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| {{short description|Fictional character from The Simpsons franchise}} | |||
| {{{Db|G3}} | |||
| {{Redirect|Milhouse||Millhouse (disambiguation)|and|Milhous (disambiguation)}} | |||
| {{short description|Character from the Simpsons franchise}} | |||
| {{Needs more citations|date=August 2023}} | |||
| {{pp-semi-indef}} | |||
| {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}} | |||
| {{Infobox character | {{Infobox character | ||
| | series = ] | |||
| | name = Homer Simpson | |||
| | image = Milhouse Van Houten.png | |||
| | series = ] | |||
| | first = "]" (1988) | |||
| | image = Homer Simpson 2006.png | |||
| | creator = ] | |||
| | alt = Homer Simpson | |||
| | designer = Matt Groening | |||
| | caption = Homer eating a classic strawberry sprinkled donut | |||
| | voice = {{Plainlist| | |||
| | first_minor = ] | |||
| * ] (1988–2025) | |||
| | first_major = ] | |||
| * ] ("]") | |||
| | first_date = April 19, 1987 | |||
| | creator = ] | |||
| | designer = Matt Groening | |||
| | voice = ] | |||
| | full_name = Homer Jay Simpson | |||
| | alias = Max Power (in "]") | |||
| | occupation = {{Plainlist| | |||
| * Chemist and safety inspector | |||
| * Nuclear power plant operator | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| | full_name = Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten | |||
| | nationality = American | |||
| | gender = Male | |||
| | affiliation = ] | |||
| | religion = ]<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEOmyLHZyqc</ref> | |||
| | family = {{Plainlist| | |||
| | occupation = Student at ] | |||
| * ] (father) | |||
| | family = ] (father)<br>] (mother) | |||
| * ] (paternal half-brother) | |||
| * ] (paternal half-sister)}} | |||
| | relatives = {{Plainlist| | | relatives = {{Plainlist| | ||
| * |
* Jeremy Van Houten (paternal grandfather) | ||
| * |
* Sophia "Yiayia Sophia" Mussolini (maternal grandmother) | ||
| * |
* Norbert "Zack" Van Houten (paternal uncle) | ||
| * Bastardo Paulo (maternal uncle) | |||
| * Annika Van Houten (paternal cousin) | |||
| * Jillhouse Van Houten (paternal cousin) | |||
| * Eustace Van Houten (paternal great-great-grandfather) | |||
| * ] and ] (great-great-great-great-great-grandparents) | |||
| * ] | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| | origin = Italian-Greek-Dutch-Danish American-Croatian | |||
| | spouse = ] | |||
| | children = {{Plainlist| | |||
| * ] (son) | |||
| * ] (daughter) | |||
| * ] (daughter) | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| | home = ], ], United States | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Homer Jay Simpson''' is the ] of the American animated sitcom '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Murray |date=2021-11-23 |title=Why Homer Replaced Bart As The Simpsons' Main Character (& When) |url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-homer-bart-main-character-change-what-season/ |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref> He is voiced by ] and first appeared, along with the rest of the Simpsons, in '']'' ] "]" on April 19, 1987. Homer was created by the cartoonist ] while he was waiting in the lobby of producer ]'s office. Groening had been called to pitch a series of shorts based on his comic strip '']'' but instead created a new set of characters. He named the character after his father, Homer Groening. After appearing for three seasons on ''The Tracey Ullman Show'', the Simpsons received their own series on ], which debuted on December 17, 1989. | |||
| '''Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Last of the Red Hat Mamas |episode-link=The Last of the Red Hat Mamas |series=The Simpsons |network=Fox |airdate=November 27, 2005 |season=17 |number=7 |series-link=The Simpsons}}</ref>''' is a recurring character in the ] ] '']'' voiced by ] and created by ]. Milhouse is ]'s childhood best friend in ] fourth grade class at ]. He is insecure, gullible, and is often led into trouble by Bart, who takes advantage of his friend's naivety. Milhouse is a regular target for school bully ] and his friends ], ] and ]. He has a crush on Bart's sister, ], which is a common plot element. | |||
| Homer is the nominal foreman of the paternally ]. He and his wife ] have three children: ], ] and ]. As the family's provider, he works at the ] as safety inspector. Homer embodies many ] stereotypes: he is obese, balding, immature, outspoken, aggressive, lazy, ignorant, unprofessional, and fond of beer, junk food and television. However, he is fundamentally a good man and is staunchly protective of his family, especially when they need him the most. Despite the suburban ] routine of his life, he has had a number of remarkable experiences, including going to space, climbing the tallest mountain in Springfield by himself, fighting former President ], and winning a ] as a member of a barbershop quartet. | |||
| Milhouse debuted in the 1988 ] "The ] Group" while ''The Simpsons'' was still airing as a cartoon short series on the Fox ] '']''. When ''The Simpsons'' was greenlit for a full series by Fox, Milhouse appeared in the first episode of ], "]," becoming one of the series' most prominent recurring characters. Groening chose the name Milhouse, also the middle name of ], because it was the most "unfortunate name <nowiki></nowiki> could think of for a kid".<ref name="tvguide">{{cite news|title=Flash! 24 Simpsons Stars Reveal Themselves|date=2000-10-21|publisher=]|first=Joe|last=Rhodes}}</ref> Milhouse's appearance is based on that of ].<ref name="gould"> around 13m30s. Retrieved 2014-11-15</ref> In the wake of Pamela Hayden's retirement in November 2024, it was confirmed that her characters, including Milhouse, would be recast in the future.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-simpsons-milhouse-voice-actor-pamela-hayden-retiring-1236067689/|title=‘The Simpsons’ Voice Actor Pamela Hayden Retiring After 35 Years|first=Rick|last=Porter|work=]|date=November 20, 2024|accessdate=November 20, 2024}}</ref> Following Hayden's appearance in ''The Simpsons'' Disney + special ], ''Simpsons'' creator Matt Groening and writer ] revealed to ''Comic Book.com'' that Hayden would make a few more performances than initially announced.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/the-simpsons-christmas-disney-plus-pamela-hayden/|title=The Simpsons’ Disney+ Christmas Special Brings Back Retired Star (& They Aren’t Done Yet)|first=Nick|last=Valdez|publisher=Comic Book.com|date=December 17, 2024|accessdate=December 17, 2024}}</ref> | |||
| In the shorts and earlier episodes, Castellaneta voiced Homer with a loose impression of ]; however, during the second and third seasons of the half-hour show, Homer's voice evolved to become more robust, to allow the expression of a fuller range of emotions. He has appeared in other media relating to ''The Simpsons''—including video games, '']'', ], commercials, and comic books—and inspired an entire line of merchandise. His signature catchphrase, the annoyed grunt "]", has been included in '']'' since 1998 and the '']'' since 2001. | |||
| == Profile == | |||
| Homer is one of the most influential characters in the history of television, and is widely considered an American ]. The British newspaper '']'' described him as "the greatest comic creation of time". He was named the greatest character of the last 20 years in 2010 by '']'' and the second-greatest cartoon character by '']'' (behind ]), and was voted the greatest television character of all time by ] viewers. Castellaneta has won four ]s for ] and a special-achievement ]. In 2000, Homer and his family were awarded a star on the ]. | |||
| Milhouse is of Italian, Greek, Danish and Dutch descent, based on comments and characters introduced throughout the series. He shares the same physical features as both his parents, and his father's primary personality features (which include disappointment, insecurity, and generally depressed demeanor). He has none of his mother's confidence, except when specific storylines demand it. Milhouse is constantly bullied by ], ], ], and ], to the point that when Bart questions Milhouse by saying "Milhouse! I thought you had a three o'clock ] with Nelson", in the episode "]", Milhouse simply responds "I had to reschedule". They do often inflict violence upon the geeky Milhouse, who wears thick eyeglasses, without which he cannot see. Milhouse and family are among the few Springfield residents with visible eyebrows, which are rather thick. | |||
| Although not disliked and having a moderate number of friends among other kids from school aside from Bart himself, Milhouse has made a career of getting victimized, although his overall true antagonists are the schoolyard bullies of ] (Nelson, Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney). In "]", Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney wrapped Milhouse in ]s and placed him in a ]. After Jimbo claimed that "the ]'s ready for his mystical journey!", the bullies pushed the cart with Milhouse down a very steep hill. He is harmed frequently, and on some occasions is injured by dangerous hazards, e.g., being run over by a train, falling down a waterfall, receiving electrical shocks, having his head polished to bone, and having his teeth knocked out by a hockey puck. As a lead character he always survives and recovers, often with no further mention of any injuries. He frequently visited a female psychiatrist until even she could not deal with his constant calling and blocked his number. | |||
| ==Role in ''The Simpsons''== | |||
| Homer Jay Simpson is the bumbling husband of Marge, and father to Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=78–79}} He is the son of ] and ]. Homer held over 188 different jobs in the first 400 episodes of ''The Simpsons''.<ref name="MTV"/> In most episodes, he works as the nuclear safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant (in Sector 7-G), a position which he has held since "]", the third episode of the series, despite the fact that he is totally unsuitable for it.<ref name="CanWest">{{cite news|first1=Kat |last1=Angus |first2=David|last2=Weis |title=Homer Simpson's Top Ten Jobs |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=eed3410e-93eb-4a5c-9631-b6185756c67f|newspaper=]|publisher=] |location=Montreal, Canada|date=July 26, 2007|access-date=June 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628224401/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=eed3410e-93eb-4a5c-9631-b6185756c67f |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> At the nuclear plant, Homer is often ignored and completely forgotten by his boss ], and he constantly falls asleep and neglects his duties. Matt Groening has stated that he decided to have Homer work at the power plant because of the potential for Homer to wreak severe havoc.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Groening, Matt (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete First Season (DVD)|date=2001|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Each of his other jobs has lasted only one episode. In the first half of the series, the writers developed an explanation about how he got fired from the plant and was then rehired in every episode. In later episodes, he often began a new job on impulse, without any mention of his regular employment.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Al Jean (writer) |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Eleventh Season (DVD) |date=2008|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> | |||
| On one occasion, Bart got Milhouse placed on the ] even though they are friends, and tried to lure Milhouse into a cactus. Milhouse is not always subservient to Bart; in "]", Milhouse toyed with Bart's anxiety after Bart sold his soul for $5, and Milhouse demanded $50 to return it. On another occasion, Bart introduced Milhouse to his girlfriend and had to explain why he and Milhouse are friends, but could not come up with a good answer and admitted it was due to geographical convenience. Bart did admit in "]" that he loves Milhouse.<ref>Bart: ''"Oh, I love him so much!"''</ref> | |||
| ''The Simpsons'' uses a ] in which the characters never physically age, and, as such, the show is generally assumed to be always set in the current year. Nevertheless, in several episodes, events in Homer's life have been linked to specific time periods.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=78–79}} "]" (], 1995) depicts Homer's mother, Mona, as a radical who went into hiding in 1969 following a run-in with the law;<ref name=MotherSimpson>{{cite episode |title=Mother Simpson |episode-link=Mother Simpson |series=The Simpsons |credits=]; ] |network=Fox |airdate=November 19, 1995 |season=7 |number=8}}</ref> "]" (], 1991) shows Homer falling in love with ] as a senior at Springfield High School in 1974;<ref name=WayWeWas>{{cite episode |title=The Way We Was |episode-link=The Way We Was |series=The Simpsons |credits=]; ]; ]; Silverman, David |network=Fox |airdate=January 31, 1991 |season=2 |number=12|time={{time needed|date=August 2018}}}}</ref> and "]" (], 1991) implies that Marge became pregnant with Bart in 1980.<ref name=IMarriedMarge>{{cite episode |title=I Married Marge |episode-link=I Married Marge |series=The Simpsons |credits=]; ] |network=Fox |airdate=December 26, 1991 |season=03 |number=12}}</ref> However, the episode "]" (], 2008) contradicted much of this backstory, portraying Homer and Marge as a twentysomething childless couple in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite episode |title=That '90s Show |episode-link=That '90s Show (The Simpsons) |series=The Simpsons |credits=] (writer); ] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=January 27, 2008 |season=19 |number=11}}</ref> The episode "]" (], 2021) further contradicts this backstory, putting Homer's adolescence in the 1990s. Showrunner Matt Selman has explained that no version was the "official continuity." and that "they all kind of happened in their imaginary world, you know, and people can choose to love whichever version they love."<ref>{{cite web|last=Bailey|first=Kat|date=July 28, 2021|title=The Simpsons: Matt Selman On Continuity And His Support For a Simpsons Hit & Run Remake|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/matt-selman-simpsons-hit-and-run-remake|access-date=July 28, 2021|work=]}}</ref> | |||
