History YMMV / TheSimpsonsS2E15OhBrotherWhereArtThou

** The episode also pulls a small devil's advocate for ExecutiveMeddling; since Herb's company is too out-of-touch and stubborn to make cars that appeal to their market, Herb deprives them of ''any'' control over making the new car. Notably, after the engineers are forced to obey Homer, [[DumbassHasAPoint his ideas start off halfway decent]], though slowly devolve into an overpriced "monstrosity" that only he would find appealing, with a more consumer and budget-friendly revision aggressively shot down. Good marketing ''does'' come from actually listening to the consumers, but still having moderated professional assessment of what ideas do and don't work.

* HarsherInHindsight: Subsequent episodes reveal that not only was Herb conceived before Abe and Mona were together, but she wasn’t even sure if Abe was actually [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe Homers’s father]].

** Don't live beyond your means. While it's pretty clear that Herb's company is in serious jeopardy of going under (which it does), this apparently doesn't stop him from [[ConspicuousConsumption living in a huge, luxurious mansion with all sorts of creature comforts]]. Also, Herb blows away even more money by spoiling Bart, Lisa, and Maggie with extravagant gifts and activities. As bad as things were with his company, Herb drove himself even further into ruin with his financially over-the-top lifestyle.

** There is also the fact that it's mentioned pretty early on, that the company is already on the ropes, probably due to the above mentioned poor leadership, and the fact that even Herb mentions most of the cars are generally pretty shoddy with only "forty bucks of steel" probably contributing to it's downfall. While "The Homer" might have been the final massive nail in the coffin, from the sound of things, the company was already about to go under whether Homer was involved or not. It also really didn't help that Herb spent even ''more money'' spoiling Bart, Lisa, and Maggie with extravagant gifts and favors (like boat/pony rides and trips to the zoo; which Marge even points out) that likely drove him and his company even further into the hole.

* JerkassWoobie: Due to his [[MeanBoss irritability with his production team]] and his inability to accept responsibility for his downfall, Herb clearly isn't the nicest person. However, some viewers nevertheless sympathize with him. Herb is, by his own admission, a very lonely man; despite living a life full of opportunities, he remained tied to his company, whose profits are presently on the decline. Thus, until their falling out, his elation upon discovering and getting to know Homer and his family was genuine. He goes above and beyond trying to make the Simpsons feel welcome, and it's ultimately these acts of love and generosity that drive his company into ruin.

* JerkassWoobie: Due to his [[MeanBoss irritability with his production team]] and his inability to accept responsibility for his downfall, Herb clearly isn't the nicest person. However, some viewers nevertheless sympathize with him. Herb is, by his own admission, a very lonely man; up until their falling out, his elation upon discovering and getting to know Homer and his family was genuine. He goes above and beyond trying to make the Simpsons feel welcome, and it's ultimately these acts of love and generosity that drive his company into ruin.