# Wad Goals

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13th episode of the 32nd season of The Simpsons

"Wad Goals" The Simpsons episode Episode no. Season 32 Episode 13 Directed by Mike Frank Polcino Written by Brian Kelley Production code QABF06 Original air date February 28, 2021 (2021-02-28) Guest appearance Stephen Root as Bildorf Episode chronology ← Previous "Diary Queen" Next → "Yokel Hero" The Simpsons season 32 List of episodes

"**Wad Goals**" is the thirteenth episode of the [thirty-second season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_32) of the American animated television series *[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)* and the 697th episode overall. It aired in the United States on [Fox](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) on February 28, 2021. The episode was directed by Mike Frank Polcino and written by [Brian Kelley](/source/Brian_Kelley_(writer)).

In this episode, [Bart](/source/Bart_Simpson) becomes a successful [caddy](/source/Caddie), but [Marge](/source/Marge_Simpson) worries that it is ruining his character. [Stephen Root](/source/Stephen_Root) guest-stars as Bildorf. The episode received positive reviews. Animator [Nik Ranieri](/source/Nik_Ranieri) won the [Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation](/source/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](/source/Marc_Wilmore), a writer and producer of *The Simpsons* who died on January 30, 2021.

## Plot

On the last day of school, [Ralph](/source/Ralph_Wiggum) 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](/source/Mr._Burns) and celebrities play golf and hang around. He tells [Bart](/source/Bart_Simpson), [Milhouse](/source/Milhouse_Van_Houten), and [Nelson](/source/Nelson_Muntz) 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](/source/Kent_Brockman).

At home, the [family](/source/Simpsons_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](/source/Marge_Simpson) and [Maggie](/source/Maggie_Simpson) take a sneak peek behind a tree and discover Bart sucking up to [the Rich Texan](/source/Rich_Texan) as he pays him. While Bart buys [ice cream](/source/Ice_cream) for the whole family, Marge attempts to have [Homer](/source/Homer_Simpson) talk Bart into quitting his job, but Homer refuses, saying it is an [American](/source/Americans) way of life, and that Bart is just getting used to. After talking about her concerns with [Lisa](/source/Lisa_Simpson), 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](/source/Religion) to allow the course to avoid paying a bunch of taxes, which [Mayor Quimby](/source/Mayor_Quimby) allows. After [Reverend Lovejoy](/source/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](/source/Chief_Wiggum) and other police officers arrest Bildorf for allowing the golf house to start a [sex cult](/source/Sex_cult) inside the religion.[1]

## Production

### Casting

[Stephen Root](/source/Stephen_Root) guest-stars as Bildorf in the episode.[2] This episode marks the first time that recurring co-star [Kevin Michael Richardson](/source/Kevin_Michael_Richardson) replaces [Harry Shearer](/source/Harry_Shearer) as the voice of [Dr. Hibbert](/source/Dr._Hibbert).[3] 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.[4][5] Voice actor [James Sie](/source/James_Sie) has a small role as the [Lama](/source/Lama) in Lovejoy's circle of religious associates.[6] Voice actress [Kimberly Brooks](/source/Kimberly_Brooks) voices Bart's longtime friend [Lewis Clark](/source/Lewis_(The_Simpsons)).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

According to executive producer [Matt Selman](/source/Matt_Selman) the staff had wanted to get [Larry David](/source/Larry_David) of *[Seinfeld](/source/Seinfeld)* and *[Curb Your Enthusiasm](/source/Curb_Your_Enthusiasm)* fame to voice the role of the golf-loving [Rabbi](/source/Rabbi), but when the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) hit, they decided not to bother him.[7]

### Development

On 2021, [Fox](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) released 12 promotional pictures from the episode.[8]

### Release

The episode was originally scheduled to debut on February 21, 2021,[9] but was rescheduled to February 28.[2]

## Reception

### Viewing figures

In the United States, the episode was watched live by 1.24 million viewers.[10]

