Homer³

. . .

## Plot

In a parody of "The Twilight Zone*"* episode "Little Girl Lost", Homer desperately tries to avoid Patty and Selma during a visit. He hides behind a bookcase and stumbles upon a gateway to the third dimension while eventually becoming a CGI version of himself. Homer explores the peculiar area while searching for a method to escape it, but a bouncing cone stabs him in the butt. When he accidentally throws the cone point-first into the center of the ground, it starts to collapse into a sinkhole, taking Homer closer to it with increasing force. Outside the third dimension, Professor Frink appears and explains to the others that Homer is in the third dimension. Chief Wiggum shoots the wall that Homer passed into when entering the third dimension, but the bullets just get sucked into the black hole after Homer narrowly dodges them. Bart then ties a rope around his waist, and goes into the third dimension to save Homer. He enters the dimension and is amazed by the world around him. However, the distance between him and Homer is too far for Bart to reach Homer. Homer leaps for Bart, but falls short and into the black hole, screaming CRAP. Bart also screams as the world begins to implode in on itself and is about to fall into the infinite void, but thanks to his safety rope, he is pulled out of the dimension. Bart eventually tells the truth about what happened, much to Marge's dismay. Hoping to provide solace, Reverend Lovejoy says to her that Homer's gone to a better place. Eventually, Homer lands into a dumpster in the "real" world, where he is met by shocked "real" people. He then forgets his troubles when he sees a shop named "Erotic Cakes" and goes inside. **Instead of the Gracie Films logo with the creepy organ, the theme is played in the style of Jeopardy.**

When Homer desperately tries to avoid Patty and Selma during a visit, he hides behind a bookcase and stumbles upon a gateway to the third dimension. Homer explores the peculiar area while searching for a method to escape it when a bouncing cone stabs him in the butt. When he accidentally throws the cone in the center of the ground, point first, it starts to collapse into a sinkhole, taking Homer closer to it with increasing force, while Professor Frink outside explains to the others that Homer was in the third dimension. Chief Wiggum, enraged, shoots the wall that Homer passed into when entering the 3-D universe, but the bullets just get sucked into the black hole after Homer narrowly dodges them. Bart then ties a rope around his waist, and goes into the dimension to save Homer. However, the distance between them is too far for Bart to reach his Dad. Homer leaps for Bart, but falls short and into the sinkhole, yelling "Crap!". Bart ends up back in the house thanks to his safety rope after the third dimension imploded on itself. Bart tells the truth about what happened, much to Marge's dismay. Hoping to provide solace, Lovejoy says to her that Homer will end up in a good place. Homer lands in a dumpster in the "real" world, where he is met by shocked "real" people. He then sees a shop named "Erotic Cakes" and he forgets his troubles.

## Production

The first version of the episode was very long, so it featured a very short opening sequence and did not include several trademarks established in previous Treehouse of Horror episodes. "Homer3", pitched by executive producer Bill Oakley, features three dimensional computer animation provided by Pacific Data Images (PDI). In the final scene of the episode, Homer is sent to the real world in the first ever live-action scene in The Simpsons. It was filmed on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City and directed by former executive producer David Mirkin. "Attack of the 50-Foot Eyesores" includes a cameo appearance from Paul Anka, who sings the song "Just Don't Look".

File:3F04 Script.jpgFile:Homer in the Real World (Treehouse of Horror VI).png
## Gallery

THOH6 Homer3 promo 1.pngA Homer³ promo imageTHOH6 Homer3 promo 2.pngA Homer³ promo image
## Behind the Laughter

### Production

The first version of the episode was very long, so it featured a very short opening sequence and did not include several trademarks established in previous Treehouse of Horror episodes. "Homer3", pitched by executive producer Bill Oakley, features three dimensional computer-generated imagery animation provided by Pacific Data Images (PDI).

The DVD Audio commentary for this episode featured information about the original ideas for the episode. The original opening for the episode was supposed to feature the Simpsons characters as famous horror characters, including Ned Flanders as Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but due to time, it was cut to only feature Krusty as the Headless Horseman. Homer³ was also supposed to feature Homer going to different dimensions, featuring different art styles (one of them said to be Homer in paper cut-outs) but once again due to time and budget, they only featured Homer ending up in the real world.

