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The Simpsons
S3.E5
All episodesAll
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IMDbPro

Homer Defined

  • Episode aired Oct 17, 1991
  • TV-14
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
4.9K
YOUR RATING
Dan Castellaneta in The Simpsons (1989)
Adult AnimationHand-Drawn AnimationSatireSitcomAnimationComedy

Homer is a hero after averting a nuclear meltdown that he nearly caused, but he doesn't want to tell anyone that he stopped it completely by accident.Homer is a hero after averting a nuclear meltdown that he nearly caused, but he doesn't want to tell anyone that he stopped it completely by accident.Homer is a hero after averting a nuclear meltdown that he nearly caused, but he doesn't want to tell anyone that he stopped it completely by accident.

  • Director
    • Mark Kirkland
  • Writers
    • Matt Groening
    • James L. Brooks
    • Sam Simon
  • Stars
    • Dan Castellaneta
    • Julie Kavner
    • Nancy Cartwright
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    4.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mark Kirkland
    • Writers
      • Matt Groening
      • James L. Brooks
      • Sam Simon
    • Stars
      • Dan Castellaneta
      • Julie Kavner
      • Nancy Cartwright
    • 7User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos5

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    Top cast12

    Edit
    Dan Castellaneta
    Dan Castellaneta
    • Homer Simpson
    • (voice)
    • …
    Julie Kavner
    Julie Kavner
    • Marge Simpson
    • (voice)
    Nancy Cartwright
    Nancy Cartwright
    • Bart Simpson
    • (voice)
    • …
    Yeardley Smith
    Yeardley Smith
    • Lisa Simpson
    • (voice)
    Hank Azaria
    Hank Azaria
    • Carl
    • (voice)
    • …
    Harry Shearer
    Harry Shearer
    • Otto
    • (voice)
    • …
    Maggie Roswell
    Maggie Roswell
    • Computer Voice
    • (voice)
    • …
    Pamela Hayden
    Pamela Hayden
    • Milhouse Van Houten
    • (voice)
    • …
    Russi Taylor
    Russi Taylor
    • Sherri
    • (voice)
    • …
    Jon Lovitz
    Jon Lovitz
    • Mr. Avery Devereaux
    • (voice)
    • …
    Magic Johnson
    Magic Johnson
    • Magic Johnson
    • (voice)
    • (as Earvin Johnson Jr.)
    Chick Hearn
    Chick Hearn
    • Chick Hearn
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Mark Kirkland
    • Writers
      • Matt Groening
      • James L. Brooks
      • Sam Simon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews7

    8.34.8K
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    Featured reviews

    9g-bodyl

    Another Brilliant Episode!

    This is the fifth episode of the third season of the Simpsons and so far in the early going, season three looks like to be the best season by far and you can add thanks from this episode. This is cleverly written and pretty darn funny. There is also a semi-serious theme of idiocy in the workplace and how many people in the workforce aren't properly trained.

    In this episode, "Homer Defined," Homer saves his power plant from a nuclear explosion by dumb luck and he is regarded as a hero. Homer doesn't feel that great despite what he did. His sheer luck comes in play again when the Shelbyville plant is on the verge of a meltdown.

    Overall, this is an excellent episode mainly because the episode focuses on Homer being an idiot, which is always very funny. This episode is definitely not free on the laughs. I rate this episode 9/10.
    9snoozejonc

    Thank you President Ford

    Homer fortuitously prevents a meltdown at the power plant.

    This is a strong episode with great character moments.

    It's another episode where Homer is built up to take a spectacular fall and it does it with plenty of good humour. I love Mr Burns' scornful attitude towards the workers of his factory. Plus the "he's done a Homer" segment is a classic.

    The subplot involving Bart is pretty good too, with has some good awkward moments and visual gags.

    It's an 8.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
    9Hitchcoc

    Better to Be Lucky Than Good

    Homer's incompetence nearly causes a nuclear holocaust. Except through sheer luck he stops a meltdown and becomes a spokesperson for the atomic industry. But he now must explain to people what he did, and he is ill equipped for such actions. Burns comes up smelling like a rose.

    Related interests

    Seth Green, Mila Kunis, Alex Borstein, and Seth MacFarlane in Family Guy (1999)
    Adult Animation
    Jodi Benson, Jason Marin, and Samuel E. Wright in The Little Mermaid (1989)
    Hand-Drawn Animation
    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry in Friends (1994)
    Sitcom
    Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)
    Animation
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Magic Johnson was the first professional athlete to star as himself in a guest role. It was also the first time in the show a celebrity didn't use a pseudonym due to the policy stating that all celebrities who guest star must use their real names.
    • Goofs
      The birthday card is blank inside before Bart inscribes it. When Lisa opens it, Bart's inscription has been replaced by the "bongos" punchline and the picture of the busty woman.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Burns: Oh, Smithers, I guess there's nothing left to do but kiss my sorry ass good-bye.

      Smithers: May I, sir?

    • Alternate versions
      Two versions of one of Bart's lines exist. In the first he says "Bad influence, my butt!" In some airings, it's replaced by "Bad influence, my ass!"
    • Connections
      Edited into The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror II (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Frankenstein
      (uncredited)

      Written by Edgar Winter

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 17, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • FOX
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • USA
    • Production companies
      • Gracie Films
      • 20th Century Fox Television
      • 20th Century Fox Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 30m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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