Where Did THAT Come From – President Nixon

Hey hey firework enthusiasts! In our silly lil game, we sometimes see things pop in that we have no clue as to their Origin. They seem familiar, but we just can’t pinpoint from where. So that is why we decided to make a fun lil reminder out of it. To let you know just Where did THAT Come From?

So with the 4th of July update, a lot of stuff appeared in our games. Some old, some new but mostly premium. One of these premium items is President Nixon who came with the Scandal-gate Hotel. 4th of July in TSTO has basically become the time of year EA offers us a president and a lot of us wondered who’s next?  George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter or Gerald Ford?  No… seems EA is only letting true two-timers join our games and this year is all about Tricky Dick Nixon.  Now, you may be asking if President Nixon has it ever been in the Best. Show. Ever. and true to form, I’m here to tell ya. Let’s check out the Simpsons TV Series, shall we?

Our first glimpse of Tricky Dick is in “Duffless” (S4:E16). Homer skips work and goes to the Duff Brewery with Barney. The tour includes old timey posters and commercials from the 1950s. They also show a special one from 1960. In the middle of the presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, they endorse Duff Beer.

“I’d also like to express my fondness for that particular beer.”

Too funny. Nixon may not have won that election, but he did eventually become president. He even appeared in Springfield in “Whacking Day” (S4:E20). File footage of the Springfield holiday includes him beating a man who was holding a snake for him.

Is it just me or does the unidentified man look like Kevin Costner from the movie JFK?  I guess that would mean Nixon is beating New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison. Of course, you could technically include Nixon as appearing in “I Love Lisa” (S4:E15). While not the actual President, Bart’s butt does impersonate him right before the President’s Day Pageant.

Bart: “Hey girls… check out this president. I am not a butt.”

Surprisingly, Richard Milhous Nixon’s involvement with Springfield doesn’t end with Whacking Day. In “Homer Goes to College” (S5:E3), we see our new president getting an honorary degree from the Springfield A & M mascot in a photo.  He later shows up when Sir Oinks-a-lot is kidnapped. He’s one of the pig’s powerful friends.

Speaking of powerful friends… he also attended Monty Burns’ birthday shindig in “Rosebud” (S5:E4). Just like TSTO, only two-term presidents were allowed in.

President Nixon was also a member of the handpicked-by-Devil Flanders jury in in “Treehouse of Horror IV” (S5:E5). You know, when Homer sold his soul for a donut and had a trial in the Court for Infernal Affairs. Gotta love the jury of the damned: Benedict Arnold, Lizzie Borden, Richard Nixon, John Wilkes Booth, Blackbeard the Pirate, John Dillinger and the starting line of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers. Nixon might not be dead yet but the devil did a favor for him so he’s on the jury.

The writers for the Best. Show. Ever. must have had a thing for Nixon circa season 4 and 5, because we’re not done. Nixon is in “Deep Space Homer” (S5:E15) too… well, sort of. As Homer rockets into space, the effects of the G-forces turn his face into that of Richard Nixon. According to Matt Groening, this is one of his least favorite jokes in the episode.

So there you go friends. Lots of appearances in seasons 4 and 5 by a president who is now available in our games. You could count his photo appearing in the list of presidents in “Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts” (S23:E2) too if you like. A very tiny appearance.

Well, that wraps up this origin post friends. Hope y’all have a safe and fantastic July 4th if you celebrate the occasion. I myself will be watching the fireworks at the Happiest Place on Earth. Take care and stay classy and all that good stuff.

TTFN… Wookiee out!