Long-running US animated television program The Simpsons is quite possibly the biggest international phenomenon in television history.  They’re literally seen just about everywhere and are about as close to an international constant as can be found on planet Earth.  The show has been on the air 21 years, is seen in 90 different countries, and has inspired both wordsmiths and culinary artists with its irreverent, off-beat approach to pretty much everything.  Is it really a surprise that dim-witted Homer Simpson has been named as the greatest TV/film character of the last 20 years?  It probably shouldn’t be.

Part of Homer’s universal appeal is the fact that he’s a bit more like us than we care to admit to.  “People can relate to Homer because we’re all secretly propelled by desires we can’t admit to,” said Simpsons creator Matt Groening in Entertainment Weekly.  “Homer is launching himself head-first into every single impulsive thought that occurs to him.  His love of whatever…is a joy to witness.”

Homer was greater than Harry Potter (second), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (third), Tony Soprano (fourth), and even Heath Ledger’s version of The Joker (fifth).  Rounding out the top 10 were Rachel from Friends, Edward Scissorhands, Hannibal Lecter, Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, and everyone’s favorite guy who lives in a pineapple under the sea, Spongebob Squarepants.

Image:  Cool Twitter Backgrounds

Tags: The Simpsons, Fox, Homer Simpson, Homer Simpson named greatest TV character of the last 20 years, great TV characters, all-time great TV characters, Entertainment Weekly, greatest characters in entertainment history, Matt Groening

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