"Fat Man and Little Boy" is the fifth episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 12, 2004. The episode was directed by Mike B. Anderson and written by Joel H. Cohen. The designs on Krusty's T-shirt line include Itchy dressed as Austin Powers, SpongeBob SquarePants, and a Confederate, and Scratchy modeled after Osama bin Laden. Lisa's model of science history contains displays of scientists Marie Curie, Wilhelm Röntgen, and Albert Einstein. Goose Gladwell looks similar to Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and he sells the rights to Bart's shirts to The Walt Disney Company.
The episode features various real-life songs. "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas plays as Bart carries his toys to the ocean, and "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred is heard over a montage of Bart walking around town with his shirts. The introduction to Krusty's T-shirt display is accompanied by "Get Ready for This" by 2 Unlimited. Gladwell's car horn is a variation of "La Cucaracha." "The Pink Panther Theme" is set to a scene of Homer sneaking into the power plant.
Reception
Viewing figures
The episode earned a 3.7 rating and was watched by 10.31 million viewers, the 31st most-watched show that week.
Critical response
ReviewStream wrote that "only the Simpsons can combine a Willy Wonka look-a-like[sic], a Robert Frost poem, and a Viking funeral all into one episode."
Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide liked the beginning with Bart selling T-shirts but did not enjoy the episode becoming a Willy Wonka parody.
On Four Finger Discount, Guy Davis and Brendan Dando liked the episode. They enjoyed the "potent" idea of Bart growing up and being a provider and liked that Homer supported him in the end.