Alright! Serving as a sequel to my Top 10 Office, Top 10 Community, and Top 10 Parks and Rec Episodes, I thought it would be fun to branch out into other shows. And yes, I do realize that I only do (At minimum) 52 posts a year and that having four "Top 10 Episodes" might be more than you want, but I honestly enjoy writing them. I like going back and watching the highlights of my favorite TV shows.
And, in case you're curious, I won't be doing many more of these. How many other sitcoms can I find? Maybe I can do 30 Rock in a month or two... after that, though, I think I'll have maxed out my shows. I don't want to get repetitive, and "Top 10" lists do tend to blend together, even if I did make this one a "Top 20" (I just love too many Simpsons episodes ).
But first, here are some honorable mentions (Because this may as well be a WatchMojo video): Rosebud, Mr. Plow, Lisa's First Word, and In Marge We Trust. And, this is my subjective list. Other people like other episodes and other people may dislike other episodes, and that's okay. This isn't an official "These are the definitive best episodes," these are just my picks. Harmless Top 10 fun.
20. The Springfield Files - Season 8, Episode 10
The Springfield Files may not be the funniest or most well-written Simpsons episode, but by golly is it one of my favorites, partially because it absolutely terrified me when I saw it at an early age. The doped-up and glowing Mr. Burns was the cause of many terrifying and lonely nights.
Heap on an excellent X-Files spoof (Which the X-Files creator was very proud of), an excellent line up of pop culture references, and the ever redeeming "Unexpected Abe Simpson," and you have a Simpsons episode for the ages.
Best moment: The town meets the alien
19. King-Size Homer - Season 7, Episode 7
King Size Homer would normally be one of the best episodes of a TV show. the only thing holding it back is that other episodes are simply better than it. The plot of the episode revolves around Homer Simpson getting his weight up to 300 pounds to gain employee disability leave, which leads to a gut-bustlingly funny segment of Bart helping his dad gain the 61 pounds needed.
Best quote: "'To start press any key.' Where's the any key?"
18. Marge vs. the Monorail - Season 4, Episode 12
Hot take: Marge vs. the Monorail, often claimed as the greatest Simpsons episode, is not the best Simpsons episode. While it is written by comedic genius Conan O'Brien, it's not his best. Sure, it's iconic, and sure, the unexpected Leonard Nimoy cameo is hilarious, but I'm personally not Monorail's biggest fan.
Best moment: The Monorail Song.
17. Who Shot Mr. Burns? - Season 6, Episode 25/Season 7 Episode 1
While the first half of this cliffhanger contains some of my favorite Simpsons moments, the biggest thing holding this episode back is the lackluster resolution. After such an excellent and expertly crafter setup (In a parody of "Who Shot J.R.?," no less), Mr. Burns is unexpectedly shot and "dies." The whodunnit aspect lines up several plausible suspects, including Mr. Smithers, Moe, Barney, and Grandpa Simpson, and while the answer works, the follow-up episode isn't half as funny as the first half.
Best moment: "Who the devil are you?"
16. Deep Space Homer - Season 5, Episode 15
I love a lot of things about Deep Space Homer - Homer's prank phone call to NASA, the Buzz Aldrin cameo, and several references to 2001, including the space baby. While it does contain some truly iconic gems, I feel like the episode (When viewed as a whole), does not shape up. While a great emphasis on the Simpsons family may be in play to ground the outlandish plot, I don't think those moments can match the humor of the episode's best moments.
Best moment: Kent Brockman welcomes his new insect overlords
15. Mother Simpson - Season 7, Episode 8
Mother Simpson has some solid gags, but where the episode really shines is in the emotional story. Yes, all these episodes are amazing, but Mother Simpson shines particularly bright amongst the bunch. Surprisingly, it took seven seasons for the show to make an episode about Homer's mom, who, up to this point, had never been mentioned (Okay, maybe she was mentioned once), and the episode completely delivers on the mystery surrounding the character.
From here on out, every episode is absolutely iconic and nearly perfect. Let's just mark that for the record.
Best moment: The ending
14. Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk - Season 3, Episode 11
Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk is an absolutely amazing episode. It follows a pair of German businessmen who buy the power plant from Mr. Burns (Who seems to be a recurring theme in my favorite episodes...), fire Homer Simpson, and then promptly sell the plant back after realizing how mismanaged it was. Highlights of the episode included Homer playing the stock market and the two Germans introducing themselves as "From the East and West," which, 30 years later, really, really, shows the show's age.
