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Logo of "The Simpsons"

"Stark Raving Dad" is the first episode of the third season of American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on September 19, 1991. In the episode, main character Homer Simpson is sent to a mental institution, where he shares a room with a large white man named Leon Kompowsky who pretends to be Michael Jackson. Al Jean and Mike Reiss wrote the episode while Rich Moore served as director. Michael Jackson guest starred in the episode as the speaking voice of Leon Kompowsky. For contractual reasons, he was credited as John Jay Smith in the closing credits. Jackson pitched several story ideas for the episode and wrote a song that is featured in the plot. He also stipulated that he would provide Kompowsky's speaking voice, but his singing voice would be performed by a sound-alike (Kipp Lennon) because he wanted to play a joke on his brothers. "Stark Raving Dad" received generally positive reviews from critics, particularly for the writing and Jackson's performance. (more...)

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September 19: Armed Forces Day in Chile; Independence Day in Saint Kitts and Nevis (1983); International Talk Like a Pirate Day

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A red-brick building in the process of being demolished.  Stripped inner walls and a tall pinnacle are visible, and a metal fence and stubs of walls remain in the foreground.

In the English coastal city of Brighton and Hove, more than 30 former places of worship have been demolished for various reasons (Connaught Institute pictured during demolition in 2010). The area, originally a collection of villages around the fishing port of Brighthelmston and its neighbour Hove, has a long history of Christian worship, and many denominations founded churches and chapels as the town grew into the fashionable resort of Brighton and absorbed its neighbours. Pressure for land and redevelopment claimed many churches, such as Charles Busby's Greek Revival St Margaret's proprietary chapel and the landmark Dials Congregational Church; others, like the Gothic Revival Christ Church and the "graceful" Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion Chapel, suffered structural or fire damage; and others became unviable as congregations declined. The "Wagner churches"—a series of eleven 19th-century Anglican churches in poor areas, founded and paid for by the Vicar of Brighton Henry Michell Wagner and his son—have fared badly: six no longer survive. In many cases, displaced worshippers have joined the congregations of other churches, whose parishes have been enlarged. (more...)

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Catbells, Lake District, England

Fellwalkers on Catbells (or "Cat Bells"), a fell in England's Lake District, on the western shore of Derwentwater. It is a popular route for people of all ages, and visitors often combine an ascent of the fell with a sail on Derwentwater. Strong walkers can continue along the ridge to take in the fells of Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson.

Photo: David Iliff

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