The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

In the 1990s and 2000s, we saw a wave of comedy bits about the “bubble boy.” It’s not just The Simpsons episode “Little Girl in the Big Ten” (S13E20). It’s that Seinfeld episode, Jake Gyllenhaal’s follow-up to Donnie Darko, and a nod in That ‘70s Show. But where did this all start?In this episode we dust off the TV movie that launched a thousand parodies, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976), on its 50th anniversary.Also in this episode:• John Travolta’s breakout performance as the titular boy• Barry Diller, Aaron Spelling and the invention of the TV movie• Simpsons director Lauren MacMullan’s unique animation style in this calling card episode• This movie’s creepy romance, surprise cameo, and cop-out happy ending Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, Adam and Nate get into some Monkey Shines (1988), the inspiration for helper monkey Mojo in “Girly Edition” (S9E21).For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

“Help me! Help me!” This Halloween, Nate helps Adam see his first Vincent Price movie, The Fly (1958), and its Simpsons parody in "Treehouse of Horror VIII" (S9E4).Also in this episode:• How can one movie have such astounding special effects alongside such schlock?• What happens when a b-movie gets the budget to add a schmear of fanciness• Does this Simpsons episode really reference David Cronenberg’s remake of this movie, too?• Vincent Price’s recipe for dishwasher salmonPlus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, Nate and Adam enter the exotic world of TV movies with The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) and its parody in “Little Girl in the Big Ten” (S13E20). For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

Adam and Nate rope comedian and podcaster Dave Shumka (Stop Podcasting Yourself) into watching A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) alongside its Simpsons musical parody in “A Streetcar Named Marge” (S4E2). Does Elia Kazan’s actor’s showcase hold up on its 75th anniversary?Also in this episode:• Stuntcasting: Which Springfieldian should play Stanley, Blanche, Stella, and Paperboy Steve?• Marlon Brando’s sexy, scary, marble-mouthed performance• Breaking down that “Stella!” moment that launched a thousand parodies• Should “Oh, Streetcar!” become a real musical? Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, Adam and Nate celebrate spooky season with The Fly (1958) and "Treehouse of Horror VIII" (S9E4).For more of Dave’s work check out Stop Podcasting Yourself, a comedy podcast that Adam has been listening to for 17 years!For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

What better way to start a new season than by breaking down one of the most iconic episodes of The Simpsons with the writer behind it? Simpsons writer Jon Vitti joins Adam and Nate to talk about the movie that inspired his episode-long parody “Cape Feare” (S5E2), Martin Scorsese’s Cape Fear (1991).Also in this episode:• The field trip with series co-creator Sam Simon that inspired this episode• How this movie parody solidified the character of Sideshow Bob• What the hell is going on with the tone of this movie? • The boom of Alfred Hitchcock homages in the 1980s and 1990s• Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, podcaster Dave Shumka joins Adam and Nate to discuss A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Marge’s musical turn as Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Marge” (S4E2).For more of Jon’s work, check out his classic episodes of The Simpsons or his movies like Fixed, The Angry Birds Movie, and Alvin and the Chipmunks. For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

In this bonus minisode, Nate and Adam give their bite-sized reviews of the recently released Mandalorian and Grogu. With the 50th anniversary of Star Wars looming over our upcoming season, is this the way?Lobby Chats are short bonus episodes where Adam and Nate share their thoughts on new releases, what they’re watching besides The Simpsons, and more.For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

In our season finale, The Simpsons writer and co-executive producer Christine Nangle joins Nate and Adam to discuss the 800th episode of the show “Irrational Treasure” (S37E) and its pitch-perfect parody of National Treasure (2004).Also in this episode:• We talk all things Philadelphia, from soft pretzels to the National Dog Show to the ever-present Rocky franchise• Behind-the-scenes details on how the episode was written and its many guest stars, like Quinta Brunson, Kevin Bacon, Questlove, Noah Wyle, and the cast of The Pitt• The pain and beauty of being a pet parent• Can Nate convince Adam that National Treasure is one of the best Indiana Jones knock-offs around?Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of National Treasure references in the episode, further reading, and other jawnsWe will return with regular biweekly episodes in September. Until then, keep an eye out for special one-off episodes and other Simpsons movie parody content on our blog throughout the summer.For more of Christine’s work, tune in to new episodes of The Simpsons Sundays at 8pm (EST) on Fox and the day after on Hulu, as well as the full back catalog of the show on Disney+.For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us at @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

Adam and Nate review the Best Picture nominees for the 98th Academy Awards, and hand out their own Simpsons-themed honors to the films of 2025, The Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Movie Excellence.Also in this episode:• The most memorable theatrical experiences of 2025• The biggest snrubs of the year• Our predictions about the tightest Oscar races Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, in our season finale, we chat with Simpsons writer-producer Christine Nangle about the 800th episode of the show, “Irrational Treasure” (S37E14), and its inspiration, National Treasure (2004).For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us at @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

Writer-director and Simpsons fan Alex Ross Perry (Videoheaven, Pavements, Her Smell) joins Adam and Nate to discuss one of the most prescient movie parodies on The Simpsons: William Friedkin’s famous flop Sorcerer (1977) in “Mr. Plow” (S4E9). How was the writers room’s movie taste a decade ahead of Sorcerer’s reappraisal?Also in this episode:• Why every Simpsons fan needs a “Simpsons buddy” to keep them sharp• How The Simpsons perfected the art of movie quotation• The impossibly long discography (and filmography) of Tangerine Dream• How Alex learned to stop worrying and love latter day Simpsons Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, Adam and Nate talk Oscar predictions, Best Picture nominees, and their own Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Movie Excellence for 2025.For more of Alex’s work, keep an eye out for the long-awaited streaming release of Videoheaven, coming this March!For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us at @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

Adam and Nate fall into Ace in the Hole (1951), Billy Wilder’s box office flop that Matt Groening reclaimed for the plot of The Simpsons episode “Radio Bart” (S3E13).Also in this episode:• When you get a recommendation from Spike Lee, you accept • Is this the most Simpsons-y plot we’ve covered to date?• A social satire that we wish wasn’t so relevant today• Do this movie’s film noir tropes still hold up?Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, director Alex Ross Perry joins the podcast to talk “Mr. Plow” (S4E9) and its parody of another reappraised flop, William Friedkin’s Sorcerer (1977).For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us at @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.

Adam and Nate get to know CHAЯLY (1968) and its episode-long Simpsons parody in “HOMЯ” (S12E9). While this movie barely exists today, when this adaptation of Daniel Keyes’ short story “Flowers for Algernon” came out in the early days of New Hollywood, it pushed the boundaries of disability on film, formal experimentation… and good taste. Also in this episode:• Cliff Robertson and a brief history of the Oscar bait performance• Is this the most 1968 movie ever made?• “Multi-dynamic image technique” and other awesome film history from Expo ‘67  • Should this movie get a sequel?Plus, check out our show notes for a complete list of Simpsons references, double feature suggestions, and further readingNext time, Nate and Adam Billy Wilder’s reclaimed box office flop Ace in the Hole (1951) and its extended parody in “Radio Bart” (S3E13).For more Simpsons movie parody content, check out SpringfieldGoogolplex.com, or follow us at @simpsonsfilmpod on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, and Letterboxd. Discover more great podcasts on the That Shelf Podcast Network.