10 Worst Things Homer Simpson Has Done
Which moments most deserved a classic ‘D’oh!’?
Homer Simpson is a loveable dope most of the time, quickly usurping Bart to become the central protagonist of the long-running cartoon. With Seasons 31 & 32 recently confirmed, there’s still life left in the show yet, too.
However, either because of recklessness, stupidity or just out of character meanness, he occasionally crosses a line. He’s still sweet at heart, but there’s more than a few examples of times he’s made the lives of people around him much worse.
Because the show’s been on for so long, there’s a few ground rules to thin out the competition. Firstly, Treehouse Of Horror episodes haven’t been included as they’re non-canon, and it hardly seems fair to blame him for say, shooting zombie versions of his neighbors. Also, one-off gags, like giving Marge chloroform because they couldn’t write an ending for A Tale Of Two Springfields, have also been excluded.
Anything that fits a pattern of consistent behaviour, influences the plot or has longer lasting effects on the town though has all been considered. So settle in, grab a donut and some Duff beer, and check out Homer Simpson’s hall of shame.
10. Ruin His Brother’s Company
Way back in the early days when the show had the charming squiggly pencil animation rather than the modern HD offerings, Homer ran his brother Herb’s car company into the ground. There’s no malice in Homer’s actions, just ineptitude, but it’s still so destructive to Herb that it has to make the list.
The double bubble of the car compartments and the many horns (you can never find one when you’re really mad) are particularly stupid, even for Homer. The fact the team of scientists have to complain to Herb about Homer’s hygiene isn’t a great sign either.
There are a few extenuating circumstances that let Homer off the hook a little though. For one, he has absolutely no experience in designing a car, and Herb tells his team to listen to Homer absolutely. Even with a competent engineer, complete control with zero oversight is often a recipe for disaster.
Also, in a later season, Homer gives Herb money to start-up his baby translator company, and his meagre reward for making his brother a millionaire again is a single chair. Which doesn’t seem exactly fair, when you think about it.