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Difference between revisions of "Homer the Whopper"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
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{{Quote|I have a bad feeling about this movie. Our star's overweight, we're way over budget, and that grasshopper raptor we built seems to have developed a mind of its own.|Studio Executive}}
 
{{Episode
 
{{Episode
|image = Homer the Whopper promo.jpg
+
|image= Homer the Whopper promo.jpg
|Episode Number = 442
+
|number= 442
|productionCode = LABF13
+
|season=21
|originalAirdate = September 27, [[2009]]
+
|snumber=1
|blackboardText = The class hamster isn't just sleeping.
+
|prodcode= LABF13
|couchGag = The Simpsons arrive at a subway station, where the subway doors open to reveal their living room.
+
|airdate= September 27, [[2009]]
|billboard = If I Kill You, You Don't Pay - [[Dr. Nick Riviera]]
+
|blackboard= The class hamster isn't just sleeping.
|titlescreen = A three-eyed crow flies by
+
|couchgag= The Simpsons arrive at a subway station, where the subway doors open to reveal their living room.
|specialGuestVoices = [[Seth Rogen]] as [[Lyle McCarthy]]<br>[[Matt Groening]] as {{Ch|Matt Groening|himself}}<br>[[Kevin Michael Richardson]] as Security Guard
+
|billboard= If I Kill You, You Don't Pay - [[Dr. Nick Riviera]]
|Show Runner = [[Al Jean]]
+
|titlescreen= A three-eyed crow flies by
|Written By = [[Seth Rogen]]<br>[[Evan Goldberg]]
+
|guests= [[Matt Groening]] as {{Ch|Matt Groening|himself}}<br>[[Kevin Michael Richardson]] as the [[Ginormous Pictures security guard]]<br>[[Seth Rogen]] as [[Lyle McCarthy]]
|Directed By = [[Lance Kramer]]
+
|showrunner1= Al Jean
 +
|writer= [[Seth Rogen]]<br>[[Evan Goldberg]]
 +
|director= [[Lance Kramer]]
 
}}
 
}}
{{Quote|I have a bad feeling about this movie. Our star's overweight, we're way over budget, and that grasshopper raptor we built seems to have developed a mind of its own.|Studio Executive}}
 
  
"'''Homer the Whopper'''" is the first episode of [[season 21]].
+
"'''Homer the Whopper'''" is the first episode of [[season 21]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the four-hundred and forty-second episode overall. It originally aired on September 27, [[2009]]. The episode was written by [[Seth Rogen]] and [[Evan Goldberg]] and directed by [[Lance Kramer]]. It guest stars [[Matt Groening]] as {{Ch|Matt Groening|himself}}, [[Kevin Michael Richardson]] as the [[Ginormous Pictures security guard]], and [[Seth Rogen]] as [[Lyle McCarthy]].
  
 
== Synopsis ==
 
== Synopsis ==
{{Desc|[[Comic Book Guy]]'s comic book hero, [[Everyman]], becomes a big hit in [[Springfield]], and he agrees to a movie version. CBG insists  he choose who plays the lead role, and gives the part to Homer. However, the movie company hires a personal trainer for Homer, named [[Lyle McCarthy|Lyle]], so he can get fit for the part. When Lyle leaves, Homer puts on weight again, and the movie is a disaster. The company offers CBG the chance to direct a sequel if he pretends he liked the movie, but he criticizes it.}}
+
{{Desc|[[Comic Book Guy]] creates his own comic book, {{ap|Everyman|comic}}, which becomes a huge hit. A film based on the comic is produced but it ends up having many problems, including Comic Book Guy getting shut out of his own creation.}}
  
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
[[Bart Simpson|Bart]] and [[Milhouse Van Houten|Milhouse]] convinced [[Comic Book Guy]] into publishing a comic book he wrote titled [[Everyman]], in which the title character, an overweight average man called [[Avery Mann]] can absorb superpowers from the characters of comic books he touches. The comic becomes an instant hit, and many Hollywood studios become interested in making it into a movie. Comic Book Guy agrees to let Everyman become a movie, but only if he can pick the star. When Comic Book Guy sees [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], he considers Homer would be perfect for the role, as he wants Everyman to be played by a middle-aged fat man like his character. But the studio executives realizes that audiences want a physically fit actor for the role, so that people will see the everyman they 'want' to be rather than the everyman they are. So they hire celebrity fitness trainer Lyle McCarthy to make Homer fit. After a month, Homer becomes fit and muscular, so the movie begins production.
+
[[Bart]] and [[Milhouse]] enter [[The Android's Dungeon]] to annoy [[Comic Book Guy]]. After Comic Book Guy goes to his back room, the kids discover a comic book that Comic Book Guy himself had created, ''{{ap|Everyman|comic}}''. They read the issue they find and enjoy it. Bart and Milhouse then convince Comic Book Guy to self-publish the comic. It gets shipped out all over [[Springfield]] and to other comic shops where it proves to be a huge hit.
  
