Marge rediscovers her interest in art and takes up painting. When Mr. Burns hires her to paint his official portrait, Marge tries but fails to find his "inner beauty."
Marge's art storyline sustains 66 jokes across 22 minutes—a Season 2 density peak.
Directed by Jim Reardon · Written by Brian K. Roberts, John Swartzwelder, Jeff Martin
WAR
60.1
Wins Above Replacement
“Brush With Greatness” ranks #33 of 226 The Simpsons episodes on the Humor Index, scoring 85.2 — Elite. The episode packs 66 scored jokes at 4.2 per minute, averaging 7.0 on craft and 6.9 on impact, with Homer landing the most laughs. Every joke is ranked below with its individual craft and impact scores.
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Top Jokes
And incidentally, thanks for not making fun of my genitalia. I thought I did.
He's bad, but he'll die. So I like it.
Art Critic Dark/Subversive Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch You're the fattest thing I've ever seen...and I've been on safari.
Well, am I? Forgive us, but it takes time to properly sugarcoat a response.
Homer Simpson went on a diet. -Oh, my God! And I just bought a boat!
All Jokes — 66 analyzed
Show all ↓ Hide ↑ The food, the grog.... They threw a brunch with fresh fruit and the most delicious melon.
I told them you would. Don't make me a liar!
This is a rather shameless promotion. -Worked on me.
Will you take us to Mt. Splashmore? -No. Will you take us to Mt. Splashmore? -No!
If I take you, will you two shut up? -Yeah! -Of course! -Will you take us to Mt. Splashmore? -Yes!
Homer, that suit doesn't leave much to the imagination.
Kids, I'm moving the seat back. -It is back.
Everybody, stick together. We don't want to get separ-- D'oh!
Homer Physical/Slapstick Irony/Sarcasm Ay caramba! Okay. Turn on the waterworks, babe. Mommy! I want my mommy!
Bart Character Comedy Setup/Punchline Step aside. Spread out. Lost kid coming through. Pardon me. Moving to the front. Nice work, babe.
Bart Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch The hell with this! Slide inspector coming through! Move to the right. Move! I'm here for your safety. -God bless that man!
What? Come on, you stupid tube!
Homer Physical/Slapstick Character Comedy There's a jam in Delta sector. Too big to be human. Send kids to dislodge it.
Can't breathe. Too many children.
Homer Physical/Slapstick Absurdist On the lighter side of news, and I use the term loosely....
Isn't that what you said before the recall of Krusty-Brand Mayonnaise?
Reporter Callback Character Comedy Callback That question is out of bounds. Interview's over!
Krusty Character Comedy Reaction Beat Well, am I? Forgive us, but it takes time to properly sugarcoat a response.
Fifty-five? My God! Three hundred and-- A hundred and fifty? Oh, my God! Two hundred and sixty pounds! I'm a big, fat pig!
Homer Escalation Physical/Slapstick Marge, no one gains 30 pounds of bone!
Homer Setup/Punchline Character Comedy ...there'll be no pork chop too succulent, no donut too tasty...no pizza too laden with delicious toppings...to prevent me from reaching my ideal weight!
Homer Irony/Sarcasm Character Comedy As God is my witness, I'll always be hungry again!
Homer Meta/Self-Referential Character Comedy ★ Rewatch D'oh! Shut up!
Homer Physical/Slapstick Character Comedy This old attic's kind of spooky, isn't it? I said, isn't it? Don't ever do that again! Okay.
Bart Lisa Physical/Slapstick Character Comedy Homer, I found your weights. -Oh, the Glutimus Maximizer.
Who's the mop-top with the schnoz? -That's Ringo Starr.
I guess she thought he was cute. What? Hey!
Homer Reaction Beat Character Comedy Wait, I've been setting my drinks on these things!
Homer Setup/Punchline Character Comedy Hello? Hello! Hello, taste? Where are you?
Homer Character Comedy Observational Another one of that bongo beater! -Mr. Schindler--
One might've used this canvas to paint a masterpiece. Instead, you've soiled it forever.
What do you think, Homer? -Do I have to do anything? -No. -Great! Fine! Go nuts!
I yearn to tell the story of a young Hindu...pushed too far by Quik-E-Mart bandits: It's Hands off My Jerky, Turkey.
Apu Character Comedy Setup/Punchline Clever title. -Thanks. My brother thought of it.
What? The man was a fool! -I admire the force of his conviction.
The Heavy Hands only work if you move. -I can't. Oh, really?
TV Homer Physical/Slapstick Setup/Punchline Lincoln, I've been thinking What have you been drinking? Is it water? Is it wine? Oh, my gosh, it's turpentine
Marge Observational Character Comedy Bravo! Walk away. Now it belongs to the ages. Not another stroke! Oh, one more. That's it! Perfect!
Marge, please. I don't take praise very well!
Marge, please. I don't take praise very well!
I'm a work of art! Last Supper, eat your heart out.
Homer Character Comedy Setup/Punchline What matchbook art school did you flunk out of, housepainter?
This is as half-baked as your idea about me having children.
Excellent! Once again, the wheel has turned...and Dame Fortune has hugged Montgomery Burns to her sweet bosom.
I told you to show support. -Way to go, Dad! -You look marvelous!
Homer Simpson went on a diet. -Oh, my God! And I just bought a boat!
Ring Go? -He was the drummer for the Beatles. Beatles, eh? Oh, yes. I remember their off-key caterwauling on the old Sullivan show.
Can you make me beautiful? -That won't be a problem. -I'm no matinee idol. Maybe not, but I have the gift of seeing inner beauty.
There's an original sentiment. / Take it outside. I'm male-modeling.
Something's on my leg! Get it off! -Mr. Burns, she's just a baby!
So Ziggy goes to the repair shop. There's a sign reading 'Out of Order.' Oh, Ziggy, will you ever win?
Homer Meta/Self-Referential Character Comedy Did he have spots all over his body? -I heard that!
Should I leave too, sir? Of course not, Smithers. You're like a doctor.
He's not just my boss. He's my best friend.
Smithers Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort PS: Forgive the late reply.
Ringo Setup/Punchline Absurdist ★ Rewatch Even if it takes 20 more years, I'm going to answer every one of them.
Ringo Character Comedy Setup/Punchline Marge! I'm two-thirty-nine and feeling fine I'm using the original notches!
Homer Character Comedy Setup/Punchline You're the fattest thing I've ever seen...and I've been on safari.
If you need me, I'll be in the refrigerator.
Homer Character Comedy Setup/Punchline Don't listen to him! He's a mean little SOB.
Homer Character Comedy Setup/Punchline Yes, we do have hamburgers and fries in England...but we call French fries 'chips.' Love, Ringo.
Ringo Character Comedy Observational Ladies and gentlemen, may I invite you to behold... Montgomery Burns?
I guess I wanted to show that beneath Mr. Burns' fearsome head...with its cruel lips, spiteful tongue and evil brain...there was a frail, withered body, perhaps not long for this world...as vulnerable and beautiful as any of God's creatures.
Marge Character Comedy Setup/Punchline ★ Rewatch He's bad, but he'll die. So I like it.
Art Critic Dark/Subversive Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch And incidentally, thanks for not making fun of my genitalia. I thought I did.
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