The Last Temptation of Krust

	The Last Temptation of Krust
Episode Number	193
Production Code	5F10
Original Airdate	February 22, 1998
Blackboard Text	"Pain is not the cleanser"
Couch Gag	Everyone is on fire and they run to the water-filled couch. They jump on and extinguish the fires
Special Guest Voices	Jay Leno
Written By	Donick Cary
Directed By	Mike B. Anderson
	Credits

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"The Last Temptation of Krust" is the fifteenth episode of The Simpsons' ninth season. The title is a reference to the controversial novel and film The Last Temptation of Christ.

[edit] Plot

Persuaded by Bart to appear at a comedy festival organised 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.

[edit] 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".^[1]

[edit] References to pop culture

Krusty's return to the underground comedy scene may be considered an homage to George Carlin, Lenny Bruce and Bill Hicks, known for their harsh, cynical comedy material in which they frequently criticised corporate America. Numerous parallels between the two can be drawn (such as Krusty adopting an all-black wardrobe, similar to Hicks and Carlin, and his more cynical, truth-driven material).

[edit] 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 telling a joke about Mayor Quimby being when Mayor Quimby walks in with his wife
Yellow pages joke while on stage and everyone in the bar is leaving

The Simpsons

Season 9

The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson · The Principal and The Pauper · Lisa's Sax · Treehouse of Horror VIII · The Cartridge Family · Bart Star · The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons · Lisa the Skeptic · Realty Bites · Miracle on Evergreen Terrace · All Singing, All Dancing · Bart Carny · The Joy of Sect · Das Bus · The Last Temptation of Krust · Dumbbell Indemnity · Lisa the Simpson · This Little Wiggy · Simpson Tide · The Trouble With Trillions · Girly Edition · Trash of the Titans · King of the Hill · Lost Our Lisa · Natural Born Kissers

[edit] Appearances

[edit] Characters

[edit] Vehicles

[edit] Locations

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