"A Milhouse Divided" is the sixth episode of the eighth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons.
It was directed by Steven Dean Moore and is the only episode for which Steve Tompkins has sole writing credit.
At Moe's, Kirk reveals to Homer that he has decided to pursue a singing career and introduces him to his new "girlfriend" Starla, who soon steals his car and tosses his demo tape onto the street.
Homer enlists Lisa's help to save his marriage, but she is unable to offer any advice beyond observing that he is lucky to have Marge as his wife.
To save their marriage, Homer attempts to perform "romantic" gestures for Marge such as giving her a new haircut and making soothing noises as she sleeps, which only annoy her.
Marge returns home that night and is surprised to find all of the Simpsons' friends gathered in the living room.
[6] A deleted scene involving Kirk's firing from the cracker factory had him trying to save his job by apologizing for crying repeatedly at business meetings, along with Kirk revealing that his severance package consisted of a box of crackers (which birds attempted to take away from him when he went to his car after being fired).
Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, the authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, called it "More drama than comedy, and very honest in its dealings with the Van Houtens' divorce and its effects on Milhouse.
"[10] In 2018, a scene from the episode where Bart hits Homer with a chair (replicating a stunt Luanne's new boyfriend Chase showed him) while taking a bath became an internet meme.