The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer

"The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer" opens the eighteenth season of *The Simpsons*, originally airing on Fox on September 10, 2006. The plot follows Fat Tony being incapacitated by a rival crime family, after which Homer and Bart step in to run the Springfield Mafia. Bill Odenkirk wrote the episode, with Michael Marcantel directing. Guest stars include Metallica as themselves, along with Michael Imperioli and Joe Pantoliano as the rival mobsters Dante Jr. and Dante. The broadcast drew approximately 11.5 million viewers and earned a 5.3 Nielsen rating. This episode is not available on Disney+ in Singapore. In the story, Bart humiliates Otto in front of Metallica, leading to Otto’s suspension from driving the school bus. Marge then drives carpool for Bart and Lisa’s classmates, including Michael, Fat Tony’s son. When others learn of Michael’s family, they avoid him, but Lisa befriends him and discovers he is a skilled cook who dreams of being a chef instead of entering the family’s "waste management" business. While driving the children home, Fat Tony is attacked by the Calabresi family but escapes. Michael invites the Simpsons for dinner, where the Calabresis arrive for a sit-down. They initially praise the soufflés but mock Michael when he admits he made them. Fat Tony scolds Michael for appearing weak, then is shot by an attack helicopter and left comatose. With no leader, Johnny Tightlips pressures Michael to take over, but Homer and Bart volunteer instead. They extort Moe and Krusty and take luxury goods. Michael, seeing the corruption, invites the Calabresis to the Simpsons’ home, concedes defeat, and leaves the business. The Calabresis applaud but then choke and die from poisoned food. Marge realizes the food was poisoned; Michael seems remorseful, but Lisa learns it was intentional. Fat Tony later congratulates Michael, and when Lisa asks why he didn’t claim it was an accident, he tells her never to ask about his business. The title references *The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover*. Homer calls *Shark Tale* the greatest mob film, a 2004 animated film that borrowed from *The Godfather*. The episode’s ending mirrors *The Godfather*, using Nino Rota’s "Godfather Waltz." Michael Imperioli was cast for his role as Christopher Moltisanti on *The Sopranos*, and the show’s intro plays when Fat Tony’s crew drives through Springfield.