This Iconic Moment in the First ‘Simpsons’ Valentine’s Episode Was Based on a True Story
What To Know
- The iconic “I Love Lisa” Valentine’s Day episode of The Simpsons was inspired by showrunner Al Jean’s real-life childhood experience receiving a “I Choo-Choo Choose You” Valentine card.
- The episode, written by Frank Mula and directed by Wes Archer, explores the consequences of Lisa giving Ralph Wiggum a Valentine out of sympathy, which he misinterprets as romantic interest.
- “I Love Lisa” not only introduced Valentine’s Day to the series but also developed Ralph Wiggum into a more prominent character and is widely regarded as one of the show’s best episodes.
By early 1993, The Simpsons had already joked about every major holiday except for one. That changed on February 11, 1993, when Season 4 delivered “I Love Lisa,” the very first Valentine’s episode in Simpsons history. And an iconic moment in the episode — when Lisa gives Ralph Wiggum a Valentine’s Day card reading “I Choo-Choo-Choose You” — was actually based on a true story in the showrunner’s childhood.
According to Collider, showrunner Al Jean, has said that when he was in third grade, he received a Valentine from a girl that read “I Choo-Choo Choose You.” Years later, he found himself wondering whether the card meant she actually liked him or was just being kind. When the writing staff was looking for a new holiday to build an episode around, Jean shared the memory, and it quickly became the inspiration for a story centered on Lisa Simpson and Ralph Wiggum.
What happened in the Simpsons Valentine’s episode?
In the episode, Ralph is mocked by his classmates and ends up with no Valentine cards at all. Feeling sorry for him, Lisa gives him one out of sympathy. Unfortunately, Ralph takes that small act of kindness as a grand romantic gesture and becomes instantly devoted to her. The situation spirals until Lisa finally loses her temper and tells Ralph on live television that she never liked him in the first place. Although the idea came from Jean, the episode itself was written by Frank Mula and directed by Wes Archer. Mula was new to The Simpsons at the time, but he shaped the story into something that perfectly balanced humor with real emotion.
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
By Season 4, Christmas and Halloween had been thoroughly explored, so Valentine’s Day felt like fresh territory. “I Love Lisa” also helped turn Ralph Wiggum into a fully formed character. Before this episode, he was mostly a goofy background kid who popped up for quick jokes. The episode even reinforced the idea that he was Chief Wiggum’s son, something that had not always been clearly defined in earlier seasons.
The story works so well because it treats both sides with empathy. Ralph is awkward and clueless, but also genuinely hurt. Lisa tries to be nice, but ends up trapped in a situation she never meant to create. Critics noticed the episode’s emotional honesty right away. Over the years, “I Love Lisa” has consistently appeared on lists of the greatest Simpsons episodes. Entertainment Weekly even ranked it among the top episodes in the entire series.
Remind 
February 2021
1990s Rom-Coms
Pop some popcorn and cozy up to feel-good movies and TV shows from a generation ago.
Buy This Issue