 The episode was pitched by Wallace Wolodarsky , who wanted to parody Cape Fear . Originally produced for the fourth season , it was held over to the fifth season and was also the last episode to be produced by the show 's original writers , most of whom subsequently left after this episode . The production crew found it difficult to stretch " Cape Feare " to the standard duration of half an hour , and consequently padded certain scenes . In one particular sequence , Sideshow Bob repeatedly steps on rakes , the handles of which then hit him in the face ; this scene became one of the show 's most memorable moments . The episode is generally considered one of the best of the entire series , and the score received an Emmy Award nomination . 
