Jump to content

Deep Space Homer: Difference between revisions

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m add {{Use American English}} template
 
(616 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox Simpsons episode
{{Infobox Simpsons episode
| episode_name = Deep Space Homer
| image = Deep Space Homer episode from The Simpsons screenshot.jpg
| alt = A scene of news anchor Kent Brockman announcing his surrender due to the belief that Ants taking over the world. This scene inspired the "Overlord meme" which uses the scene to mimic entities taking over the world.
| image = [[Image:Deep Space Homer2.png|235px]]
| caption = [[Kent Brockman]] immediately pledges his allegiance to giant space ants which he mistakenly believes are about to conquer the world. This scene went on to inspire an [[internet meme]].<ref name="in">{{cite web |title=The best Simpsons episode ever |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/blogs/on-the-box/4550400/The-best-Simpsons-episode-ever |website=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |date=January 17, 2011 |publisher=[[Independent Newspapers]]|access-date=August 27, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Overlord">{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/02/is-it-time-to-welcome-our-new-computer-overlords/71388/|title=Overlord Meme|work=[[The Atlantic]]|publisher=[[Emerson Collective]]|access-date=August 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072116/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/02/is-it-time-to-welcome-our-new-computer-overlords/71388/|archive-date=August 29, 2018|url-status=live|date=February 17, 2011}}</ref>
| image_caption = Race Banyon, [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] approach the space shuttle
| episode_no = 96
| season = 5
| prod_code = 1F13
| episode = 15
| airdate = February 24, 1994
| director = Carlos Baeza
| show runner = [[David Mirkin]]
| writer = [[David Mirkin]]
| production = 1F13{{sfn|Fink|2019|page=186}}
| writer = David Mirkin
| airdate = {{Start date|1994|02|24}}
| director = [[Carlos Baeza]]
| guests = * [[Buzz Aldrin]] as himself
| couch_gag = The family runs to the couch, only to find a fat man sitting on it. They squeeze in to the left of him.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season5/page15.shtml|title=Deep Space Homer|accessdate=2007-09-26|author=Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian |year=2000|publisher=BBC}}</ref>
| guest_star = [[Buzz Aldrin]] as himself<br>[[James Taylor]] as himself
* [[James Taylor]] as himself
| couch_gag = The family runs to the couch, only to find an obese man sitting on it. They squeeze in to the left of him.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |url=https://www.simpsonsarchive.com/episodes/1F13.html |title=Deep Space Homer |access-date=January 15, 2018 |publisher=Simpsons Archive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709050821/http://www.simpsonsarchive.com/episodes/1F13.html |archive-date=July 9, 2016 }}</ref>
| commentary = [[Matt Groening]]<BR>[[David Mirkin]]<BR>[[Mark Kirkland]]<BR>[[David Silverman]]
| season = 5
| commentary = {{plainlist|
* [[Matt Groening]]
* [[David Mirkin]]
* [[Mark Kirkland]]
* [[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]]}}
| prev = [[Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy]]
| next = [[Homer Loves Flanders]]
}}
}}


"'''Deep Space Homer'''" is the fifteenth episode<ref name="gin">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/17/the-simpsons-the-complete-fifth-season|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season|last1=Butts|first1=Steve|date=December 17, 2004|website=IGN|access-date=September 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902084619/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/17/the-simpsons-the-complete-fifth-season|archive-date=September 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> of the [[The Simpsons season 5|fifth season]] of American animated television series ''[[The Simpsons]]'', which was first broadcast on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] in the United States on February 24, 1994. In the episode, [[NASA]] selects [[Homer Simpson]] to participate in a [[spaceflight]] to spark public interest in space exploration and boost low [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] of the launches. Once in space, his incompetence destroys the navigation system on board the [[Space Shuttle]].
"'''Deep Space Homer'''" is the fifteenth episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[The Simpsons (season 5)|fifth season]] and first aired on February 24, 1994.<ref name="officialsite">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/0515.htm|title=Deep Space Homer|accessdate=2007-09-26|publisher=The Simpsons.com |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070822102512/http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/0515.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-08-22}}</ref> The episode was directed by [[Carlos Baeza]] and was the only episode of ''The Simpsons'' written by [[David Mirkin]], who was also the executive producer at the time.<ref name="bbc"/> The episode follows [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] becoming an [[astronaut]], and the ensuing chaos when the navigation system on his [[space shuttle]] is destroyed. [[Buzz Aldrin]] and [[James Taylor]] both guest starred as themselves.<ref name="officialsite"/> The critically acclaimed episode became the source of the [[The Simpsons#Idioms|Overlord meme]], and features numerous film parodies, mostly of ''[[The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]'' and ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''. A copy of the episode is available for astronauts to watch at the [[International Space Station]].


The episode was written by [[showrunner]] [[David Mirkin]] and directed by Carlos Baeza. [[Apollo 11]] astronaut [[Buzz Aldrin]] and musician [[James Taylor]] guest-starred as themselves. Some of ''The Simpsons''<nowiki/>' staff, including creator [[Matt Groening]], feared the concept was too unrealistic, resulting in some jokes being pared down and greater focus placed on relationships within the [[Simpson family]]. However, the episode was well-received, with many critics and fans praising it as one of the best of the series.
==Plot==
At the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]], it is time for the ceremony for the "Worker of the Week" award and Homer, the only employee who has never won the award, is confident he will win. However, [[Montgomery Burns|Mr. Burns]] gives the award to an 'inanimate [[carbon]] rod'. The dejected Homer, feeling that no one respects him, turns to TV for solace and happens upon a live [[space shuttle]] launch, which he finds dull. Meanwhile, [[NASA]], frustrated over its drop in the [[Nielsen ratings]], decides to send an "average shmoe" into space as the solution. At that moment, Homer telephones NASA to complain about their "boring space launches," and NASA chiefs realize they have found their man. When they arrive at [[Moe's Tavern]] in search of Homer, he believes he is in trouble for making a prank call to NASA and blames [[Barney Gumble|Barney]] for the incident. The NASA employees ask Barney to be an astronaut, and when Homer realizes what the proposal entails, he steps in and takes credit for the call.


