"Bart Carny" is the twelfth episode of the ninth season of the American animated television series, The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 11, 1998. Homer and Bart start working at a carnival and befriend a father and son duo named Cooder and Spud. It was written by John Swartzwelder, directed by Mark Kirkland and guest stars Jim Varney as Cooder the carny. The episode contains several cultural references and received a generally mixed critical reception. Plot When Marge unsuccessfully tries to get the kids to clean up the backyard, Homer runs into the house to exclaim to the family that the carnival is in town. After trying some rides, Bart gets himself into trouble by crashing a display of Hitler's limousine into a tree. To repay the loss, Bart and Homer become carnies. They meet up with carnies Cooder and his son, Spud. Cooder asks Homer to run his fixed ring toss game, but Homer fails to bribe Chief Wiggum (despite numerous hints), and Cooder's game is shut down. Feeling guilty, Homer invites Cooder and Spud to stay at the Simpson residence, much to Marge's dismay. To express their gratitude, the Cooders give the Simpsons tickets on a glass-bottom boat ride. When the Simpsons return, they find that the locks have been changed, the windows are all boarded up, and the Simpsons' name is crossed off the mailbox and replaced by "The Cooders". The family is forced to take up residence in Bart's treehouse. After the Simpsons go to the police in order to evict the Cooders from their house, Chief Wiggum refuses to act, still aggrieved over not receiving a bribe. Homer proposes to Cooder, that if he can throw a hula-hoop onto the chimney, they get their house back. If he misses, he will sign the deed over to Cooder. Cooder agrees and steps onto the lawn to watch Homer's attempt. Homer stretches and warms up, as if about to throw, but instead, he and his family suddenly rush into the house, leaving Cooder and Spud dumbfounded, but also impressed that they were "beaten by the best". After Homer initially gloats at them from inside, he begins to feel sorry for them again, and considers bringing them back in. At the urging of a nervous Bart, Marge then distracts Homer by pointing out a special "ass groove" that he