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My cat's name is Mittens.
―Ralph[src]
I bent my Wookie!
―Ralph[src]
My cat's breath smells like cat food.
―Ralph[src]
My daddy shoots people!
―Ralph[src]
I drank blue juice from under the sink!
―Ralph[src]
My Imaginary friend thinks you are stupid.
―Ralph[src]
I'm a pop sensation!
―Ralph[src]
Can you open my milk, mommy?
―Asking Ms. Hoover to open his milk
Me fail English? That's unpossible!
―Ralph after receiving an academic alert in Lisa on Ice
Hi Lisa! Hi Super Nintendo Chalmers!
―Ralph in Lisa Gets an "A"

Raphael "Ralph" Wiggum is a student at Springfield Elementary School. He is best known as the Springfield's resident oddball, and has been immortalized for his non sequiturs and erratic behavior. His lines range from purely nonsensical, or bizarre interpretations of a current event, to surprisingly profound statements that go over people's heads. 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 and Lisa and Milhouse.

The son of Police Chief Clancy and Sarah Wiggum, Ralph is a good-hearted and generally 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.

Biography

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 dropped on his head by his father. His unique manner of speech is often the source of the character's trademark random 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" 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. As 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 not to be having speech impediments, and learning disabilities. He is in his first year of second grade. He's also shown to be able to drive his father's police car.

Ralph Wiggum is often seen in very awkward situations such as eating paste, crayons, worms, clay, knobs, lamps, and the Easter bunny, and 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 almost every other character 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 irritate and baffle them. After Lisa gave him a Valentine out of pity, Ralph developed a crush on her. Lisa publicly breaks up with him and Ralph is left devastated. The pair eventually become friends and Lisa has generally been nice toward him since.[2] Bart is rather long suffering 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 a 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. Ralph's teacher, Miss Hoover, is indifferent to his personality and his imagination. 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.

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 whole 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. 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.[16]

Friends

Bart Ralph Police Officers

Ralph with Bart Simpson

Ralph has been shown with different children all the time. One time Bart stood up for him to the bullies and befriended him,[17] but most of the time he isn't bullied. 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.

Romances

Ralph has had many romances throughout the series. In "I Love Lisa" Ralph dates Lisa Simpson; later Lisa publicly breaks up with him 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. His future wife is possibly Lisa, although she would have had a romance with Milhouse. Ralph also "came out" during the Simpsons Movie, however this was not followed up.

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.[18]


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.

Death

It is shown during the end credits in Simpsorama, Ralph's grave said 2006-2017, meaning a rumor of Ralph getting killed off in 2017 is out.

The Simpsons Road Rage

Ralph Wiggum appears as both a driver and 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 notable enough 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.[19] He also appears as a holder of one of the three Sparklemon that Homer and Lisa must defeat.[20] 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."

