Johnny Tightlips

Giovanni Silencio/Jonathan "Johnny Tightlips" Schmallippe
Sex
Status
Alias(es)	Giovanni Silencio; Jonathan Schmallippe; Goon; Tightlips
Hair	Black
Occupation	Mobster
Relatives	Grandmother: Unnamed (Affectionately referred to by him as “Granny”) Mother: Unnamed Daughter: Unnamed
First appearance	"Insane Clown Poppy"
Voiced by	Hank Azaria

“I ain't sayin' nothin'!”

―Johnny's catchphrase

“Tell him to suck a lemon.”

―Johnny's quote

“YOU are a hybrid; Half idiot, half moron.”

―Johnny, to Louie after the latter asked to try out a car hybrid at the Lexus dealership

Johnny Tightlips, also known by his legal name, Jonathan Schmallippe, (Born Giovanni Silencio) is a frequently appearing mobster and an associate of his old boss Fat Tony, as well as his current boss, Fit-Fat Tony.

Profile

Johnny is presumably in his 30s, and he works for the D'Amico Crime Family.

He has a grandmother (Who he affectionately calls "Granny") and mother. Although in "Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge,” when Fat Tony asked Johnny how his mother is, he reticently exclaims and then says “Oo-whee, who says I have a mother?".

Even in his cameo appearance in "I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say D'oh,” he is seen attending with his unnamed infant daughter, alongside Frankie the Squealer and his unnamed infant son, the same Daddy and Me class (A class for fathers and their babies) that Homer Simpson attended with Maggie Simpson, revealing that he and Frankie, like Fat Tony with Michael D'Amico, (As well as Legs and Louie with Calves and Louie Jr. respectively in the comics) are fathers as well.

Appearance

Johnny has short black wavy hair that is receding, thick black eyebrows, shifty eyes, and wears a purple suit, a pale purple shirt with dark purple pinstripes, a light purple necktie, purple pants, and dark purple shoes. In "Insane Clown Poppy" and "Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge,” Johnny's skin color had a darker shade of yellow, then starting in Season 14, his skin is instead a normal yellow coloration. Also, the pinstripe linings on his shirt and even his eyebrows sometimes disappear and reappear in different shots in some episodes.

History

Johnny Tightlips first appears in "Insane Clown Poppy,” where he is at a mafia meeting. Later in the episode, he gets shot. When Louie asks him questions out of concern for him, he dodges them automatically.

His second appearance is in “Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge,” where he and his three other goons (Whom Fat Tony referred to as "[His] Joisey [Jersey] muscle.") go with Fat Tony, Legs, and Louie to the Simpsons’ house in an attempt to kill Homer out of revenge for his business, SpringShield, busting Fat Tony, Legs, and Louie for trying to illegally sell some ferrets disguised as toy poodles. They all get shot by Maggie, which they didn’t know, and then, offscreen, arrested by Chief Wiggum, who got his job as a police chief back after Homer decides to quit and end SpringShield due to him almost getting killed by the mafia for it.

The only time he ever got emotional was in "Moe Baby Blues" when he broke down crying along with Fat Tony's gang, the Castellaneta Family, and President of the Italian-American Anti-Defamation League upon being touched by Maggie's innocence that Moe Szyslak pointed out when the latter saved her from an "Italian-American-Mexican Standoff" at Luigi's by pointing out how her innocence changed his life before.

In "The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer," he, while visiting an unconscious recuperating Fat Tony at the hospital after their rival mobsters, the Calabresis, shot him down with some non-fatal gunshot wounds, actually showed some concern for Fat Tony, admitting that if the Calabresis aren't taken care of, they will put the unconscious recuperating Fat Tony, who is going through a "Morphine mambo," in a "Dirt nap." He then later casually comforted Fat Tony’s son, Michael, by encouraging him to temporally take his father's place as the mafia’s don until Fat Tony is better. He then, a few seconds later, also, in bitter annoyance, described to Louie in his face that he is a "Hybrid; Half idiot, half moron.", when Louie asked about going to try out a new car hybrid at the Lexus dealership on the way back to the Legitimate Businessman's Social Club.

