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She's touching my special area!
―Ralph after Marge Simpson touches his shoulder.

Ralph Wiggum is a major character in The Simpsons. He is the son of Chief Wiggum and Sarah Wiggum and a student at Springfield Elementary School. Ralph is a well-meaning boy who suffers from either severe learning and social disabilities, and/or some other form of childhood psychiatric disorder. The nature of his mentality is kept rather ambiguous, much like many of the signature traits of much of the show's cast. Like almost every other character in Springfield, he may not be quite as simple as he first seems, as evidenced by his hinted immense potential as a performer in "I Love Lisa".

Biography[]

Ralph Wiggum is an oddball student at Springfield Elementary School. He is best known as the Springfield's resident oddball and has been acknowledged for his non-sequitur and erratic behavior. His lines range from purely nonsensical, unusual interpretations of a current event to surprisingly profound statements that go over people's heads. In "Lisa's Pony", he is strangely depicted as intelligent and poetic, while in ''El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer)" he was the one who stopped Homer from drinking candle wax by accident, which led to Homer doing so on purpose in an attempt at gaining a protective coating for a certain spicy pepper. It was revealed in "Moms I'd Like to Forget" that this was because his dad dropped him on his head when he was a baby. For this, Ralph is somewhat of an outcast among his peers, although he seems to be on good terms with a fair number of the other kids at school, such as Bart, Lisa, and Milhouse.

Personality[]

Ralph is quite an enigma of a child. Upon first glance, one might mistake him for a child with dementia, or, perhaps, they might even look at him as mentally challenged. What is definite, however, is that he can't help it, as evidenced by his apparently slow grasp of things in the world around him, his difficulty in studying, and his sporadic speech impediments. It is shown in "Moms I'd Like to Forget" that he was a normal, well-functioning baby until he was accidentally dropped on his head by his father. His unique manner of speech is often the source of the character's trademark quotes, where Ralph may make a comment such as "What's a battle?", "It tastes like... burning!", or "Mr. Flanders, you're blindeded!," as well as his tendency to call his teacher "School Mommy", which they respond to rolling their eyes, and on one occasion calling Superintendent Chalmers "Super Nintendo Chalmers." He appears to have several talents. He is an incredible tap dancer and played the role of George Washington in the school play. Like Washington, he not only recited his lines perfectly, but also managed to play the role so well that he brought the audience to tears.[1] In Season 2 (or Season 3), he seems be having less speech impediments and learning disabilities. Ralph is in his first year of second grade and also shown to be able to drive his father's police cruiser.

Ralph is often seen in very awkward situations such as eating paste, crayons, worms, clay, knobs, lamps, and the Easter bunny; other such erratic forms of behavior that have since become a staple of the character. Ralph has a rather immense imagination and is seemingly oblivious to the world around him. As such, he is generally a cheerful boy. However, Ralph also has a hint of tragedy and dark satire to him, like most characters on the show. Throughout the show's history, Ralph is eternally the odd one out among his peers at school. He has connections because his father is Chief of Police. Ralph seems to generally get along with many people, as well as occasionally irritating and baffling them. After Lisa gave him a Valentine out of pity, Ralph developed a crush on her. Lisa publicly reveals the true reason she gave him a Valentine and never really liked him, leaving Ralph devastated. The pair eventually become friends and Lisa has generally been nice towards him since.[2] Bart is, however, a long sufferer of Ralph. On one occasion, Bart is forced by his mother, Marge, to play with Ralph. He is at first bored with Ralph but ends up having fun after they steal Clancy Wiggum's master key to the city, and Bart eventually admits that Ralph is his friend.[3] He is also Bart's "last resource" friend for when nobody else would spend time with him.[4] Ralph's relationship with his parents seems to be loving and affectionate. Clancy, in particular, rather adores his son as the two do much together, such as various road trips or Ralph's first trip to a major league baseball game.[5] Ralph can be quite a handful, however, and there are times where Clancy can be neglectful of his son as well. His favorite food is school supplies. Ralph has a multitude of imaginary friends such as Wiggle Puppy and a pyromaniacal leprechaun being particularly well-known among viewers, which tells him to "burn things." Ralph's teacher, Miss Hoover, is indifferent to his personality and his imagination; and though she will often correct him in a dull, condescending manner ("The children are right to laugh at you, Ralph," she tells him at one point) she has yet to outright scold him. This could be because, as he told his father, she is "tired of trying,"[6] as he usually misses the point.

Ralph once signed up for the Auntie Ovenfresh Bakeoff, but his Grilled crayon sandwich with thumbtacks was rejected by the contest (We can kind of see why.)

Ralph was also part of a rather infamous hoax where Homer, Skinner, Apu, Lenny, Carl, Chief Wiggum and others had become so fed-up with the entire issue of voting early for the election that they decided to cast all of their votes to someone who was not only unbelievably small but also so young and unbelievably unintelligent it would be impossible for him to be considered a candidate (and they ultimately chose Ralph). Ironically, Lisa discovers that Ralph is not only aware of what being nominated means, but is also taking the idea of being elected very seriously. Using his childish behavior, he intentionally manipulated the Republican and Democratic parties to join forces in their support of him.[7] Ralph Wiggum is best at sleeping and acting.

Typical Behavior[]

During class, Ralph's teacher Miss Hoover will stop lecturing the class for a moment to question Ralph's actions such as eating something he shouldn't, or saying something bizarre or oblivious. Another common Ralph moment is him being at a major event, and saying something to either perplex everyone present with its insight, or point out something so glaringly obvious it's funny. Ralph has quite a knack for getting himself into sticky situations as well. Examples of Ralph moments include him gorging himself with chocolate,[8] being profiled by a scary dentist,[9] pretending to be a firetruck, saying that he is afraid of chicken legs,[10] pretending he is an imaginary puppy (see "This Little Wiggy"). When Bart was skateboarding naked, saying "I like men now",[11] and proclaiming that he will attend "Bovine University".[12] He has been shown wetting himself in public.[13] Similarly, in the future, he can be seen talking to a classmate by the punch bowl, saying "I can use the potty now."[14] At one point, during a contest for children regarding making a future Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, after Mr. Burns bluntly told him "Thank you, get out!" when Ralph's "project" (which was a Malibu dream house with the word "nuclear power plant" replacing dream house), he stood at the stage blankly staring at the present audience, and only moved to get off the stage with his project after his father yelled from the crowd "Uh, Ralphie? Get off the stage, sweetheart!" Also, in a moment when Skinner was looking at the building sadly and remembering touching moments with kids saying things like "I know how to read" and "thank you, Principal Skinner," Ralph's distinctive voice saying "Principal Skinner, I got carsick in your office", is heard.[15] His usual traits were also referenced in the cover of an article for TV-Guide, where Ralph Wiggum was the only one to remain focused on smiling for a group photograph with most of Springfield's cast when the others, even his father, ended up distracted by Bart Simpson streaking past the group. His abnormal behavior was prevalent and apparent enough that Bart -when attempting to report to the Counter Truancy Unit about his progress in investigating Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney's whereabouts- referred to Ralph as "a very special boy."[16] In addition, he also spoke unintelligibly when suggesting to Bart how to get a baby brother.[17]This particular instance was a reference to Kenny from South Park, due to Ralph wearing his attire as well as him being run over by Otto by accident. This seems to have subsided a little recently, although appearances by Ralph himself have been lighter. Ralph has also demonstrated signs at being borderline psychotic, as he has stated that there is a rock in his yard, where he saw a leprechaun, who told him to burn things. When he later helps save the Mayor of Springfield with Bart and Lisa, the leprechaun appears and tells him, "You've done grand laddie. Now you know what you have to do? Burn the house down! Burn them all!" with Ralph smiling vacantly and nodding in agreement.[18]If you call Chief Wiggum, a recorded message of "If something is stuck IN Ralph, press 1. If RALPH is stuck IN something, press 2. If this IS Ralph, Daddy is not in the phone, so don't open the phone looking for me" will be heard.

Friends[]

Bart Ralph Police Officers

Ralph with Bart Simpson

Ralph has been shown with different children frequently. On one occasion, Bart stood up for him to the bullies and befriended him;[19] but most of the time he isn't bullied, it is perhaps because he is so completely harmless, or alternatively because he is the son of the Chief of Police. He is more commonly shown with the rest of the second grade class; rolling down hills and climbing trees.

Lisa is also one of Ralph's friends, and was once his so-called girlfriend, but that ended when Lisa said that she didn't really love him. Ralph asks Lisa for test answers now.

Enemies[]

Ralph Wiggum bullies Hans Moleman[20] and Miss Hoover bullies Ralph Wiggum.

Romances[]

Ralph has had many romances throughout the series. In "I Love Lisa", Ralph develops a crush on Lisa Simpson after she gives him a Valentine. Later, Lisa publicly snaps; telling him that she only gave him a Valentine out of pity and in the end they are just friends. In "See Homer Run", he is seen with Terri, playing with her and Lewis in a swimming suit with a water cannon in mid June.

Ralph also "came out" during The Simpsons Movie after seeing Bart riding his skateboard naked; however, this was not followed up since his understanding of everything is questionable.

Run For President[]

Ralph became a candidate for President after a complicated series of events. After Homer leaves work, and when he is reminded that his diet is starting on the first day of the month (which is that day), he decides to have one last binge at Springfield's Fast-Food Boulevard. After filling up, he decides to throw away his wrappers and the contents of his car in a trash can outside of a Krusty Burger, tossing away a leaky battery and a lit match. The acid from the leaky battery eats a hole in a gas main, with the lit match igniting the gas and starting a fire which soon causes nearby gas pipes to explode, completely destroying Fast-Food Boulevard.

At a town hall meeting, the enraged residents of Springfield demand that Fast-Food Boulevard be rebuilt immediately. To fund the reconstruction, a bond measure is proposed. As the next election isn't until June the next year, Mayor Quimby moves it to the upcoming Tuesday, making Springfield's presidential primary the first in the nation. Candidates and reporters head to Springfield when they hear the news.

The candidates flock to the Simpsons, who are undecided. Their home is filled with people and their yard is covered with reporters; helicopters and news vans surround the lot. When voting day arrives, an angry Homer and other citizens hold a meeting in Moe's Tavern. Homer suggests the people vote for the most ridiculous candidate, whom they choose after Chief Wiggum suggests himself. The same night, Kent Brockman announces an unexpected turn of events; Springfield has rejected all the leading candidates and voted for 8-year-old Ralph Wiggum. He wins the primary, much to the shock of Lisa Simpson.

Ralph is immediately embraced as the leading candidate; Homer and Bart becoming his fans. Lisa, however, is miserable, as she knows how slow Ralph is. The news report, Headbutt, shows Ralph has no idea of which party's nomination he is seeking. Both the Democratic and Republican parties contend to secure Ralph as their candidate. The leaders of both parties break into Ralph's home, wanting to fight for him. Lisa confronts Ralph amongst the media frenzy, attempting to convince him not to run. Ralph tells Lisa he wants to run so he can bring peace between warring parties and his earnest kind heartedness wins her support. He is proven to be a formidable candidate, and both the Republicans and the Democrats support Ralph for president. They made a political commercial for Ralph, sponsored by both parties.[21] Ralph, however, lost the election.

Death[]

During the end credits of "Simpsorama", it is shown that Ralph's grave read the years 2006-2017, which started a rumor that he would get killed off in 2017. However, it was later confirmed that this was not the case.

Ralph Wiggum did actually die at the beginning of the 2019 episode "E My Sports", when he drank water from a gutter spout until his body inflated and exploded.

However, he is inexplicably shown to be alive in the subsequent episode "Bart vs. Itchy & Scratchy"

Non Canon Appearances[]

Ssi 5 The contents of this article or section are considered to be non-canon and therefore may not have actually happened/existed.

Future[]

In "Lisa's Wedding", he becomes one of Krusty's sideshows but is arrested.

In "Future-Drama", he goes to the senior prom where he tells a girl that he can use the potty now.

In "Holidays of Future Passed", there are many clones of him, including two chiefs, a truck driver and burning clone of him. The first clone told Bart that he died and he was turned into a clone.

In "Days of Future Future", a future version of Ralph appears to be a police officer like his father. Similar to Holidays of Future Passed.

In "Mr. Lisa's Opus", a future version of Ralph is still in the second grade.

In "Flanders' Ladder", Ralph dies at the age of 120 after he is poisoned by his son who would become the new king after his death.

The Simpsons Road Rage[]

Ralph Wiggum appears as a potential passenger.

The Simpsons Hit and Run[]

Ralph Wiggum is a character in the game. He plays a slightly major role in Level 2, where he acted as the third person Bart can buy illegal fireworks from. Based on his comment to Bart just before giving him the fireworks ("My daddy's going to put you in jail, bye!") and Chief Wiggum proceeding to give chase to Bart with the threat of having Bart serve five life sentences of Community Service for the purchase of illegal fireworks, he may have been used by his father in a sting operation against any potential sales of Illegal Fireworks. Aside from this, Ralph also appears in every level but the final one as a Springfield DMV referee for street races, always acting as the third one (he is absent from the final level alongside the other two judges because of zombies taking over their positions). Unlike the other judges (Milhouse and Nelson), it was never made clear why he was hired by Selma and Patty Bouvier to act as a judge, although his exchange with Lisa in the third level implies that his father arranged for the two to hire him as punishment for presumably acting out at the hardware store. In the fifth level, both Apu and Ralph implied that they had been involved in an incident where Ralph nearly managed to somehow drown himself in nacho cheese, and that the event was highly prestigious to cause newspaper headlines.

The Simpsons Game[]

In the PS3 and 360 versions, Ralph is an enemy in Mob Rules. Ralph later appears along with Rod and Todd Flanders as Hobbit-like children who help Homer and Marge defeat the two-headed dragon in order to get the keycard.[22] He also appears as a holder of one of the three Sparklemon that Homer and Lisa must defeat.[23] At the end of the game, he is seen watching the closing moments of the Simpsons family talking with God, then he sees the player and says "Daddy... someone's looking at me."

Treehouse of Horror series[]

In the final segment of "Treehouse of Horror IV", Ralph is shown to be a vampire.

In "Treehouse of Horror XXIV", when Bart and Lisa get into argument they lick the global Ralph tells he was going to do it for show and tell.

In the first segment "Treehouse of Horror XXV", Ralph gets stuck in quicksand.

"Thanksgiving of Horror"[]

In the final segment called "The Last Thanksgiving", Ralph's bones are eaten by the jelly monster.

Quotes[]

  • Why do people run from me? (wets pants)[24]
  • (Talking to Ned Flanders) Normal is an illusory state, the only constant is change.
  • (Presenting an award) When I grow up, I want to be a principal or a caterpillar.[25]
  • My cat's name is Mittens![26]
  • (Walking nearby) Ice-cream tastes like melting.[27]
  • (To Bart) This is my sandbox. Over there is the deep end, I'm not allowed to go in there. That's where I see the leprechaun, he tells me to burn things.[28]
  • (When Ms. Hoover is missing) Maybe she drove to the Moon! [29]
  • My neck hurts and my ear hurts! I have two owies![30]
  • (To Vicki Valentine) Teacher, my shoes are making noise![31]
  • (To Lisa) You ruined the video game, and I ruined my pants![32]
  • (To Lisa) I can't believe I used to go out with you![33]
  • Me fail English? That's unpossible![34]
  • Chicken necks?! (mishearing the word "Next!" after asking what is for lunch)[35]
  • (As a suggestion for how Springfield Elementary should spend a large sum of money) Chocolate microscopes?[36]
  • My teacher says she's tired of trying![37]
  • I'm wearing a bathrobe and I'm not even sick![38]
  • (To Vicki Valentine) My daddy shoots people![39]
  • Daddy says I'm this close to living in the yard![40]
  • (Covered in fake blood) I look like cable TV![41]
  • (About an adult film) Everybody's hugging![42]
  • The before teacher yelled at me too.[43]
  • Miss Hoover, I glued my head to my shoulder.[44]
  • (To Miss Hoover) Can you open my milk, Mommy?[45]
  • (To Miss Hoover) My worm went in my mouth and then I ate it. Can I have another one?[46]
  • My cat's breath smells like cat food.[47]
  • (hugging Comic Book Guy) I love glue![48]
  • I eated the purple berries! (groaning in pain) Bart: How are they, Ralph? Good? Ralph: They taste like... burning.[49]
  • (After a dam breaks and floods the city) I think I wet the bed.[50]
  • Look Daddy, I made a Ralphwich! It tastes hurty.
  • (To Lisa) Hi, Liar![51]
  • (Future Ralph) I got cloneded![52]
  • (Other Ralph clone after watching one die) That Ralph was stupid.[53]
  • All my friends have birthdays this year![54]
  • Miss Hoover, I don't have a red crayon. (Miss Hoover: Why not?) Ralph: I ate it.[55]
  • I'm a furniture!
  • I'm playing with Elmo.
  • The happiest day of my life was when the doctor said I wouldn't hear voices anymore.
  • Fun toys are fun.[56]
  • I dress myself![57]
  • I'm pedaling backwards![58]
  • Miss Hoover, there's a dog in the vent![59]
  • Help! She's touching my special area![60]
  • (After being thrown through a window) I'm a brick![61]
  • I'm going to Africa. There's lions, and monkeys, and Santa...![62]
  • And when the doctor said I didn't have worms any more, that was the happiest day of my life.[63]
  • Will you cook my dinner for me? My parents aren't around and I'm not allowed to turn on the stove.[64]
  • I wanna be a triangle![65]
  • Dying tickles![66]
  • (dressed as Princess Leia) I'm a Star Wars![67]
  • I bent my Wookiee![68]
  • I'm special![69]
  • (insulting Bart) You're going to Heaven.[70]
  • (As a supposed example of a swear word) Mitten![71]
  • (on the phone with Krusty) I flushed a potato down the toilet, now we have to live in a hotel!
  • (School play about why Mr. Burns should donate money to the school) Hello, I'm Dr. Stupid! I'm going to take out your liver bones. (Decapitates a Mr. Burns dummy with a saw) Oops, you're dead! (Mr. Burns: I never liked that Dr. Stupid.)[72]
  • (after being scared) I'm going back inside Mommy![73]
  • (Watching Marge cry as she hugs him) Your eyes need diapers.[74]
  • Lisa is a sellout! Lisa is a sellout! Lisa, what's a sellout?[75]
  • (After falling on a wind stock) I almost died![76]
  • It's Lisa, and she's winning us back![77]
  • (To Marge at the door) Can Lisa come out with her hands up? (Waves his hand to Chief Wiggum)[78]
  • (Squishes an ice cream cone on his forehead) I'm a unitard!
  • (Covered by ants) These dots are itchy![79]
  • (On bus) Go banana![80]
  • Yay! Field day! I can go cuckooing and no one can stop me![81]
  • (Rolled up in a map) When I come out of this, I'll be a butterfly![82]
  • I'm a fun factory! (Puts Play-Doh in mouth and squeezes it out of his nose and ears)[83]
  • (To Ms. Cantwell) If I can't remember the right letter, I'd just put an A![84]
  • (To Groundskeeper Willie after he puts Ralph down from a horse) I like the Play-Doh that comes out the back!
  • (At the temporary tattoo station) I want kitty whiskers!
  • If mommy's purse didn't belong in the microwave, why did it fit?
  • I wet my arm pants!
  • Grandma had hair like that when she went to sleep in her forever box![85]
  • I'm bembarrassed for you.[86]
  • (To Lisa) Hi, Lisa! (To Superintendent Chalmers) Hi, Super Nintendo Chalmers![87]
  • (After getting announced for an academic alert by Principal Skinner) I won, I won![88]
  • (To Lisa when he's using the computer) I'm learnding![89]
  • (While using the gas station bathroom) Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want, so tell me what you want, what you really really want. I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want, so tell me what you want, what you really really want![90]
  • (To Principal Skinner after he asked Ralph if he's finished going to the bathroom) I finished before we came in![91]
  • I'm Idaho![92]
  • My knob tastes funny.[93]
  • (To the Forest Fire Bear while Ralph sits on his lap) And I want a bike! And a monkey! And a friend for the monkey![94]
  • (To the Forest Fire Bear after he asked Ralph if he's going to start any fires) At my house we call them uh-oh's![95]
  • (To Chief Wiggum after eating a sample of Tomacco) Eww, Daddy, this tastes like Gramma![96]
  • Lisa's bad dancing makes my feet sad![97]
  • Look, Big Daddy! It's Regular Daddy![98]
  • (To Chief Wiggum) Look, Daddy! A whale egg![99]
  • (To Chief Wiggum) Daddy, I'm scared! Too scared to wet my pants![100]
  • This snowflake tastes like fish sticks.[101]
  • My parents won't let me use scissors.[102]
  • Slow down, Bart! My legs don't know how to be as long as yours![103]
  • I dropped my popsticle in your toy chest![104]
  • Principal Skinner, I got carsick in your office.[105]
  • Dear Miss Hoover, you have Lyme disease. We miss you. Kevin is biting me. Come back soon. Here's a drawing of a spirochete. Love Ralph.[106]
  • Bushes are nice 'cause they don't have prickers. Unless they do. This one did. Ouch![107]
  • The doctor told me that BOTH my eyes were lazy! And that's why it was the best summer ever.[108]
  • I kissed a light socket once and I woke up in a helicopter![109]
  • (To Bart) Don't I look stupid? (Runs into the wall repeatedly and makes a hole)
  • (Sees electrical wires in the wall after running into it) Mmm, wall licorice! (Chews on wires causing him to get electrocuted, then faints)
  • (While drowning in the pool) I'm finding Nemo![110]
  • (While leaving through a pipe after drowning) I saw heaven![111]
  • (To a goat at Martin's party with shrimp in his hand) Want some peanuts, Mr. Elephant?[112]
  • (To the Groundskeeper after realizing that the "elephant" is a goat, the "shrimp" is peanuts, and the goat is allergic to shrimp) Your breath smells like "Don't drink that"![113]
  • He's gonna smell like hot dogs![114]
  • (While coming out of the melting donut hole from the new Lard Lad statue that's melting) Th-th-th-th-th-that's all, folks! (The statue's melted wax pours on Ralph)[115]
  • When I grow up, I'm going to Bovine University![116]
  • I ate too much plastic candy![117]
  • I ate all my caps...ow![118]
  • I found a moon rock in my nose!
  • I'm wearing a bath robe, and I'm not even sick![119]
  • You have the bestest Dad. He read me a story about Chinese food.[120]
  • My face is on fire![121]
  • The doctor said I wouldn't have any nose bleeds if I kept my finger outta there![122]
  • (To Marge Simpson after she calmed Ralph down from running around and playing by himself) Your hair is tall and pretty![123]
  • Wheeee...ow, I bit my tongue![124]
  • Oh boy, sleep! That's where I'm a Viking![125]
  • Was President Lincoln okay?[126]
  • I want a tricycle, and a dog who won't chew my Hot Wheels, and a brighter future for America! I'm Ralph Wiggum and I have been a good boy![127]
  • (While getting carried by birds) I'm a baby bird![128]
  • Clouds are God's sneezes!
  • Martin Luther King had a dream. Dreams are where Elmo and Toy Story had a party, and I went there. Yay! My turn is over![129]
  • Your toys are fun to touch. Mine are all sticky.[130]
  • Ha ha! I'm in danger![131]
  • I'm the smartest ball in the bag!
  • (After he returns from Kamp Krusty) I have lemon-lime disease![132]
  • I'm an exclamation point![133]
  • I'm a millionaire![134]
  • I like men now![135]
  • (to a girl at prom) I can use the potty now![136]
  • (after Dr. Wolfe asks Ralph how often does he brush) Three times a day, sir.[137]
  • (after Dr. Wolfe asks Ralph why must he turned his office into a house of lies) I don't brush! I don't brush![138]
  • (after looking through The Big Book of British Smiles, which features Britains with plaque, cavities, and bacteria on their teeth) That's enough! That's enouugghh![139]
  • (Playing duck duck goose) Duck... duck... duck... duck... duck... duck... duck... (etc.)[140]
  • I cheated wrong! I copied the Lisa name and used the Ralph answers![141]
  • The before teacher yelled at me, too.[142]
  • Does that mean you're crazy?[143]
  • Mommy, I have to go potty![144]
  • Hi, Lisa! We're going to be in a pie![145]
  • I made Bart in my pants![146]
  • Hey, my locker's gone![147]
  • (about Bart and Lisa's attached head licking the globe during show and tell) That was gonna be my show and tell![148]
  • Oopsie! I feel a breeze on my bum-bum![149]
  • Look, daddy, "Officer Puppy likes donuts, too!" Mmmm...chocolatey![150]
  • Wheee! I'm a flying saucer! Zoom![151]
  • Mr. Kitty-Cat, take me to your leader, Garfield![152]
  • Look, duckie! I'm shriveling into a big ol' prune! Uh-oh! I hope daddy doesn't put me in a danish pastry![153]
