The Simpsons will reach the 500-episode mark this Sunday, a feat unmatched by any other sitcom (animated or not). There have been many guest stars over the last 23 seasons and the 500th episode, "At Long Last Leave," will be no exception: The show will welcome WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to Springfield. In true Assange fashion, his lines were recorded over a secret phone line while he was under house arrest, presumably hidden deep inside the Earth's core (citation needed). It's yet to be determined whether or not Episode 500 will go down in the books as one of the show's best, but considering the magnitude of the series thus far, we thought now would be a good time to reflect on a few of the existing 499 episodes that will be hard to top. Here are 10 of the best episodes of The Simpsons, evvv-er.
#10: "Homie the Clown" (S06E15)
To pay off gambling debts to the mafia, Krusty opens a clown college to expand his brand. Of course, Homer enrolls in the course and becomes a regional Krusty. As he is about to quit his newest dream, he realizes the perks of being the most famous clown in Springfield and takes advantage of everything Krusty has coming to him, including a mafia hit. This episode has one of my favorite endings to a Simpsons episode, ever.
#9: "Lisa the Iconoclast" (S07E16)
While researching an essay for Springfield's bicentennial celebration, Lisa finds out that town founder Jebediah Springfield was actually a fiendish pirate named Hans Sprungfeld, who had a tongue made of silver. In trying to expose the truth, Lisa becomes an outcast in her own town and is even banned from the historical society for three months by Hollis Hurlbut, the curator (voiced by Donald Sutherland). This episode gave us two great new words: "cromulent" and "embiggen."
#8: "You Only Move Twice" (S08E02)
Homer is offered a new high-paying job for the Globex Corporation, which is owned by Hank Scorpio, and moves the whole family to Cypress Creek. But the Simpsons' new life turns out to be not as great as they thought it would be: Marge has nothing to do around the house, Bart is sent to remedial class, and Lisa is allergic to everything. Oh, and Homer is oblivious to the fact that Hank Scorpio is an awesome super villain.
#7: "Marge vs. the Monorail" (S04E12)
For once, the citizens of Springfield agree with Marge on something and decide to use their recently acquired $3 million to fix up Main Street and build a monorail. That is, until the silver-tongued (figuratively, not literally like Jebidiah Springfield) Lyle Lanley sways public opinion through song. The monorail is a scam and puts everyone on board in mortal peril. Luckily Leonard Nimoy is on hand to save the day.
#6: "Bart Gets Famous" (S05E12)
After a thrilling trip to the box factory, Bart stumbles his way into a job as Krusty's assistant. A chance walk-on role lands Bart in the spotlight when his accidental catchphrase, "I didn't do it," takes off. Bart learns that celebrity isn't all it's cracked up to be when he's pigeonholed as the "I didn't do it" boy. The show pokes fun at itself by having all the characters utter their own famous catchphrases, one after another.
#5: "Homer at the Bat" (S03E17)
After Homer leads the Nuclear Power Plant softball team to the championship against Shelbyville, Mr. Burns decides to call in some ringers to pad his roster. Mr. Burns' dream team turns out to be impossible to assemble, as most of the players he suggests are no longer alive. He gets all the best Major League Baseball players of 1992 to replace the ones who got the team to the championship.
#4: "Last Exit to Springfield" (S04E17)
"Dental plan. Lisa needs braces." That quote pretty much sums up this entire episode. Homer is appointed president of the union at the power plant and goes up against Mr. Burns in order to keep their company dental plan in tact.
#3: "A Fish Called Selma" (S07E19)
Troy McClure needs to get his career back on track and dispel rumors of his strange sexual escapades involving fish. To escape said rumors, he gets involved with Selma Bouvier and his career picks up again. This inspires him to marry her, and after McClure stars in the Broadway musical version of Planet of the Apes, he's up for the role of McBain's sidekick in the new McBain movie. The sham doesn't last forever, though, and eventually McClure decides to star in The Contrabulous Fabtraption of Professor Horatio Hufnagel.
