‘The Simpsons’ takes a shot at Lewiston’s Bates College in latest episode

Bates College in Lewiston got the “Simpsons” treatment in last weekend’s show — with Springfield’s bully crew piling on long-suffering Lisa Simpson when her solar-powered car loses a race.

Dennis Perkins, a Portlander and erstwhile Videoport employee, writes in the AV Club:

The episode sets up Lisa’s scientific interest by showing her ill-fated entry in the town’s alternative energy automobile derby. Her solar-powered car loses when the Duff blimp blocks the sun, prompting a chorus of strangely specific insults about her having to settle for an education from Bates College.

“Maybe you can transfer after a couple years — to Bates! Hahahaha!” laughed Kearney Zzyzwicz.

“Enjoy Maine in the winter!” added Dolph Starbeam, who probably has the best name of any “Simpsons” character.

“Hope you like division three basketball!” Jimbo Jones mocks.

(By the way, I had to look up all the bullies’ names, having only ever known them as “the one with the shaved head,” and “slouchy guy” for instance.)

Featured article image by dvs on Flickr.

Bates College, for the record, has shown a good sense of humor over the episode on Twitter.

Dan MacLeod

About Dan MacLeod

Dan MacLeod is the managing editor of the Bangor Daily News. He's an Orland native who moved to Portland in 2002 and now lives in Unity. He's been a journalist since 2008, and previously worked for the New York Post and the Brooklyn Paper.