Episode 8F19
Written by Matt Groening
Directed by Mark Kirkland
Special guest voice: Beverly D'Angelo (as Lurleen)

Premise: After a row with Marge, Homer spends the night at a dodgy Country and Western bar in remote Hicksville. There he discovers singing sensation Lurleen Lumpkin. He becomes her manager and her career spirals upwards - as Homer's family life begins to spiral downwards.

Features: Patty, Lenny, Carl, Krusty, Sideshow Mel, Snake.

Couch: The sofa collapses in on itself.

Trivia:

• The local beer in Hicksville is Fudd.
• The radio station that promotes Lurleen is KUDD.
• Lurleen lives in the Spittle County Royal King Trailer Park which, on Homer's first visit has not had a tornado for fourteen days. On his next visit, it's become two days!

Homage: Lenny sings There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World), a 1976 hit for The Carpenters.

Songs: Lurleen's songs include I'm Basting a Turkey with My Tears, Stand By Your Manager, Don't Look Up My Dress Unless You Mean It and I'm Sick of Your Lyin' Lips and False Teeth.

Notes: A good example of The Simpsons fixing itself on a target (in this case, Country & Western music) and extracting every possible gag. Lurleen's songs are all marvellous.