Retrospecticus

We’re looking at “Colonel Homer” this week, the one that introduces country and western singer Lurleen Lumpkin. Along the way we’ll visit Googolplex cinemas, the Beer ‘n Brawl, and Big Shirtless Ron. For the history we’re covering what happened in Iraq after the Gulf War, culminating in the destruction of the Al Atheer nuclear complex.… Read More »

It’s Episode 54, and the prognosis is bleak for Santa’s Little Helper in “Dog Of Death”, broadcast on 12 March 1992, but looking better for South Africa after their Apartheid referendum, which came five days later. Along the way we’ll get Covid tested, visit some dogs with evil owners, marvel at a song that lasts… Read More »

Well Mr Burns had done it…if by “it” you mean wrecked a perfectly good works softball team in “Homer At The Bat”, aired on February 20 1992, the same day as Ross Perot announced his run as an independent candidate for President of the USA. Along the way we’ll drown in memes, find out which… Read More »

Episode 51, and it’s a doozy from the Simpsons side: “Bart The Lover” from 13 February 1992, featuring Woodrow, the swear jar and a world without zinc! Tom then takes us to meet Hugo Chavez and his attempted coup in Venezuela, which reached a crescendo a few days beforehand. Along the way Garreth will try… Read More »

Retrospecticus has reached the big five-oh, so we celebreate by talking about “Homer Alone”, the episode that sees Marge snap through stress and visit Rancho Relaxo, while Homer tries and fails to look after Maggie. The episode was first broastcast the day before the Maastricht treaty was signed, so we tell the story of how… Read More »

This week, Lisa and Homer bet on the Washington Football Team in “Lisa The Greek”, and we take a look at the history of Zaire, plus its bloody history as a colony of Belgium. Somehow we also touch on Pinchy the lobster and the Rumble in the Jungle, plus a king for hire, a genius… Read More »

As Britain reels from a Cayman Islands-style heatwave, your perspiring hosts take you back to a colder time – January 9, 1992 – to send our love down the well in “Radio Bart” and witness the merciful end of the Salvadoran Civil War. Along the way we’ll castigate pop stars for their charity efforts, negotiate… Read More »

So it’s come to this: the end of the Soviet Union, with a suitably nostalgic partner in “I Married Marge”. Along the way we’ll impersonate a world leader, say another goodbye to Freddie Mercury, and visit with a different Crazy Otto. And you’ll never believe who’s advertising Pizza Hut. If you enjoy the show, please… Read More »

We’re back in the USSR – but not for long! This week, we witness the signing of the Belovezha Accords, one of the last nails in the coffin for the USSR, whilst Springfield says a hearty willkommen bei den Deutschen in “Burns Verkaufen Der Kraftwerk”. Along the way we’ll meet the drummer for every band… Read More »

Welcome to the podcast where happiness is just a Flaming Homer away – yes! It’s time for “Flaming Moe’s”, an episode where greed tears a friendship asunder and Aerosmith play nightly. Plus, Tom looks at the life and times of Freddie Mercury, taking in the history of Zanzibar and some horrific behaviour from the UK… Read More »

This week we’re telling the tale of one Terry Waite, hostage negotiator turned hostage, whose fascinating story we recount along with “Saturdays Of Thunder”, in which Bart and Homer go soapbox derby racing. Along the way we’ll judge the grimness of the North, have a chance encounter with Idi Amin and probably mention that curling… Read More »

It’s episode 43, where Homer pulls double duty in “Lisa’s Pony” and we cover the death of Robert Maxwell, with a dive into his fascinating origins. Along the way we’ll discuss “My Ding-A-Ling” (but not our ding-a-lings, mercifully), the north-east’s top light entertainer, football mergers, Tetris and our old favourites, various totalitarian Eastern European regimes!… Read More »

Let terror commence as we unleash Treehouse of Horror 2 from Halloween 1991, and the independence of Turkmenistan as declared on October 27, 1991! If you thought the former was bizarre, wait until you hear the latter – how to make a sea disappear! Decree after decree after decree! And – we’re not kidding –… Read More »

It’s all about reconciliations this time at Retrospecticus, as we cover Krusty building bridges with his dad in “Like Father Like Clown” and the end of the Cambodia-Vietnam war. Along the way we’ll meet a seemingly never-ending prime minister, see the squarest moat ever and discover the traffic warden who changed 90s pop. Please listen… Read More »

We’ve made it all the way to episode 40, and we’re taking a look at Homer’s dumb luck in “Homer Defined” and the history of Azerbaijan, in particular its independence, as officially adopted the day after that episode aired! Along the way we’ll eviscerate a Beatle’s son and give you a great reason never to… Read More »

We’re back up to speed this time, with a look at arguably the dawn of the classic era of The Simpsons with “Bart The Murderer”, and the controversial appointment of Clarence Thomas as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the USA! We’ll also take a wider look at said court and say hello to… Read More »

Not even a Covid-19 outbreak can derail Retrospecticus! We’ve gone back to our Skype roots to discuss the opening of the Leftorium in “When Flanders Failed”, first aired as Slick Willie himself, Bill Clinton, announced he was running for the presidency of the USA! We’ll also look at other presidents in The Simpsons, be they… Read More »

The Simpsons get political this week, as we discuss Mr Lisa Goes to Washington. Along the way we address the correspondence between Barbara Bush and Marge Simpson, have a thumb through Reading Digest (yes, you read that right) and visit the cesspool on the Potomak. For the history, we go over the history of the… Read More »

It’s season three at last, and we’re keeping super cool and staying frosty with Otzi the iceman and then losing said cool over “Stark Raving Dad”. We’ll also tackle Wishbone Ash, mummy ownership and some famous bottoms! Please listen and share! Warning – we discuss the first episode of series three of the Simpsons, and… Read More »

We’ve reached “Blood Feud”, the final episode of Season 2 of The Simpsons! Look forward to watered mail, immortal lines and the genealogy of a big ol’ ugly Olmec head! Alon the way we’ll find out what is and what isn’t a real medical condition, and make at least one terrible pun. For the history… Read More »