| Homer also sometimes makes fun of Milhouse (once referring to Milhouse in the boy's presence as "that little wiener"). In "]", Larry, ]' son, brings Homer to eat at his house. Mr. Burns was angry and he asks Homer if his son "brings home nitwits and make you talk to them", to which Homer answers "Oh, all the time! Have you ever heard of this kid Milhouse? He's a little wiener who...", before being interrupted by Burns. In an attempt to purposefully enrage his father, Bart once stated that he felt "a little attracted to Milhouse", sending Homer into a rage. Bart and Milhouse appear to be the same height, but in the episode "]", it is revealed that Milhouse is at least {{convert|1|in|abbr=on}} taller than Bart. | |||
| Due to the floating timeline, Homer's age has changed occasionally as the series developed; he was 34 in the early episodes,<ref name=WayWeWas/> 36 in ],<ref name="Beauty">{{cite episode |title=Lisa the Beauty Queen |episode-link=Lisa the Beauty Queen |series=The Simpsons |credits=Martin, Jeff; Kirkland, Mark |network=Fox |airdate=October 15, 1992 |season=4 |number=4}}</ref> 38 and 39 in ],<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Homer They Fall |episode-link=The Homer They Fall |series=The Simpsons |credits=]; Kirkland, Mark |network=Fox |airdate=November 10, 1996|season=8 |number=3}}</ref> and 40 in the ],<ref>{{cite episode |title=Springfield Up |episode-link=Springfield Up |series=The Simpsons |credits=]; ] |network=Fox |airdate=February 18, 2007 |season=18 |number=13}}</ref> although even in those seasons his age is inconsistent.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=78–79}} In the ] episode "]", Homer's drivers license shows his birthdate of being May 12, 1956,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://i.redd.it/m32dwqz0d2r21.jpg |title=Image: Homer Simpson driving licence |website=i.redd.it}}</ref> which would have made him 36 years old at the time of the episode. During ] and ]'s period as showrunners, they found that as they aged, Homer seemed to become older too, so they increased his age to 38. His height is 6' (1.83 m).<ref>{{cite AV media|people=] (writer)| chapter=Commentary for "]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2005|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> | |||
| Milhouse is frequently the butt of a variety of jokes, such as being beaten up by Nelson for delivering a love note from Lisa (which Nelson thought was from Milhouse himself), having the door slammed in his face while playing ], having his possible budding homosexuality given away by his school counselor to Homer and Marge by accidentally picking up the wrong folder while discussing Bart, making him a wanted fugitive (see above), inadvertently inheriting Bart's dismal permanent record at school through a side deal arranged between Bart, Edna Krabappel and ], which will disqualify Milhouse from "all but the hottest and noisiest jobs". | |||
| ==Character== | |||
| ===Creation=== | |||
| Naming the characters after members of his own family, Groening named Homer after his ], who himself had been named after ].<ref name="americasfirstfamily">{{cite video |people=BBC |year=2000 |title='The Simpsons': America's First Family (six-minute edit for the season 1 DVD) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250735/ |format=DVD |location=UK |publisher=20th Century Fox |access-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081722/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250735/ |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Matt Groening|last=Sadownick|first=Doug|publisher=Advocate|issue=571|date=February 26, 1991}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-10 |title=Matt Groening Reveals the Location of the Real Springfield {{!}} Arts & Culture {{!}} Smithsonian Magazine |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Matt-Groening-Reveals-the-Location-of-the-Real-Springfield.html/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410222259/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Matt-Groening-Reveals-the-Location-of-the-Real-Springfield.html/ |archive-date=April 10, 2012 }}</ref> Very little else of Homer's character was based on him, and to prove that the meaning behind Homer's name was not significant, Groening later named his own son Homer.<ref>{{cite news|first=Joseph|last=Rose|author-link=Joseph Rose (journalist)|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003818762_realsimpsons030.html |title=The real people behind Homer Simpson and family |newspaper=] |publisher=Oregonian Media Group|location=Portland, Oregon|date=August 3, 2007 |access-date=April 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103120252/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003818762_realsimpsons030.html |archive-date=January 3, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Elizabeth|last=Kolbert|author-link=Elizabeth Kolbert|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE4DD1239F936A15751C0A965958260 |title=Matt Groening; The Fun of Being Bart's Real Dad |newspaper=]|date=February 25, 1993|access-date=September 3, 2008 }}</ref> According to Groening, "Homer originated with my goal to both amuse my real father, and just annoy him a little bit. My father was an athletic, creative, intelligent filmmaker and writer, and the only thing he had in common with Homer was a love of donuts."<ref name="EW 2010"/> Although Groening has stated in several interviews that Homer was named after his father, he also claimed in several 1990 interviews that a character called precisely Homer Simpson in the 1939 ] novel '']'' as well as in the eponymous 1975 movie, was the inspiration.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=78–79}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Rip|last=Rense|title=Laughing With ''The Simpsons'' – The animated TV series shows us what's so funny about trying to be normal |newspaper=] |publisher=Entertainment News Service|location=St. Louis, Missouri|date=April 13, 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Andrews|title=Groening's Bart Simpson an animated alter ego|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-16/features/9002190671_1_matt-groening-homer-simpson-animation|work=]|publisher=]|location=Deerfield Beach, Florida|date=October 16, 1990|access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112042528/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-16/features/9002190671_1_matt-groening-homer-simpson-animation|archive-date=January 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012 he clarified, "I took that name from a minor character in the novel ''The Day of the Locust''... Since Homer was my father's name, and I thought Simpson was a funny name in that it had the word “simp” in it, which is short for “simpleton”—I just went with it."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=De La Roca |first1=Claudia |title=Matt Groening Reveals the Location of the Real Springfield |journal=] |date=May 2012 |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/matt-groening-reveals-the-location-of-the-real-springfield-60583379/ |access-date=6 December 2021}}</ref> Homer's middle initial "J", which stands for "Jay",<ref>{{cite episode |title=D'oh-in' in the Wind |episode-link=D'oh-in' in the Wind |series=The Simpsons |credits=Cary, Donick; Kirkland, Mark; Nastuk, Matthew (writers)|network=Fox |airdate=November 15, 1998|season=10 |number=06}}</ref> is a "tribute" to animated characters such as ] and ] from '']'', who got their middle initial from ].<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Groening, Matt (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "]|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season (DVD)|date=2007|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> | |||
| He is fluent in ] ("]") due to visiting his maternal grandmother in ] for two weeks every year. She hates the English language and would beat him whenever he spoke English, so he was forced to learn Italian. He began bed-wetting from this experience. He helps Lisa learn Italian, but there is no reference to his Italian background or language skills in any other episode. Milhouse's personality drastically changes when speaking Italian, becoming a suave, confident ladies' man popular with Springfield's ] in the episode. It is later revealed that both Milhouse's middle name and his maternal family name are "]". | |||
| Homer made his debut with the rest of the Simpson family on April 19, 1987, in ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' ] "]".{{sfn|Groening|1997|p=14}} In 1989, the shorts were adapted into ''The Simpsons'', a half-hour series airing on the ]. Homer and the Simpson family remained the main characters on this new show.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dean|last=Kuipers|url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |title=3rd Degree: Harry Shearer |access-date=September 21, 2008|date=April 15, 2004 |publisher=City Beat|location=Los Angeles, California|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605005153/http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| The show's ], and various scenes of band practice suggests that Milhouse plays a brass or woodwind instrument, possibly clarinet or trumpet, but all the Springfield Elementary band members, besides Lisa, are very poor musicians. | |||
| ===Design=== | |||
| As currently depicted in the series, Homer's everyday clothing consists of a white shirt with short sleeves and open collar, blue pants, and gray shoes. He is overweight and bald, except for a fringe of hair around the back and sides of his head and two curling hairs on top, and his face always sports a growth of beard stubble that instantly regrows whenever he shaves. | |||
| Milhouse is allergic to honey, ], ], mistletoe, holly, the red parts of candy canes, and his own tears. | |||
| ]" (1987), "]" (1989), and "]" (1990).]] | |||
| The entire Simpson family was designed so that they would be recognizable in silhouette.<ref>Groening, Matt. (2005). Commentary for "]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Sixth Season'' . 20th Century Fox.</ref> The family was crudely drawn because Groening had submitted basic sketches to the animators, assuming they would clean them up; instead, they just traced over his drawings.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> By coincidence or not, Homer's look bears a resemblance to the cartoon character ], created by Swedish cartoonist ] in 1920.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Simpsons: A Cultural History|last=Fink|first=Moritz|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2019|isbn=978-1-5381-1616-6|pages=4}}</ref> Homer's physical features are generally not used in other characters; for example, in the later seasons, no characters other than Homer, ], ], and ] have a similar beard line.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Groening, Matt; Reiss, Mike; Kirkland, Mark (animators) |chapter=Commentary for "]" |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season (DVD) |date= 2002 |location= Los Angeles, CA |publisher= 20th Century Fox}}</ref> When Groening originally designed Homer, he put his initials into the character's hairline and ear: the hairline resembled an 'M', and the right ear resembled a 'G'. Groening decided that this would be too distracting and redesigned the ear to look normal. However, he still draws the ear as a 'G' when he draws pictures of Homer for fans.<ref>{{cite book |first=Matt|last=Groening|author-link=Matt Groening|title=Simpsons Comics Royale |publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York City|date=2001 |page=90 |isbn=978-0-00-711854-0}}</ref> The basic shape of Homer's head is described by director ] as a tube-shaped coffee can with a salad bowl on top.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Archer, Wes; Groening, Matt; Kirkland, Mark (animators)|chapter=A Bit From the Animators: illustrated commentary for "]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Seventh Season (DVD)|date=2005|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> During the shorts, the animators experimented with the way Homer would move his mouth when talking. At one point, his mouth would stretch out back "beyond his beardline"; but this was dropped when it got "out of control."<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Silverman, David; Archer, Wes (directors)|chapter=Illustrated commentary for "]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2004|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In some early episodes, Homer's hair was rounded rather than sharply pointed because animation director ] felt it should look disheveled. Homer's hair evolved to be consistently pointed.<ref name="Dancin">{{cite AV media |people= Groening, Matt; Isaacs, David; Levine, Ken; Reiss, Mike; Kirkland, Mark (writers) |chapter= Commentary for "] |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season (DVD) |date=2002 |location= Los Angeles, California |publisher= 20th Century Fox}}</ref> During the first three seasons, Homer's design for some close-up shots included small lines which were meant to be eyebrows. Groening strongly disliked them and they were eventually dropped.<ref name="Dancin"/> | |||
| === Romance === | |||
| In the ] (1995) episode "]", Homer was computer-animated into a ] character for the first time for the "Homer<sup>3</sup>" segment of the episode. The computer animation directors at ] worked hard not to "reinvent the character".<ref name=3D/> In the final minute of the segment, the 3D Homer ends up in a real world, live-action Los Angeles. The scene was directed by ] and was the first time a ''Simpsons'' character had been in the real world in the series.<ref name=3D>Oakley, Bill; Weinstein, Josh; Johnson, Tim; Silverman, David; Mirkin, David; Cohen, David X. "Homer in the Third Dimpension" (2005), in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Seventh Season'' . 20th Century Fox.</ref> Because "]" (], 1995) is set fifteen years in the future, Homer's design was altered to make him older in the episode. He is heavier; one of the hairs on top of his head was removed; and an extra line was placed under the eye. A similar design has been used in subsequent ]s.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Mirkin, David (director)|chapter=Commentary for "]|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Sixth Season (DVD)|date=2005|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> | |||
| Milhouse harbors an occasionally reciprocated crush on Lisa, but their relationship is never shown as anything other than acquaintance or friendship. As shown in "]", when she admits she liked Nelson – at the end of that episode, after she has stopped liking Nelson, Milhouse asks Lisa who will be her next crush; Lisa coyly answers that it could be anybody and Milhouse rejoices. | |||
