Homer's Phobia

Season 8, Episode 15, Aired
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Episode Summary

Bart destroys the clothes dryer, so Marge decides to sell a family heirloom to pay for a new one. They go to a store that sells camp antique items. Homer does not understand why grown men would enjoy such things, but he gets in a conversation with John, the antique dealer "with a difference" who works there. He invites John over to look over the valuable, worthless crap in his house. Homer thinks John is great, but Marge tells him that he is gay. Homer is homophobic, so he decides that he hates John, but the rest of the family continues to hang out with John. Bart begins to act effeminately, further horrifying Homer so he makes Bart look at scantily-clad women. Then he brings Bart to a steel mill, where real men work (not realizing that the mill workers are gay). When those things don't work, he decides to take Bart deer hunting. That does not work either, when the reindeer attacks them. John rushes Marge and Lisa to save the reindeer, but arrive in time to save Homer. In the end Homer decides to accept John and Bart for who they are.moreless
9.1
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Cast & Crew

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  • Julie Kavner

    Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, and Selma Bouvier

  •

    Harry Shearer

    Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Waylon Smithers, Kent Brockman, and others

  •

    Dan Castellaneta

    Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Barney Gumble, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, and others

Fan Episode Reviews (15)

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  • What was the point of this episode. Homophobia is pathetic and no different to racism..grow up.

    5.3
    "Mediocre"
    By starman100, Aug 19, 2011 Report Abuse
    This was pretty much just 20 minutes of ruthless gay bashing.
    I thought The Simpson's was a lot clever than this. Seriously.

    Apart from the constant homophobia on Homer's part, the humour was excellent as always. No dry humour to be seen here.

    This episode deserves a 7 for animation, 8 for humour, but 4, for a terrible plot.

    Seriously, why did this episode even win an Emmy? Because it's plot was mainly focused on something that most shows are still shy about? I think that when episodes deserve to win emmys, they have to be good.

    Don't get me wrong, it's great that they clearly haven't ignored the gay aspect of life, but did they have to do it so harshly?
    As the "Off the Telly" writers said, "this is a side of the show we'd not seen before, nor particularly wanted to see."moreless

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    0 9

  • Homer is a Homophobe

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Southparkfa, Nov 06, 2010 Report Abuse
    In this episode, Homer meets a man named John, whom he quickly has a great friendship with. However, Homer suddenly begins hating John when he realizes that John's gay He then begins to fear that Bart is turning gay too. So Homer takes Bart to many things, ranging from a cigerette posterboard with hot chicks on it to a steel mill (more on that one later) however, Homer feels that none of it's working, he, Moe, and Barney take Bart on a hunting trip, however, it doesn't go nearly as planned. The Steel Mill was undoubtably the best scene, as it turned out to be a gay steel mill, and Homer looks like he's going to have another Heart Attack. Overall, a great episode, that earned it's emmy award, and I'm glad Homer learned his lesson at the end. 10/10 A+moreless

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  • this was a good ep

    8.5
    "Great"
    By cube2k8, May 23, 2010 Report Abuse
    in this ep of the simpsons there is a new store that sells old things from the mall and there old toys and there is this nice guy in there . and bart likes him and start do things like him . homer gets afraid and has a fobia of gay people and so he wants to turn his son bart into a man and homer tries and bring s him to places but nothing works . and so he brings him hunting and they get introbule and are trapped till the guy comes and saves them this was a good ep and it had alot of funny scens like the stale mill and homer goes crazy becasue the thougt they were big strong men but they were gay dancers in side. thoes were some funny scenes in this epmoreless

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  • Homer's Phobia

    10
    "Perfect"
    By futuramarama, Jan 20, 2010 Report Abuse
    Homer makes a new friend named John. But Homer starts hating him when it is revealed John is gay And now Homer is worried that Bart will turn gay if he hangs around John to much, so Homer decides to go hunting for reindeer, with Moe, Barney and Bart, to make Bart a permanent man. But when the reindeer attack, John ends up saving the day. In the end Homer decides he needs to love Bart no matter how he ends up in life.

