King-Size Homer Ideology & Representation By Barry Hodge SERIES: The Simpsons EPISODE: "King-Size Homer" (episode 5, series

7) PRODUCER: Gracie Films/20th Century Fox Television UK BROADCASTER: Sky One FIRST UK Tx DATE: 03/03/96 US BROADCASTER: Fox Television Network FIRST US Tx DATE: 05/11/95 The Simpsons is an animated cartoon, but this doesnt mean that its like the average Hanna-Barbera or Warner Brothers yarn. The show, now in its seventh season, is a prime-time (6pm in the UK, 8:30pm in the USA), halfhour show, in a league of its own. Cartoons usually have a low modality, meaning the realism of the text isnt very much like our everyday perceptions of reality, the characters residing in the "as if" world. But although this show is set in a realer world it does retain an off-beat air (although not too off-beat as to make it impenetrable to, or unworthy of analysis), a combination which grants it the highest viewing figures for Sky One, and high status on its original Fox Network. With its animatic nature, the viewer knows that anything can happen (far more than with live actors), but at the same time it can express its child-like ideologies to a wider audience, through all ages ("older people will watch shows for younger people, but not vice versa"), and to a larger fan base (who go on to analyse and discuss the shows and distribute their ideas as secondary texts, widening the knowledge still). Before I start finding ideological values in the text, I shall describe the narrative trying to fit it within Vladimir Propps thirty-one narrative functions. Using this method I hope to explain the narrative as simply as possible and prove that, although in places tenuously (the structure is allowed to be slightly deviated from), it conforms to the classic structure of folk tales (see the Appendix for actual conformities, excluded here to highlight narrative): PREPARATION: Homer Simpson is at work in the power plant (1), but he must do his exercises (2) he doesnt want to and hides in the toilet (3). Smithers (Mr Burns the owners personal assistant) finds him (4); Homer is seen as lazy, and is dragged away (5) and forced to partake in order to be a fit worker (6). Work-mate Lenny tells Homer that someone on disability benefit can work from home (7). COMPLICATION: Homer finds out that a body weight of over 300lbs is classed as disabling he desires to be hyper-obese (8). At home he tells his son Bart the plan, who says he will help him (9). Lisa, the daughter, objects to the fat plan on health grounds, asking if Homer has asked mom, Marge (10). TRANSFERENCE: Homer seeks medical advice from Dr Hibbert, who refuses, transferring him to Dr Nick Riviera (11). The crooked Dr Nick dispenses advice (12), pleasing Homer who goes out to start gaining weight (13). He and Bart go to the supermarket to purchase food (14), and then to the ice cream parlour and Krusty Burger to eat (15). STRUGGLE: Homer eventually reaches 315lbs and Mr Burns (disgusted by his employees appearance) opens Homers remote work terminal (16), Burns referring to the huge Homer as a "gastropod" (17). Homer no longer has to leave home to get to work (18) and soon finds that, at home, he doesnt have to work at all (19). RETURN: He starts his first day of work (20), but Marge says shes no longer sexually attracted to him (21). Homer doesnt care and takes pride in his "trebling efficiency" (typing just Y instead of YES on his terminal) (22) moments before going to the cinema (leaving a plastic, rocking bird in charge at home) (23). However, hes too fat to sit in the seats or even the aisle (24) and, annoyed, he gets home to find that, in his absence, the terminal has been left un-manned and the power plant is about to explode (25). Homer saves the plant and the whole of Springfield by

hijacking an ice-cream van and plugging the hole in the ready-to-explode tank with his girth (26). RECOGNITION: Mr Burns awards Homer with a medal for his bravery (27). The fat/laziness is exposed as his problem although, ironically, its saviour (28). Marge is pleased that Homer agrees to lose the weight (29) and Burns agrees to pay for Homers liposuction (30). By the next episode, Homer is back to normal, with Marges love (31). REPRESENTATIONS OF SOCIAL REALITY: As well as conforming to Propps narrative functions, it also conforms to his ideas of characters/spheres of action: VILLAIN: Homers flab; Mr Burns, instigator of the fitness regime DONOR/PROVIDER: Dr Nick Rivieras crooked medical practise HELPER: Larry, who tells Homer of the wonders of disability benefit SOUGHT-FOR PERSON: The success of Homers idea to work at home; the Marge of Homers patriarchal dream DISPATCHER: Bart, who helps in Homers quest for weight-gain HERO: Homer and his plan FALSE HERO: Lisa and the real Marge, who only think of the plans unhealthy side-effects