== Plot ==
NASA takes both Homer and Barney to [[Cape Canaveral]] for training. As only one of them can go into space, they soon find themselves in competition. Under NASA's alcohol ban, the newly sober Barney quickly develops superior skills and is selected to fly with [[Buzz Aldrin]] and astronaut Race Banyon. However, when Barney toasts his victory with non-alcoholic [[Champagne (wine)|champagne]], he inexplicably reverts to his normal alcoholic self and escapes, promptly damaging some special equipment. Homer wins by default and is selected for space flight, but is very nervous about going. Just as they prepare to take off in the Corvair space shuttle, Homer runs away. He talks with [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] on the phone, and she says that he ought to take advantage of the opportunity. He agrees, and the launch, which is also a Nielsen ratings smash, proceeds.
At the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]], [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] believes he will win the Worker of the Week award; it is a union requirement that every employee gets the prize at least once and Homer is the only plant employee who has never won. Instead, [[Mr. Burns]] gives the award to an inanimate carbon rod. Homer thinks no one respects him, and watches television to lighten his mood. Suddenly, the remote breaks and the TV is stuck on a telecast of a [[Space Shuttle]] launch, which Homer finds boring. Meanwhile, NASA decides to send an average Joe to space to improve their [[Nielsen ratings]], and pick Homer after he calls NASA to complain about the telecast. When two NASA officials approach Homer the next day, he believes he is in trouble and blames the prank call on [[Barney Gumble|Barney]]. After they invite Barney to participate in a space launch, Homer tells the officials the truth; the officials decide to train both Homer and Barney.


At [[Cape Canaveral]], Homer and Barney compete in training exercises. While under NASA's alcohol ban, a sober Barney develops superior skills and is chosen to fly with [[Buzz Aldrin]] and Race Banyon. After toasting with a non-alcoholic drink, Barney reverts to alcoholism and leaves via a jetpack. Homer is selected as Barney's replacement; the launch receives good television ratings.
Finally in space, Homer reveals he has smuggled [[potato chip]]s on board. He opens the bag, but is unaware that, due to the effects of [[weightlessness]], they will spread around and clog the instruments. His appetite seems to save the day as he floats after the chips, eating them, but he manages to fly into an experimental [[ant farm]], letting the ants loose in the shuttle. [[James Taylor]] comes in over the radio to sing a song, but the disaster continues on board as the ants destroy the navigation system. James Taylor suggests that they blow the bugs out the front hatch, which the astronauts do, but Homer fails to put on his harness and is nearly blown out of the open hatch before grabbing its handle and clinging for life. Buzz pulls him inside, but due to the vacuum's sheer force, Homer breaks the hatch handle, preventing the door from closing and potentially resulting in the shuttle's destruction on [[re-entry]]. When Race declares he will attack Homer in frustration, Homer pulls a rod out of the wall to defend himself, and he inadvertently uses it to seal the door shut. With the problems solved, the shuttle successfully returns to Earth, making a convenient crash-landing through the roof of a press reporters' convention.


Homer smuggles a bag of potato chips aboard the shuttle, and opens it upon reaching space. The chips disperse and threaten to clog the instruments. While eating them, Homer breaks an ant farm, and the ants destroy the navigation system. [[James Taylor]], hired to sing to the astronauts through mission control, suggests they blow the ants out the hatch, having done a similar technique when Taylor visited [[Art Garfunkel]] at his vineyard. Homer fails to put on his harness and is nearly blown into space, grabbing on to the hatch handle. The hatch handle bends, preventing it from fully closing. While defending himself from a furious Race, Homer grabs a carbon rod and inadvertently uses it to seal the hatch. The shuttle returns safely to Earth, landing at a press convention. Although Buzz calls Homer a hero, the press only acknowledges the carbon rod. Despite this, Homer's family still celebrates him as a hero.
Although Buzz Aldrin declares Homer a hero, the press only have eyes for the inanimate carbon rod he used. The rod is featured on magazine covers with the headline "In Rod We Trust" and is given its own [[ticker-tape parade]]. Back at home, Homer is disappointed that he did not get as much respect as he had hoped, but the family still honors him for his achievement.<ref name="bbc"/><ref name=officialsite/><ref name="book">{{cite book|last=Richmond |first=Ray|coauthors=Antonia Coffman|title=[[The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family]] |year=1997 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers|isbn=0-00063-8898-1}}</ref>


==Production==
== Production ==
[[File:David Mirkin by Gage Skidmore.jpg|alt=The writer of Deep Space Homer; David Mirkin. Taken in 2012.|thumb| [[Showrunner]] [[David Mirkin]] wrote "Deep Space Homer".]]
[[Image:Deep Space Homer.png|thumb|left|Computer animation was used in a famous sequence featuring Homer eating a bag of potato chips in [[weightlessness|zero gravity]].]]
"Deep Space Homer" was written by then-executive producer [[David Mirkin]] and is his only writing credit for ''The Simpsons''. Mirkin had worked on the idea for the episode for a long time, basing the story on NASA's [[Teacher in Space Project]] scheme to send ordinary civilians into space in order to spark interest amongst the general public.<ref name="Mirkin">{{cite video | people=Mirkin, David|date=2004|title=The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> There was some controversy amongst the show's writing staff during production. Some of the writers felt that having Homer go into space was too large an idea.<ref name="Mirkin"/> [[Matt Groening]] felt that the idea was so big that it gave the writers "nowhere to go." Several silly gags were therefore toned down to make the episode feel more realistic, including an idea that everyone at NASA was as stupid as Homer.<ref name="Groening">{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt|date=2004|title=The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The writers focused more upon the relationship between Homer and his family and Homer's attempts to be a hero.<ref name="Mirkin"/>
"Deep Space Homer" was written by [[showrunner]] [[David Mirkin]] and directed by Carlos Baeza. He based the episode on NASA's cancellation of the [[Teacher in Space Project]], which sent civilians to space to increase public interest in the [[Space Shuttle program]].<ref name="Mirkin">{{cite video |people=Mirkin, David |date=2004 |title=The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>{{sfn|Goertz|Prescott|Oakley|Weinstein|2018|page=36}}<ref name="com" /> The staff worried that sending Homer into space was too large an idea, and ''Simpsons''{{'}} creator [[Matt Groening]] said it gave them "nowhere to go".<ref name="Mirkin" />{{sfn|Goertz|Prescott|Oakley|Weinstein|2018|page=36}}<ref name="com">{{cite video|url=http://www.simpsonsworld.com/video/275720259883|people=Deep Space Homer staff|title=Episode Commentary|publisher=The Simpsons at Simpsons World|access-date=September 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012152/http://www.simpsonsworld.com/video/275720259883|archive-date=September 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Several gags were toned down to make the episode more realistic, including an idea that everyone at NASA was as stupid as Homer.<ref name="com" /><ref name="Groening">{{cite video|people=Groening, Matt|date=2004|title=The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer"|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Mirkin focused more on Homer's attempts to gain his family's respect.<ref name="Mirkin" /><ref name="com" />


