Kill the Alligator and Run

"Kill The Alligator and Run" is the nineteenth episode of the eleventh season of The Simpsons. It aired on April 30, 2000.

Episode details

Production Number: BABF16
Original Air Date: April 30, 2000
Writer: John Swartzwelder
Director: Jen Kamerman
Blackboard: "I am not here on a fartball scholarship."
Couch Gag: The family has to cross hot coals to reach the couch. Homer lifts his feet for relief when he reaches the couch.
Guest Voices: Diedrich Bader as a sheriff, and Robert Evans, Charlie Rose, Joe C., and Kid Rock

Synopsis

Homer gets a magazine loaded with tests, and gives each member of the family a test. Later on, he takes his own test and reveals that he will have only three years left to live. He develops insomnia and goes insane. Visiting the power plant's psychiatrist, he suggests Homer go on a long vacation, heading on a trip to a town in Florida. Yet, while the family arrives in Florida, it is Spring Break. Marge wants Homer to stay in his hotel room, but he escapes to party and attend a Kid Rock concert. Homer becomes the life of the Spring Break party.

The party is not yet over after the Spring Break crowd leaves: Homer rents an airboat and they go through the swamp, killing the town's most famous resident, an alligator named Captain Jack. The family is arrested for killing the alligator, but they flee from the sheriff and hide in an Amtrak train, and escape to a restaurant and nearby trailer, where they work in until the sheriff finds them. For what they have done, the family is put in jail and have to go through excessive work. One night they are working, the family encounters the alligator, who is not dead. The family is acquitted, but not allowed to return to Florida again. For their next trip, the family plans to go to North Dakota.

Quotes

• Charlie Rose: I remember Vincent Canby said, (turning to the camera) "I'm going to kill you, Homer. You are so dead." (Homer screams) Now Chinatown was a classic, but you had problems with the sequel, The Two Jakes?
  Robert Evans: Oh boy. Disappointed? I had the blues like Chasen's had chili. I said to myself: "Evans, you forgot Hollywood rule #1: (turning to the camera) Kill Homer Simpson!"
• Homer: (singing) We built this city, this kick-ass city. What kind of music built this city?
  Lisa: (singing without enthusiasm) Rock and roll.
  Bart: Dad, look out!
  Homer: (singing) Look out for what?
  Bart: (singing) The giant gator!