Probably the best episode of season 2 up to that point (although "The Raven" from "Treehouse of Horror" is arguably the best segment). It's funny right from the opening sequence (McBain, modelled on Arnold Schwarzenegger and his robotic delivery, is a terrific character: "Meeting adjourned!"), and stays funny throughout. It's hard to pick a favorite scene, but the one where Homer learns that his half-brother lives in Detroit, Bart saying "bastard" in the car and the "confidence pep talk" ("SORT OF!") are strong candidates. Danny De Vito's voice work is first-rate; he disappears into the role and doesn't try to hog the spotlight like guest stars sometimes do. *** out of 4.
13 Reviews
Solid Episode!
g-bodyl21 April 2014
The fifteenth episode in the second season of the Simpsons is a funny episode where we get to meet a member of the Simpsons family for the first time. It also has a satire on American consumer society and a very good one at that. This episode goes on to the needs and wants of the average Americans, especially their cars. It's very funny and in today's age, ironic to watch.
In this episode, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou," Homer is told by his father, who fears that he may not have much longer to live, that he has a half-brother named Herb Powell who happens to be a very successful car manufacturer. The Simpsons family arranges a trip where Homer gets to have a say in which car to build for the average American, which could end up as a fiasco.
Overall, a very solid episode with some strong satirical points. This is also a funny episode that has a surprise guest voice in Danny DeVito. Very much worth watching this episode. I rate this episode 9/10.
In this episode, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou," Homer is told by his father, who fears that he may not have much longer to live, that he has a half-brother named Herb Powell who happens to be a very successful car manufacturer. The Simpsons family arranges a trip where Homer gets to have a say in which car to build for the average American, which could end up as a fiasco.
Overall, a very solid episode with some strong satirical points. This is also a funny episode that has a surprise guest voice in Danny DeVito. Very much worth watching this episode. I rate this episode 9/10.
The Future Home Of Kumatsu Motors....
marktabbytdi20 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Only Homer could destroy his brothers business designing a highly impractical car. This was a great episode.
From Homer not picking up the hint that his brother lives in Detroit, to meeting his brother, to his brother having a easy time pleasing the kids with all the money in the world, etc.....lot of laughs in this Season 2 episode.
Homer designed a car where the horn played 'la cucaracha'. That might have been the least of the cars problems.
A great bit where Uncle Herb receives a call from the design team, that is concerned about Homer's ideas for the new car. Herb asks them to call back and say exactly the opposite of what they told Herb. Herb puts it on the speaker phone for the kids to hear. The kids are proud of their dad.
A great episode from beginning to end.
From Homer not picking up the hint that his brother lives in Detroit, to meeting his brother, to his brother having a easy time pleasing the kids with all the money in the world, etc.....lot of laughs in this Season 2 episode.
Homer designed a car where the horn played 'la cucaracha'. That might have been the least of the cars problems.
A great bit where Uncle Herb receives a call from the design team, that is concerned about Homer's ideas for the new car. Herb asks them to call back and say exactly the opposite of what they told Herb. Herb puts it on the speaker phone for the kids to hear. The kids are proud of their dad.
A great episode from beginning to end.
A car by Homer for Homer
athomed30 December 2011
Let me start off by saying this episode is one of the best from a season 2 jam-packed with great episodes.
Couch gag rating: 9/10 It's a repeat from the episode Dancin' Homer. You wonder where Maggie is for a split second before she makes her timely appearance.
The episode: After Grandpa realizes he won't be around forever, he reveals to Homer that he had a love child. Homer has a half-brother! Homer immediately sets out to find this long lost brother. Amazingly he's successful. His brother, Herb, is the millionaire CEO of a car company in Detroit.
Favorite moment(s): The scene between Homer and the extremely familiar director of the orphanage. Homer's car commercial.
Watching this episode in 2011--almost 2012 now, it's fascinating to think that Homer's idea of the perfect car is exactly what became popular in the '90s and '00s. He describes wanting a big car with pep. He basically describes the average SUV or the Hummer with all its flash and luxuries.
Overall rating: 10/10 Don't miss this episode. Meet Homer's half-brother, voiced by Danny DeVito. Then check out Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes where Uncle Herb appears again.