Buzz Aldrin and James Taylor guest-star as themselves.{{sfn|Gale|2007|page=2652}}<ref name="buzz">{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/27113-buzz-aldrin-simpsons-action-figure.html|title=Woo Hoo! Buzz Aldrin's Role on 'The Simpsons' Leads to Action Figure|publisher=[[collectSPACE]]|via=Space.com|last1=Pearlman|first1=Robert Z.|date=September 10, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914011015/http://www.space.com/27113-buzz-aldrin-simpsons-action-figure.html|archive-date=September 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The staff were concerned Aldrin would consider his line "second comes right after first" an insult, and offered the alternative line, "first to take a soil sample", as a backup. Aldrin however preferred the original line, which was retained in the script.<ref name="Mirkin" /><ref name="com" /> Taylor recorded an altered version of his 1970 single "[[Fire and Rain (song)|Fire and Rain]]" and [[Carole King]]'s 1971 "[[You've Got a Friend]]" for the episode. His recording session appears as an extra on the [[DVD]] release of the [[The Simpsons season 5|fifth season]].<ref name="Mirkin" /><ref name="com" /> [[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]] directed the potato chip sequence instead of Baeza;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/09/simpsons-showrunners-on-the-classic-era-myth.html|title=3 Simpsons Showrunners Reflect on New Fans and the 'Classic Era' Myth|date=September 23, 2014|website=[[Vulture.com]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827210034/http://www.vulture.com/2014/09/simpsons-showrunners-on-the-classic-era-myth.html|archive-date=August 27, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=August 27, 2018}}</ref> the chips were partly animated on an [[Amiga]] personal computer to smooth their rotation.<ref name="Silverman">{{cite video|people=Silverman, David|date=2004|title=The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer"|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>
[[Buzz Aldrin]], the second man to walk on the [[Moon]], and [[James Taylor]] both guest star as themselves in this episode. Some of the writers were concerned about Aldrin's line, "second comes right after first," feeling it was insulting to Aldrin. An alternative line was written: "first to take a soil sample," but Aldrin had no problem with saying the original line.<ref name="Mirkin"/> A version of James Taylor's "[[Fire and Rain]]" was recorded specifically for the episode containing some altered lyrics. Taylor's original recording session was included as an extra on the DVD.<ref name="Mirkin"/>


== Parodies ==
Although the episode was directed by [[Carlos Baeza]], the potato chip sequence was directed by David Silverman. Some computer animation created using an [[Amiga]] was used in the sequence in order to make the potato chip rotation as smooth as possible.<ref name="Silverman"/>
"Deep Space Homer" has multiple references to ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]'' (1968): a scene of Homer floating and eating potato chips in space includes [[Johann Strauss II]]'s waltz "[[The Blue Danube]]", which was used in the film. Whilst using the docking computer, the rotating Homer mimics the space station from the computer game ''[[Elite (video game)|Elite]]'', which also plays "The Blue Danube" as the game pilots the ship in the spinning station. [[Tom Brokaw]] is parodied as a journalist reporting on NASA's experiments about the effects of weightlessness on "tiny screws".<ref name="in" /> During Barney and Homer's training montage, which itself is a reference to ''[[The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]'', Barney demonstrates his improved abilities by reciting the opening to "[[Major-General's Song]]" while landing several consecutive back [[Handspring (gymnastics)|handsprings]]. Homer attempts the same with "[[There once was a man from Nantucket#Ribald versions|There Once Was a Man From Nantucket]]" but crashes into a wall before he can complete it.


Homer watches an ''[[Itchy and Scratchy Show]]'' episode that shows Itchy bursting out of Scratchy, a reference to ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'', then torturing Scratchy in an [[Extra-vehicular activity|EVA]] pod, a reference to ''2001''{{'}}s ''[[Discovery One|Discovery]]'' craft.<ref name="Mirkin" /><ref name="com" /> When [[Bart Simpson]] throws a marker pen, it rotates in slow motion and a [[match cut]] replaces it with a cylindrical satellite as a parody of a similar transition used in ''2001''; both film and cartoon use [[Richard Strauss]]' [[tone poem]] ''[[Also sprach Zarathustra]]'' as backing music.
==Cultural references==
The two [[Blue-collar worker|blue collar]] TV shows the people at NASA watch are ''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]'' and ''[[Married... with Children]]''.<ref name=bbc/> In the scene where the family arrives at Cape Canaveral, the car is a parody of ''[[The Beverly Hillbillies]]'', with Marge sitting in Granny's position.<ref name="Mirkin"/> Homer and Barney's duel is a reference to the classic ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' episode "[[The Gamesters of Triskelion]]", complete with one of ''Star Trek'''s fight themes (originally from the episode "[[Amok Time]]") and the NASA administrators betting on the combatants in "quatloos".<ref name=bbc/> Homer running while lying on the floor and trying to read the back of his head is an homage to the [[Three Stooges]], particularly [[Curly Howard|Curly]]. The TV anchor is a parody of [[Tom Brokaw]], and is voiced by [[Harry Shearer]]. A lot of words containing the letter L were intentionally written into the dialogue because the writers "enjoy the way Tom says them."<ref name="Mirkin"/>


