Episode 8F04
Written by Howard Gewirtz
Directed by Mark Kirkland
Also starring: Maggie Roswell, Pamela Hayden, Russi Taylor
Special guest voices: Jon Lovitz (as Aristotle Amadopolis), Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Jnr, Chick Hearn (as themselves)

Premise: Homer becomes a celebrity when he stops two nuclear meltdowns, much to the delight of Mr Burns and Lisa. But can Homer continue his rise to stardom without his mediocrity showing through? Bart's also got problems - Milhouse has been forbidden to associate with him.

Features: Otto, Milhouse, Sherri and Terri, Martin Prince, Richard, Mr Burns, Smithers, Lenny, Carl, Apu, Kent Brockman, Barney, Moe, Jasper, Grampa, Dr John Frink, Principal Skinner, Mrs van Houten, Scott Christian, Chief Wiggum, Snake.

Couch: As the Simpsons run in, an alien escapes through a trapdoor.

Trivia:

• Smithers' Yorkshire Terrier is called Hercules.
• Smithers also tells us that Homer was employed under Project: Bootstrap, for which Mr Burns blames ex-President Gerald Ford.

Homage: The calm female voice in the nuclear plant counting the seconds to meltdown comes from The Andromeda Strain (Robert Wise, 1970).

Itchy and Scratchy in: My Dinner with Itchy.

Mmmmm: ...custard...purple.

Notes: An excellent episode, with Marge trying to convince Mrs van Houten that Bart should be allowed to play with Milhouse adding another layer. Lisa's faith in her heroic father makes a nice change, and the resolution, as Homer earns a place in the dictionary, is most satisfying.