### Critical response

[Tony Sokol](/source/Tony_Sokol) with *[Den of Geek](/source/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.[11]

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](/source/George_Floyd_protests).[12]

### Awards

Animator [Nik Ranieri](/source/Nik_Ranieri) won the [Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation](/source/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Individual_Achievement_in_Animation) at the [73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards](/source/73rd_Primetime_Creative_Arts_Emmy_Awards) as Lead Character Layout for the episode.[13]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Celestino, Mike (February 28, 2021). ["TV Recap: "The Simpsons" Season 32, Episode 13 - "Wad Goals" Sees Bart Becoming a Golf Caddy"](https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2021/02/28/tv-recap-the-simpsons-season-32-episode-13-wad-goals/). *Laughing Place*. Retrieved March 1, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) ["Listings - SIMPSONS, THE on FOX | TheFutonCritic.com"](http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210217fox11/). *[The Futon Critic](/source/The_Futon_Critic)*. Retrieved February 28, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Maas, Jennifer (February 22, 2021). ["'The Simpsons': White Voice Actor Harry Shearer Won't Voice Black Character Dr Hibbert Anymore"](https://www.thewrap.com/the-simpsons-dr-hibbert-harry-shearer-white-wont-voice-kevin-michael-richardson/). *[TheWrap](/source/TheWrap)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210222202058/https://www.thewrap.com/the-simpsons-dr-hibbert-harry-shearer-white-wont-voice-kevin-michael-richardson/) from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Krol, Charlotte (March 2, 2021). ["'The Simpsons': new Dr Hibbert actor initially turned down role last year"](https://www.nme.com/news/tv/the-simpsons-new-dr-hibbert-actor-initially-turned-down-role-last-year-2892348). *[NME](/source/NME)*. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["The new voice of The Simpsons character Dr Julius Hibbert"](https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-56247935). *[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)*. March 1, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Selman, Matt \[@mattselman\]](/source/Matt_Selman) (March 1, 2021). ["The Lama voiced by fantastic actor James Sie (famous to my kids as the Cabbage Merchant from Avatar: The Last Airbender)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210301014641/https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/1366202863232315396) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Archived from [the original](https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/1366202863232315396) on March 1, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Selman, Matt \[@mattselman\]](/source/Matt_Selman) (March 1, 2021). ["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"](https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/1366242501804236800) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210301042508/https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/1366242501804236800) from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["The Simpsons"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210429223152/https://www.foxflash.com/shows/the-simpsons/photos/?type=episodic&season=s32&episode=3206). *FoxFlash*. Archived from [the original](https://www.foxflash.com/shows/the-simpsons/photos/?type=episodic&season=s32&episode=3206) on April 29, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Listings - SIMPSONS, THE on FOX | TheFutonCritic.com"](http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210128fox16/). *[The Futon Critic](/source/The_Futon_Critic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210305090859/https://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js) from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32.13_10-0)** Metcalf, Mitch (March 2, 2021). ["Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.28.2021"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210302154607/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-28-2021.html). *Showbuzz Daily*. Archived from [the original](http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-28-2021.html) on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Sokol, Tony](/source/Tony_Sokol) (March 1, 2021). ["The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 13 Review: Wad Goals"](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-32-episode-13-review-wad-goals/). *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210301125506/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-32-episode-13-review-wad-goals/) from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Schwarz, John (March 1, 2021). ["Review: The Simpsons "Wad Goals""](https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2021/03/review-the-simpsons-wad-goals/). *Bubbleblabber*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230703173437/https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2021/03/review-the-simpsons-wad-goals/) from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-EmmyBio_13-0)** ["Nik Ranieri"](https://www.emmys.com/bios/nik-ranieri). Television Academy. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210924203309/https://www.emmys.com/bios/nik-ranieri) from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.

## External links

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

- ["Wad Goals"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13653422/) 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 [Wad Goals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wad_Goals) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wad_Goals?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.