happy.
A reproduction of Mr. X's webpage was put up by Fox shortly before the episode aired and is still viewable as of April 2006 . It is accurate to the version as seen on the show.
- (talking about the island) Once you get used to the constant druggings, this place isn't so bad.
'''Homer:''' Oh it is wonderful. Truly God's country!
''(a koala comes up and removes his Marti Gras mask, clouding the camera with Nerve Gas )''
'''Homer (drugged):''' See you on...the Island.
'''Lisa (drugged):''' Yes...the Island.
- (after Homer escapes and pops Rover)
Why did you think a big balloon would stop him?
'''Female scientist:''' Shut up! That's why!
- Homie!
'''Fake Homer:''' ''(German accent)'' Marge, honey, Sex .
Well, I don't feel like cooking.
- Aren't there any evil movies on? Maybe something about an evil island?
'''Bart:''' There's something different about you, Dad.
I am a new tie wearing.
'''Bart:''' Oh yeah...
- ''(after setting up the computer himself, he tries to command it by speaking into the mouse, à la Scotty in '''')'' "Computer, kill Flanders."
- This morning, "Mr. X" reported that your own department...
'''Wiggum:''' I know, I know. But I assure you, the police do not let prisoners out of their cells and race them...anymore.
What about using the is over.
- That's the third time that's happened!
- Then it is settled. I shall supply you terrorists with deadly falls out. Burns sees it and puts the notebook back in)'' This place is falling apart!
- Bart:''' I took a swing at a cop.
'''Homer:''' They can't sue me if they don't know who I am. I'll just call myself "Mr. X". ''(types "Mr. X" into his webpage)''
'''Bart:''' I'm just mad all the time.
'''Homer:''' Yup, ya can't go wrong with Mr. X.
- ''(on the Springfield Police Department webpage, there is a Wiggum icon on the main page)''
If you have committed a crime and you would like to confess, click "yes". Otherwise, click "no". ''(Homer clicks "no")'' You have chosen "no", meaning you have committed a crime, but do not want to confess. A or T-shirt ? You have The Right To Remain Fabulous !
- According to my uncle, Miss Springfield isn't as beautiful as she seems. Word on the street is that she uses appearance-altering Cosmetic s. ''(the other barflies are amazed as Homer stands in the corner, taking notes)''
'''Carl:''' The public should be warned. I wish Mr. X were here.
'''Homer (slyly):''' Oh, I don't know, Carl. He might be closer then you think.
'''Carl:''' Are you him? Are you Mr. X?
'''Homer:''' No!
'''Carl:''' But you talk in that real sly voice. ''(aloud)'' Hey everybody, Homer's Mr. X!
'''Homer:''' I am not! ''(slyly)'' Or am I?
Are you?
'''Homer:''' No!
'''Moe:''' Well, if Mr. X were here right now, I'd buy him a tall frosty.
'''Homer:''' Hey, Moe, can you keep a secret?
'''Moe:''' No.
'''Homer:''' Not even a little one?
'''Moe:''' No!
'''Homer:''' What if I just whisper it?
'''Moe:''' No, I tell's ya!
- Where am I? What is this place?
'''Man 1:''' This is...the Island.
How do I get out?
'''Man 2:''' Oh, no one leaves the...Island.
So I'm a prisoner? How come?
'''Man 1:''' Because you know something.
But I don't know anything. At least, I don't think I do.
'''Man 1:''' See you tomorrow.
No you won't! ''(darts into a British Red Telephone Box )'' Hello, operator? I'd like to report a really weird island! Please send lots of rescue copters to... ''(the phone emits some kind of nerve gas)(drugged)'' Somewhere...alright...whatever. ''(passes out)''
- (A lá ''The Prisoner'')
I am not a number! I am a man, and don't you ever . . . oh wait . . .
(He notices a button on his shirt with a "5" on it]
I'm Number Five. Ha-ha! In your face, Number Six!
- The story Mr X. posts on his website about flu shots being used as a mind control agent may be a reference to '' The X-Files '' episode '' Red Museum ''.
- Homer's exclaimation that he is a man and not a number, only to look at the pin on his shirt, is a parody of Patrick McGoohan's famous phrase from The Prisoner , "I am not a number, I am a free man!"
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