Episode AABF15
Written by Al Jean
Directed by Steven Dean Moore
Also starring: Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, Maggie Roswell, Karl Weidergott
Special guest voices: Marcia Wallace (as Ms Krabappel), Jasper Jones (as himself), Isabella Rossellini (as Astrid Weller)

Premise: After a disastrous attempt to build a barbecue, Homer's resultant trash is spotted by an avant-garde art dealer who sees it as true art, an expression of the inner self brought into existence. When it sells for a lot of money at his exhibition, Homer's Odyssey, Homer embarks on a creative splurge, but before long he is pass�. Until, that is, he finds a new muse.

Features: Mr Burns, Smithers, Carl, Lenny, Moe, Barney, Kent Brockman, Chief Wiggum, Mrs Wiggum, Lou, Eddie, Skinner, Milhouse, Ned Flanders, Maude Flanders, Dr Frink, Don Tony, Spotty Boy, Cletus.

Couch: The couch drops through the floor, with the cowboy-hat wearing Simpsons on top, and it drops like a bomb towards the ground.

Trivia:

• Homer was voted the 'Most Likely to Be a mental patient or a hillbilly or a chimpanzee', while at school.
• His car has a bumper sticker declaring him to be Single 'n' Sleazy and he shaves his shoulders.
• Homer's anger, which he channels into his art, is inspired by the knowledge that Marge has discovered her engagement ring is candy, Bart has flunked math and is 'a little attracted to Milhouse'.
• At the Springsonian, Lisa introduces him to the art of Warhol, Dali, Picasso, Turner, Oldenburg, Pollock, and Leonardo da Vinci, amongst others.

Notes for Brits: Jasper Jones is an artist and critic.

MMmmmm: ...split pea with ham ...hippo...

Look out for: Homer finding an example of Matt Groening at the Springsonian and commenting that he can't draw, whereupon he's attacked by a large eraser! Surreal but all explained wonderfully.

Notes: Well, Marge is justifiably upset when, as an artist herself, it is Homer who is suddenly getting the kudos for producing rubbish. It's a good gag but probably not enough to stretch out for an entire episode. That said, the last few moments are pure joy, and Jasper Johns is a good egg, but it does drag in the middle.