10 Most Underrated Simpsons Characters

It was tough splitting Lenny and Carl up. They invariably come as a pair, to the point Homer has a written note identifying Lenny as white and Carl as black on his hand. It's Lenny's idiosyncrasies that set him apart however. Despite holding an MA in nuclear physics, he's a down-to-earth guy who enjoys the simple pleasures in life - primarily doughnuts and the odd beer at Moe's Tavern. His competency at the plant is magnified by his association with Homer Simpson. Despite this, he seems to have a despotic streak, revealed after taking over briefly from Mr Burns in what is retrospectively labelled a "reign of terror".

His list of achievements goes on and on; war veteran, high-ranking stonemason and author of well-regarded mystery novels. Despite being a Buddhist, some of his habits seem to contradict this belief system. These include attending Springfield's Church and owning an AR-15 rifle which he presumably owns to kill "super animals" like the flying squirrel and electric eel.

Originally conceived to give Homer Simpson a friend to hang around with, Lenny's relationship with Carl is probably detrimental to his impact on the show. While the source of some seriously funny moments, they're usually seen in the same situations - at work or at the bar.