Soon afterwards, however, McCarthy leaves Homer for another client.Without McCarthy to keep him fit, Homer starts eating again and gains all the weight back. Homer can no longer fit into his costume or even his trailer, and the movie begins to go over budget. The studio executives and Comic Book Guy worry that the film will not be successful. The final version of the movie features scenes with the fat Homer and the physically fit Homer merged together, upsetting the audience. After the premier of the film, McCarthy returns and offers to make Homer physically fit again, which Homer accepts. The studio executives offer to let Comic Book Guy direct the sequel, on the condition that Comic Book Guy lie to the fans and say he liked the film. Comic Book Guy rejects the offer and openly criticizes the movie online.
+
The comic gets the attention of {{ap|Marv|Homer the Whopper}}, an executive at [[One-Week Wonder Films]]. Marv decides that ''Everyman'' will be their next Summer blockbuster. He is then informed that the rights to the film were already bought by [[Ginormous Pictures]]. At The Android's Dungeon, the producers at Ginormous Pictures convince Comic Book Guy to let them make the movie. Comic Book Guy eventually agrees, but only if he can choose who plays [[Everyman]]. The producers reluctantly agree and the casting process starts. After Comic Book Guy had rejected everyone, [[Homer]] walks into the store needing change for a dollar. Comic Book Guy decides that Homer is perfect for the role and signs him on.
 +
 
 +
After breaking the news to his family, Homer starts production on the film. He is told that people don't like how he looks in his superhero costume, so he needs to lose weight. The producers hire personal trainer [[Lyle McCarthy]] to help get Homer into shape with a fitness regime. Meanwhile, [[Hollywood]] had changed Comic Book Guy and he had adopted a [[Cambodia]]n orphan, [[Prius Albertson|Prius]].
 +
 
 +
Lyle trains Homer to the point where Homer has become fit and muscular. This impresses [[Marge]], who enjoys making love to Homer again. During filming of a scene, Lyle tells Homer that he has to go to another client. After Lyle leaves, Homer starts to binge eat again, putting on weight. This leads to problems with filming, since Homer had quickly put on a lot of weight. As filming continued, there were more problems, including Homer getting stuck in his trailer. Comic Book Guy was also forced out of the creative process of the film.
 +
 
 +
Eventually, the film was ready for a test screening at the [[Aztec Theater]]. The film had Homer as Everyman changing his body shape frequently due to how it had been cut together. It ended up as a massive flop and nobody liked it. The producers told Comic Book Guy that if he just lied and told his online community that he enjoyed the film, he could direct the sequel. Comic Book Guy considered this offer, but decided against it and told everyone that it was the worst film ever.
  
 
== Production ==
 
== Production ==
[[File:Alf Clausen composing for Homer the Whopper.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Alf Clausen composing for this episode.]]
+
[[File:Alf Clausen composing for Homer the Whopper.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Alf Clausen composing for this episode.]]
 
[[Seth Rogen]] and Evan Goldberg, writers of the film ''Superbad'', asked the producers of ''The Simpsons'' if they could write an episode. They were invited to the writers room where they pitched several episode ideas. One was accepted, and they wrote an outline with the help of some feedback from the regular writers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22486 |title=From Superbad To Superheroes - Evan Goldberg on Hornet and The Boys|author=Liam Burke |publisher=''Empire''|date=2008-04-30|accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref> The table read took place in August 2008, and production on the episode began soon after that.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://live.comicbookresources.com/2008/07/26/superbad-writers-rogen-and-goldberg-to-pen-episode-of-the-simpsons/ |title="Superbad" writers Rogen and Goldberg to pen episode of "The Simpsons"|author=Jami Philbrick |publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=2008-07-26|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> Rogen later said "we sat down for a read-through and three hours later I'm in a studio improv-ing with Homer Simpson, it was the single greatest day of my life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/film-cinema/why-seth-rogen-is-on-a-high-1475161.html |title=Why Seth Rogen is on a high|author=Evan Fanning |work=Irish Independent|date=2008-09-14|accessdate=2008-09-17}}</ref>
 
