"Sweets and Sour Marge" is the eighth episode of The Simpsons' thirteenth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 20, 2002. In the episode, Homer gathers several of Springfield's citizens to participate in creating the biggest human pyramid in the world. It fails, but they instead learn that Springfield is the world's fattest town, prompting Homer's wife Marge to sue Garth Motherloving's sugar company.
"Sweets and Sour Marge" was written by Carolyn Omine and directed by Mark Kirkland. Omine conceived the episode after hearing about smokers who sued tobacco companies. While its plot is loosely based on Erin Brockovich, the episode also features references to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, What's Eating Gilbert Grape and Butterfinger. It also features Ben Stiller as Garth Motherloving. In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 7.5 million viewers, finishing in 34th place in the ratings the week it aired. Following its home video release, the episode received mixed reviews from critics.
Read more about Sweets And Sour Marge: Plot, Production, Cultural References, Release and Reception
Famous quotes containing the words sweets, sour and/or marge:
“The morning rose, that untouched stands
Armed with her briars, how sweet she smells!
But plucked and strained through ruder hands,
Her sweets no longer with her dwells,
But scent and beauty both are gone,
And leaves fall from her, one by one.”
—Sir Robert Ayton (1570–1638)
“Do I terrify?—
The nose, the eye pits, the full set of teeth?
The sour breath
Will vanish in a day.”
—Sylvia Plath (1932–1963)
“Does frightening women make you proud? Or is pride something monsters don’t understand?”
—Louis Vittes, and Gene Fowler, Jr.. Marge (Gloria Talbott)