Burns sells the power plant to a German corporation that doesn't care for Homer's approach to his work.
German ownership satirizes corporate power through 51 rapid jokes at 2.88 per minute.
Directed by Mark Kirkland · Written by Jon Vitti
WAR
47.2
Wins Above Replacement
“Burns Verkaufen Der Kraftwerk” ranks #75 of 226 The Simpsons episodes on the Humor Index, scoring 82.4 — Elite. The episode packs 51 scored jokes at 2.9 per minute, averaging 7.2 on craft and 6.7 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
Sure, they've made mistakes in the past, but that's why pencils have erasers.
Homer Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch I dreamed of grand slam home runs...and wiping out nations with the stroke of a pen.
Mr. Burns Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch I sold it all for 25 bucks!
Homer Escalation Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Simpson, Homer. That is all.
Horst Setup/Punchline Escalation ★ Rewatch If I'm not a safety 'whatchamajigger,' I'm nothing.
Homer Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm ★ Rewatch All Jokes — 51 analyzed
Show all ↓ Hide ↑ D'oh!
Homer Character Comedy ★ Rewatch The shampoo specifically said, 'No more tears.' A lovely promise...but one beyond the powers of a mere shampoo.
Mr. Burns Wordplay/Pun Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch I dreamed of grand slam home runs...and wiping out nations with the stroke of a pen.
Mr. Burns Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Controlled nuclear fission is a demanding mistress.
D'oh!
Homer Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback D'oh!
Homer Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback All employees got some...in exchange for waiving certain constitutional rights.
The book says to make small talk...before getting down to business. - Everybody alive? - Yeah. - Like any sports? - Sure. - Ever go dancing? - Not anymore. - We should get together sometime. - That'd be great. There. Now we trust each other.
Sell! Sell! Sell! Whoo-hoo! Twenty-five dollars!
Homer Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm ★ Rewatch Your father's stock is worth $5,200!
Buy low, sell high-- that's my motto. I may quit my job at the power plant...and become a full-time...stock market guy.
Homer Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm ★ Rewatch My English is not perfect, but I have to tell you...your beer is like swill to us. Only a swine would drink this beer.
Oh, don't worry. We'll have enough left to buy the Cleveland Browns.
Homer's probably buying some magic beans with it.
Marge Character Comedy ★ Rewatch I sold it all for 25 bucks!
Homer Escalation Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback - Oww! - Come on, everybody. It makes you feel better.
It started as an eye tuck, but the stock kept climbing.
Lenny Escalation Absurdist ★ Rewatch You'll see the Statue of Liberty wearing lederhosen...before you'll see Germans running my plant!
So I can look Uncle Fritz square in the monocle...and say, 'Nein.!'
I grudgingly accept.
Mr. Burns Irony/Sarcasm Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Hans and Fritz-- Why, that's just John and Frank.
Look at all those worried faces...except for Lenny. He looks great.
Homer Visual Gag Callback ★ Rewatch Callback Perhaps I remind you of lovable Sergeant Schultz...on Hogan's Heroes.
Horst Meta/Self-Referential Uh... me. Right here. I'm drunk right now.
Barney Character Comedy Setup/Punchline ★ Rewatch Hey, maybe I'll marry Elizabeth Taylor.
Homer Absurdist Character Comedy D'oh!
Homer Character Comedy Reaction Beat ★ Rewatch Callback You looken sharpen todayen, mein herr.
Smithers Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch He was good to his mother. Yes, but I couldn't understand a word that man said. 'Mr. Burns...hound dog.' Stop it. You're killing me, sir.
D'oh!
Homer Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback If I'm not a safety 'whatchamajigger,' I'm nothing.
Homer Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm ★ Rewatch Fit, damn you! Fit!
Homer Physical/Slapstick Character Comedy Hey, you! Stop being... so unsafe! Smitty... safen up.
Homer Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch No. I must have phrased that badly. My English is inelegant. I meant to say...may we have a brief, friendly chat? No. Failed again. 'We request the pleasure of your company...for a free exchange of ideas.' Nooo!
Well, uh... I wish the candy machine...wasn't so picky about taking beat-up dollar bills...because...a lot of workers really like candy.
Homer Character Comedy Observational ★ Rewatch We understand, Homer. After all, we are from the land of chocolate.
Wow... chocolate, half-price!
Homer Visual Gag Character Comedy ★ Rewatch That was ten minutes ago.
Horst Reaction Beat Character Comedy Sure, they've made mistakes in the past, but that's why pencils have erasers.
Homer Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Simpson, Homer. That is all.
Horst Setup/Punchline Escalation ★ Rewatch Instead of buying comic books, I read them in the store.
Bart Character Comedy Observational When I get you, I'm gonna use your head for a bucket...and paint my house with your brains.
Moe Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Ah, the mirthless laugh of the damned.
Mr. Burns Character Comedy Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Watch me blend in. Barkeep, some cheap domestic beer...for me and my buddy here.
Mr. Burns Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Does your money ever hug you...when you come home at night? Why, no. And does it ever say 'I love you'? No, it doesn't.
That's because I forgot to stamp it!
Bart Setup/Punchline Character Comedy Who'd have thought a nuclear plant could be such a death trap?
Desperate, eh? Advantage: Burns.
Mr. Burns Character Comedy Meta/Self-Referential ★ Rewatch Ooh, the Germans are mad at me. I'm so scared. Ooh, the Germans! Stop it. Stop that. The Germans are coming after me. Stop the pretending you are scared game. They're so big. Stop it, Mr. Burns. Protect me from the Germans! Stop it! Get out! This is my office now!
Smithers, I keep my friends close...and my enemies even closer.
Whoo-hoo! I got my job back!
Homer Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm ★ Rewatch Top Episodes — The Simpsons
