Bart Gets an F
Season 2 / Episode 1

( bell ringing)

( whistle blowing)

( playing the blues)

( horn honks )

( screams )

Bart: Huh?

Teacher: There will be no further interruptions

during Martin's book report.

Martin: "You're killing me, fish.

"Never have I seen

"a greater or more noble thing than you, brother.

"Come on and kill me.

"I do not care who kills who.

"To catch a fish.

"To kill a bull.

"To make love to a woman.

To live."

I thank you.

Oh, absolutely brilliant!

There were moments I truly believed

you were Hemingway.

Bravo, Martin.

Oh please, call me Papa.

A little ketchup for your buns, Papa?

I think we have time for one more report.

- Bart Simpson? - Oh!!

Is your book report on Treasure Island ready?

Is it ready?

Ha! What a question.

Fellow students, prepare to be dazzled.

Well, as Mrs. Krabappel already mentioned

the name of the book that I read was Treasure Island.

It's about these... pirates.

Pirates with patches over their eyes...

and shiny gold teeth...

and green birds on their shoulders.

Did I mention this book

was written by a guy named Robert Louis Stevenson?

And published by the good people at McGraw-Hill.

So, in conclusion

on the Simpson scale of one to ten

ten being the highest, one being the lowest

and five being average, I give this book a nine.

Ahem. Any questions?

No? Then I'll just sit down.

Bart, did you read the book?

Mrs. Krabappel, I am insulted.

Is this a book report or a witch hunt?

Then perhaps you'd like to tell us

the name of the pirate.

Bart: Blackbeard, Captain Nemo, Captain Hook, Long John...

Bluebeard?

Sit down, Bart.

- I'll see you after class. - Awww.

Your grades have gotten steadily worse

since the beginning of the term.

Are you aware of that?

Yes, ma'am.

Are you aware that there is a major exam tomorrow

on colonial America?

Yes, ma'am.

Blah blah

blah blah blah

Yes, ma'am.

Blah blah blah

blah blah blah

Yes, ma'am.

Bart, you haven't

been paying attention to a word I've said, have you?!

Yes, ma'am.

Well then, what did I say?

Uh... straighten up and fly right?

That was a lucky guess.

Hyuh! Take that, granny!

Hide in the closet.

Oh, no, deadly mothballs.

Eww! Granny's kissing me.

game voice: You have reached the level

of ungrateful grandchild.

Try again, if you dare.

( granny giggling)

( evil laugh)

Just a couple more games

and I'll hit the books.

( laughing)

Soup's on!

Hurry up, or it will get that icky skin on the top.

Ew, I hate that icky soup skin.

Okay, right after dinner, it's down to business.

Marge, could you get me another beer, please?

In a second, Homer.

Lisa has some good news.

He doesn't care, Mom.

Sure I do. I just want to have a beer while I'm caring.

Marge?

Homer!

Go ahead, Lisa.

Okay. I got an "A" on my vocabulary test.

What!?

You did?

Well, that's just...

Oh, what a glorious day!

Lisa, hand me your paper.

I'm just gonna take this

over to the refrigerator and...

Hmm.. well, as long as I'm here

I might as well kill two birds with one stone.

What's the big idea? You covered up my paper.

Heh-heh, look at those funny little whiskers.

That reminds me

it's Big Gorilla Week on Million Dollar Movie.

Come on, boy.

No, Dad. I should really... hyuhh!

Ooh, Gorilla the Conqueror--

the granddaddy of them all.

( crowd screaming)

Oh, well, maybe just one more hour.

( Homer crying)

It's so unfair.

Just because he's different.

Well, time to hit the books.

Burning the candle at both ends, eh boy?

Go get 'em.

All right, okay.

Let's take care of some business.

"Chapter One-- A dream of freedom.

"On September 15, 1620, Puritan separatists

"from the Church of England, some living in Holland

"left Plymouth, England.

Their destination was..."

Psst! Marge?

Come take a look at this.

Oh, the little tiger tries so hard.

Why does he keep failing?

Just a little dim, I guess.

Bart, honey

you're going to miss your bus.

