# Undercover Burns

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1st episode of the 32nd season of The Simpsons

"Undercover Burns" The Simpsons episode Episode no. Season 32 Episode 1 Directed by Bob Anderson Written by David Cryan Production code ZABF19 Original air date September 27, 2020 (2020-09-27) Guest appearances David Harbour as Fred Kranepool Phil Rosenthal as himself Episode features Couch gag After the Simpsons rush to the couch, they fall down. The camera moves back to reveal a green screen with Nelson sitting at a computer. He laughs and says "Ha-Ha, green screen." Episode chronology ← Previous "The Way of the Dog" Next → "I, Carumbus" The Simpsons season 32 List of episodes

"**Undercover Burns**" is the [thirty-second season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_32) premiere of the American animated television series *[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)*, and the 685th episode overall. It aired in the United States on [Fox](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) on September 27, 2020.[1][2] The episode was directed by [Bob Anderson](/source/Bob_Anderson_(director))[3] and written by David Cryan.[4]

[David Harbour](/source/David_Harbour) guest-stars as [Mr. Burns](/source/Mr._Burns)'s undercover persona Fred, and [Phil Rosenthal](/source/Philip_Rosenthal) appears as himself.[1] This is also the first episode that [Alex Désert](/source/Alex_D%C3%A9sert) voices [Carl Carlson](/source/Carl_Carlson), taking over the role from [Hank Azaria](/source/Hank_Azaria).[5] The episode's title is a reference to the television franchise *[Undercover Boss](/source/Undercover_Boss)*.[6]

The episode featured Mr. Burns going undercover at his company, the [Springfield Nuclear Power Plant](/source/Springfield_(The_Simpsons)#Springfield_Nuclear_Power_Plant), similar to the format of *Undercover Boss*. It received generally positive reviews and was watched live in the United States by 4.44 million viewers.

## Plot

[Lisa](/source/Lisa_Simpson) and [Bart](/source/Bart_Simpson) go to the power plant with [Homer](/source/Homer_Simpson) for "Take Your Child to Work Day", but [Mr. Burns](/source/Mr._Burns) decides to change it into "Put Your Child to Work Day". All of the children are forced to work, but Lisa escapes and confronts Mr. Burns about the abuse of child labor laws. Mr. Burns decides to hide in the employee restroom. While in the restroom, Mr. Burns sees unflattering graffiti on the walls, and soon realizes that his employees don't like him.

[Smithers](/source/Waylon_Smithers) decides to help a distraught Mr. Burns go undercover as a man named Fred Kranepool. During his undercover operation, Mr. Burns plans to "infiltrate and kill" disloyal employees, but ends up befriending Homer, [Lenny](/source/Lenny_Leonard), and [Carl](/source/Carl_Carlson). Smithers becomes jealous of all the time Mr. Burns is spending with the employees and eventually tells Homer that Fred is actually a disguised Mr. Burns. His scheme exposed, Mr. Burns reverts to his old, tyrannical self.

## Production

### Development

The episode was written by David Cryan, who reached out to showrunner [Al Jean](/source/Al_Jean) on [Twitter](/source/Twitter), asking Jean to read some scripts he had written. Cryan was hoping to be given the opportunity to submit a script for *The Simpsons*, but Jean was impressed enough by Cryan's scripts, particularly those for *[Veep](/source/Veep)* and *[Curb Your Enthusiasm](/source/Curb_Your_Enthusiasm)*, that he invited Cryan to join the show's writing staff. However, Cryan was unable to accept the offer, because Cryan, who lives in Canada, had his United States visa application denied. So, Jean instead offered him a freelance opportunity to write an episode. Cryan chose to write an episode surrounding his favorite character of [Mr. Burns](/source/Mr._Burns), it is Cryan's first television episode.[4]

### Casting

[David Harbour](/source/David_Harbour) guest-starred in the episode as Mr. Burns' undercover persona Fred and [Phil Rosenthal](/source/Philip_Rosenthal) appeared as himself.[1] Rosenthal previously portrayed TV Dad in *[The Simpsons Movie](/source/The_Simpsons_Movie)*.[7] This is also the first episode with [Alex Désert](/source/Alex_D%C3%A9sert) voicing [Carl Carlson](/source/Carl_Carlson), taking over from [Hank Azaria](/source/Hank_Azaria) who voiced the character since [the first season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_1).[5] This came after the producers of the series announced that "Moving forward, *The Simpsons* will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters."[8]

### Music

The episode features "[Why Can't We Be Friends](/source/Why_Can't_We_Be_Friends%3F_(song))" by [War](/source/War_(American_band)), "[Bang the Drum All Day](/source/Bang_the_Drum_All_Day)" by [Todd Rundgren](/source/Todd_Rundgren) and "[The Spaniard That Blighted My Life](/source/The_Spaniard_That_Blighted_My_Life)" by [Billy Merson](/source/Billy_Merson).

