The episode begins with a scene from the Itchy & Scratchy Show, where Itchy and Scratchy are engaged in their usual violent antics. The cartoon features Scratchy being brutally attacked by Itchy, which is met with laughter from the audience. However, the scene abruptly cuts to a focus on the show's declining ratings, prompting the producers to consider changes to revitalize the series.

At the Itchy & Scratchy production studio, the executives express their concern over the show's waning popularity. They decide that the show needs a new character to attract viewers. The producers brainstorm ideas and ultimately decide to introduce a new character named Poochie, a dog with a cool attitude and a surfer vibe. The character is designed to appeal to a younger audience and is meant to be a "hip" addition to the show.

Meanwhile, Homer is excited about the new character and is eager to see how Poochie will be integrated into the Itchy & Scratchy universe. He attends a focus group where the new character is introduced. The focus group participants react positively to Poochie, and Homer feels a sense of pride in being part of the process. However, the producers are still unsure about how to incorporate Poochie effectively into the existing dynamic of Itchy and Scratchy.

As the episode progresses, the first appearance of Poochie is aired. The character is introduced in a chaotic scene where he interrupts the traditional Itchy & Scratchy format. Poochie's over-the-top personality and catchphrases are met with mixed reactions from the audience. While some viewers find him entertaining, others feel that he disrupts the essence of the original show. This division in audience response leads to further discussions among the producers about Poochie's role.

Homer, who has been given the role of voicing Poochie, becomes increasingly invested in the character. He tries to embody Poochie's persona, but his enthusiasm is met with skepticism from the other voice actors, particularly from the original cast members who feel that Poochie is overshadowing their characters. Tensions rise as Homer struggles to balance his excitement for Poochie with the discontent of the original cast.

As the story unfolds, the Itchy & Scratchy Show continues to air episodes featuring Poochie, but the ratings do not improve as expected. The producers grow frustrated, and Homer feels the pressure mounting. In a moment of desperation, Homer decides to take matters into his own hands. He suggests a drastic change to the show's format, proposing that Poochie should be the main character, sidelining Itchy and Scratchy.

The producers reluctantly agree to Homer's suggestion, and a new episode is created that centers entirely around Poochie. However, the episode fails to resonate with the audience, leading to a significant drop in viewership. The producers realize that Poochie is not the solution they were hoping for, and they begin to reconsider the character's future on the show.

In a climactic moment, Poochie is written out of the series in a dramatic fashion. The character is sent off to a fictional paradise where he can be free from the constraints of the show. This decision is met with mixed feelings from the characters involved, particularly Homer, who feels a sense of loss for the character he helped create.

The episode concludes with a return to the original Itchy & Scratchy format, where the classic violent antics resume. The audience is shown enjoying the return to form, and Homer reflects on the experience of creating Poochie. Despite the character's failure, he learns to appreciate the original show and its enduring appeal. The final scene features a humorous nod to the chaos that ensued during Poochie's brief tenure, leaving the audience with a sense of closure as the show returns to its roots.

The character Poochie is created as a desperate attempt to revitalize the Itchy & Scratchy Show, which has been losing popularity. The show's producers, feeling the pressure from declining ratings, decide to introduce a new character who embodies the 'cool' and 'hip' traits that they believe will attract a younger audience.

Homer is brought in as the voice of Poochie after he auditions for the role. His enthusiasm for the character and the idea of being part of the show leads him to take on the role, despite his lack of experience in voice acting.

The fans of the Itchy & Scratchy Show are largely unimpressed with Poochie. They feel that the character is a forced addition and detracts from the original charm of the show. This is highlighted during a scene where the audience reacts negatively to Poochie's introduction.

Lisa is critical of the changes made to the Itchy & Scratchy Show, particularly the introduction of Poochie. She expresses her discontent with the commercialization and the loss of the show's original essence, feeling that the new character is a gimmick rather than a genuine addition.

By the end of the episode, Poochie is written out of the show after a disastrous reception from the audience. The character's fate is sealed when it is decided that he should die in a heroic manner, which reflects the show's attempt to return to its roots and regain the audience's favor.