The show and its characters also agree with other social and narrative conventions. They live in a realistic setting, which, as Ive mentioned, doesnt exactly reproduce reality, but does reproduce the dominant social view of our sense of reality. Even though the characters appear yellow, they are still human in form rather than random squiggles (which the genre accommodate). None of the character representations are of social leaders, but of those in the working class and their experiences of subordination, as in Raymond Williams notions of social extension. The show also conforms to Marion Jordans ideas about social realism holding the narrative form of beginning/middle/end, involving the working class, or those they associate with, in ordinary industrial/urban locales. The show is also set now in contemporary America. Jordans ideas suit the show more than John Fiskes work which portrays American television as only depicting the middle class (he wrote in the yuppiecentric 1980s). Indeed, Jordans ideas are more true in the case of many US programmes of the 90s (for example Roseanne and Married With Children), with their left-wing political viewpoints. The Simpsons family Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and (unseen in this episode) baby Maggie, in order of birth live in a very humanised environment, as the heroes of a text should in order to aid audience identification. They have a regular house on a regular street (Evergreen Terrace) with crooked pictures and toys scattered everywhere rather than the over-glamorous, chandeliered mansions of Fiskes 80s examples. In a live action show soft or harsh scenery colours signify the heroism or villainy implicit within in the cartoon the choice of paint signifies this. The Simpsons house is mainly pink (which is proven, through tests in American prisons, to have a calming effect on its occupants). The viewer is thus more calm in the company of these people than, say, within the confines of the villains lair Mr Burns office in his unsafe nuclear power plant being dark brown and green in colour, full of mahogany furniture (further representing Big Business typical mentality of not caring for the environment). Homers workstation in the plant is plain metallic (or its blue equivalent), with luminous green liquids seeping from the cracks between the riveted joins hardly a place of leisure, this enables the viewer to understand Homers reasons for wanting to keep away from the place. The characters are unlike real actors whose "appearance is already encoded by our social values." Animated characters must play even more to social stereotypes, as "embodiments of ideological values" of the various types of people they wish to represent. Their voice talents are cast specifically, although in the case of The Simpsons the actors came straight from the regular cast of the live action sketches, and embryonic Simpsons clips used in The Tracey Ullman Show. Thus we cant fully acknowledge the actors intertextuality as much as in other television series. Only two of the actors could bring with them any textual baggage that I know of. Julie Kavner, the voice of Marge, starred in the popular 70s sitcom Rhoda, making the viewer expect comedy and certain feminist or, at least, left-wing values from her presence (the show produced by Mary Tyler Moores known