  • Ohh, what a nightmare![154]
  • I like to dig, too![155]
  • But my name's not "Bill".[156]
  • But I like choo-choos![157]
  • Do I live here? If I don't, that doggie looks awfully familiar.[158]
  • Hug me! Hug me! (Skinner puts a "Warning: Do Not Hug" sign on him) Hug me![159]
  • (to Principal Skinner) Mr. Army Man, I can't sleep without my Reggie Rabbit![160]
  • (about a scouring pad) It's cold and hurty![161]
  • (about Barney Gumble dressed up like Krusty the Clown) He's still funny, but not ha-ha funny.[162]
  • Principal Skinner is an old man who lives at the school.[163]
  • Teacher made me go to Principal Skinner's office when I was dirty.[164]
  • Pop music's hard work![165]
  • I'm a gulch![166]
  • In what year was one plus one? (No one says anything) The answer is, the amazing Ralph![167]
  • I want all the love![168]
  • Mommy has bosoms like that![169]
  • Can you heal me? I can't breathe good and it makes me sleepy.[170]
  • You're like mommy after her box of wine.[171]
  • Bart's my bestest boyfriend![172]
  • In fifty years, the vacuum cleaner will be quiet and not scary.[173]
  • I wanna be in the bakeoff![174]
  • You only had a pretend bite![175]
  • Can you taste the thumbtacks?[176]
  • It's my turn to play! Yippee![177]
  • I made ice poo![178]
  • Roundhouse Ninja Attack Turtle![179]
  • (after his Sparklemon is defeated) Daddy, these two strangers have taken my Sparkle-man! Stranger danger! Stranger danger![180]
  • (getting his scientifically selected career) Salmon gutter?[181]
  • You Choo-Choo-Choose me?[182]
  • I was so glad when you Choo-Choo-Choose me![183]
  • Uh, so, do you like...stuff?[184]
  • Leave me alone. I'm here to play George Washington![185]
  • (reads Lisa's card) "Let's 'bee' friends." It says "bee" and it has a picture of a bee on it![186]
  • (after Krusty asks him if Lisa is his girlfriend while attending the 29th Anniversary show of Krusty) Yes! I love Lisa Simpson, and when I grow up, I'm going to marry her![187]
  • These man-ladies make me a race judge![188]
  • 1, 1, 1, go![189]
  • I want to be a fire truck![190]
  • Yay! I'm a feature columnist! (pretends to be a fire truck making sirens while starting to run around in circles)[191]
  • He's a (says a series of swear words that are all bleeped out)[192]
  • Hi, Mr. Lisa! If you win, the man-ladies will give you a car.[193]
  • 5, 5, 5, 4![194]
  • Fireworks make my ears yell![195]
  • My daddy's gonna put you in jail! Bye![196]
  • Daddy says I should stay here until I learned how to control myself at the hardware store. Brum brum![197]
  • Candy makes me happy and tired.[198]
  • Two ugly monsters called Patty and Selma say you have to race.[199]
  • 6, 12, 1, go![200]
  • I was in the newspaper![201]
  • You and me are having a playdate. You race and I'll watch.[202]
  • 3, 2, 1, I did it! I counted![203]
  • Chicken legs are scary![204]
  • I just made an uh-oh.[205]
  • Wee, I'm like a little birdy![206]
  • Mommy says scouts are nature's bandages![207]
  • Ralph, Ralph, Ralph! Ralph, Ralph, Ralph![208]
  • You're a stupid head who's stupid.[209]
  • (after drinking paste as he feels funny) My pee came out![210]
  • Yay, a stranger![211]
  • The door says "knock knock"![212]
  • Are you the Easter Bunny?[213]
  • Hi, Lisa! When I eat paste, my lips get stuck![214]
  • Lisa Simpson! Well you we're marry me.[215]
  • I want to go to the box factory. Yay, boxes![216]
  • Can I go home? The leprechaun tells me to burn things.[217]
  • Can you take me to the Bus Depot? The strangers should be candy![218]
  • Can you take me to the airport? I like the suitcase ride![219]
  • Wait for Ralph![220]
  • I choo-choo-choose you![221]
  • My teeth came out![222]
  • My tummy doesn't like your driving.[223]
  • Why are you driving so slow?[224]
  • It's okay I'm not good at things, either. Miss Hoover says I'll get used to it.[225]
  • Thanks for driving![226]
  • Can you drive faster?[227]
  • Thanks! You're the best driver ever![228]
  • I like coconuts![229]
  • Now we've lost! (cries)[230]
  • I'm going to an accident![231]
  • My game doesn't taste right![232]
  • My game is my new babysitter. I like it better than my old babysitter, Big Mutha Truckers.[233]
  • I wanna pick your nose![234]
  • Someone took the roof off that house![235]
  • The doctor says I lost my marbles.[236]
  • (to Chalmers about his energy vehicle) Mine is potato powered![237]
  • (to Hans Moleman) Be quiet, hash browns![238]
  • What's a trolley?[239]
  • What's a vagabond?[240]
  • (whimpers) What's a homeless guy?[241]
  • Prinskipper Skippal! Prinnipple Skipper! I-I found something![242]
  • It's a spearhead! (Miss Hoover: That's your trowel blade, Ralph. It fell off the handle.) And I found it![243]
  • I've got two kinds of wet in my pants![244]
  • I only have this much moneys.
  • (After being hit on the head with a stick) Ding ding ding ding!
  • I eat Legos.
  • Wanna play stuffed animal parade?
  • (while stuck in a tuba) I'm C3-D2!

