Friday, August 13, 2004

Mr. Boogerstrom

My favorite episode of "The Simpsons" was entitled "Mr. Boogerstrom." Lisa had a substitute teacher named Mr. Bergstrom, who pre-empted teasing by giving all the possible nicknames, including Mr. Boogerstrom. I loved the name and the episode, in which Lisa learns so much from the teacher and is sad when he leaves. The voice, uncredited on the show, was Dustin Hoffman.
That voice was the one that triggered something in my mind when I heard his voice at the Farmer's Market in LA. (See previous post regarding Julia Child for background.) That was a particularly poignant episode in a show that is usually so boorish. Don't get me wrong -- we love the early years of that show, "Sideshow Bob" is a family favorite.