For 32 seasons, Homer Simpson has graced our screens with equal parts buffoonery, hilarity, and sincerity. While often seen as an absentee father and husband, at his core, Homer Simpson is anything but, as his motivations are always in service of his family. Whether it's trying to find the right job to pay the bill or just being there for his kids, Homer is the epitome of a middle-class father doing his best.
In these painfully hilarious moments, audiences are able to connect with this yellow-colored man from Springfield. With every week Homer is on television, audiences get to see a sweet and loveable oaf do what he can to do the right thing. That type of perseverance makes him all the more endearing to us.
10 The Time Homer Saved The Monorail
What is arguably one of the finest The Simpsons' episodes, "Marge vs. The Monorail" (written by Conan O'Brien) is filled with a catchy song and quotable lines. When a grifter (the great Phil Hartman) passes through town he swindles the city out of money to build a monorail that is set to be the best transportation ever created. But who will be the conductor of this complicated system? Enter Homer.
Despite being had by a smooth talker, Homer still takes this job incredibly seriously, for this is a job with purpose and something that he can, hopefully, pass down to his son one day. Even at his most naive, Homer's integrity is one of his most valuable assets; an asset that would make anyone fall in love with him.
9 The Time Homer Did It For Her
Despite wringing Bart's neck for comedic effect, Homer's love for his kids is evident. Whether it's looking to replace a saxophone for Lisa, or help Bart out with a boxcar race—if asked who is first in his book, Homer would reply, his children. This is made evident in the episode "And Maggie Makes Three." In the episode, Homer pays off all his debt and quits the Power Plant in a bridge-burning fashion, with the goal set for him to work at his dream job in a bowling alley.
However, when Marge becomes pregnant with Maggie, Homer must find a way to make more money and his dream job just isn't cutting. With nowhere else to turn, Homer gravels to get his job back from Mr. Burns. To humiliate Homer, Burns provides him a plaque that states "Don't Forget. You're Here Forever." Determined to make sure Maggie gets the best life possible, Homer takes every photo of Maggie and strategically places them over the plaque to read "Do It For Her." A beautiful sentiment of a father's eternal love for his daughter.
8 The Time Homer Jumps the Gorge
After seeing a daredevil Lance Murdock perform death-defying stunts at a Monster Truck Rally, Bart is bitten by the bug to perform his own stunts for his adoring crowd. However, when he decides to jump the Springfield Gorge, it's up to Homer to try and stop him. This episode is well known for its ending, where Homer falls down the gorge accidentally, but it's the compassion and care that Homer has for Bart that is the star of the episode.
Even as Homer careens down the dirt road and begins to jump the gorge, there is a moment that he believes that he'll make it across, which endears fans even more. The family man's continued perseverance in the face of adversity is loud and proud.
7 The Time Homer Purposely Went On Disability
Even with his large and beautiful heart, Homer is, mostly, a very lazy individual. From his preference to staying in bed on a winter's day, rather than going to church and his lack of compunction to sitting on the couch with a snack and binging TV. In the Season 7 episode "King-Size Homer," he finds himself bored with getting up and going to work, wishing there was a way to work from home.
With the help of Bart and Dr. Nick, Homer purposely gains weight to go on disability and work from home. While selfishness is rarely rewarded, there is something lovable about watching Homer realize that the grass isn't always greener on the plus-sized lawn. Plus, thanks to his size, he is able to prevent the reactor from leaking toxic gas and killing everyone in town.
6 The Time Homer Forms the B-Sharps
In a Beatles-esque episode, Homer and the kids come across an old LP of the barbershop quartet Homer was a part of. Told through flashbacks, the story tracks as Apu, Homer, Principal Skinner, and Barney form the group, make it big, and eventually dissolve. It's an episode filled with memorable music and a solid storyline that sheds light on the relationships of some of Springfields' residents.
What really stands out, is in a slew of flashback episodes that the show has done (in some cases retconning key moments of the Simpsons history), this one stands out as one of the sweeter and more alluring for Homer's history. It reminds viewers that under the manic screams, Homer has a beautiful voice that should be celebrated.
5 The Time Homer Avoided Temptation
There are many temptations out in the world: food, alcohol, and, sometimes, infidelity. For Homer J. Simpson, his heart belongs solely to Marge. He would do anything to be with her as she is his whole world. However, in the Season 5 episode, the Power Plant hires a new engineer named Mindy (voiced by Michelle Pfeiffer) who is a gorgeous woman that enjoys beer, donuts, and television.
Quickly a mutual attraction begins to form between Mindy and Homer, culminating with Homer being presented an opportunity to sleep with Mindy. While tempting, Homer stays true to his wife and remains faithful. This further proves that Homer might be brought to the edge, but he will choose Marge every time.
4 The Time Homer Got a Divorce From Marge
When Kirk and Lou-Anne Van Houten call it quits on their marriage, Kirk turns to Homer for comfort as a friend to help him get through this terrible time. In one of the episode's highest points, Kirk gives Homer a chance to listen to this break-up single Can I Borrow A Feeling. After the laughter subsides, Homer begins to wonder if he has taken Marge for granted and might be heading for divorce himself.
Being proactive, Homer gets a divorce from Marge, only to remarry her with her family and friends around to give her the wedding that she deserves and prove to her that he will never take her for granted again.
3 The Time Homer Was Paid a Visit By Mulder & Scully
TV crossovers happen all the time: from Grey's Anatomy and Station 19 to Family Guy and The Simpsons. It is a phenomenon that has happened on television for some time, and yet, the best of these is when The X-Files' Mulder and Scully (voiced by Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny) come to Springfield to investigate a supposed alien that is seen wandering through the woods.
While it's later revealed to be Mr. Burns doped up and glowing from radiation from the plant, what shines here is Homer's investigation montage with Mulder and Scully as they try to prove his story. It's the kind of montage that you'll watch in YouTube clips over and over again.
2 The Time Homer Shoved a Crayon Up His Nose
After 12 years of various dumb decisions and reckless behaviors, The Simpsons finally gave audiences a reason for how and why Homer would act the way that he does. When he was a kid, he shoved a crayon so far up his nose that it impeded his ability to be smart. When this discovery is made, Homer has it removed and the family is surprised to find that he's a hyper-intelligent man.
While all of his friends hate the new Homer, Lisa has fallen in love with a fellow intellectual and wants her dad to remain this way. Homer decides that going back to being his dumb self is what's best for everyone. That is, of course, after he writes a love note to his daughter expressing how much he admires her and her ability to carry the intelligence in this family. It's a moment sure to bring a tear to any viewer's eyes.
1 The Time Homer Remade Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
Mel Gibson was a bankable star that finally made his way to Springfield to promote a new, subdued movie—a remake of the Jimmy Stewart classic Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. However, when Homer gives it a truthful negative review, Gibson hires Homer to help make the movie more palatable for general audiences.
Homer's help takes the story in a more violent direction, giving Gibson a gun instead of a heartfelt speech. While audiences pan it as swill, Homer is praised by Gibson for bringing a sense of adventure and freshness to the older material.