This episode gets some credit, but honestly its not enough. Rolling Stone has some sense in ranking it at 8th best ever, but they are an anomaly with their generosity. Its currently ranked 71st at IMDB, which isnt too bad, but its inexplicably missing in most discussions of best episodes. And thats a travesty it is an episode that deserves to always be in the top twenty with ease. Homer Goes to College really is one of the most well written and laugh out loud hilarious episodes that the show has ever produced. There are too many good quotes to list here, but needless to say, if youve ever called somebody a NEEERRRDDDD in meme form then you have this episode to thank. However, it is the send up of tropes that relate to college life that makes this episode so truly wonderful. The college film is a real tradition in American cinema, and Homer has a very mediated image of college in his head that him comfortable in the face of his own inadequacies. However, when the 'crusty old Dean' of his fantasy turns out to be a bass plucking, pig whispering gentle soul who genuinely cares for Homers interests, Homer doesnt let reality get in the way of his dream college experience. This results in pranks that are both juvenile (prank calling from a payphone) to the downright dark (staging a hit and run that goes predictably awry). It is Simpsons doing absurd humour at the peak of its powers, and it is a wonder to behold. Also this episode has the line hellothat sounds like a pig fainting which is the kind of genius that Stephen Hawking should be in awe of.
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