Episode 9F19
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by David Silverman
Also starring: Pamela Hayden
Special guest voices: Marcia Wallace (as Ms Krabappel), Luke Perry, Barry White, Johnny Carson, Hugh Heffner, Bette Midler, Elizabeth Taylor and The Red Hot Chili Peppers (as themselves).

Premise: 'Gabbo is coming...' When a ventriloquist's act takes Krusty out of the Nielsons and into cancellation, Bart and Lisa set up a great comeback event featuring many of Krusty's best showbiz friends.

Features: Kent Brockman, Rainier Wolfcastle, Troy McClure, Mr Burns, Smithers, Rev. Lovejoy, Jasper, Grampa, Krusty, Lois Pennycandy, Bumblebee Man, Milhouse van Houten, Nelson Muntz, Mayor Quimby, Sideshow Mel, Moe, Barney, Chief Wiggum, Dr Hibbert.

Couch: The Simpsons rush in - and get netted.

Trivia:

• Wolfcastle is making two new McBain movies - McBain and Help, My Son Is a Nerd.

Homage: Krusty sings Send in the Clowns, a Steven Sondheim song made famous by Judy Collins in 1975. Bette Midler sings her 1985 hit Wind Beneath My Wings while Johnny Carson hums music from Puccini's Madame Butterfly. Gabbo, the malevolent ventriloquist's dummy, has his roots in a similar creature in Magic (Richard Attenborough, 1978).

Mmmmm: ...delicious.

Look out for: Worker & Parasite, the Russian version of Itchy and Scratchy.

Notes: Lots of great guest stars for the season's finale. Elizabeth Taylor's self-mocking cameo is the highlight, although Bette Midler's anti-litter attacks come close.