Episode: Sunday, Cruddy Sunday With its countless jokes about the Fox network, The Simpsons has made biting the hand that feeds it into something of an art form. And they're not afraid to set their targets right at the very top. For example, in the episode 'Missionary: Impossible', Rupert Murdoch appears as a volunteer at a Fox telethon. When Bart calls up to pledge $10,000 Murdoch exclaims, ''Ten thousand dollars?! You've saved my network!'' With a knowing look to camera, Bart smiles and replies ''Wouldn't be the first time''. It's a sharp line but it loses some of its sting in the fact that it was Dan Castellaneta who provided the voice of Murdoch. And so to hear from the man himself we have to revisit an episode from the previous season. 'Sunday, Cruddy Sunday' sees Homer arrange a trip to the Super Bowl - only for such obstacles as counterfeit tickets and a stint in a stadium jail to keep the group away from the action. Eventually, they find themselves in an exclusive skybox suite... just as the owner steps through the door. He introduces himself with eleven unforgettable words:
''I'm Rupert Murdoch, the billionaire tyrant, and this is my skybox.''
And lo, caught somewhere between a tremendous ego-trip and a rare moment of self-effacing humour, one of the most unlikely celebrity guests in The Simpsons was born. Like this article? Are there any other self-parodying stars you'd like to mention? Feel free to comment in the box below.
Yorkshireman (hence the surname). Often spotted sacrificing sleep and sanity for the annual Leeds International Film Festival. For a sample of (fairly) recent film reviews, please visit whatsnottoblog.wordpress.com.
