As seen on TV last night. I just found it here while supplies last (i.e. until Fox notices).
As transcribed just now:
pain is brown
hate is white
love is black
stab the night
kingdom of numb
closet of hurt
feelings are dumb
kisses are dirt
At my wife's cast party last night there were two TVs: A big screen projector (with screwed-up aspect ratio that made everyone on the screen look short & fat) had the Saints-Seahawks on, while a smaller screen had a syndicated "Frasier." All Seattle.
Before Frasier (but after America's Funniest Home Videos) the smaller TV had this episode of a sit-com I'd never seen before. None of the on-line synopses mention the most memorable part: that after the mother-son fight, the patriarch's mom gets a job at Playpen Video (adult movie store). When I still had no idea what show this had been, Googling "Playpen Video" got me nowhere.
The second Simpsons episode last night quite obviously featured the voice of Steve Buscemi, who played Templeton (the rat) in a recent adaptation of Charlotte's Web (Dakota Fanning was Fern). The children's play my wife just finished directing was a musical version of Charlotte's Web, with Templeton played by a redheaded girl who probably doesn't have much in common with Steve Buscemi.
The X-Prize was funded by an insurance contract. The insurance underwriters may have underestimated the probability that the prize would be won, based on the advice they got from Boeing and McDonnell-Douglas.
The bonus Simpsons reference comes via this Marginal Revolution post about the ethics of book abuse:
The funniest Simpsons line I've newly heard this year (that is, funniest line from an episode that I'd never seen until 2007) comes from "Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play" (Homer & Marge give marriage advice to an Isotopes player and his singer wife voiced by Mandy Moore), where Marge is reading from a marriage-improvement book and says something like:
"Ooh, here's a sentence the previous owner of this book underlined and highlighted!"
I realized last night that I'd previously never seen Treehouse of Horror IX.
Fun facts about the start of Season 10:
"Lard of the Dance" originally aired in August, almost a month before the official season premiere. Then new episodes September 20 and 27 and almost a month of baseball playoff-driven hiatus.
(Before looking it up I'd wondered why Treehouse wasn't the first new episode of the season, as has often been the case during Fox's baseball contract.)
You may not have realized just how soon the 1998 World Series ended relative to other recent Series: The season started a bit sooner than usual (Opening Day: March 31!) and the Yankees swept the Padres.
Season 10 episodes I think I've never seen (but will have seen by a few days from now):
Lisa Gets an A
Homer Simpson in: "Kidney Trouble"
Marge Simpson in: "Screaming Yellow Honkers"
Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo
I seem to have seen every episode of Season 11, though some of them only once.
Season 12 unseens(?):
Treehouse of Horror XI
The Great Money Caper
Day of the Jackanapes
New Kids on the Blecch
Bye Bye Nerdie
Simpson Safari
Children of a Lesser Clod
From season 13 onward probably a bunch I haven't caught yet.
"Authority is bullshit."
--David Post
One commenter responded:
"The tone and the language in the original post are offensive and inappropriate for this forum. "
Even though I'll disagree with both "offensive" and "inappropriate," this was still -- how to put it? -- conspicuously out of place among the other Volokh Conspiracy posts, as much for being poorly thought out as for anything else.
(He must be trying to explain rather than persuade, since the post contains no attempt at anything beyond bare assertions of things that aren't very useful to assert.)
Meh.
It was as good as I could have reasonably expected. That is to say, it was good. Not great but not bad. It neither disappointed me (did I ever mention how big a letdown Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story was?) nor infuriated me (don't even get me started on the Hitchhiker's Guide movie!).
SPOILERS onward.
OMFG Bart is hung! Best sight gag ever, and I'm unashamed by how crude this is. They set it up perfectly.
That sight gag and the funeral arrangement of American Idiot were by far the two highlights of the movie.
They made judicious use of celebrity cameos: Green Day. Tom Hanks. As far as I could tell that's it. (Albert Brooks, the former Hank Scorpio, doesn't count.) Even at that the cameos weren't self-serving; if anything the Hanks was a neat bit of self-parody.
