7G04 - There's No Disgrace Like Home (January 28, 2008)

Summary: Homer feels his family is an embarrasment and seeks family therapy to make them "normal."

References to Time:
- Burns once complimented Marge's gelatin dessert, which was the only time he'd ever spoken to Homer without using the word "bonehead"
- Homer has to tell his name to Smithers, implying Smithers is not well-acquanited with him yet
- Bart remembers that he has to let Burns win the sack race like last year's picnic
- A mother at the picnic mentions her children getting straight A's this term
- Homer's mother once called him a big disappointment
- Bart and Lisa's college fund is $88.50
- Marge offers to pawn her engagement ring
- Lisa wants to go to Vassar

References to Other Episodes: None.

SLH Presence:
- SLH is not present
- Dr. Marvin Monroe is alive
- Moe's TV is black and white (this alternates with color a lot during the series)
- Homer pawns the TV and promises a better TV (the one we're all familiar with)

Minimum Time Spanned: 3 days (Most likely Saturday- Monday)

Canon: The plot of Homer being embarrassed by his family seems to reverse everything we know about the Simpson family. He seems to be the sanest. Fortunately he shows his true colors towards the end. So, canon.

Favorite Moments:
- When entering Burns's house, Homer asks his family to behave and show him love or respect. Lisa: "We have a choice." Bart: "I'm picking respect."
- When spying on a normal family having dinner, Lisa points out, "The dad has a shirt on."
- Bart hitting Monroe in the shin with the metal rod after taking the foam off the mallet

Review: Although the beginning has the family acting slightly out of character, this shapes into one of the funnier Simpsons episodes of the first season. Plus it includes the famous electric shock scene which is comedically timed well. Still not the greatest episode, but has enough classic charm and funny moments to earn it a better review than the previous bunch. A-