In the final scene of the episode, Homer is sent to the real world in the first ever live-action scene in The Simpsons. It was filmed on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City and directed by former executive producer David Mirkin. "Attack of the 50 Foot Eyesores" includes a cameo appearance from Paul Anka, who sings the song "Just Don't Look".

### Reception

The episode received very positive reviews. It was described as "Complex, very assured and very clever, [...] The computer graphics are outstanding, and the final scene – as Homer enters our dimension – is one of the highlights of the entire series." Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide said, "'Attack of the 50-Ft. Eyesores' stands as the strongest of the three segments. It doesn’t blast off the screen but it seems imaginative and fun. The Nightmare on Elm Street parody has its moments and comes across as generally entertaining. However, it lacks the bite the best pieces offer. Unfortunately, 'Homer3' gives us the weakest of the bunch. It tosses out a few funny bits, but it mostly feels like an excuse to feature some 3-D animation."

## Reception

The episode received *very* positive reviews. It was described in *I Can't Believe It's an Unofficial Simpsons Guide* as "Complex, very assured and very clever, [...] The computer graphics are outstanding, and the final scene – as Homer enters our dimension – is one of the highlights of the entire series". Colin Jacobson of DVD Movie Guide said, "'Attack of the 50-Ft. Eyesores' stands as the strongest of the three segments. It doesn't blast off the screen but it seems imaginative and fun. The Nightmare on Elm Street parody has its moments and comes across as generally entertaining. However, it lacks the bite the best pieces offer. Unfortunately, 'Homer3' gives us the weakest of the bunch. It tosses out a few funny bits, but it mostly feels like an excuse to feature some 3-D animation".

It is often included in critics "best of" lists.

## Did you notice...

... the equations 1 + 1 = 2, P = NP, e^(pi\*i) = -1, and 1782^12 +

1841^12 = 1922^12 in 3D land?

... the hexadecimal string in 3D land, "46 72 69 6E 6B 20 72 75 6C

65 73 21", decodes as "Frink rules!" in ASCII?

Dale G. Abersold:

... neither Bart nor Lisa attempt to hide behind the coats?

Don Del Grande:

... Maggie reaching out for the bag of shells?

... Maggie banging her shell against the ground?

Ricardo Lafaurie:

... the music playing when Homer looks into the aquarium?

... 3D Homer's hairs cast a shadow on his head?

... the credits for the people walking in the "Real World"?

... the extreme meta-humor in "Homer^3"?

... the 3D animation was produced by Pacific Data Images?

Dominik Halas:

... Homer's bowling ball in the closet?

... the books on the whatchamacallit case are arranged by color?

... Patty and Selma arrive at 10:15?

... the teapot in the third dimension?

... Frink's hair flies up each time Wiggum fires his gun?

... Homer's reflection in the window of the Erotic Cakes shop?

Tony Hill:

... Patty asks Marge "How's it hangin'?"

... the wall is faded behind the bookcase?

... Homer says "piece of cake" as he jumps...and ends up in a cake shop?

Brian Westley:

... the teapot in 3D land? (A teapot was the first computer-generated image, and is often included in CG-things as an inside joke)

... the upper cake on the left has a Bettie Page frosting on it?

Elaine Perttula:

... Grampa holds up all four fingers when he says he needs four stout men to work the bellows?

Jussi Pakkanen:

... the bowling ball in the closet?

... Wiggum denies thrice having seen Tron?

