Viva Ned Flanders
Ned Flanders discovers he is 60 and seeks Homer's help.
In this tenth-season episode, Ned Flanders, revealed to be 60, asks Homer to help him live life fully. They go to Las Vegas, get drunk, and accidentally marry two cocktail waitresses, Amber and Ginger. The episode was nominated for a 1999 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program.
Quick Facts
- Season
- 10
- Director
- Neil Affleck
- Writer
- David M. Stern
- Production
- AABF06
- Air date
- 10 January 1999
- Guests
- The Moody Blues as themselves
- Commentary
- Matt Groening
- Mike Scully
- George Meyer
- Ron Hauge
- Julie Thacker
- Neil Affleck
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Mr. Burns's Casino, previously moved with the rest of the city in "Trash of the Titans", is scheduled for demolition. Confusion over whether the demolition should be an implosion or an explosion results in the casino being blasted into a large dust cloud. The Simpson family goes to a car wash to clean off the dust, where Homer sees Ned Flanders receiving a senior discount. Homer suspects Ned is lying about his age and tries to expose him at church, but Ned proves he is indeed 60 years old.
People are impressed by his youthful appearance and attribute it to his clean living, but when Ned explains his three "c"s of success—clean living, chewing thoroughly, and a daily dose of vitamin Church—they pity him for never having truly lived. Ned agrees and, after failing to live more freely on his own, asks Homer to teach him. Homer agrees after Ned gives him power of attorney and promises to follow Homer's instructions. Homer takes Ned to Las Vegas, where they see Captain Lance Murdock performing a stunt.
Homer volunteers and survives, though Murdock is injured. Ned is captivated and admits he wanted to see Homer harmed. They enter Nero's Palace casino and play roulette; Ned objects on religious grounds, but Homer ignores him. They lose everything, but Homer remains unfazed. They go to the bar, where Ned gets drunk on white wine spritzers.
Production and themes
The episode was written by David M. Stern and directed by Neil Affleck. It was recorded in July 1998. The opening scene, depicting the demolition of Mr. Burns's casino, was inspired by news reports about implosions at the time. The writers observed that people often gather close to implosions without considering the dust and asbestos released.
Director Affleck noted the scene was complex to animate, requiring four or five takes. Show runner Mike Scully praised the explosion's appearance. The revelation of Ned's age was heavily debated among the staff, who argued over how old they could make him given his pure lifestyle. Writers pitched increasingly older ages, eventually debating between 57 and 58 before settling on 60.
This decision may have been influenced by writer Ron Hauge, who, a few weeks earlier, had jokingly told a colleague in a serious tone that he was 60 years old, though he was around 40 at the time. The morning-after scene of Homer and Ned sleeping clothed in a Jacuzzi sparked discussion; series creator Matt Groening wanted them naked to raise questions. Affleck drew an alternate version from Ned's point of view showing Homer's mouth half submerged, which he described as Fellini-esque and unsuitable for the show. Scully suggested Ned vomit on screen, but this was not included.
Reception and legacy
In its original American broadcast, the episode received an 11.6 Nielsen rating, translating to approximately 11.5 million viewers. It was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than one hour) but lost to the King of the Hill episode "And They Call It Bobby Love". The episode was released on DVD as part of The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season on August 7, 2007. Critical response after the home video release was mostly positive.
Some reviewers called it a classic and one of the better episodes of the season. One critic found Ned being 60 absurd but praised the episode's humor, particularly Homer's escapades and the Vegas scenes. Another review noted the episode's fast pace and bizarre moments, praising a scene involving Joan Rivers. The establishing shots of Vegas were highlighted as a strength.
A negative review considered it one of the weaker Flanders-based episodes despite some decent gags. Similarities have been noted between this episode and the 2009 film The Hangover, including intoxicated unexpected marriage, meeting an iconic boxer, and a massive suite at Caesar's Palace (Nero's Palace in the episode).
More in The Simpsons Season 10 Episodes
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced