Little Big Mom

Marge stays in the ski lodge, not wanting to risk injury on the slopes, but is hit by a clock falling off a wall and suffers a broken leg.

Exasperated at the slovenly behavior of her father and brother, Lisa is visited by the ghost of Lucille Ball and takes her advice for a scheme to get revenge on them.

While Homer and Bart sleep, Lisa uses a mixture of oatmeal and green paint to apply fake sores to their skin, throwing them into a panic once they wake up.

Lisa uses a medical website to trick them into thinking they have contracted leprosy, then suggests that they clean up the house in order to reduce the chance of spreading it.

"Little Big Mom" was written by Carolyn Omine and directed by Mark Kirkland as part of the eleventh season of The Simpsons (1999–2000).

[1] Elwood Edwards, known as the voice of the Internet service provider America Online, guest starred in the episode as the Virtual Doctor that confirms Homer and Bart's leprosy.

Both that line and the similarly iconic "Stupid, sexy Flanders" were in the initial draft of the script, though Omine admitted she could not remember if she came up with it, or if someone else threw it out while helping outline the episode's story.

"[3] The episode features several references to the late American actress Lucille Ball and her many television sitcoms starring characters named Lucy.

[4] Additional references to Ball's work featured in "Little Big Mom" include Homer and Bart watching I Love Lucy with the volume turned up high, disturbing Lisa when she is trying to sleep.

Staff members Mike Scully, George Meyer, Matt Selman, Carolyn Omine, and Mark Kirkland participated in the DVD audio commentary for the episode.

[8] While reviewing the eleventh season of The Simpsons, DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson commented: "We've seen 'the family goes to crap without Marge around' episodes in the past, so don't expect any reinvented wheels here.