| Lisa has always opposed the idea of going out with Milhouse (e.g. "Lisa's Date with Density" and "]"); however, in the episode "]", after Milhouse starts tutoring Lisa in Italian and takes her to Springfield's Little Italy, she begins to develop feelings for him, until she catches him with a girl named Angelica, and began cursing in Italian and chasing him with a branch just as his grandmother had done. | |||
| ===Voice=== | |||
| ]<ref name="FN"/></div>]] | |||
| Homer's voice is performed by ], who voices numerous other characters, including ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Castellaneta had been part of the regular cast of '']'' and had previously done some voice-over work in Chicago alongside his wife ]. Voices were needed for the ], so the producers decided to ask Castellaneta and fellow cast member ] to voice Homer and Marge rather than hire more actors.<ref name="FN"/><ref name="The Age"/> In the shorts and first season of the half-hour show, Homer's voice is different from the majority of the series. The voice began as a loose impression of ], but Castellaneta could not "get enough power behind that voice",<ref name="The Age">{{cite news|first=Luaine|last=Lee|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064146568.html|title=D'oh, you're the voice|work=]|publisher=]|location=Melbourne, Australia|date=February 27, 2003|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102224412/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064146568.html|archive-date=November 2, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> or sustain his Matthau impression for the nine- to ten-hour-long recording sessions, and had to find something easier.<ref name="MTV">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565538/20070725/story.jhtml |title='Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers |access-date=September 21, 2008 |date=July 26, 2007 |author=Carroll, Larry |publisher=MTV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220140402/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565538/20070725/story.jhtml |archive-date=December 20, 2007 }}</ref> During the second and third seasons of the half-hour show, Castellaneta "dropped the voice down"<ref name="FN">{{cite news|first=Lynn|last=Elber|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,129665,00.html|title=D'oh!: The Voice of Homer Is Deceivingly Deadpan|website=]|publisher=]|date=August 18, 2007|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703090128/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C129665%2C00.html|archive-date=July 3, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and developed it as more versatile and humorous, allowing Homer a fuller range of emotions.<ref name="matthau">{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Brownfield|url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta99.html|title=He's Homer, but This Odyssey Is His Own |newspaper=] |location=Los Angeles, California|date=July 6, 1999 |access-date=September 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512004132/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta99.html |archive-date=May 12, 2008 }}</ref> | |||
| Milhouse's first real girlfriend was Samantha Stanky, a new student who had moved to ] from ] in the episode "]". After her father who responds to Bart's call caught her and Milhouse kissing, he shipped her off to a Catholic girls' school run by French-Canadian nuns. While Milhouse's official first kiss was with Samantha in the aforementioned episode, it was contradicted in the episode "]", where Milhouse accidentally kisses ], during a game of ] that Homer interrupted. In the episode "]", Milhouse dated fifth grader Taffy. The relationship ended when Milhouse and Taffy caught Lisa spying on them in the bushes. Taffy told Lisa that Milhouse still loves her, and Lisa kisses Milhouse because "he looks cute in the moonlight". Lisa told Milhouse that he should not give up searching for other girls and that life has unexpected things to offer. In the episode "]", Milhouse has a romantic relationship with Greta Wolfcastle, daughter of film star Rainier Wolfcastle. | |||
| Castellaneta's normal speaking voice does not bear any resemblance to Homer's.<ref name="Aspen">{{cite news|author=Harden, Mark |url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta00.html |title='Simpsons' voice Dan Castellaneta has some surprises for Aspen fest |work=] |date=February 9, 2000 |access-date=September 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710115213/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta00.html |archive-date=July 10, 2009 }}</ref> To perform Homer's voice, Castellaneta lowers his chin to his chest<ref name="The Age"/> and is said to "let his I.Q. go".<ref name="Mirkin"/> While in this state, he has ad-libbed several of Homer's least intelligent comments,<ref name="Mirkin">]. (2004). Commentary for "]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season'' . 20th Century Fox.</ref> such as the line "S-M-R-T; I mean, S-M-A-R-T!" from "]" (], 1993) which was a genuine mistake made by Castellaneta during recording.<ref name="CastellanetaBIC">{{cite AV media|people=] (actor)|chapter=Commentary for "]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2004|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Castellaneta likes to stay in character during recording sessions,<ref name="Tribune"/> and he tries to visualize a scene so that he can give the proper voice to it.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=] (actor)| chapter=Commentary for "]|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Sixth Season (DVD)|date=2005|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Despite Homer's fame, Castellaneta claims he is rarely recognized in public, "except, maybe, by a die-hard fan".<ref name="Tribune">{{cite news|first=Terry|last=Morrow|url=http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jun/23/voice-homer-simpson-leads-his-own-simple-life/ |title=Voice of Homer Simpson leads his own, simple life |newspaper=]|publisher=Scripps Howard News Service |location=Albuquerque, New Mexico|date=June 23, 2007| access-date=September 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012024317/http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jun/23/voice-homer-simpson-leads-his-own-simple-life/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 }}</ref> | |||
| Milhouse and Lisa's relationship has been used in episodes set in the show's future, outside of the show's ]{{According to whom|date=February 2024}}. In the episode "]", set 15 years into the future, Milhouse is Homer's boss at the nuclear plant, and after learning of Lisa's impending marriage, Milhouse recalls an earlier date with Lisa in which she said she might never marry, then angrily prepares Homer's annual review. Later in the episode, Lisa wonders if it is acceptable to wear a white wedding dress, suggesting that she had already lost her virginity; Marge tells her, "Milhouse doesn't count". In the episode "]" (2011), set 30 years into the future, Lisa and Milhouse are married and have a daughter, Zia. | |||
| "]" (], 1993) is the only episode where Homer's voice was provided by someone other than Castellaneta. The episode features Homer forming a ] called The Be Sharps; and, at some points, his singing voice is provided by a member of ].{{sfn|Groening|1997|p=120}} The Dapper Dans had recorded the singing parts for all four members of The Be Sharps. Their singing was intermixed with the normal voice actors' voices, often with a regular voice actor singing the melody and the Dapper Dans providing backup.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=] (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2004|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> | |||
| == Creation == | |||
| Until 1998, Castellaneta was paid $30,000 per episode. During a pay dispute in 1998, Fox threatened to replace the six main voice actors with new actors, going as far as preparing for casting of new voices.<ref name=Glaister/> However, the dispute was soon resolved and he received $125,000 per episode until 2004 when the voice actors demanded that they be paid $360,000 an episode.<ref name=Glaister>{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Glaister|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/02/1080544690429.html|title=Simpsons actors demand bigger share|newspaper=]|publisher=]|location=Melbourne, Australia|date=April 3, 2004|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202171844/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/02/1080544690429.html|archive-date=December 2, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> The issue was resolved a month later,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/simpsons-cast-goes-back-to-work/ |title='Simpsons' Cast Goes Back To Work |access-date=September 21, 2008 |date=May 1, 2004 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913212830/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/01/entertainment/main615066.shtml |archive-date=September 13, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Castellaneta earned $250,000 per episode.<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter|last=Sheridan|title=Meet the Simpsons |work=] |publisher=]|location=Sydney, Australia|date=May 6, 2004 }}</ref> After salary re-negotiations in 2008, the voice actors receive approximately $400,000 per episode.<ref>{{cite news |title=Simpsons cast sign new pay deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7434296.stm |work=BBC News |location=London, England |date=June 3, 2008 |access-date=September 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914050545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7434296.stm |archive-date=September 14, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, Castellaneta and the other cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Alex Ben |last=Block |title='The Simpsons' Renewed for Two More Seasons |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-renewed-two-more-seasons-245748 |magazine=] |publisher=] |location=Los Angeles, California |date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=October 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010170625/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-renewed-two-more-seasons-245748 |archive-date=October 10, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| Milhouse was designed by ] for a planned series on ], which was abandoned.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Venable |first1=Nick |title=The Crazy Story Behind Milhouse's Creation on The Simpsons |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/1591910/the-crazy-story-behind-milhouses-creation-on-the-simpsons |access-date=November 13, 2020 |publisher=Cinema Blend |date=November 30, 2016}}</ref> The design was then used for a '']'' commercial, and it was decided to use the character in the series.<ref>Groening, Matt. (2006). "A Bit from the Animators", illustrated commentary for "]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Eighth Season'' . 20th Century Fox.</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Silverman |first=David |user=tubatron |number=1395202081607151616 |date=19 May 2021 |title=Milhouse was a design Matt Groening had done for his never-realized NBC "Saturday morning show" - one of several characters. And @archermation and I chose him for the 1988 Butterfinger commercial. So - no, not based on any writer. I may have some details about what the show was for - I think Sat morn? - but Matt had a bunch of sketches from it and we needed a "best friend" for Bart in the 1st Butterfinger. I remember Wes & I liking that design best. Circa Oct '88 and I didn't keep a journal so ... }}</ref> Milhouse was named after U.S. president ]. The name was the most "unfortunate name Matt Groening could think of for a kid".<ref name="tvguide" /> Years earlier, in a 1986 '']'' comic entitled "What to Name the Baby", Groening listed Milhouse as a name "no longer recommended".<ref name="hugehell">{{cite book|last=Groening|first=Matt|title=The Huge Book of Hell|publisher=Penguin|location=New York|date=1997|pages=54}}</ref> Milhouse is a favorite among the staff as ] noted "most of the writers are more like Milhouse than Bart".<ref name="tvguide"/> His last name was given to him by ], a freelance writer who wrote the episode "]". Gewirtz got the name from one of his wife's friends.<ref name="Gewirtz">{{cite video|people=Gewirtz, Howard|date=2003|title=The Simpsons season 3 DVD commentary for the episode "Homer Defined"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> According to ] and ] (former writer and co-executive producer of ''The Simpsons''), ] (''Simpsons'' writer) inspired Milhouse's look.<ref name="gould" /> | |||
| == See also == | |||
| ===Character development=== | |||
| {{Portal bar|The Simpsons}} | |||
| Executive producer ] notes that in ''The Simpsons''<nowiki>'</nowiki> writing room, "everyone loves writing for Homer", and many of his adventures are based on experiences of the writers.<ref>{{cite news|first=Todd|last=Leopold|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/13/simpsons.300/index.html|title=The Simpsons Rakes in the D'oh!|website=CNN|date=February 13, 2003|access-date=September 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210182915/http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/13/simpsons.300/index.html|archive-date=December 10, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In the early seasons of the show, Bart was the main focus. But, around the ], Homer became more of the focus. According to Matt Groening, this was because "With Homer, there's just a wider range of jokes you can do. And there are far more drastic consequences to Homer's stupidity. There's only so far you can go with a juvenile delinquent. We wanted Bart to do anything up to the point of him being tried in court as a dad. But Homer is a dad, and his boneheaded-ness is funnier. Homer is launching himself headfirst into every single impulsive thought that occurs to him."<ref name="EW 2010">{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Snierson|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/09/simpsons-matt-groening-dan-castellaneta-greatest-character-homer-simpson/|title='The Simpsons': Matt Groening and Dan Castellaneta on EW's Greatest Character, Homer Simpson|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=New York City|date=June 9, 2010|access-date=September 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819172650/http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/09/simpsons-matt-groening-dan-castellaneta-greatest-character-homer-simpson/|archive-date=August 19, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| == References == | |||
