23 Seasons of The Simpsons, 23 Favorite Episodes
What? You aren’t bored with reading blog posts and articles in honor of The Simpsons 500th episode? Here’s an idea I have that I haven’t seen done yet (and I’ve been reading them all, which is why I’m so behind on grading).
I’m giving my favorite episode from each season, including the current 23rd season. This was harder than I expected, making me wonder how my compilation would have been different last year, five years ago, ten years ago and how it might be different five and ten years from now. Check back and see!
Oh, and I welcome (and fully expect) comments and, yeah, probably complaints.
Season 1. “Life on the Fast Lane”
Albert Brooks can take me to brunch. Anytime. Any. Time.
Season 2. “Lisa’s Substitute”
He got to me, too.
Season 3. “Colonel Homer”
If you don’t sing along with Lurleen, there’s something wrong with you.
Season 4. “Whacking Day”
I know that “Marge vs. the Monorail” is everyone’s favorite from this season (and I do love it, of course I do!) and I know that “A Streetcar Named Marge” is brilliant and controversial, so I’ll probably be scolded in the comments, but I really, really love “Whacking Day.” I love how turned on Marge is by Homer with his new whacking stick, I’m charmed by the way Bart and Lisa team up (and are successful), and I giggle every time at Barry White saying he “loves the sexy slither of a lady snake.”
Season 5. “The Boy Who Knew Too Much”
“Someone’s taken a bite out of the big Rice Krispie square!”
Season 6. “Lisa on Ice”
I was going through a terrible breakup at the time this originally aired, and watching it over and over again on VHS was my only consolation. Now THAT is an endorsement! (Also, I recently learned while researching this article for OC Weekly that, although David Cohen didn’t write this episode, he contributed the scene where Bart and Lisa fight, basing it on the way he and his own sister fought as kids. How cool is that?)
Season 7. “Much Apu About Nothing”
I use this episode the most often in class of all of the first 14 seasons (because those are the only seasons on DVD and I would never show ill-gotten materials in class). This episode is perfect for teaching students about satire, stereotypes, and the foibles of America while keeping them laughing.
Season 8 . . .
This is my favorite season of the 23. “You Only Move Twice” is perfect from beginning to end. Plus, there’s “Bart After Dark,” “Lisa’s Date with Density,” “El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer,” “The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show,” “Homer’s Phobia,” “In Marge We Trust,” “Homer’s Enemy” . . . you’ll forgive me for not choosing one. Yes, you will. You won’t? Okay, fine, if I have to choose one–
Season 8. “You Only Move Twice”
I have heard that there is a tape somewhere in southern California with two hours of Dan Castellaneta and Albert Brooks ad-libbing as Homer and Hank Scorpio. I want to marry that tape.
Season 9. “Lisa the Skeptic”
Anyone who says they don’t like the Lisa episodes should really see this one or watch it again. Along with season 7′s “Lisa the Iconoclast,” it shows her thoughtful nature along with critical thinking. Plus, the religion vs. science satire is brilliant.
Season 10. “Bart the Mother”
Not only does this episode have one of my favorite uses of passive language (“Mistakes were made–by me”), I love Bart’s sensitivity in this one. Plus, the challenge to (and triumph of) Bart and Marge’s relationship always gets me.
Season 11. “Missionary Impossible”
Not only does this episode guest star Betty White, it also spawned the now-ubiquitous word “Jeebus.”
Season 12. “The Computer Wore Menace Shoes”
Even eleven years later, the complete waste of time that is the Internet continues to hold true. (Yes, I see the irony in my saying that on my blog). Also, I personally like the bizarre ending (which is a parody of The Prisoner), although I am fully aware that not everyone is with me on that.
Season 13. “Poppa’s Got a Brand New Badge”
Yes, Homer listing his previous jobs is a delight, but I am more tickled especially by the incentive for Homer to start SpringShield: Someone stole Lisa’s Malibu Stacy collection, and that is just not cool.
“Never fear! SpringShield’s present!”
Season 14. “Thee Gays of the Condo”
Homer’s come a long way since “Homer’s Phobia!” (Or has he?) This episode has it all: Misunderstandings! Grady! Julio! “Weird Al” Yankovic! A nurse stealing sponges! (Here’s a treat: Watch it with the commentary).
Season 15. “Simple Simpson”
Pie Man and Cupcake Kid!
Season 16. “Goo Goo Gai Pan”
Dana Gould was inspired to write this episode after he and his wife adopted their oldest daughter from China (read what he had to say about that here), and the icing on the cupcake is a drawing lesson by David Silverman at the end.
Season 17. “Girls Just Want to Have Sums”
While a brilliant satire of institutional sexism, the episode doesn’t make it that simple–gender difference is also given credence (though suggesting that boyness can be learned) which makes for some interesting discussion.
Season 18. “You Kent Always Say What You Want”
Along with this just being a very funny episode, it’s my favorite of the season for its criticism of ethics in media reporting and television’s priorities.
Season 19. “Husbands and Knives”
Maus is in the house!
Season 20. “Coming to Homeria”
Somehow, they managed to put a ridiculous amount of social satire in this episode (a wall at the border, immigration, vigilantes, ethnic stereotypes, ethnocentrism), but because the writing is funny and the is timing perfect, it does not feel preachy at all. (Plus, I can personally relate to the Ogdenvillians. I, too, say “yah” and wear Minnesota Vikding apparel).
Season 21. ”O Brother, Where Bart Thou?”
Marge’s commentary on her reproductive rights would make this episode worth it on its own. But it’s also really funny and sweet, and who doesn’t love the Smothers Brothers best?
Season 22. “Angry Dad: The Movie”
Watts Towers. ‘Nuff said.
Season 23 (So far . . .) “The Book Job”
Neil Gaiman is delightfully hilarious, plus the timing, music, and plot of this episode are spot on.
Karma said,
February 19, 2012 at 10:59 am
When I was picking my five favorites to show tonight, I was also thinking about how my list changes over time. It’s because what we need changes. Of course, the greatest of the great episodes will never all off the list.
Reading Digest: Still Digesting Edition « Dead Homer Society said,
February 24, 2012 at 11:22 am
[...] 23 Seasons of The Simpsons, 23 Favorite Episodes – Denise picks a favorite from all 23 seasons. That looks exhausting. [...]