Nick Riviera, who agrees to do the operation for $129.95. Also, during the course of the show we can find the failures and inadequacies of the public school systems being exhibited in many ways, with the most common being the constant failures of Bart Simpson in virtually every attempt he makes in school. In one episode Bart neglects to study for the Elementary School Achievement Test. He fails so badly that he gets dropped back to third grade. The show brings out the negatives in these aspects of American culture and allows the public to realize and come up with possible solutions to these problems.
The medical and the educational systems are not the only significant social problems revealed in "The Simpsons."" Also mentioned quite often are various unhealthy habits, such as alcoholism, exhibited by Homer and his close friend Barney, smoking and excessive food consumption. First off, the series presents to its viewers that alcoholism and smoking have taken an important place in American society, especially among young people. In episode AABF19, Homer tries to become a successful farmer, but when he mixes tobacco and tomato seeds and attempts to spur their growth with plutonium, the resultant is a bad tasting, yet highly addictive fruit. After this newfound "tomacco- is discovered by the Laramie Cigarette Company, executives try to purchase the tomacco to sell it to kids. Their reasoning is that "Kids are crazy about tobacco, but the politicians won't let us sell it to them. But there's no law against selling kids tomacco. That little "m" is worth a lot of money to us -- and to you."" In addition, it criticizes the attitudes of some people who do not care about the tribulations of massive food consumption by individuals. In one such occurrence, Homer even tried to become eligible for disability compensation from work by gaining weight until he became heavier than 300 pounds.