In "Waverly Hills 9-0-2-1-D'oh," it’s revealed that, upon learning from Wiggum that Batman will be at his son, Ralph Wiggum’s, birthday party, Johnny, along with Fat Tony, Legs, and Louie, is terrified of Batman, admitting that "[He] ain’t messing with no caped crusader!”, due to the fact that Batman would beat a villain up for a confession.

In their brief cameo in "Rednecks and Broomsticks," Frankie admitted that Johnny has a bad back while Johnny, Legs, and Louie were forcing Frankie to dig his own grave in the woods when Johnny suggested that he, himself, will dig Frankie's grave for him in a threatening way.

In "What to Expect When Bart's Expecting," upon finding out that Bart Simpson had helped successfully impregnated Fit-Fat Tony’s horse with an unborn male foal with Homer’s help within 24 hours upon the two's abduction by the mafia, despite Louie happily and cluelessly pointing out how happy Johnny is at the good news, he is, deep down, pleased with the rest of the mafia who happily responded to those good news, yet he was the only one who didn't actually smile on the outside.

Homer even mentioned to Dan Gillick, in order to "Convince" the latter to spare Johnny and the mafia members he was ordered to "Rub out" by Fit-Fat Tony, that Johnny digs wells while, at his spare times, vacationing in Darfur, indicating that Johnny, despite being a criminal mobster, also shows an altruistic side at times when it comes to charity work. (Although Dan had already asked Homer to stop him from killing Johnny and the other mobsters) ("Penny-Wiseguys")

Although very reticent and laconic, and at times altruistic, that doesn't mean he isn't treacherous, as Fit-Fat Tony learned the hard way when Johnny framed Fit-Fat Tony for pickpocketing wallets and set Fit-Fat Tony up into walking into a warehouse storing them, and what gave him the confidence to betray Fit-Fat Tony by framing him and becoming the new boss is taking some Paxil, which is also his confidence-boosting medication. But after Fit-Fat Tony cleared his name and exposed Johnny as the real wallet pickpocket with the police's help, Johnny was then arrested after he accidentally almost killed Homer by accidentally shooting him in his rear when Johnny meant to shoot Fit-Fat Tony. Afterwards, Johnny, for unknown reasons, ended up being reaccepted back as Fit-Fat Tony's capo again after being released from jail. (Probably because Fit-Fat Tony admitted earlier in the same episode that he trusts Johnny, and he, offscreen, probably decided, along with the other mafia members who also reaccepted Fit-Fat Tony as their boss again, to forgive Johnny for his actions against Fit-Fat Tony) (“The Fat Blue Line”)

In his cameo appearance in "Diary Queen," when Louie asked Fit-Fat Tony if he, Legs, and Johnny can kill Bart and Milhouse Van Houten upon spotting them seeing them dump Frankie’s body into the river, Fit-Fat Tony told them no because they don't kill nosy children unless they are 18 years old or over. Also just before that moment, Frankie shouts to his fellow mafia members that he isn't dead, resulting Johnny to pull his gun out and shoot at Frankie when Frankie attempted to swim away after shouting to the mafia members.

Speech

Laconic Johnny, at times, says very little, which spares him from accusations of being a "Squealer" (Being the only other suspect besides the more obvious Frankie the Squealer), but his reticence tends to be unhelpful to himself and/or others. When Homer and Krusty the Clown are caught by Fat Tony trying to steal several violin cases containing tommy guns (They were actually trying to take back a violin belonging to Krusty's daughter) during a mafia summit at his mansion, a shootout ensues and Johnny gets shot. When Louie asked him in concern where he is injured, he says, "I ain't sayin' nothin'!". When Louie asked in concern again on what he, himself, will tell the doctor, he says, "Tell him to suck a lemon."

In another case doing a shootout against Homer, who is supported by a mysterious sniper, (Secretly revealed to be Maggie saving Homer from the mafia's wrath) Fat Tony asks Johnny if he can see the said mysterious sniper, resulting Johnny to just say that "[He] see[s] a lotta things."

