A Star Is Born-Again
Episode Number	304
Production Code	EABF08
Original Airdate	March 2, 2003
Couch Gag	The Simpsons are marionettes, who fail to reach the couch when they get caught up in each others strings. The camera pans up to reveal Matt Groening as the puppet master, who throws down his marionettes in frustration.
Special Guest Voices	Helen Fielding as herself James L. Brooks as himself Marisa Tomei as Sara Sloane
Show Runner(s)	Al Jean
Written By	Brian Kelley
Directed By	Michael Marcantel

"A Star Is Born-Again" is the thirteenth episode of Season 14. It was written by Brian Kelly and directed by Michael Marcantel.

Plot Edit

While at a cotillion after observing an annual phenomenon that happens on the third Tuesday of May known as the 'Returning of the Stinging Red Jellyfish,' Ned Flanders realizes he can no longer bare his single life and goes for a sad walk around the town to the tune of Debussy's Clair De Lune. Back at the Leftorium a woman enters the store and flatters Ned with an offer of a date using the pseudonym Selma Fitzgerald. Ned ventures out only to learn from a poster she is a sultry movie star named Sarah Sloane; he then proclaims he has a date with a movie star much to the disbelief of an Irish mall guard. Homer then gives advice to Ned followed by the date where she is confronted by Lenny asking for a mold of her breasts. On the pier front the new couple kiss.

The following morning a tabloid contacts Homer and swarms of journalists rally at Flander's house questioning the legitimacy of his moustache and the status of their relationship. At the Polystar pictures studio Ned desists she act in topless roles for a romantic film. The two then attend a dinner with the Simpsons only to be confronted by more Paparazzi and Sarah's ex-boyfriend Rainier Wolfcastle. Sarah asks Ned to join her in Hollywood, but Ned declines the offer as he can only picture a football team-less town with drug abuse, alcoholism, sleazy adult productions, Jewish actors, and heretic publications. Sarah stays in Springfield only to be constantly bothered by the aspiring male population, namely Moe, Otto, Comic Book Guy, Chief Wiggum & Apu. Sarah then attends an all-girl book club with the former members of the Cherry Red Tomato girl group which has author Helen Fielding at their meeting.

Ned then becomes angry at Sarah's revealing fashion which is commented on by half the town at a concert; Sarah then pressures Ned for sex but in line with his religious beliefs Ned pressures Sarah for marriage; their instant split is witnessed by participants of a fun run and it makes news within minutes. While gardening Ned receives an offer form West Side property mogul Cookie Kwan. The episode ends with Helen Fielding being chased in a cartoon style frame with the Benny Hill theme playing as the titles then roll to the Jellyfish song from the cotillion earlier.

Behind the LaughterEdit

ReceptionEdit

In a 2008 article, Entertainment Weekly named Marisa Tomei's role as Sara Sloane as one of the sixteen best guest appearances on The Simpsons.