In this episode, Krusty converts to Christianity to be closer to his daughter Sophie while Maggie is scared by a gnome doll.
Theo Jansen shows his wind-powered sculpture, the Strandbeest, which tramples Krusty, who is ice-skating with his daughter Sophie.
Krusty brings a crew to record his visit as a television special, angering Sophie who sends him away.
That night, Marge and Homer find the Gnomes cut to pieces in their bed while Maggie sleeps happily.
[2] Jackie Mason reprised his role as Rabbi Krustofsky who had died in the twenty-sixth season episode "Clown in the Dumps."
Natasha Lyonne took over the role of Sophie Krustofosky from Drew Barrymore, who voiced her in the twelfth season episode "Insane Clown Poppy.
Club gave the episode a B−, saying "There's nothing wrong with the idea in theory—Dan Castellaneta and Harry Shearer always sink their teeth into Krusty's ravenous fame-grubbing and Lovejoy's sepulchral sententiousness, respectively, with enthusiasm.
But, while there's a bracingly irreverent take on religion throughout the episode, the Lovejoy and Krusty show isn't especially compelling on its own.
"[5] Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave "The Nightmare After Krustmas" 4.5 stars, stating, "'The Nightmare After Krustmas' gives us everything except a non-denominational seasonal special, but is a present anyone can open...(A)lmost every line is a skewered shot of eggnog spiked with subversive holiday cheer.