He has, however, elaborated sometimes. First example, he did explain to Homer, when Fat Tony explained to Homer that there was a way to settle his debt, (Via using his house as a movie set for an adult film) that the title is Lemony Lick-It's A Series of Horny Events. ("The Bonfire of the Manatees")

Even in "Moe Baby Blues," when Louie was worried about killing his mother because she makes good pasta sauce, Johnny points out that it comes from a can, resulting Louie to rebuke his worries by saying, "She's a corpse."

He also revealed to Louie that Fat Tony "[Has] got a thing for the Ya-Yas." when Louie complained to him in question about why they have to watch The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood on the mafia's private jet, easily indicating that Fat Tony likes that film and it moves him to tears literally. ("Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington")

He speaks occasionally in "22 For 30," even revealing he has his grandmother, whom he affectionately calls "Granny," when he sees his Black Lincoln Continental with a license plate number that reads "ZERO2SAY" being towed away from a no parking area with her inside it while he's at the La Coffee Nostra Cafe.

Behind the Laughter

Creation

Johnny is a reference to Frank "Tight Lips" Gusenberg, who was shot down in the real life St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago and repeatedly replied, "Nobody shot me.", before dying at a local Chicago hospital.

On the audio commentary for “Insane Clown Poppy,” it was discussed that the original name for him would be "Tightlips Johnny."

Trivia

• He is called the Goons in The Simpsons Arcade Game.
• The character’s nickname is a reference to the Omertà. (Mafia code of Ethics)
• Fat Tony called him "[His] Joisey [Jersey] muscle."
• His birth name "Silencio" is a misspelling of the Italian word "Silenzio," which means "Silence." ("Silencio" is the Spanish/Portuguese spelling) Even his legal last name "Schmallippe" means "Narrow lip" in German, indicating that he might also be of German heritage besides his native Italian heritage.

Appearances

Season 12

• Episode – "Insane Clown Poppy" (Debut)

Season 13

• Episode – "Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge"

Season 14

• Episode – "Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington"
• Episode – "C.E. D'oh"
• Episode – "'Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky"
• Episode – "Moe Baby Blues"

Season 15

• THOH – "Treehouse of Horror XIV"
• Episode – "'Tis the Fifteenth Season"

Season 16

• Episode – "The Seven-Beer Snitch"
• Episode – "A Star is Torn"
• Episode – "The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star"

Season 17

• Episode – "Bonfire of the Manatees"
• Episode – "Million-Dollar Abie"

Season 18

• Episode – "The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer"
• Episode – "Yokel Chords"
• Episode – "The Boys of Bummer"

Season 19

• Episode – "Midnight Towboy"
• Episode – "Funeral for a Fiend"

Season 20

• Episode – "Take My Life, Please"
• Episode – "Waverly Hills 9-0-2-1-D'oh"

Season 21

• Episode – "Rednecks and Broomsticks"
• Episode – "Chief of Hearts"

Season 22

• Episode – "Loan-a Lisa"
• Episode – "Donnie Fatso"
• Episode – "The Real Housewives of Fat Tony"

Season 23

• Episode – "The Man in the Blue Flannel Pants" (Cog in Homer's head)
• Episode – "At Long Last Leave"
• Episode – "Lisa Goes Gaga"

Season 24

• THOH – "Treehouse of Horror XXIII"
• Episode – "Penny-Wiseguys"

Season 25

• Episode – "Four Regrettings and a Funeral"
• Episode – "Diggs"
• Episode – "The Man Who Grew Too Much"
• Episode – "What to Expect When Bart's Expecting"

Season 26

• Episode – "The Simpsons Guy" (Cameo)
• Episode – "The Wreck of the Relationship"
• THOH – "Treehouse of Horror XXV"
• Episode – "Simpsorama"

Season 27

• Episode – "Cue Detective"
• Episode – "The Girl Code"

Season 28

• Episode – "There Will Be Buds" (Cameo)
• Episode – "22 For 30"
• Episode – "Dogtown"

Season 29

• Episode – "Springfield Splendor" (Non-speaking cameo)
• Episode – "The Old Blue Mayor She Ain't What She Used To Be" (Cameo)

Season 30

• Episode – "I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say D'oh"
• Episode – "Crystal Blue-Haired Persuasion" (Cameo)