Aside from that:
Travel to an interesting destination for the sake of going there: check (at least they didn't exploit Alaska too much).
Homer's harebrained scheme: check.
Marge gets mad enough at Homer that their marriage is in jeopardy: check.
Political humor that seems vaguely cutting-edge until you realize it's standard issue center-left CW: check. (This is part of what makes either Family Guy or South Park so comparatively interesting.)
The motorcycle jump not even coming close to making it over the canyon is a nice allusion to one of my least-favorite of the early episodes. Bart's slingshot recovery almost redeems that scene 17 years after the fact.
I liked the end credit bits. This is actually around the point that I started mentally comparing the movie to, of all things, Dodgeball. That was a much funnier movie (Julia says "Of course! That had Ben Stiller") but obviously as live action it doesn't have the stunningly beautiful animation.
Twenty years from now the rest of this movie will be amiable mediocrity but it will be a fantastic piece of artwork until the technology comes along to make animation even more achingly beautiful.
Oh, one last thing: Both Julia and I absolutely adored the Disney parody involved in the birds-and-deer bit with Homer and Marge about to make love.
Today of all days needed one, and why not one with LOLCAT goodness?
Monorail... monorail... monorail! ("Mono... D'OH!")
The Simpsons have been a letdown since season 9.
I don't understand how Springfield can be in Vermont: Wouldn't that mean "Moe'N'A Lisa" (#HABF19 / SI-1719 ) never happened?
"Lisa feels sorry for Moe after Homer forgets that he offered to take him fishing for his birthday, so she decides to write a school report about him, and in the process discovers his written rantings can be turned into poetry; Lisa gets them published and Moe is invited to a writers' conference in Vermont, but when he discovers that anyone who claims they needed help in writing is shunned, he takes all of the credit for his success" --SNPP
If you care, some other debunkings:
"Evelyn won't anything unless it's shipped overnight from Vermont or Washington state, implying Springfield is in neither of these two states."
This screenshot supposedly shows Lisa pointing to the city of Springfield (with her arm obscured by Bart's head). But look at Vermont!
Miguel sent this collection of "top 10 episodes" lists (pasted verbatim in the extended entry, e-mail addresses snipped) to me several weeks ago but better later than never. What I find most interesting is the lack of overlap in the lists.
My ad hoc list (wow, that abortive attempt I made to rank every single one of them dates back to April 2005 -- geez).
1. Selma's Choice
2. The Last Temptation of Homer
3. Sideshow Bob Roberts
4. The New Kid on the Block
5. Homer and Apu
6. Lisa on Ice
7. $pringfield
8. Bart the Lover
9. Like Father, Like Clown
10. Bart of Darkness
Honorable Mention: I Love Lisa; Bart After Dark
Here are three lists (including the definitive list, mine, at the bottom).
Any list you care to share?
Miguel
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 9:36 PM
Subject: RE: Top 10 Simpsons Episiodes
1- The City of New York vs. Homer
2- Marge v. the Monorail
3- Homer: Bad Man
4- Homer the great
5- You only Move Twice
6- Last Exit to Springfield
7- El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer
8- Cape Feare
9- Deep Space Homer
10- Curse of Flying Hellfish
10a. Homer at Bat
10b. Homer's Enemy
10c. $pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love
Legalized Gambling)
- discuss
>Subject: Top 10 Simpsons Episiodes
>Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:07:31 -0500
>
>What's your top 10?
>
>
>My best episodes
>
>1. Rosebud
>2. Last Exit to Springfield
>3. Homer: Bad Man
>4. Cape Feare
>5. You only Move Twice
>6. $pringfield
>7. The City of New York vs. Homer
>8. Deep Space Homer
>9. Bart gets hit by a Car
>10.Bart gets an F
>Runner-up: 138th Episode Spectacular
>
>
>My friend Miguel's:
>
>
>>So off the top of my head, my top 10 Simpsons Episodes are:
>>
>>1. Homer at the Bat
>>2. Last Exit to Springfield
>>3. Deep Space Homer
>>4. You Only Move Twice
>>5. Sideshow Bob Roberts
>>6. Cape Feare
>>7. Homer the Great
>>8. Marge v. the Monorail
>>9. Lisa on Ice
>>10. The Twisted World of Marge Simpson
>>10A. Homer and Apu.
