Today's Article - Homerpalooza

This article is for quizzes on Wednesday May 20th...    

"Homerpalooza" is the 24th episode of The Simpsons‍ '​ seventh season and originally aired on May 19, 1996. The plot focuses around Homer's depression about aging and no longer being cool, and his quest to become cool again by joining the "Hullabalooza" music festival as a carnival freak. The episode title is a play on the Lollapalooza music festival. It was the last Simpsons episode written by Brent Forrester and the last episode directed by Wes Archer. Peter Frampton and musical groups The Smashing Pumpkins, Cypress Hill and Sonic Youth guest star as themselves.

The writers were aiming to have artists that represented several genres: hip hop (Cypress Hill), alternative rock (Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins) and a classic rock singer. Originally, Bob Dylan was sought for this role, but he was replaced by Peter Frampton. Neil Young and Pearl Jam were also sought for the episode but turned down the offer.

Originally, Courtney Love and Hole were wanted for this episode, but they declined. According to the DVD commentary an unnamed group had said that if Courtney Love was in the episode, they would not be. An Entertainment Weekly article revealed that the group was Sonic Youth. It was thought that Love would appear in the episode because she had recently done a movie with James L. Brooks, but she never responded to the request. Love was wanted specifically for one joke which would be in an exchange between her and Homer:

Courtney Love: "Hi Homer! I'm a big fan, Courtney Love."
Homer: "Homer Grateful!"

However, she did not appear and the joke was reworded for Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins:

Billy Corgan: "Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins."
Homer: "Homer Simpson, smiling politely."