The Simpsons

Season 1 Episode 4

There's No Disgrace Like Home

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There's No Disgrace Like Home
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After the family embarrasses him at a company picnic, Homer becomes convinced that something is wrong with them and he sets out to "fix" his family.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (49)

SUBMIT REVIEW

  • A far better episode than the last one

    8.0
    By SLionsCricket, Oct 08, 2012
    I've only seen this episode once, but I found it far better than the last one The plot was strong and the comedy was much higher than the last one. Overall, great acting and great lines along with a great story made this episode definitely worth a watch!

  • Superb

    9.5
    By jmbsonic555, Oct 17, 2011
    The episode begins with Bart and Lisa in the living room, pushing and shoving each other, while having an argument. Homer quickly rushes in to break them up. He tells them to get the bad behavior out of their system, because they are going to Mr. Burns' company picnic, and he doesn't want his family to embarrass him in front of Mr. Burns. In the kitchen, Homer admires all of the gelatin desserts that Marge has prepared for the picnic. Homer is hoping to earn brownie points with Mr. Burns because Mr. Burns commented once before on how he liked Marge's gelatin dessert. The Simpsons drive to Mr. Burns' mansion and each family member carries a dessert in their lap. As they arrive at the mansion and walk up to the front door, Homer reminds his family that they need to behave and show him some love and/or respect. At the front door to the mansion, Mr. Burns greets his guests. The kid in the family ahead of the Simpsons, makes a smart aleck comment, and Mr. Burns orders Smithers to fire the father of the child. A nervous Homer and the rest of the family make it through their greeting with Mr. Burns without incident.



    Overall, a funny episode

    9.5 out of 10moreless

  • homer is embaressed by the famaly at mr. burns picknik. so he takes them to a famaly doctor (marven mungroe) to bond them and ends up with a new tv.

    6.5
    By jamieor, May 15, 2011
    a ok episode that is the 2nd best episode in season 1.

    i quite liked it but bart the genoral is a bit better.

    i have it on tape so i know evry detale.

    marven mongroe is a bit well ruder than usuale.

    even said his famaly see him as a trole but in the end there all happy.

    the thing is i dont think they got a new tv just re~bought there old one as sean in futcher episodes.

    it is very very good for all simpsons fans age 8 to 80 mabe 90.

    not to funny but has a song about wine in it.

    overall its a very good episodes.moreless

  • When will I learn? The answer to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle...they're on TV!

    10
    By zzyzxxopferna, Oct 17, 2010
    Bart and Lisa are fighting over who loves Homer more. Homer tells them to get it out of their system now before they embarrass him at SNPP's company picnic. They head to the picnic, which is held at Mr. Burns's mansion. Upon arriving, Homer tells his kids to show him love and respect. Mr. Burns and Smithers are greeting employees. Burns fires an employee because his son makes a smart mouth comment about having to go to the picnic. Homer manages to get past meeting Mr. Burns, but as soon as they are outside, Bart and Lisa run off and Homer chases after them. Marge dumps Maggie off in the daycare and goes off to drink punch with the other employees's wives. Homer manages to catch Bart just as Smithers announces that all fathers and sons are required to participate in a sack race with Mr. Burns. Smithers gives Mr. Burns a head start, but Bart decides to go for the win. Homer stops Bart just before he crosses the finish line, allowing Mr. Burns to win. Meanwhile Marge gets totally drunk off of the punch. Soon Mr. Burns orders everyone to leave before he releases the hounds. As the Simpsons leave, they see a family that is totally happy and perfect and Homer starts wishing his family could be more like them as he drives home. The next night, the Simpsons are stuffing TV dinners into their faces while watching TV. Homer is appalled by their behavior and makes his family eat at the table. When Lisa says that all families are like theirs, Homer decides to show them other families to prove her wrong. They see a creepy happy family and a father who orders his son to get the shotgun when he hears the Simpsons in the bushes outside his house. They then go back home, but Homer, feeling depressed, goes to Moe's Tavern to drink beer. There, he finds out that the families he spied on called the cops on him and he also gets into a fight with Barney. Homer then witnesses a TV commercial for Dr. Marvin Monroe's Family Therapy Center, promising familial bliss "Or double your money back". Homer calls in for an appointment. Next day, Homer has a family meeting and tells them they need $250 for the appointment. Marge says they don't have that kind of money, but Homer decides to use the kids's college fund. They only have $88.50 in the college fund, so Homer decides to pawn the TV, against the family's wishes, for the rest of the money. At Dr. Monroe's therapy center, it is soon revealed that Homer is believed to be a stern authority figure. Dr. Monroe decides to let the Simpsons wack each other with his aggression therapy mallets, but this accomplishes nothing. Dr. Monroe decides a more drastic measure will be needed: electric shock therapy. He wires the Simpsons to electrodes. They are to shock each other until gradually they learn not to hurt each other. Soon the Simpsons start shocking each other like crazy and nearly blow out power for all of Springfield (Which Mr. Burns notes). Dr. Monroe is furious and declares that the Simpsons must go. He gives them double their money back like the commercial promised. The Simpsons are overjoyed, and Homer decides to buy a better TV with their $500.



