In the 1996 Simpsons episode A Fish Called Selma, actor Troy McClure (Phil Hartman) finds himself at the DMV where his sister Selma (Julie Kavner) works. He takes her to dinner in exchange for a passing grade on his eye exam, and the dinner is caught on film by paparazzi. Despite being offered a chance to stage a massive comeback, the show’s creative team remains focused on their own goals. Selma eventually learns the relationship is a sham, but she agrees to keep seeing Troy because, well, she has always been lovelorn and kind of lonely, and he will treat her well. "I’ll make you the envy of every sham wife in town," Troy replies.
One of the first gigs that Troy lands after dating Selma is the lead role in a stage musical adaptation of the 1968 movie version of Planet of the Apes, itself the result of several wild pitches from the Simpsons creative team. The musical, titled Stop the Planet of the Apes. I Want to Get Off!, features a song set to Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus, which captures the spirit of Dr. Zaius. It’s very amusing and imminently hummable, and many fans can sing about how they hate every ape they see, from chimpan-A to chimpanzee.
This musical is a rare opportunity for the show to explore its roots while staying true to its modern identity. Vulture’s oral history notes that while longer commercial breaks have limited the use of extended musical numbers, the show’s approach has evolved. Chris Ledesma, the music editor, argues that the Simpsons golden era was defined by its ability to capture the magic of its early seasons. More recent seasons have even tipped their hat to the Planet of the Apes parody, though these adaptations now feel more like a distant memory due to shorter air times.
Bill Oakley, who was part of the showrunners during the creation of A Fish Called Selma, admitted that he had been trying to recreate the magic of Season 3, which he believed was the greatest TV ever produced. He recalls that the show’s focus on grounded storytelling and daring leaps into space—like Homer at the Bat or Treehouse of Horror II—has inspired the Planet of the Apes musical. This suggests that the show’s legacy continues to evolve, blending nostalgia with innovation.
As the show’s music continues to shape its identity, one thing stands out: the way the Simpsons creators blend historical inspiration with contemporary humor. Whether through a musical adaptation of Planet of the Apes or a story that feels eerily close to the past, the show remains a living testament to its enduring appeal.
