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King-Size Homer

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The Simpsons episode
"King-Size Homer"
An obese Homer in a muumuu works at home.
Episode no. 135
Prod. code 3F05
Orig. airdate November 5, 1995
Show runner(s) Bill Oakley
Josh Weinstein
Written by Dan Greaney
Directed by Jim Reardon
Chalkboard "Indian burns are not our cultural heritage."[1]
Couch gag The Simpsons are five malfunctioning wind-up dolls who buzz and waddle their way to the couch (or, in some cases, near it).[2]
Guest star(s) Joan Kenley as the telephone lady
DVD
commentary
Matt Groening
Bill Oakley
Josh Weinstein
Dan Greaney
Jim Reardon
David Silverman

"King-Size Homer" is the seventh episode of The Simpsons' seventh season, and originally aired on November 5, 1995. Homer despises the nuclear plant's new exercise program and decides to gain 61 pounds (27.6kg) so that he can go on disability. It was written by Dan Greaney and directed by Jim Reardon. Joan Kenley makes her first of three guest appearances as the voice of the telephone lady.[1] It is well known for Homer's attempt to find the any key on his computer's keyboard.

Contents

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[edit] Plot

Mr. Burns's exercise program

Mr. Burns organizes an exercise program at the Power Plant that Homer is not a fan of. After learning that someone who is disabled can work from home, (and thus be excluded from the exercise program), he tries to find a way to achieve this 'goal'. Homer soon discovers that any employee that weighs 300 pounds (136 kg) or more qualifies. Homer decides to gain the 61 pounds he needs to reach 300. Homer begins eating excessively, despite Marge and Lisa warning him he could severely endanger his health. With Bart's help, he gains weight rapidly. He reaches 315 pounds (142.9kg) after eating some Play-Doh that Maggie offers him in the absence of other food.

Mr. Burns gives Homer a stay at home work terminal. Homer is given simple duties, yet he still fails to understand his duties as a safety inspector. One day, he leaves his terminal, with a drinking bird to press 'Y' on the keyboard, and goes out to see a movie. Homer is angered after the manager tells him he is too fat to fit in the seats. The manager tells him that if he calms down, he would give him a garbage bag full of popcorn. Homer declines the offer and storms off in a huff, claiming that he is not food crazy and that overweight people are as hardworking as anyone else. He returns home to find that, in his absence, the nodding drinking bird fell over and that a nuclear meltdown will take place at the plant. As he is unable to stop it via the computer, Homer tries to run, skateboard, and drive to the plant, all of which fail as a result of his obesity. He eventually gets to the plant by stealing an ice cream truck. Homer arrives at the power plant and climbs up to reach the shutdown button, but ends up accidentally falling onto the gas store, blocking the release tube with his behind. As a reward for stopping the "potential Chernobyl", Mr. Burns gives Homer a medal and guarantees that he will make Homer thin once more. He does so by paying for Homer's liposuction to return him to his normal girth after traditional exercise fails.

[edit] Production

The writers of the episode wanted the title of the episode to make Homer sound proud about his weight, so they decided to name the episode "King Size Homer". The production staff also thought that Cary Grant would have been ideal for the 'Classy Pig' but as he passed away nine years before the episode was aired, they used Hank Azaria for that voice. The original ending for King-Size Homer was going to have Homer feeling bad about his obesity, and therefore become thin for Marge, but that idea was scrapped in early production.[3]

[edit] Cultural references

  • While Homer is in the clothes store, as the camera pans with Homer, we see two mannequins wearing identical outfits and riding on bikes. These are based on Billy and Benny McCrary, the world's heaviest twins who weighed 700+ pounds each. They would appear again in the same season in the episode The Day the Violence Died as witnesses.[3]
  • Homer thinks that he can order the soft drink Tab by pressing the Tab key on the keyboard.
  • When Homer goes to the theater, a movie theater patron insults Homer by suggesting he see the movie "A Fridge Too Far," a reference to the film A Bridge Too Far.
  • When Homer tries to hitchhike to the power plant before it melts down, he flags down a car and yells incoherently through the window, causing the driver to speed away in confusion and fear. This is a possible reference to a similar scene from Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
  • When Homer vents gas from a nuclear reactor, the gas destroys crops of corn. A farmer looks and says, "Oh no, the corn! Paul Newman's gonna have ma' legs broke!" This is in reference to the legend on Newman's Own popcorn products, in which Newman threatens anyone who might try to steal his popcorn (in the original airing of this episode, the closed captioning had the line as "Jolly Time is gonna have ma' legs broke!", but this has been fixed for syndicated reruns).
  • Near the end of the episode, Mr. Burns remarks that Homer turned a "potential Chernobyl into a mere Three Mile Island," referencing two of the nuclear power industry's worst disasters.

