Fox' "THE SIMPSONS" spoofed ESPN's "30 For 30" documentary series last night with a "22 For 30" documentary on "ESBN." The episode centered around Bart Simpson who, after becoming the star player on Springfield Elementary School’s basketball team, began to shave points for local mob boss, Marion “Fat Tony” D’Amico. A STEPHEN A. SMITH-inspired character named “Anger Watkins” said of the scandal, “This situation is a disgusting mockery of a repulsive joke that would make me sick to my stomach if there was there was one good restaurant in this town, which there is not! There is nothing to vomit!” Bart’s basketball talent was discovered while in detention with Principal Skinner, with Skinner saying, “A troubled young man who was good at basketball. I’d never heard of such a thing.” Homer Simpson is eventually named coach of the team, telling reporters what his basketball philosophy is, “Shower at home so no one makes fun of your weenie. I learned that from the late, great RED AUERBACH.” The genesis for the point shaving occurred when Homer benched Bart for showboating and unwillingness to pass the ball, telling Bart, “Some of the other parents are complaining. Apparently, they're attached to their children and they want to see them touch the ball.” In the documentary, Bart realizes his mistake and tells the camera, “I thought I was just keeping the score down to get back at my dad, but ‘Fat Tony’ was betting against us every game. I was a patsy. I was scared, Millhouse scared.” But Lisa Simpson, in the role as a grammar school investigative reporter, discovered “Fat Tony” was once the “third-string shooting guard on the Springfield Little Debbies” girls’ team. After she threatened to reveal this secret, he backed down and decided not to kill Bart and Homer after they failed to lose a game they were supposed to (“The Simpsons,” Fox, 3/12).