feminist company, MTM). Harry Shearer, the voice of Burns and Smithers (among others), would in the same way bring with him a certain amount of zaniness through his involvement in the mock-rock group Spinal Tap (who themselves appeared in an earlier Simpsons episode). I shall now take a look at some of the episodes chief characters. Homer, the series hero, is firmly rooted (or so he believes) in a patriarchal household of the 1950s. Hes sick and tired of going to work each morning (though, initially at least, not the work itself) and wishes that he could work from home to be waited upon by Marge, his devoted wife. His wishes are best expressed in one of the shows dream sequences: Homer fantasises about how life will be once he starts working at home. He sits outside wearing sunglasses at his workstation under a sun umbrella. MARGE: Heres your lemonade, and heres your beer. Ooh, youre such a vigorous young go-getter! Whens your coffee break? HOMER: (lasciviously) Any time I want! (growls) The rich, popular (and madly religious) next-door neighbour then walks past, his clothes crumpled and sweaty. We can see that Homer has pictured his own lounging in the sun all day, Marge as his servant, and his social better as on the brink of a nervous breakdown. All it is though is a dream (to highlight which, Bart and Lisa are seen to be watching and laughing at him in his dreamy daze and therefore, metaphorically, the dream itself). He is a very lazy character and also, let us not forget, very stupid (the animators often add to his usual gorilla-like stature two very distant-looking crossed eyes). Not once does he consider the health-damaging side-effects of his gargantuan size, all he wants is freedom from going to work: "Oh, Im never going to be disabled," he moans, "Im sick of being so healthy!" Marge, on the other hand, is a little more complex. As in the patriarchal household she was brought up in, Marge is both nurturer and servant, although thought of/treated as a lesser member of the family she doesnt even appear until the second act (or after the second American commercial break). The opening credits (though cut from this transmission) show her juggling the responsibilities of caring for baby Maggie and buying the shopping in enough time to get home for the other children/Homer (the latter having, it seems, played truant from work, arriving home at the same time as the kids as if he were one of them). She cant be seen as the usual male sex object as she only embodies the most rudimentary feminine aspects rarely wearing lipstick, and only her relatively small features, big hair and eyelashes distinguishing her as a woman in the dominant patriarchal sense. Also, her traditional feminine emotions cant be as well expressed as those of a real woman, so they are heightened by music (although the folded arms, pursed lips and frown she displays on hearing of Homers plan fully acknowledge her feelings on the matter). From scenes in other episodes it is known that Marge has a touch of French in her blood and wasnt treated well as a child by her over-bearing father perhaps because of his latin temperament and the embarrassment of his job being that of an air stewardess (sic). She doesnt want her children brought up as replicas of her father (as Patty and Selma, her nasty sisters, turned out to be), and does have some feminist values (her hair could be said to represent the phallus, thus her trouser-wearing position in the household), but she tends to keep the feelings to herself. Shes perhaps too ideologically-oppressed to complain directly to Homer (when she finally confronts him she can still only refer to his plan as "controversial"). Whereas Bart is a youthful version of Homer (he wants to be just like him, and rejoices in helping him gain weight and thus, in the Oedipal sense, killing him), Lisa is intelligent, versed in all the feminine texts, and the character who often brings the contradictions of the show to the fore campaigning against underage smoking one week, and the stereotype-conforming Malibu Stacey dolls the next. Marge can confide in Lisa (having no other friends outside her home) and Lisa is a more militant speaker when it comes to personal values. She definitely doesnt see Homer as the patriarch or bearer of knowledge she talks directly to him about and against his thoughtless plans, although at heart she loves him for all his stupidity. In a scene reminiscent of Whats Eating Gilbert Grape? (one of the many intertextual references that the series contains) a group of children laugh and stare through the window at Homer. Lisa sticks up for him to the extent that they literally bow their heads in shame. Its only when Homer starts hurling mindless abuse at them do they start laughing again Homer thus failing to live up to Lisas thoughtful lines and failing her as a father.

Marge and Homers lifestyles keep to J Hartleys dominant ideology-based heroes, ideas which (shown below) involve gender, age-group, family, class, nation, and ethnicity. In this show, and in other contemporary examples, education is also an important variable.SUBJECT: Homer Marge GENDER: male/straight female/straight AGE: 30s& 30s FAMILY: married/kids married/kids CLASS: working working NATION: USA USA RACE: white white EDUCATION: night class grad. high school graduate Setting the two lifestyles out like this, one can see the conformity between the two heroes of the text (I say two, even though Marge could be the false hero, in Propps terms, for doubting and acting against Homers plans). There isnt any conflict in any of the shown sections as it would be, in theory, if everyone conformed to the dominant ideology. But as this non-conflict makes boring plot lines, conflicts of interest must evolve between the heroes, as well as (more traditionally) between them and outside factors villains. The villains in narratives are generally non-American in their social values either through accent, appearance of other subtler ways which all add up to make the character unrealistic to American ideology (and often difficult to work out). Easily identified ones, however, such as Mr Burns, have many villainous traits in their characteristic representation. Under Hartleys headings the shows villains can be seen as below.SUBJECT: Mr Burns Smithers Dr Nick GENDER: male/straight male/gay male/straight AGE: 80s& 40s 30s FAMILY: single single single CLASS: upper middle middle NATION: USA USA USA RACE: white white Hispanic EDUCATION: Ivy League (Yale) university medical college Mr Burns is the episodes/series chief villain, the ultra-wealthy owner of Homers power plant and instigator of the rigorous fitness regime. He has an English-sounding accent (like Jeremy Irons many American roles, or the various portrayals, by the English, of Europeans in the Die Hard movies). At one point, Burns is seen to tap Homer with a walking stick, thus the American obsessions with health and old age (he resembles an emaciated skeleton) are both encapsulated in one person. As opposed to the heroes being allowed screen time (through editing) to establish their relationship, the only time we see Burns and Smithers together is when they are making their nefarious plans (even though, in this episode, the plan is to make Homer fit and healthy). The representation of Burns through the angle of the camera (or at least that which was conceptualised on the storyboard page) also informs the viewer of his villainy. He is always seen above his workers, showing his precedence over them whether outside doing the callisthenic exercises on his purposely constructed podium (resembling various authoritarian regimes: Nazi speeches at Nuremberg, Communist Chinas morning fitness rituals, or the Japanese business fitness plans, Japan being Americas new economic enemy), or in his office where, even though sitting down, the throne-like chair rises (thus making his position) above whoever dares enter (in a reverse of the halo effect, the chairs armrests also rise up to appear as horns above his bald head). Mr Burns wears a sweater in the colours of Yale University blue on white a sign of his educational supremacy over Homer (who only graduated in a recent series), and his family. (Even his full name, Charles Montgomery Burns, is more superior-sounding than Homers.) As opposed to Fiskes examples of 80s villains as less educated persons, our current social experience says the reverse: the heroes have to outsmart the more educated, luxurious powers of Big Business. Perhaps in the 90s, with the left-wing Democrat government, Mr Burns is seen as capitalism gone mad (which could, again, refer to Americas disliking of Japan, where capitalism has become so successful that the Americans who invested in the place following the Second World War are jealous). In this text, a persons education/knowledge would appear to lead to great, unopposed power Burns office is

