Editing Homer Simpson (section)

=== Personality ===
The comedic appeal of Homer's character stems from his frequent displays of bumbling stupidity, laziness, and explosive temper. With a low intelligence level, director [[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]] has described him as "creatively brilliant in his stupidity". Homer is characterized by his immense apathy towards work, overweight weight, love for food, and short [[attention span]].<ref name=sundvd>{{cite AV media |people=Groening, Matt; [[Mike Scully|Scully, Mike]]; Jean, Al; Brooks, James L.; Silverman, David (writers) |title=The Simpsons Movie: A Look Behind the Scenes |date=2007 |type=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> He frequently spends his evenings drinking Duff Beer at [[Moe's Tavern]] and, as depicted in the episode "[[Duffless]]" ([[The Simpsons season 4|season four]], 1993), has exhibited signs of full-blown alcoholism.{{sfn|Brown|Logan|2009|p=84}}{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=84}}<ref name=":1">{{cite episode |title=Duffless |episode-link=Duffless |series=The Simpsons |credits=[[David M. Stern|Stern, David M.]]; [[Jim Reardon|Reardon, Jim]] |network=Fox |airdate=February 18, 1993 |season=4 |number=16}}</ref> A recurring gag throughout the series involves Homer impulsively strangling Bart whenever he aggravates him, often accompanied by his catchphrase, "Why you little—!".{{sfn|Roache|2023|p=199}}<ref name="n422">{{cite web | last=Buncombe | first=Andrew | title='Times have changed': The Simpsons drop Homer strangling Bart gag | website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | url-access=subscription | date=November 3, 2023 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/11/03/simpsons-homer-bart-strangling-scene-springfleld/ | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref> According to series creator Groening, Homer's strangling of Bart was never meant to be premeditated, as that would make it seem sadistic. Instead, it was made that Homer acts purely on impulse, easily switching from anger to indifference.<ref name="EW 2010"/><ref>{{cite AV media|people=Groening, Matt (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "[[Simpson and Delilah]]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season (DVD)|date=2002|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Groening initially considered making Homer always receive a punishment or having Bart retaliate, but this was discarded.<ref name=sundvd/> In the episode "[[McMansion & Wife]]" ([[The Simpsons season 35|season 35]], 2023), Homer states that he no longer strangles Bart, citing changing times. However, the show's executive producers later clarified that Homer still strangles Bart, humorously noting, "Homer Simpson was unavailable for comment as he was busy strangling Bart".<ref name="z875">{{cite web | last=Schneider | first=Michael | title=Did ''The Simpsons'' Really Ban Homer From Strangling Bart? Producers Call Out 'Clickbaiting' Reports in New Drawing (Exclusive) | website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=November 9, 2023 | url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-simpsons-homer-strangling-bart-producers-respond-1235781806/ | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref><ref name="d522">{{cite web | last=Bailey | first=Kat | title=Simpsons Creator Calls Reports that Homer Is Done Strangling Bart 'Clickbaiting' | website=[[IGN]] | date=November 10, 2023 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/simpsons-creator-calls-reports-that-homer-is-done-strangling-bart-clickbaiting | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:HomerStranglesBart.jpg|right|thumb|The first sketch of Homer strangling Bart, drawn in 1988|alt=A black and white drawing of a man angrily grasping on to a boy's neck, with two girls making zany faces in the foreground and a woman making a disapproving face.]]

