Brush with Greatness

Since airing, the episode has received mostly positive reviews from television critics, who praised its central focus on Marge, as well as Starr's role.

After being pestered by Bart and Lisa, Homer reluctanly takes The Simpsons to the Mount Splashmore water park.

The park's rescue crew is forced to close the water slide ride after Homer is stuck inside.

That night, the news media poke fun at Homer's massive size during their coverage of his mishap at the water park.

While Homer is looking for his weights in the attic, Bart stumbles upon several old paintings of the drummer Ringo Starr that Marge had made as a high school student.

She explains that the portrait shows that behind all of Burns' evil, he is a frail and vulnerable human being who is by extension just as beautiful as any other living creature in the world.

Al Jean and Mike Reiss originally pitched the idea of Marge taking an art class and churning out depressing paintings, with the family realizing she was secretly unhappy.

Starr agreed to do the guest appearance after reading only two lines, and he told Roberts he would be able to do it when he visited Los Angeles a few weeks later.

"[7] Roberts explained that he had not received the memo with the rules so he showed up with a copy of the script cover and asked Starr to sign it.

[2] The music that plays as Homer approaches the scale is the main theme from the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

"[10] Doug Pratt, a DVD reviewer and Rolling Stone contributor, wrote that "Brush with Greatness" has a "well thought-out" plot and he enjoyed the use of Starr and Marge's previously undiscovered talents.

[11] Paul A. Cantor, author of the book Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization, said that "once again Brian K. Roberts proves his genius with 'Brush with Greatness' in a superb work where Marge cultivates her wonderful artistic side".

Splashmore through Homer's diet and the unveiling of Mr. Burns' controversial portrait, the episode packed a lot of great material.

"[13] The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, wrote: "A superb episode, with Marge rightfully centre stage.

[14] Although Starr did not mention "Brush with Greatness" in the video, several media sources compared his announcement to his portrayal in the episode.