Pierce Brosnan bonds with the Simpsons in their 12th annual Halloween trilogy. In "House of Whacks," Brosnan is the voice of UltraHouse 3000, a computer that runs the Simpsons' home. But this is no impersonal machine — it falls in love with Marge and tries to kill Homer. In "Hex and the City," a curse from a tarot-reading gypsy gives bad luck to those Homer loves, resulting in bizarre physical transformations for his family. What's required to alter the curse, Homer believes, is a leprechaun. In the finale, magic students Lisa and Bart are competing "Wiz Kids," with Bart seeking to best Lisa in the school talent by aligning with an evil duo (Burns and Smithers) who have a secret agenda.
The Parent Rap
Jane Kaczmarek lends her voice to a role with similarities to her Lois character from "Malcolm in the Middle" in the 13th-season opener. It begins with Bart and Milhouse accidentally stealing a police car. Bart expects to face an easy judge, but instead meets Judge Constance Harm (Kaczmarek,) a stern, no-nonsense arbiter. Noting Homer's contribution to the incident and sensing that Bart is "crying out for adult supervision," Harm orders the young troublemaker to be tethered to his father. The plan does bring the pair closer to each other, but their new link interferes with the relationship between Homer and Marge — who literally cuts the cord, landing her in Harm's way, too.
Homer the Moe
To change his attitude, Moe changes his bar, but the result drives his regulars out... and into Homer's garage bar, where R.E.M. performs.
A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the voice of Gloria, a comely cop who catches the eye of Mr. Burns in this madcap romance. Thanks to a fortune cookie (written by Homer) that says he'll find true love on a particular day, Mr. Burns sets out for a night of "womanizing," much to Smithers' dismay. He eventually meets Gloria, who agrees to a date but ultimately finds the tycoon too old. Burns allays her fears by drafting Homer to testify to his youthful rowdiness. The courtship commences, assisted by Homer — and a vial of a "rare and powerful" physical stimulant. When Mr. Burns pops the question, a charmed Gloria accepts. But not everyone is happy for the couple.
The Blunder Years
A hypnotist unlocks a repressed memory in Homer, who recalls childhood times with Moe, Carl and Lenny — and his finding of a corpse. Paul Newman has a voice cameo.
She of Little Faith
Richard Gere guest stars in a Christmas episode that spawns a crisis of religious conscience in Lisa. The trouble starts when congregants of the First Church of Springfield, faced with a sudden need for funds, turn for help to Mr. Burns, who turns the church into a business ("The old church was skewing pious," says his advisor.) Enter podium-placed advertising and in-sermon commercials; and exit an outraged Lisa. Her disenchantment leads her to the Springfield Buddhist Temple and to Gere, who introduces her to teachings she finds easy to embrace. All of which has Rev. Lovejoy wondering what to do about "Marge Simpson's devil daughter."
Brawl in the Family
A social worker is assigned to try to bring the family together after police respond to a fight between Bart and Homer during a game of Monopoly.
Sweets and Sour Marge
Ben Stiller plays a sugar company's CEO who draws Marge's ire after Springfield is declared the "World's Fattest Town."
Jaws Wired Shut
An(other) accident forces Homer's jaws to be wired shut, and improved listening skills result in a kinder, gentler — and more boring — Homer.
Half Decent Proposal
Jon Lovitz plays Marge's one-time prom date Artie Ziff, a nerd who turned off Marge when he turned all-hands that night. Now, a techno-invention has made him rich. Encouraged by her sisters, and some girls-night imbibing, Marge e-mails Artie, who responds by helicoptering onto the Simpsons' lawn and inviting the family to his yacht. There, he makes his proposition: one million bucks to spend a weekend alone with Marge. And Artie promises "no funny stuff." The Simpsons agree when they realize the money will help their marriage — by paying for an operation to cure Homer's snoring.
The Bart Wants What It Wants
Reese Witherspoon and Wolfgang Puck are guest voices as Bart and Milhouse fight over a girl. The object of their affection — and altercation — is Greta Wolfcastle (Witherspoon,) the daughter of action-film star Rainier Wolfcastle (Puck.) After Bart and his slingshot rescue her backpack from bullies, Greta is immediately smitten. But her crush is unrequited, and the oblivious Bart blows off a date with her in order to harass Principal Skinner at his stand-up comedy debut. Clued to Greta's feelings, Bart breaks off the relationship — until Milhouse steps in. It's only then, in the name of love, that Bart asks his parents' help to win Greta back by following her to her dad's film set... in Toronto.