[edit] Reception

In 2008, Empire placed The Simpsons at the top of their list of "The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time" and noted "King-Size Homer" as the show's best episode.[4]

Despite the numerous laughs at Homer's appearance in the audio commentaries, the authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, wrote: "this isn't one of the best episodes. Homer's at his most irritating and childish here - you really want Marge to beat him up."[2] During the DVD Commentary, the production staff say that this is a "Classic Homer caper"; one of the best of the season.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Richmond, Ray; Antonia Coffman (1997). The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family. Harper Collins Publishers, p. 228. ISBN 0-00-638898-1. 
  2. ^ a b Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian (2000). "King-Size Homer". BBC. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
  3. ^ a b c The Simpsons Season 7 DVD Commentary.
  4. ^ "The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time". Empire. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.

[edit] External links

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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Friday, November 14, 2008

Costa

Is it bad when the woman who serves me knows my coffee order.
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Sunday, November 09, 2008

Friday, November 07, 2008

Apple Genius bar

Off to the genius bar with Jeans Ipod touch. Didn't get satisfaction 2bh. Then again mood I was in probably pistols at dawn may have helped. After the brass I have pumped in to the apple coffers this last month I expected more. So we shall see. If I have to go back I shall demand satisfaction.
Amazing how smug they all seemed on my way out. Consoling myself with a pot of tea in the John Lewis espresso bar while the traffic settles.
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Apple Genius bar

Off to the genius bar with Jeans Ipod touch. Didn't get satisfaction 2bh. Then again mood I was in probably pistols at dawn may have helped. After the brass I have pumped in to the apple coffers this last month I expected more. So we shall see. If I have to go back I shall demand satisfaction.
Amazing how smug they all seemed on my way out. Consoling myself with a pot of tea in the John Lewis espresso bar while the traffic settles.
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Posthelwaites Lear

The review in the guardian isn't sparkling. Think I am glad I haven't got tickets.
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Reuters - BSkyB and Virgin Media settle channels dispute

This article was sent to you from Ken.clare@blueyonder.co.uk, who uses Reuters Mobile Site to get news and information on the go. To access Reuters on your mobile phone, go to:
http://uk.mobile.reuters.com

BSkyB and Virgin Media settle channels dispute

Tuesday, Nov 04, 2008 4:34PM UTC

By Kate Holton

LONDON (Reuters) - BSkyB and Virgin Media have agreed a new deal to carry each others' basic channels, they said on Tuesday, following a highly public row in 2007.

BSkyB channels such as Sky News were taken off Virgin's cable platform last year after the two sides failed to reach an agreement over pricing in a public spat which dominated the headlines and angered many of Virgin's customers.

Shares in BSkyB were up 7.2 percent on the news and Virgin Media shares, which are listed in the U.S., were 17.3 percent higher at 1535 GMT.

"As part of the agreements, both Sky and Virgin Media have agreed to terminate all High Court proceedings against each other relating to the carriage of their respective basic channels," both groups said in the statement.

BSkyB and Virgin said the Sky basic channels would return to the cable service on November 13 and under a second agreement the Virgin Media TV basic channels such as Living and Bravo would continue on Sky.

The agreements include fixed annual carriage fees for the channels with both suppliers able to secure additional capped payments if their channels meet certain performance-related targets, they said.

"I believe this agreement represents a fair deal and is the right thing for our customers," said Virgin Media Chief Executive Neil Berkett.

"We recognise the quality and popularity of Sky's channels and look forward to welcoming them back to Virgin Media's TV service," he said. "We are also pleased to secure Sky's continued carriage of the VMTV channels until June 2011."

The BSkyB Chief Executive Jeremy Darroch said he was delighted to see the Sky channels returning to the Virgin Media platform.

(Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by David Cowell)

Friday, October 31, 2008

On my home.

Therapy was intersting will be going back again.
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On the train to therapy

Quite literally. Going to Hartford for Human Givens Therapy. Sleep is still pants. Been to see my long suffering gp frank he agrees I am better. Start therapy and see him in two weeks. I got some blood sugar testing gear and sticks to see what's happening when I have these hypos.
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Now I have bought a macbook too. 13" screen old fashioned white but it is as far as budget would stretch.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Blogging from my new mac book the laptop dream version of my mac world

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Going to see a chap from here on Friday 
http://www.hgi.org.uk/index.htm

Thursday, October 23, 2008

The notice board.

A harbinger of gloom. Breast cancer survivors victims of family suicide survivors. Bloody hell I fee worse.
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Once again sat in the GP

Back to where I have spent so much time in recent years. Waiting to go and see Frank. October is often bad for me its a busy month and I often feel a seasonal swing coming on me.
Yesterday email was up the pole. Blueyonder was down nationally, and I didn't seem to get much through the gravitas account. There is always the chance no one sent me anything but I prefer the technology is goosed explanation.
A questionairre from the receptionist about standards of service.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

I love my iMac and despite the steep learning curve it is fantastic

Support group tonight at greenbank went well.They have a new coffee machine which is v. good. The suppliers are - double espresso good.
http://www.rijo42.co.uk/

Monday, October 20, 2008

Working on the website.
Been to a maes mums funeral - nice service nice church.
Now grafting at the iMac

Ally found my passport BTW. It was in her bedroom

Want to stay up all night playing with the iMac is this a bad thing. Cant. got to go to a friends mothers funeral tomorrow am. Day off work.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Friday, October 17, 2008

There are men scraping the tarmac off the road outside. I was awoken at 9 to move the car- its a tough old life.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Got to go see mum drop WLSinfo stuff there for storage. Then hotfoot to town to town to meet Ally. Then back here. Gym tomorrow I think.

