"The Computer Wore Menace Shoes" is an episode of The Simpsons. The title is a pun on The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes , a 1969 film that has a loosely related plot. However, this episode makes many references the popular TV show The Prisoner and controversial journalist Matt Drudge.

Episode details

Production Number: CABF02
Original Air Date: December 3, 2000
Writer: John Swartzwelder
Director: Mark Kirkland
Blackboard: "I will only provide a urine sample when asked"
Couch Gag: Santa's Little Helper dances like Snoopy from Peanuts
Guest Voice: Patrick McGoohan as Number 6

Synopsis

Homer shows up to work, but no one lets him in. Lenny and Carl stop by and tell him the plant is closed; everyone else was informed via e-mail. Homer decides to buy a computer. The best one costs $5,000 and Homer must start a fifth mortgage. After he fails to start it himself, Lisa sets up the computer. Homer quickly catches on and starts his own webpage, which contains copyrighted material from other pages. To avoid getting sued, Homer calls himself "Mr. X". When no one visits his page, Homer posts a rumor that Mayor Quimby spent the street repair fund on a secret swimming pool. The rumor is later proved to be true.

Homer later decides to post more rumors and keep digging and probing until everyone is in jail. He later uncovers that Apu is using donuts instead of bagels, a police scandal, and that Mr. Burns is selling uranium to terrorists. Homer wins the Pulitzer Prize, but when he hears to cash reward is going to starving children, he reveals that he is Mr. X. With the whole town aware of Homer's double identity, no one wants to talk to him. As his webpage's popularity goes down, Homer posts made-up stories. As Homer's page gets popular again, he gets kidnapped.

Homer wakes up on "the Island", a strange community straight out of The Prisoner. Everyone there has a secret that a powerful organization doesn't want to share with the world. Homer learns that one of his stories was true (the story he was captured for indicated that flu shots control your mind). While he is trapped, Homer is replaced at home by an impersonator with a German accent. Homer gets help from Number 6 (voiced by Patrick McGoohan) and escapes the island. He returns home and defeats his German double. However, the entire family is drugged and taken back to the Island, where they are quite happy.

Quotes

(after Homer escapes and pops Rover)
Number Two: "Why did you think a big balloon would stop him?"
Female scientist: "Shut up! That's why!"

Homer: (after setting up the computer himself, he tries to command it by speaking into the mouse, à la Scotty in Star Trek IV) "Computer, kill Flanders."

Phil (reporter): This morning, "Mr. X" reported that your own department...
Wiggum: I know, I know. But I assure you, the police do not let prisoners out of their cells and race them...anymore.
Phil (reporter): What about using the electric chair to cook chicken?
Wiggum: Okay, this press conference is over.