Jennifer Malkowski of DVD Verdict said that "Homer the Moe" is a "tepid remix of previous "Simpsons" plots". R.L. Shaffer of IGN said that the episode is one of the worst episodes of the show. Colin Jacobsson of DVD Movie Guide thought that the episode's story was too similar to the season 3 episode "Flaming Moe's". However, he says that the episode "works resonably well" and is "one of the year's best episodes." Simon Crerar of "The Times" thought that R.E.M.'s performance in the episode was one of the funniest cameo appearances in the show.