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Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield
Bart the Fink
Lisa the Iconoclast

I can't believe Krusty is really gone.
Bart Simpson

"Bark the Fink" is the fifteenth episode of Season 7. It originally aired on February 11, 1996. The episode was written by John Swartzwelder (the original story was written by Bob Kushell) and was directed by Jim Reardon. Bob Newhart guest stars as himself and Phil Hartman returns to voice Troy McClure.

Synopsis

When Bart accidentally finks on him to the IRS, Krusty the Clown decides to go for that last plane ride.

Full Story

After Homer and the family inherit some money from his late Great Aunt Hortense, Marge asks the kids what they want to spend their money on. However, when Bart intends to take advantage of a Taco Hut deal (100 tacos for $100) and Lisa says she'll contribute her inheritance to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Marge puts her foot down and forces them to put their money in a bank account. Bart gets a checkbook that links into his account and starts writing checks to people, and in hopes of getting Krusty the Clown's signature, slips a check into his pocket. When his monthly bank statement comes in, he is upset to find that Krusty has neglected to sign the check, and instead the stamp of a holding company is present.

Bart the Fink (Promo Picture)

Another promo card of this episode

Bart goes to the bank but is informed that there is nothing wrong with simply stamping the check. However, the stamp makes the teller suspicious. The teller asks to be excused, and within a few hours (with Bart standing waiting for the teller to return), comes back to tell Bart that the check has caused Krusty to be arrested for tax fraud. It was revealed that Krusty is one of the biggest tax cheats in history, and that money was being held in an illegal account in the Cayman Islands (with no small help to the accounts manager saying he couldn't talk about Krusty's "secret illegal account").

To pay for his tax evasion, Krusty's salary will be reduced drastically. The repayment eats into all corners of his empire. The Krusty the Clown Show is scaled back drastically (no money exists in the budget for props, costumes or Sideshow Mel), the IRS takes over ownership of the Krusty Burger chain, and Krusty's valuables are auctioned off.

File:55595.jpg

Shortly afterward, Krusty is seen flying his private plane erratically, causing it to crash. When no remains are found, Krusty is declared dead. Bart is wracked with guilt, feeling terrible that he brought on the death of his idol. However, over t

Chief Wiggum - Bart the Fink

he next couple of days, Bart is shocked when he sees a man looking suspiciously like Krusty. With Lisa's help, they soon find out that Krusty had faked his death, and assumed the new identity of Rory B. Bellows. Confronting him at the Springfield Docks, Krusty claims he is happy being a salvager, but Bart and Lisa convince him otherwise.

Krusty decides to give 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 (he then blows up the boat they have just left).

Citations

Krusty The ClownKrusty the Clown Show Characters, Locations and Key Episodes
Krusty the Clown | Sideshow Bob | Sideshow Mel | Sophie Krustofsky | Mr. Teeny

Krusty Burger | Clown College | Kamp Krusty
Krusty Gets Busted | Itchy & Scratchy & Marge | Like Father, Like Clown | Kamp Krusty | Krusty Gets Kancelled | Bart Gets Famous | Homie the Clown | Bart the Fink | The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show | The Last Temptation of Krust | Insane Clown Poppy | Day of the Jackanapes | Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington | Today, I Am a Clown | Yokel Chords | All About Lisa | Once Upon a Time in Springfield | The Ten-Per-Cent Solution | Clown in the Dumps | The Nightmare After Krustmas | Fears of a Clown | Krusty the Clown (episode) | The Clown Stays in the Picture

Season 6 Season 7 Episodes Season 8
Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)Radioactive ManHome Sweet Homediddly-Dum-DoodilyBart Sells His SoulLisa the VegetarianTreehouse of Horror VIKing-Size HomerMother SimpsonSideshow Bob's Last GleamingThe Simpsons 138th Episode SpectacularMarge Be Not ProudTeam HomerTwo Bad NeighborsScenes from the Class Struggle in SpringfieldBart the FinkLisa the IconoclastHomer the SmithersThe Day the Violence DiedA Fish Called SelmaBart on the Road22 Short Films About SpringfieldRaging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in "The Curse of the Flying Hellfish"Much Apu About NothingHomerpaloozaSummer of 4 Ft. 2
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