Season 31

• Episode – "Go Big or Go Homer"
• Episode – "The Fat Blue Line"
• Episode – "Marge the Lumberjill"
• Episode – "Bart the Bad Guy"
• Episode – "Warrin' Priests (Part One)"
• Episode – "Warrin' Priests (Part Two)"

Season 32

• Episode – "I, Carumbus" (Non-speaking cameo; As his Roman ancestor)
• Episode – "Diary Queen"
• Episode – "Uncut Femmes"

Season 33

• Episode – "A Serious Flanders: Part One"
• Episode – "A Made Maggie"
• Episode – "Habeus Tortoise"
• N/A

Video Games

• Video game – The Simpsons: Tapped Out

Movies

• – The Simpsons Movie

Comic Books

• Comic book – Chief Wiggum's Book of Crime and Punishment
• Comic book – Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide, Seasons 1-20
• Comic book – D'oh-lice Academy

Gallery

Johnny Tightlips armed with his gun

Johnny Tightlips posing while wielding his gun

Johnny Tightlips in The Bonfire of the Manatees

Johnny Tightlips in Chief of Hearts

Johnny Tightlips Tapped Out Unlock Screen

Johnny Tightlips Tapped Out Head Icon

Johnny Tightlips Dodging Bullets Fired at him

Johnny Tightlips in Insane Clown Poppy

Johnny Tightlips and his “Joisey muscle” in Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge

Louie: Johnny Tightlips, where did they hit ya? Johnny: I ain’t sayin' nothin'!

Louie: Then what will I tell the doctor? Johnny: Tell ‘im to suck a lemon.

Johnny: I ain’t sayin’ nothin’. Fat Tony: I understand. How is your mother? Johnny: Ooh-whee, who says I have a mother?

Fat Tony: Johnny Tightlips, can you see the shooter? Johnny: I see a lot of things.

The subtitles in this scene says it all

Johnny Tightlips starting to cry with the President of the Italian-American Anti-Defamation League by Maggie’s innocence touching them

Johnny Tightlips crying along with the President and Louie (Who is about to cry) by Maggie's innocence touching them

Johnny Tightlips and Louie crying with Fat Tony (In the left edge of the image) and Legs (His hand also in the left edge of the image) by Maggie's innocence touching them

Johnny Tightlips (From behind Maggie and Moe) finally crying with Fat Tony, Legs, and Louie by Maggie’s innocence touching them

Fat Tony: I ain’t cried like this since I paid to see “Godfather III.”

Johnny Tightlips (From behind Maggie and Moe) crying with Fat Tony, Legs, and Louie by Maggie’s innocence touching them

Fat Tony and Legs tearfully looking at Maggie while Johnny Tightlips and Louie are crying with them by her innocence touching them

Fat Tony and Legs collapsing on the floor in tears by Maggie's innocence touching them along with the crying Johnny Tightlips and Louie

Johnny Tightlips crying with Fat Tony, Legs, Louie, the Castellaneta Family, and President by Maggie’s innocence touching them

Johnny Tightlips crying with Fat Tony, Legs, Louie, the Castellaneta Family, and President by Maggie’s innocence touching them 2

Johnny: It’s called “Lemony Lickit’s A Series of Horny Events.”

Frankie: With your bad back? Forget about it!

Johnny Tightlips with Fat Tony's son

Johnny Tightlips in Donnie Fatso

Johnny: I ain’t messin’ with no caped crusader!

Johnny Tightlips in What to Expect When Bart's Expecting

Johnny Tightlips in Penny-Wiseguys

Dan Gillick: Johnny Tightlips, give me one good reason why I shouldn’t shoot you.

Johnny: There’s a great one. But you’ll never get it outta me!

Johnny Tightlips in 22 For 30

Johnny: Eh, maybe it is, maybe it ain’t.

Johnny Tightlips and some mafia gangsters

Johnny Tightlips and his daughter

Johnny Tightlips and his daughter 2

Johnny Tightlips and his daughter attending a Daddy and Me Class

Johnny Tightlips with Fit-Fat Tony’s gang in Go Big or Go Homer

Johnny Tightlips in the movie

(After Louie’s line here) Johnny: The boss, he’s got a thing for the Ya-Yas.

Citations