When Bart learns that Homer has lost his earnings from a TV commercial he appeared in as a baby, Bart takes Homer to court and is granted emancipation from his parents.

Now a legal adult, Bart moves out of the house and into a downtown apartment, where he befriends Tony Hawk and his gang of skating buddies who live upstairs.

Homer appeals to Tony Hawk to let him win in a skate-off to impress Bart and lure him back home, but Bart finally lets Homer know that he was just looking for Homer to care about his feelings. Homer finally gets it, and the father and son reunite.