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The Simpsons

Airdate: September 30, 1993

Episode: "Homer’s Barbershop Quartet" [9F21]

Written by Jeff Martin       Directed by Mark Kirkland

This was the 100th episode and the 5th season premiere of this hit series on the Fox network. A clip including the Dapper Dans (Shelby Grimm - lead, Mike Economou - tenor, Jim Campbell - bass, Dan Jordan - baritone) singing "Baby On Board" from this episode was used in a later one: "All Singing, All Dancing." [5F24]

Starring: Dan Castellaneta (Quimby, Homer, Barney, Abe, Captain McAllister, Willy), Julie Kavner (Marge, Joan Rivers), Nancy Cartwright (Bart, news boy), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Hank Azaria (man at Malibu Stacey booth, Wiggum, Apu, Moe, Snake, reporter, bellhop, Human Fly), Harry Shearer (Skinner, Herman, Flanders, Lovejoy, Nigel, Jasper, Reagan, Johnny Carson, reporter)

Special guest voices: George Harrison (himself), David Crosby (himself)

Also starring: Pamela Hayden (reporter, Mrs. Wiggum, Yoko)
 

 

This episode follows the rise and fall of Homer’s barbershop quartet, the Be Sharps, as they earn fame and fortune (including a Grammy in 1986). Homer, Apu, Principal Skinner and Barney (taking Chief Wiggum’s place after he was dismissed) hit the top of the charts with "Baby On Board." The Dapper Dans provided the singing voices behind the songs "Baby On Board" (which they arranged and co-wrote with Jeff Martin), "Coney Island Baby" and "Sweet Adeline."

The writer of this episode, Jeff Martin, often visited Disneyland as a guest and would always enjoy the Dapper Dans.   When The Simpsons needed a barbershop quartet to provide the singing voices for "The Be Sharps," Jeff immediately thought of the Dapper Dans.

 

While rummaging through bins of old records at the Springfield Swap Meet, Lisa and Bart Simpson find a record: Meet The Be Sharps. It turns out their dad Homer had a barbershop quartet in his younger and hairier days.

The Be Sharps arrive at JFK Airport ala The Beatles to throngs of screaming fans. This is one of many Beatles parallels alluded to in the episode

 

 

 

The Be Sharps begin performing at numerous civic functions and other public venues.

Left to right:
Apu  (later renamed Apu "de Beaumarchais"),
Barney  (whom they found singing while looking for his toothpick on a bathroom floor),
Homer  (told to keep his marriage a secret as women need to think they can have sex with  him),
Principal Skinner  (the "funny one.")

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

At the 1986 Grammy Awards, David Crosby awards the Be Sharps the Grammy for "Outstanding Soul, Spoken Word, or Barbershop Album of the Year."

 


Homer pulls out one of the Be Sharps’ later albums to show Lisa and Bart. Notice the resemblance to the "Abbey Road" album of The Beatles

You can hear the Dapper Dans as The Be Sharps performing "Baby On Board"on Rhino Records’ CD The Simpsons - Songs in the Key of Springfield, an album containing music from many episodes of the series.

Jim Campbell, Mike Economou,
Dan Jordan, Shelby Grimm

Cavorting in front of a display at The Simpsons 100th Episode and Season Premeire Party for "Homer's Barbershop Quartet" episode on which they provided the singing voices for The Be Sharps.

Momento given to the Dapper Dans. 
The gold plate on the bottom reads:
Presented to The Be Sharps in recognition of the musical contribution this "Fab Four" has made with their hit "Baby On Board" (which has sold a whole bunch of records).

 

 
For a complete transcript and more
information on this episode,
as well as the entire series, go to:   

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