Homer the Smithers

"Homer the Smithers" is the 17th episode of the Simpsons' seventh season.

Plot
The episode starts off at the employee appreciation night that Mr. Burns is hosting at a drag racing track. When it is over Mr. Burns complains to Smithers that his foam novelty finger is too big. Smithers then leave Mr. Burns alone in his limo. A drunken Lenny approaches the limo window and frightens Burns. Smithers returns with a smaller novelty foam finger and frightens Lenny off.

Mr. Burns feels Smithers is working too hard and tells him to take a vacation. He agrees, but needs to find a replacement. He looks for the most pathetic worker to replace him, and Homer gets the job. He works as hard as he can, but Mr. Burns just mocks him at everything he does. Homer gets so mad at him, he socks him in the face, leaving Mr. Burns cowering in fear. In order to be safe and keep Homer away from him, Mr. Burns starts doing his own work, and he comes to enjoy it. When Smithers comes back, Mr. Burns fires him because he can do everything himself. Smithers and Homer try to get his job back, but it doesn't work. Homer and Smithers get in a fight and they knock Mr. Burns out the window. Mr. Burns re-hires Smithers while he's hospitalized.