Quotes

  • Why do people run from me? (wets pants)[21]
  • (Talking to Ned Flanders) Normal is an illusory state, the only constant is change.
  • (Presenting an award) When I grow up, I wanna be a principal or a caterpillar.[22]
  • (Walking nearby) Ice-cream tastes like melting.[23]
  • (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.[24]
  • (To Vicki Valentine) Teacher, my shoes are making noise![25]
  • (To Lisa) You ruined the video game, and I ruined my pants![26]
  • (To Lisa) I can't believe I used to go out with you![27]
  • Me fail English? That's unpossible![28]
  • (To Vicki Valentine) My daddy shoots people![29]
  • Miss Hoover, I glued my head to my shoulder.[30]
  • (To Miss Hoover) Can you open my milk, Mommy?[31]
  • (To Miss Hoover) My worm went in my mouth and then I ate it. Can I have another one?[32]
  • My cat's breath smells like cat food.[33]
  • (hugging Comic Book Guy) I love glue![34]
  • I eated the purple berries! (groaning in pain) Bart: How are they, Ralph? Good? Ralph: They taste like... burning.[35]
  • (After a dam breaks and floods the city) I think I wet the bed.[36]
  • Look Daddy, I made a Ralphwich! It tastes hurty.
  • (To Lisa) Hi, Liar!
  • (Future Ralph) I got cloneded![37]
  • (Other Ralph clone after watching one die) That Ralph was stupid.[38]
  • All my friends have birthdays this year![39]
  • Miss Hoover, I don't have a red crayon. (Miss Hoover: Why not?) Ralph: I ate it.[40]
  • 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.[41]
  • I dress myself![42]
  • I'm pedaling backwards![43]
  • Miss Hoover, there's a dog in the vent![44]
  • Help! She's touching my special area![45]
  • (After being thrown through a window) I'm a brick![46]
  • I'm going to Africa. There's lions, and monkeys, and Santa...!
  • And when the doctor said I didn't have worms any more, that was the happiest day of my life.[47]
  • Will you cook my dinner for me? My parents aren't around and I'm not allowed to turn on the stove.[48]
  • I wanna be a triangle!
  • Dying tickles![49]
  • (dressed as Princess Leia) I'm a Star Wars![50]
  • I bent my Wookiee![51]
  • I'm special![52]
  • (insulting Bart) You're going to Heaven.[53]
  • (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.)[54]
  • (after being scared) I'm going back inside Mommy![55]
  • (Watching Marge cry as she hugs him) Your eyes need diapers.[56]
  • Lisa is a sellout! Lisa is a sellout! Lisa, what's a sellout?[57]
  • (After falling on a wind stock) I almost died.
  • (To Marge at the door) Can Lisa come out with her hands up? (Waves his hand to Chief Wiggum)[58]
  • (Squishes an ice cream cone on his forehead) I'm a unitard!
  • (Covered by ants) These dots are itchy![59]
  • (On bus) Go banana![60]
  • Yay! Field day! I can go cuckooing and no one can stop me![61]
  • (Rolled up in a map) When I come out of this, I'll be a butterfly![62]
  • I'm a fun factory! (Puts Play-Doh in mouth and squeezes it out of his nose and ears)[63]
  • (To Ms. Cantwell) If I can't remember the right letter, I'd just put an A![64]
  • (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![65]
  • I'm bembarrassed for you.[66]
  • (To Lisa) Hi, Lisa! (To Superintendent Chalmers) Hi, Super Nintendo Chalmers![67]
  • (After getting announced for an academic alert by Principal Skinner) I won, I won![68]
  • (To Lisa when he's using the computer) I'm learnding![69]
  • (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![70]
  • (To Principal Skinner after he asked Ralph if he's finished going to the bathroom) I finished before we came in![71]
  • I'm Idaho![72]
  • My knob tastes funny.[73]
  • (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![74]
  • (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![75]
  • (To Chief Wiggum after eating a sample of Tomacco) Eww, Daddy, this tastes like Gramma![76]
  • Lisa's bad dancing makes my feet sad![77]
