The Simpsons’ Best Side Character Only Appeared in 1 Episode (& That’s What Makes Him Perfect)

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Fox recently announced it’s continuing its longest-running show, guaranteeing it will reach a remarkable 40th season. The show and its famous family quickly became a part of American culture, and the town of Springfield is filled with memorable characters. Surprisingly, many fans consider the very best of those supporting characters to have only appeared in one episode, almost 30 years ago.

Looking back, the Season 8 episode “Homer’s Enemy” came relatively early in The Simpsons‘ long run. But in 1997, the show was already a massive television hit. It was so popular, in fact, that three famous actors were considered for the role of Frank Grimes, a one-time character who quickly became a fan favorite. Frank, nicknamed “Grimey,” has become a legendary part of the show’s history. His introduction and the way his story unfolded were initially quite controversial, but ultimately proved important to The Simpsons‘ enduring legacy.

Frank Grimes and ‘Homer’s Enemy’ Came at a Pivotal Time in The Simpsons’ History

As the eighth season of The Simpsons began, there was real concern the show might be losing its appeal and could be canceled. Executive producers Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein were determined to prevent that. While many successful shows avoid changes for fear of losing viewers, Oakley and Weinstein pushed their writing team to be creative and…

Writer John Swartzwelder discussed the idea behind the episode “Homer’s Enemy” in interviews and on a DVD commentary. He created the character Frank as an ordinary, hardworking man who’s frustrated by Homer Simpson. Initially, Frank is meant to be someone the audience can relate to, highlighting the absurdity of Homer’s behavior. However, as the episode progresses, Frank becomes increasingly hostile, turning into a villain and ultimately meeting a tragic end.

The character of Frank Grimes was modeled after the man in the film Falling Down, who lashes out with violence because he feels resentful about changes in society and the growing diversity around him. To balance the serious themes, the episode includes a lighter storyline where Bart purchases an old, rundown factory at auction. This subplot also subtly mirrors the main story of Homer and Frank, with Bart’s friend Milhouse taking on a similar role to Frank, but without being bothered by Homer’s antics.

Why Frank Grimes Was a Controversial Character Among The Simpsons Fans at First

The episode focuses on , highlighting the incredibly tough circumstances he’s faced. He was left by his parents on a highway when he was just four years old and never had the chance to go to school, instead working as a delivery boy, bringing toys to other children. On his 18th birthday, a silo exploded, and he endured a lengthy recovery where he had to relearn how to hear and feel. Despite everything, he continued his education through correspondence courses, eventually earning a degree – which is what the news report is about.

Mr. Burns instructs Smithers to hire Frank as his new executive vice president, appearing touched by Frank’s personal story. However, it’s revealed Burns was actually distracted by a dog he’d just seen on television, and impulsively offers the job to the dog instead. He tells Smithers to find a quiet place for the canine VP, where he ends up working alongside Homer. Frank quickly develops a strong dislike for Homer, resenting his laziness and ultimately blaming him for everything he sees wrong with the country.

What really gets me about the Grimes episode is how heartbreaking Homer’s reaction is. He’s genuinely crushed that Frank doesn’t seem to like him, but he just doesn’t see how he’s contributing to the problem. It’s so sad! He tries so hard, even inviting Frank over for dinner and splurging on lobster, all to make a good impression. But Frank shows up thinking something else is going on, and Homer’s attempts at friendship just make things worse. Then, to top it all off, Frank gets unfairly blamed and loses pay when he accidentally knocks some acid out of Homer’s hand – acid Homer was about to drink! It ruins a wall, but honestly, the whole situation is just a mess of misunderstanding and Homer’s cluelessness.

The sadness of Homer’s situation, combined with how terrible Frank’s life was, felt more poignant than humorous. Some viewers and critics disliked the episode’s dark ending, feeling it undermined the comedy. However, many others believed it perfectly achieved the producers’ goals for Season 8 – a satirical take on the over-the-top characters and scenarios common in TV comedies, and even a commentary on the show itself.

What Makes Frank Grimes One of the Best Single-Episode Characters on The Simpsons

It’s funny, given how long the show lasted, that Frank is one of the few characters voiced by a regular cast member – and that’s a big reason why he’s memorable. The role wasn’t initially offered to any famous actors; instead, Hank Azaria, a main cast member, ended up doing the voice. However, according to commentary on the show, producers gave him a lot of direction to help him create the character’s voice and performance.

Azaria explained that William H. Macy was a major influence on his work, particularly Macy’s ability to deliver lines with a quiet calmness that could suddenly burst into intense emotion. He described the role as his most emotionally demanding and the one he put the most effort into.

Frank is a surprisingly nuanced character, especially considering the show. His criticisms of Springfield and Homer aren’t unfounded – Homer is particularly incompetent in this episode, and nobody seems to notice or care. Looking back, Frank actually predicted how the character of Homer would develop over the next three decades.

The impact of the Frank Grimes episode has faded over time. While his complaints are accurate within the show’s logic, that’s the point – it’s a cartoon known for its over-the-top humor and silliness. As writer Mike Scully, who joined the show when the episode first aired, observed, The Simpsons is fundamentally about a town full of good-hearted, but somewhat clueless, people navigating a changing world, and the characters themselves rarely evolve.

With Just One Episode, Frank Grimes Is a Huge Part of The Simpsons’ Legacy

It’s a common mistake to think Frank Grimes only appeared in one episode of The Simpsons. He actually returned several times in the “Treehouse of Horror” Halloween specials, usually as a ghost or monster. The show also continues to subtly reference him, even showing his gravestone, which reads “Homer’s Enemy.” Later, Frank Grimes Jr. appears, attempting to get revenge on Homer for his father’s fate. In a funny moment, Homer asks about him, saying, “How is ol’ Grimey?”

After airing for over 35 seasons, The Simpsons has influenced countless writers, animators, and comedians. Even a single appearance on the show, like that of the character Frank, can have a surprising impact. In a remarkable coincidence, a writer revealed that The Simpsons partially inspired one of the more controversial villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jeff Loveness, who worked on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, described the villain Darren Cross as a “frustrated, self-centered, and insecure man who feels life has dealt him a bad hand, and he’s just trying to cope.”

Although the initial backlash against the Simpsons episode “Homer’s Enemy” has faded, some criticism remains. Mike Reiss, a former executive producer, told The Bristol Press in 2007 that he considered it one of the show’s weakest and in poor taste. Interestingly, despite this, the episode is frequently ranked among the best in The Simpsons’ history by fans and critics. That’s quite a feat for a character who only appeared in one 22-minute segment.

The Simpsons debuts new episodes Sundays at 8 PM on Fox and streams on Disney+ and Hulu.

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2025-11-25 18:38