"The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace" | |
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The Simpsons episode | |
![]() Homer’s obsession with Thomas Edison causes boredom for everyone around him. This scenario was inspired by Dan Greaney’s personal experiences. | |
Episode no. | Season 10 Episode 2 |
Directed by | Mark Kirkland |
Written by | John Swartzwelder |
Production code | 5F21 |
Original air date | September 20, 1998 |
Guest appearance | |
Episode features | |
Chalkboard gag | "I will not file frivolous lawsuits" |
Couch gag | The living room is set up like a crowded movie theater and the family pushes their way through the audience to the couch. |
Commentary | Matt Groening Mike Scully George Meyer Ron Hauge Dan Greaney Julie Thacker Mark Kirkland |
"The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace" is the second episode of the tenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on September 20, 1998, and was seen in around 7.95 million households during the broadcast. In the episode, Homer, realizing his life is half over and has not accomplished anything, begins to admire Thomas Edison and decides to create inventions to follow in Edison's footsteps and make his life worthwhile.
The idea behind "The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace" came from Dan Greaney, who assigned John Swartzwelder to write the episode. While directing the episode, Mark Kirkland visited the Edison Museum in Llewellyn Park, New Jersey, to receive inspiration for several scenes in the episode that take place in this museum. The episode's title is a play on Edison's nickname, the Wizard of Menlo Park.[1] William Daniels made a guest appearance in the episode as the character KITT from the television series Knight Rider. In general, "The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace" received positive reviews from television critics, with many singling it out as a strong beginning to a season.