The scene where the Simpson family are in the car together is a parody of the opening sequence of ''[[The Beverly Hillbillies]]''.{{sfn|Fink|2019|page=186}}<ref name="bbc" />{{sfn|Booker|2006|page=58}} The title is in reference to the TV show ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Best Star Trek References In The Simpsons|author=Ben Sherlock|date=May 22, 2022|url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-star-trek-jokes-references/#the-simpsons-get-beamed-up-to-the-enterprise-from-their-couch|website=screenrant.com|access-date=May 8, 2023}}</ref> The episode features a tribute to [[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|''Planet of the Apes'']] when Homer imitates [[Charlton Heston]] in the last scene of the film.
The music at the start of the episode of the ''[[The Itchy & Scratchy Show|Itchy & Scratchy]]'' cartoon parodies the theme from the original ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' series. Itchy bursts out of Scratchy's stomach in a parody of [[Xenomorph (Alien)|the creature]] from the ''[[Alien (film series)|Alien]]'' films. Itchy comes out to torture Scratchy in an [[Extra-vehicular activity|EVA]] pod much like those aboard the ''[[Discovery One|Discovery]]''.<ref name="Mirkin"/> Homer hopes that his crew will not be sent to "that terrible ''[[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|Planet of the Apes]]''," only to suddenly figure out the film's ending; he then performs [[Charlton Heston]]'s final scene in the film.<ref name=empire/> Much of the episode parodies ''[[The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]'', with sequences such as Barney and Homer's training, Homer's walk to the shuttle and the shuttle's re-entry paying homage to the film.<ref name="Mirkin"/>


== Themes ==
The episode also contains numerous references to [[Stanley Kubrick]]´s 1968 film ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''. In the space shuttle, Homer floats in zero gravity, eating potato chips. This echoes the docking scene in ''2001'', with the use of the music piece ''[[The Blue Danube]]''. At the end of the episode, Bart throws a marker into the air; in slow motion it rotates in mid-air, before a [[match cut]] replaces it with a cylindrical satellite. This parodies a similar transition scene between "The Dawn of Man" and the future sequence in the film, including the use of the famous [[Richard Strauss]] piece ''[[Also sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss)|Also sprach Zarathustra]]''.<ref name=empire/>
"Deep Space Homer" deals with Barney's alcoholism as he sobers up to become fit and clear-thinking, then regresses to his usual drunken persona after he has a non-alcoholic drink, an example of "exaggerated incompetence."{{sfn|Musolf|2016|page=209}} The episode also explores the relationships between members of the [[Simpson family]], particularly how they evolve after Homer's voyage to space. At the start of the episode, Bart writes "Insert Brain Here" on the back of Homer's head to imply he is not intelligent enough to earn his family's respect. After Homer returns from space, Bart instead writes "Hero" on the back of his head. His trip to space and his heroic act gains him increased respect from his family, something Homer had struggled with for several years.{{sfn|Irwin|Conard|Skoble|2001|page=120}}


NASA's main motivation for sending Homer to space is its low ratings. This is evident when Homer and Bart, who are seen as average Joes, are attempting to quickly change the channel when a space launch is shown. By 1994, NASA could no longer present space exploration as part of the [[Space Race]]—the [[Cold War|tension]] between the [[Soviet Union]] and the [[United States]] had by then dissipated. In the episode, NASA attempts to use [[social class]] as a means of increasing ratings by sending an "average schmo" such as Homer or Barney to space.{{sfn|Hersch|2012}} Homer's space journey increased ratings for NASA; according to the professor of English Paul Cantor, this illustrates how easily trends in ratings can be affected by societal change.{{sfn|Cantor|2003|page=89}}
==Reception==
[[Image:Aldrin.jpg|thumb|[[Buzz Aldrin]] guest starred in the episode.]]
[[NASA]] loved the episode, and astronaut [[Ed Lu|Edward Lu]] asked for a copy of it to be sent on a supply ship to the [[International Space Station]]. The DVD remains there for astronauts to view.<ref name="Mirkin"/> "Deep Space Homer" is ''[[MSNBC]]'''s fourth favorite episode, citing Homer's realization that ''Planet of the Apes'' is set on Earth as "pure genius."<ref>{{cite news | author = Patrick Enwright | title = D’Oh! The top 10 ‘Simpsons’ episodes ever | publisher = [[MSNBC]] | date = 2007-07-31 | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19916798/page/2/ | accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref> ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine named it a "contender for greatest ever episode", and listed it as the third best movie parody in the show.<ref name=empire>{{cite news | author = Colin Kennedy | title = The Ten Best Movie Gags In ''The Simpsons'' | publisher = ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' | date = September 2004 | pages = 76}}</ref> In his book, ''[[Planet Simpson]]'', Chris Turner names the episode as being one of his five favorites, saying it is "second to none," despite listing "[[Last Exit to Springfield]]" as his favorite episode. He described the long sequence that begins with Homer eating potato chips in the space shuttle and ends with Kent Brockman's dramatic speech as being "simply among the finest comedic moments in the history of television".<ref name="Turner">{{cite book| last = Turner| first = Chris| title =[[Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation]]| pages =69–70| isbn = 0-679-31318-4}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' also named the episode among their ten favorites.<ref>{{cite news | last =Walton | first =James | coauthors = | title =The 10 Best Simpsons TV Episodes (In Chronological Order) | work =[[The Daily Telegraph]] | pages =Page 3 | language = | publisher = | date =July 21, 2007 | url = | accessdate = }}</ref>


== Reception ==
Both Buzz Aldrin and James Taylor received praise for their guest performances. ''[[IGN]]'' ranked James Taylor as being the twenty-first best guest appearance in the show's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/730/730566p1.html|title=Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances|accessdate=2007-10-19|author=Goldman, Eric; Iverson, Dan; Zoromski, Brian|publisher=IGN}}</ref> The Phoenix.com published their own list of "Top 20 guest stars" and Taylor placed eighteenth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thephoenix.com/Article.aspx?id=7123&page=2|title=The Simpsons 20 best guest voices of all time|date=2006-03-29|accessdate=2007-08-03|publisher=The Phoenix.com}}</ref> Among ''The Simpsons'' staff, the episode is a favorite of [[David Silverman]].<ref name="Silverman">{{cite video | people=Silverman, David|date=2004|title=The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> On the other hand it also contains one of Matt Groening's least favorite jokes, when Homer's face changes into [[Popeye]] and [[Richard Nixon]] while exposed to [[G-force]].<ref name="Groening"/> There is a similar gag in the 1982 comedy film ''[[Airplane II: The Sequel]]'': when the (fictitious) "Mayflower One" lunar shuttle goes to "Worp (sic) 0.5" speed to race back to the moon and the flight attendant explains to the passengers that they may experience metabolic changes, all of the passengers facially resemble Richard Nixon (inasmuch as they are all wearing [[Richard Nixon mask]]s).
"Deep Space Homer" finished 32nd in ratings for the week of February 21–27, 1994, with a Nielsen rating of 11.1, the equivalent of approximately 10.3&nbsp;million viewing households.<ref name="tango">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtango.com/listings?filters%5Bdate%5D%5Bmonth%5D=2&filters%5Bdate%5D%5Bday%5D=24&filters%5Bdate%5D%5Byear%5D=1994&commit.x=17&commit.y=17|title=TV listings|website=TV Tango|access-date=September 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902084423/http://www.tvtango.com/listings?filters%5Bdate%5D%5Bmonth%5D=2&filters%5Bdate%5D%5Bday%5D=24&filters%5Bdate%5D%5Byear%5D=1994&commit.x=17&commit.y=17|archive-date=September 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the highest-rated show on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] that week.<ref>{{cite news |title=CBS skates to easy ratings sweep victory |work=Sun-Sentinel |author=Williams, Scott |page=4E |date=March 3, 1994}}</ref>