#2: "Burns, Baby Burns" (S08E04)
After attending the annual Harvard vs. Yale football game, Mr. Burns is spotted by his long-lost son, Larry (voiced by Rodney Dangerfield). Larry hitchhikes his way to Springfield and is picked up by the Simpsons, who are on their way home from a fascinating trip to the cider mill. Larry finds that he has much more in common with Homer than he does with his father and the two stage a fake kidnapping to win Mr. Burns' love.
#1: "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" (S08E14)
Producer Roger Meyers, Jr. makes a hasty decision to add a one-dimensional character, Poochie, to The Itchy & Scratchy Show in order to give declining ratings a shot in the arm. After a lengthy audition process that includes Troy McClure and Otto, Homer is cast as Poochie's voice. After a huge marketing push, the Poochie experiment is a huge failure and The Itchy & Scratchy Show's ratings tank even further.
Did your favorite Simpsons episode make this list, or do you have more to add? Will you be tuning in for Episode 500 on Sunday?
Homer's enemy! The Frank Grimes episode will always be a favourite. Oh and the Shinning is my all time favourite with the time traveling toaster episode coming a close second (they are both the same halloween special, actually). With an honourable mention going to the zombie halloween episode: "Dad, you killed zombie Flanders!" "He was a zombie?"
You notice there are no episodes on this later than 1998? That tells you something.
Some of my episodes include:
Bart Sells His Soul(my all time fav!)
The Way We Was
Lisas Wedding
the episode where Homer founded his own religion
the episode where Homer gets free cable(I cant remember the titles!)
Lisas First Word
I could probaly go on but I cant remember old titles
hard to choose a favorite, but most'' recent'' one for me is one with Gordon Ramsay. lol
Poochie! You've got to be kidding me.
Tukur
Not surprising they all hover between S3-S8... show stopped being good after Season 8
Homer VS New-York City!! it's definately my personal best episode!!!! especially the scene where Homer is trying to find a toilet in one of the two twin towers. And when he's driving his car with the denver boot!
other choices:
-There's no disgrace like home (s01e04)
-The way he was (s02e12)
-Mr Plow
-Lisa's wedding
Trilogy Of Error is definitely my fav episode, can't believe that it didn't make the list. It has Linguo correcting Homer with his last words "Linguo IS dead!". Plus 123 Fake Street and Knifey Wifey. My fav line in any episode is the 'Knifey - Spoony' line in Bart vs Australia as well "I see you've played Knifey - Spoony before!". In fact, I'm going to go and watch them now!
Already so many great additions from the fans...and to be honest, each one is a better list than the one our writer provided. Sorry. I'll have to add a little heart and emotion into this growing list:
And Maggie Makes Three
Lisa's First Word
Round Springfield
Anything before 2000
"TWO DOZEN AND ONE GREY HOUNDS" is my favourite with the See My Vest song.
"Some men hunt for sport, Others hunt for food, The only thing I'm hunting for, Is an outfit that looks good...See my vest, see my vest, Made from real gorilla chest, Feel this sweater, there's no better, Than authentic Irish setter. See this hat, 'twas my cat, My evening wear - vampire bat, These white slippers are albino African endangered rhino. Grizzly bear underwear, Turtles' necks, I've got my share, Beret of poodle, on my noodle It shall rest, Try my red robin suit, It comes one breast or two, See my vest, see my vest, See my vest. Like my loafers? Former gophers - It was that or skin my chauffeurs, But a greyhound fur tuxedo Would be best, So let's prepare these dogs, Kill two for matching clogs, See my vest, see my vest, Oh please, won't you see my vest.moreless
I still stick to my opinion that the "Who shot Mr. Burns" episodes were top notch and should have been on the top of this list. At the very least they should be 9 and 10. The "Mr. Plow" episode was up there as well but apparently i know nothing because none of the 3 are up there. The writer is probably kissing Greoning or how every you spell his name's ass just like the guy claiming the newer 3 Star Wars movies were A CUT above the original by far.
