At a charity comedy show, Krusty discovers that his brand of humor is out of step with modern stand-up comedy. After announcing his retirement and going on a drunken bender, Krusty wakes up at the Simpsons household and, with the help of Bart Simpson and special guest star, Jay Leno, Krusty becomes an anti-establishment stand-up comic (a la George Carlin, Denis Leary, Dennis Miller, and Bill Hicks), but must choose between his ethics and selling out when an agent offers him the chance to be the spokesman for a new SUV.
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Krusty's new image
While at the Mall, Marge sees a shoe store and decides to get the kids some new church shoes which Bart and Lisa don't want to do, Bart even remarks Jesus wore sandals so why should they wear shoes to church. Homer also chimes in but Marge has Homer talk to the bird at the pet shop he likes to argue with. At the store, Gil asks what they would like, Marge says the kids need some new shoes which are for church but also events (doctor appointments, dental check ups and piano recitals). Gil has a selection that might do, Lisa, trying to avoid trying on shoes says she "forgot to wear socks, Gil has a store sock to wear which is gross. Gil who tries to put Bart's shoes on asks him to lace them. up because of his bad back but Bart just refuses claiming that he shouldn't have gotten into shoe selling if he can't tie shoes. Gil leans over which makes his back crack, meanwhile Homer is telling the bird if it wants a cracker, it needs to earn it. The shoes the kids try on are too big but Marge says they'll grow into them in no time. Afterwards they see a stand where they invite people to a comedy festival, after reading over the list, Bart points out they forgot to add Krusty which leaves him unsure. Bart tries to explain Krusty is the greatest, but he immediately goes back to inviting people. Krusty is persuaded by Bart to appear at the comedy festival organized by Jay Leno, Krusty the Clown's old-fashioned and dated material fails to impress the crowd when compared with other, more trendy comics also appearing. Later on the other comedians make crude comments about Krusty but are told stop after Krusty hears them. After going on 'the bender to end all benders', he holds a press conference to announce his retirement, and in short order launches into a bitter tirade against modern-day comics, which the crowd finds hysterical. He is inspired to return to doing low-key events, where he structures a new act for himself as a comic who tells the truth and refuses to sell out to corporate America. Although less marketable and financially successful, he is now credible and trendy. Two marketing executives try to persuade him to advertise the Canyonero, but he initially resists, before succumbing to the lure of money again. He finally admits to himself that it is not comedy that is in his blood; it is selling out.
