Homer Simpson Takes the Cake as Top Icon in Pop Culture

D'oh! The donut-loving Homer Simpson has claimed the title of greatest character in pop culture, according to Entertainment Weekly.

It was a tight race with Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer tagging closely behind, but the beer swilling, buffoonish patriarch of the cartoon family managed to win the crown.

EW's list of the "100 Greatest Characters of the Last 20 Years" was released Monday to mark the magazine's 20th anniversary, and features characters like Tracy Jordan of NBC's "30 Rock," Spongebob Squarepants, Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City and other well-known fictitious folks.

"The Simpsons," the Fox show that introduced the lovable screwup to America, is in its 21st season.

Matt Groening, creator of the highly acclaimed cartoon, told EW that "People can relate to Homer because we're all secretly propelled by desires we can't admit to."

And, Groening added, seeing a character who doesn't even try to exercise restraint is appealing. "Homer is launching himself head-first into every single impulsive thought that occurs to him. His love of whatever...is a joy to witness," he said.

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