R & R : Homer Goes to College

[The Governor]

It's no wonder the staff hates Internet fans with all the bashing great episodes took on there!

Sam Simon:

"I'm glad the show attracts sufficient interest for people to want
to analyse it. For all I know, they may be more correct about their
conclusions than the people who write and direct it!"

[hughes]

I'm not saying they're necessarily RIGHT to hate us, I'm just saying I see where they're coming from

[The Governor]

I'm not saying they're necessarily RIGHT to hate us, I'm just saying I see where they're coming from

Ultimately, the staff treats the online fanbase like a bunch of retarded stepchildren they pretend doesn't exist.

[qwertyuio]

For me, a jerkass Homer is what we find in Alone Again, Natura-Diddly, when he admits his fault happily and in the end refuses to show regret, while Ned is broken after living a tragedy.

In Homer Goes To College he is a bit more stupid, and a lot more uninhibited and fun-loving. I have never had any problems with his characterization here. And the result was anyway so full of jokes and hilarious lines that showing some little unconvincing details was worth it.

10/10

[Mendoza]

For me, a jerkass Homer is what we find in Alone Again, Natura-Diddly, when he admits his fault happily and in the end refuses to show regret, while Ned is broken after living a tragedy.

In Homer Goes To College he is a bit more stupid, and a lot more uninhibited and fun-loving. I have never had any problems with his characterization here. And the result was anyway so full of jokes and hilarious lines that showing some little unconvincing details was worth it.

10/10

I agree, but also, Homer's always been a jerk since day 1 that's one of his character traits. He's always been depicted as jerkish, slightly unintelligent, and brash. However the difference between the earlier seasons and the later seasons is the quality of the writing. For instance, in this episode he is shown as very loud and inappropriate. However everyone else around him is more or else the straight man. The scenes wouldn't work if the dean was a crusty stereotypical dean shaking his fist yelling Simmmpsssooonnn!! I'm willing to bet that if this show was written today, that's how they would do it. Also, they also show his softer side, which contrasts with the dumb, crude side. This show's him more of a 3-dimensional, empathetic character.

[Jesse Pinkman]

i would show this to someone i was trying to get into the show... hilarious stuff

[bartyboy]

I'd say 4/5.

[Nauru-1]

Hilarious episode that is one of the best all-out gagfests I would have to say. Conan left the show with three impressive writing credits. 5/5

[Simpsonsfan1981]

This is one of the classic episodes (only about 1 of about 3) which I truly detest. Homer is a major-league obnoxious jerkass here, the nerds weren't particularly funny and the ending was weak. Conan's other two episodes were brilliant but this was just awful. In retrospect perhaps this was a forewarning of things to come

[jayleno]

This episode is truly so funny that I have laughed so much I've gasped for air watching it.

- The professor joke/Homer runs outside chasing squirrels
- Homer calling from the payphone outside/screaming and running away
- The "nerds" and Homer's jokes about them
- The nuclear fallout caused by Homer
- The dean of the school "partying down"
- The animation, even if a bit off, made it all the more hilarious

I think I'm just someone who really enjoys Conan O'Brien's flavor of humor. It works really well in The Simpsons, especially in this episode. I don't think Homer is being a jerkass here, he's just being himself... a buffoon and an idiot who makes us laugh our asses off.

[Zombies Rise from the Sea]

Homer Goes to College

Sadly, the last episode that Conan O'Brien wrote (not counting the Treehouse of Horror episode but he wrote that along with 8 different writers so I doubt I can tell his writing/humor apart from the rest.); and one of my all time favorites. This episode has a lot of good stuff going for it. The Animal House parody, Homer's antics, the nerds, the antics at the SNPP and the various gags in between.

I liked how the beginning showed Mr. Burns character and how Homer is that unqualified idiot who manages to keep everything together despite the fact that he couldn't. The way he makes a meltdown happen in the van is hilarious and Homer's reactions to the situation he's being put through is just absolutely perfect; so are the scenes where Mr. Burns arrives at Homer's house.

Homer hunt for a college and Homer's antics in college are all equally enjoyable. This is the Homer who we've come to know and love; and no, he's not a jerkass. His character is in full display, he's just a guy who wants to live what he thinks is the college lifestyle but ends up embarrassing himself at every turn and making us laugh; from spiking the punch to laughing at the professor when he drops his cards (by the way, the previous joke is a good joke.) to teaching the nerds how to "party down", and to kidnapping a pig and filling it up with beer, all he wanted to do was live the college lifestyle.

The way the college is portrayed is good, and both colleges have good sign gags. The way it's contrasted to what Homer has seen makes for a good fit to how out of place he is in this college. It's got some admittingly good characters, from the cool dean to those nerds which have been fleshed out wonderfully as characters. It's just a shame we don't get to see more of Springfield University. That doesn't mean that the antics before college are good, Homer do'hing at each one of his application letters worked, I liked Homer's picture and the colleges reaction shot and I especially liked that Animal House knockoff.

That doesn't mean that the entire episode takes place at Springfield University; it detours a bit back to the Simpson House and towards a collage road trip which quickly turns for the worst. (I forgot to mention, I liked how Bart was played out and I liked the plan he layed out when he was at their dorm-room..., I also liked how Snake played the wallet inspector and Homer's comment afterwards.) The antics when Homer invites the nerds to the house are alright with the nerds causing chaos left and right even though they don't intend to. This causes the family to force the nerds out and for Homer to try to get the Nerds back in.