Uh-oh.

Hey, Bart dude!

Ooh, you look freaked.

Otto man, I've got a big test I am not ready for.

Could you please crash the bus, or something?

Oh, sorry, little buddy. Can't do it on purpose

but hey, maybe you'll get lucky.

Okay, no reason to panic.

Find an egghead, pump him for some answers

and boom! I'm back on easy street.

Oh-ho.

Look at him.

I bet he didn't study again.

And now he's gonna try to kiss up and get answers from us.

He's pathetic.

Good morning, girls.

Good morning, Bart.

Say, who's up for a little cram session?

I'll go first.

What was the name of the pilgrims' boat?

The Spirit of St. Louis.

Where did they land?

Sunny Acapulco.

Why did they leave England?

Giant rats.

Cool! History's coming alive.

( girls giggling)

As a natural enemy

I don't know why I should care

but the information pertaining

to America's colonial period that you've just received

is erroneous.

So you're saying...

A blindfolded chimp with a pencil in his teeth

has a better chance of passing this test

than you do.

( school bell rings ) Thanks for the pep talk.

Alright students, take one and pass the rest back.

Bart: Think, Simpson, think.

Crisis brings out the best in you.

( groaning)

What is it, Bart?

Nothing.

Must... take... test.

( groaning)

( whistling)

( groaning)

What's the matter, son?

Short, stabbing pains in my stomach.

Oh, dear.

I've heard of this.

Do you feel a shooting pain in your arm?

Both arms, ma'am.

Temporary loss of vision?

Who said that?

Come closer.

Yes, dear?

Ahh.

Maybe one more dish.

Make it double cappuccino chocolate fudge.

Oh, your third bowl.

I think you may be on the mend.

Is there anything else I can get you?

Hmm...

Perhaps the TV?

Of course. Homer!

What?

Bring the television up.

Bart's got his vision back.

D-ohh!

I wish I hadamoria phlebitis.

Everyone knows you're faking it, Bart.

Well everyone better keep their mouth shut.

You're gonna have to fail that history test

sooner or later.

I've got my bases covered.

Hey Milhouse, what'd I miss in school today?

Nothin' much. Lewis made Richard laugh milk through his nose.

You don't say.

What about that history test?

Piece of cake, huh?

Listen, what did you get for number one?

Uh-huh.

Number two?

Oh, yeah, that sounds right.

Mm, mm-mm, mm, mm, mmm.

Ahh!

Here you go, Mrs. Krabappel.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Mm-hmm.

Yep.

Mm-hmm.

This test is worse than Milhouse's exam.

Bart Simpson, I warned you.

This is the final straw.

Mr. And Mrs. Simpson, I think you know our district psychiatrist

Dr. J. Loren Pryor.

Hey, Doctor J.

Hmph.

I think what we have on our hands here is a classic case

of what laymen refer to as "fear of failure."

As a result, Bart is an underachiever, and yet he seems to be...

how should I put this...

proud of it.

Hmm.

One of his problems may be his short attention span

which can lead to...

blah blah blah

blah blah blah...

Uh-huh.

Blah blah

blah blah blah blah...

Hmm...

Bart has failed

his last four exams in History.

Is there anything

you're not telling us?

No.

Every other student in the class has shown

at least some form of improvement

and yet you continue to struggle.

Why is that?

I don't know.

Look at these results--

Fifty-five...

Forty-two...

Twenty-six...

A 12 on state capitals?

Okay! Okay. Why are we dancing around the obvious?

I know it. You know it. I am dumb, okay? Dumb as a post!

You think I'm happy about it?

Bart, you're just a late bloomer.

Oh, I wish it were that simple.

As shameful and as emotionally crippling

as it may be

I'm afraid my recommendation is for Bart Simpson to repeat

the fourth grade.

What? You can't hold me back.

I'll do better. I promise.

Promises, promises. Oh, sure. That'll be the day.

Well, maybe it would help him

to be left back.

It won't be so bad, Bart.

No, I mean it.

You can't hold me back.

I swear I'm gonna do better.