Homer has nuanced relationships with his family. His relationship with Bart is the most contentious;<ref name="r756">{{cite web | last=Heritage | first=Stuart | title=Homer Has Stopped Strangling Bart in The Simpsons and it's About Time | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220032316/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/07/homer-strangle-bart-simpsons | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/07/homer-strangle-bart-simpsons | access-date=December 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="u412">{{cite web | last=Sherlock | first=Ben | title=The Simpsons: 10 Bart And Marge Moments That Broke Our Hearts | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=August 22, 2019 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-bart-marge-moments-broke-hearts/ | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=October 29, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029183916/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-bart-marge-moments-broke-hearts/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Bart frequently calls Homer by his first name rather than "Dad",{{sfn|Jackson|Moshin|2013|p=184}} and Homer often refers to him dismissively as "the boy".<ref name="p862">{{cite web | last=Deb | first=Sopan | title=Is Homer Simpson a Good Dad Now? | website=[[The New York Times]] | url-access=subscription | date=November 7, 2023 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/arts/television/homer-simpson-bart-strangle.html | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=November 20, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120192517/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/arts/television/homer-simpson-bart-strangle.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="c582">{{cite web | title=Ever Wonder What an Interview with Homer Simpson Will Be Like? Read on | website=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=September 26, 2014 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ever-wonder-what-an-interview-with-homer-simpson-will-be-like-read-on/story-4pQublmzHDc33btEldCeBM.html | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=February 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215075554/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ever-wonder-what-an-interview-with-homer-simpson-will-be-like-read-on/story-4pQublmzHDc33btEldCeBM.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Homer frequently overlooks Lisa's talents but, when confronted with his neglect, goes out of his way to support her.<ref name="u875">{{cite web | last=Sherlock | first=Ben | title=''The Simpsons'': 10 Best Homer & Lisa Episodes | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=May 9, 2021 | url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-best-homer-lisa-episodes/ | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref><ref name="m888">{{cite web | last=Tyler | first=Adrienne | title=''The Simpsons''{{'}} Original Lisa Plan Would've Been Much Worse | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=April 19, 2021 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-lisa-original-plan-bart-similar-idea-bad/ | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref> The episode "[[And Maggie Makes Three]]" ([[The Simpsons season 6|season six]], 1995) reveals she is the main reason Homer took and continues to work at his regular job.<ref name="Beauty">{{cite episode |title=And Maggie Makes Three |episode-link=And Maggie Makes Three |series=The Simpsons |credits=[[Jennifer Crittenden|Crittenden, Jennifer]] (writer); [[Swinton O. Scott III|Scott, Swinton]] (director) |network=Fox |airdate=January 22, 1995 |season=6 |number=13}}</ref> While Homer's thoughtless antics often frustrate his family, he has proven himself to be a loving husband;<ref name="a424">{{cite web | last=Heritage | first=Stuart | title='A woman trapped in an impossibly unhappy marriage': should Marge divorce Homer? | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=July 12, 2021 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jul/12/should-marge-divorce-homer | access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref><ref name="z696">{{cite web | last=Alfar | first=Ramon Paolo Zabala | title=The Simpsons: Why Homer Got Worse And Worse | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=September 14, 2020 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-ways-homer-got-worse-unlikable/ | access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref> for instance, in "[[A Milhouse Divided]]" ([[The Simpsons season 8|season eight]], 1996), Homer arranged a surprise second wedding with Marge to make up for their unsatisfactory first ceremony.<ref>{{cite episode|title=A Milhouse Divided|episode-link=A Milhouse Divided|series=The Simpsons|credits=[[Steven Dean Moore|Moore, Steven Dean]]; [[Steve Tompkins|Tompkins, Steve]]|network=Fox|airdate=December 1, 1996|season=08|number=06}}</ref> He has a strained relationship with his father, [[Grampa Simpson|Abraham "Grampa" Simpson]], and Homer quickly placed him in a nursing home.