  • Look, Big Daddy! It's Regular Daddy![78]
  • (To Chief Wiggum) Look, Daddy! A whale egg![79]
  • (To Chief Wiggum) Daddy, I'm scared! Too scared to wet my pants![80]
  • This snowflake tastes like fish sticks.[81]
  • My parents won't let me use scissors.[82]
  • Slow down, Bart! My legs don't know how to be as long as yours![83]
  • Principal Skinner, I got carsick in your office.[84]
  • 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.[85]
  • Bushes are nice 'cause they don't have prickers. Unless they do. This one did. Ouch![86]
  • The doctor told me that BOTH my eyes were lazy! And that's why it was the best summer ever.[87]
  • I kissed a light socket once and I woke up in a helicopter![88]
  • (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![89]
  • (While leaving through a pipe after drowning) I saw heaven![90]
  • (To a goat at Martin's party with shrimp in his hand) Want some peanuts, Mr. Elephant?[91]
  • (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"![92]
  • He's gonna smell like hot dogs![93]
  • (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)[94]
  • When I grow up, I'm going to Bovine University![95]
  • I ate too much plastic candy![96]
  • I ate all my caps...ow![97]
  • I found a moon rock in my nose!
  • I'm wearing a bath robe, and I'm not even sick![98]
  • You have the bestest Dad. He read me a story about Chinese food.[99]
  • My face is on fire![100]
  • The doctor said I wouldn't have any nose bleeds if I kept my finger outta there![101]
  • (To Marge Simpson after she calmed Ralph down from running around and playing by himself) Your hair is tall and pretty![102]
  • Wheeee...ow, I bit my tongue![103]
  • Oh boy, sleep! That's where I'm a Viking![104]
  • Was President Lincoln okay?[105]
  • 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![106]
  • (While getting carried by birds) I'm a baby bird![107]
  • 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![108]
  • Your toys are fun to touch. Mine are all sticky.[109]
  • Ha ha! I'm in danger![110]
  • I'm the smartest ball in the bag!
  • (After he returns from Kamp Krusty) I have lemon-lime disease![111]
  • I'm an exclamation point![112]
  • I'm a millionaire![113]
  • I like men now![114]
  • (to a girl at prom) I can use the potty now![115]
  • (after Dr. Wolfe asks Ralph how often does he brush) Three times a day, sir.[116]
  • (after Dr. Wolfe asks Ralph why must he turned his office into a house of lies) I don't brush! I don't brush![117]
  • (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![118]
  • I cheated wrong! I copied the Lisa name and used the Ralph answers![119]
  • The before teacher yelled at me, too.[120]
  • Does that mean you're crazy?[121]
  • Mommy, I have to go potty![122]
  • Hi, Lisa! We're going to be in a pie![123]
  • I made Bart in my pants![124]
  • Hey, my locker's gone![125]
  • (about Bart and Lisa's attached head licking the globe during show and tell) That was gonna be my show and tell![126]
  • Oopsie! I feel a breeze on my bum-bum![127]
  • Look, daddy, "Officer Puppy likes donuts, too!" Mmmm...chocolatey![128]
  • Wheee! I'm a flying saucer! Zoom![129]
  • Mr. Kitty-Cat, take me to your leader, Garfield![130]
  • Look, duckie! I'm shriveling into a big ol' prune! Uh-oh! I hope daddy doesn't put me in a danish pastry![131]
  • Ohh, what a nightmare![132]
  • I like to dig, too![133]
  • But my name's not "Bill".[134]
  • But I like choo-choos![135]
  • Do I live here? If I don't, that doggie looks awfully familiar.[136]
  • Hug me! Hug me! (Skinner puts a "Warning: Do Not Hug" sign on him) Hug me![137]
  • (about Barney Gumble dressed up like Krusty the Clown) He's still funny, but not ha-ha funny.[138]
  • Principal Skinner is an old man who lives at the school.[139]
  • Teacher made me go to Principal Skinner's office when I was dirty.[140]
