Sweets and Sour Marge

"**Sweets and Sour Marge**"
"Sweets and Sour Marge"
The Simpsons episode
Episode no.	Season 13; Episode 8
Directed by	Mark Kirkland
Written by	Carolyn Omine
Production code	DABF03
Original air date	January 20, 2002
Guest appearance
	Ben Stiller as Garth Motherloving
Episode features
Couch gag	The Simpsons sit on the couch. A crane game clamp comes down and picks up Homer, who screams "Ow, my brain!"
Commentary	Al Jean; Carolyn Omine; Matt Selman; Tom Gammill; Max Pross; Mark Kirkland; Matt Warburton
Episode chronology
← Previous; "Brawl in the Family"	Next →; "Jaws Wired Shut"
	The Simpsons season 13
	List of episodes

"Sweets and Sour Marge" is the eighth episode of the thirteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 20, 2002. In the episode, Homer gathers Springfield's citizens to build the world's biggest human pyramid. When it collapses and fails to set the world record, Springfield earns the top spot as the world's fattest town. Marge sues Garth Motherloving's sugar company for making the town's citizens obese. When Springfield bans sugar, Homer conspires with Garth to smuggle it to town.

"Sweets and Sour Marge" was written by Carolyn Omine and directed by Mark Kirkland. It was dedicated to the memory of Ron Taylor. Omine conceived the episode after hearing about smokers who sued tobacco companies. While its plot is loosely based on Erin Brockovich, the episode also features references to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, What's Eating Gilbert Grape and Butterfinger. It also features Ben Stiller as Garth Motherloving.

In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 7.5 million viewers, finishing in 34th place in the ratings the week it aired. Following its home video release, the episode received mixed reviews from critics.