Skinner's Sense of Snow

"Skinner's Sense of Snow"
The Simpsons episode
Episode no.Season 12
Episode 8
Directed byLance Kramer
Written byTim Long
Production codeCABF06
Original air dateDecember 17, 2000 (2000-12-17)
Episode features
Chalkboard gag(first) Bart writes "Science class should not end in tragedy"/(second) Principal Skinner writes "I ain't not a dorkus"
Couch gagA football is tossed in the center of the living room and the Simpsons dressed as football players dive after it.
CommentaryMatt Groening
Mike Scully
Ian Maxtone-Graham
Tim Long
Matt Selman
David Mirkin
Max Pross
Lance Kramer
Episode chronology
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"HOMR"
The Simpsons season 12
List of episodes

"Skinner's Sense of Snow" is the eighth episode of the twelfth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on Fox in the United States on December 17, 2000. In the episode, a snowstorm traps the students with principal Seymour Skinner and Groundskeeper Willie in Springfield Elementary. When Skinner uses his army skills to control the students, they overthrow him and take over the school. Meanwhile, Homer and Ned set out to rescue the children using Ned's car.

"Skinner's Sense of Snow" was written by Tim Long and directed by Lance Kramer. While the episode's premise is based on an occurrence in Long's childhood, the setpiece came from staff writer Matt Selman. Because the episode takes place in winter, Kramer found it difficult to animate. It features references to Smilla's Sense of Snow, The Deer Hunter and Kristi Yamaguchi, among other things.

In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 8.8 million viewers, finishing in 33rd place in the ratings the week it aired. Following the home video release, the episode received mostly positive reviews from critics.