Editing Brush with Greatness (section)

==Reception==
In its original broadcast, "Brush with Greatness" finished thirty-seventh in the ratings for the week of April 8–14, 1991, with a [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen rating]] of 12.0, equivalent to approximately eleven million viewing households. It was the second highest-rated show on Fox that week, following ''[[Married... with Children]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=What we watch, what we don't... |work=Austin American-Statesman |page=15 |date=April 21, 1991 }}</ref>

The episode received positive reviews from television critics. Many lauded the use of Starr; for instance, ''[[IGN]]'' ranked his performance in the episode, along with Paul McCartney's performance in "Lisa the Vegetarian" and George Harrison's performance in "Homer's Barbershop Quartet", as the tenth best guest appearance in ''The Simpsons''<nowiki>'</nowiki> history. They added that "Although none of these appearances were really large, the fact that the most popular band of all time appeared on ''The Simpsons'' is a large statement on the popularity and importance of the show."<ref name="ign">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/04/top-25-simpsons-guest-appearances |title=Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances |date=2010-01-04 |access-date=2022-01-15 |author1=Goldman, Eric |author2=Iverson, Dan |author3=Zoromski, Brian |work=[[IGN]] |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014234215/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/04/top-25-simpsons-guest-appearances |url-status=live }}</ref>

Doug Pratt, a DVD reviewer and ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' contributor, wrote that "Brush with Greatness" has a "well thought-out" plot and he enjoyed the use of Starr and Marge's previously undiscovered talents.<ref name="Pratt">{{cite book |last=Pratt |first=Douglas |title=Doug Pratt's DVD: Movies, Television, Music, Art, Adult, and More! |publisher=UNET 2 Corporation |year=2005 |volume=2 |isbn=978-1-932916-01-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vxmg-LuBTWIC&q=Brush+with+Greatness+Simpsons&pg=PA1094 |access-date=January 14, 2021}} page 1094-1096</ref> Paul A. Cantor, author of the book ''Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization'', said that "once again Brian K. Roberts proves his genius with 'Brush with Greatness' in a superb work where Marge cultivates her wonderful artistic side".<ref name="Cantor">{{cite book |last=Cantor |first=Paul |title=Gilligan Unbound: Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2003 |pages=74 |isbn=978-0-7425-0779-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A6Qr6BFJUjoC}}</ref> DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson wrote: "From the opening at Mt. Splashmore through Homer's diet and the unveiling of Mr. Burns' controversial portrait, the episode packed a lot of great material. It also expanded Marge's character in a pleasing way, as it avoided any semblance of sappiness; we needed a break from sentiment after '[[Old Money (The Simpsons)|Old Money]]'. Overall, 'Brush with Greatness' provided a terrific episode."<ref name="dvdmg">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseason2.shtml |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season |last=Jacobson |first=Colin |publisher=DVD Movie Guide |access-date=2009-03-23 |archive-date=July 13, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020713182216/http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseason2.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

The authors of the book ''I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide'', Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, wrote: "A superb episode, with Marge rightfully centre stage. Despite his general unpleasantness, Mr. Burns' gratitude to Marge is both welcome and unexpected. And the dig at Water Parks is spot on."<ref name="bbc" /> In October 2008, Ringo Starr posted a video on his website in which he said he was too busy to answer fan mail and that all mail sent to him after October 20 would be thrown out.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ringo Starr's fan mail deadline |url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2008/10/13/ringo_starrs_fan_mail_deadline/ |work=[[Boston Globe]] |access-date=2022-01-15 |date=2008-10-13 |archive-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115174947/http://archive.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2008/10/13/ringo_starrs_fan_mail_deadline/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Starr did not mention "Brush with Greatness" in the video, several media sources compared his announcement to his portrayal in the episode.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/ringo-starr-doesnt-want-to-answer-mail-sign-photos-for-fans|title=Ringo Starr Doesn't Want to Answer Mail, Sign Photos for Fans |date=2008-10-14 |access-date=2022-01-15 |publisher=[[Fox News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019205911/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,437325,00.html |archive-date=2008-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/10/14/ringo.starr.fan.mail/index.html |title=Ringo Starr: I've got to get fans out of my life |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=2022-01-15 |date=2008-10-14 |archive-date=April 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414030820/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/10/14/ringo.starr.fan.mail/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>