Population Statistic: Read. React. Repeat.
Monday, May 12, 2008

From one of my most fave-o-reet episodes of “The Simpsons”, I present “Skinner & the Superintendent”, or (as I prefer) “Steamed Hams”:

And for good measure, the key exchange:

Superintendent Chalmers: I thought we were having steamed clams.
Seymour Skinner: Oh, no, I said steamed hams. That’s what I call hamburgers.
Superintendent Chalmers: You call hamburgers steamed hams?
Seymour Skinner: Yes, it’s a regional dialect.
Superintendent Chalmers: Uh-huh. What region?
Seymour Skinner: Uhh… Upstate New York.
Superintendent Chalmers: Really? Well, I’m from Utica, and I’ve never heard anyone use the phrase ’steamed hams.’
Seymour Skinner: Oh, not in Utica. No, it’s an Albany expression.
Superintendent Chalmers: I see.
[Chalmers bites into a steamed ham.]
Superintendent Chalmers: You know, these hamburgers are quite similar to the ones they have at Krusty Burger.
Seymour Skinner: Oh ho ho, no. Patented Skinner burgers. Old family recipe.
Superintendent Chalmers: For steamed hams…
Seymour Skinner: Yes…
Superintendent Chalmers: Yes, and you call them steamed hams despite the fact that they are obviously grilled.

One last tidbit: Along with the obvious allusions to Pulp Fiction throughout, this episode also owes its title — “22 Short Films About Springfield” — to Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould. The title and structure of which, in turn, was inspired by the 32 pieces that comprise Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

by Costa Tsiokos, Mon 05/12/2008 08:05 PM
Category: Comedy, Creative, Movies, New Yorkin', TV
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5 Feedbacks »
  1. Pure Classic! Heh…the Aurora Borealis. At this time of year. Localized entirely within your kitchen.

    Damn, but that episode was awesome.

    Comment by david — 05/12/2008 @ 10:59 PM

  2. And speaking of SuperNintendo Chalmers — one of my favorite lines of his: “Oh, I have had it, I have _had_ it with this school, Skinner! The low test scores, class after class of ugly, ugly children…”

    Comment by david — 05/12/2008 @ 11:04 PM

  3. “SuperNintendo Chalmers” — love that.

    And I was waiting for someone to cite the final line of this mini-skit: “I must say — you steam a good ham”. But obviously, I’ve already run out of patience on that point…

    Comment by CT — 05/12/2008 @ 11:13 PM

  4. Preceded by a classic: “Seymour, you are an odd fellow…”

    Comment by david — 05/12/2008 @ 11:37 PM

  5. Who Amongst You Has Experienced the TK Burgers Truck?…

    Not me. But its quality is something I wonder about every time I pass by the OC steamed hams icon. I’ve seen the Carl’s Jr. truck in action, eaten at an In-n-Out version, and virtually live at taco truck. But I’ve only seen the TK truck in person at…

    Trackback by Stick a Fork In It — 02/25/2009 @ 10:28 PM

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