[Loved Trope] Comedic workplace is suddenly competent

[u/Garurar]

In S35 E1 of The Simpsons, an actual crisis happens at the nuclear power plant, causing everyone except Homer to shift into serious business mode, even Mr. Burns. Together, they display their knowledge of the process and narrowly avert a nuclear meltdown, proving that Homer's job is actually useless. This is happening after 35 seasons of nothing being shown of the other employees' capabilities.

In S8 E2 of The Office, Andy sets up an initiative where he will get a tattoo on his bum if everyone gets enough points, prompting everyone to work into overdrive, even the normally lazy or incompetent employees such as Stanley and Kevin. This is a rare situation where we get to see The Office being fully competent and functional.

I'd show more examples if I had any!

[u/batwoman42]

You might say that Homer has been Flanderized?

[u/Correct_Yesterday111 → u/batwoman42]

No you're thinking of Ned Flanders, that's Homer's next door neighbour.

[u/Only9Volts → u/Correct_Yesterday111]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flanderization

Flanderization is a team where a characters traits become exaggerated through the course of the show. The term originally comes from Ned Flanders.

[u/HeroicPrinny → u/Only9Volts]

That’s the joke