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Das Bus
The Last Temptation of Krust
Dumbbell Indemnity

What the hell are you laughing at? I'm just telling the truth.
Krusty the Clown
And it's funny.
―The reporter

"The Last Temptation of Krust" is the fifteenth episode of Season 9.

Synopsis[]

At a charity comedy show, Krusty discovers that his brand of humor is out of step with modern stand-up comedy. After announcing his retirement and going on a drunken bender, Krusty wakes up at the Simpsons household and, with the help of Bart Simpson and special guest star, Jay Leno, Krusty becomes an anti-establishment stand-up comic (a la George Carlin, Denis Leary, Dennis Miller, and Bill Hicks), but must choose between his ethics and selling out when an agent offers him the chance to be the spokesman for a new SUV.

Full Story[]

The Last Temptation Of Krust

Krusty's new image

Persuaded by Bart to appear at a comedy festival organized by Jay Leno, Krusty the Clown's old-fashioned and dated material fails to impress the crowd when compared with other, more trendy comics also appearing. After going on 'the bender to end all benders', he holds a press conference to announce his retirement, and in short order launches into a bitter tirade against modern-day comics, which the crowd finds hysterical. He is inspired to return to doing low-key events, where he structures a new act for himself as a comic who tells the truth and refuses to sell out to corporate America. Although less marketable and financially successful, he is now credible and trendy. Two marketing executives try to persuade him to advertise the Canyonero, but he initially resists, before succumbing to the lure of money again. He finally admits to himself that it is not comedy that is in his blood; it is selling out.

Behind the Laughter[]

Reception[]

In a 2006 article in USA Today, "The Last Temptation of Krust" was highlighted among the six best episodes of The Simpsons season 9, along with others including "Trash of the Titans," "The Joy of Sect," "The Cartridge Family," "Dumbbell Indemnity," and "Das Bus".

Deleted Scenes[]

These scenes were not included in the episode:

  • Jay Leno asking somebody to "turn down the raunch," and then saying: "We got Bob Newhart!"
  • The Internet comic first appears. This makes his later appearance meaningless.
  • An original version of the scene where Krusty burns a dollar - but the topic is the government instead of advertisement.
  • Krusty talks about making a joke of Mayor Quimby as the Mayor walks in with his wife.
  • Yellow pages joke while on stage and everyone in the bar is leaving.

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 8 Season 9 Episodes Season 10
The City of New York vs. Homer SimpsonThe Principal and the PauperLisa's SaxTreehouse of Horror VIIIThe Cartridge FamilyBart StarThe Two Mrs. NahasapeemapetilonsLisa the SkepticRealty BitesMiracle on Evergreen TerraceAll Singing, All DancingBart CarnyThe Joy of SectDas BusThe Last Temptation of KrustDumbbell IndemnityLisa the SimpsonThis Little WiggySimpson TideThe Trouble with TrillionsGirly EditionTrash of the TitansKing of the HillLost Our LisaNatural Born Kissers
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