Jerkass Homer

[Jye]

Why does everyone dislike 'Jerkass Homer' so much?

Give examples of the worst moments of this.

[starman]

Jerkass Homer is essentially Homer acting like a jerk. Now, acting like a jerk is what Homer does. It's his character. It's been his character from the very start, or at least the classic era. Only when it's considered "Jerkass" is when he's irrationally being a jerk for no good reason and has no basis for acting the way he does. Best examples of this are "Trash of the Titans", "D'oh'in in the Wind", and "Kill the Alligator and Run" - Trash of the Titans being the only point in Simpsons history where I'd deem his irrational behaviour funny and enjoyable. His jerkass behaviour is more apparent in Season 10; and the Scully era in general. However, Scully did not give birth to Jerkass Homer. Homer was an unlikable, irrational jerkass in a few classic era episodes as well; the most apparent example being Season 5's "Homer Goes to College".

There are also times when Homer's still being an equally irritating jerkass, but means no specific harm. Notable examples of this are "Alone Again, Natura-Didilly" and "Viva Ned Flanders".

If I had to tell you what I consider to be his worst characterisation in the entire series, I'd say in "Kill the Alligator and Run" - which is one of the reason it's often considered the worst episode of all time. Homer is indeed a jerkass here; more apparent than ever before, and even more unlikable. But this is also possibly the only time in the series' long history where the entire family act like out-of-character jerkasses; again, one of the main reasons it's loathed almost universally. Every main character acts like parodies of themselves and they're out-of-character to the extent that it's just ridiculous.