## Voice credits

- Starring

- Dan Castellaneta (Homer, Abe)

- Julie Kavner (Marge, Patty, Selma)

- Nancy Cartwright (Bart)

- Yeardley Smith (Lisa)

- Hank Azaria (Wiggum, Frink)

- Harry Shearer (Ned, Lovejoy, Hibbert)

## Movie (and other) references

[the most ever? - ed]

+ "Alien^3" **{mkn}**

- segment title written similarly

+ "Twilight Zone" episode "Little Girl Lost"

- much of plot of third segment:

- a little girl goes through her bedroom wall into another dimension (the fourth, in her case)

- a physics expert comes in to explain what has happened **{bw}**

- the picture Frink draws on the wall is the same **{sf}**

- the muted guitar during Frink's explanation **{rl}**

- the girl's father (in this case, Bart) goes in to save her but remains partially grounded in this dimension **{bw}**

- Homer even says it's like the twilighty show about that zone

+ "Tron" **{bdp}**

- the green grid looks as though it's from the movie

+ The video game "Myst"

- the building in the third dimension is the library from the game

- the music is similar

+ "Beyond The Mind's Eye" **{rl}**

- the aquarium in 3D land is very similar; Homer's drool is like the rain in the opening of "Afternoon Adventure"

- a prolonged echoing note is played in this part

- the closing credits music is in the style of Jan Hammer, who did the music for "The Mind's Eye"

+ "The Black Hole" **{ddg}**

- a graph bending into a hole

+ "Poltergeist"

- reverse-gating effect on Homer's voice similar to Carol-Ann's voice

- "Move into the light" the same

- Bart with rope around waist similar too **{wv}**

+ "Flatland"

- Frink illustrating how to make a cube from a square very similar

+ "Howard the Duck"

- Homer landing in a dumpster when he appears in our world

- similar animation of Homer walking down the street

+ "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" **{rl}**

- Dan Castellaneta's name in the credits

+ Mighty Morphin Power Rangers **{rl}**

- supervising producer is "Mikey Mighty Morphin Scully"

+ "The Shining" **{rl}**

- producer is "Redrum Richard Raynis"

+ "The Terminator" **{rl}**

- Travis "The Terminator" Powers

- the lightning crackles just before Homer appears in our world **{jp}**

## Animation, continuity, and other goofs

The pets don't leave a bulge in the carpet when they hide under it.

**{ddg}**

When everyone gasps in "Homer^3", Marge's shoes are green. **{rl}**

Bart's rope appears out of nowhere. **{jp}**

When Homer goes into "Erotic Cakes", the door is already open but we hear a "door-opening" sound effect.

## Reviews

Dale G. Abersold: Much better than ToH V, although I did miss any-- attempt to "frame" the vignettes. "Homer^3" was a pleasant surprise (although the ending left me scratching my head. Erotic Cakes? What the...)

Grade: A- Don Del

* + Grade: A-Minus - not quite up to the standard of last year, but still a funny episode; the live-action sequence at the end made up for an otherwise boring 3-D segment.

Chris Berg: The 3D Homer was better than I thought and IMHO one of the coolest things they've ever done. I also think the key was to focus it on Homer and not anyone else. I think the writers have come to realize who the real star of the show is.

Adam Lipkin: Individually-- Homer^3: A. Homer^3 was great all the way through. Frink was hilarious. Overall, a B+.

Jose Lafaurie: I thought this Simpsons episode sucked. I mean, did it, suck or what? And Homer^3 was just trying to camouflage the fact that...it sucked! And you know, what a way to cap an episode.-- Homer's in the real world nd goes into Erotic Cakes stores. So? What happens next. Credits...It sucked. D-

Dominik Halas: The first segment fell flat; however, the second act was more up to form, and the third act was awesome! The animation was an incredible sight to behold, and the act was also brilliantly funny. Homer^3 is one of the all-time best Halloween bits they've done.

Grade: A-. Tony Hill: It had its funny moments ("Aren't you tired of always being wrong?") and Homer and Bart in 3D will be memorable. It was especially clever having SLH & S II appear as two-dimensional figures foreshadowing Homer's odyssey. But the acerbic wit just wasn't there. I give it a

C+. Yours truly: I didn't like "Attack" much (Anka was gratuitous), but loved the "Nightmare" takeoff (lots of great refs) and "Homer^3", which was an interesting concept and well-done. I'd rank the THoH series from best to worst as II, V, IV, VI, I, III.

Grade: B.

