This is an old revision of this page, as edited by FlaBot (talk | contribs) at 00:32, 28 October 2006 (robot Adding: es:Kirk Van Houten, pt:Kirk Van Houten). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 00:32, 28 October 2006 by FlaBot (talk | contribs) (robot Adding: es:Kirk Van Houten, pt:Kirk Van Houten)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Kirk Van Houten is a fictional character on the animated television series The Simpsons, voiced by Hank Azaria. He is the father of Milhouse, and the ex-husband of Luann.
Profile
Family life
Kirk has been portrayed as a stereotypical middle-aged male loser and dead-beat dad. Much of Mr. Van Houten's character revolves around his extreme emotional depression after his divorce from his wife Luann. Luann got custody of Milhouse when they divorced, but Kirk has visiting rights and is often seen with Milhouse in later episodes. Much to his dismay, Milhouse often addresses him as "Weekend Dad". Kirk suffers from the need to cry all the time after his divorce, even at positive times. Luann also is required to pay Kirk alimony.
Kirk's parents also divorced, when Kirk was a child. His mother lives by herself in Springfield on 257th St., while his father travels the county searching for adventure in his RV with his new wife.
Career
Kirk previously served in the U.S. Army. He also has a degree from Gudger College.
He initially worked at his father-in-law's cracker factory, Southern Cracker, in middle management. Later in the series, Kirk and Luann get divorced. When Luann leaves, Kirk is fired from the factory (since his boss is Luann's father and he considers crackers a "family food").
Kirk moves into a depressing, rundown singles community and tries to start a new career as a singer-songwriter. His demo tape, Can I Borrow a Feeling? left Homer in hysterics.
Kirk also revealed in the episode I Am Furious Yellow, where he attends his son's school on career day, that he was employed as an assistant to the guy who puts fliers under people's windshield wipers. Kirk also had a job standing on the curb holding a sign directing people to a condo development.
Love life
His love life is terrible after Luann, unlike hers which sees her dating the then-bachelor Apu and having a long relationship with Heavyweight Gladiator Pyro, amongst others. He has taken part in various dating schemes.
Kirk dated what seemed like a poorly disguised sleazy prostitute under the name of Starla. He took her to Moe's Tavern but it ended badly when she asked for his keys, then drove off with his car, tossing his singing mixtape out the window. She tricked him by saying she was going to change wigs.
Kirk was put in jail in "Pranksta Rap" for kidnapping Bart, but Kirk enjoyed his time in prison due to the numerous conjugal visits he was getting from the desperate women of Springfield.
Character interaction
In one episode, half of his arm is cut off by a wire placed between two trees by Snake to try and get his car back from Homer Simpson. He is later seen at the unemployment office with a cast on. Bart also suggested him and Milhouse cut his leg off once to get sympathy from Luann.
Homer and Kirk's relationship seems to be quite random. At times they are seen to be having good talks together but Homer mocks him at other times.
Parents reuniting
In Milhouse of Sand and Fog, the Van Houtens are on the verge of re-uniting, so Bart and Milhouse try copying a stupid stunt from a parody of The O.C. to try and get them separated again. This backfires, and results in Homer and Marge almost separating again.
The two then try another idea, attempting to push a fake Bart off the side of a waterfall, which also backfires. At the end of the episode, Milhouse jumps over the side, screaming "I don't want to live in a world without Bart!" Marge asks if Milhouse can swim, to which Bart's reply is "What do you think?"
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