Best moment: "Land of Chocolate"
13. Homer Badman - Season 6, Episode 9
Homer Badman is probably the most risque thing on this list. It's not entirely iconic, and it's definitely not as funny as the other episodes on the list. Instead, Homer Badman gets this high simply because of how well it has aged - Homer peels a gummy Venus de Milo off of the seat of a babysitter's pants, who mistakes it as a sexual advance. This turns the entire town against Homer at the snap of a finger, which works really well in the age of Twitter.
Best moment: "Sweet Can" interview
12. Homer's Barbershop Quartet - Season 5, Episode 1
Part loose Beatles knock-off, part barbershop magic, and part voice actors singing with themselves, Homer's Barbershop Quartet not only works as a meta parody but also works as an actually compelling story. The barbershop quartet's rise and fall are both inspiring and epic in scale, all while being emotionally grounded. It's an impressive and underrated balance.
Best moment: Bigger Than Jesus
11. Homer the Heretic - Season 4, Episode 3
After a cold Sunday, Homer decides to stay at home during church - which leads to the best day of his life. This leads to a hilarious conflict between the now Hell-bound Homer and church-bound Marge, which keeps building up into a hilarious finale where Homer accidentally sets the house on fire and has to be saved by Ned Flanders, who's... not at church... for some reason. Aside from that minor inconsistency, Homer the Heretic packs in a plethora of above-average gags and solid beats. A Simpsons classic for the ages.
Best moment: The entire episode, honestly
10. I Love Lisa - Season 4, Episode 15
Best moment: Ralph Wiggum dies
9. Homer Goes to College - Season 5, Episode 3
If Homer Simpson yelling things is your definition of comedy, Homer Goes to College will have you in stitches. Of the four episodes Conan O'Brien wrote, this is my favorite by far. Some of the better moments were the Star Trek references, the song Louie Louie, Homer chasing a squirrel, and a drunken pig. Perhaps my favorite tidbit about this is the "I am so smart!" sequence in which Homer Simpson misspells "smart" wasn't scripted.
Best moment: "I am so smart."
8. Cape Feare - Season 5, Episode 2
7. And Maggie Makes Three - Season 6, Episode 13
By far the most heartwarming entry in the series, And Maggie Makes Three is a deftly blended comedic and emotional story, mixing both in an easy to digest and rather fun blend. The tragic tale of Homer finally stabilizing his financial situation, quit his job and work at a Bowl-A-Rama, and finally being happy before being upended by an unplanned child is all too tragic and realistic. Add on a scene-stealing Mr. Burns, and you have a recipe for a powerhouse episode.
Best moment: Do it for her
6. Krusty Gets Kancelled - Season 4, Episode 22
With a stacked ensemble of guest stars - Featuring the likes of Johnny Carson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hugh Hefner, Luke Perry, and Elizabeth Taylor - Krusty Gets Kancelled is the rare Simpsons episode that actually ingrains them into the episode organically. Krusty's Clown Show is losing ratings due to newcomer Gabbo and is canceled. This leads the Simpsons kids on a wild and hilarious adventure to try and get the show back on the air.
Best moment: Worker and Parasite
5. Lisa the Vegetarian - Season 7, Episode 5
Lisa the Vegetarian is often sighted by many as the best episode of The Simpsons, rightly so. This episode details Lisa's coming of age vegetarianism after she realizes how cute lambs are, with the help of Paul McCartney (Who only agreed to do the cameo if Lisa stayed vegetarian for the rest of the show's run). The b-plot is equally fun - Homer, after being rejected from the Flanders family reunion, decides to try and create the greatest BBQ of all time.
Best moment: The Food Chain
4. You Only Move Twice - Season 8, Episode 2
You Only Move Twice is, once again, often sighted by many as the best episodes of The Simpsons, rightly so. Not only is the idea of Homer Simpson getting a high-paying, fantastical job where he's valued hilarious, but his boss - Hank Scorpio, just about the greatest random Simpsons character, is secretly a wonderful guy. And supervillain.
Best moment: Any time Hank Scorpio is on screen
3. Homer's Enemy - Season 8, Episode 23
Homer's Enemy is, once again, once again, often sighted by many as the best episode of The Simpsons, rightly so. The episode is an excellent example of what would happen if a regular dude was dropped into sitcom life. Frank Grimes, a new character, is astounded by Homer Simpson's success with minimal effort. Homer's wonderful house, family, and lobster all push Frank (Or, as he liked to be called, "Grimey.") over the edge. And can we take a moment to appreciate how great Hank Azaria was at voicing Frank? It's an excellent performance.
Best moment: Grimes comes to dinner
2. A Fish Called Selma - Season 7, Episode 19
1. Last Exit to Springfield - Season 4, Episode 17
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| This is just about my favorite scene of The Simpsons |
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