The Big Shot!

Plot

Ren wanders through the disrepair of the caravan, trying to feel good about Stimpy's absence but breaking down in tears at reminders of his betrayal. In Hollywood, Stimpy films an advertisement for Gritty Kitty Litter, where Mr. Horse is shocked by the litter's ability to absorb smells. Back at the caravan, Ren cannot sleep because Stimpy's picture fluoresces; sleeping outside, the pillow resembles Stimpy's face and scares him. Stimpy has received a mansion, where two women watch him dive from a high spot into what seems solid ground, only to reveal a gigantic box of Gritty Kitty Litter, in which he swims for leisure.

Stressed, Ren tries to calm down by watching television, but every channel airs shows starring Stimpy, including an episode of The Stimpy & Muddy Show, a badly animated chase with non sequiturs. Backstage, Muddy Mudskipper praises Stimpy, but Stimpy cries, homesick and missing Ren. Stimpy terminates his contract and returns home. Ren hears a knock, and both embrace happily, but Stimpy reveals he gave away all his prize money.

Ren slaps Stimpy for his foolishness, yet both are content with each other's company. A segment after the episode shows characters bidding the audience goodbye.

Production

The first episode's story was initially conceived as a single narrative but was later divided into two parts for better storytelling. Bob Camp explained that the creative team had too many ideas to fit into one eleven-minute cartoon, making it easier to expand the story than to condense it. John Kricfalusi and Lynne Naylor set the plot in the 1950s, drawing on their own youth for inspiration. This episode marked the debut of scatological humor on The Ren & Stimpy Show, a recurring element in later episodes. The plot heavily involves kitty litter, and the story openly acknowledges its intended use. Both "Stimpy's Big Day!" and "The Big Shot!" were inked and painted at Lacewood Productions in Ottawa. Thad Komorowski criticized the animation, noting that the drawing is occasionally poor, the animation mostly stiff, and the cleanup and ink-and-paint work are absolutely terrible.