  • Pop music's hard work![141]
  • In what year was one plus one? (No one says anything) The answer is, the amazing Ralph![142]
  • I want all the love![143]
  • Mommy has bosoms like that![144]
  • Can you heal me? I can't breathe good and it makes me sleepy.[145]
  • Bart's my bestest boyfriend![146]
  • I wanna be in the bakeoff![147]
  • You only had a pretend bite![148]
  • Can you taste the thumbtacks?[149]
  • It's my turn to play! Yippee![150]
  • I made ice poo![151]
  • Roundhouse Ninja Attack Turtle![152]
  • (after his Sparklemon is defeated) Daddy, these two strangers have taken my Sparkle-man! Stranger danger! Stranger danger![153]
  • (getting his scientifically selected career) Salmon gutter?[154]
  • You Choo-Choo-Choose me?[155]
  • I was so glad when you Choo-Choo-Choose me![156]
  • Uh, so, do you like...stuff?[157]
  • Leave me alone. I'm here to play George Washington![158]
  • (reads Lisa's card) "Let's 'bee' friends." It says "bee" and it has a picture of a bee on it![159]
  • (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![160]
  • These man-ladies make me a race judge![161]
  • 1, 1, 1, go![162]
  • I want to be a fire truck![163]
  • Yay! I'm a feature columnist! (pretends to be a fire truck making sirens while starting to run around in circles)[164]
  • He's a (says a series of swear words that are all bleeped out)[165]
  • Hi, Mr. Lisa! If you win, the man-ladies will give you a car.[166]
  • 5, 5, 5, 4![167]
  • Fireworks make my ears yell![168]
  • My daddy's gonna put you in jail! Bye![169]
  • Daddy says I should stay here until I learned how to control myself at the hardware store. Brum brum![170]
  • Candy makes me happy and tired.[171]
  • Two ugly monsters called Patty and Selma say you have to race.[172]
  • 6, 12, 1, go![173]
  • I was in the newspaper![174]
  • You and me are having a playdate. You race and I'll watch.[175]
  • 3, 2, 1, I did it! I counted![176]
  • Chicken legs are scary![177]
  • I just made an uh-oh.[178]
  • Wee, I'm like a little birdy![179]
  • Mommy says scouts are nature's bandages![180]
  • Ralph, Ralph, Ralph! Ralph, Ralph, Ralph![181]
  • You're a stupid head who's stupid.[182]
  • (after drinking paste as he feels funny) My pee came out![183]
  • Yay, a stranger![184]
  • The door says "knock knock"![185]
  • Are you the Easter Bunny?[186]
  • Hi, Lisa! When I eat paste, my lips get stuck![187]
  • Lisa Simpson! Well you we're marry me.[188]
  • I want to go to the box factory. Yay, boxes![189]
  • Can I go home? The leprechaun tells me to burn things.[190]
  • Can you take me to the Bus Depot? The strangers should be candy![191]
  • Can you take me to the airport? I like the suitcase ride![192]
  • Wait for Ralph![193]
  • I choo-choo-choose you![194]
  • My teeth came out![195]
  • My tummy doesn't like your driving.[196]
  • Why are you driving so slow?[197]
  • It's okay I'm not good at things, either. Miss Hoover says I'll get used to it.[198]
  • Thanks for driving![199]
  • Can you drive faster?[200]
  • Thanks! You're the best driver ever![201]
  • I like coconuts![202]
  • Now we've lost! (cries)[203]
  • I'm going to an accident![204]
  • My game doesn't taste right![205]
  • My game is my new babysitter. I like it better than my old babysitter, Big Mutha Truckers.[206]
  • I wanna pick your nose![207]
  • Someone took the roof off that house![208]
  • The doctor says I lost my marbles.[209]
  • (to Chalmers about his energy vehicle) Mine is potato powered![210]
  • (to Hans Moleman) Be quiet, hash browns![211]
  • What's a trolley?[212]
  • What's a vagabond?[213]
  • (whimpers) What's a homeless guy?[214]
  • Prinskipper Skippal! Prinnipple Skipper! I-I found something![215]
  • It's a spearhead! (Miss Hoover: That's your trowel blade, Ralph. It fell off the handle.) And I found it![216]
  • I've got two kinds of wet in my pants![217]