<ref name="l383">{{cite web | last=Littlechild | first=Chris | title=The Simpsons: 10 Worst Things Grandpa Simpson Ever Did To Homer | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=July 21, 2020 | url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-worst-things-grandpa-simpson-ever-did-to-homer/ | access-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=Lisa's First Word |episode-link=Lisa's First Word |series=[[The Simpsons]] |credits=[[Jeff Martin (writer)|Martin, Jeff]] (writer); [[Mark Kirkland|Kirkland, Mark]] (director) |network=Fox |airdate=December 3, 1992 |season=4 |number=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=Old Money |episode-link=Old Money (The Simpsons) |series=[[The Simpsons]]|credits=[[Jay Kogen|Kogen, Jay]] (writer); [[Wallace Wolodarsky|Wolodarsky, Wallace]] (writer); [[David Silverman (animator)|Silverman, David]] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=March 28, 1991 |season=2 |number=17}}</ref>

Homer was described by ''[[The Times]]'' as "a (happy) slave to his various appetites".<ref name="m982">{{cite web | title=Who's the Daddy? | url-access=subscription | website=[[The Times]] | date=August 28, 2004 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/whos-the-daddy-85d9hwf69qt | access-date=February 16, 2025}}</ref> He known for his consistent ignorance, forgetfulness, and general stupidity.<ref name="z777">{{cite web | last=Costandi | first=Mo | title=The Homer Simpson effect: forgetting to remember | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=April 24, 2015 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/neurophilosophy/2015/apr/24/the-homer-simpson-effect-forgetting-to-remember | access-date=February 16, 2025}}</ref>{{sfn|Nodelman|2008|p=50}} Homer's low [[intelligence quotient]] (IQ) of 55{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=55}} has been attributed to several factors, including the hereditary "[[Simpson gene]]" (which causes male family members to become increasingly stupid over time){{sfn|Irwin|Conard|Skoble|2010|p=}} and a crayon lodged in his brain's [[frontal lobe]].{{sfn|Brown|Logan|2009|pp=51–53}} In the episode "[[HOMR]]" ([[The Simpsons season 12|season 12]], 2001), Homer has the crayon removed, temporarily raising his IQ to 105.{{sfn|MacPherson|Sala|Cox|Girardi|2015|p=5}}{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=55}} This improvement allows him to bond with Lisa, but his newfound intelligence ultimately makes him unhappy, leading him to have the crayon reinserted.<ref name="HOMR">{{cite episode |title=HOMR |episode-link=HOMR |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=[[Al Jean|Jean, Al]] (writer); [[Mike B. Anderson|Anderson, Mike B.]] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=January 7, 2001 |season=12 |number=9}}</ref> In 2015, it was revealed that Homer has [[narcolepsy]], a sleep disorder.<ref name="g376">{{cite web | first=Carina | last=Storrs | title=It's not just the Duff making Homer Simpson sleepy – he has narcolepsy | website=[[CNN]] | date=September 25, 2015 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/25/health/narcolepsy-homer-simpson/index.html | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>

Producer [[Mike Reiss]] said Homer was his favorite ''Simpsons'' character to write: "Homer's just a comedy writer's dream. He has everything wrong with him, every comedy trope. He's fat and bald and stupid and lazy and angry and an alcoholic. I'm pretty sure he embodies all [[seven deadly sins]]".<ref name="wpr" /> [[John Swartzwelder]], who wrote 60 episodes, said he wrote Homer as if he were "a big talking dog ... One moment he's the saddest man in the world, because he's just lost his job, or dropped his sandwich, or accidentally killed his family. Then, the next moment, he's the happiest man in the world, because he's just found a penny — maybe under one of his dead family members ... If you write him as a dog you'll never go wrong".<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last=Sacks|first=Mike|title=John Swartzwelder, sage of ''The Simpsons''|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/john-swartzwelder-sage-of-the-simpsons|access-date=2021-05-02|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=May 2, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> Reiss felt this was insightful, saying: "Homer is just pure emotion, no long-term memory, everything is instant gratification. And, you know, has good dog qualities, too. I think, loyalty, friendliness, and just kind of continuous optimism".<ref name="wpr">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpr.org/longtime-showrunner-writer-goes-behind-scenes-simpsons|title=Longtime Showrunner, Writer Goes Behind the Scenes of ''The Simpsons''|last=Gordon|first=Doug|date=August 8, 2018|publisher=[[Wisconsin Public Radio]]|access-date=January 7, 2020}}</ref>