Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace

Andrew Murray and Thom Partridge
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Arts

Former college roommates Thom Partridge and Dr. Andrew Murray revisit every episode of The Simpsons through the eyes of two dads in their 40s, exploring the humor, heart, and surprising depth of Springfield one episode at a time.

  1. 5d ago

    Some Enchanted Evening - Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace S1E13

    In “Some Enchanted Evening,” Marge’s call to Dr. Marvin Monroe sends Homer scrambling to rescue date night with a rose, chocolates, and a babysitter who turns out to be Springfield’s most wanted. Andrew and Thom discuss feeling unappreciated, Homer’s highly selective listening skills, and the strange experience of revisiting an episode originally intended to introduce the entire series. Along the way, they revisit Bart’s prank calls to Moe, Happy Little Elves, alarming childhood television, Penny Marshall’s turn as Ms. Botz, and the kids’ perfectly reasonable decision to bind their babysitter and force her to watch cartoons. Season 1 ends as it should: with the criminal escaping, the Simpsons apologizing, and Homer being identified on the evening news as a “local boob.”

  2. 5d ago

    Krusty Gets Busted - Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace S1E12

    In “Krusty Gets Busted,” Homer witnesses Springfield’s favorite clown robbing the Kwik-E-Mart, sending Krusty from children’s television royalty to public enemy number one. Andrew and Thom discuss Bart’s unwavering faith in his hero, the debut of Sideshow Bob, and the episode’s darker look at celebrity, media frenzy, and how quickly a town will turn on yesterday’s beloved entertainer. Along the way, they revisit clown police lineups, triple-chocolate ice cream, Kent Brockman’s breathless reporting, Krusty’s deeply questionable endorsements, and Sideshow Bob’s attempt to replace lowbrow comedy with educational television. Bart and Lisa ultimately crack the case, proving that sometimes the child who refuses to accept the obvious is the only one paying attention.

  3. 5d ago

    The Crepes of Wrath - Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace S1E11

    In “The Crepes of Wrath,” Bart’s latest prank earns him a one-way ticket to France, where the promised château turns out to offer less fine dining and more child labor, questionable wine additives, and endless buckets of water. Andrew and Thom discuss cultural exchange, exploitation, international espionage, and the episode’s surprisingly ambitious decision to send The Simpsons beyond Springfield for the first time. Along the way, they revisit cherry bombs, Agnes Skinner calling her son “Spanky,” Adil’s effortless assimilation into the Simpson household, and Bart’s discovery that the key to becoming a national hero is apparently learning just enough French to report two criminals poisoning the wine.

  4. 5d ago

    Homer's Night Out - Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace S1E10

    In “Homer’s Night Out,” Bart’s new spy camera captures Homer at a bachelor party—and turns one bad decision into Springfield’s hottest piece of pre-internet viral content. Andrew and Thom discuss marriage, trust, objectification, and the episode’s surprisingly thoughtful message about how boys learn to view women. Along the way, they revisit darkrooms, seafood-related trauma, Burns’ admiration of Homer’s “animal magnetism,” and the questionable parenting choice of taking your ten-year-old to a strip club in search of a life lesson. It all leads to Homer delivering a genuinely heartfelt message about respect—just before Bart tries to break up the reconciliation.

  5. 5d ago

    Life in the Fast Lane - Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace S1E9

    In “Life on the Fast Lane,” Homer’s spectacularly thoughtless birthday gift sends Marge to the bowling alley—and into the path of the charmingly persistent Jacques. Andrew and Thom discuss Marge’s growing dissatisfaction, Homer’s belated realization that his marriage may be in trouble, and the surprising emotional depth of an episode told largely from Marge’s perspective. Along the way, they explore forgotten birthdays, bowling shoes, marital communication, bottled-up feelings, and one of the most meaningful forks in the road of The Simpsons’ first season.

  6. 5d ago

    The Telltale Head - Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace S1E8

    In “The Telltale Head,” Bart’s desperate bid to impress Springfield’s resident bad boys ends with one impulsive act, one headless town founder, and a mob that is surprisingly unwilling to hear him out. Andrew and Thom discuss popularity, peer pressure, parental cautionary tales, and the terrible decision-making that can occur around 3:00 in the morning. Along the way, they revisit Homer sneaking football into church, Reverend Lovejoy’s sleep-inducing sermons, the debut of Jimbo, Kearney, and Dolph, and the episode’s impressive ability to make stupidity and brilliance coexist in the same characters.

  7. 5d ago

    The Call of the Simpsons - Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace S1E7

    In “The Call of the Simpsons,” Homer’s jealousy of Ned Flanders leads to an ill-advised RV purchase, a family camping trip, and his eventual identification as a possible missing link. Andrew and Thom discuss high-pressure sales tactics, forced family fun, Maggie’s surprisingly successful life among the bears, and the stark difference between Marge and Lisa’s wilderness competence and Homer and Bart’s complete lack thereof. Along the way, they explore childhood camping memories, traveling with kids, Albert Brooks’ unforgettable Cowboy Bob, and the timeless lesson that keeping up with the Flanderses may end with you naked, covered in mud, and pursued by Bigfoot researchers.

  8. 5d ago

    Moaning Lisa - Donuts on the Couch: Growing Up on Evergreen Terrace S1E6

    In “Moaning Lisa,” Lisa finds herself overwhelmed by a sadness she cannot explain—and surrounded by adults who do not quite know how to help. Andrew and Thom discuss the episode’s remarkably thoughtful portrayal of childhood depression, Homer’s well-intentioned but misguided attempts at parenting, and Marge’s eventual realization that Lisa needs understanding rather than encouragement to simply smile. Along the way, they explore sibling rivalry, vintage video games, jazz as emotional expression, and the importance of giving children space to feel heard.

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5
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3 Ratings

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Former college roommates Thom Partridge and Dr. Andrew Murray revisit every episode of The Simpsons through the eyes of two dads in their 40s, exploring the humor, heart, and surprising depth of Springfield one episode at a time.

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