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In 1994, The Simpsons poked fun at sensationalistic faux journalism, and of course since then that has become a thing of the past. Or not. The only thing about “Homer Badman” that doesn’t stand the test of time is that the things presented as exaggerated versions of tabloid news media has become not only not really exaggerated, but not relegated to tabloid news.
The execution of “Homer Badman” is not perfect, but the intent is worthwhile. Plus, there’s a Gummy Venus de Milo. Homer and Marge are going to a candy convention, so they get a Feminist Babysitter to watch the kids. Homer’s actions are not his most noble during the stretch wherein he steals the Gummy Venus de Milo, blows up the convention, and later peels the Gunny Venus off the ass of the babysitter’s pants, which she mistakes for sexual harassment. As opposed to, you know, behavior that is still inappropriate and easily avoidable. “Excuse me, but an expensive candy is stuck to your pants, may I have it?” one might be able to say. Of course, there is no plot then.
The babysitter (her name is Ashley Grant, which is not a remarkable name for who is not a remarkable character) and she both accuses him of sexual harassment and gets a mob to go to Homer’s house to confront him and to picket it, which is also weird. Cartoonish, even. The point of all this is to bring in the sensationalistic media. The show “Rock Bottom,” for example, that manipulates Homer’s interview with the host in absurd ways. Homer eventually goes to public-access TV, which leads to Groundkeeper Willie giving him a secret videotape he made of Homer and Ashley in the car, which proves the truth.
What makes “Homer Badman” social commentary that points the finger in both directions is that the Simpsons sit down and watch the promotion for the next episode of “Rock Bottom,” which is about Willie’s secret tapings. Homer, successfully manipulated by the promo, calls Willie evil, and when asked by Marge if he has learned anything from his experience, he blissfully says he hasn’t learned a thing.
There’s some good bits in “Homer Badman,” and some strong, silly jokes. I also appreciate the satire pointed at tabloid media. This isn’t a great episode, and I never thought that. Elements are a bit sweaty, and the journey from point A to point B has some issues, but “Homer Badman” is good. Especially since it led media empires the world over to change their ways.
