Lisa Gets an "A"

"Lisa Gets an 'A'"
The Simpsons episode
Lisa meets with Nelson Muntz to get the answers for the test.
Episode no.	Season 10 Episode 7
Directed by	Bob Anderson
Written by	Ian Maxtone-Graham
Production code	AABF03
Original air date	November 22, 1998 (1998-11-22)
Episode features
Chalkboard gag	"I will not scream for ice cream"
Couch gag	The family have hair transplants: Homer has Maggie's, Marge has Bart's, Bart has Lisa's, Lisa has Homer's, and Maggie has Marge's. Maggie falls off the couch due to the weight of Marge's hair.
Commentary	Matt Groening Mike Scully George Meyer Ian Maxtone-Graham Ron Hauge Yeardley Smith Mike B. Anderson
Episode chronology
← Previous "D'oh-in' in the Wind" Next → "Homer Simpson in: 'Kidney Trouble'"
The Simpsons season 10
List of episodes

"Lisa Gets an 'A'" is the seventh episode of the tenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 22, 1998. In the episode, Lisa cheats on a test for which she fails to study and receives an A+++ grade, but becomes guilt-ridden. In the subplot, Homer buys a lobster with the intention of fattening him up to eat, but he bonds with the crustacean and keeps him as a pet named Pinchy.

"Lisa Gets an 'A'" was directed by Bob Anderson, and although it was written by Ian Maxtone-Graham, neither the main storyline nor the subplot was conceived by him. The main storyline was instead pitched by former staff writer Ron Hauge, while Richard Appel, who also was a staff writer, had pitched the episode's subplot for a long time. The episode satirizes educational establishments, and features a parody of the video game Crash Bandicoot.

In its original American broadcast, "Lisa Gets an 'A'" was seen by approximately 8 million viewers, and finished in 51st place in ratings the week it aired. Following its broadcast, a scene in the episode garnered criticism from the Catholic League, but the controversy went largely ignored by The Simpsons' staff. The episode received very positive reviews from critics, and is considered one of the best episodes of the season.