/ 10 March 2000

Lasting first impressions

They may have only appeared once, but these characters made quite an impression:

Poochie: Ill-fated canine addition to The Itchy and Scratchy Show, renowned for habitually “getting biz-zay”.

Rabbi Krustofski (pictured below): Estranged father of Krusty the Clown; co- host of radio talk show Gabbin’ about God.

God: Briefly endorses Homer’s new religion – based around the divinity of Sunday morning lie-ins – before departing to appear “on a tortilla”.

Lucius Sweet: Faintly demonic boxing promoter with dubious past and vertical hair (entirely dissimilar to Don King in every possible way).

Michael Jackson: Previously New Jersey bricklayer Leon Kompowsky, current resident of New Bedlam Rest Home for The Emotionally Interesting.

Mr Sparkle: Advertising icon for new Japanese cleaning product (“for lucky best wash, use Mr Sparkle”). Bears uncanny resemblance to Homer.

Mr Flanders: Hep-cat, goatee-sporting father of Ned. Abandoned concept of parental authority after becoming a “freaky beatnik”.

Chester J Lampwick: Original creator of Itchy and Scratchy, ripped off by fascistic animator Roger Meyers and left to rot in the Springfield suburb of Bumtown.

Mindy Simmons: Seductive donut enthusiast, dubbed a “foul temptress” by a lovestruck Homer.

Mojo: Simian all-purpose assistant to Homer; last seen as a chronic junk-food addict typing “Save Mojo” on a laptop computer.

Nigel: Pony tailed manager of Homer’s barbershop quartet The Be-Sharps. Fires Chief Wiggum for being “too Village People”.

Pepi: Disadvantaged, doe-eyed little boy, temprarily adopted by “Poppa Homer”.

Herb Powell: Millionaire car manufacturer and Homer’s long-lost half-brother. Soon referred to as “Unkie Herb” by entire Simpson family (Homer included).