Radio Bart (S03, E13-048)

"We're sending our love down the well~" Krusty: "ALL THE WAY DOWN"

Plot Summary
Just 12 episodes after Lisa's birthday, now its time for Bart's birthday, and Homer gets the great idea (from TV of course) to buy Bart a microphone capable of transmitting itself onto AM radios.  On his birthday, Bart finds himself unimpressed with his gifts, including a label maker from Patty and Selma, as well as Homer's gift.  Marge eventually convinces him to give it a try, and in typical Bart fashion, he does find a good use for it: playing pranks.

Whether its tricking Homer that aliens have arrived, tricking Marge into thinking Maggie spoke, using it to spy on Lisa's girl talk with her friends, or making Rod and Todd believe God is on the radio, Bart is having a grand time with his microphone.  He eventually pulls off a grand prank by sneaking a portable radio down a deep well and convincing, well, just Willie at first, that a boy was trapped down the well.  Soon, the town picks up on it, and suddenly there's a huge craze over the boy trapped in the well.  Bart tells the tale of Timmy O'Toole, an orphan whose leg is caught down the well.  It captures the hearts of the town.  However, one day the dog grabs onto the microphone while its active, making people believe Timmy has rabies is or going feral or something.  Lisa catches wind of this and not just chastise Bart over his prank, but also reminds him that he left a "Property of Bart Simpson" label on the radio and when its finally recovered, they'll know who to come after.

Soon, Bart goes on a mission to retrieve the radio, but patrolling cops see a rope tied to a trunk and casually toss it into the well alongside Bart.  When Bart pleads with the cops, revealing the truth in the process, the town quickly and without hesitation turn their backs on the prankster.  The mayor calls off the rescue amidst political pressure.  The #1 song "We're Sending Our Love Down the Well" plummets to #97, and the media moves on to the next big story: a squirrel that looks like Abraham Lincoln (but was later assassinated).

With no help coming, Bart begins to break down.  Homer can't stand it anymore, grabs a shovel and starts digging near the well.  Willie, lamenting his inability to think of digging earlier, joins in, then suddenly the whole town gets wrapped up in a good ol' fashioned hole diggin'.  Eventually Bart is saved, and a simple "CAUTION WELL" sign is placed near the well to prevent anyone from falling in it ever again.

Quick Review
This was a fun episode, one that sees Bart get his for his big prank but still be saved by his father and a town that loves its digging.

Final Score: 8.9