From Nancy Basile,
Your Guide to Animated TV.
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"Treehouse of Horror VIII" originally aired on October 26, 1997, during the ninth season. Following is a breakdown of the episode, including a synopsis, favorite quotes, and guest stars.

Blackboard Quote
None due to special opening sequence. The Fox Censor reads the episode script. He crosses out several things, and then speaks. As he is explaining his "prudent editing" a sword appears out of the TV-G rating and stabs him in the back. The rating now reads TV-PG. The sword continues to stab him until the rating turns to TV-666. His final words are, "Darn it."

Guest Stars
Marcia Wallace, Maggie Roswell, Tress MacNeille.

Synopsis
"The Homega Man": Mayor Quimby makes an ethnic slur against France, who threatens to retaliate. When Quimby refuses, Homer's family urges him to buy a bomb shelter. Just as Homer is touring a shelter for sale, France bombs Springfield. When Homer emerges from the shelter, he discovers that Springfield has been destroyed. In typical Homer fashion, he grieves only for a moment and then becomes drunk with the notion that he is the last person alive in Springfield. But when he is attacked by mutants, he escapes to his home. Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are alive and well, thanks to the house's many layers of lead paint. When the mutants witness a tender reunion between Homer and his family, they decide to leave in peace. But the Simpsons blast them away with shotguns.

"Fly vs. Fly": Homer buys a matter transport at Professor Frink's yard sale. Bart uses it, hoping to mix his DNA with the fly's and become a superhero. Instead he and the fly merely switch heads. Bart flies away and leaves his body (with the fly head) with his family. The family tries to accept him. But when Lisa discovers what has really happened, the Fly-Headed Bart attacks her. Bart tries to save her, but the fly tries to eat him. Just then, Lisa shoves them into the transporter, changing Bart back to himself.

"Easy Back Coven": We see Springfield during the witch trials of the 17th Century. Marge is accused of being a witch. When the crowd shoves her off the cliff, she returns flying on a broom, proving she is truly a witch. Marge and her witch sisters, Patty and Selma, go into the village to eat the townspeople's children. In an attempt to save her children, Goody Flanders offers them gingerbread children instead. The witches love the cookies and leave the children alone. So, the whole town begins offering treats instead of their kids--starting the tradition of Trick or Treat.

Favorite Quote
Homer says, "Geez, what's with all the death?"