King-Size Homer

"King-Size Homer" is the seventh episode of The Simpsons' seventh season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 5, 1995. In the episode, Homer despises the nuclear plant's new exercise program, and decides to gain 61 pounds (28 kg) in order to claim a disability and work at home. Homer soon begins to experience the negative aspects of being obese, and his life starts falling apart. The episode was written by Dan ... more

"King-Size Homer" is the seventh episode of The Simpsons' seventh season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 5, 1995. In the episode, Homer despises the nuclear plant's new exercise program, and decides to gain 61 pounds (28 kg) in order to claim a disability and work at home. Homer soon begins to experience the negative aspects of being obese, and his life starts falling apart. The episode was written by Dan Greaney and directed by Jim Reardon. Joan Kenley makes her first out of three guest appearances on The Simpsons in the episode as the voice of the telephone lady. It features cultural references to world's heaviest twins, the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and the soft drink Tab. Since airing, the episode has received positive reviews from fans and television critics, and Empire named it the best episode of the show. It acquired a Nielsen rating of 10.0, and was the third highest rated show on the Fox network that week. Mr. Burns... less