The Be Sharps: Homer Simpson's barbershop quartet

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For the length of a flashback, Homer leaves the power plant to found a barbershop quartet, "Les Bémols" in the French version, alongside Skinner, Apu and Barney — Wiggum having been dropped for looking "too Village People". "Homer's Barbershop Quartet" (season 5, 1993) replays the Beatles' story down to the detail: Moe's Cavern, manager Nigel modeled on Brian Epstein, the album "Bigger Than Jesus", the rooftop concert and George Harrison's cameo, delivering his famous "It's been done". The "Baby on Board" Grammy, meanwhile, deserves a clarification.

For the length of a flashback, Homer trades the nuclear plant for fame and founds a barbershop quartet that replays, note for note, the rise and fall of the Beatles.

From Moe's tavern renamed "Moe's Cavern" to the rooftop concert, it is all there. Here is the profile of the Be Sharps.

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Who are the Be Sharps?

The Be Sharps — "Les Bémols" in the French version — are an a cappella quartet founded by Homer Simpson, whose story is told in flashback in the episode "Homer's Barbershop Quartet" (1993). The final lineup brings together Homer, Principal Skinner, Apu and Barney. Chief Wiggum was the original member, before being dropped — not for his voice, but for looking "too Village People".

🚿 Chief Wiggum got dropped from the quartet, but in your shower nobody can take away your a cappella spot: our Simpsons shower curtains double as a stage curtain while you rehearse.

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A Beatles parody

The whole episode is a retelling of the Beatles' story, right down to the smallest details: Moe's bar becomes "Moe's Cavern" (the Cavern Club), manager Nigel copies Brian Epstein, Barney's conceptual-artist girlfriend parodies Yoko Ono, and the group breaks up on a concert given on a rooftop. Not forgetting the provocative second album, titled "Bigger Than Jesus" — a nod to John Lennon's remark.

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"Baby on Board" and the Grammy

The group's hit is "Baby on Board", written by Homer after Marge bought a bumper sticker for the car. The song sends the album "Meet the Be Sharps" — a parody of "Meet the Beatles!" — straight to the top. Beware the widespread belief: the Grammy they win is purely fictional, awarded in an invented joke category and given to the album, handed over on screen by David Crosby in person.

🚗 "Baby on Board" was born from a sticker Marge bought for the car: our Simpsons stickers are just waiting for your rear window, your laptop or your water bottle, in case they inspire a hit of your own.

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George Harrison's cameo

The episode treats itself to a genuine legend: George Harrison makes a cameo as himself, voicing his own part. He is the second Beatle to appear on the show, after Ringo Starr. His weary line at the sight of the rooftop concert — "It's been done" — has stayed cult.

🎧 After George Harrison's cameo and his "It's been done," it's hard not to put the Beatles back on during your commute: our Simpsons AirPods cases keep your earbuds safe from one album to the next.

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Summary table

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FAQ

• Who are the Be Sharps?
  The barbershop quartet founded by Homer (with Skinner, Apu and Barney), whose story parodies that of the Beatles.
• What are they called in French?
  "Les Bémols" (the Flats) — the French version having flipped the note in the original pun.
• Why is Wiggum dropped from the group?
  Not for his voice, but for looking "too Village People": a nod to Pete Best's dismissal from the Beatles.
• Which Beatle appears in the episode?
  George Harrison, playing himself — the show's second Beatle, after Ringo Starr.

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Conclusion

Short-lived but brilliant, the Be Sharps are one of the finest musical tributes The Simpsons ever paid. Proof that in Springfield, even Homer can, for the space of one summer, become a rock star.

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