    This episode introduces police officers Eddie and Lou (Lou is yellow in this episode instead of being black), Itchy and Scratchy, and Dr. Marvin Monroe. Smithers also becomes yellow in this episode, after being black in "Homer's Odyssey". We also get to hear Homer say "Mmm..." for the first time in the series (He says "Mmm...marshmallow" in this episode). Every one of the Simpsons but Bart is out of character in this episode (Homer is the one who cares about the family, Marge is carefree and the one who drinks at the picnic, and Lisa is as bratty as Bart), but this is forgiveable as it is one of the first episodes. In spite of that, this is the first episode of the Simpsons I would honestly give a 10 to, as it has a good plot and the electric shock therapy scene had me laughing for hours. The Simpsons continue to improve throughout their first season, and this is (In my opinion) the best of the first 5 episodes.moreless

  • Pretty good episode

    8.5
    By fenway98, Aug 10, 2010
    During a family picnic, Homer realizes that The Simpsons are the worst family in town. He sees all the other families love and care for each other, but The Simpsons are just goofing off. He decides to take the family to Doctor Marvin Monroe, for some shock therapy. This dosn't go well, but the family gets double their money back because the therapy failed. This was a pretty good episode. I thought it was a lot funnier than the past episodes, and the animation I think is a little better. I loved seeing the family shock each other, and making the power go out.



    Overall Grade: 85%/B+moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

Dan Castellaneta

Dan Castellaneta

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

Harry Shearer

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

Julie Kavner

Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, and Selma Bouvier
Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright

Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, and others
Yeardley Smith

Yeardley Smith

Lisa Simpson
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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

Hank Azaria

Hank Azaria

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Lou, and others

Recurring Role

Maggie Roswell

Maggie Roswell

Maude Flanders, Helen Lovejoy, Miss Hoover, and others

Recurring Role

Pamela Hayden

Pamela Hayden

Milhouse Van Houten, Rod Flanders, Jimbo Jones, and others

Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (4)

  • QUOTES (20)

    • Homer: You know, Moe, my mom once said something that really stuck with me. She said, "Homer, you're a big disappointment," and god bless her soul, she was really onto something.

    • Homer: Okay, now look; my boss is going to be at this picnic, so I want you to show your father some love and/or respect.
      Lisa: Tough choice.
      Bart: I'm picking respect.

    • (Dr. Monroe introduces electric shock therapy to the Simpsons.)
      Dr. Monroe: Now, don't touch any of those buttons in front of you for a very important reason, i.e., you are wired in to the rest of your family. You have the ability to shock them, and they have the ability to shock--
      (Homer screams as Bart shocks him.)
      Bart: Just testing.

    • (Dr. Monroe diagnoses the Simpsons' problem.)
      Dr. Monroe: (to Homer) Well, if you had been paying attention, perhaps you would have noticed that your family sees you as a rather stern authority figure, an ogre, if you will.
      Marge: Now, Doctor, that's not true.
      Lisa: Ogre is such a strong word.
      Bart: Right on, Doc! Another successful diagnosis.
      Homer: That does it!
      (Homer grabs a lamp and tries to hit Bart with it.)
      Dr. Monroe: Whoa!
      (Dr. Monroe takes the lamp from Homer.)
      Dr. Monroe: (Chuckles) Okay, you wanna kill each other. That's good. That's healthy.