Its his personal opinion. Thats the whole point to get you to share yours.
What about Grimey?
I think just anything involving Ralph Wiggam is boss :P
I loved the episode with the Tomacco and the Beer Baron
Sideshow Bob Roberts where he runs for mayor of Springfield and Who Shot Mr. Burns off the top of my head. Would be easier to find if the top episode feature still existed.
Eh. Decent list I suppose - altho I would only consider about half of them to be classics.
Now here's MY top 10 in no particular order:
10) "Marge vs. The Monorail" - S04E12
for all the reasons listed above and two of the greatest lines in the show's history: "I call the big one Bitey" and "It's NOT Batman!"
9) "$pringfield (Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Legalized Gambling)" - S05E10
just watch it. 'Nuff said
8) "Lemon Of Troy" - S06E24
If this one isn't somewhere on your list then you're NOT a simpsons fan. "Faster son! He's got a taste for meat now!" "Your wussiness better come in handy" "Maybe that's why we beat them at football nearly half the time!" I'll stop there because the whole damn episode is nothing but memorable lines and scenes. "FUDD"
7) "Bart On The Road" - S07E20
Awesome episode that starts with Bart getting a fake ID and using Martin's investment in soy to rent a car so Bart, Martin, Nelson and Milhouse can go on a roadtrip during spring break. All the funny you could ask for, plus the added bonus of Homer and Lisa doing some father/daughter bonding at the powerplant and a hilarious ending involving Marge getting a lot of strange phonecalls.
6) "Mountain Of Madness" - S08E12
Homer and Burns working together is awesome. Homer and Burns trying to kill each other is even better! "Oh Lord, please protect this rocket house and all who dwell within the rocket house."
5) "You Only Move Twice" - S08E02
Because Hank Scorpio is the greatest one episode character there ever was! (Sorry Frank Grimes)
4) "El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage Of Homer)" - S08E09
Homer questions whether or not Marge is his soulmate when she mistakenly thinks Homer broke his promise not to get drunk at the annual chili cook-off - but all he really did was eat Guatemalan Insanity Peppers and go on the most intense trip anyone can have. Touching, trippy and hilarious.
3) "Homer vs. The 18th Amendment" - S08E18
When the town sees Bart get drunk on St. Patrick's Day, prohibition is called for. Turns out there's a law for prohibition in the books that's never been enforced since its inception 200 years ago (there's also a law requiring ducks to wear long pants). Homer becomes the notorious "Beer Barron" and keeps the town drunk while raking in tons of profit and laughing in the face of the man sent to stop him - hard-nosed detective Rex Banner.
"To alcohol! The cause of - and solution to - all of life's problems"
2) "The City Of New York vs. Homer Simpson" - S09E01
Barney snaps after having to be designated driver on the night Duff beer comes into town with a bottomless mug of beer just for him and has to pass on the prize. He takes Homer's car to New York City where it's racking up parking tickets. While the rest of the family have the time of their lives in New York, Homer gets in a battle with the city and decides to take the parking boot off of his car by force and escape while he still can
1) "Behind The Laughter" - S11E22
A parody of VH1's "Behind The Music" and E! "True Hollywood Stories" that looks at the simpsons as if they were a real life family who discovered fame and fortune before taking it all for granted and losing almost everything. From Homer's addiction to painkillers caused by his fall off of Springfield Gorge to Lisa being drugged with growth suppression hormones (Homer: "That's impossible. How could I sneak all 5 necessary drops into her cereal?") to a room in MC Hammer's mansion filled with parachute pants, this is the last great simpsons episode to include it all and give you even more. It's not the best episode on this list, but it marked the end of an era for me since after season 11, the episodes kinda became hit or miss.
