Beginning after part of the opening sequence, Mr. Largo discourages Lisa from playing the saxophone on the account that, no matter how hard she tries, some people will be better than her, a claim supported by Principal Skinner.
Looking in the Internet, she finds out she has an incurable disorder called "The YIPS", which disable an expert performer for no reason whatsoever.
Bart then kicks the seat before him, creating a domino effect that degenerates into a fight which finally forces the plane to change its destination to New Orleans, much to the passengers' relief.
While unsuccessfully trying to make Lisa happy, Homer goes on an "eating binge" throughout the city's numerous restaurants, eventually barfing at New Orleans' "vomitoriums".
Meanwhile, Marge tries to make New Orleans interesting for Bart, whose boredom subsides upon finding a voodoo shop, where he plots revenge against Jimbo, Dolph and Kearney after they made him act as Little Orphan Annie in front of the cafeteria (down to having his pupils whitened with correction fluid) because of a prank Bart made on Jimbo, knowing he uses his hat to cover his baldness.
Director Bob Anderson relied on photographs and research material to make the city appear authentic.
[3] "Lisa Gets the Blues" scored a 4 share and was watched by 2.19 million people, making it Fox's highest rated show of the night.
Club gave this episode a C+, stating, "It’s momentarily affecting, especially with Smith giving voice to Lisa’s pain, but 'Lisa Gets The Blues' quickly scatters any intention of recapturing the old Lisa Simpson tragicomic resonance over a succession of self-referential gags, inconsistently sketched character beats, and some of the most indulgent tourist rubbernecking the show has ever done.
[7] In August 2019, Katrin von Niederhäusern of Stockholm and Janine Wiget of Zürich posted a Youtube video showing them in a live-action shot-by-shot recreation of the montage of Homer eating in various New Orleans restaurants.