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Sideshow Bob

 The appearance before the parole board is an old chestnut. Recently, in "Sing Sing," Colman Domingo's protagonist showed character by describing the theater program he had developed behind bars. A white interlocutor then asked, "If you're such a good actor, how do I know you're not *performing* the illusion of penitence--right now?"


"The Simpsons" does something different. A concerned board asks Sideshow Bob why he has "Die Bart, Die" tattooed on his chest. Bob explains that this is simply German; it means "The Bart, The." And an astute adjudicator says, "If he is fluent in German, then he CAN'T be evil...."

Sideshow Bob is channeling De Niro's character from "Cape Fear" ... but, most notably, he is channeling Wile E. Coyote. He gets bashed by a speed bump; he gets hot coffee dumped on his head. He nearly suffocates in Homer's cigar smoke. Homer might *seem* idiotic, but he doesn't have Bob's vanity. So he--and Bart--will always win.

"Cape Feare" is celebrated because of Kelsey Grammer, but we should also note that it's a fine chapter for the Chief Wiggum character. It's only due to the fact of Wiggum (in a bathrobe) visiting a riverboat brothel that the "case" gets closed. Memorably, Wiggum shouts, "Bake him away, toys!"

And we fade to black.
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