Behind the Laughter[]

Creation[]

In Ralph's first credited appearance in the show was the episode "Moaning Lisa", he was considerably different in both appearance and behavior from his later appearance, although he also briefly appeared in the first episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". Ralph's signature use as a character in the show is to deliver either an odd bit of behavior or dialogue which either perplexes others or merely gives the audience a quick laugh. Originally intended to be a "Mini-Homer", Ralph eventually took on a life of his own. The staff figured that he'd also fit perfectly as the son of Chief Wiggum, a fact made canon in "I Love Lisa", (although he is referred to by his last name of Wiggum in "Kamp Krusty" before). Ralph was named after comedian Jackie Gleason's character on The Honeymooners Ralph Kramden. Matt Groening considers any lines for Ralph "really hard to write."

Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Ralph (and Bart), raises her eyebrows whenever she performs Ralph's voice.

Popular Culture[]

With a combination of his popular commentary and his endearingly innocent character, Ralph eventually became one of the show's most popular characters. Ralph's popularity as a character has even spread so far that the rock band The Bloodhound Gang made a song called "Ralph Wiggum," dedicated to the character and comprised solely of some of his most famous quotes for lyrics. The song can be found on their album Hefty Fine. Another band, Trillium Circle has a member named Ralph Wiggum, presumably a pseudonym. Ralph also became a prominent pop-culture figure in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election after the episode "E. Pluribus Wiggum" aired on January 6, 2008.

Show creator Matt Groening has stated that Ralph is one of his personal favorite characters on The Simpsons, and whenever someone asks who writes specific characters (a common misconception about the writing process), writers will most likely take credit for writing for Ralph.

The character from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Rowley Jefferson bears similarities to Ralph in terms of appearance and personality.

Merchandising[]

Ralph has his own book in the series The Simpsons Library of Wisdom. He also had presidential posters and merchandise for the 2008 election, similar to and based on "E. Pluribus Wiggum". He is the featured character on the Season 13 DVD/Blu-ray box set.

Trivia[]

Gallery[]

Ralph Wiggum
The full image gallery for Ralph Wiggum may be viewed at Ralph Wiggum/Gallery.

Episode appearances[]

Joystick Video gameThe Simpsons Road Rage

Joystick Video gameThe Simpsons: Hit and Run

Joystick Video gameThe Simpsons Game

Joystick Video gameThe Simpsons: Tapped Out

Joystick Video gameLEGO Dimensions

External links[]

Citations[]

