Day of the Jackanapes

"Day of the Jackanapes" is the thirteenth episode of Season 12. It first aired on February 18, 2001. The episode was written by Al Jean and directed by Michael Marcantel. Kelsey Grammer reprises his role as Sideshow Bob and Gary Coleman guest stars as himself.

Upon learning that Krusty has erased all the archival tapes of his show from the Sideshow Bob era, Bob schemes to use Bart as a manchurian candidate to blow up Krusty live on the air.

Plot
When the popular game show Me Wantee! steals ratings from The Krusty the Clown Show, Krusty, annoyed with the network executives, announces his fifth—and-final retirement. During an interview with Kent Brockman, he says he's tired of doing his show, and admits to taping Judge Judy over all his old shows featuring Sideshow Bob.

Sideshow Bob vows revenge by plotting to kill Krusty. He is released from prison and gets a job at Springfield Elementary as an assistant janitor. However, Skinner decides to make him the morning announcer. Over the announcements, he asks Bart to meet him in the abandoned tool shed. Sideshow Bob hypnotizes Bart, and programs him to smash a statue of Krusty at a local Krusty Burger. The next night is Krusty's farewell special, and as Krusty describes the history of his career, Bob straps Bart with explosives in order to kill Krusty.

Bart is sent to hug Krusty, thereby setting off the explosives, but before he can Krusty talks about how he regrets mistreating Sideshow Bob. Bob decides not to go through with the plan, but does not have time to stop Bart from taking to the stage. Luckily, Mr. Teeny, Krusty's trained chimp, seizes the life-threatening explosives, and throws them into the network executives' office (the executives are blown up, but reform ala T-1000).

Bart comes out of his hypnotic trance for good, and he and his family have dinner with Krusty, Bob and Sideshow Mel in a restaurant. Although Krusty and Bob reconcile, Bob is sentenced to death by guillotine - this execution is cancelled after he tells Chief Wiggum that he should have a trial for what he did.