The episode: 'Last Tap Dance in Springfield' The role: Shirley Temple as Vicki Valentine If there was one thing that you should have in order to appear on an animated comedy TV show it would probably be the ability to laugh at yourself. And sometimes, that ability might still not be enough, especially if the writers are feeling particularly offensive. In the case of Shirley Temple it may be that the latter was the problem. Or maybe she just identified a little too closely with the character. Vicki Valentine was a character loosely based on Temple's own life - namely that she was a child star all grown up. The premise of the episode showed that in her latter years, Valentine had maintained her love of show business, but had developed some serious ego and an intense competitive edge along the way to being washed out. Lisa takes the brunt of both of these characteristics and Valentine, despite having some redemptive qualities, comes off as a monster. That's perhaps why Temple allegedly told producers to "f*ck off" when offered the part. Still, Tress MacNeille still managed to bring the character to life wonderfully.
I have been described as a sportsman with the brain of an athlete and the body of a scientist. Since it was established that playing wouldn't work out for me I have taken to writing.