thus lined with books. (There are, though, levels of education below even the Simpsons that are most reviled. Barts dream of being "a lardo just like dad" has him speaking in a deeply southern USA accent, saying proudly "I wash myself with a rag on a stick!" This stereotype of southerners being unintelligent fools also appears in Fiskes example, so it must be American common sense.) As said before, Lisa the feminist eight-year-old also displays signs of being extremely intelligent like the portrayed villains a villain against Homers dream of patriarchy? Doctors are generally seen as unfairly overpaid in a society of un-funded healthcare and Dr Hibberts good education is displayed above his head (and thus important to him) in the form of his framed diploma. Again, his office has the blue/white colouring signifying Yale, indicating his and Burns knowledge of one another (they also both hold a place in the citys privileged Masonic club). Hibbert could therefore be seen as a villain (although a very friendly physician) in terms of his high standing in the community as well as his playing no part in Homers idiotic plan. However, he does refer to him to Dr Nick Riviera, possibly because referring patients would earn him some sort of commission. Dr Hibbert is black, although I dont think any ethnicity codes apply in this case as he was only brought into the series as a joke when the rival network, NBC, scheduled their The Cosby Show (in which Bill Cosby played a doctor) against The Simpsons for its final season. Waylon Smithers, Burns loyal personal assistant, is represented as a closeted gay man with delusions of love for Mr Burns thus very much a villain to Americas dominant ideology. In this respect he could be seen as Burns villainess (rather un-PC, but thats the decoding Im offering). Although the producers official line is that "theyre just good friends," he is visually represented as at least different: he wears a dapper pink bow-tie (thus displaying a pair of pink triangle symbols), he has vaguely styled hair rather than the greasy mess of other males (for example, Lennys), and, unlike most characters, wears glasses. Hes also the one sent to search for Homer in the toilets, and even though Homer was standing in the toilet bowl, Smithers was still able to sense which cubicle he was in. (In other episodes he betrays his secret further, for instance, Burns doesnt like dogs: "Would you like something sniffing around at your crotch?" to wit Smithers replies "If you were doing it, sir?") Dr Nick Riviera, advocate of Homers scheme, could be seen as the final human villain of the text. Even though in the twisted terms of this narrative he is Homers donor in the fat plan, in a social sense with such a scheme thought of as negative, he can be thought of as another villain (although, in the confusing social common sense, Mr Burns could be seen as a hero trying to encourage Homer to be healthy its rather complex). Dr Nick (sic) is separated in terms of race, with his exaggerated Hispanic accent, and also social status. As a doctor he is seen as one of the intelligentsia, even though hes a crooked one charging a standard $129.99 per operation, has a catchphrase ("Hi everybody!" to which everybody replies "Hi Dr Nick!"), and, when Bart recommends "brushing your teeth with milkshakes" as part of Homers weight-gain plan, he asks "Did you go to Hollywood Upstairs Medical College too?" showing he cant even deduce that Barts a ten-year-old boy. Homers flab is also a villain here (its been un-American to be unhealthy in their culture, where even the presidents jog, for at least fifteen years even though personal experience of many citizens proves otherwise), and like the traditional plans of the villain, the fat plan is definitely lost before the end, unlike Burns and Smithers plans which, as part of the series narrative structure continue from week to week. IDEOLOGICAL CODES: Now that I have found the various ways in which the characters are represented, I shall now investigate further their social ideologies. In some respects though, my decoding of this American-encoded series could be "aberrant" because of my differently, British culture-encoded brain. Even though my common sense has already been tainted by the USAs dominance of the media, it can still prove a problem, especially in terms of their political system. For instance, I have little understanding of the Watergate affair (being too young, uneducated, or British), but the American viewers would understand more clearly the constant references to Richard Nixon one character, Milhouse (sic), bares his middle name (and one can only ascertain from his un-dominant ideological background bespectacled, constantly bullied, hated a little of the true Nixon). I do, though, understand quite a lot from the text. The fact that the Simpsons are WASPs (white Anglo-Saxon Protestants, or at least their yellow equivalent) is hardly coincidental. With most viewers situated in the countrys dominant ideology, they are able to watch the show and identify themselves with, and have their wishes fulfilled by the characters (in the 80s there was glamour, power, wealth in the 90s, no one could want to be like Mr Burns and his wealth, but rather have a Simpsons-esque home life where the man isnt completely dominant). The show circulates its creator Matt Groenings ideology (also writer of the Life in Hell comic-strip, which includes the definitely non-dominant pair Akbar and Jeff "Are they lovers, are they brothers or are they both?"). The