The last moments of the act were handled well; I didn't laugh as much as Simpson running the dean over with his car while the nerds stood idly by but I was entertained by it. Dr. Hibbert was also good and I also liked Homer's loose ends comment; it worked because the episode didn't end. I liked the cramming scenes, Homer kissing the computer; I also liked the scene where the family confronts Homer because he cheated, the family dynamic is really explored and it goes to show that none of the family members learned a lesson (except for Marge of course) and it really cements Homer as a character while making us wish we've could see more (moving pictures, not those still pictures in the credits)

All in all, really good episode, all time classic maybe. That's not to say it's 10/10 perfect, it does drag at certain points and I didn't find some of the jokes funny; but this still remains an all time favorite of mine, and hey; shouldn't it be your all-time favorite as well?

9.0/10

[Ben Chan]

not counting the Treehouse of Horror episode but he wrote that along with 8 different writers so I doubt I can tell his writing/humor apart from the rest.

you'd have the easiest time with this episode. if i recall correctly conan was solely responsible for the interludes.

this episode is hilarious. it is widely cited as one of the funniest of all simpsons episodes. people who deny it a high grade are either humourless, or placing far too high importance on secondary concerns.

EDIT: BUT, there are many, many episodes which are just as funny, or close to it, which don't have problems with those "secondary concerns". it's a good thing the episode is so funny. B-

[Old painty-can Ned]

I do find this episode funny but there is a vast number of funny episodes. It's a pretty typical gag fest and it really falters upon rewatch. I really can't give this episode a grade higher than a B because of "secondary concerns" mixed in with the humour.

[Financial Panther]

Very funny episode, of course. Every single joke works, and nothing falls short. 5/5.

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

It is one of the most hilarious Simpsons episodes of all time and I think Homer is brilliant in it, the whole "birth of Jerkass Homer" thing is just ignorant. However it's not got an amazing plot like Cape Feare or other truly top notch classics. 5/5, 9/10 and A is fair.

[ANdre1001]

Hilarious true, Good i don't think so.

Lots of people here complain nonstop about Mike's Scully really stupid Homer and this one is a low point in Homer's intelligence in the whole series.

I'll give it a 3/5 cause of the laughs.

[Boris Johnson]

This episode is a tribute to the genius of Conan O' Brien, a fantastic, flawless episode in every respect, I award it...
5 OUT OF 5 GOLDEN CRANBERRIES
Also, what's wrong with Homer being a jerk? He's always been a jerk, he might change towards the end of an episode, but it's always status quo in the next episode. Dumb people are generally jerks anyway, so I couldn't possibly find such dribble regarding his characterization as accurate.
Anyone who doesn't like this episode probably doesn't even like Simpsons at all, really.
"Prove me wrong, kids! Prove me wrong!"

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

Hilarious true, Good i don't think so.

Lots of people here complain nonstop about Mike's Scully really stupid Homer and this one is a low point in Homer's intelligence in the whole series.

I'll give it a 3/5 cause of the laughs.

Homer has never been intelligent, not from Seasons 1-4, Seasons 5-8 and certainly not up to the present day. Seriously, so he says 'S-M-R-T' instead of 'S-M-A-R-T', so what? Infact that was a hilarious mistake from Dan Castellaneta. You probably need to rewatch the episode.

[ANdre1001]

Homer has never been intelligent, not from Seasons 1-4, Seasons 5-8 and certainly not up to the present day. Seriously, so he says 'S-M-R-T' instead of 'S-M-A-R-T', so what? Infact that was a hilarious mistake from Dan Castellaneta. You probably need to rewatch the episode.

I never said he was intelligent, what i meant is that this is one of the most stupid homer we've ever seen and that's true.
Probably I need to rewatch it but I remember a really funny episode at bits but as whole not that good. And i really hate the whole NERDS and HOMER part of it

[Boris Johnson]

And i really hate the whole NERDS and HOMER part of it

Wanna go fisticuffs? Your statement will help me demolish you physically with anger and resentment

[Old painty-can Ned]

To call this one of the funniest episodes ever is sort of insulting to the Simpsons.

[ANdre1001]

Wanna go fisticuffs? Your statement will help me demolish you physically with anger and resentment

yeah, sure ¬¬

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

To call this one of the funniest episodes ever is sort of insulting to the Simpsons.

Weren't you the guy that rated the recent Holidays of Future Passed episode a 1/5?

Oh and wouldn't that be in your opinion...

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

To call this one of the funniest episodes ever is sort of insulting to the Simpsons.

You make really bad posts, Darren!

HA-HA-HAW FUCK YOU HANDSOME

[Financial Panther]

Weren't you the guy that rated the recent Holidays of Future Passed episode a 1/5?

He was just trying to be different. I used to be like that, but I outgrew it.

[Old painty-can Ned]

Weren't you the guy that rated the recent Holidays of Future Passed episode a 1/5?

Even if I did vote 1/5 seriously what does it have to do with the grade for this episode? This episode sucks because Homer has his worst characterization of the classic era, the plot is very thin and the humor depends too much on everyone playing Homer's straight man. Anyone who denies he is a jerk in this one is kidding themselves it is not classic Homer to want to throw someone off a bridge or run someone over in his car. He can be selfish sometimes but he is never malicious/violent towards people for no reason. The only funny moments really came from Mr. Burns and the nerds at The Simpson house were somewhat funny.

[Boris Johnson]

Even if I did vote 1/5 seriously what does it have to do with the grade for this episode? This episode sucks because Homer has his worst characterization of the classic era, the plot is very thin and the humor depends too much on everyone playing Homer's straight man. Anyone who denies he is a jerk in this one is kidding themselves it is not classic Homer to want to throw someone off a bridge or run someone over in his car. He can be selfish sometimes but he is never malicious/violent towards people for no reason. The only funny moments really came from Mr. Burns and the nerds at The Simpson house were somewhat funny.

You, me, Eiffel Tower, 10 minutes
Bring a weapon of your choice

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

So, what, does that Rain City have poisonous rain and that's why you're all puffy around this episode? Because it starts in the nuclear power plant?