As thelongest running animated serieson television,The Simpsonsis a show that has now entertained several generations, changing and adapting over time as audiences evolve. However, there are still several long-running gags that the show has continued to use through its lifetime, and none has been quite so simple as Bart Simpson’s habit of prank calling Moe’s Tavern.
This simple joke has a quick and easy setup, and has been appearing on the show since Episode 3. Each time, the mischievous Simpson boy will call the tavern and ask its long-suffering bartender if he can find a person with an unusual name. The name, of course, is always some form of pun of double entendre meant to get laughs out of Moe’s patrons, and some very graphic but entertaining threats from Moe himself. Let’s take a look back at 10 of the very best times Bart pulled a fast one over the phone.
10Season 2, Episode 14: “Homer Sexual”
This prank call, made from principal Skinner’s office, manages to make a fool out of two of Bart’s favorite prank victims. After ending up in the principal’s office, Bart is told to call his father, who happens to be at Moe’s Tavern.
Rather than ask for HomerSimpson,however, Bart asks for Homer Sexual, a name that gets a great laugh out of the patrons of the bar. Bart then hands the phone to principal Skinner just in time for him to hear a colorful threat from Moe. This two-for-one prank is definitely one of Bart’s best prank calls.
9Season 1, Episode 13: “Oliver Klozoff”
One of two prank calls made in the 13th episode of the show. Bart makes the call from the kitchen as “pre-dinner entertainment” for his sisters. Moe answers and asks for a name, to which Bart declares that he’s looking for “Oliver Klozoff.”
The irritated bartender is still shouting at Bart when Marge picks up the phone to make a call, completely oblivious to the prank that Bart just played, and declaring Moe’s rant to be the result of a crossed wire.
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8Season 3, Episode 11: “Bea O’Problem”
This prank call is one that very nearly came full circle on Bart. Calling up Moe’s Tavern, as per usual, Bart asks for a “Mrs. O’Problem, first name Bea.” in a gag that Moe doesn’t see coming until well after his patrons are laughing at him. Moe is, also per usual, enraged, and threatens to paint his house with Bart’s brains.
No sooner has Bart hung up the phone, he is directed to go and get his father from Moe’s Tavern, bringing the prankster into direct contact with his long time victim. Fortunately for the junior Simpson, Moe did not realize that Bart was the perpetrator of his prank calls.
7Season 1, Episode 6: “Jacques Strap”
In this rare example of Bart Simpson using his mischievous powers for a good cause, his goal is to cheer up his sister, Lisa, who is depressed. Unfortunately the call doesn’t quite hit its mark, as Lisa is not amused, and Moe fires off a few of his classic threats.
This is the second prank call Bart makes on screen, and it cements the gag as a staple of the series. While Lisa didn’t find the prank funny, both Moe’s patrons and the audience definitely got a good laugh out of it.
6Season 4, Episode 8: “Amanda Hugginkiss”
This prank call from Season 4 is another prank call that serves multiple purposes, as Bart made it to ruin Jimbo Jones' date with Laura Powers. In the call, Bart asks for “Amanda Hugginkiss,” prompting Moe to wonder aloud why he can’t find “a man to hug and kiss” before getting wise to the prank, and reacting with his customary violent threats.
Bart gives him Jimbo’s name and address, and the angry bartender broke into the house brandishing a knife, ending the date exactly as Bart intended. This call goes down as one of Bart’s best, as he accurately predicted how Moe would react, and used that knowledge to his advantage in a way only Bart Simpson could.
5Season 1, Episode 13: “Al Coholic”
This all-time classic line has Moe checking his bar for an “Al Coholic” much to Bart’s delight. Considering the patrons of the bar, Moe could have handed the phone off to just about anyone there, including a clueless Homer, who expressed the hope that Moe does find his tormentor one day.
Looking for an “Al Coholic” at Moe’s Tavern gets easy laughs, and goes down as a particularly appropriate joke to play on the hapless bartender, even if it is a little on the nose. Moe’s threat, naturally, goes pretty far for a prank call, continuing the back and forth dance that had become the staple of this particular running gag.
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4Season 2, Episode 22: “Mike Rotch”
The only prank call to be edited out when the episode aired, and also a classic example of 10-year-old Bart Simpson’s sense of humor. Bart calls Moe’s Tavern seeking a"Mike, last name Rotch.“Getting a laugh out of both Lisa and Moe’s patrons.
Moe’s threat this time is to “carve his name into (Bart’s) back with an ice pick,” which is an extreme but creative reaction to getting caught in yet another prank call. The joke would be played in full three years later on “Another Simpsons Clip Show,” allowing audiences to enjoy the bawdy joke that the editors originally decided to avoid.
3Season 3, Episode 10: “Hugh Jass”
In a hilarious twist, thisclassic prank calldoesn’t turn out the way Bart intended, as there actually happens to be a Hugh Jass at Moe’s Tavern. What results is a delightfully awkward exchange between Bart and the mild-mannered and polite Mr. Jass, all while Moe remains completely unaware.
Bart admits to the prank, receiving a good-natured “Better luck next time” from Mr. Jass before hanging up. Jass, clearly enjoying his encounter with the young prankster, declares “What a nice young man.”
2Season 2, Episode 11: “Seymour Butz”
This gag is easily one of the most memorable in the series, and is one of the comedy beats that balances out an episode that deals with the surprisingly heavy theme of mortality. In this episode, Homer is convinced that he is dying due to eating poison and is trying to get his affairs in order.
True to the series, though, the serious elements are undercut with classic Simpsons humor, including this prank call, after which Moe threatens to remove Bart’s eyes with a corkscrew. It is a truly classic piece of early Simpsons writing that sticks in the mind and makes the episode that much more fun.
1Season 1, Episode 3: “I.P Freely”
The first prank call Bart ever made to Moe’s Tavern is this gem in which Bart tricks Moe into shouting “I pee freely!” to his patrons. The bartender reacts by viciously threatening the mischievous 10-year-old, promising to slice his heart in half. This moment establishes the cadence that would be used for years to come.
Later in the series the joke was reused, this time on news reporter Kent Brockman, who read the name on television before realizing that he had been had. As the first prank call Bart ever made, the successfully landing of this joke became the basis for one of the long-running gags that made the Simpsons, especially the earlier episodes, into such a well-lovedstaple of American television.
