"Goo Goo Gai Pan" is the twelfth episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It was originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 13, 2005. The episode was written by Dana Gould and directed by Lance Kramer.
The episode focuses on Selma Bouvier adopting a Chinese orphan after experiencing menopause. Lucy Liu guest stars as Madam Wu, and actor Robert Wagner appears as himself. Selma appeals to her and, drawing from her own experienced of being raised by a single mother, Wu shows leniency and allows her to adopt Ling. The family departs China by junk, along with the Chinese child spy masquerading as Bart, while three chinese dragons fly above them singing while playing an erhu.
Reception
Viewing figures
The episode earned a 3.7 rating and was watched by 10.28 million viewers, which was the 45th most-watched show that week.
Critical response
Robert Canning of IGN wrote: "The plot is simple. Selma is diagnosed with menopause and decides that since she can no longer have her own baby, she'll adopt one. ("The adoption process! That'll end heartbreak.") After a failed attempt, Lisa suggests her aunt try China. When filling out the forms, Selma is told only married couples are allowed to adopt, so she writes down Homer's name for her husband. She tells the official, 'Homer Simpson is my whole world. I love him.' Across town at the nuclear power plant, Homer shudders, stating, 'A chill just went through my very soul.' It's a classic-mismatched set up, straight out of IGN's TV Playbook. Unfortunately, when they arrive in China for observation, the comedy doesn't really come from the unlikelihood of Homer and Selma as husband and wife, but from numerous random jokes about all things Chinese."
Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide thought the episode was "erratic". He said the episode appeared to be an excuse to bring the Simpson family to China.
On Four Finger Discount, Guy Davis and Brendan Dando liked the story of Homer helping Selma adopt a baby but also thought the depiction of China used many stereotypes.
Awards and nominations
The episode was nominated for the Turner Award at the 15th Environmental Media Awards.
Unavailability in China and Hong Kong
thumb|[[Patty and Selma|Selma stood in the path of a tank, recreating the iconic Tank Man image.]]
In 2006, the episode was banned in China when it banned all foreign cartoons from appearing at the most popular viewing times for children.