3. 'Hello, Mr Thompson' Cape Feare
Homer's stupidity can so often be exploited when he has to answer difficult (or simple) questions, or follow complicated (or basic) instructions. Cape Feare, arguably one of the best and most iconic Simpsons episodes, indulges this trope to the extreme. The episode features Sideshow Bob attempting to get his brutal revenge on Bart, riffing on Robert De Niro's role in Martin Scorcese's Cape Fear. Jailbird Bob convinces the prison he is no danger and is paroled and as soon as he is released he makes it his duty to notify Springfield which of its residents will be murdered and which will be spared. Unfortunately for Bart he was on the former. To protect Bart, The Simpson's opt to be part of the witness location program and move to Terror Lake to operate under the name The Thompson's. In preparation for this life-changing switch, federal agents test run the name change on Homer, who despite his best efforts, cannot fathom the idea that he is no longer a 'Simpson'. The scene is captured brilliantly the agents begin all strait-laced and matter-of-fact in their briefing, until endless hours of fruitless practice wear them down into stamping on Homer's foot for a simple smile-and-nod that was never forthcoming. The whole thing reaches its apex when the oblivious Homer simply responds "I think he's talking to you," taking his stupidity to mind-bending extremes.