| Homer's behavior has changed a number of times through the run of the series. He was originally "very angry" and oppressive toward Bart, but these characteristics were toned down somewhat as his persona was further explored.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Groening, Matt (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "]|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2004|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In early seasons, Homer appeared concerned that his family was going to make him look bad; however, in later episodes he was less anxious about how he was perceived by others.<ref name="disgrace">{{cite AV media |people=] (writer) |chapter= Commentary for "] |title=The Simpsons: The Complete First Season (DVD)|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In the first several years, Homer was often portrayed as dumb yet well-meaning, but during ]'s tenure as executive producer (], 1997 to ], 2001), he became more of "a boorish, self-aggrandizing oaf".<ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Bonné |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/simpsons-has-lost-its-cool-wbna3341530 |title='The Simpsons' has lost its cool |date=October 2, 2000 |access-date=September 5, 2008 |work=Today.com }}</ref> Chris Suellentrop of '']'' wrote, "under Scully's tenure, ''The Simpsons'' became, well, a cartoon. ... Episodes that once would have ended with ]... now end with ]."<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Suellentrop|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2078501/|title=The Simpsons: Who turned America's Best TV Show into a Cartoon?|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=Los Angeles, California|access-date=September 27, 2008|date=February 12, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617122059/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2003/02/the_simpsons.html|archive-date=June 17, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Fans have dubbed this incarnation of the character "Jerkass Homer".<ref>{{cite web|first=Alicia|last=Ritchey|url=http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2006/03/28/Arts/Matt-Groening.Did.You.Brain.Your.Damage-1751361.shtml |title=Matt Groening, did you brain your damage? |date=March 28, 2006 |access-date=March 13, 2008 |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419110117/http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2006/03/28/Arts/Matt-Groening.Did.You.Brain.Your.Damage-1751361.shtml |archive-date=April 19, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=Back>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Bonné |url=http://www.today.com/id/3404331 |title=''The Simpsons'', back from the pit |website=Today.com |date=November 7, 2003 |access-date=September 5, 2008 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014224816/http://www.today.com/id/3404331 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Chris|last1=Selley |first2=Marco|last2=Ursi|first3=Jaime J.|last3=Weinman |url=http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20070726_180440_10392 |title=The life and times of Homer J.(Vol. IV) |work=] |publisher=]|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada|date=July 26, 2007 |access-date=September 5, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109220212/http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20070726_180440_10392 |archive-date=January 9, 2009 }}</ref> At voice recording sessions, Castellaneta has rejected material written in the script that portrayed Homer as being too mean. He believes that Homer is "boorish and unthinking, but he'd never be mean on purpose."<ref name=SundayTimes/> When editing '']'', several scenes were changed to make Homer more sympathetic.<ref name=com>{{cite AV media|people=Brooks, James L. (Director); Groening, Matt; Jean, Al; Scully, Mike; Silverman, David (Writers); Castellaneta, Dan; Smith, Yeardley (Actors)|date=2007| title=Commentary for '']'' (DVD)|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| == External links == | |||
| The writers have depicted Homer with a declining intelligence over the years; they explain this was not done intentionally, but it was necessary to top previous jokes.<ref name="138th">{{cite AV media|people=Oakley, Bill; Weinstein, Josh; Vitti, Jon; Meyer, George (Writers)|date=2006| chapter=Commentary for "]"|title=''The Simpsons: The Complete Seventh Season'' (DVD)|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> For example, in "]", (], 1998) the writers included a scene where Homer admits that he cannot read. The writers debated including this plot twist because it would contradict previous scenes in which Homer does read, but eventually they decided to keep the joke because they found it humorous. The writers often debate how far to go in portraying Homer's stupidity; one suggested rule is that "he can never forget his own name".<ref name="Dish">{{cite AV media|people=Scully, Mike; Hauge, Ron; Selman, Matt; Appel, Rich; Michels, Pete (Writers)|chapter=Commentary for "]"|title=''The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season'' (DVD)|date=2007|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> | |||
| * | |||
| * on ] | |||
| ===Personality=== | |||
| The comic efficacy of Homer's personality lies in his frequent bouts of bumbling stupidity, laziness and his explosive anger. He has a low intelligence level and is described by director ] as "creatively brilliant in his stupidity".<ref name=sundvd/> Homer also shows immense apathy towards work, is overweight, and "is devoted to his stomach".<ref name=sundvd/> His short attention span is evidenced by his impulsive decisions to engage in various hobbies and enterprises, only to "change ... his mind when things go badly".<ref name=sundvd>{{cite AV media |people=Groening, Matt; ]; Jean, Al; Brooks, James L.; Silverman, David (writers) |title=The Simpsons Movie: A Look Behind the Scenes |date=2007 |type=DVD |publisher=]}}</ref> Homer often spends his evenings drinking ] at ], and was shown in the episode "]" (], 1993) as a full-blown ].<ref>{{cite episode |title=Duffless |episode-link=Duffless |series=The Simpsons |credits=]; ] |network=Fox |airdate=February 18, 1993 |season=4 |number=16}}</ref> He is very envious of his neighbors, ] and his family, and is easily enraged by ]. Homer will often strangle Bart on impulse upon Bart angering him (and can also be seen saying one of his catchphrases, "Why you little—!") in a cartoonish manner. The first instance of Homer strangling Bart was in the short "Family Portrait". According to Groening, the rule was that Homer could only strangle Bart impulsively, never with premeditation,<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Groening, Matt (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season (DVD)|date=2002|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> because doing so "seems sadistic. If we keep it that he's ruled by his impulses, then he can easily switch impulses. So, even though he impulsively wants to strangle Bart, he also gives up fairly easily."<ref name="EW 2010"/> Another of the original ideas entertained by Groening was that Homer would "always get his comeuppance or Bart had to strangle him back", but this was dropped.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Groening, Matt (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "]|title=The Simpsons: The Complete First Season (DVD)|date=2001|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Homer shows no compunction about expressing his rage, and does not attempt to hide his actions from people outside the family.<ref name=sundvd/> In "McMansion & Wife", Homer stated that he no longer strangles Bart, as "times have changed." However, the series' executive producers later clarified that Homer Simpson still strangles Bart, writing "Homer Simpson was unavailable for comment as he was busy strangling Bart".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Michael |title=Did 'The Simpsons' Really Ban Homer From Strangling Bart? Producers Call Out 'Clickbaiting' Reports in New Drawing (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-simpsons-homer-strangling-bart-producers-respond-1235781806/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |work=Variety |date=November 9, 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Homer has complex relationships with his family. As previously noted, he and Bart are the most at odds; but the two commonly share adventures and are sometimes allies, with some episodes (particularly in later seasons) showing that the pair have a strange respect for each other's cunning. Homer and Lisa have opposite personalities and he usually overlooks Lisa's talents, but when made aware of his neglect, does everything he can to help her. The show also occasionally implies Homer forgets he has a third child, Maggie; while the episode "]" suggests she is the chief reason Homer took and remains at his regular job (], 1995). While Homer's thoughtless antics often upset his family, he on many occasions has also revealed himself to be a caring and loving father and husband: in "]", (], 1992) he sold his cherished ride on the Duff blimp and used the money to enter Lisa in a beauty pageant so she could feel better about herself;<ref name="Beauty"/> in "]", (], 1993) he gave up his chance at wealth to allow Maggie to keep a cherished teddy bear;<ref>{{cite episode |title=Rosebud |episode-link=Rosebud (The Simpsons) |series=The Simpsons |credits=]; ] |network=Fox |airdate=October 21, 1993 |season=05 |number=04}}</ref> in "]", (], 1992) he spearheads an attempt to dig Bart out after he had fallen down a well;<ref>{{cite episode |title=Radio Bart |episode-link=Radio Bart |series=The Simpsons |credits=] (writer); Baeza, Carlos (director)|network=Fox |airdate=January 9, 1991 |season=3 |number=13}}</ref> in "]", (], 1996) he arranges a surprise second wedding with Marge to make up for their unsatisfactory first ceremony;<ref>{{cite episode |title=A Milhouse Divided |episode-link=A Milhouse Divided |series=The Simpsons |credits=] (writer); ] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=December 1, 1996 |season=8 |number=6}}</ref> and despite a poor relationship with his father ], whom he placed in a nursing home as soon as he could<ref>{{cite episode |title=Lisa's First Word |episode-link=Lisa's First Word |series=] |credits=] (writer); ] (director) |network=Fox |airdate=December 3, 1992 |season=4 |number=10}}</ref> while the Simpson family often do their best to avoid unnecessary contact with Grampa, Homer has shown feelings of love for his father from time to time.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Old Money |episode-link=Old Money (The Simpsons) |series=]|credits=] (writer); ] (writer); ] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=March 28, 1991 |season=2 |number=17}}</ref> | |||
| Homer is "a (happy) slave to his various appetites".{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=83}} He has an apparently vacuous mind, but occasionally exhibits a surprising depth of knowledge about various subjects, such as the composition of the ],<ref>{{cite web|first=Neely|last=Swanson|url=http://www.nomeanerplace.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=499:mirkin&catid=170:mirkin&Itemid=384 |title=David Mirkin, A Writer I Love |date=February 28, 2012 |publisher=No Meaner Place |access-date=June 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329120901/http://www.nomeanerplace.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=499%3Amirkin&catid=170%3Amirkin&Itemid=384 |archive-date=March 29, 2013 }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite episode |title=Lost Verizon |episode-link=Lost Verizon |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=] (writer); ] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=October 5, 2008 |season=20 |number=2}}</ref> ] law,<ref>{{cite episode |title=Rome-old and Juli-eh |episode-link=Rome-old and Juli-eh |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=] (writer); ] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=March 11, 2007 |season=18 |number=15}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Burns and the Bees |episode-link=The Burns and the Bees |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=] (writer); ] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=December 7, 2008 |season=20 |number=8}}</ref> Homer's brief periods of intelligence are overshadowed, however, by much longer and consistent periods of ignorance, forgetfulness, and stupidity. Homer has a low ] of 55, which would actually make him unable to speak or perform basic tasks, and has variously been attributed to the hereditary "]" (which eventually causes every male member of the family to become incredibly stupid),<ref>{{cite episode |title=Lisa the Simpson |episode-link=Lisa the Simpson |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=] (writer); ] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=March 8, 2008 |season=9 |number=17}}</ref> his alcohol problem, exposure to radioactive waste, repetitive ],<ref>{{cite episode |title=So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show |episode-link=So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=] (writer); Baeza, Carlos (director)|network=Fox |airdate=April 1, 1994 |season=04 |number=18}}</ref> and a crayon lodged in the ] of his brain.<ref name="HOMR">{{cite episode |title=HOMR |episode-link=HOMR |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=] (writer); ] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=January 7, 2001 |season=12 |number=9}}</ref> In the 2001 episode "]", Homer has the crayon removed, boosting his IQ to 105; although he bonds with Lisa, his newfound capacity for understanding and reason makes him unhappy, and he has the crayon reinserted.<ref name="HOMR"/> Homer often debates with his own mind, expressed in voiceover. His mind has a tendency to offer dubious advice, which occasionally helps him make the right decision, but often fails spectacularly. His mind has even become completely frustrated and, through sound effects, walked out on Homer.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Brother from the Same Planet |episode-link=Brother from the Same Planet |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=Vitti, Jon (writer); Lynch, Jeffrey (director)|network=Fox |airdate=February 4, 1993 |season=4 |number=14}}</ref> These exchanges were often introduced because they filled time and were easy for the animators to work on.<ref name="Duffless">{{cite AV media|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)|date=2004|people=]; ] (writers); ] (director)|publisher=20th Century Fox|location=Los Angeles, California|chapter=Commentary for "]"}}</ref> They were phased out after the producers "used every possible permutation".<ref name="Duffless" /> | |||
