{{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox Simpsons episode | image = | caption = | season = 32 | episode = 13 | director = Mike Frank Polcino | writer = [[Brian Kelley (writer)|Brian Kelley]] | music = * "[[C.R.E.A.M.]]" by [[Wu-Tang Clan]] * "[[I'm Alright (Kenny Loggins song)|I'm Alright]]" by [[Kenny Loggins]] | production = QABF06 | airdate = {{Start date|2021|02|28}} | guests = * [[Stephen Root]] as Bildorf | blackboard = | couch_gag = | prev = [[Diary Queen]] | next = [[Yokel Hero]] }} "'''Wad Goals'''" is the thirteenth episode of the [[The Simpsons season 32|thirty-second season]] of the American animated television series ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the 697th episode overall. It aired in the United States on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] on February 28, 2021. The episode was directed by Mike Frank Polcino and written by [[Brian Kelley (writer)|Brian Kelley]].
In this episode, [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] becomes a successful [[Caddie|caddy]], but [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] worries that it is ruining his character. [[Stephen Root]] guest-stars as Bildorf. The episode received positive reviews. Animator [[Nik Ranieri]] won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation]] as Lead Character Layout for the episode.
The episode is dedicated in memory of [[Marc Wilmore]], a writer and producer of ''The Simpsons'' who died on January 30, 2021.
==Plot== On the last day of school, [[Ralph Wiggum|Ralph]] is walking in the streets thinking that he is in a parade, and discovers a golf course in the middle of Springfield, where rich people like [[Mr. Burns]] and celebrities play golf and hang around. He tells [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Milhouse Van Houten|Milhouse]], and [[Nelson Muntz|Nelson]] about it and the group of friends discover that the golfers pay their caddies a lot of money (or as they refer to it, "wad"). Bart and Milhouse get jobs there as caddies too, and Bart starts sucking up towards the club members after being successfully paid by [[Kent Brockman]].
At home, the [[Simpsons family|family]] congratulates Bart at his new job, unaware of how much he is getting paid. After going to pick Bart up from the golf course, [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] take a sneak peek behind a tree and discover Bart sucking up to [[Rich Texan|the Rich Texan]] as he pays him. While Bart buys [[ice cream]] for the whole family, Marge attempts to have [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] talk Bart into quitting his job, but Homer refuses, saying it is an [[Americans|American]] way of life, and that Bart is just getting used to. After talking about her concerns with [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], Marge attempts to post an online article about how the golf course does not pay taxes but accidentally calls upon social groups whose claims against tax fraud threaten to shut the golf course down.
Bart gets assigned to another golfer named Bildorf, who tells him to convince Marge to change her mind. The two then come up with the idea to make golf a [[religion]] to allow the course to avoid paying a bunch of taxes, which [[Mayor Quimby]] allows. After [[Reverend Lovejoy]] and other church leaders prove to be no help, Marge is ready to give up. But after Bildorf insults Bart by firing him as his caddy and hiring an untalented rich kid, then saying that Bart will never be allowed to join the club and will always be inferior to someone like Bildorf, Bart gets mad and joins up with his friends to vandalize the course. Marge is happy to have the old Bart back.
Despite Bart's actions being considered a crime, [[Chief Wiggum]] and other police officers arrest Bildorf for allowing the golf house to start a [[sex cult]] inside the religion.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-28|first=Mike|last=Celestino |title=TV Recap: "The Simpsons" Season 32, Episode 13 - "Wad Goals" Sees Bart Becoming a Golf Caddy|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2021/02/28/tv-recap-the-simpsons-season-32-episode-13-wad-goals/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Laughing Place|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Production== ===Casting=== [[Stephen Root]] guest-stars as Bildorf in the episode.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Listings - SIMPSONS, THE on FOX {{!}} TheFutonCritic.com|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210217fox11/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=[[The Futon Critic]]}}</ref> This episode marks the first time that recurring co-star [[Kevin Michael Richardson]] replaces [[Harry Shearer]] as the voice of [[Dr. Hibbert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-simpsons-dr-hibbert-harry-shearer-white-wont-voice-kevin-michael-richardson/|title='The Simpsons': White Voice Actor Harry Shearer Won't Voice Black Character Dr Hibbert Anymore|first=Jennifer|last=Maas|work=[[TheWrap]]|date=February 22, 2021|accessdate=February 22, 2021|archive-date=February 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222202058/https://www.thewrap.com/the-simpsons-dr-hibbert-harry-shearer-white-wont-voice-kevin-michael-richardson/|url-status=live}}</ref> Richardson initially declined the offer to play Hibbert but accepted when asked again. He wanted to voice the character in a similar tone as Shearer's.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 March 2021|first=Charlotte|last=Krol|title='The Simpsons': new Dr Hibbert actor initially turned down role last year|url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/the-simpsons-new-dr-hibbert-actor-initially-turned-down-role-last-year-2892348|access-date=September 11, 2023|website=[[NME]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 March 2021|title=The new voice of The Simpsons character Dr Julius Hibbert|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-56247935|access-date=September 11, 2023|website=[[BBC News]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Voice actor [[James Sie]] has a small role as the [[Lama]] in Lovejoy's circle of religious associates.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1366202863232315396|title=The Lama voiced by fantastic actor James Sie (famous to my kids as the Cabbage Merchant from Avatar: The Last Airbender)|user=mattselman|first=Matt|last=Selman|author-link=Matt Selman|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=March 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301014641/https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/1366202863232315396|url-status=dead}}</ref> Voice actress [[Kimberly Brooks]] voices Bart's longtime friend [[Lewis (The Simpsons)|Lewis Clark]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