{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=300
"Deep Space Homer" is the source of the "[[Kent Brockman#Cultural influence|Overlord meme]]", which is lifted from [[Kent Brockman]]'s line "And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords" and is commonly used on internet forums to express mock submission, usually for the purpose of humor or when a "participant vastly overstates the degree of oppression or social control expected to arise from the topic in question."<ref name="Turner2">{{cite book| last = Turner| first = Chris| title =[[Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation]]| page =300| isbn = 0-679-31318-4}}</ref> The term was used by ''[[New Scientist]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newscientist.com/blog/space/2007/06/british-government-welcomes-our-new.html|title=The British government welcomes our new insect overlords|publisher=New Scientist magazine|accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref> and was referenced on the February 16, 2011 episode of ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' by [[Ken Jennings]] in acknowledgment of the accomplishments of the computer [[Watson (artificial intelligence software)|Watson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/02/watson-jeopardy-finale-man-vs-machine-showdown.html|title=Watson wins 'Jeopardy!' finale; Ken Jennings welcomes 'our new computer overlords'|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=2011-02-16|accessdate=2011-02-17|author=Melissa Maerz}}</ref>
|image1 = Aldrin at STELLAR Program (ARC-1969-AC96-0232-52) (cropped).jpg
{{-}}
|width1 = 600
|height1 = 700
|alt1 = Buzz Aldrin at the 'STELLAR' program commencement activities. He guest starred in this episode. Taken in 1996.
|image2 = James Taylor 2000.jpg
|width2 = 600
|height2 = 700
|alt2= = James Taylor at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York. He guest starred in this episode. Taken in 2000.
|footer = [[Buzz Aldrin]] (left) and [[James Taylor]] received praise for their performances.
}}
In 1994, film magazine ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' declared "Deep Space Homer" a "contender for the greatest episode ever", listing it as the third-best ''Simpsons'' parody of a film.{{sfn|Goertz|Prescott|Oakley|Weinstein|2018|page=36}} In 1998, ''[[TV Guide]]'' listed it in its list of top twelve ''Simpsons'' episodes.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Dozen Doozies |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=January 3–9, 1998 |url=http://www.simpsonsarchive.com/other/articles/dozendoozies.html|access-date=January 13, 2019}}</ref> In his 2004 book ''[[Planet Simpson]]'', [[Chris Turner (author)|Chris Turner]] cited the episode as one of his five favorites. He described the sequence with Homer eating potato chips in the Space Shuttle and the speech by newscaster [[Kent Brockman]], who believes alien ants have taken over the shuttle, as "simply among the finest comedic moments in the history of television".{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=69{{ndash}}70}}

In 2011, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' named the episode among their ten favorites for its cameos and jokes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8791597/The-10-best-Simpsons-TV-episodes.html|title=The 10 Best Simpsons TV Episodes (In Chronological Order)|last=Walton|first=James|date=September 27, 2011|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=September 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902084454/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8791597/The-10-best-Simpsons-TV-episodes.html|archive-date=September 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, ''[[Today.com]]'' named "Deep Space Homer" its fourth-favorite ''Simpsons'' episode, describing Homer's realization that ''[[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'' is set on Earth as "pure genius".{{sfn|Goertz|Prescott|Oakley|Weinstein|2018|page=36}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/doh-top-10-simpsons-episodes-ever-1C9430188|title=D'Oh! The top 10 'Simpsons' episodes ever|last=Enwright|first=Patrick|date=July 31, 2007|access-date=January 16, 2022|publisher=[[Today.com]]}}</ref> Aldrin and Taylor received praise for their performances; ''[[IGN]]'' and ''[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|Phoenix.com]]'' ranked Taylor's guest appearance among the show's greatest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/04/top-25-simpsons-guest-appearances|title=Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances|author1=Goldman, Eric|author2=Iverson, Dan|publisher=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622134744/http://tv.ign.com/articles/730/730566p1.html|archive-date=June 22, 2007|url-status=live|access-date=January 16, 2022|author3=Zoromski, Brian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thephoenix.com/Article.aspx?id=7123&page=2|title=The Simpsons 20 best guest voices of all time|date=March 29, 2006|work=The Phoenix|publisher=[[Phoenix Media/Communications Group]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116052623/http://thephoenix.com/Article.aspx?id=7123&page=2|archive-date=November 16, 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=August 3, 2007}}</ref> In 2019, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' ranked the episode sixth in its list of 10 best ''Simpsons'' episodes picked by ''Simpsons'' experts.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Raisa Bruner |title=We Asked Experts for 10 of Their Most Memorable Simpsons Episodes of All Time |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=2019-12-10 |url=https://time.com/5743465/best-simpsons-episodes/|access-date=2019-12-11}}</ref>

The episode is a favorite of Silverman,<ref name="Silverman" /> but contains one of Groening's least-favorite jokes: Homer's face morphs into those of [[Popeye]] and [[Richard Nixon]] while exposed to [[g-force]]s, which Groening felt made no sense in context.<ref name="Groening" />

== Legacy ==
At the request of astronaut [[Edward Lu]], a copy of the episode was placed on the [[International Space Station]] for astronauts to view.{{sfn|Goertz|Prescott|Oakley|Weinstein|2018|page=36}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/27113-buzz-aldrin-simpsons-action-figure.html |title=Deep Space Homer Information |access-date=August 17, 2011 |publisher=Space |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914011015/http://www.space.com/27113-buzz-aldrin-simpsons-action-figure.html |archive-date=September 14, 2014 }}</ref>{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997}}