| Producer ] said Homer was his favorite ''Simpsons'' character to write: "Homer's just a comedy writer's dream. He has everything wrong with him, every comedy trope. He's fat and bald and stupid and lazy and angry and an alcoholic. I'm pretty sure he embodies all ]." ], who wrote 60 episodes, said he wrote Homer as if he were "a big talking dog ... One moment he's the saddest man in the world, because he's just lost his job, or dropped his sandwich, or accidentally killed his family. Then, the next moment, he's the happiest man in the world, because he's just found a penny — maybe under one of his dead family members ... If you write him as a dog you'll never go wrong."<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last=Sacks|first=Mike|title=John Swartzwelder, sage of ''The Simpsons''|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/john-swartzwelder-sage-of-the-simpsons|access-date=2021-05-02|magazine=]|date=May 2, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> Reiss felt this was insightful, saying: "Homer is just pure emotion, no long-term memory, everything is instant gratification. And, you know, has good dog qualities, too. I think, loyalty, friendliness, and just kind of continuous optimism."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpr.org/longtime-showrunner-writer-goes-behind-scenes-simpsons|title=Longtime Showrunner, Writer Goes Behind the Scenes of ''The Simpsons''|last=Gordon|first=Doug|date=August 8, 2018|website=Wisconsin Public Radio|access-date=January 7, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| ==Reception== | |||
| ===Commendations=== | |||
| {{See also|List of awards and nominations received by The Simpsons|l1=List of awards and nominations received by ''The Simpsons''}} | |||
| ] | |||
| Homer's influence on comedy and culture has been significant. In 2010, ''Entertainment Weekly'' named Homer "the greatest character of the last 20 years".<ref>{{cite web|first=Adam B.|last=Vary|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/01/100-greatest-characters-of-last-20-years-full-list/|title=The 100 Greatest Characters of the Last 20 Years: Here's our full list!|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=New York City|date=June 1, 2010|access-date=September 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126165142/http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/01/100-greatest-characters-of-last-20-years-full-list/|archive-date=January 26, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He was placed second on '']''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 2002 Top 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters, behind ];<ref name="Bugs">{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/30/cartoon.characters/index.html |title=Bugs Bunny tops greatest cartoon characters list |website=CNN |access-date=August 25, 2007 |date=July 30, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305100641/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/30/cartoon.characters/index.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> fifth on ] 100 Greatest TV Characters, one of only four cartoon characters on that list;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bravotv.com/The_100_Greatest_TV_Characters//index.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015070449/http://www.bravotv.com/The_100_Greatest_TV_Characters/index.shtml |archive-date=October 15, 2007 |title=The 100 Greatest TV Characters |publisher=Bravo |access-date=September 21, 2008}}</ref> and first in a ] poll of the greatest television characters of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/tv_characters/results.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531160558/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/tv_characters/results.html |archive-date=May 31, 2009 |title=100 Greatest TV Characters |access-date=December 31, 2007 |publisher=]}}</ref> In 2007, '']'' placed Homer ninth on their list of the "50 Greatest TV icons" and first on their 2010 list of the "Top 100 Characters of the Past Twenty Years".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ew.com/gallery/50-greatest-tv-icons|title=The 50 Greatest TV Icons|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=New York City|date=November 13, 2007|access-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816162116/https://www.ew.com/gallery/50-greatest-tv-icons/|archive-date=August 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EW 2010" /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/01/100-greatest-characters-of-last-20-years-full-list/?ew_packageID=20389040 |title=The 100 Greatest Characters of the Last 20 Years: Here's our full list! |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |author=Vary, Adam B |date=June 1, 2010 |access-date=June 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611043350/http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/01/100-greatest-characters-of-last-20-years-full-list/?ew%5FpackageID=20389040 |archive-date=June 11, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Homer was also the runaway winner in British polls that determined who viewers thought was the "greatest American"<ref>{{cite news |title=Homer eyes 'best American' prize |work=BBC News |date=June 13, 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2985728.stm |access-date=September 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328192548/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2985728.stm |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> and which fictional character people would like to see become the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Presidential poll win for Homer |work=BBC News |date=October 25, 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3952239.stm |access-date=January 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327011142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3952239.stm |archive-date=March 27, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> His relationship with Marge was included in '']''{{'s}} list of "The Best TV Couples of All Time".<ref>{{cite web |title=Couples Pictures, ''The Simpsons'' Photos – Photo Gallery: The Best TV Couples of All Time |url=https://www.tvguide.com/galleries/best-tv-couples-1026715/photo/2642d09c-58ed-4a7e-917e-cf06f6066e03/ |work=] |access-date=June 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201044920/http://www.tvguide.com/galleries/best-tv-couples-1026715/photo/2642d09c-58ed-4a7e-917e-cf06f6066e03/ |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, '']'' writers claimed that Homer is the second best cartoon character of all time.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-50-best-cartoon-characters-of-all-time/#2-homer-j-simpson-the-simpsons | title=The 50 Best Cartoon Characters of All Time | date=May 10, 2010 }}</ref> | |||
| Dan Castellaneta has won several awards for voicing Homer, including four ]s for "]" in 1992 for "]", 1993 for "]",<ref name="Emmys">{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.org/awards/awardsearch.php |title=Primetime Emmy Awards Advanced Search |publisher=Emmys.org |access-date=January 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113103340/http://www.emmys.org/awards/awardsearch.php |archive-date=January 13, 2008 }}</ref> in 2004 for "]",<ref name="Schneider" /> and in 2009 for "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2009ptemmys/61stemmys_nomswin_crtv.php?action=search_db#1 |title=61st Primetime Emmy Awards Quick Search |access-date=September 12, 2009 |date=September 12, 2009 |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916135515/http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2009ptemmys/61stemmys_nomswin_crtv.php?action=search_db |archive-date=September 16, 2009 }}</ref> However, in the case of "Today I Am a Clown", it was for voicing "various characters" and not solely for Homer.<ref name="Schneider">{{cite magazine|first=Michael|last=Schneider|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117908929.html?categoryid=1603&cs=1|title=Emmy speaks for Homer|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=August 10, 2004|access-date=September 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012175223/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117908929.html?categoryid=1603&cs=1|archive-date=October 12, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In ], Castellaneta received a fifth Emmy nomination for voicing Homer and Grampa in the episode "]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/sites/emmys.com/files/62ndemmys_noms.pdf |title=2010 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations |access-date=July 8, 2010 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310014216/http://www.emmys.com/sites/emmys.com/files/62ndemmys_noms.pdf |archive-date=March 10, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1993, Castellaneta was given a special ], "Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Field of Animation", for his work as Homer on ''The Simpsons''.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Adam|last=Sandler|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR115692.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|title='Aladdin' tops Annies|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=November 8, 1993|access-date=September 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012101459/http://www.variety.com/article/VR115692.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|archive-date=October 12, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Legacy: 21st Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1993) |publisher=]s |url=http://annieawards.org/21st-annie-awards |access-date=September 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102053005/http://annieawards.org/21st-annie-awards |archive-date=January 2, 2013}}</ref> In 2004, Castellaneta and ] (the voice of Marge) won a ] for "Most Popular Mom & Dad in a TV Series".<ref name="YAA">{{cite news|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms25.htm |title=25th Annual Winners and Nominees |access-date=January 18, 2008 |publisher=Youngartistawards.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802044855/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms25.htm |archive-date=August 2, 2011 }}</ref> In 2005, Homer and Marge were nominated for a ] for "Choice TV Parental Units".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Teen_Choice_Awards/2005 |title=Teen Choice Awards: 2005 |access-date=January 18, 2008 |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215015516/http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Teen_Choice_Awards/2005 |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> Various episodes in which Homer is strongly featured have won Emmy Awards for ], including "]" in 1991, "]" in 1995, "]" in 1997, "]" in 1998, "]" in 2001, "]" in 2003 and "]" in 2008.<ref name="Emmys"/> In 2000, Homer and the rest of the Simpson family were awarded a star on the ] located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=September 4, 2008 |url=http://www.tibp.com/cgi-bin/foxweb.dll/wlx/dir/wlxdirectory?cc=WOFAME++++&lcName=The+Simpsons |title=Hollywood Icons |publisher=Hollywood Chamber of Commerce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731111136/http://www.tibp.com/cgi-bin/foxweb.dll/wlx/dir/wlxdirectory?cc=WOFAME++++&lcName=The+Simpsons |archive-date=July 31, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Homer Simpson was celebrated by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, to honor the 25th anniversary of the episode "]".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://baseballhall.org/news/al-jean-reflects-on-homer-at-the-bat | title =''The Simpsons''{{'}} producer Al Jean reflects on "Homer at the Bat" | publisher = baseballhall.org | access-date = May 28, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170529065748/http://baseballhall.org/news/al-jean-reflects-on-homer-at-the-bat | archive-date = May 29, 2017 | url-status = live }}</ref> | |||
| ===Analysis=== | |||
