Homer's Triple Bypass

"Homer's Triple Bypass" is the eleventh episode in the fourth season of The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 17, 1992. In the episode, Homer Simpson suffers a heart attack when Mr. Burns shouts at him at work. Dr. Hibbert tells Homer that he needs a triple bypass, but the Simpson family resorts to a discount surgeon after learning how expensive the operation would be in a regular hospital. The episode was written by Gary Apple and Michael Carrington and directed by David Silverman.

After being warned by Marge about his unhealthy eating, Homer starts to feel chest pains. After several more instances of the chest pains, Homer has a heart attack.

Homer is sent to the hospital, where Marge visits him. Dr. Hibbert informs Homer that he needs a triple bypass, which will cost him $30,000. Upon hearing this, Homer has another heart attack, which increases the price to $40,000. Marge and Homer try to figure out a way to pay for the operation.

Homer goes to The Merry Widow Insurance Company, but is denied when he has a heart attack before signing the policy. Unable to afford surgery at the hospital, Marge and Homer see a commercial for Dr. Nick Riviera, an incompetent surgeon who will perform any operation for $129.95. Leaving no other alternative, Homer decides to go for the cheaper service.

During the operation, Dr. Nick realizes that he does not know what to do. Lisa, who is watching the operation in the amphitheater, uses her knowledge of cardiology to guide Dr. Nick. The surgery is successful, and Homer makes a full recovery.

"Homer's Triple Bypass" was not written by a member of the show's regular staff, but instead Gary Apple and Michael Carrington. They were brought in as freelance writers because the show was suffering from a depleted writing team after the third season ended and the remaining members did not bother to do the episode.