Episode 3F21
Written by Brent Forrester
Directed by Wesley Archer
Also starring: Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille
Special guest voices: Cypress Hill (as themselves), Peter Frampton (as himself), The Smashing Pumpkins (as themselves), Sonic Youth (as themselves)

Premise: 'Why do we need new bands? Everyone knows rock attained perfection in 1974!' Homer's feeling out of touch with the youth of today - so he takes Bart and Lisa to Hullabalooza, the biggest alternative music festival. And ends up as star attraction in its pageant of the trans-mundane - or, more accurately speaking, its freakshow.

Features: Otto, Milhouse, Jasper, Nelson, Janey, Barney, Grampa, Jimbo Jones, Mr Burns, Smithers.

Couch: The Simpsons rush in - into darkness.

Homage: We hear the songs Winners And Losers by Grand Funk Railroad, Mississippi Queen, and Frankenstein by the Edgar Winters Group. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing by Leo Sayer is Homer's favoured disco record. Appetite for Destruction and Don't Fear the Reaper were hits for Guns 'n' Roses and Blue Oyster Cult respectively.

Notes: One of the most memorable episodes, if not one of the greatest - the satire on youth counterculture is well handled, and Homer's flashback to his youth is fabulous. But the best bits are the guest slots from Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth and the Smashing Pumpkins. It's a statement of the credibility of The Simpsons that they allow themselves to be sent up so mercilessly.