>>
This round, three episodes enter, one advances; repeat as necessary (six times in all). After that, yet again three enter and one advance (just twice for that stage).
I never did announce "wild card" episodes (or do anything useful with the thread in question) but upon reflection two episodes are (to me) obviously the best choices; you'll see them when the time comes.
Today's nominees: (if an episode has gotten this far, you're presumably familiar with it, though as always the summary is linked)
51. 8F16 (SI-316 / S03E16) Bart the Lover
94. 1F10 (SI-510 / S05E13) Homer and Apu
124. 2F19 (SI-619 / S06E21) The PTA Disbands
Comment at will. Preferential balloting remains in play. From this point on I think I won't lead off with my own ranking, partly because in this case at least I'm just not sure yet.
"See Homer Run" (as rebroadcast tonight) is infuriatingly bad.
(About the 12th most annoying thing about it: Only two years late on the recall election satire. Hmm, where is Gray Davis these days?)
That said, if "Nanny 911" is a fair representation of replacement-level prime time television then The Simpsons remains above replacement level. (My sinking suspicion, as someone who watches little TV, is that "Nanny 911" is itself well above replacement level.)
The 16 that we all voted on over the past four months are below (but NOT yet reordered by airdate because I'm lazy).
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
Gump Roast
Homer vs. Dignity
Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
Blame it on Lisa
A Tale of Two Springfields
The Frying Game
Large Marge
Bart-Mangled Banner
Note that the post title refers to 18, not 16. Why put 18 items into a runoff when 16 is such a round number? Well, if you watch a particular game show, you know that 18 is also a nice round number if you take things three at a time. Also, I like having a safety valve to avoid snubbing anything that obviously belongs here.
Your mission should you choose to comment here is to name the two worst episodes not on the list above. My tentative sens is that those are "A Star is Born-Again" and "Bart Carny," but I could be overlooking a true stinker. As with the top 18 (see the post below), I'd love to see discussion and even argument.
The 16 that we all voted on over the past four months are below, reordered by airdate.
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
Bart the Lover
Homer at the Bat
A Streetcar Named Marge
Mr. Plow
Marge vs. the Monorail
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
The Last Temptation of Homer
$pringfield
Homer and Apu
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Lisa on Ice
The PTA Disbands
You Only Move Twice
Bart After Dark
Note that the post title refers to 18, not 16. Why put 18 items into a runoff when 16 is such a round number? Well, if you watch a particular game show, you know that 18 is also a nice round number if you take things three at a time. Also, I like having a safety valve to avoid snubbing anything that obviously belongs here.
Your mission should you choose to comment here is to name the two best episodes not on the list above. My tentative sense is that those two episodes are in fact "Separate Vocations" and "Bart of Darkness"; however, I'd love to see discussion and even argument.
UPDATE: Don't feel constrained to list only two episodes - I think John is exactly on the right track here. If everyone limited himself to two then we might have an N-way tie at one vote apiece. Comment in particular if you'd second or third someone else's nomination.
1. Lisa on Ice
2. Separate Vocations
3. Last Exit to Springfield
4. Homer's Phobia
Now is as good a time as any to mention that I'm trying to learn more about preferential balloting, just because it dovetails with the rest of my schedule-geek knowledge set.
In the first stage of this Simpsons thing I almost always just averaged the rankings. I'd have avoided doing that if (for example) somebody spitefully ranked an obviously good episode dead last, though I don't remember that ever happening. In any case, if you just averaged the rankings, this one came out Ice 1.75, Vocations 2, Exit 2.5, Phobia 3.75.
Here of course we care a lot more about what comes out on top than the rest of the ordering. Vocations got 2 first-pace votes, 1 each for Ice and Exit. Throwing out Phobia doesn't change anything. I idly wondered how preferential balloting systems handle ties. Of the rules cited on the link, the one labeled "First Round" seems more equitable to me than the one labeled "All" (to say nothing of "Random" or "Order").
