The Simpsons, a cornerstone of American animated television, has delivered countless memorable moments and jokes over its decades-long run. Among these, Homer Simpson's insatiable love for donuts stands out as one of his most defining characteristics, often serving as a catalyst for comedic situations. One particular instance where this love takes center stage is in "Treehouse of Horror IV," specifically in the segment titled "The Devil and Homer Simpson."
"Treehouse of Horror IV": A Halloween Special
"Treehouse of Horror IV" is the fifth episode of the fifth season and the fourth installment in the Treehouse of Horror series, known for its non-canon, Halloween-themed stories. This episode, like others in the series, is divided into three distinct segments, each parodying different horror or science fiction themes. "Treehouse of Horror IV" makes cultural references to television series such as The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, and Peanuts, as well as films such as The Devil and Daniel Webster, Bram Stoker's Dracula and The Lost Boys.
"The Devil and Homer Simpson": A Deal with the Devil
In "The Devil and Homer Simpson", Homer sells his soul to the devil, who takes the form of Ned Flanders, for a donut. This segment is a parody of Stephen Vincent Benét's story "The Devil and Daniel Webster". The humor derives from the unexpected twist of Flanders, the quintessential good neighbor, embodying the Prince of Darkness. The first time Devil Flanders appears, he resembles the devil Chernabog from Fantasia (1940). The writers found the idea of Flanders being the Devil funny because he was the character whom viewers would least expect. Harry Shearer convincingly portrayed Flanders in a darker way, remaining true to the character.
The plot thickens when Homer devours the donut, realizing the gravity of his impulsive decision. Marge and Lisa plead with Ned, who agrees to put Homer on trial.
Marge Saves the Day
At the trial, Marge saves Homer from being sent to Hell by displaying a photo from their wedding day. On the back of the photo, Homer has written that, in return for Marge giving him her hand in marriage, he pledges his soul to her forever; therefore, it was not his property to sell at the time of his deal with Ned. This clever loophole allows Homer to escape eternal damnation, highlighting Marge's unwavering love and Homer's surprising sentimentality (at least on his wedding day).
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The Hellish Punishment
Despite escaping the deal, Homer isn't entirely free. After Homer discovers a technicality and boasts that he's "smarter than the devil" the Devil turns into the Chernabog-esque demon and intones, "I'll see you in Hell yet, Homer Simpson!" He is subjected to a punishment in Hell: being force-fed an endless supply of donuts. The scene in Hell where Homer is fed all the doughnuts in the world, and asks for more, is a direct parody of the cartoon Pigs is Pigs, in which the character Piggy is taken in by a scientist and forced to eat all the food in the world. The demon who feeds Homer all the donuts in the world says: "I don't understand it. This ironic torment, where his greatest desire becomes his personal hell, is a testament to the episode's dark humor.
Cultural References and Influences
"The Devil and Homer Simpson" is rich with cultural references. The Devil's initial appearance is a nod to Chernabog from Disney's "Fantasia." The scene where Homer is force-fed donuts is a parody of the cartoon "Pigs is Pigs." These references add layers of depth and humor to the segment, appealing to a wide range of viewers.
Other Segments in "Treehouse of Horror IV"
While "The Devil and Homer Simpson" is a highlight, the other segments in "Treehouse of Horror IV" also contribute to the episode's overall success.
"Terror at 5+1⁄2 Feet"
"Terror at 5+1⁄2 Feet" was written by Oakley and Weinstein. It was inspired by The Twilight Zone episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", in which William Shatner's character is inside an airplane watching a gremlin tear apart the wing. Silverman watched the episode to get inspiration for Bart's facial expressions. Oakley said there was a lot of work put into the design of the gremlin in "Terror at 5+1⁄2 Feet" to make him scary "within The Simpsons universe". Mirkin said he felt the gremlin was well-done because he looked scary and "yet it looks like a completely organic Simpsons character". The segment follows Bart as he tries to warn the passengers on the school bus that a gremlin is loosening the lug nuts on one of the wheels, but nobody can see the gremlin. In desperation, Bart climbs halfway out the window to scare off the gremlin with an emergency flare. As Bart is pulled back into the bus by Principal Skinner and Groundskeeper Willie, he drops the flare on the gremlin, who catches fire and falls from the bus, but is found by Ned. Even though everyone sees the damage when they make it to school, Bart is sent to a psychiatric hospital for his disruptive behavior.
"Bart Simpson's Dracula"
"Bart Simpson's Dracula" was written by Canterbury and based on Francis Ford Coppola's film Bram Stoker's Dracula. Mirkin was a big fan of the film and pushed for a segment inspired by it. He liked the final result and felt Mr. Burns was perfect in the role of Dracula. Dracula and his castle were designed by Silverman. In this segment, the Simpson family is invited to Mr. Burns' castle in Pennsylvania for a midnight feast. Bart and Lisa discover a secret staircase descending to a basement with coffins. Vampires emerge from the coffins and encircle them while Lisa reads through Burns' autobiography Yes, I Am a Vampire. Lisa escapes and tries to warn her parents that Burns has bitten Bart, but Homer and Marge pay little attention until Bart tries to bite Lisa later that night. Homer drives a stake through Burns' heart, and kills him, as Lisa believes doing so will restore Bart. The next morning, Lisa discovers that everyone else in the Simpson family is a vampire, and Marge is their leader. The family breaks the fourth wall and wishes the audience a happy Halloween; they then begin humming "Hark!
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Reception and Legacy
Since airing, the episode has received mostly positive reviews from television critics. The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Gary Russell and Gareth Roberts, said the episode included many notable sequences and was "probably the best" Treehouse of Horror episode. They particularly liked the scenes in Hell where Homer is punished by the Devil, and Chief Wiggum's attempts to deal with Dracula (who he thinks is a mummy) by ordering the Egyptian wing of the Springfield museum to be destroyed. Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide praised "The Devil and Homer Simpson" as clever funny, and described "Bart Simpson's Dracula" as "easily the least effective", claiming it, "presents some good moments but never quite takes flight". Patrick Bromley of DVD Verdict gave the episode an A grade and called it "one of the very best" Halloween specials, although said "Treehouse of Horror V" was better. Central Michigan Life's John Thorpe named it the tenth best episode of the series, and wrote: "The best part comes when Homer decides not to eat the last part of the doughnut, thus saving him from hell. Kim Nowacki of Yakima Herald-Republic named "Treehouse of Horror IV" her "all-time favorite" episode.
The episode's success lies in its clever writing, memorable visuals, and effective parodies. "Treehouse of Horror IV" remains a beloved entry in The Simpsons' extensive catalog.
The Enduring Appeal of Homer's Donut Obsession
Homer Simpson's love for donuts is more than just a running gag; it's a reflection of his character. He is impulsive, gluttonous, and easily tempted, but also good-hearted and ultimately redeemable. The donut serves as a symbol of his desires and weaknesses, often leading him into comical and sometimes perilous situations.
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