The Simpsons “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” Episode: A Guide to the Las Vegas Betting Odds and the Shocking Reveal

 

Introduction

The Simpsons are one of television's most popular and longest-running animated sitcoms. The show is known for its satirical humor, cultural references, and memorable characters. One of the show's most iconic episodes is the two-part cliffhanger "Who Shot Mr. Burns?", which aired in 1995. The episode ended with the elderly and villainous owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Mr. Burns, being shot by an unknown assailant, leaving viewers in suspense for months.

The episode was so hyped that it sparked a betting frenzy in Las Vegas, where gamblers could bet on who they thought was the shooter. According to some sources, the betting odds for the episode were as follows:

- Smithers: 25/1

- Homer: 50/1

- Marge: 100/1

- Bart: 150/1

- Lisa: 200/1

- Maggie: 250/1

- Santa's Little Helper: 500/1

- Abe Simpson: 1000/1

- More: 1000/1

- Barney: 1000/1

- Krusty: 1000/1

- Apu: 1000/1

- Principal Skinner: 1000/1

- Willie: 1000/1

- Sideshow Bob: 1000/1

- Milhouse: 1000/1

- Nelson: 1000/1

- Ralph: 1000/1

- Waylon Smithers Jr.: 1000/1

- Any other character: 10/1

FAQs

Q: Who shot Mr. Burns?

A: The shooter was revealed to be Maggie Simpson, the baby daughter of Homer and Marge, in the second part of the episode. Mr. Burns had tried to steal her candy and accidentally dropped his gun, which Maggie picked up and fired.

Q: How did the writers develop the idea for the episode?

A: The writers were inspired by the famous Dallas cliffhanger "Who Shot J.R.?", which also involved a mystery shooter and a long wait for the resolution. They wanted to create a similar buzz and generate publicity for the show.

Q: How did the fans react to the episode?

A: The episode was a huge success, attracting millions of viewers and generating a lot of media attention. The episode also spawned a contest where fans could call a 1-800 number and guess the shooter for a chance to win a trip to the show's studio and appear in an episode. However, no one thought Maggie was the shooter, so the prize was given to a random caller.

Q: How did the bettors react to the episode?

A: The bettors who wagered on Maggie as the shooter were probably very happy, as they won a lot of money. However, most bettors probably lost money, as Maggie was among the least likely suspects. Some bettors may have felt cheated or disappointed by the outcome, which could have been more satisfying and logical.

Conclusion

The Simpson's "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" episode was one of the show's most memorable, influential, and significant events in television history. The episode created a lot of excitement and speculation among fans and bettors, who tried to guess the shooter's identity. The episode also demonstrated the cultural impact and popularity of The Simpsons, which remains one of the most beloved and acclaimed shows of all time.