Episode 1F16
Written by Jack Richdale
Directed by Mark Kirkland
Also starring: Pamela Hayden, Russi Taylor
Special guest voice: Phil Hartman (as Lionel Hutz)

Premise: Mr Burns nearly drowns in the bath. He realises he'll die without an heir. And rather than leave his wealth to the Egg Advisory Council he auditions for a suitable 'son'. Bart gets the job.

Features: Mr Burns, Smithers, Grampa, Hans Moleman, Martin, Ralph, Milhouse, Nelson, Krusty, Chief Wiggum, Lionel Hutz, Moe, Principal Skinner, Mayor Quimby, Lenny.

Couch: The spherical Simpsons bounce in.

Homage: The cinema commercial for groundbreaking sound refers to George Lucas' commercial for his THX sound process. The commercial that follows features Mr Burns alone in a field, just like Robin Williams in the trailer for Toys (Barry Levinson, 1992) and singing the archaic US cinema ad Let's All Go to the Lobby. Mr Burns reviving from the dead in the bath is a nod to Fatal Attraction (Adrian Lyne, 1987) and Martin sings The Trolley Song from Meet Me in St Louis (Vincente Minnelli, 1944). There are references to A Christmas Carol and Nineteen Eighty-Four in there as well.

Itchy and Scratchy in: The Buck Chops Here.

Notes: Mr Burns shows the full range of his villainy, but this episode lacks the emotional punch of others in which members of the family are separated.