| Homer is an "]" and embodies several American stereotypes of working class ] men: he is crude, overweight, incompetent, dim-witted, childish, clumsy and a borderline alcoholic.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=78–79}} Matt Groening describes him as "completely ruled by his impulses".<ref>{{cite news |title=Person of the Week: Matt Groening |work=] |date=July 27, 2007 |url=http://a.abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/story?id=3422830&page=1 |access-date=September 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723093621/http://a.abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/story?id=3422830&page=1 |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Dan Castellaneta calls him "a dog trapped in a man's body", adding, "He's incredibly loyal – not entirely clean – but you gotta love him."<ref name="The Age"/> In his book '']'', author ] describes Homer as "the most American of the Simpsons" and believes that while the other Simpson family members could be changed to other nationalities, Homer is "pure American".{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=80}} In the book ''God in the Details: American Religion in Popular Culture'', the authors comment that "Homer's progress (or lack thereof) reveals a character who can do the right thing, if accidentally or begrudgingly."<ref>{{cite book |first1=Eric Michael |last1=Mazur |first2=Kate |last2=McCarthy |title=God in the Details: American Religion in Popular Culture |publisher=] |location=New York City |date=2001 |isbn=978-0-415-92564-8 |page= |url=https://archive.org/details/godindetailsamer00mazu/page/243 }}</ref> The book '']'' includes a chapter analyzing Homer's character from the perspective of ] ]. ] writes that Homer's "love of life" is an admirable character trait, "for many people are tempted to see in Homer nothing but buffoonery and immorality. ... He is not ], he is more than happy to judge others, and he certainly does not seem to be obsessed with his health. These qualities might not make Homer an admirable ''person'', but they do make him admirable in some ways, and, more importantly, makes us crave him and the Homer Simpsons of this world."<ref>], pp. 22–23</ref> In 2008, '']'' justified designating ''The Simpsons'' as a television classic by stating, "we all hail Simpson patriarch Homer because his joy is as palpable as his stupidity is stunning".<ref>{{cite news|first1=Jennifer|last1=Armstrong|first2=Whitney|last2=Pastorek|first3=Dan|last3=Snierson|first4=Tim|last4=Stack|first5=Alynda|last5=Wheat|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-tv|title=100 New TV Classics|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=June 18, 2007|access-date=September 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710094307/http://www.ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-tv|archive-date=July 10, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| In the ] episode "]" the writers decided to examine "what it would be like to actually work alongside Homer Simpson".<ref>{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Snierson|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,275114,00.html|title=Springfield of Dreams|magazine=]|publisher=]|location=New York City|date=January 14, 2000|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805160552/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,275114,00.html|archive-date=August 5, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The episode explores the possibilities of a realistic character with a strong work ethic named Frank Grimes placed alongside Homer in a work environment. In the episode, Homer is portrayed as an everyman and the embodiment of the American spirit; however, in some scenes his negative characteristics and silliness are prominently highlighted.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=99–106}}<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Josh Weinstein (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Eighth Season (DVD)|date=2006|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=]}}</ref> By the end of the episode, Grimes, a hard working and persevering "real American hero", has become the villain; the viewer is intended to be pleased that Homer has emerged victorious.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=99–106}} | |||
| In ''Gilligan Unbound'', author ] states that he believes Homer's devotion to his family has added to the popularity of the character. He writes, "Homer is the distillation of pure fatherhood. ... This is why, for all his stupidity, bigotry and self-centered quality, we cannot hate Homer. He continually fails at being a good father, but he never gives up trying, and in some basic and important sense that makes him a good father."<ref>{{cite book |first=Paul Arthur |last=Cantor |title=Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization |publisher=] |location=Lanham, Maryland|date=2001 |isbn=978-0-7425-0779-1 |pages=74–76}}</ref> '']'' remarked "Homer is good because, above all, he is capable of great love. When the chips are down, he always does the right thing by his children—he is never unfaithful in spite of several opportunities."<ref name=SundayTimes/> | |||
| ==Cultural influence== | |||
| Homer Simpson is one of the most popular and influential television characters by a variety of standards. '']'' cited the character as being one of the "top 25 most influential people of the past 25 years" in 2007, adding that Homer "epitomized the irony and irreverence at the core of American humor".<ref>{{cite news|first=Susan|last=Page|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/top25-influential.htm|title=Most influential people|newspaper=]|publisher=]|location=Mclean, Virginia|date=September 3, 2007|access-date=September 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808091129/http://www.usatoday.com/news/top25-influential.htm|archive-date=August 8, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> ], director of ]'s Center for the Study of Popular Television, believes that "three centuries from now, English professors are going to be regarding Homer Simpson as one of the greatest creations in human storytelling."<ref>{{cite web|first=Bob|last=Baker|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-ca-baker16feb16,0,6396736.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels |title=The real first family |newspaper=]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=February 16, 2003 |access-date=September 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005100206/http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-ca-baker16feb16%2C0%2C6396736.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels |archive-date=October 5, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Animation historian ] described Homer as one of the best animated characters, saying, "you know someone like it, or you identify with (it). That's really the key to a classic character."<ref name="Bugs"/> Homer has been described by '']'' as "the greatest comic creation of time". The article remarked, "every age needs its great, consoling failure, its lovable, pretension-free mediocrity. And we have ours in Homer Simpson."<ref name=SundayTimes>{{cite news |first=Lindsay |last=McIntosh |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theres-nobody-like-him-except-you-me-everyone-6b05sctmwbh |title=There's nobody like him ... except you, me, everyone |newspaper=] |publisher=Times Media Group |location=London, England |date=July 8, 2007 |access-date=September 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043841/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theres-nobody-like-him-except-you-me-everyone-6b05sctmwbh |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| Despite Homer's partial embodiment of American culture, his influence has spread to other parts of the world. In 2003, Matt Groening revealed that his father, after whom Homer was named, was Canadian, and said that this made Homer himself a Canadian.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/020718/6/npt8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021005145459/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/020718/6/npt8.html |archive-date=October 5, 2002 |title=Don't have a cow! Homer Simpson is Canadian, creator says |format=News article |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=] |date=July 18, 2003}}</ref> The character was later made an ] of ], Manitoba, Canada, because Homer Groening was believed to be from there, although sources say the senior Groening was actually born in the province of ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2003/05/30/homer300503.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610195503/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2003/05/30/homer300503.html |archive-date=June 10, 2008 |title=Homer Simpson to become an {{Sic |nolink=y|honou|rary |expected=honorary}} Winnipegger |access-date=January 19, 2008 |date=May 30, 2003 |publisher=]}}</ref> In 2007, an image of Homer was painted next to the ] in ], England as part of a promotion for '']''. This caused outrage among local ] who performed "]" to try to get it washed away.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6901543.stm |title=Wish for rain to wash away Homer |access-date=September 21, 2008 |date=July 16, 2007 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214062912/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6901543.stm |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, a defaced ] coin was found in ], Spain with the face of Homer replacing the effigy of ] ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Spanish Sweetshop Owner Finds Homer Simpson Euro |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=August 10, 2008 |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401044,00.html |access-date=September 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080902114002/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C401044%2C00.html |archive-date=September 2, 2008 }}</ref> | |||
| On April 9, 2009, the ] unveiled a series of five 44-cent stamps featuring Homer and the four other members of the Simpson family. They are the first characters from a television series to receive this recognition while the show is still in production.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ifcc0b6f995bc3974307adf134bb3a5a5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404084132/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ifcc0b6f995bc3974307adf134bb3a5a5 |archive-date=April 4, 2009 |title=Postal Service launching 'Simpsons' stamps |date=April 1, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2009 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |author=Szalai, George}}</ref> The stamps, designed by Matt Groening, were made available for purchase on May 7, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Simpsons stamps launched in US |url=http://newslite.tv/2009/05/08/the-simpsons-stamps-launched-i.html |publisher=Newslite |date=May 8, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828035658/http://newslite.tv/2009/05/08/the-simpsons-stamps-launched-i.html |archive-date=August 28, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/pr09_048.htm?from=home_newsandannounce&page=SimpsonsStandingOvation |title=The Simpsons Get 'Stamping Ovation' To Tune of 1 Billion Stamps |date=May 7, 2009 |publisher=] |access-date=May 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606080140/http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/pr09_048.htm?from=home_newsandannounce&page=SimpsonsStandingOvation |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> | |||
| Homer has appeared, voiced by Castellaneta, in several other television shows, including the ] of '']'' where he opened the show;<ref>{{cite news |title=Top 3 Results |publisher=Americanidol.com |author=Deanie79 |date=May 16, 2006 |url=http://www.americanidol.com/recaps/fans/season6/?rID=642 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415073525/http://www.americanidol.com/recaps/fans/season6/?rID=642 |archive-date=April 15, 2008 |access-date=October 1, 2008}}</ref> '']'' where he performed a special animated opening monologue for the July 24, 2007, edition;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2007/07/20/57948-homer-simpson-to-be-on-the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno/ |title=Homer Simpson to be on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' |work=] |date=July 20, 2007 |access-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715101729/http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2007/07/20/57948-homer-simpson-to-be-on-the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno/ |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the 2008 ] ] '']'' where he was shown having a ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Christina Applegate in telethon for cancer research |work=Reuters |last=Serjeant |first=Jill |date=September 6, 2008 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cancer-telethon-idUSN0632111320080906 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414162110/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cancer-telethon-idUSN0632111320080906 |archive-date=April 14, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| On February 28, 1999, Homer Simpson was made an honorary member of the Junior Common Room of ]. Homer was granted the membership by the college's undergraduate body in the belief that ″he would benefit greatly from an Oxford education″.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of the JCR of Worcester College, Oxford|url=http://jcr.worc.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/05/The-Constitution-of-the-JCR-of-Worcester-College.pdf|access-date=May 25, 2018|page=34|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525205051/http://jcr.worc.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/05/The-Constitution-of-the-JCR-of-Worcester-College.pdf|archive-date=May 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| Homer has also been cited in the scientific literature, in relation to low intelligence or cognitive abilities. A 2010 study from ] showed that the ] gene appeared to be impairing the development of cognitive abilities in ] (or, rather, that mice with a disabled RGS14 gene improved their cognitive abilities), prompting the authors to dub it the "Homer Simpson gene".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20100918/2064/gene-limits-learning-and-memory-in-mice.htm|title=Gene limits learning and memory in mice|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920232602/http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20100918/2064/gene-limits-learning-and-memory-in-mice.htm|archive-date=September 20, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ===D'oh!=== | |||
| {{Main|D'oh!}} | |||
| Homer's main and most famous catchphrase, the annoyed grunt "D'oh!", is typically uttered when he injures himself, realizes that he has done something stupid, or when something bad has happened or is about to happen to him. During the voice recording session for a '']'' short, Homer was required to utter what was written in the script as an "annoyed grunt".{{sfn|Reiss|Klickstein|2018|p=108}} Dan Castellaneta rendered it as a drawn out "d'ooooooh". This was inspired by ], the mustachioed Scottish actor who appeared in 33 ] films.{{sfn|Reiss|Klickstein|2018|p=108}} Finlayson had used the term as a ] to stand in for the word "]!" ] felt that it would better suit the timing of animation if it were spoken faster. Castellaneta then shortened it to a quickly uttered "D'oh!"<ref name=herald>{{Cite news |title=What's the story with ... Homer's D'oh! |work=] |date=July 21, 2007 |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/what-s-the-story-with-homer-s-d-oh-1.840349 |access-date=September 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515054417/http://www.heraldscotland.com/what-s-the-story-with-homer-s-d-oh-1.840349 |archive-date=May 15, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first intentional use of D'oh! occurred in the Ullman short "The Krusty the Clown Show"<ref name=herald/> (1989), and its first usage in the series was in the series premiere, "]".<ref name="doh">{{cite news|first=Jeremy |last=Simon |title=Wisdom from ''The Simpsons''{{'}} 'D'ohh' boy |url=http://snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta94.html |work=] |date=February 11, 1994 |access-date=September 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515145344/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta94.html |archive-date=May 15, 2008 }}</ref> | |||