  1. "I Love Lisa"
  2. "I Love Lisa"
  3. "This Little Wiggy"
  4. "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
  5. "If You Can't Wiggum, Join 'em!"
  6. "Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge"
  7. "E. Pluribus Wiggum"
  8. "Bart the Murderer"
  9. "Last Exit to Springfield"
  10. "Fraudcast News"
  11. The Simpsons Movie
  12. "Lisa the Vegetarian"
  13. "Little Girl in the Big Ten"
  14. "Future-Drama"
  15. "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song"
  16. "24 Minutes"
  17. "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?"
  18. "This Little Wiggy"
  19. "This Little Wiggy"
  20. "Paths of Glory"
  21. E. Pluribus Wiggum
  22. NeverQuest
  23. Big Super Happy Fun Fun Game
  24. Little Girl in the Big Ten
  25. The Principal and the Pauper
  26. Lisa's Rival
  27. The Simpsons Game
  28. This Little Wiggy
  29. The Secret War of Lisa Simpson
  30. Simpson Tide
  31. Last Tap Dance in Springfield
  32. The Simpsons Game
  33. Lisa the Vegetarian
  34. Lisa on Ice
  35. Radioactive Man
  36. Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)
  37. Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge
  38. New Kids on the Blecch
  39. Last Tap Dance in Springfield
  40. They Saved Lisa's Brain
  41. The Great Money Caper
  42. Worst Episode Ever
  43. Grift of the Magi
  44. I Love Lisa
  45. Lisa the Iconoclast
  46. Lisa the Vegetarian
  47. Lisa's Rival
  48. Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens and Gays
  49. Das Bus
  50. Brother from Another Series
  51. Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
  52. Holidays of Future Passed
  53. Holidays of Future Passed
  54. The D'oh-cial Network
  55. I Love Lisa
  56. Grift of the Magi
  57. My Sister, My Sitter
  58. Bart After Dark
  59. Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song
  60. This Little Wiggy
  61. The Bart of War
  62. A Star is Born-Again
  63. Lisa the Greek
  64. Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy
  65. All's Fair in Oven War
  66. Treehouse of Horror XII
  67. Once Upon a Time in Springfield
  68. Lisa's Rival
  69. Bart Star
  70. Bart Star
  71. Children of a Lesser Clod
  72. Grift of the Magi
  73. The Book Job
  74. The Wandering Juvie
  75. The President Wore Pearls
  76. Children of a Lesser Clod
  77. Little Girl in the Big Ten
  78. The Dad Who Knew Too Little
  79. Girls Just Want to Have Sums
  80. Das Bus
  81. Dark Knight Court
  82. Black-Eyed, Please
  83. Black-Eyed, Please
  84. Black-Eyed, Please
  85. The Blue and the Gray
  86. Smart and Smarter
  87. Lisa Gets an "A"
  88. Lisa on Ice
  89. Lisa Gets an "A"
  90. How the Test Was Won
  91. How the Test Was Won
  92. $pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)
  93. The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show
  94. Brother's Little Helper
  95. Brother's Little Helper
  96. E-I-E-I-D'oh
  97. Last Tap Dance in Springfield
  98. The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase
  99. Make Room for Lisa
  100. Lisa the Skeptic
  101. Lard of the Dance
  102. I Love Lisa
  103. This Little Wiggy
  104. This Little Wiggy
  105. Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song
  106. Lisa's Substitute
  107. This Little Wiggy
  108. Lard of the Dance
  109. Cue Detective
  110. Lisa the Veterinarian
  111. Lisa the Veterinarian
  112. Lisa the Veterinarian
  113. Lisa the Veterinarian
  114. This Little Wiggy
  115. Monty Burns' Fleeing Circus
  116. Lisa the Vegetarian
  117. Last Tap Dance in Springfield
  118. Bart's Girlfriend
  119. New Kids on the Blecch
  120. Children of a Lesser Clod
  121. Bart of Darkness
  122. I Love Lisa
  123. This Little Wiggy
  124. Bart's Inner Child
  125. Lisa the Vegetarian
  126. Summer of 4 Ft. 2
  127. E. Pluribus Wiggum
  128. The Simpsons Ride
  129. The Color Yellow
  130. This Little Wiggy
  131. The Simpsons Guy
  132. Kamp Krustier
  133. 22 For 30
  134. A Father's Watch
  135. The Simpsons Movie
  136. Future-Drama
  137. Last Exit to Springfield
  138. Last Exit to Springfield
  139. Last Exit to Springfield
  140. Sleeping with the Enemy
  141. Stealing First Base
  142. Grift of the Magi
  143. Lisa's Substitute
  144. How the Test Was Won
  145. Hurricane Neddy
  146. I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can
  147. I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can
  148. Treehouse of Horror XXIV
  149. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  150. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  151. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  152. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  153. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  154. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  155. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  156. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  157. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  158. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  159. Friend with Benefit
  160. Skinner's Sense of Snow
  161. Skinner's Sense of Snow
  162. Kamp Krusty
  163. The Principal and the Pauper
  164. The Principal and the Pauper
  165. New Kids on the Blecch
  166. The Lastest Gun in the West
  167. Waverly Hills, 9-0-2-1-D'oh
  168. Mona Leaves-a
  169. Alone Again, Natura-Diddily
  170. Faith Off
  171. Little Girl in the Big Ten
  172. Sleeping with the Enemy
  173. The Good, the Sad and the Drugly
  174. All's Fair in Oven War
  175. All's Fair in Oven War
  176. All's Fair in Oven War
  177. The Simpsons Game
  178. The Simpsons Game
  179. The Simpsons Game
  180. The Simpsons Game
  181. Separate Vocations
  182. I Love Lisa
  183. I Love Lisa
  184. I Love Lisa
  185. I Love Lisa
  186. I Love Lisa
  187. I Love Lisa
  188. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  189. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  190. Fraudcast News
  191. Fraudcast News
  192. Judge Me Tender
  193. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  194. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  195. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  196. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  197. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  198. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  199. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  200. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  201. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  202. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  203. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  204. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  205. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  206. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  207. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  208. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  209. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  210. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  211. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  212. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  213. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  214. The Simpsons Road Rage
  215. The Simpsons Road Rage
  216. The Simpsons Road Rage
  217. The Simpsons Road Rage
  218. The Simpsons Road Rage
  219. The Simpsons Road Rage
  220. The Simpsons Road Rage
  221. The Simpsons Road Rage
  222. The Simpsons Road Rage
  223. The Simpsons Road Rage
  224. The Simpsons Road Rage
  225. The Simpsons Road Rage
  226. The Simpsons Road Rage
  227. The Simpsons Road Rage
  228. The Simpsons Road Rage
  229. The Simpsons Road Rage
  230. The Simpsons Road Rage
  231. Adventures in Baby-Getting
  232. The Simpsons Game
  233. The Simpsons Game
  234. The Simpsons Game
  235. The Simpsons Wrestling
  236. Class Klown
  237. Paths of Glory
  238. Paths of Glory
  239. Paths of Glory
  240. Paths of Glory
  241. Paths of Glory
  242. Lisa the Skeptic
  243. Lisa the Skeptic
  244. We're on the Road to D'oh-where
  245. Butler, C. (2014) Top 10 Dumbest Animated TV Characters, WatchMojo. Available at: https://watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-dumbest-animated-tv-characters (Accessed: March 5, 2023).
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