From: Mr Plow (Season 4, Episode 9) When Springfield is buried in snow one winter, Homer starts one of his more successful money-making schemes when he arms himself with a plow truck to become Mr Plow - Springfield's snow-plowing saviour. While a wholly great episode, its highlight has to be the hugely entertaining amateurish commercial the Simpsons make for Homer's business, including Grampa Simpson dressed up as 'Old Man Winter' and Lisa asking questions like 'But I'm a real tight-wad, can I afford this remarkable system?' And its all topped off with Homer's simple yet catchy jingle. Everyone now: 'Call Mr Plow, That's my name That name again It's Mr Plow' While light on the heart of some of Homer's other greatest moments, the Mr Plow commercial sees one of the most famous of all Homer Simpson quotes. As Stewie Griffin once said in rival show Family Guy, 'do you the Mr Plow jingle off by heart? Well, everyone else does!'
14. Homer The Genius?
From: HomR (Season 12, Episode 9) As previously stated, one of Homer's - if not his most - trademark characteristic is that he is incredibly, unfathomably stupid. Over the years, Homer has done everything from showing his ineptitude at the English language ('Do I know what rhetorical means?') to forgetting the word for spoon ('That metal-ly thing you use to.. dig.'). However, it took to Season 12 before we were given an explanation; Homer Simpson has a crayon stuck up his nose. Homer gets the thing removed and immediately ups his IQ by fifty points, turning him from goon to genius. Despite a much stronger relationship with fellow genius daughter Lisa, Homer realises that 'as intelligence goes up, happiness often goes down' and has unlicensed surgeon Moe (that's right, he's a surgeon) put the crayon back into his brain so he can regain his blissful state of ignorance. But not before leaving a touching 'farewell' note for Lisa. It's a worry in an episode where everyone's favourite idiot finds intelligence, that most of Homer's humour would be lost. Thankfully, Homer turns out to be just as good at being clever-funny as he is stupid-funny ('Who's up for a trip to the library tomorrow? Notice I no longer say 'libaree' or 'tomorree'), making for one of the best Homer-centric episodes of the 21st century seasons of the show.
13. Homer...Dies?
From: One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish (Season 2, Episode 11) Homer Simpson is undoubtedly one of the most popular television characters ever created. In fact, so quickly did Homer-fever sweep the world that in just the series' second season, we all felt a lump in our throats when its said that Homer might, well, die. After eating a poisonous fish at a sushi restaurant, Homer is given a single day left to live. After spending time with all his family and friends, Homer awaits the inevitable (by listening to an audio tape of the bible - which he quickly becomes frustrated with). He lasts until morning, before we see him slump in his chair. In what must be one of the show's darkest moments, and we defy any Homer fan not to feel a pang of something as the sadness builds to that heart-breaker of a shot (see above). Of course we all know Homer won't die, but this scene is still surprisingly effecting. Afterwards, Homer says that he will live life to its fullest - only to sit and watch TV while eating junk food. Ah, Homer, we wouldn't want it any other way.