    A great funny episode. Some may not like Homer's character but I didn't mind. Grade: A+moreless

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  • Homer is a homophobe.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Hornets3, Aug 30, 2009 Report Abuse
    The Simpsons must sell an old family heirloom in order to pay for a $900 gas bill. The family meets John, the owner of the collectibles store, who offers to check out their many posessions for any value. Homer takes a liking to him, but Marge informs him that John is gay Homer refuses to see John again, but notices Bart's behavior has changed since he had been with John. Homer tries to make Bart more 'manly' but in the process, takes him to a gay steel mill. Homer, Moe, and Barney take Bart deer hunting. They find themselves a reindeer pen and the men urge Bart to kill one. He refuses, and the herd gets aggressive towards the group. As the reindeer begin to attack, John arrives with a remote-controlled Stanta which neutralizes the herd. Homer thanks John for saving his life. I loved the way the Simpsons poked fun at a socitey that looks down upon homosexuals. It was good to see the show take a stand and this episode was hilarious. Watch it.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • The caption reads of the TV Guide reads: "Laverne and Shirley: Too Daring for TV?" Edit
    • Pink Flamingos When John is first introduced, there is a plastic pink flamingo behind him. This is a reference to the title of a John Waters film, Pink Flamingos. John Waters being the voice of John in the episode. Edit
    • The first time the family goes to John's store he is wearing Homer's bowling team T-shirt which he got on "Team Homer". Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Mike B. Anderson won the 1998 WAC Winner Award for Best Director for Primetime Series for this episode. Edit
    • The scene at the steel mill was an idea by Steve Tompkins, who wrote episode 8-6, "A Milhouse Divided." Edit
    • Blackboard Joke: None. Couch Gag: Someone tries to download the family from America Online and the computer freezes. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Homer: (to Bart) Don't worry, boy. We're gonna set you straight. By tomorrow morning, you'll be a regular Burt Reynolds. Bart: What are you talking about? Where are we going? Homer: Just a couple of good old-fashioned manly places. (puts his arm around Bart) Father and son! Homer's Brain: You're leaving the arm there too long! You wanna make it worse? (Homer quickly yanks his arm off Bart) Homer's Brain: No, no! He'll know you're on to him! Quick, shake his hand! (Homer does so) Homer: Just remember, son, no matter what happens, I'll always love you. Homer's Brain: As? As?? Homer: (yanks hand away) As a father! A father! Regular father! Edit
    • Moe: You ever been hunting before, there, Barty? Bart: Nope. Something about a bunch of guys, alone, together in the woods... seems kinda gay. (awkward silence) Homer: (angrily) That is a very immature attitude, young man! Edit
    • (Homer takes Bart to a steel mill) Rosco: (to the other workers) Hey! Listen up! I want all of yous to say hello to the Simpsons. Workers: (sissy-like) Halloooooww! Homer: (horrified gasp) Has the whole world gone insane?! (He sees two workers jostling with each other in a sissy-like way) Worker #1: Stand still, there's a spark in your hair! Worker #2: Get it, get it! (Homer whimpers. A third worker walks past, wearing only hot pants and carrying a vat of hot steel) Worker #3: Hot stuff, comin' through! Homer: Aah! Bart: Dad, why'd you bring me to a gay steel mill? Homer: (frightened) I don't know! This is a NIGHTMARE! (to the workers) YOU'RE ALL SICK! Worker #4: (waves his hand) Oh, be nice! Homer: Ohh! My son doesn't stand a chance! The whole world's gone gay! (a whistle goes off) Homer: Oh my God, what's happening now? Rosco: We work hard. We play hard. ("Everybody Dance Now" starts playing as the entire mill is transformed into a night club. A frightened Homer backs away, groaning and covering Bart's eyes.) Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • John's car horn plays "Over The Rainbow", alluding to the stereotype that gay men love Judy Garland. Edit

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