=== Overlord meme ===
Kent Brockman's line, "I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords", became a popular TV catchphrase and an [[Internet meme]].{{sfn|Fink|2019|page=186}}{{sfn|Goertz|Prescott|Oakley|Weinstein|2018|page=36}} It is frequently used to show mock submission<ref name="Overlord" />{{sfn|Turner|2004|page=300}} or suggest a powerful entity, such as robots, could become capable enough to conquer humanity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/10/06/130374218/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-robot-overlords|title=I, For One, Welcome Our New Robot Overlords|website=[[NPR]]|date=October 6, 2010 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903082214/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/10/06/130374218/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-robot-overlords|archive-date=September 3, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=September 3, 2018|last1=Sutherland |first1=J. J. }}</ref> In 2007, ''[[New Scientist]]'' used the phrase when reporting the British government's research into aliens,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newscientist.com/blog/space/2007/06/british-government-welcomes-our-new.html |title=The British government welcomes our new insect overlords |publisher=New Scientist magazine |access-date=October 19, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912221913/http://www.newscientist.com/blog/space/2007/06/british-government-welcomes-our-new.html |archive-date=September 12, 2007 }}</ref> and in 2011, [[Ken Jennings]], a long-standing contestant of the game show ''[[Jeopardy!]]'', used it in reference to the computer [[Watson (computer)|Watson]].{{sfn|Goertz|Prescott|Oakley|Weinstein|2018|page=36}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/02/watson-jeopardy-finale-man-vs-machine-showdown.html |title=Watson wins 'Jeopardy!' finale; Ken Jennings welcomes 'our new computer overlords' |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 16, 2011|access-date=February 17, 2011 |first=Melissa |last=Maerz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217062143/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/02/watson-jeopardy-finale-man-vs-machine-showdown.html |archive-date=February 17, 2011 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Booker|first=Keith|title=Drawn to Television|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EGtTOAGYSWQC&pg=PA58 |page=58 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127185915/https://books.google.com/books?id=EGtTOAGYSWQC&pg=PA58 |archive-date=January 27, 2018|isbn=978-0-275-99019-0|year=2006|publisher=Bloomsbury }}
* {{cite book |last1=Cantor |first1=Paul A. |title=Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization |date=2003 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-7425-0779-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A6Qr6BFJUjoC&pg=PA88 |access-date=July 20, 2019 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Fink |first1=Moritz |title=The Simpsons: A Cultural History |date=2019 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-5381-1617-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UOGTDwAAQBAJ&q=deep+space+homer+1F13&pg=PA186 |access-date=November 20, 2019 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Gale |first1=Thomson |title=Video Sourcebook: A Guide to Programs Currently Available on Video in the Areas Of: Movies/entertainment, General Interest/education, Sports/recreation, Fine Arts, Heal |date=2007|page=2652 |publisher=Gale / Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1-4144-0099-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=doDYm9jBqvwC&q=Deep+space+homer |access-date=August 27, 2018 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Goertz |first1=Allie |last2=Prescott |first2=Julia |last3=Oakley |first3=Bill |last4=Weinstein |first4=Josh |title=100 Things The Simpsons Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die |date=2018 |publisher=Triumph Books |isbn=978-1-64125-109-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xndPDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT122 |access-date=August 27, 2018 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Groening |editor1-first=Ray |editor1-last=Richmond |editor1-link=Ray Richmond |editor2-first=Antonia |editor2-last=Coffman |title=The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family |edition=1st |year=1997 |location=New York |publisher=[[HarperPerennial]] |lccn=98141857 |ol=433519M |oclc=37796735 |isbn=978-0-06-095252-5 |ref={{harvid|Richmond & Coffman|1997}}|title-link=The Simpsons episode guides#The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family }}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8cxfAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT236 |first=Matthew |last=Hersch |access-date=February 8, 2018|title=Inventing the American Astronaut|isbn=978-1-137-02529-6|date=October 8, 2012|publisher=Springer }}
* {{cite book |last1=Irwin |first1=William |last2=Conard |first2=Mark T. |last3=Skoble |first3=Aeon J. |title=The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer |date=2001 |publisher=Open Court |isbn=978-0-8126-9433-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vfl_Nqy83uQC&q=Deep+space+homer |access-date=July 20, 2019 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Musolf |first1=Gil Richard |title=The Astructural Bias Charge: Myth or Reality? |date=2016 |publisher=Emerald Group Publishing |isbn=978-1-78635-035-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JXbPDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA209 |access-date=July 19, 2019 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Turner |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Turner (author) |title=Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation |others=Foreword by [[Douglas Coupland]]. |edition=1st |year=2004 |location=Toronto |publisher=[[Random House Canada]] |oclc=55682258 |isbn=978-0-679-31318-2|title-link=Planet Simpson }}
{{refend}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{wikiquote|The_Simpsons#Deep_Space_Homer_.5B5.15.5D|"Deep Space Homer"}}
{{Wikiquote|The_Simpsons/Season_5#Deep_Space_Homer|"Deep Space Homer"}}
{{portal|The Simpsons}}
{{portal|The Simpsons}}
*{{snpp capsule|1F13}}
* {{snpp capsule|1F13}}
*{{imdb episode|id=0701087}}
* {{IMDb episode|id=0701087}}
*[http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/0515.htm "Deep Space Homer"] at The Simpsons.com
*{{Tv.com episode|1381}}


[[Category:The Simpsons (season 5) episodes]]
{{The Simpsons episodes|5}}
[[Category:1994 television episodes]]


[[Category:The Simpsons season 5 episodes]]
{{Link GA|es}}
[[Category:1994 American television episodes]]
{{good article}}
[[Category:NASA in fiction]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in outer space]]
[[Category:Works about astronauts]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Buzz Aldrin]]


[[cs:Hrdinný kosmonaut Homer]]
[[da:Inanimate Carbon Rod]]
[[es:Deep Space Homer]]
[[fr:Homer dans l'espace]]
[[no:Inanimate Carbon Rod]]
[[pt:Deep Space Homer]]
[[ru:Deep Space Homer]]
[[fi:Simpsonit (5. tuotantokausi)#Homer, seuraava astronautti (Deep Space Homer)]]
[[fi:Simpsonit (5. tuotantokausi)#Homer, seuraava astronautti (Deep Space Homer)]]

