Episode 7F12
Written by Al Jean, Mike Reiss and Sam Simon
Directed by David Silverman
Also starring: Tress MacNeille, Maggie Roswell, Jon Lovitz (as Artie Ziff)

Premise: When the television breaks down, Lisa and Bart are forced to listen to Marge and Homer explaining how they met, at Springfield High in 1974.

Features: Dr Hibbert, Barney, Grampa, Jackie Bouvier, Patty, Selma.

Couch: The Simpsons rush in - and the sofa falls through the floor.

And introducing: McBain (as played by Rainier Wolfcastle).

Trivia:

• We see the TV film review show Yakkin' About Movies.
• McBain stars in Today We Kill, Tomorrow We Die.

Homage: Marge's date Artie Ziff sings the Carpenters 1970 hit (They Long To Be) Close To You. Homer much prefers the Steve Miller Band's 1973 single The Joker and Barry White's 1974 hit You're The First, The Last, My Everything. We also hear Van McCoy's The Hustle.

Look out for: Homer trying to work out which guidance counsellor he needs to see by going through the alphabet.

Notes: A superb episode. Some colourful background for Homer and Marge (and a glimpse of Homer and Barney's schooldays) plus our introduction to the world of the McBain movies. Excellent.