Simpsons, therefore, has a strong left-wing, anti-Republican Party bias. (As a reminder of this, the cash register in the opening titles lights up in freeze-frame mode to highlight various ironically right-wing messages, for example "NRA4EVER", pertaining to the rightist National Rifle Association.) As well as its (executive) producers input, the shows American broadcaster, the Fox Television Network, must also have something to do with its twisting of the traditional narrative style (if not form). The network is often thought to the lowest common denominator in terms of the countrys television (to say nothing of the rest of Rupert Murdochs empire, including its UK broadcaster Sky One). The relatively new channel has had to broadcast conflicting programmes of this nature so as to appear different and original when competing with the other networks (who, in turn, commission the same type of programmes for instance, ABCs Roseanne, which for its last season became very weird indeed, and more like The Simpsons each week). As stated before, the presence of the dominant ideology in the shows reality (as well as Groenings views ingrained into it) are to ensure the shows popularity. Set in televisions role of making social changes, the show is "a contradictory mix of confirming and contending identities" its based around the ideology of patriarchy, but theres more than a hint of feminist issue in it, issues which are important and should be discussed on television. The Simpsons (and the rest of the 90s breed of programming) doesnt constitute an out-an-out feminist text, but one of a feminine culture asserting its values within and against patriarchy. We are able to cope with this radicalism because, in social circumstances (unlike viewers in the 40s and 50s) we have been subject to some form of feminist power in our lives. Continual exposure to such issues as these (and equal representations of other repressed groups, including the Smithers of the world), work to "whittle away" at patriarchys power of oppressing women (etc.). As part of this, Homer envisioned in his dream of working at home (as opposed to the shows own, and our social reality) that Marge was his slave, but in reality she "runs errands in the daytime," telling Homer what he probably doesnt know of her life (he doesnt ask/care about her day). At one point, Homer is able to use the washer-drier to wash his fat guy hat without support from Marge showing, perhaps, some degree of his non-reliance on the little woman, but it could just as likely be an excuse to say fat guy hat (it resembled Dom DeLuis ever-present white cap). (Interestingly, when he puts the hat on, he cries "I can feel three kinds of softness!" thus betraying the power of commercials on the common man. Earlier, when discussing with Marge the pros and cons of being fat, Homer mentioned as a pro, in his commercial-talk, that he was "drought and famine-resistant.") The general narrative structure (ignoring its great twists of unhealthy equalling good) doesnt conform to the patriarchal tradition. As said before, the normal untroubled marriage of the dominant ideology would make a dull storyline so, in contradiction, Homer gets fat and disrupts his marriage situation it encroaches on Marges territory (mentally and physically, with the air-conditioner continually at full blast), and she says she isnt sexually attracted to him anymore (hardly the stuff of usual cartoons) which, in turn, encroaches on Homers patriarchal dream world. Because of this and, perhaps, Homers Oedipal feelings for Marge (his true mother leaving home when he was a child, leaving him with a miserable single father), Homer is finally swayed by his wifes feelings. Women are traditionally seen as being able to control relationships, and Marge forces Homer to lose weight in the end. Perhaps he thinks hed otherwise lose her for good (feminist text: a man is useless), although the expression on her face and his sudden action does seem to prove that he worries for her welfare (patriarchal text: the man looks after the little woman the heroine in jeopardy is saved). Also, unlike the masculine narrative setting of the office or the police station, this show is mainly set in the traditionally feminine arena of the home. It refuses some of the encodings of patriarchy in favour of some feminist issues. Also, the Simpsons on-going situation is never resolved as in the feminine narrative (with its multiples of plot and character, like the feminine soap opera form) even though, like the masculine narrative (with its desire for climax, as in sexuality for example, the closure of police shows), each episode has its own conclusion. Mick Eaton says this mix of narratives is especially true of comedies, thus making them popular to both audiences as, in theory, everyone can read their identities into it. CONCLUSION: I dont believe that everything Ive read into the text was consciously inserted into it, but much has been found out about the show. The episode has the social values of the dominant ideology to cater to its large audience, and it holds the dominant patriarchal view of minority groups although at least they receive a much needed and welcome mention. (Since when did the other prime-time cartoon for adults, The Flintstones, include anyone of colour or gay, both groups being more-or-less illegal in the early 60s?) The show is trying, like the USA and Western World in general, to create a cultural shift towards total sexual/ethnic emancipation. The popularity of such issues has changed and will continue to change as popular tastes move with different social and historical issues. Theres currently a resurgence of shifting definitions of femininity as there were in the 70s, with such series as

