"Krusty Gets Busted" was the twelfth non short Simpsons episode released on television. The episode deals with Krusty the Klown being arrested for armed robbery, to the disgrace of Bart, who reveals that Krusty was framed by the notorious Sideshow Bob.

Episode details

Production Number: 7G12
Original Air Date: April 29, 1990
Writer: Jay Kogen and Wallace Wolodarsky
Director: Brad Bird
Blackboard: "They are laughing at me, not with me"
Couch Gag: Maggie pops out of the couch, and lands in Marge's arms
Guest Voice: Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob

Synopsis

As Bart and Lisa watch The Krusty the Klown Show, Marge gives Homer a call at work, asking him to pick up a half-gallon of premium ice cream on his way home from work because of Patty and Selma coming over to show slides from their trip to the Yucatan. Homer picks up the ice cream at the Kwik-E-Mart.

However, while he is at the Kwik-E-Mart, Homer encounters a masked clown, pointing a gun at Apu and demanding that he hand over money to him. Homer hides in a display of potato chips as the clown takes the money and runs away. Homer tells police about the suspect, which appears to be Bart's hero—Krusty the Klown. The police arrest Krusty the Klown at his house, and Homer fingers Krusty at the station. Homer arrives home, missing the slideshow, but coming back in time for the news, and Patty, Selma, and the Simpsons watch the news, which has Scott Christian reporting on Krusty's robbery, complete with actual footage of the robbery, which includes Homer speaking. Bart sees that Krusty was arrested, and a disappointed Bart believes Krusty did not get arrested.

Krusty's trial begins, and Homer is asked to call to the stand. He believes he knows who the gunman is, and points to Krusty. Also, Reverend Lovejoy has offered to burn every piece of merchandise with Krusty's face on it. When Krusty is asked to turn his attention to an exhibit in the courtroom, Krusty cannot read it, and he admits he is illiterate. The foreperson has reached a verdict and finds Krusty to be proven guilty, to Bart's disappointment, as Sideshow Bob has taken over Krusty's duties. Bart urges Lisa to stop watching Sideshow Bob's show, but she later agrees with him to find a way to prove that Krusty is innocent. They go to the Kwik-E-Mart, and use evidence from the surveillance film, which shows Krusty heating up a burrito in the microwave, which he went near despite having a pacemaker, and the film also shows Krusty reading a magazine, even though he was illiterate. Lisa believes that Krusty was framed, and Bart believes Sideshow Bob could have framed him.

Bart, Lisa, and Maggie go to Sideshow Bob's studio and have a discussion, and he offers the children free tickets to a taping of his show. On his show, he spots an unhappy child in the audience, which appears to be Bart. Bart says on air that he and Lisa believe Krusty was framed, but Bob denies it, until Bart hears Bob say something about "big shoes to fill", echoing through Bart's mind, and later exposing Sideshow Bob as the real crook, whacking his feet with a mallet. Sideshow Bob is arrested, and Krusty is freed and he apologizes, but thanks Bart for trusting him all along.

Trivia

• Sideshow Bob's first talking appearance.
• The first full Itchy & Scratchy short appeared in this episode.
• Apparently, Patty and Selma bring over eight carousels of slides from their trip.
• Krusty being born in Tupelo, Mississippi is a reference to Elvis Presley, who was also born in Tupelo.

Quotes

• Apu: What's the matter, sir? Never have I seen you look so unhappy while purchasing such a large quantity of ice cream.
  Homer: The reason I look unhappy is that tonight I have to see a slide show starring my wife's sisters. Or as I call 'em, the Gruesome Twosome. (laughs)
  Krusty: Ow, my foot, you lousy, stupid clumsy...
  Homer: Sorry, pal. (gasps and screams)
  Krusty: (pointing a gun at Apu) Hand over all your money in a paper bag.
  Apu: Yes, yes, I know the procedure for armed robbery. I do work in a convenience store, you know.
• Apu: Hey, hey, this is not a lending library! If you're not going to buy that thing, put it down or I'll blow your heads off!
• Chief Wiggum: Krusty the Klown, you're under arrest for armed robbery. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say...blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah blah.
• Reverend Lovejoy: Good people, I'm so glad you're here tonight. But please, just a few words of caution. Now, we are going to set this pile of evil ablaze, but because these are children's toys, the fire will spread quickly, so please stand back and try not to inhale the toxic fumes.