| "Radio Bart" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 13 |
| Directed by | Carlos Baeza |
| Written by | Jon Vitti |
| Production code | 8F11 |
| Original air date | January 9, 1992 |
| Guest appearance | |
| |
| Episode features | |
| Chalkboard gag | "I will not carve gods" |
| Couch gag | The family bounces up and down on the couch. |
| Commentary | Matt Groening Al Jean Mike Reiss Nancy Cartwright Jon Vitti David Silverman |
"Radio Bart" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on January 9, 1992. In the episode, Bart receives a microphone that transmits sound to nearby AM radios. To play a prank on the citizens of Springfield, he lowers a radio down a well and uses the microphone to trick the town into thinking a little boy is trapped there. The prank succeeds, but Bart remembers labelling the radio with his name, tries to retrieve it, and becomes trapped himself. Angry at being duped by Bart, the townspeople refuse to rescue him.
The episode was written by Jon Vitti and directed by Carlos Baeza. Musician Sting guest starred in the episode as himself, though the producers originally approached Bruce Springsteen to appear. The episode features cultural references to charity singles such as "We Are the World". Since airing, "Radio Bart" has received a positive critical reception from television critics.
It acquired a Nielsen rating of 14.1 and was the highest-rated show on Fox the week it aired. It was nominated for an Emmy Award but lost to A Claymation Easter.