## Marketing

Jean released a [still](/source/Film_frame#Still_frame) from the episode on September 9, 2020, on Twitter.[9] Also on September 9, 2020, [Fox](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) released eight promotional pictures from the episode.[10]

## Reception

### Viewing figures

In the United States, the episode was watched live by 4.44 million viewers.[11]

### Critical response

[Tony Sokol](/source/Tony_Sokol) with *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)*, said "'Undercover Burns' makes for a fun and informative season premiere episode. Mr. Burns always delivers, except on any promises he's made." He gave the episode four out of five stars.[12]

Kevin Melrose with *[CBR](/source/Comic_Book_Resources)*, said "those longtime critics who insist *The Simpsons* peaked in 1993 will no doubt point to the Season 32 premiere as only the latest supporting evidence. From the green screen couch gag to its parody of *Undercover Boss*, a reality series that's been on the air for more than a decade, 'Undercover Burns' is hardly cutting edge. And yet, the episode still surprises."[13]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Futon_Critic_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Futon_Critic_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Futon_Critic_1-2) ["(SI-3119) "Undercover Burns""](http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20200902fox15/). *[The Futon Critic](/source/The_Futon_Critic)*. September 2, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210330115239/https://www.google-analytics.com/ga.js) from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Hipes, Patrick (July 22, 2020). ["Fox Sets Fall Premiere Dates For *The Simpsons*, *Family Guy*, *Bob's Burgers*, *Bless The Harts*"](https://deadline.com/2020/07/the-simpsons-2020-premiere-dates-family-guy-bobs-burgers-bless-the-harts-fox-1202992116/). *[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200722194532/https://deadline.com/2020/07/the-simpsons-2020-premiere-dates-family-guy-bobs-burgers-bless-the-harts-fox-1202992116/) from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** @AlJean (January 21, 2020). ["Bob Anderson"](https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/1219733399755079680) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Star_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Star_4-1) Garbutt, Herb (August 16, 2020). ["'Simpson, eh?' GTA man writes episode for long-running show after pitching executive producer on Twitter"](https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2020/08/16/simpson-eh-gta-man-writes-episode-for-long-running-show-after-pitching-executive-producer-on-twitter.html). *[Toronto Star](/source/Toronto_Star)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200818063613/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2020/08/16/simpson-eh-gta-man-writes-episode-for-long-running-show-after-pitching-executive-producer-on-twitter.html) from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Désert_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Désert_5-1) Schneider, Michael (September 24, 2020). ["'The Simpsons' Season Premiere: Here's Who Took Over Carl's Voice From Hank Azaria (EXCLUSIVE)"](https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-simpsons-carl-voice-alex-desert-hank-azaria-1234782691/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200924233315/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-simpsons-carl-voice-alex-desert-hank-azaria-1234782691/) from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Snlerson, Dan (December 13, 2019). ["'The Simpsons' taps Cate Blanchett, David Harbour for guest roles"](https://ew.com/tv/2019/12/13/the-simpsons-cate-blanchett-david-harbour/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200227043604/https://ew.com/tv/2019/12/13/the-simpsons-cate-blanchett-david-harbour/) from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["The Simpsons Movie Cast and Crew"](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-simpsons-movie/cast/284608/). *[TV Guide](/source/TV_Guide)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191114101639/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-simpsons-movie/cast/284608/) from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Petski, Denise (June 26, 2020). ["'The Simpsons' Will No Longer Have White Actors Voice Non-White Characters"](https://deadline.com/2020/06/the-simpsons-will-no-longer-have-white-actors-voice-non-white-characters-1202971437/). *[Deadline](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200627190303/https://deadline.com/2020/06/the-simpsons-will-no-longer-have-white-actors-voice-non-white-characters-1202971437/) from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** @AlJean (September 9, 2020). [".@TheSimpsons Mixing season 32 premiere today!"](https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/1303822230242037760) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["The Simpsons"](https://www.foxflash.com/shows/the-simpsons/photos/?type=episodic&season=s32&episode=3119). *FoxFlash*. September 9, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201030201835/https://www.foxflash.com/shows/the-simpsons/photos/?type=episodic&season=s32&episode=3119) from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Metcalf, Mitch (September 29, 2020). ["Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.27.2020"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200929163233/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-9-27-2020.html). *Showbuzz Daily*. Archived from [the original](http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-9-27-2020.html) on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Sokol, Tony (September 27, 2020). ["The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 1 Review: Undercover Burns"](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-32-episode-1-review-undercover-burns/). *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201029103520/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-32-episode-1-review-undercover-burns/) from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Melrose, Kevin (September 27, 2020). ["The Simpsons: Mr. Burns Goes Undercover in a (Kind of Filthy) Season 32 Premiere"](https://www.cbr.com/tbe-simpsons-season-32-premiere-undercover-burns/). *[CBR](/source/Comic_Book_Resources)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201017115453/https://www.cbr.com/tbe-simpsons-season-32-premiere-undercover-burns/) from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***["Undercover Burns"](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Simpsons/Season_32#Undercover_Burns)***.

- [The Simpsons portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:The_Simpsons)

- ["Undercover Burns"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9761050/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e The Simpsons episodes Seasons 1–20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Season 21–present 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Season 32 "Undercover Burns" "I, Carumbus" "Now Museum, Now You Don't" "Treehouse of Horror XXXI" "The 7 Beer Itch" "Podcast News" "Three Dreams Denied" "The Road to Cincinnati" "Sorry Not Sorry" "A Springfield Summer Christmas for Christmas" "The Dad-Feelings Limited" "Diary Queen" "Wad Goals" "Yokel Hero" "Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars" "Manger Things" "Uncut Femmes" "Burger Kings" "Panic on the Streets of Springfield" "Mother and Child Reunion" "The Man from G.R.A.M.P.A." "The Last Barfighter" See also Treehouse of Horror list The Simpsons episode guides "The Simpsons Guy" Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Undercover Burns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undercover_Burns) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undercover_Burns?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.