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It made sense at the time. The third season of The Simpsons, now a burgeoning cultural phenomenon, would feature a major guest star. One of the biggest guest stars conceivable for the moment. The only issue for “Stark Raving Dad” on that front is that the guest star in question is Michael Jackson.
Now? “Stark Raving Dad” has been pulled out of syndication. It’s the only episode of The Simpsons not available to stream on Disney+ (which I think is inane, but whatever). Jackson’s behavior when appearing on The Simpsons was utterly bizarre, and of course that benign compared to the accusations levied at him as the years went on. He is, as they say, a problematic figure. Also, I was never a fan. Also, Disney+ subscribers aren’t missing out on a ton.
“Stark Raving Dad” is a pretty good episode, but it’s nothing special. Homer wears a pink shirt to work and is set to a comedy mental institution. There he means a large bricklayer who believes himself to be Michael Jackson. Leon is, of course, voiced by Jackson. Also, it’s Lisa’s birthday.
The episode caters too much to Jackson, and there isn’t a lot of humor mined there. Crucially, the episode builds to a “sweet” song that Bart and Leon put together for Lisa’s birthday. The song is lame as hell. It’s cheesy, it’s not funny, and it’s boring. I don’t find it sweet or to be a nice Simpsons moment, and I never did. Ultimately, with this big ol’ “denouement” being such a letdown, “Stark Raving Dad” can only raise so high in my estimation.
I have season three on DVD, so I have access to watching this episode. I just can’t recall the last time I bothered to watch it without the audio commentary where they talk about how weird Jackson was. That’s the only substantive value to watching “Stark Raving Dad” these days.
