I, Carumbus

"I, Carumbus" is the second episode of the thirty-second season of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons, and the 686th episode overall. It aired in the United States on Fox on October 4, 2020.[1] The episode was directed by Rob Oliver,[2] and written by Cesar Mazariegos.[3] Mike Duncan was the Roman history consultant.[4]

"I, Carumbus"
The Simpsons episode
Promotional Poster
Episode no.Season 32
Episode 2
Directed byRob Oliver
Written byCesar Mazariegos
Production codeZABF18
Original air dateOctober 4, 2020 (2020-10-04)
Guest appearance(s)

Michael Palin[5] and Joe Mantegna appear in the episode as the museum curator and Gordus Antonius, respectively. The episode features the Simpson family learning about ancient Rome. It received generally positive reviews from critics, and watched live in the United States by 1.51 million viewers.

Plot

While the Simpson family visit a museum exhibit on Ancient Rome, Marge chastises a bored Homer for his lack of ambition when he admits to shirking chances for promotion. The curator overhears the squabble and begins to relay the tale of Obeseus the Wide (played by Homer), the son of a poor farmer.

While years of toil make Obeseus strong, his father Abus (played by Grampa Simpson) sells him to the slaver Gordus Antonius (played by Fat Tony) who puts Obeseus in the gladiatorial fighting pits. Here Obeseus catches the eye of his master's daughter Marjora (played by Marge) who falls pregnant to him. When her father demands the slave who impregnated his daughter to reveal himself, Obeseus is freed from slavery to marry her and given his former slave friends as a gift.

Obeseus runs a clothes cleaning business for years, which he ultimately runs into the ground through his own indolence. When the ambitious Marjora tells him to get his act together, Obeseus' slave friends suggest gathering ammonia (used in the cleaning process) by placing pots near drinking establishments. Obeseus gains fame, only for Marjora to push her husband into joining the senate to raise their status further. Obeseus' request is laughed off by Emperor Quimbus (played by Mayor Quimby), but his politically adopted son Senator Montimus (played by Mr. Burns) offers Obeseus a position in the senate if he assassinates Quimbus.

Over the next decade their status grows more, but Marjora wants more power and instigates the assassination of Emperor Montimus to put her own son Barticula (played by Bart) on the throne. Barticula goes mad with power and declares himself a god, but a now corpulent Obeseus challenges his son. The ensuing fight results in their deaths, horrifying Marjora to the point of suicide.

As the real-life Simpsons argue about the moral of the tale, the curator laments letting stupid people into museums.

During the credits, the argument is watched by the Greek gods as Zeus states that this won't go on forever.

Production

Promotional posters for the episode were released on September 30, 2020.[6] On July 25, 2020, it was announced during the series' panel at Comic-Con @ Home that Michael Palin would be guest-starring during the season.[7] It was later revealed that his appearance would take place in this episode, and that he would be portraying the Museum Curator.[1] Though not officially announced, other than on the promotional posters, Joe Mantegna also appears in the episode as Gordus Antonius (Fat Tony).[6] Also on 2020, Fox released eight promotional pictures from the episode.[8]

Michael Palin spoke positively of his experience working on the episode, saying that it was "lovely" to be asked and that he looked forward to seeing how his character looked after his recording. "To be asked to do a sort of guest appearance on The Simpsons is pretty much like going to Buckingham Palace, except not quite as funny!" Palin was quoted to say, referencing himself being knighted the previous year. "It's all done very quickly, efficiently and you are shoehorned into the show."[9]

Reception

Viewing figures

In the United States, the episode was watched live by 1.51 million viewers.[10]

Critical response

Tony Sokol with Den of Geek said, "It is one of the many episodes which will get funnier on repeated viewings. It won't produce more laughs, but the references will seem more clever. There is a little too much respect and consideration for history's follies than the majority of episodes like this" and he gave the episode 3 and half out of 5 stars.[11]

References
  1. "(SI-3118) "I, Carumbus"". The Futon Critic. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  2. @AlJean (February 18, 2020). "The emmy-winning Rob Oliver" (Tweet). Retrieved August 22, 2020 – via Twitter.
  3. @AlJean (November 18, 2019). "Cesar Mazariegos" (Tweet). Retrieved August 22, 2020 – via Twitter.
  4. @mikeduncan (October 1, 2020). "Mike Duncan" (Tweet). Retrieved October 24, 2020 – via Twitter.
  5. Sir Michael Palin to appear on The Simpsons, producer reveals
  6. @TheSimpsons (September 30, 2020). "I, Carumbus! The Simpsons visit Ancient Rome this Sunday at 8/7c on FOX" (Tweet). Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  7. N'Duka, Amanda (July 25, 2020). "'The Simpsons': Ben Platt, Hannibal Buress & More Tapped As Guest Stars For Season 32 – Comic-Con@Home". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  8. "The Simpsons". FoxFlash. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  9. Hammond, Grace (October 12, 2020). "Sir Michael Palin says appearing on The Simpsons was 'terrific' - and like going to Buckingham Palace". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  10. "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.4.2020". www.showbuzzdaily.com. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  11. "The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 2 Review: I, Carumbus". Den of Geek. 2020-10-05. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
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