Episode 1FO1
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by Wes Archer

Also starring: Pamela Hayden
Special guest voices: The Ramones (as themselves)

Premise: It's Mr Burns' birthday and no matter how big or grand the party that is thrown for him, he wants to be reunited with his lost teddy bear, Bobo, which he abandoned when he was adopted. The bear is now loved by Maggie, and Homer has to choose between Burns' happiness (and a lot of money) or Maggie's favourite toy.

Features: Mr Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders, Dr Hibbert, Moe, Jasper, Groundskeeper Willie, Ms Krabappel, Otto, Grampa, Bumblebee Man, Lenny, Carl, John Frink, Mr and Mrs van Houten, Apu, Principal Skinner, Barney, Nelson, Jimbo Jones, Dolph, Kearney, Kent Brockman, Martin Prince.

Couch: The Simpsons dash into the living room only to find a Simpson family of clones already seated there.

Trivia:

• The Ramones sing Happy Birthday to Burnsie which results in the old man demanding the execution of the Rolling Stones.
• Among the gifts presented to Burns are a first draft of the American constitution, containing the word 'suckers', Excalibur, and a picture of Mark Twain naked.

Homage: Principally, Citizen Kane - the snowbound farewell to Kane's sleigh is re-created using young Mr Burns, Bobo and Nev-R-Break Snow Globes. Also The Wizard of Oz (Burns' guards); Mission: Impossible as Burns and Smithers try to steal Bobo; The Honeymooners as Smithers and Burns create a sitcom on television; and Planet of the Apes supplies the superb and surreal epilogue.

That's Homer Simpson, sir: 'One of the carbon blobs from Sector 7G.'

Mmmmm: ...64 slices of American cheese.

Look out for: Smithers' ideal birthday desire; the slide show of Burns' life with his head sellotaped over famous pictures, including Marilyn Monroe's famous pic standing over the updraft; best of all, the revelation that Burns' brother is comedian George Burns.

Notes: A great story, as Homer comes good against Mr Burns' total evil. Until Maggie (almost) melts Mr Burns' heart - a hint of what was yet to come between these two, perhaps?