Couch gag rating: 9/10 It's a repeat from the episode Dancin' Homer. You wonder where Maggie is for a split second before she makes her timely appearance.
The episode: After Grandpa realizes he won't be around forever, he reveals to Homer that he had a love child. Homer has a half-brother! Homer immediately sets out to find this long lost brother. Amazingly he's successful. His brother, Herb, is the millionaire CEO of a car company in Detroit.
Favorite moment(s): The scene between Homer and the extremely familiar director of the orphanage. Homer's car commercial.
Watching this episode in 2011--almost 2012 now, it's fascinating to think that Homer's idea of the perfect car is exactly what became popular in the '90s and '00s. He describes wanting a big car with pep. He basically describes the average SUV or the Hummer with all its flash and luxuries.
Overall rating: 10/10 Don't miss this episode. Meet Homer's half-brother, voiced by Danny DeVito. Then check out Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes where Uncle Herb appears again.
A very good early Simpsons Episode
riparianmoler7 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is a very entertaining and a very funny episode, and really sets a high bar for later seasons. Homer finds his long-lost rich brother, and The Simpsons briefly live a luxurious life as a result, and the result is very funny. Then Homer ruins it in the end (as always.) Solid episode.
8/10!
Analog_Devotee4 June 2021
This is one of the most depressing and emotional episodes of the entire series
celiawatsonanime21 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Just the way how the episode ends with Homer's brother being super upset at Homer on the bus out of town from Detroit after Herbert's company is bankrupted by Homer's foolishness, wishing he never had a brother after Herbert did so much for the Simpsons out of the kindness of his heart is so deep.
This episode made me cry.
This episode made me cry.
The Apple Shouldn't Have Fallen
Hitchcoc12 April 2022
A set of circumstances causes Homer to seek out his half-brother, whom he did not know existed. It turns out he is a very rich automaker in Detroit. They start off fine, but remember, it is Homer we're talking about. A very funny episode.
The b______'s rich!
snoozejonc2 July 2022
Homer finds out he has a half brother.
This is a good episode with an enjoyable cameo from Danny DeVito.
The story has some nice character writing and backstory around the character of Herb. I love the comparison of how wealthy each brother is in different ways.
Herb's personality is pure DeVito, whose charismatic voice performance dominates the episode and makes it memorable.
The comedy is good but not as prolific as some of the strongest episodes, but that's just based on my own tastes, others may appreciate it more.
It's a 7.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
This is a good episode with an enjoyable cameo from Danny DeVito.
The story has some nice character writing and backstory around the character of Herb. I love the comparison of how wealthy each brother is in different ways.
Herb's personality is pure DeVito, whose charismatic voice performance dominates the episode and makes it memorable.
The comedy is good but not as prolific as some of the strongest episodes, but that's just based on my own tastes, others may appreciate it more.
It's a 7.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
A gem from the golden age
cairobs21 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Very good episode better than the tine he appeared in season 3 (in my opinion) homer finds out he has a half brother named Herb and sets out on a mission to find him after s lot of wacky shenanigans or whatever with his half brother (who owns a car company or something forgot to mention that) Herb tells Homer to design his own car he does and ends up ruining Herb's business and life (I don't know why because in my opinion the car looked kind of cool) this episodes is a gem from the golden age of the show and it is quite sad that Herb only appears once after this episode since he was a very interesting character.
Danny DeVito guest stars
safenoe12 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
For me, in my humble opinion, the first 10 seasons represent the golden years of The Simpsons, although some episodes beyond that are worth watching, e.g. Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind. Anyway, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Has one of the most inspiring guest voices ever, with Danny DeVito voicing Herb Powell, Homer's half-brother. This was one year before he played the Penguin in Tim Burton's Batman Returns.
Anyway, the ending was quite bitter and I'm not surprised a sequel episode was made soon after to restore some dignity to Herb, so that was all's well that ends well for sure with redemption.
Anyway, the ending was quite bitter and I'm not surprised a sequel episode was made soon after to restore some dignity to Herb, so that was all's well that ends well for sure with redemption.
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