When it comes to reviewing 'Homer Goes To College' I have to admit, I'm a little bit biased. This was the last episode I watched before leaving home to go to University at the age of eighteen and corny as it may be, each time I watch it I still get a little misty eyed when I think back to that warm September day, sat in the living room watching TV with my packed bags waiting in the corridor, half a mind on the friends I was leaving behind and half on the four years yet to come. But hey if that's corny, then corn me up, because Homer Goes To College is awesome. It's Matt Groening and co at their best.
Taking a slightly objective stance though, I'm sure both of you people that have bothered to look up this page are wondering what makes this (arguably) the best Simpsons episode when there are so many other classics that could easily stake that claim? Well as far as I'm concerned it's because this is the epitome of a strong storyline. The plot this time revolves around Homer being sent to college after a routine safety inspection reveals him to be dangerously under-qualified. Arriving on campus after over-indulging on frat house movies, Homer is expecting three things: jocks, nerds and a crusty, bitter old Dean.
What follows is a brilliantly executed spoof of college stereotypes as Homer finds himself actually having to work rather than simply drinking and attending toga parties. Plus, the crusty, bitter old Dean isn't crusty and bitter at all, he's actually a pretty okay guy. But that's not going to stop the fat lad from making his life hell by ringing his office to call him a 'stupidhead.' Things get even more ridiculous when he is sent for extra tutoring with three Science geeks who make Napoleon Dynamite look like the Fonz, culminating in life lessons, Picard versus Kirk debates and an ill-fated prank that involves running the Dean over.
So yes, while I might rate this episode so highly because I'm a saccharine laced bag of sentimentality, it cannot stop it being one of the most repeatedly funny ones the writers ever produced. As a satire of campus movies it hits the nail on the head and is a perfect example of that bizarre Simpsons universe that manages to be wholly familiar yet uniquely ridiculous. I'd even go so far as to suggest that this is the best account of campus life ever produced and that only the Futurama episode where Fry goes to college comes close. Besides, how can you not love an episode where a good natured professor exclaims "hello, that sounds like a pig fainting" with a totally straight face?
Taking a slightly objective stance though, I'm sure both of you people that have bothered to look up this page are wondering what makes this (arguably) the best Simpsons episode when there are so many other classics that could easily stake that claim? Well as far as I'm concerned it's because this is the epitome of a strong storyline. The plot this time revolves around Homer being sent to college after a routine safety inspection reveals him to be dangerously under-qualified. Arriving on campus after over-indulging on frat house movies, Homer is expecting three things: jocks, nerds and a crusty, bitter old Dean.
What follows is a brilliantly executed spoof of college stereotypes as Homer finds himself actually having to work rather than simply drinking and attending toga parties. Plus, the crusty, bitter old Dean isn't crusty and bitter at all, he's actually a pretty okay guy. But that's not going to stop the fat lad from making his life hell by ringing his office to call him a 'stupidhead.' Things get even more ridiculous when he is sent for extra tutoring with three Science geeks who make Napoleon Dynamite look like the Fonz, culminating in life lessons, Picard versus Kirk debates and an ill-fated prank that involves running the Dean over.
So yes, while I might rate this episode so highly because I'm a saccharine laced bag of sentimentality, it cannot stop it being one of the most repeatedly funny ones the writers ever produced. As a satire of campus movies it hits the nail on the head and is a perfect example of that bizarre Simpsons universe that manages to be wholly familiar yet uniquely ridiculous. I'd even go so far as to suggest that this is the best account of campus life ever produced and that only the Futurama episode where Fry goes to college comes close. Besides, how can you not love an episode where a good natured professor exclaims "hello, that sounds like a pig fainting" with a totally straight face?