Latest revision as of 05:26, 3 January 2025

"Deep Space Homer"
The Simpsons episode
A scene of news anchor Kent Brockman announcing his surrender due to the belief that Ants taking over the world. This scene inspired the "Overlord meme" which uses the scene to mimic entities taking over the world.
Kent Brockman immediately pledges his allegiance to giant space ants which he mistakenly believes are about to conquer the world. This scene went on to inspire an internet meme.[1][2]
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 15
Directed byCarlos Baeza
Written byDavid Mirkin
Production code1F13[3]
Original air dateFebruary 24, 1994 (1994-02-24)
Guest appearances
Episode features
Couch gagThe family runs to the couch, only to find an obese man sitting on it. They squeeze in to the left of him.[4]
Commentary
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" 		Next →
"Homer Loves Flanders"
The Simpsons season 5
List of episodes

"Deep Space Homer" is the fifteenth episode[5] of the fifth season of American animated television series The Simpsons, which was first broadcast on Fox in the United States on February 24, 1994. In the episode, NASA selects Homer Simpson to participate in a spaceflight to spark public interest in space exploration and boost low ratings of the launches. Once in space, his incompetence destroys the navigation system on board the Space Shuttle.

The episode was written by showrunner David Mirkin and directed by Carlos Baeza. Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and musician James Taylor guest-starred as themselves. Some of The Simpsons' staff, including creator Matt Groening, feared the concept was too unrealistic, resulting in some jokes being pared down and greater focus placed on relationships within the Simpson family. However, the episode was well-received, with many critics and fans praising it as one of the best of the series.

Plot

[edit]

At the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Homer believes he will win the Worker of the Week award; it is a union requirement that every employee gets the prize at least once and Homer is the only plant employee who has never won. Instead, Mr. Burns gives the award to an inanimate carbon rod. Homer thinks no one respects him, and watches television to lighten his mood. Suddenly, the remote breaks and the TV is stuck on a telecast of a Space Shuttle launch, which Homer finds boring. Meanwhile, NASA decides to send an average Joe to space to improve their Nielsen ratings, and pick Homer after he calls NASA to complain about the telecast. When two NASA officials approach Homer the next day, he believes he is in trouble and blames the prank call on Barney. After they invite Barney to participate in a space launch, Homer tells the officials the truth; the officials decide to train both Homer and Barney.

At Cape Canaveral, Homer and Barney compete in training exercises. While under NASA's alcohol ban, a sober Barney develops superior skills and is chosen to fly with Buzz Aldrin and Race Banyon. After toasting with a non-alcoholic drink, Barney reverts to alcoholism and leaves via a jetpack. Homer is selected as Barney's replacement; the launch receives good television ratings.

Homer smuggles a bag of potato chips aboard the shuttle, and opens it upon reaching space. The chips disperse and threaten to clog the instruments. While eating them, Homer breaks an ant farm, and the ants destroy the navigation system. James Taylor, hired to sing to the astronauts through mission control, suggests they blow the ants out the hatch, having done a similar technique when Taylor visited Art Garfunkel at his vineyard. Homer fails to put on his harness and is nearly blown into space, grabbing on to the hatch handle. The hatch handle bends, preventing it from fully closing. While defending himself from a furious Race, Homer grabs a carbon rod and inadvertently uses it to seal the hatch. The shuttle returns safely to Earth, landing at a press convention. Although Buzz calls Homer a hero, the press only acknowledges the carbon rod. Despite this, Homer's family still celebrates him as a hero.

Production

[edit]
The writer of Deep Space Homer; David Mirkin. Taken in 2012.
Showrunner David Mirkin wrote "Deep Space Homer".

"Deep Space Homer" was written by showrunner David Mirkin and directed by Carlos Baeza. He based the episode on NASA's cancellation of the Teacher in Space Project, which sent civilians to space to increase public interest in the Space Shuttle program.[6][7][8] The staff worried that sending Homer into space was too large an idea, and Simpsons' creator Matt Groening said it gave them "nowhere to go".[6][7][8] Several gags were toned down to make the episode more realistic, including an idea that everyone at NASA was as stupid as Homer.[8][9] Mirkin focused more on Homer's attempts to gain his family's respect.[6][8]

Buzz Aldrin and James Taylor guest-star as themselves.[10][11] The staff were concerned Aldrin would consider his line "second comes right after first" an insult, and offered the alternative line, "first to take a soil sample", as a backup. Aldrin however preferred the original line, which was retained in the script.[6][8] Taylor recorded an altered version of his 1970 single "Fire and Rain" and Carole King's 1971 "You've Got a Friend" for the episode. His recording session appears as an extra on the DVD release of the fifth season.[6][8] David Silverman directed the potato chip sequence instead of Baeza;[12] the chips were partly animated on an Amiga personal computer to smooth their rotation.[13]

Parodies

[edit]

"Deep Space Homer" has multiple references to 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): a scene of Homer floating and eating potato chips in space includes Johann Strauss II's waltz "The Blue Danube", which was used in the film. Whilst using the docking computer, the rotating Homer mimics the space station from the computer game Elite, which also plays "The Blue Danube" as the game pilots the ship in the spinning station. Tom Brokaw is parodied as a journalist reporting on NASA's experiments about the effects of weightlessness on "tiny screws".[1] During Barney and Homer's training montage, which itself is a reference to The Right Stuff, Barney demonstrates his improved abilities by reciting the opening to "Major-General's Song" while landing several consecutive back handsprings. Homer attempts the same with "There Once Was a Man From Nantucket" but crashes into a wall before he can complete it.

Homer watches an Itchy and Scratchy Show episode that shows Itchy bursting out of Scratchy, a reference to Alien, then torturing Scratchy in an EVA pod, a reference to 2001's Discovery craft.[6][8] When Bart Simpson throws a marker pen, it rotates in slow motion and a match cut replaces it with a cylindrical satellite as a parody of a similar transition used in 2001; both film and cartoon use Richard Strauss' tone poem Also sprach Zarathustra as backing music.

The scene where the Simpson family are in the car together is a parody of the opening sequence of The Beverly Hillbillies.[3][4][14] The title is in reference to the TV show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.[15] The episode features a tribute to Planet of the Apes when Homer imitates Charlton Heston in the last scene of the film.