    • Homer: To save this family, we're going to have to make the supreme sacrifice.
      (The family follows behind Homer as he carries the TV in his arms to the pawn shop.)
      Lisa: No, Dad. Please don't pawn the TV!
      Bart: Aw, come on, Dad, anything but that!
      Marge: Homer, couldn't we pawn my engagement ring instead?
      Homer: Now, I appreciate that honey, but we need $150 here.
      Pawn Shop Owner: Afternoon, Simpson. So, what can I do for ya?
      Homer: Would you pay $150 for this lovely Motorola?
      Pawn Shop Owner: Is it cable ready?
      Homer: Ready as she'll ever be.
      Pawn Shop Owner: Mister, you got yourself a deal.

    • (At the company picnic.)
      Homer: Now, remember, as far as anyone knows, we're a nice, normal family.
      Lisa: Hey, Bart, last one in the fountain's a rotten egg!
      (Bart yells as he chases Lisa to the fountain.)
      Homer: D'oh! Be normal. Be normal!
      (Homer chases after the kids.)

    • (Mr. Burns greets his guests at the picnic.)
      Mr. Burns: Good to see you. Glad you could make it.
      Father: Oh, thank you, Mr. Burns. I'm so glad you invited us.
      Son: Not me. I had to miss little league for this.
      Father: Quiet, Tom.
      Mr. Burns: Oh please, please, don't fight. Just go out back and have a good time. (to Smithers) Fire that man, Smithers. I don't want him, or his unpleasant family to ruin my picnic.
      Smithers: He'll be gone by the tug-of-war, sir.
      Mr. Burns: Excellent.

    • (Homer calls a family meeting.)
      Homer: Now look, you know and I know this family needs help, professional help. So I've made us an appointment with Dr. Marvin Monroe.
      Bart: The fat guy on TV?
      Lisa: You're sending us to see a doctor who advertises on pro wrestling?
      Homer: Boxing Lisa, boxing. There's a world of difference.

    • (At the dinner table, much to Homer's disgust, the rest of the family begins rapidly shoveling in their food.)
      Homer: No, We're going to say grace first.
      Bart: Okay. Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub.
      (The family begins eating again.)
      Homer: (Growls) No! Ignore the boy, Lord. Now can the chatter, and bow your heads. (Clears throat) Dear Lord, thank you for this microwave bounty, even though we don't deserve it. I mean, our kids are uncontrollable hellions. Pardon my French, but they act like savages. Did you see them at the picnic? Oh, of course you did. You're everywhere. You're "omnivorous." O Lord why did you smite me with this family?
      Marge, Lisa and Bart: Amen!
      Bart: Let's eat.
      Homer: No, I'm not done yet!
      Marge: But, Homer, how long are we supposed to sit here and listen to you bad mouth us to the Man Upstairs?
      Homer: I'm sorry, Marge, but sometimes I think we're the worst family in town.
      Marge: Maybe we should move to a larger community.
      Homer: D'oh!
      Bart: Don't have a cow, Dad.

    • (Homer eyes up Marge's gelatin dessert.)
      Homer: Mmm. Marshmallow.

    • (The Simpson family meets Dr. Monroe.)
      Dr. Monroe: Hello, I'm Doctor Marvin Monroe. No doubt you recognize me from TV.
      Lisa: We would if we had one.
      Homer: Lisa!

    • (Local cops Eddie and Lou pay a visit to Moe's.)
      Moe: Eddie!
      Eddie: Evening, Moe.
      Moe: Want some pretzels?
      Eddie: (Chuckles) No, thanks. We're on duty. Couple beers would be nice, though.
      (Moe reaches for two beers.)
      Moe: That'll be two bucks, boys. Just kidding. (Laughs nervously)
      Lou: Good one, Moe.