| "D'oh!" was first added to '']'' in 1998.{{sfn|Reiss|Klickstein|2018|p=108}} It is defined as an interjection "used to comment on an action perceived as foolish or stupid".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/words/doh_oed.html |title=D'oh! A Dictionary update |access-date=September 21, 2008 |date=July 17, 2001 |author=Shewchuk, Blair |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609102957/http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/words/doh_oed.html |archive-date=June 9, 2008 }}</ref> In 2001, "D'oh!" was added to the '']'', without the apostrophe ("Doh!").<ref>{{cite news | |||
| |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1387335.stm |title=It's in the dictionary, D'oh! |access-date=September 21, 2008 | |||
| |date=June 14, 2001 |work=BBC News, Entertainment |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021203092605/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1387335.stm |archive-date=December 3, 2002}}</ref> The definition of the word is "expressing frustration at the realization that things have turned out badly or not as planned, or that one has just said or done something foolish".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/78912?tid=relatedcl |title='D'oh!' The Right Thing? |access-date=September 21, 2008 |date=June 15, 2001 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929235150/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2001/06/14/d-oh-the-right-thing.html |archive-date=September 29, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, "D'oh!" was placed in sixth position on ]'s list of the 100 greatest television catchphrases.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-11-28-catchprase-list_x.htm |title=Dyn-O-Mite! TV Land lists catchphrases |access-date=September 7, 2008 |date=November 28, 2006 |work=USA Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415220143/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-11-28-catchprase-list_x.htm |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvland.com/originals/catchphrases/quotes.jhtml |title=The 100 greatest TV quotes and catchphrases |access-date=September 7, 2008 |year=2008 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313194321/http://www.tvland.com/originals/catchphrases/quotes.jhtml |archive-date=March 13, 2008}}</ref> "D'oh!" is also included in '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snpp.com/other/articles/homersodyssey2.html |title=Homer's Odyssey |access-date=September 23, 2008 |date=May 21, 2000 |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080904211544/http://www.snpp.com/other/articles/homersodyssey2.html |archive-date=September 4, 2008 }}</ref> The book includes several other quotations from Homer, including "Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try", from "]" (], 1994) as well as "Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the Internet and all", from "]{{-"}} (], 1999). Both quotes entered the dictionary in August 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1561004/Simpsons-quotes-enter-new-Oxford-dictionary.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202182829/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1561004/Simpsons-quotes-enter-new-Oxford-dictionary.html |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |title=Simpsons quotes enter new Oxford dictionary |access-date=September 23, 2008 |date=August 24, 2007 |author=Shorto, Russell |work=] |location=London}}</ref> | |||
| ===Merchandising=== | |||
| Homer's inclusion in many Simpsons publications, toys, and other merchandise is evidence of his enduring popularity. ''The Homer Book'', about Homer's personality and attributes, was released in 2004 and is commercially available.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |title=The Homer Book |publisher=] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-06-111661-2}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/News/09/10/showbuzz/index.html#2 |title=D'Oh! Eat Homer for breakfast |access-date=September 3, 2008 |date=September 10, 2001 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430161747/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/News/09/10/showbuzz/index.html |archive-date=April 30, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has been described as "an entertaining little book for occasional reading"<ref>{{cite news |title=The perfect present for a 'Doh' nut |author=Hunter, Simon |date=November 15, 2004 |work=]}}</ref> and was listed as one of "the most interesting books of 2004" by '']''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_62321.asp |title=Bambi Evans: The Most Interesting Books Of 2004 |access-date=September 27, 2008 |author=Evans, Bambi |date=February 9, 2005 |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210052528/http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_62321.asp |archive-date=February 10, 2005}}</ref> Other merchandise includes dolls, posters, figurines, ], mugs, alarm clocks, jigsaw puzzles, ]s, and clothing such as slippers, T-shirts, baseball caps, and boxer shorts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/index.php?v=simfandrmhom&spid=&pagemax=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216194521/http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/index.php?v=simfandrmhom&spid=&pagemax=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2008 |title=Homer Simpson stuff |access-date=January 18, 2008 |publisher=The Simpsons Shop }}</ref> Homer has appeared in commercials for ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. In 2004, Homer starred in a ] '']'' commercial that aired during ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.adweek.com/aw/creative/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2080751 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041214205209/http://www.adweek.com/aw/creative/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2080751 |archive-date=December 14, 2004 |title=Homer Simpson Is 'Priceless' for MasterCard |access-date=September 21, 2008 |author=Sampey, Kathleen |date=January 30, 2004 |work=]}}</ref> In 2001, ] launched a brand of cereal called "Homer's Cinnamon Donut Cereal", which was available for a limited time.<ref name="CNN"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,184538,00.html |title=Cereal Numbers |access-date=October 28, 2008 |date=November 15, 2001 |author=Fonseca, Nicholas |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421141104/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,184538,00.html |archive-date=April 21, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2009, Dutch ]s manufacturer ] announced that Homer would be added to its downloadable ] voice lineup. Homer's voice, recorded by Dan Castellaneta, features several in-character comments such as "Take the third right. We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm... ice cream."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/tech_guide/2009/06/17/2009-06-17_homer_simpson.html |work=] |title=Homer Simpson joins the TomTom GPS voice lineup |date=June 17, 2009 |access-date=September 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621054013/http://www.nydailynews.com/tech_guide/2009/06/17/2009-06-17_homer_simpson.html |archive-date=June 21, 2009}}</ref> | |||
| Homer has appeared in other media relating to ''The Simpsons''. He has appeared in every one of ], including the most recent, '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Walk |first=Gary Eng |title=Work of Bart |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 5, 2007 |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20158366,00.html |access-date=September 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017135647/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20158366%2C00.html |archive-date=October 17, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Homer appears as a playable character in the ] video game '']'', released via a "Level Pack" packaged with Homer's Car and "Taunt-o-Vision" accessories in September 2015; the pack also adds an additional level based on the episode "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/20/lego-dimensions-doctor-who-level-pack-review-plus-portal-2-the-simpsons-and-back-to-the-future-5514260/|title=Game review: Lego Dimensions Doctor Who Level Pack is about time|date=November 20, 2015|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906224939/http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/20/lego-dimensions-doctor-who-level-pack-review-plus-portal-2-the-simpsons-and-back-to-the-future-5514260/|archive-date=September 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Alongside the television series, Homer regularly appeared in issues of ], which were published from November 29, 1993, until October 17, 2018.<ref name="gazette">{{cite news |title = Groening launches Futurama comics|work = ]|date = November 19, 2000|author = Radford, Bill}}</ref><ref name="msnbc">{{cite web |url=http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/simpsons_sundays/simpsons_on_sundays.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708094751/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/simpsons_sundays/simpsons_on_sundays.asp |archive-date=July 8, 2007 |title=Sundays with the Simpsons |access-date=September 7, 2008 |author=Shutt, Craig |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> Homer also plays a role in ], launched in 2008 at ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/simpsons-ride-featur-1657/ |title=Simpsons ride features 29 characters, original voices |access-date=September 7, 2008 |date=April 9, 2008 |work=Los Angeles Times |author=MacDonald, Brady |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914144851/http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/simpsons-ride-featur-1657/ |archive-date=September 14, 2008 }}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| ===Citations=== | |||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| ===Sources=== | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Groening |editor1-first=Ray |editor1-last=Richmond |editor1-link=Ray Richmond |editor2-first=Antonia |editor2-last=Coffman |title=The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family|edition=1st |year=1997 |location=New York|publisher=] |lccn=98141857 |ol=433519M |oclc=37796735 |isbn = 978-0-06-095252-5|title-link=The Simpsons episode guides#The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family }} | |||
| * {{Cite book |last=Halwani |first=Raja |editor=Irwin, William |editor2=Conrad, Mark T. |editor3=Skoble, Aeon |title=The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer |chapter=Homer and Aristotle |year=1999 |location=Chicago, Illinois|publisher=] |isbn=978-0-8126-9433-8 |ref=Halwani |title-link=The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer }} | |||
| *{{cite book |last1=Reiss |first1=Mike |last2=Klickstein |first2=Mathew |title=Springfield confidential: jokes, secrets, and outright lies from a lifetime writing for the Simpsons |date=2018 |publisher=Dey Street Books |isbn=978-0062748034 |location=New York City}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Turner (author) |title=Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation |others=Foreword by ]. |edition=1st |year=2004 |location=Toronto |publisher=] |oclc=55682258 |isbn=978-0-679-31318-2|title-link=Planet Simpson }} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| *{{Cite book|editor-last=Alberti|editor-first=John|year=2003|title=Leaving Springfield: The Simpsons and the Possibility of Oppositional Culture|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-8143-2849-1|title-link=Leaving Springfield|ref=none}} | |||
| *{{Cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Alan|last2=Logan|first2=Chris|year=2006|title=The Psychology of The Simpsons|publisher=]|isbn=978-1-932100-70-9|title-link=The Psychology of The Simpsons|ref=none}} | |||
| *Fink, Moritz (2019). ''The Simpsons: A Cultural History''. Rowman & Littlefield. {{ISBN|978-1-5381-1616-6}}. | |||
| *{{Cite book|last=Groening|first=Matt|title=The Homer Book|publisher=]|year=2005|isbn=978-0-06-111661-2|author-link=Matt Groening|ref=none}} | |||
| *{{Cite book|last=Groening|first=Matt|title=The Simpsons Uncensored Family Album|year=1991|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-096582-2|author-link=Matt Groening|title-link=The Simpsons Uncensored Family Album|ref=none}} | |||
| *{{Cite book|last=Pinsky|first=Mark I|title=The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family|year=2004|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|location=Louisville, Kentucky|isbn=978-0-664-22419-6|url=https://archive.org/details/gospelaccordingt00mark|ref=none}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Wiktionary|d'oh}} | |||
| *{{Commons category-inline|Homer Simpson}} | |||
| * on ] | |||
| {{The Simpsons}} | {{The Simpsons}} | ||
| {{Richard Nixon}} | |||
| {{Portal bar|The Simpsons|Animation|Television|Comedy}} | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| {{Featured article}} | |||
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| The Simpsons character | |
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| First appearance | "The Butterfinger Group" (1988) |
| Created by | Matt Groening |
| Designed by | Matt Groening |
| Voiced by |
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| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Student at Springfield Elementary School |
| Family | Kirk Van Houten (father) Luann Van Houten (mother) |
| Relatives |
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| Religion | Zoroastrianism |
| Origin | Italian-Greek-Dutch-Danish American-Croatian |
Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten is a recurring character in the Fox animated television series The Simpsons voiced by Pamela Hayden and created by Matt Groening. Milhouse is Bart Simpson's childhood best friend in Mrs. Krabappel's fourth grade class at Springfield Elementary School. He is insecure, gullible, and is often led into trouble by Bart, who takes advantage of his friend's naivety. Milhouse is a regular target for school bully Nelson Muntz and his friends Jimbo Jones, Dolph Starbeam and Kearney Zzyzwicz. He has a crush on Bart's sister, Lisa, which is a common plot element.