Counting what I posted myself, "Separate Vocations" and "Lisa on Ice" are in a dead heat. Take myself out and it's "Lisa on Ice." I'm surprised I listed those two in the order that I did, though David is absolutely right that the ending doesn't live up to the rest of the episode. Even so, the order you see above seems most appropriate. If you disagree, now is exactly the time to do something about it. (Or rather, however long it takes for me to get up the next post or two.)
1. The Homer They Fall
2. Pray Anything
3. The Parent Trap
WORST. Bart-Mangled Banner
Scroll up (or wait a few minutes) for the Bottom 16-going-on-18.
1. Mayored to the Mob
2. Lady Bouvier's Lover
3. Summer of 4 Ft. 2
4. Who Shot Mr. Burns (Part Two)?
Miguel, you're welcome. You voted and I appreciate that.
The Consolation Elite:
(reordered by airdate)
Dancin' Homer
Homer the Heretic
Whacking Day
Marge on the Lam
Homer the Vigilante
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Homer Badman
Homie the Clown
Lemon of Troy
A Fish Called Selma
Much Apu About Nothing
Treehouse of Horror VII
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
Lisa the Simpson
Lost Our Lisa
Mayored to the Mob
For our purposes that concludes this tier.
As with the two pools below this, the four that were left from that tier:
53. 8F15 (SI-315 / S03E18) Separate Vocations
After taking the Career Aptitude Normalization Test, or CANT test, Lisa finds out she's more suited to be a homemaker, while Bart is more suited to be a police officer. While Bart enjoys his taste of authority, Lisa turns into a bad kid. (originally in Pool 41)
76. 9F15 (SI-415 / S04E17) Last Exit to Springfield
Homer becomes a Union boss and negotiates a new contract with the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, mindful that Lisa needs braces. (originally in Pool 26)
111. 2F05 (SI-605 / S06E08) Lisa on Ice
Sibling rivalry breaks out on and off the ice when Lisa proves to be a better hockey player than Bart. (originally in Pool 1)
168. 4F11 (SI-811 / S08E15) Homer's Phobia
A shop owner befriends the Simpson family, but after discovering he is a homosexual Homer fears Bart will emulate him. John Waters guest stars.
(originally in Pool 16)
Hey, it's two of the four nicest things Bart ever did for Lisa (c.f. the abomination that is Season 16's "On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister"). Dangit, this ended up being a really loaded pool, of which you can easily make a case that all four are better than either "Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington" or "Bart After Dark" (picking from the weakest (in my opinion) of the first 15 finalists).
Two of these I'm almost physically incapable of ranking anywhere below #1, which creates an obvious conundrum. That makes the rest of my list obvious by default.
1. Separate Vocations
2. Lisa on Ice
3. Homer's Phobia (which really deserved better)
4. Last Exit to Springfield (again, only because the top 3 are off the charts)
Again, the four that are left:
102. 1F21 (SI-521 / S05E21) Lady Bouvier's Lover
Grampa Simpson falls in love with Marge's mother, Jackie, but Mr. Burns woos her away from him. Grampa is broken hearted when learning Jackie is going to marry Burns. (originally in Pool 34)
129. 2F20 (SI-620 / S07E01) Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)
With Burns shot, Chief Wiggum follows a trail of DNA that leads to the Simpsons front door step. Homer is charged for the shooting and before Homer can be jailed, he escapes. It's a race to see who reaches Burns' hospital room first. Tito Puente guest stars. (originally in Pool 9)
153. 3F22 (SI-722 / S07E25) Summer of 4 Ft. 2
In the hopes of making friends on the latest family vacation trip, Lisa packs an empty suitcase, determined to leave her 'nerdy' self behind. Christina Ricci guest stars. (originally in Pool 5)
212. AABF05 (SI-1005 / S10E09) Mayored to the Mob
When Homer rescues Mark Hamill and Mayor Quimby from a rowdy mob of sci-fi fanatics, he is appointed the mayor's new bodyguard. But after convincing Quimby that he needs to stop Fat Tony's mob from selling rat's milk to the town's schools, the mayor's life is placed in jeopardy. Also guest starring Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony and Dick Tufeld as the Robot. (originally in Pool 50)
I can't remember the last time the best episode seemed so obvious from among four at this level. I claim that the worst is also obvious, though this is partly backlash over how gimmicky the "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" meme was as a marketing tool.