Look at my eyes-- see the sincerity?

See the conviction? See the fear?

As God is my witness, I can pass the fourth grade!

And if you don't, at least

you'll be bigger than the other kids.

the bus,

or forever hold your peace, little dudes.

Otto, you know I respect you.

I mean, you always let us throw stuff at cars

and try to tip the bus on sharp turns.

Damn thing never goes over, does it?

So what's in your head, little man?

Well, I been failing a lot of tests recently.

Yuh-huh?

And now they're talking about

holding me back in the 4th grade if I don't shape up.

That's it?

Hey, relax, man.

It could end up being the best thing that ever happened to you.

I got held back in the fourth grade myself. Twice.

And look at me, man.

Now I drive the school bus.

Dr. Pryor: I'm afraid my recommendation is for Bart Simpson

to repeat the fourth grade...

repeat the fourth grade...

repeat the fourth grade...

All right, class.

The topic is world literature.

What was the pirate's name in Treasure Island?

Bart Simpson?

Look lady, I got a peptic ulcer

a wife hawking me for a new car, and I need a root canal.

Will you quit bugging me about this stupid pirate?

Psst. It's Long John Silver, Dad.

I heard that, Bart, Jr.

I want to see both of you after class today.

D-ohh!

Thanks a lot, son.

( infield chatter)

Yo, little help.

I said, "little help."

Throw me the ball, Poindexter!

Oh, I'm sorry, Bart.

I'm unfamiliar with the rules of your sport.

I didn't want to interfere with a ball in play.

( laughing)

Well, back to the forecastle of the Pequod.

Hmm... hey, Martin?

You have your ball.

I have nothing else of value.

I need you to help me get a passing grade.

Well, you do need someone's help to get a passing grade

but I don't know why that someone should be me.

Because I can make it so the other kids

don't laugh at you so much.

They... laugh at me?

I'd always considered myself rather popular.

You're not.

Watch. Oof!

( laughing)

But my speed with numbers

my years of service as a hall monitor

my prizewinning dioramas--

these things mean nothing to them?

Perhaps another demonstration.

( kids laughing)

Very well.

You have made your point, Bart.

Then it's a deal?

Yes.

Alrighty, let's have a look-see at your study area.

Study area?

Yes, your sanctuary

from the hurly-burly of modern life.

Well, there's a desk under that junk over there.

Martin: Oh, no no no, no. This won't do at all.

We're gonna have to clean up this room

and we'll clearly need a few ferns in here.

No study area is complete without adequate plant life.

No.

No?

Only geeks sit in the front seat.

From now on, sit in the back row.

And that's not just on the bus.

It goes for school and church, too.

Why?

So no one can see what you're doing.

Oh! I think I understand. The potential for mischief varies inversely

with one's proximity to the authority figure.

Well, yeah, but don't say it like that.

( tires skidding)

( crashing)

Nnymm.

Nyahh!

Uhhnng!

Aaah! Aaah!

Hyuhh!

Pretty soon you will be ready to try it with a real book.

( laughing)

Who would have thought

pushing a boy into the girls' lavatory

could be such a thrill?

The screams, the humiliation, the fact that it wasn't me!

I've never felt so alive.

Great, Martin.

Now the big test is tomorrow...

Who cares about some test?

Life's too short for tests!

Hey, I thought we had a deal!

Ha, ha, ha!

The Martin Prince you made a deal with

no longer exists!

Come on fellows, to the arcade!

Cool, Martin!

All right, Martin!

Boys: Martin! Martin! Martin!

( humming "Row, row, row your boat")

Bart?

It's past your bedtime.

Okay.

This is hopeless.

Ohh...

Well, old-timer, I guess this is the end of the road.

I know I haven't always been a good kid

but if I have to go to school tomorrow

I'll fail the test and be held back.

I just need one more day to study, Lord.

I need your help.

Prayer, the last refuge of a scoundrel.

A teacher's strike, a power failure, a blizzard--

anything that will cancel school tomorrow.

I know it's asking a lot

but if anyone can do it, you can.

Thanking you in advance, your pal, Bart Simpson.

