Radioactive Man (The Simpsons Episode)

Radioactive Man (The Simpsons Episode)

"Radioactive Man" is the second episode of The Simpsons' seventh season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on September 24, 1995. The episode sees the film version of the comic book series Radioactive Man set up production in Springfield. Much to Bart's disappointment, the part of the hero's sidekick, Fallout Boy, goes not to him, but to Milhouse. Milhouse, however, hates acting, so he quits the role and leaves the set, forcing the producers of the film to shut down production and go back to Hollywood.

The episode was written by John Swartzwelder, and directed by Susie Dietter. Mickey Rooney guest starred as himself in the episode. "Radioactive Man" was the first episode of The Simpsons to be digitally colored. The episode features cultural references to the Batman television series, the 1995 film Waterworld, and the song "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers. Since airing, the episode has received positive reviews from fans and television critics. It acquired a Nielsen rating of 9.5, and was the fourth highest-rated show on the Fox network that week.