[[Seth Rogen]] and Evan Goldberg, writers of the film ''Superbad'', asked the producers of ''The Simpsons'' if they could write an episode. They were invited to the writers room where they pitched several episode ideas. One was accepted, and they wrote an outline with the help of some feedback from the regular writers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22486 |title=From Superbad To Superheroes - Evan Goldberg on Hornet and The Boys|author=Liam Burke |publisher=''Empire''|date=2008-04-30|accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref> The table read took place in August 2008, and production on the episode began soon after that.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://live.comicbookresources.com/2008/07/26/superbad-writers-rogen-and-goldberg-to-pen-episode-of-the-simpsons/ |title="Superbad" writers Rogen and Goldberg to pen episode of "The Simpsons"|author=Jami Philbrick |publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=2008-07-26|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> Rogen later said "we sat down for a read-through and three hours later I'm in a studio improv-ing with Homer Simpson, it was the single greatest day of my life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/film-cinema/why-seth-rogen-is-on-a-high-1475161.html |title=Why Seth Rogen is on a high|author=Evan Fanning |work=Irish Independent|date=2008-09-14|accessdate=2008-09-17}}</ref>
  
The writers tried not to repeat the plot from "[[Radioactive Man]]". Instead, they based the episode on the fact that almost every comic book has been turned into a movie.
+
== Reception ==
 +
In its original airing, "Homer the Whopper" was watched by 8.31 million people and received a 4.3 Nielsen rating/12 share.<ref>[https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/laffers-rule-tv-s-premiere-week-1118009337/ Variety - "Laffers rule TV's premiere week"]</ref>
  
== Reception ==
+
Emily Todd VanDerWerff of ''{{W|The A.V. Club}}'' gave the episode a B rating. She said that this episode wasn't as good as the last celebrity guest script episode; "[[Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife]]", written by [[Ricky Gervais]]. However, she called it a "mostly amusing season premiere".<ref>[https://www.avclub.com/homer-the-whopper-pilot-road-to-the-multiverse-i-1798207048 The A.V. Club - ""Homer the Whopper"/"Pilot"/"Road to the Multiverse"/"In Country ... Club""]</ref>
"Homer the Whopper" was watched in 8.31 million homes and acquired a 4.3 Nielsen rating/12% share.
 
  
The episode received positive to mixed reviews. Robert Canning of IGN was positive about "Homer the Whopper", giving it a 8.6/10 rating. He commented that the first act of the episode was the strongest, while the others were weaker. Canning believed the reason for this was that the viewers have already seen Homer "struggle with his weight countless times, and Rogen's trainer, though funny much of the time, will likely never be remembered as a classic guest role." He added, however, that Rogen and Goldberg are able to find "a few new angles with the weight jokes, so it's not a complete loss." Overall, Canning thought "Homer the Whopper" was a good start to the twenty-first season, and although the plot may not be very original, the writers added "freshness to the proceedings.
+
As of January [[2022]], "Homer the Whopper" has a 7.1 rating on {{W|IMDb}}.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1502337/ IMDb - "Homer the Whopper"]</ref>
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
  
 +
{{Images|ep=yes}}
 
{{season 21}}
 
{{season 21}}
  
 +
[[Category:2009]]
 
[[Category:Homer episodes]]
 
[[Category:Homer episodes]]
 +
[[Category:Comic Book Guy episodes]]
 
[[Category:Season premieres]]
 
[[Category:Season premieres]]
[[Category:2009]]
 
 
[[Category:Episodes written by one time writers]]
 
[[Category:Episodes written by one time writers]]
 
[[Category:Episodes directed by Lance Kramer]]
 
[[Category:Episodes directed by Lance Kramer]]
  
 
[[sv:Homer the Whopper]]
 
[[sv:Homer the Whopper]]

Latest revision as of 12:24, April 14, 2024

Season 21 Episode
441 "Coming to Homerica"
442
"Homer the Whopper"
"Bart Gets a "Z"" 443
"I have a bad feeling about this movie. Our star's overweight, we're way over budget, and that grasshopper raptor we built seems to have developed a mind of its own."
―Studio Executive
"Homer the Whopper"
Homer the Whopper promo.jpg
Episode Information
Episode number: 442
Season number: S21 E1
Production code: LABF13
Original airdate: September 27, 2009
Title screen: A three-eyed crow flies by
Billboard gag: If I Kill You, You Don't Pay - Dr. Nick Riviera
Chalkboard gag: The class hamster isn't just sleeping.
Couch gag: The Simpsons arrive at a subway station, where the subway doors open to reveal their living room.
Guest star(s): Matt Groening as himself
Kevin Michael Richardson as the Ginormous Pictures security guard
Seth Rogen as Lyle McCarthy
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Seth Rogen
Evan Goldberg
Directed by: Lance Kramer


"Homer the Whopper" is the first episode of season 21 of The Simpsons and the four-hundred and forty-second episode overall. It originally aired on September 27, 2009. The episode was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and directed by Lance Kramer. It guest stars Matt Groening as himself, Kevin Michael Richardson as the Ginormous Pictures security guard, and Seth Rogen as Lyle McCarthy.

