"When I started this clown thing, I thought it would be nothing but glory. You know, the glory of being a clown."

Simpsons Top 100 Countdown
#39 Homie the Clown
Season 6, Episode 15 (Guide from the Simpsons Archive)

Due to poor financial management, Krusty opens a clown college to get some more cash. Homer, susceptible to advertising as always, decides to become a clown. He does various clown functions, and is losing his love of the job when he realizes that people will give him free stuff (or discounts) if they think he’s Krusty. The real Krusty, however, continues to waste his money, and becomes indebted to the mob and goes into hiding. The mafia mistakes Homer for Krusty and attempts to kill him. The real Krusty shows up and the mobsters offer not to kill them if they both do a patented Krusty trick, together. Unfortunately, they fail to do it and both are killed, spelling certain doom for the show. No, wait, sorry, they do manage to pull off the stunt and live. Memorable moments include all the ways Krusty lights his cigarettes, the infomercial, Homer looking at billboards, Homer’s clown fantasies, the clown college, the Krusty Burger new burger (the one with ketchup) launch, Ralph Wiggum’s appearance, clown glory, the Globetrotters, the Italian restaurant, speed holes (parts one and two), Homer’s aliases, Krusty showing up and trying to switch places with Homer, and, of course, the performance of Homer and Krusty.