 YMMV •
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Homer, Bart and a group of assorted supporting characters (along with guest star Neil Gaiman team up to co-author the first in an intended series of children's fantasy novels. When their book is drastically edited by the publishers, our protagonists scheme to win their original draft back, in a parody of heist movies such as Ocean's Eleven.
Tropes used in The Book Job include:
- Adam Westing: Neil Gaiman is portrayed as a needy attention seeker (and eventual backstabber) in the episode.
- Comically Missing the Point: After Lisa finds the author of her favorite book series working in a dinosaur costume backstage, Marge comforts her saying "I'm sorry your book lady turned out to be a dinosaur".
- I Always Wanted to Say That: A (slight) variation. At the back stage of the "Sitting With Dinosaurs" show, Lisa spots a lady with a familiar face (who turns out to be the author of the girl's beloved Angelica Button books) in a dinosaur costume. Lisa says "Dad, follow that dinosaur!" Homer: "I've waited my whole life to hear that."
- Executive Meddling: In-universe. The team's book is about trolls (the monsters, not the internet kind) is reworked by the publishers into a Twilight-esque vampire-themed romance.
- Funny Background Event: Marge pouring the contents of Betty Crocker packs into the trash cam outside after being told by Lisa that the eponymous character is an invention of 1920s ad men.
- It Makes Sense in Context: The aforementioned "follow that dinosaur" line.
- Take That: Bart is convinced by Principal Skinner to take part in the book heist when told that the war between the trolls and the ogres has been changed to a dance contest at the vampire prom.
- Noodle Incident: Bart and Homer's disastrous Kansas City heist which is referred to several times without the episode but never explained.