The Simpsons’ Shockingly Accurate Shining Parody

by

The Shining, initially released in 1980, is considered one of the greatest horror films ever made. Remarkably, this cinematic adaptation surpasses its source material in captivating power, despite Stephen King’s initial reservations about Stanley Kubrick’s film. Regardless of King’s feelings, the film continues to draw legions of fans year after year.

In a unique form of flattery, imitation and parody are considered among the most respectful ways to acknowledge greatness. As part of their 1994 tribute, The Simpsons, in one of their annual “Treehouse of Horror” Halloween specials, honored Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, The Shining, by creating a segment titled “The Shinning.” In this segment, the Simpson family takes on caretaker duties at a winter lodge that bears striking resemblance to The Overlook Hotel. By recreating numerous iconic aspects and scenarios from The Shining while infusing them with the characteristic humor of the Simpsons family, they paid tribute to Kubrick’s classic film in an amusing manner.

A Movie That’s Perfect for Parody

The Shining” offers a deeply immersive journey with numerous interpretations. As demonstrated in the documentary “Room 237“, theories about its meaning span from the reasonably plausible to the strikingly bizarre. Fundamentally, “The Shining” portrays the harrowing ordeal of Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson), as he spirals into insanity within an isolating setting. The movie is characterized by a tense atmosphere and scenes that range from emotionally charged to downright terrifying.

In a way that’s hard to satirize or exaggerate, The Shining feels almost flawless for it. Whether it’s Jack Nicholson’s energetic performance or the questionable concept of a psychic ability called “the shining” between Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd) and Hallorann (Scatman Crothers), there are plenty of opportunities for humor. However, The Simpsons manage to use this material while preserving much of Kubrick’s original vision. The true difficulty lies in transforming some of the film’s more somber and suspenseful scenes into something comical.

“No Beer and No TV Make Homer Go Crazy”

What makes ‘The Simpsons’ version of ‘The Shining’ successful as a parody is how it preserves elements from Kubrick’s original vision while poking fun at them. For instance, the initial scene, where the family is traveling to the winter lodge, is modeled after the opening of ‘The Shining,’ and uses the same music by Wendy Carlos. The soundtrack in many places remains the same as the movie, particularly tracks composed by Krzysztof Penderecki. Furthermore, several sequences closely resemble Kubrick’s film, such as when blood spurts from an elevator, prompting Mr. Burns to nonchalantly comment that the blood doesn’t usually exit until the second floor.

In “The Shinning,” a playful spin-off, Mr. Burns removes cable TV and beer from Homer’s life, leading him into a spiral remarkably similar to Jack Torrance’s descent into madness. Dan Castellaneta skillfully adapts Jack Nicholson’s delivery while staying true to the character of Homer Simpson.

In addition to Jack Torrance being portrayed as Homer, several other well-known characters assume significant roles in the story of The Shining. Groundskeeper Willie assumes the role of Halloran, who establishes a psychic link with Bart. The bartender’s position is filled by Moe, who encourages Homer to harm his family, stating that they would be happier as spirits instead.

In a playful and respectful manner, “The Simpsons” humorously recreates iconic moments from “The Shining.” Instead of Wendy Torrance finding Jack’s manuscript with the phrase “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” Homer Simpson becomes agitated when he encounters a situation without television or beer. This scene in “The Simpsons” serves as a comical take on Jack Torrance’s psychological deterioration in “The Shining.

In a similar vein, the iconic “Here’s Johnny” scene persists, leading to Homer inadvertently smashing open the incorrect door with an axe, revealing nothing but emptiness inside. The power of “The Shining” lies in its ability to harmoniously blend reverence and satire, acknowledging Kubrick’s brilliance while maintaining the humor that has been a defining aspect of The Simpsons since its beginning.

Where Can I See ‘The Simpsons’ Parody of ‘The Shining’?

The scene known as “The Shinning” can be found in the fifth installment of the “Treehouse of Horror” series within the sixth season of the popular show, The Simpsons. At present, you can stream all episodes of The Simpsons on Disney+.

Read More

2025-04-27 20:32