But the simpsons will NEVER suck and, even tho we all tend to complain that the simpsons has long since passed its heyday, I guarantee we would all be a little blue without our favorite family in yellow. LONG LIVE THE SIMPSONS AND CONGRATS ON 500 EPISODES!moreless
My favourite episode is the one where they go on a holiday for 4th July weekend on the beach, and Lisa makes friends with the "cool" group. It's adorable, and I always remember it. Truly beautiful old school Simpsons =)
Yeah, this was a good one. It's where Flanders labeled evything in the house, right? :) lol...and there was this card game with some guy that looked like Milhouse XD
I love that one too.
No halloween episodes?
This list is shitty and inaccurate, only about 2 episodes deserve to be there.
These are the writers personal opinion. The whole point is to get other people to share theirs.
Don't forget about Angry Dad!
"Do you hate carpet stores that charge extra for the underlay?"
"I hate them so much!!!"
All of those episodes are great. My favorite episode is when the kids are trapped in the school over their Christmas break. Another good one is the one where Lisa gives Ralph a Valentines card. "You choo choo Choose Me"
bart gets famous, just for the towell line. the best quote from a tv show ever. the title doesn't need the so far bit from the last simpsons episode i watched that was series 22.
For everyone who wrote a comment on this topic... was it just me or did the simpsons stop having these great episodes after season 10. Tell me someone else noticed that it is seasons 3 -8 and they have gone through 23 season... so what happend to the other seasons? nothing to note.
ps the whole episode the krusty come back special is missing
3 through 8 is basically when the show was at its best. I think it was following season 8 that Brad Bird, Greg Daniels, Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein all left the show and it started going downhill.
It was still good at season 10, nonetheless it was the season where the show started declining. Mike Scully damaged the show and Al Jean ruined the show entirely, they need the old writers and showrunners back.
When those aforementioned writers and producers left, it really hurt the show. I think Bird and Daniels especially gave the show a lot of heart. That seemed to be lacking every season more and more afterwards.
Who shot Mr. Burns? will be a favorite of mine but I also loved the Frank Grimes episode as well. Man, Simpsons has sucked these last 3 years.
Surprised I don't see Trilogy of Error, The Simpsons vs New York, King-Size Homer, or Homer the Great. But with 500 episodes, everyone is going to have a different top 10. Seen all 499 episodes so far and can't wait for the 500th and the next 500 after that. Love this show. My All time favorite is You Only Move twice.
How is it that one one even mentioned Deep Space Homer S5E15? That is number one on my list.
And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords.
I loved that one! That would be very high on my list.
Does the fact that none of the author's Top 10 are past Season 8 tell us more about how old the author is, or how mediocre The Simpsons has been the past 15 years?
Fuck off, I'm 14 so it's got nothing to do with age. The Simpsons declined at season 10, sorry to your bubble but your living in denial.
At the end of Burns Baby Burns, they played Journey's Anyway You Want It. Of course it was the best episode
A nod to Caddyshack which Rodney Dangerfield came out in. I always wanted that golf bag his character had in that movie.
When they go to Itchy & Scratchy land; when they join the witness protection program, when Bart and Lisa play hockey againist each other; Sherry Bobbins; when they go to England
Homer v the 8th amendment
"Simpson and Delilah" - S02E02 - Homer finds this miracle drug calle Dimoxinil and allows him to grow hair and suddenly all his problems are solved (even his boss, Mr. Burns describes him as young and impetuous) just because he has hair.
'So Far'
Hahaha,
if this list was compiled in 1998, it would have filled me with hope for the future, but considering that the latest episode on that list is from season 8, (what are we up to now? 23?) I don't like our chances of getting anything better.
Lemon of Troy!
loved that episode as well. Especially the two Milhouses meeting
Principal Charming was really good too... I love when home goes into Terminator mode and identifies Skinner as a possible "Homer-Sexual".
22 Short Films About Springfield - All Time Favorite
That would be high on my list too!
Loved that episode.