Once Upon a Time in Springfield

"Once Upon a Time in Springfield" is the tenth episode of Season 21. It originally aired on January 10, 2010.

Synopsis
Krusty is forced to add a female character named Princess Penelope to his show in order to attract more female viewers. She immediately overshadows Krusty as the ratings improve. Bart and Milhouse want to get the show back to the way it was, but the situation gets more complicated when Krusty and Penelope fall in love and decide to get married. Meanwhile, Homer, Lenny, and Carl consider working at a competing nuclear plant when Mr. Burns cuts off their daily doughnut service.

Plot
Krusty, after performing a show, is approached by two network executives who tell him they need to make big changes in the show to increase ratings of girls. Krusty refuses, but they are ready to make a reality show to find his replacement. Desperate to stay in this sweet gig, he agrees. The next show, he introduce Princess Penelope. Girls like Lisa are fascinated with Penelope, but boys like Bart and Milhouse are almost sick watching it.

Meanwhile, Marge gets a fryer and starts making donuts. Homer doesn't eat, expecting there are going to be donuts at work. However Mr Burns removes them saying he needs to cut the expenses since he still in the 1930s depression, he, Lenny and Carl decide to go drinking at Moe's Tavern. There they meet a business man, who's looking for new Nuclear Power Plant workers. He leads the trio on a guided tour of Capital City's power plant, which turns out to be much better. When they go to quit, Mr. Burns manages to convince them to stay by providing them 'special' donuts at the plant.

Meanwhile, Krusty and Princess Penelope's relationship grows, and before long, Krusty asks for his co-star’s hand in marriage. Bart and Milhouse explain that Krusty has married many women before, and all of them had become very unhappy. Krusty agrees and breaks up with Penelope, which then she leaves. She begins singing in Paris, and begins showing signs of missing Krusty. She then goes to a nearby bridge, looking down at the water. A boat passes by, and she sees Krusty's reflection in the water. She turns around, expecting to see him, only to see nothing. Krusty is actually there though, he was just in the water. She flings herself in the water, and the two float down the river, staying afloat using Penelope's wooden guitar's case.

Behind the Laughter

 * Anne Hathaway won an Emmy for her performance as Princess Penelope.

Once Upon a Time in Springfield