Lard of the Dance

"Lard of the Dance"is the first episode of The Simpsons' tenth season, that originally aired on August 23, 1998. Homer discovers he can make money by stealing and reselling grease, but eventually stops after negative encounters with Groundskeeper Willie and the Springfield Grease Company. Meanwhile, Lisa becomes jealous that a new student (voiced by Friends star Lisa Kudrow) is distracting all her friends by using her fashionable personality. The episode was written by Jane O'Brien and directed by Dominic Polcino..

Plot
After going back-to-school shopping, Homer learns from Apu that he can sell grease to make a profit. At breakfast, Homer begins frying up various amounts of bacon to use the grease to make money, then decides to hire Bart for his "grease business," but this, ultimately, forces Bart to quit school. Meanwhile, on the first day back at school, Lisa volunteers to help Alex Whitney, a fashion conscious new student by showing her around the school. To help her make new friends, Lisa takes Alex, Sherri, Terri, Alison Taylor and Janey for lunch in the cafeteria after the two groups group meet up, but shortly after abandon Lisa after being distracted by Alex's cell phone.

Homer and Bart begin their grease business and make sixty-three cents worth of grease from twenty-seven dollars worth of bacon, much to their disappointment. The two continue their grease business, resuming to drive past Springfield Elementary School where Bart gazes at his former schoolmates playing. The pair drive to Krusty Burger, where they steal grease from the Squeaky Voiced Teen's face and the fryers, but the grease Homer and Bart stole is later taken by The Springfield grease and shovel company, who attempt to warn them off.

Alex convinces Principal Skinner to have a school-dance rather than the other event he had organised. Skinner agrees, so Alex and Lisa, accompanied by Sherri, Terri, Janey and Allison visit the mall to purchase party supplies, but the girls detour and begin trying on outfits for the dance, despite Lisa's protests and Alex attempting to convince her it will help her get a date for the dance. The group leave the mall, none speaking to each other. Lisa decides not to attend the dance, but changes her mind and goes to the school to take tickets at the door, but later arrives in a gothic outfit and discovers the boys and girls are on different sides of the room, and explains to Alex it is like this because they're only children, not adults.

Homer and Bart arrive at the school during the dance to steal the grease after being told of the large amount in the school kitchen by Bart. Homer sneaks into the kitchen and plants a hose in the fryer to suck it in to the car, but Willie spots them and attempts to stop them, claiming the grease to be his for retirement. A fight ensues between the two of them after a brief argument regarding Willie's nationality. Homer tries to escape, but Willie grabs his legs and strangles him with the hose sucking the grease, which exploded due to the increased pressure, falling on to the hall where the dance is being held. A grease fight begins among the students, where Alex eventually joins in after being told by Lisa to act her own age.

Cultural references

 * The title itself refers to the dance show Lord of the Dance.
 * Alex tells Lisa not to be a "Phoebe". Alex is played by guest star Lisa Kudrow, best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends. She also tells Lisa that she loves her name, a reference to her real-life name.
 * Nelson's comment, "Here comes the grease ball," offends Luigi. "Greaseball" is an ethnic slur describing people of Italian descent.
 * Lisa's "new look" is similar to that of the Olivia Newton-John character in Grease.

Characters

 * Homer Simpson
 * Lisa Simpson
 * Bart Simpson
 * Marge Simpson
 * Maggie Simpson
 * Milhouse Van Houten
 * Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
 * Santa's Little Helper
 * Elizabeth Hoover
 * Nelson Muntz
 * Weasels
 * Chuck
 * Janey Powell
 * Alison Taylor
 * Alex Whitney
 * Malibu Stacey (Mentioned)
 * Wendell Borton
 * Sherri
 * Terri
 * Lewis
 * Richard
 * Martin Prince
 * Lunchlady Doris
 * Bubbles
 * Happy Little Elves
 * Krusty (Image)
 * Squeaky Voiced Teen
 * Mr. Manuka
 * Grease Men
 * Dash Dingo (Image)
 * Abraham Simpson (Picture)
 * Patty & Selma (Picture)
 * Database
 * School Nurse
 * Milhouse's Date
 * Wendell's Date
 * Groundskeeper Willie
 * Angus McCloud (Mentioned)
 * Agnes Skinner (Mentioned)
 * Uter Zorker
 * Luigi

Locations

 * Try N Save
 * Kwik-E-Mart
 * 742 Evergreen Terrace
 * Springfield Elementary School
 * Grease Recycling Plant
 * Krusty Burger
 * Hailstones
 * Springfield Mall
 * Downer's Party Supplies
 * Dingo Junction
 * North Kilttown (Mentioned)

Vehicles

 * Pink Sedan
 * School Bus (Mentioned)
 * Acne Truck
 * Orange Station Wagon

Products

 * Krusty's Speak and Say
 * Bubblegum Cigar
 * Squishee
 * Malibu Stacey Doll (Mentioned)
 * Happy Little Elves Lunchbox

Companies

 * Acne Grease and Shovel
 * Simpson & Son Grase Co.

Media

 * Sucess

Arcade Games

 * Nuke
 * Great White Hunter

Events

 * School Apple Pick (mentioned)
 * School Dance