Just had an iChat conference with Conor live from Gravitas it was peachy. Got to go to mothers to drop stuff off then go to town to see Ally.
Busy Busy Busy.

Now using a dashboard widget on my iMac to post this it is unbelievable. A steep learning curve but well worth the climb for sure.
I love the Mac.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Flying home.

Its been a great couple of days with the team from web integrations. They have really helped me focus on the work required to take the website forward and improve the quality of our content side. Bob Euan and Liz are a great team and it was a pleasure working with them. The hotel was primitive in the extreme. Redeemed mainly by the pleasant lady who served brekkie. Mobile phone and internet connection were pants. Still I enjoyed the rest. Looking forward to going home. 2 years today. Feels good. People who matter know what that means. Next week sees the 6 year anniversary of my bypass. Another big milestone. Planning another visit to gustav klimt tomorrow with dinner out. Sunday ruth and paul here so a busy weekend.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

IMG00152.jpg

Stonehaven the view from the ship inn.
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Touch down Aberdeen

If anything feeling a little hyper. Manchester airport better organised than the shitshed coach station named after john lennon. It was faster cheaper smoother more organised. Now sat in the back of the cab mobile for stonehaven. Reassured to see cab driver doesn't know where we are going either. Good to see Mick last night looking bronzied and refreshed from a week in Majorca. Anyway here for 2 days training with Pip by Bob and Liz on our new content management system Sitellite.
Got weighed yesterday down 2.6 pound so pleased with that. Now last 4 stone plus since starting me preop diet. Need to get back to the gym again.
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Monday, August 25, 2008

Basin st Blues.

Bank holiday and trying to get sleep hygiene sorted. Been going to bed to late and sleeping in. Been doing me no good. In to work tomorrow and off to Scotland on Wednesday. Come back Friday night. Going to revisit the Klimt exhibition before it closes on Sunday. Got plenty of wlsinfo and gravitas stuff to sort. Professional membership website content and gravitas website improvements to work on. All go. Looking forward to meeting bob and liz up at web integrations at stonehaven. No sat in costa listenin to willie nelson and wynton marsalis in costa. Trying to do some of the physical thing.
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I saw a Venezuelan firefighter in Tesco.

Assuming Caracas is in that country and Bomberos is the word for fire fighter. Must be part of the world fire fighter games.
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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Thursday am

Up early. Legs achingl beyond belief. I guess yesterday I walked a helluva lot. And without crutches. Guess I am using muscles I didn't know I had after being in that plaster of paris.
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Thursday, August 14, 2008

On the 86C

Girls gone shopping. Me on the bus. Watching the world. Nearly home now.
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Results lunch

Just been to ill forino. For lunch delicious italian gaff in duke street it was recommended by Mick. I will be going there again.
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A Levels

Ally has excelled again. 4 A grades french english theology and general studies. We are extremely proud. Of that there is no doubt.
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The royal

Sat in fracture clinic waiting. What a pain in the bum. Had an xray which thanks to modern NHS IT was not done as a film but sent electronically to the clinic. The system prints me a chit to hand in and I hobble away. Intercepted by sister in clinic. Who looks accusingly and exclaims "is this yours. " Innocently I said yes - the name on the chit betrays me. I am not mrs patricia macintyre. I do though ask what she has and whether her prognosis is better than mine. Identity theft seems an option for a few minutes. In the meantime the A level news comes in.............
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Saturday, August 09, 2008

Yet more complaints

That I haven't been blogging. Truth is I have been mad busy. Was lecturing in Leeds. Came back busy at work. Busy on website doing my utmost to get all done even with a broken leg. Involved in two projects I had to sign non disclosure agreements about. So they remain secrets for now. All will come clear one day. Not that exciting really.
Ally gets a job with Liverpool PCT for the summer doing stuff based at Earle Road medical centre. Dublin based work takes up a lot of my efforts. Involved with the web space and radio advertising big time. I hate not being able to drive have to rely on Jean, Conor for work, and friends for meetings. Writing this for the museum conservation centre having just seen a great exhibition Stewart Bale photographs called Metropolis. Closes tomorrow and I was keen to catch it. Jeans birthday yesterday so a lot of birthday foccused activity. Yesterday saw debut of Sophia my great niece and goddaughters child. She is delightful pictures on flickr.
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Speech and language therapist says there is improvement

I have been practicing writing emails on both the keyboard and my phone. Apparently the practice is paying off. I am really lucky that we ha...