( The Hallelujah Chorus plays )

( groaning)

Wake up, Bart.

Rise and shine, little guy.

Time to wake up.

Oh, no, no.

Wake up and look at the snow.

Huh?

Whoa!

Good morning world!

Radio: Rise and shine, Springfield residents.

It's the Bill and Marty Show.

He's Bill. He's Marty.

Two grown men who can't get enough of each other.

And it looks like we've got some snow-formation

for all those flake-lovers out there. (meows)

( barks) all: Shh!

Mm-hmm. Springfield electric, gas and water plants

are closed for the day.

Oh, now don't forget

the nuclear power plant, Bill.

Please, please, please, please... That's c---losed, too.

Whoo-hoo!

All right!

For all you youngsters, you toddlers, this is what

you've been waiting for.

Springfield County schools are...

I can't read it.

I'm too excited.

Uh-oh...Springfield County schools will be...

Please, please, please... ...Closed!

All right, man!

( children cheering)

Wait, come back-- your hat!

Wear your galoshes!

Cowabunga!

Remember to take a break if your arms go numb.

Hey.

I heard you last night, Bart.

You prayed for this.

Now your prayers have been answered.

I'm no theologian.

I don't know who or what God is, exactly.

All I know is he's a force more powerful than Mom and Dad put together

and you owe him big. (slams door closed)

You're right.

I asked for a miracle and I got it.

I got to study, man.

I'm not missing anything.

Frozen earlobes..

trudging up that stupid sled hill over and over again.

How good could it be?

( many happy voices buzzing)

I haven't had this much fun in years.

D-ahh!

Got you, Burnsie.

Why, you young ragamuffin.

I was never one to back away from a snowball fight.

Smithers, you may fire at will.

Certainly, sir.

( band music playing)

I hereby declare this day to be "Snow Day--

The funnest day in the history of Springfield."

( cheering)

♪ Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? ♪

♪ In the lane, snow is glistening ♪

♪ A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight ♪

♪ Walking in a winter wonderland ♪

♪ Gone away is the bluebird ♪

♪ Here to stay... ♪

Got to study, got to study, got to study!

"Chapter Six-- Four Days in Philadelphia.

"The first Continental Congress

"faced a difficult job.

"Could the delegates agree on recommendations

that all Americans could support?"

We hold these truths to be self-evident...

Bart: "We hold these truths to be self-evident."

...That all men are created equal.

"...created equal."

That from that equal creation

they derive rights, inherent and inalienable...

Look everybody-- it's snowing!

In the middle of July?

It's a miracle.

Fellows!

I've invented something fun: The sled!

( shouting and laughter)

founding father: Look everybody! John Hancock's writing his name in the snow!

( slapping)

Do you want to be held back a grade?

Concentrate, man!

( slapping)

Later, Mrs. K.

Please turn in your exam, Bart.

Class is over.

Do you think you could grade it now, please?

Well, all right.

Let me get "old red."

Mm-hmm.

Yup.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

Well, Bart, it's a 59.

That's another "F."

Oh, no.

I can't believe it.

I know, I know.

Another year together.

Oh! It's going to be hell.

What's the matter?

I'd think you'd be used to failing by now.

No, you don't understand.

I really tried this time.

I mean, I really tried.

There, there.

This is as good as I can do and I still failed.

Well, a 59-- it's a high"F."

Who am I kidding?

I really am a failure.

Now I know

how George Washington felt

when he surrendered Fort Necessity

to the French in 1754.

What?

Oh you know, 1754-- the famous defeat to the French.

My God, Bart, you're right.

So?

You just demonstrated

applied knowledge

and due to the difficulty

and relative obscurity of the reference

you deserve an extra point on your exam. Hey, it's only fair.

You mean, I passed?

Just barely.

( gasps)

I passed.

I got a "D-".

I passed!

All right!

♪ I passed, I passed I passed! ♪

I got a "D-"!

I passed!

I got a "D-"!

I passed!

I got a "D-"!

I passed!

I passed! I...

Kissed the teacher!

We're proud of you, boy.

Thanks, Dad