Waylon Smithers

Waylon Smithers Jr. (voiced by Harry Shearer) is a fictional character from The Simpsons. He is the self-proclaimed best friend and personal assistant of Mr. Burns (often condescendingly referred to simply as Smithers), and serves as an executive administrator at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. Since the debut of the show, the term "Smithers" has become a common synonym for a spineless underling.

Work life

Smithers' official job at the powerplant appears to be that of a high-level executive, as well as being Burns' private assistant. He is responsible for monitoring attendance among employees, and is often a disciplinarian. He has often hinted at wanting to be promoted to the position of executive vice president, but Burns has repeatedly squashed this dream, while whimsically bestowing the vice presidency on Homer, a dog, and a monkey. Burns has also refused to make Smithers his heir, insisting that it would be a far greater honor for him to be buried alive in the same casket when he dies.

Related Topics:
Vice president - Heir

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His role in the series is often that as Burns' comic foil or straight man. Patient and calm, he often tries to talk Burns out of his more outrageous schemes while still being polite and respectful of his boss. Burns routinely takes his anger out on Smithers and rarely praises him, a fact which Smithers just views as a sign he is not working hard enough.

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He was fired by Burns only twice, the first being after a heated argument in the Who Shot Mr. Burns? episode. His job with Burns being the only thing that gave his life meaning, Smithers quickly became a drunk and spent all his free time watching Comedy Central. He was ultimately re-hired. The second time was when Homer became his temporary replacement while Smithers went on a much-needed vacation. After punching Burns, Homer wasn't allowed to go near him. With no one to help him, Burns learned how to do everything himself. When Smithers returned, he was no longer needed. He was later re-hired when Burns became seriously injured after a fight he had with Homer (who ruined Smithers' plan to save Burns from a call to his mother).

Related Topics:
Who Shot Mr. Burns? - Comedy Central

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Smithers' job is actually 2,800 small odd jobs that he does for Burns. Though he often does Burns' dirty work, such as kidnapping Tom Jones or lying to Congress, Smithers cannot be regarded as a truly evil character, but instead as a victim of his own loyalty to an unpleasant individual. His other duties for Burns include moistening his eye balls, preparing his breakfast, driving his car, assisting with his chewing and swallowing, tucking him in at night, and some light typing. All this indicates that Burns has a seemingly childlike dependence on Smithers.

Related Topics:
Kidnap - Tom Jones - Congress - Evil - Eye ball - Breakfast

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