That leaves a bittersweet Lisa episode that I like a lot (sleeper) and a really well-done farce centering on Homer, Quimby, and Fat Tony. I'll take the Lisa, though I'd be shocked if the commenter consensus agreed with me on this pair.
1. Lady Bouvier's Lover
2. Summer of 4 Ft. 2
3. Mayored to the Mob
4. Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)
The ones that are left (so no need for pseudorandomness)...
156. 4F03 (SI-803 / S08E03) The Homer They Fall
Moe turns Homer into a successful boxer after discovering Homer can absorb massive blows to the head, but Marge is worried that won't save Homer in the upcoming match with Dreaderick Tatum, the heavyweight champion. Michael Buffer and Paul Winfield guest star. (originally in Pool 41)
271. CABF22 (SI-1222 / S13E02) The Parent Rap
Bart appears in court to pay for an embarrassing joy ride in the police chief's patrol car. But just before he is set free, a second, vindictive judge named Constance Harm assumes the case and sentences him to the worst kind of detention imagineable: being tethered to Homer around the clock. Guest stars Jane Kaczmarek as Judge Harm. (originally in Pool 25)
301. EABF06 (SI-1406 / S14E10) Pray Anything
When Flanders wins a half-time money shot during a WNBA game, Homer decides his neighbor's secret to success is praying. Homer starts praying to get his way with everything...and it works. He even prays himself into an injury lawsuit against the Church and is awarded with the deed to the property. Homer promptly moves the family in, while Helen and the Reverend have been relocated to the Flanders and reduced to preaching at the Bowl-A-Rama. It can only take a miracle to make Homer see the error of his ways. (originally in Pool 12)
334. FABF17 (SI-1517 / S15E21) Bart-Mangled Banner
While trying to avoid an inoculation at Dr. Hibbert's office, Bart's wriggling causes a side-effect and he suffers a temporary loss of hearing, which Bart milks for all that it is worth. Bart participates in the annual Springfield Elementary Donkey Basketball tournament. During the playing of the national anthem, Bart feeds his shorts to the donkey, leaving him bare-assed for all to see. But when Bart's bare-bum appears in a photo, the Simpson family becomes portrayed as unpatriotic and un-American, getting them thrown into "re-education" therapy, where they escape and migrate to France. But the Simpsons decide France isn't for them (perhaps Bart had forgotten all the French he learned in Season One?) so they return home as illegal immigrants. (originally in Pool 56)
The latest instance of Keith Olbermann being an idiot (he usually quite insightful but now and then he's so wrong and so sanctimonious despite being so wrong that it hurts to watch/read): He's apparently disappointed that the current Simpsons season projects to be light on the political spoofing.
Now, they used to do political satire just brilliantly (see also "Sideshow Bob Roberts" and even "Much Apu About Nothing"), but Bart-Mangled Banner was so amateurish that from that point on even if you didn't believe the series itself was toast, this was at least the handwriting on the wall for their ever doing politics and actually being funny (as opposed to bludgeoning you with the same hammer repeatedly). For this episode you'd think they'd hired old Murphy Brown writers and gotten them drunk.
As always of course, your mileage may vary. Even unrelated to the politics, "Banner" commits two unforgiveable sins: Crossing the line on "that would never happen" plot devices of escalating absurdity (it's hard to define where this line is, but you know "over it" when you see it), and disrespecting (by ignoring) the series' own heritage.
Now that this rant is over with: Should "Parent Rap" get added demerits for being (as far as I can tell) the debut of Judge Harm? I can buy it as a bottom-16 episode, though a bottom 16 without it wouldn't seem like a glaring omission.
"The Homer They Fall" doesn't really possess badness so much as lack goodness. That said, badness is here: Building the physical comedy around Homer getting hit in the head so much is a sharp dropoff in quality from the highlights of season 8.