Milhouse debuted in the 1988 commercial "The Butterfinger Group" while The Simpsons was still airing as a cartoon short series on the Fox variety show The Tracey Ullman Show. When The Simpsons was greenlit for a full series by Fox, Milhouse appeared in the first episode of the first season, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," becoming one of the series' most prominent recurring characters. Groening chose the name Milhouse, also the middle name of President Richard Nixon, because it was the most "unfortunate name could think of for a kid". Milhouse's appearance is based on that of Rob Cohen. In the wake of Pamela Hayden's retirement in November 2024, it was confirmed that her characters, including Milhouse, would be recast in the future. Following Hayden's appearance in The Simpsons Disney + special O C'mon All Ye Faithful, Simpsons creator Matt Groening and writer Carolyn Omine revealed to Comic Book.com that Hayden would make a few more performances than initially announced.
Profile
Milhouse is of Italian, Greek, Danish and Dutch descent, based on comments and characters introduced throughout the series. He shares the same physical features as both his parents, and his father's primary personality features (which include disappointment, insecurity, and generally depressed demeanor). He has none of his mother's confidence, except when specific storylines demand it. Milhouse is constantly bullied by Nelson Muntz, Jimbo Jones, Dolph Starbeam, and Kearney Zzyzwicz, to the point that when Bart questions Milhouse by saying "Milhouse! I thought you had a three o'clock wedgie with Nelson", in the episode "Little Orphan Millie", Milhouse simply responds "I had to reschedule". They do often inflict violence upon the geeky Milhouse, who wears thick eyeglasses, without which he cannot see. Milhouse and family are among the few Springfield residents with visible eyebrows, which are rather thick.
Although not disliked and having a moderate number of friends among other kids from school aside from Bart himself, Milhouse has made a career of getting victimized, although his overall true antagonists are the schoolyard bullies of Springfield Elementary School (Nelson, Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney). In "Sideshow Bob Roberts", Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney wrapped Milhouse in bumper stickers and placed him in a shopping cart. After Jimbo claimed that "the mummy's ready for his mystical journey!", the bullies pushed the cart with Milhouse down a very steep hill. He is harmed frequently, and on some occasions is injured by dangerous hazards, e.g., being run over by a train, falling down a waterfall, receiving electrical shocks, having his head polished to bone, and having his teeth knocked out by a hockey puck. As a lead character he always survives and recovers, often with no further mention of any injuries. He frequently visited a female psychiatrist until even she could not deal with his constant calling and blocked his number.
On one occasion, Bart got Milhouse placed on the FBI's Most Wanted List even though they are friends, and tried to lure Milhouse into a cactus. Milhouse is not always subservient to Bart; in "Bart Sells His Soul", Milhouse toyed with Bart's anxiety after Bart sold his soul for $5, and Milhouse demanded $50 to return it. On another occasion, Bart introduced Milhouse to his girlfriend and had to explain why he and Milhouse are friends, but could not come up with a good answer and admitted it was due to geographical convenience. Bart did admit in "Little Orphan Millie" that he loves Milhouse.
Homer also sometimes makes fun of Milhouse (once referring to Milhouse in the boy's presence as "that little wiener"). In "Burns, Baby Burns", Larry, Mr. Burns' son, brings Homer to eat at his house. Mr. Burns was angry and he asks Homer if his son "brings home nitwits and make you talk to them", to which Homer answers "Oh, all the time! Have you ever heard of this kid Milhouse? He's a little wiener who...", before being interrupted by Burns. In an attempt to purposefully enrage his father, Bart once stated that he felt "a little attracted to Milhouse", sending Homer into a rage. Bart and Milhouse appear to be the same height, but in the episode "Radioactive Man", it is revealed that Milhouse is at least 1 in (25 mm) taller than Bart.
Milhouse is frequently the butt of a variety of jokes, such as being beaten up by Nelson for delivering a love note from Lisa (which Nelson thought was from Milhouse himself), having the door slammed in his face while playing pin the tail on the donkey, having his possible budding homosexuality given away by his school counselor to Homer and Marge by accidentally picking up the wrong folder while discussing Bart, making him a wanted fugitive (see above), inadvertently inheriting Bart's dismal permanent record at school through a side deal arranged between Bart, Edna Krabappel and Principal Skinner, which will disqualify Milhouse from "all but the hottest and noisiest jobs".
He is fluent in Italian ("The Last of the Red Hat Mamas") due to visiting his maternal grandmother in Tuscany for two weeks every year. She hates the English language and would beat him whenever he spoke English, so he was forced to learn Italian. He began bed-wetting from this experience. He helps Lisa learn Italian, but there is no reference to his Italian background or language skills in any other episode. Milhouse's personality drastically changes when speaking Italian, becoming a suave, confident ladies' man popular with Springfield's Italian community in the episode. It is later revealed that both Milhouse's middle name and his maternal family name are "Mussolini".
The show's opening sequence, and various scenes of band practice suggests that Milhouse plays a brass or woodwind instrument, possibly clarinet or trumpet, but all the Springfield Elementary band members, besides Lisa, are very poor musicians.
Milhouse is allergic to honey, wheat, dairy, mistletoe, holly, the red parts of candy canes, and his own tears.
Romance
Milhouse harbors an occasionally reciprocated crush on Lisa, but their relationship is never shown as anything other than acquaintance or friendship. As shown in "Lisa's Date with Density", when she admits she liked Nelson – at the end of that episode, after she has stopped liking Nelson, Milhouse asks Lisa who will be her next crush; Lisa coyly answers that it could be anybody and Milhouse rejoices.
Lisa has always opposed the idea of going out with Milhouse (e.g. "Lisa's Date with Density" and "Future-Drama"); however, in the episode "The Last of the Red Hat Mamas", after Milhouse starts tutoring Lisa in Italian and takes her to Springfield's Little Italy, she begins to develop feelings for him, until she catches him with a girl named Angelica, and began cursing in Italian and chasing him with a branch just as his grandmother had done.
Milhouse's first real girlfriend was Samantha Stanky, a new student who had moved to Springfield from Phoenix, Arizona in the episode "Bart's Friend Falls in Love". After her father who responds to Bart's call caught her and Milhouse kissing, he shipped her off to a Catholic girls' school run by French-Canadian nuns. While Milhouse's official first kiss was with Samantha in the aforementioned episode, it was contradicted in the episode "The Way We Weren't", where Milhouse accidentally kisses Homer, during a game of spin the bottle that Homer interrupted. In the episode "Homer Scissorhands", Milhouse dated fifth grader Taffy. The relationship ended when Milhouse and Taffy caught Lisa spying on them in the bushes. Taffy told Lisa that Milhouse still loves her, and Lisa kisses Milhouse because "he looks cute in the moonlight". Lisa told Milhouse that he should not give up searching for other girls and that life has unexpected things to offer. In the episode "The Bart Wants What It Wants", Milhouse has a romantic relationship with Greta Wolfcastle, daughter of film star Rainier Wolfcastle.
Milhouse and Lisa's relationship has been used in episodes set in the show's future, outside of the show's canon. In the episode "Lisa's Wedding", set 15 years into the future, Milhouse is Homer's boss at the nuclear plant, and after learning of Lisa's impending marriage, Milhouse recalls an earlier date with Lisa in which she said she might never marry, then angrily prepares Homer's annual review. Later in the episode, Lisa wonders if it is acceptable to wear a white wedding dress, suggesting that she had already lost her virginity; Marge tells her, "Milhouse doesn't count". In the episode "Holidays of Future Passed" (2011), set 30 years into the future, Lisa and Milhouse are married and have a daughter, Zia.
Creation
Milhouse was designed by Matt Groening for a planned series on NBC, which was abandoned. The design was then used for a Butterfinger commercial, and it was decided to use the character in the series. Milhouse was named after U.S. president Richard Milhous Nixon. The name was the most "unfortunate name Matt Groening could think of for a kid". Years earlier, in a 1986 Life in Hell comic entitled "What to Name the Baby", Groening listed Milhouse as a name "no longer recommended". Milhouse is a favorite among the staff as Al Jean noted "most of the writers are more like Milhouse than Bart". His last name was given to him by Howard Gewirtz, a freelance writer who wrote the episode "Homer Defined". Gewirtz got the name from one of his wife's friends. According to Arden Myrin and Dana Gould (former writer and co-executive producer of The Simpsons), Rob Cohen (Simpsons writer) inspired Milhouse's look.
See also
Portal:
References
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEOmyLHZyqc
- "The Last of the Red Hat Mamas". The Simpsons. Season 17. Episode 7. November 27, 2005. Fox.
- ^ Rhodes, Joe (2000-10-21). "Flash! 24 Simpsons Stars Reveal Themselves". TV Guide.
- ^ "The Dana Gould Hour" for 2014-10-14 around 13m30s. Retrieved 2014-11-15
- Porter, Rick (November 20, 2024). "'The Simpsons' Voice Actor Pamela Hayden Retiring After 35 Years". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- Valdez, Nick (December 17, 2024). "The Simpsons' Disney+ Christmas Special Brings Back Retired Star (& They Aren't Done Yet)". Comic Book.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- Bart: "Oh, I love him so much!"
- Venable, Nick (November 30, 2016). "The Crazy Story Behind Milhouse's Creation on The Simpsons". Cinema Blend. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- Groening, Matt. (2006). "A Bit from the Animators", illustrated commentary for "Lisa's Date with Density", in The Simpsons: The Complete Eighth Season . 20th Century Fox.
- Silverman, David (19 May 2021). "Milhouse was a design Matt Groening had done for his never-realized NBC "Saturday morning show" - one of several characters. And @archermation and I chose him for the 1988 Butterfinger commercial. So - no, not based on any writer. I may have some details about what the show was for - I think Sat morn? - but Matt had a bunch of sketches from it and we needed a "best friend" for Bart in the 1st Butterfinger. I remember Wes & I liking that design best. Circa Oct '88 and I didn't keep a journal so ..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- Groening, Matt (1997). The Huge Book of Hell. New York: Penguin. p. 54.
- Gewirtz, Howard (2003). The Simpsons season 3 DVD commentary for the episode "Homer Defined" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
External links
| Richard Nixon | |
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- Child characters in animated films
- Child characters in television
- Television characters introduced in 1988
- Fictional Italian people
- Fictional Dutch people
- Fictional Danish people
- Fictional Greek people
- Male characters in animated television series
- Richard Nixon
- The Simpsons characters
- Television sidekicks
- Characters created by Matt Groening
- Animated characters introduced in 1988