Themes

[edit]

"Deep Space Homer" deals with Barney's alcoholism as he sobers up to become fit and clear-thinking, then regresses to his usual drunken persona after he has a non-alcoholic drink, an example of "exaggerated incompetence."[16] The episode also explores the relationships between members of the Simpson family, particularly how they evolve after Homer's voyage to space. At the start of the episode, Bart writes "Insert Brain Here" on the back of Homer's head to imply he is not intelligent enough to earn his family's respect. After Homer returns from space, Bart instead writes "Hero" on the back of his head. His trip to space and his heroic act gains him increased respect from his family, something Homer had struggled with for several years.[17]

NASA's main motivation for sending Homer to space is its low ratings. This is evident when Homer and Bart, who are seen as average Joes, are attempting to quickly change the channel when a space launch is shown. By 1994, NASA could no longer present space exploration as part of the Space Race—the tension between the Soviet Union and the United States had by then dissipated. In the episode, NASA attempts to use social class as a means of increasing ratings by sending an "average schmo" such as Homer or Barney to space.[18] Homer's space journey increased ratings for NASA; according to the professor of English Paul Cantor, this illustrates how easily trends in ratings can be affected by societal change.[19]

Reception

[edit]

"Deep Space Homer" finished 32nd in ratings for the week of February 21–27, 1994, with a Nielsen rating of 11.1, the equivalent of approximately 10.3 million viewing households.[20] It was the highest-rated show on Fox that week.[21]

Buzz Aldrin at the 'STELLAR' program commencement activities. He guest starred in this episode. Taken in 1996.
= James Taylor at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York. He guest starred in this episode. Taken in 2000.
Buzz Aldrin (left) and James Taylor received praise for their performances.

In 1994, film magazine Empire declared "Deep Space Homer" a "contender for the greatest episode ever", listing it as the third-best Simpsons parody of a film.[7] In 1998, TV Guide listed it in its list of top twelve Simpsons episodes.[22] In his 2004 book Planet Simpson, Chris Turner cited the episode as one of his five favorites. He described the sequence with Homer eating potato chips in the Space Shuttle and the speech by newscaster Kent Brockman, who believes alien ants have taken over the shuttle, as "simply among the finest comedic moments in the history of television".[23]

In 2011, The Daily Telegraph named the episode among their ten favorites for its cameos and jokes.[24] In 2017, Today.com named "Deep Space Homer" its fourth-favorite Simpsons episode, describing Homer's realization that Planet of the Apes is set on Earth as "pure genius".[7][25] Aldrin and Taylor received praise for their performances; IGN and Phoenix.com ranked Taylor's guest appearance among the show's greatest.[26][27] In 2019, Time ranked the episode sixth in its list of 10 best Simpsons episodes picked by Simpsons experts.[28]

The episode is a favorite of Silverman,[13] but contains one of Groening's least-favorite jokes: Homer's face morphs into those of Popeye and Richard Nixon while exposed to g-forces, which Groening felt made no sense in context.[9]

Legacy

[edit]

At the request of astronaut Edward Lu, a copy of the episode was placed on the International Space Station for astronauts to view.[7][29][30]

Overlord meme

[edit]

Kent Brockman's line, "I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords", became a popular TV catchphrase and an Internet meme.[3][7] It is frequently used to show mock submission[2][31] or suggest a powerful entity, such as robots, could become capable enough to conquer humanity.[32] In 2007, New Scientist used the phrase when reporting the British government's research into aliens,[33] and in 2011, Ken Jennings, a long-standing contestant of the game show Jeopardy!, used it in reference to the computer Watson.[7][34]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "The best Simpsons episode ever". Stuff.co.nz. Independent Newspapers. January 17, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Overlord Meme". The Atlantic. Emerson Collective. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Fink 2019, p. 186.
  4. ^ a b "Deep Space Homer". Simpsons Archive. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  5. ^ Butts, Steve (December 17, 2004). "The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season". IGN. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Mirkin, David (2004). The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Goertz et al. 2018, p. 36.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Deep Space Homer staff. Episode Commentary. The Simpsons at Simpsons World. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Groening, Matt (2004). The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  10. ^ Gale 2007, p. 2652.
  11. ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (September 10, 2014). "Woo Hoo! Buzz Aldrin's Role on 'The Simpsons' Leads to Action Figure". collectSPACE. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2018 – via Space.com.
  12. ^ "3 Simpsons Showrunners Reflect on New Fans and the 'Classic Era' Myth". Vulture.com. September 23, 2014. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  13. ^ a b Silverman, David (2004). The Simpsons season 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Deep Space Homer" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  14. ^ Booker 2006, p. 58.
  15. ^ Ben Sherlock (May 22, 2022). "10 Best Star Trek References In The Simpsons". screenrant.com. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  16. ^ Musolf 2016, p. 209.
  17. ^ Irwin, Conard & Skoble 2001, p. 120.
  18. ^ Hersch 2012.
  19. ^ Cantor 2003, p. 89.
  20. ^ "TV listings". TV Tango. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  21. ^ Williams, Scott (March 3, 1994). "CBS skates to easy ratings sweep victory". Sun-Sentinel. p. 4E.
  22. ^ "A Dozen Doozies". TV Guide. January 3–9, 1998. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  23. ^ Turner 2004, pp. 69–70.
  24. ^ Walton, James (September 27, 2011). "The 10 Best Simpsons TV Episodes (In Chronological Order)". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  25. ^ Enwright, Patrick (July 31, 2007). "D'Oh! The top 10 'Simpsons' episodes ever". Today.com. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  26. ^ Goldman, Eric; Iverson, Dan; Zoromski, Brian. "Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances". IGN. Archived from the original on June 22, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  27. ^ "The Simpsons 20 best guest voices of all time". The Phoenix. Phoenix Media/Communications Group. March 29, 2006. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  28. ^ Raisa Bruner (December 10, 2019). "We Asked Experts for 10 of Their Most Memorable Simpsons Episodes of All Time". Time. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  29. ^ "Deep Space Homer Information". Space. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  30. ^ Richmond & Coffman 1997.
  31. ^ Turner 2004, p. 300.
  32. ^ Sutherland, J. J. (October 6, 2010). "I, For One, Welcome Our New Robot Overlords". NPR. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  33. ^ "The British government welcomes our new insect overlords". New Scientist magazine. Archived from the original on September 12, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2007.
  34. ^ Maerz, Melissa (February 16, 2011). "Watson wins 'Jeopardy!' finale; Ken Jennings welcomes 'our new computer overlords'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 17, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
Bibliography
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to "Deep Space Homer".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Deep_Space_Homer&oldid=1267007443"