Itchy & Scratchy & Marge facts for kids

"Itchy & Scratchy & Marge"
The Simpsons episode
Episode no.	Season 2 Episode 9
Directed by	Jim Reardon
Written by	John Swartzwelder
Production code	7F09
Original air date	December 20, 1990 (1990-12-20)
Guest appearance(s)
Alex Rocco as Roger Meyers, Jr.
Episode chronology
← Previous "Bart the Daredevil" Next → "Bart Gets Hit by a Car"
The Simpsons (season 2) List of The Simpsons episodes

"Itchy & Scratchy & Marge" is the ninth episode from the second season of the popular TV show The Simpsons. It first aired on December 20, 1990. In this episode, Maggie, the youngest Simpson, uses a mallet on her dad, Homer. Her mom, Marge, thinks a cartoon called "The Itchy & Scratchy Show" is to blame for Maggie's actions.

This episode was written by John Swartzwelder. It was also the first episode directed by Jim Reardon. The actor Alex Rocco appears for the first time as Roger Meyers, Jr., who is an important character in the story.

About the Episode

What Happens?

The story begins when Maggie, who is usually a sweet baby, copies something she saw on TV. She uses a mallet, a type of hammer, on Homer's head. Marge is very worried by this. She believes that the violent cartoons Maggie watches, especially "The Itchy & Scratchy Show," are making her act this way.

"The Itchy & Scratchy Show" is a cartoon within The Simpsons. It features a mouse named Itchy and a cat named Scratchy. Their cartoons are known for being very silly and over-the-top violent.

Marge's Big Idea

Marge decides to do something about the violence on TV. She starts a group called "SNUH," which stands for "Springfieldians for Nonviolence, Understanding, and Helping." Her goal is to make "The Itchy & Scratchy Show" less violent. Many people join her group, and they start to get a lot of attention.

The Show's Creator

Marge's efforts eventually reach Roger Meyers, Jr. He is the boss of the studio that makes "The Itchy & Scratchy Show." He doesn't want to change the cartoons. He believes that people should be able to watch what they want. This creates a big discussion about what is right for TV.

Why is it Important?

This episode talks about a big question: Should TV shows be censored, or should people be free to watch whatever they want? Marge believes that violent cartoons can be bad for kids. Roger Meyers, Jr. thinks that changing the show would take away people's freedom. The episode makes you think about both sides of this argument. It shows how different people have different ideas about what is appropriate for TV.

Characters You'll Meet

• Marge Simpson: She is the mom of the Simpson family. She is kind and caring, and she often tries to make things better in her town.
• Homer Simpson: He is the dad of the Simpson family. He loves to eat donuts and watch TV.
• Maggie Simpson: She is the baby of the family. She usually doesn't talk, but she often does funny or surprising things.
• Roger Meyers, Jr.: He is the head of the company that makes "The Itchy & Scratchy Show." He is a businessman who cares about his cartoons.

Fun Facts

• This episode was the first time that Alex Rocco played the voice of Roger Meyers, Jr.
• The story of Marge trying to change the cartoon is a bit like real-life events where people have tried to make TV shows less violent.

Images for kids

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  This was the first episode in which Alex Rocco guest starred as Roger Meyers, Jr.

See also

In Spanish: Itchy & Scratchy & Marge para niños