## Comments and other observations

### "That wheelchair guy"

Homer is referring to Stephen Hawking, author of the bestselling "A Brief History of Time" which talks a fair amount about black holes. Hawking is in a wheelchair because he has ALS, a degenerative disease that leaves one's mind intact while rendering the body useless.

### "Tron"

Ricardo Lafaurie says, "`Tron' was a Disney movie back in the early '80s (that era of free spending) with some pretty cruddy computer animation. It bombed, and no one watched it (except for perhaps me [and Chief Wiggum and Homer - ed]). The landscape of the third dimension has a similarity to the landscape in the movie."

### Some of the equations in 3D land

>>> 734

This is most probably a reference to the fact that when you write "7734" on a calculator and turn it upside down, it looks as though it reads "HELL". Perhaps the three-letter version "HEL" in 3D land is like the "LUV" and "HAT" tattoos on Sideshow Bob's hands?

>>> e^(i\*pi) = -1

This is called "Euler's formula", where "e" is the natural logarithm base (2.71828...), "i" is the square root of -1, and "pi" is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter (3.141593...).

>>> P = NP

This is an unproven conjecture from computer science. Luis Dissett explains, "`P' is the set of decision problems (i.e., problems that have a YES or a NO for answer) that can be solved in polynomial time; `NP' is the set of decision problems for which, if the answer is YES, then that can be proved in polynomial time. These two sets are not necessarily equal, but they are not necessarily different either. Whether they are equal or not is one of the major open problems in theoretical Computer Science."

>>> rho(m0) > 3(H\_0)^2 / 8 (pi) G

>>> 1782^12 + 1841^12 = 1922^12

Without calculating it exactly, this equation cannot hold for two reasons:- 1782^12 is even, 1841^12 is odd, and thus their sum is odd, but 1922^12 is even- it contradicts Fermat's last theorem, which says that x^n+y^n=z^n for x, y, and z positive integers is never true for n greater than two. Pierre Fermat, a French mathematician, wrote in a notebook in 1787 that he had a wonderful proof for this theorem, only that the margin was too small to contain it. No one managed to prove it until 1993 when Andrew Wiles, a professor at Princeton, succeeded. It is widely believed now that Fermat had no easy proof for it; Wiles' proof is over 200 pages long.

The exact values are close: 1782^12 = 1025397835622633634807550462948226174976

1841^12 = 1515812422991955541481119495194202351681

sum = 2541210258614589176288669958142428526657

1922^12 = 2541210259314801410819278649643651567616

As Ondre Lombard explains, Homer really isn't wasting any money at all: "Writer David S. Cohen approached David Silverman with the idea of a computer-animated sequence. The 'Simpsons' staff went to California-based computer animation company Pacific Data Images, which set aside a portion of their budget for self-promotional projects. PDI was quite eager to get world-wide exposure and sank their self-promotional budget into 'Homer ^3' -- giving 'Treehouse of Horror VI' a segment animated free of charge."

Where the "Erotic Cakes" store is

Elson Trinidad writes that it's at Ventura Blvd. at Ventura Canyon Av. in Sherman Oaks, California. "I was in the Valley today and decided to take a stab at the location. My positive clues -- it's in the west-central part of LA's San Fernando Valley, along the 13500 block of some street. There were about 8 or so possible locations, thankfully I followed my first instinct: Ventura Blvd, the main shopping thoroughfare in the south portion of the Valley.

There is no real `Erotic Cakes' storefront; that was made up for the scene. The real storefront is Rose Photography, 13567 Ventura Blvd. The establishment appears to be mostly vacant, save for a few ladders. It's right between Yoshi's Japanese Restaurant (red roof) and The Coffee Roaster.

The other stores in the background were there: `..SS MACHINES' (House of Business Machines), `INTERIOR DESIGN' (Sherman Oaks Interior Design), `TAILORS' (Hernandez Bros. Tailors) and `AMBER JEWELRY' (actually, Earthly Treasures, with `Amber Jewelry' on the side awning). And yes, there is a `THAI' restaurant farther east, in the distance."