According to executive producer [[Matt Selman]] the staff had wanted to get [[Larry David]] of ''[[Seinfeld]]'' and ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' fame to voice the role of the golf-loving [[Rabbi]], but when the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] hit, they decided not to bother him.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1366242501804236800|title=We discussed asking Larry David to do the voice of the golf-loving Rabbi, but then a global pandemic hit and we didn't want to bother him @TheSimpsons|user=mattselman|first=Matt|last=Selman|author-link=Matt Selman|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=March 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301042508/https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/1366242501804236800|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Development=== On 2021, [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] released 12 promotional pictures from the episode.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The Simpsons|url=https://www.foxflash.com/shows/the-simpsons/photos/?type=episodic&season=s32&episode=3206|accessdate=January 28, 2021|work=FoxFlash|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429223152/https://www.foxflash.com/shows/the-simpsons/photos/?type=episodic&season=s32&episode=3206|archive-date=April 29, 2021}}</ref>
===Release=== The episode was originally scheduled to debut on February 21, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Listings - SIMPSONS, THE on FOX {{!}} TheFutonCritic.com|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210128fox16/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=[[The Futon Critic]]|archive-date=March 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305090859/https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js|url-status=live}}</ref> but was rescheduled to February 28.<ref name=":0" />
== Reception ==
=== Viewing figures === In the United States, the episode was watched live by 1.24 million viewers.<ref name="32.13">{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-28-2021.html|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.28.2021|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=March 2, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=March 2, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302154607/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-28-2021.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Critical response === [[Tony Sokol]] with ''[[Den of Geek]]'', said "'Wad Goals' aims at too many targets and spends some time in the rough. The arc is timed out perfectly and Bart's corruption and redemption resonates. There are plenty of quick and subliminal visual gags, and the pacing altogether is quick. But it doesn't land as many solid laughs. The sex cult payoff is a little too pat, in spite of how unexpected it is. It's almost like a short cut. Maybe the problem is golf. It's not as exciting as even tennis. ''The Simpsons'' does a good job showing how it as one of the ultimate uneven playing fields, the commentary is pointed but the satire is just under par." He also gave the episode 3.5 out of 5 stars.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-01|first=Tony|last=Sokol|author-link=Tony Sokol|title=The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 13 Review: Wad Goals|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-32-episode-13-review-wad-goals/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=[[Den of Geek]]|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301125506/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-32-episode-13-review-wad-goals/|url-status=live}}</ref>
John Schwarz of ''Bubbleblabber'' gave the episode an 8 out of 10. He highlighted the jokes and the performance of Stephen Root. He also thought it was ironic that an episode about protestors trying to shut down a golf course features the replacement of Dr. Hibbert's voice, which was precipitated by the [[George Floyd protests]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 March 2021|first=John|last=Schwarz|title=Review: The Simpsons "Wad Goals"|url=https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2021/03/review-the-simpsons-wad-goals/|access-date=September 11, 2023|website=Bubbleblabber|language=en-US|archive-date=July 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703173437/https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2021/03/review-the-simpsons-wad-goals/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Awards=== Animator [[Nik Ranieri]] won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation]] at the [[73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards]] as Lead Character Layout for the episode.<ref name="EmmyBio">{{cite web|url= https://www.emmys.com/bios/nik-ranieri|title= Nik Ranieri|publisher= Television Academy|access-date= 2021-09-24|archive-date= September 24, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210924203309/https://www.emmys.com/bios/nik-ranieri|url-status= live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|The Simpsons}} * {{IMDb episode}}
{{The Simpsons episodes|32}}
[[Category:2021 American television episodes]] [[Category:The Simpsons season 32 episodes]] [[Category:Fiction about cults]] [[Category:Golf on television]] [[Category:Television episodes written by Brian Kelley (writer)]] [[Category:Television episodes directed by Mike Frank Polcino]]