Charlies Angels a sign, like now, of the Democrats in presidential office. I hope The Simpsons continues to highlight such issues, even those which arent as controversial as race or gender like this episodes highlighting of the simple ways to exploit disability benefit and that it continues to enlighten and entertain for many more series. APPENDIX: Here follow the conformities, although a few are tenuous, to Propps narrative functions (as quoted from John Fiske). PREPARATION 1. Member of family leaves home Homer Simpson is at work in the power plant 2. A rule is imposed on him 3. Rule is broken He must do his exercises; He doesnt want to and hides in the toilet;

4. Villain attempts reconnaissance Smithers (Mr Burns the owners personal assistant) finds him; 5. Villain learns something of victim Homer is seen as lazy, and is dragged away;

6. Villain deceives victim He is forced to partake in order to be a fit worker; 7. Victim is influenced Work-mate Lenny tells Homer that someone on disability benefit can work from home.

COMPLICATION 8. Family member desires something Homer finds out that a body weight of over 300lbs is classed as disabling he desires to be hyper-obese; 9. Desire is made known At home he tells his son Bart the plan, who says he will help him; 10. Seeker plans action against Lisa, the daughter, objects to the fat plan on villain health grounds, asking if Homer has asked mom, Marge. TRANSFERENCE 11. Hero leaves home Homer seeks medical advice from Dr Hibbert, who refuses, transferring him to Dr Nick Riviera; The crooked Dr Nick dispenses advice;

12. Hero receives magical agent

13. Hero reacts to actions of donor Homer is pleased and goes out to start gaining weight; 14. Hero uses magical agent food; He and Bart got to the supermarket to purchase

15. Hero goes to location of quest They go to the ice cream parlour, and then Krusty Burger to eat. STRUGGLE 16. Hero and villain join in combat Homer has reached 315lbs and Mr Burns (disgusted by his employees appearance) opens Homers remote work terminal;

17. Hero is branded 18. Villain is defeated

Burns refers to the huge Homer as a "gastropod"; Homer no longer has to leave home to get to work;

19. Initial misfortune is set right Homer is fat and soon finds that, at home, he doesnt have to work at all. RETURN 20. Hero returns 21. Hero is pursued to him; 22. Hero is rescued from pursuit Homer doesnt care and takes pride in his "trebling efficiency" (typing just Y instead of YES on his terminal); 23. Hero arrives somewhere Homer goes to the cinema (leaving a plastic, rocking bird in charge at home); 24. False hero makes false claims aisle; Hes too fat to sit in the seats or even the He starts his first day of work; Marge says shes no longer sexually attracted

25. Difficult task set for hero He gets home to find that, in his absence, the terminal has been left un-manned and the power plant is about to explode; 26. Task is accomplished Homer saves the plant and the whole of Springfield by hijacking an ice-cream van and plugging the hole in the ready-to-explode tank with his girth. RECOGNITION 27. Hero is recognised bravery; 28. Villain is exposed The fat/laziness is exposed as his problem although, ironically, its saviour; Mr Burns awards Homer with a medal for his

29. False hero is transformed Marge is pleased that Homer agrees to lose the weight; 30. Villain is punished 31. Hero is married Fat will be lost as Burns says he will pay for Homers liposuction; Homer (by the next episode) is back to normal, with Marges love.