Synopsis[edit]

"Comic Book Guy creates his own comic book, Everyman, which becomes a huge hit. A film based on the comic is produced but it ends up having many problems, including Comic Book Guy getting shut out of his own creation."


Plot[edit]

Bart and Milhouse enter The Android's Dungeon to annoy Comic Book Guy. After Comic Book Guy goes to his back room, the kids discover a comic book that Comic Book Guy himself had created, Everyman. They read the issue they find and enjoy it. Bart and Milhouse then convince Comic Book Guy to self-publish the comic. It gets shipped out all over Springfield and to other comic shops where it proves to be a huge hit.

The comic gets the attention of Marv, an executive at One-Week Wonder Films. Marv decides that Everyman will be their next Summer blockbuster. He is then informed that the rights to the film were already bought by Ginormous Pictures. At The Android's Dungeon, the producers at Ginormous Pictures convince Comic Book Guy to let them make the movie. Comic Book Guy eventually agrees, but only if he can choose who plays Everyman. The producers reluctantly agree and the casting process starts. After Comic Book Guy had rejected everyone, Homer walks into the store needing change for a dollar. Comic Book Guy decides that Homer is perfect for the role and signs him on.

After breaking the news to his family, Homer starts production on the film. He is told that people don't like how he looks in his superhero costume, so he needs to lose weight. The producers hire personal trainer Lyle McCarthy to help get Homer into shape with a fitness regime. Meanwhile, Hollywood had changed Comic Book Guy and he had adopted a Cambodian orphan, Prius.

Lyle trains Homer to the point where Homer has become fit and muscular. This impresses Marge, who enjoys making love to Homer again. During filming of a scene, Lyle tells Homer that he has to go to another client. After Lyle leaves, Homer starts to binge eat again, putting on weight. This leads to problems with filming, since Homer had quickly put on a lot of weight. As filming continued, there were more problems, including Homer getting stuck in his trailer. Comic Book Guy was also forced out of the creative process of the film.

Eventually, the film was ready for a test screening at the Aztec Theater. The film had Homer as Everyman changing his body shape frequently due to how it had been cut together. It ended up as a massive flop and nobody liked it. The producers told Comic Book Guy that if he just lied and told his online community that he enjoyed the film, he could direct the sequel. Comic Book Guy considered this offer, but decided against it and told everyone that it was the worst film ever.

Production[edit]

Alf Clausen composing for this episode.

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, writers of the film Superbad, asked the producers of The Simpsons if they could write an episode. They were invited to the writers room where they pitched several episode ideas. One was accepted, and they wrote an outline with the help of some feedback from the regular writers.[1] The table read took place in August 2008, and production on the episode began soon after that.[2] Rogen later said "we sat down for a read-through and three hours later I'm in a studio improv-ing with Homer Simpson, it was the single greatest day of my life."[3]

Reception[edit]

In its original airing, "Homer the Whopper" was watched by 8.31 million people and received a 4.3 Nielsen rating/12 share.[4]

Emily Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club gave the episode a B rating. She said that this episode wasn't as good as the last celebrity guest script episode; "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife", written by Ricky Gervais. However, she called it a "mostly amusing season premiere".[5]

As of January 2022, "Homer the Whopper" has a 7.1 rating on IMDb.[6]

References[edit]


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Homer the Whopper".
Season 21 Episodes
Homer the Whopper Bart Gets a "Z" The Great Wife Hope Treehouse of Horror XX The Devil Wears Nada Pranks and Greens Rednecks and Broomsticks Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou? Thursdays with Abie Once Upon a Time in Springfield Million Dollar Maybe Boy Meets Curl The Color Yellow Postcards from the Wedge Stealing First Base The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed American History X-cellent Chief of Hearts The Squirt and the Whale To Surveil with Love Moe Letter Blues The Bob Next Door Judge Me Tender