King Size Homer: Season 7, Episode 7

"All my life I've been an obese man trapped inside a fat man's body."

--Homer Simpson

This episode deals with the highly relevant topic of morbid obesity.  It showcases the perils of fast food, the effects of obesity, and the humiliation that a lot of obese people encounter when in public.  It highlights some important points about personal health in a humorous but thought-provoking way.

At the beginning of the episode, Homer makes it his personal mission to gain 61 pounds in order to qualify for disability.  He asks the family doctor, Dr. Julius Hibbert, for advice on how to gain this weight.  Dr. Hibbert is appalled and refuses to take part in Homer's scheme.  However, when asked, Dr. Hibbert gladly gives Homer the name of a doctor that will.

Homer visits Dr. Nick Riviera, an unethical doctor with extremely questionable credentials.  Dr. Nick tells Homer that he is "a dangerously underweight individual."  He suggests that Homer rub all of his food on a piece of paper (essentially to test the grease/fat content).  Dr. Nick tells Homer, "If the paper turns clear, it's your window to weight gain!"

Homer proceeds to eat extremely unhealthy foods, and he eventually gains enough weight to work from home.  However, Homer soon finds that morbid obesity and disability are not quite as beneficial as he had imagined.  He ends up wearing a muumuu because he can't find a pair of pants big enough to fit him.  Homer soon becomes bored at home.  He is frustrated because of his lack of mobility, as he can hardly move and has to use a broom to close the window shade.  He can't dial phone numbers because his fingers are too fat.  He is refused a ticket to the movie theater because the seats are not big enough.  He encounters many other humiliations and unintended consequences due to his obesity.

In the end, however, Homer's weight ends up saving the town. Homer had not been paying attention to his computer work while at home, and he essentially caused a possible meltdown.  He had to make his way to the power plant as fast as possible.  Just when the nuclear hatch was about to explode, Homer fell down, therefore plugging the entire capsule.  Bart says, "I think it's ironic that for once, Dad's butt prevented the release of toxic gas!" He is subsequently yelled at by Marge.

For his health and his wife's happiness, Homer resolves to become "thin" again with the help of Mr. Burns.  Mr. Burns attempts to train Homer and get him to exercise, but he gives up quickly and agrees to pay for liposuction.  Upon this revelation, Homer exclaims his trademark, "Woohoo!"