    • (Homer is horrified to see that Marge been drinking at the company picnic.)
      Homer: Snap out of it, Marge! You've gotta come with me. The boss is going to make a toast.
      Marge: Well, I'm not much of a drinker.
      (Marge collapses in Homer's arms.)
      Homer: Why, you picked a perfect time to start. (Grumbles)

    • (Homer prepares Bart for the sack race at the company picnic.)
      Homer: You remember the rules from last year?
      Bart: Yeah. Shut my mouth and let your boss win.

    • (Marge makes five gelatin desserts for the company picnic.)
      Homer: Are you sure that's enough? You know how the boss loves your delicious gelatin desserts!
      Marge: Oh, Homer, Mr. Burns just said he liked it...once.
      Homer: Marge, that's the only time he's ever spoken to me without using the word "bonehead."

    • (Marge and another woman drop off their babies in the nursery at the company picnic.)
      Marge: Gee, do you think we should leave the kids unsupervised?
      Woman: You're right.
      (The woman clicks on the TV.)
      Woman: There.

    • (The Simpsons make their entrance at the company picnic.)
      Homer: Uh... Afternoon, Mr. Burns.
      Mr. Burns: Ah, hello there, uh...uh...
      (Homer leans over to Smithers.)
      Homer: (whispering to Smithers) Simpson, Homer.
      Smithers: Here you go, sir. (hands Mr. Burns a card with all the Simpsons' information and Mr. Burns reviews the information)
      Mr. Burns: Ah! Oh, yes. Oh, and this must be your lovely wife... (looks at card) Marge. Oh, and look at, uh... (looks at card again) Little Lisa. Why, she's growing like a weed. And this must be, uh... (looks at card again) Brat.
      Bart: Bart.
      Homer: Don't correct the man, Brat. Oh, boss. Look what we brought... (holds up a gelatin dessert) Gelatin desserts!
      Mr. Burns: Oh, for the love of Peter. That's all everybody brought. Some damn fool went around telling everyone I love that slimy goop. Well, toss it in the pile over there. (points to a large pile of gelatin desserts) And...make yourselves at home.
      (The family starts walking past Mr. Burns and Smithers and into the picnic.)
      Bart: You hear that, dad? You can lie around in your underwear and scratch yourself.
      Homer: (turning around to hurt Bart) Now, you listen to me...
      Bart: Whoa!
      Mr. Burns: Trouble, Simpson?
      Homer: No! (chuckles nervously) Just congratulating the son on a fine joke about his old man.

    • (At Moe's, Homer sees Dr. Marvin Monroe's commercial on TV.)
      Homer: When will I learn? The answer to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle. (Chuckles) They're on TV!

    • (Homer intervenes between Bart and Lisa, who are fighting.)
      Homer: Hey, what's the problem here?
      Lisa: We were fighting over which one of us loves you more.
      Homer: You were? (Sniffs) Aw, well, go ahead.
      (Bart pushes Lisa.)
      Bart: You love him more.
      (Lisa pushes Bart.)
      Lisa: No, you do.
      (Bart pushes Lisa.)
      Bart: No, I don't.
      (Lisa pushes Bart.)
      Lisa: Yes, you do!
      (Bart pushes Lisa.)
      Bart: No, I don't!

    • (At the end of the company picnic, Mr. Burns addresses his guests.)
      Mr. Burns: But now it's time to say good-bye. Please get off my property until next year. I suggest you don't dawdle. The hounds will be released in ten minutes.

  • NOTES (7)

  • ALLUSIONS (4)

    • Freaks
      Homer imagines his family in the car after the picnic as devils and they chant, "One of us, one of us." This chant is directly taken from the 1932 film Freaks.

    • Mr. Mom
      The plot involving Homer attempting impress his boss at the company picnic, and especially the scene in which he attempts to let the old man win the sack race is very similar to a plot development in the 1983 comedy Mr. Mom in which Michael Keaton throws a track event in order to let his wife's boss win.

    • Citizen Kane
      After the sack race, the fanfare and the shot of the crowd gathered are taken from a scene in the movie Citizen Kane. This is the first of many references to the famous, award winning film in the history of the show.

    • The Wizard of Oz
      The title of this episode is a play on Dorothy's signature line, "There's no place like home," from the 1939 film The Wizard Of Oz.

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