When Flanders Failed

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P-code: 7F23
Episode Index: 03×03
Writers: John Vitti
Directors: Jim Reardon
Airdate: 3rd October, 1991
Guest stars: None

Average Fan Rating: 3.7 (180 ratings, 13 reviews)

Plot Guide

  Ned Flanders one day decides to open a store in the Springfield Mall called the Leftorium, catering for lefties. Homer, however, hopes that the business will fail. Homer's wish soon comes true for Flanders however, as no-one visits his store.
  Meanwhile, Bart enrolls himself in karate but doesn't like it, so every time he is dropped off he sneaks off to the arcade. However, he soon regrets it when Lisa asks Bart to defend her from some bullies.
  Ned soon goes broke, and is forced to sell everything he owns in collateral, Homer soon feels guily about wishing him to fail, and calls up all of Springfield to go to Flanders' store. Soon business is booming and the customers join hands and sing ''Put On A Happy Face.''

Memorable Quotes

Lisa: Dad, do you know what Schadenfreude is?
Homer: (sarcastically) No, I do not know what Schadenfreude is. Please tell me, because I'm dying to know!
Lisa: It's a German term for 'shameful joy', taking pleasure in the suffering of others.
Homer: Oh, come on Lisa. I'm just glad to see him fall flat on his butt!

Marge: Bart, don't use the Touch of Death on your sister.

Ned: See anything you like?
Homer: Oh, I get it! It's not good enough for you, but it's good enough for me! Well, I wouldn't be caught dead buying this... (sees something) hello!

Homer: Hey, Bartlee-boobly, care for a steak-a-rooney?
Bart: Sounds crumptly-uptious, dear old duddly-doodly!

Homer: See Marge, you knock TV and then it helps you out. I think you owe someone an apology.

Akira: We learn karate, so that we need never use it.
Bart: Um, excuse me, sir. I already know how not to hit a guy. Can we break out the nunchucks?

Bart: Yo, sensei. Can I go to the bathroom?
Akira: You can if you believe you can.

Man: Hey, I hear you validate parking tickets without purchase.
Ned: Oh, right as rain! Or, as we say around here, `left as rain', heh heh.
Man: Just stamp the ticket.

Ned: At times like these, I used to turn to the Bible and find solace, but even the Good Book can't help me now.
Homer: Why not?
Ned: I sold it to you for seven cents.

Homer: It's all here, and it's all backwards!

Did You Spot...

• The names of producers Jay Kogen and Wallace Wolodarsky appear on the draft list for the Canadian Footbal League.
• Ned uses The Simpsons logo on the family's barbeque invitation.
• After Homer has bought all of Ned's possessions, Bart wears a T-Shirt with ''Maude Loves Ned'' on it.
• The Flanders kids toast marshmallows on a cigarette lighter.

References/Parodies

• The final scene, where Maude says ''It's a miracle!'' parodies It's A Wonderful Life. Ned and Maude even wear similar clothes.

Season 3 quick links

1. Stark Raving Dad
2. Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
3. When Flanders Failed
4. Bart the Murderer
5. Homer Defined
6. Like Father, Like Clown
7. Treehouse of Horror II
8. Lisa's Pony
9. Saturdays of Thunder
10. Flaming Moe's
11. Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
12. I Married Marge
13. Radio Bart
14. Lisa the Greek
15. Homer Alone
16. Bart the Lover
17. Homer at the Bat
18. Separate Vocations
19. Dog of Death
20. Colonel Homer
21. Black Widower
22. The Otto Show
23. Bart's Friend Falls in Love
24. Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?