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, 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, a'la "E. Pluribus Wiggum".

Gallery

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

Episode appearances

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. This Little Wiggy
  17. This Little Wiggy
  18. Lisa's Wedding
  19. NeverQuest
  20. Big Super Happy Fun Fun Game
  21. Little Girl in the Big Ten
  22. The Principal and the Pauper
  23. The Simpsons Game
  24. This Little Wiggy
  25. Last Tap Dance in Springfield
  26. The Simpsons Game
  27. Lisa the Vegetarian
  28. Lisa on Ice
  29. Last Tap Dance in Springfield
  30. I Love Lisa
  31. Lisa the Iconoclast
  32. Lisa the Vegetarian
  33. Lisa's Rival
  34. Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens and Gays
  35. Das Bus
  36. Brother from Another Series
  37. Holidays of Future Passed
  38. Holidays of Future Passed
  39. The D'oh-cial Network
  40. I Love Lisa
  41. Grift of the Magi
  42. My Sister, My Sitter
  43. Bart After Dark
  44. Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song
  45. This Little Wiggy
  46. The Bart of War
  47. Lisa the Greek
  48. Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy
  49. Treehouse of Horror XII
  50. Once Upon a Time in Springfield
  51. Lisa's Rival
  52. Bart Star
  53. Bart Star
  54. Grift of the Magi
  55. The Book Job
  56. The Wandering Juvie
  57. The President Wore Pearls
  58. The Dad Who Knew Too Little
  59. Girls Just Want to Have Sums
  60. Das Bus
  61. Dark Knight Court
  62. Black-Eyed, Please
  63. Black-Eyed, Please
  64. Black-Eyed, Please
  65. The Blue and the Gray
  66. Smart and Smarter
  67. Lisa Gets an "A"
  68. Lisa on Ice
  69. Lisa Gets an "A"
  70. How the Test Was Won
  71. How the Test Was Won
  72. $pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)
  73. The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show
  74. Brother's Little Helper
  75. Brother's Little Helper
  76. E-I-E-I-D'oh
  77. Last Tap Dance in Springfield
  78. The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase
  79. Make Room for Lisa
  80. Lisa the Skeptic
  81. Lard of the Dance
  82. I Love Lisa
  83. This Little Wiggy
  84. Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song
  85. Lisa's Substitute
  86. This Little Wiggy
  87. Lard of the Dance
  88. Cue Detective
  89. Lisa the Veterinarian
  90. Lisa the Veterinarian
  91. Lisa the Veterinarian
  92. Lisa the Veterinarian
  93. This Little Wiggy
  94. Monty Burns' Fleeing Circus
  95. Lisa the Vegetarian
  96. Last Tap Dance in Springfield
  97. Bart's Girlfriend
  98. New Kids on the Blecch
  99. Children of a Lesser Clod
  100. Bart of Darkness
  101. I Love Lisa
  102. This Little Wiggy
  103. Bart's Inner Child
  104. Lisa the Vegetarian
  105. Summer of 4 Ft. 2
  106. E. Pluribus Wiggum
  107. The Simpsons Ride
  108. The Color Yellow
  109. This Little Wiggy
  110. The Simpsons Guy
  111. Kamp Krustier
  112. 22 For 30
  113. A Father's Watch
  114. The Simpsons Movie
  115. Future-Drama
  116. Last Exit to Springfield
  117. Last Exit to Springfield
  118. Last Exit to Springfield
  119. Stealing First Base
  120. Grift of the Magi
  121. Lisa's Substitute
  122. How the Test Was Won
  123. Hurricane Neddy
  124. I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can
  125. I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can
  126. Treehouse of Horror XXIV
  127. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  128. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  129. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  130. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  131. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  132. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  133. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  134. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  135. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  136. 24 Hours in the Life of Ralph Wiggum
  137. Friend with Benefit
  138. Kamp Krusty
  139. The Principal and the Pauper
  140. The Principal and the Pauper
  141. New Kids on the Blecch
  142. Waverly Hills, 9-0-2-1-D'oh
  143. Mona Leaves-a
  144. Alone Again, Natura-Diddily
  145. Faith Off
  146. Sleeping with the Enemy
  147. All's Fair in Oven War
  148. All's Fair in Oven War
  149. All's Fair in Oven War
  150. The Simpsons Game
  151. The Simpsons Game
  152. The Simpsons Game
  153. The Simpsons Game
  154. Separate Vocations
  155. I Love Lisa
  156. I Love Lisa
  157. I Love Lisa
  158. I Love Lisa
  159. I Love Lisa
  160. I Love Lisa
  161. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  162. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  163. Fraudcast News
  164. Fraudcast News
  165. Judge Me Tender
  166. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  167. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  168. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  169. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  170. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  171. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  172. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  173. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  174. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  175. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  176. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  177. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  178. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  179. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  180. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  181. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  182. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  183. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  184. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  185. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  186. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
  187. The Simpsons Road Rage
  188. The Simpsons Road Rage
  189. The Simpsons Road Rage
  190. The Simpsons Road Rage
  191. The Simpsons Road Rage
  192. The Simpsons Road Rage
  193. The Simpsons Road Rage
  194. The Simpsons Road Rage
  195. The Simpsons Road Rage
  196. The Simpsons Road Rage
  197. The Simpsons Road Rage
  198. The Simpsons Road Rage
  199. The Simpsons Road Rage
  200. The Simpsons Road Rage
  201. The Simpsons Road Rage
  202. The Simpsons Road Rage
  203. The Simpsons Road Rage
  204. Adventures in Baby-Getting
  205. The Simpsons Game
  206. The Simpsons Game
  207. The Simpsons Game
  208. The Simpsons Wrestling
  209. Class Klown
  210. Paths of Glory
  211. Paths of Glory
  212. Paths of Glory
  213. Paths of Glory
  214. Paths of Glory
  215. Lisa the Skeptic
  216. Lisa the Skeptic
  217. We're on the Road to D'oh-where
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