You'd think "Pray Anything" would flunk my above-mentioned, sometimes pedantic "that would never happen" test, except that you can suspend your disbelief just enough (since literal deus ex machina is involved) and appreciate the surprisingly well-executed theological message. That is to say, I think I'd never seen this when it was first ranked, but then subsequently saw it in syndication and absolutely loved it. "The dog thinks he's Papal!"
1. Pray Anything
2. The Homer They Fall
3. The Parent Trap
WORST. Bart-Mangled Banner
1. $pringfield
2. 22 Short Films About Springfield
3. Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie
4. Marge Be Not Proud
(again despite the fact that "Marge Be Not Proud" was the only one of the four NOT to rank dead last on someone's list)
The "haven't seen it" NR's make it harder to tally, though first place is majority rule and the exact order of 2-4 isn't life or death.
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
You Only Move Twice
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Homer and Apu
Marge vs. the Monorail
The PTA Disbands
Bart the Lover
Bart After Dark
$pringfield
1. Lisa, the Simpson
2. The Front
3. The Day the Violence Died
4. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
(Despite the fact that "Oh Brother" was the only one of the four NOT to appear dead last on someone's list.)
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
Lemon of Troy
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
Dancin' Homer
Lost Our Lisa
Much Apu About Nothing
Homer the Vigilante
Lisa the Simpson
1. Simpsons Bible Stories
2. The Mansion Family
3. Children of a Lesser Clod
WORST. Large Marge
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
Gump Roast
Homer vs. Dignity
Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
Blame it on Lisa
A Tale of Two Springfields
The Frying Game
Large Marge
Obviously you should comment here, here, and here if you're so inclined and haven't already.
In theory I could go ahead and post the final quartets at each tier, since of course there's only four episodes left on the spreadsheet for each of them. Any potential fairness issues if I did that? Any effect either way on voter turnout?
(As I type this I couldn't tell you which four are at any level, since I haven't actually looked to see where the blanks are, much less drafted the posts.)
268. CABF16 (SI-1216 / S12E20) Children of a Lesser Clod
Homer injures himself while playing basketball at the YMCA, and needs surgery. While recovering at home, he finds he is good at caring for pets and at babysitting the Flandereses' children, so much so that he starts a daycare center which gets him nominated for a Good Guy award for service to the community. But Bart and Lisa feel neglected through all of this, and are determined to thwart his award campaign. (originally in Pool 31)
295. DABF18 (SI-1318 / S14E04) Large Marge
Marge mistakenly thinks Homer is eyeing other women. In an effort to uplift her appeal, she decides to get plastic surgery to look younger. But the surgery goes awry when Marge receives breast implants that were meant for a younger patient. Meanwhile, Bart and Milhouse catch an episode of Batman where Batman and Robin battle Clown Man - who happens to look a lot like Krusty. (originally in Pool 20)
221. AABF14 (SI-1014 / S10E18) Simpsons Bible Stories
Reverend Lovejoy is showing his stuff with the latest in a series of uninteresting sermons. Bored so terribly are the Simpsons that each gradually doses off, dreaming that they're Adam and Eve, Moses and David facing Goliath. (originally in Pool 38)
238. BABF08 (SI-1108 / S11E12) The Mansion Family
After receiving an award for oldest citizen of Springfield, Mr. Burns checks into the Mayo Clinic, leaving The Simpsons in charge of his luxurious mansion. Guest starring Britney Spears as herself. (originally in Pool 42)
I've still never seen "Lesser Clod" but the relative ranking of the other three couldn't possibly be more obvious. That the worst of this bunch includes The Baha Men at the end of its "guest star" list is just icing.
Sometimes an episode is so bad it's tempting to think, "Why even continue? This is the obvious choice for rock-bottom." But then one realizes that a good handful of episodes all give that vibe -- and they'll try to outstink each other soon enough.
(NR. Children of a Lesser Clod)
1. The Mansion Family
2. Simpsons Bible Stories
WORST. Large Marge
78. 9F16 (SI-416 / S04E19) The Front
After watching a particularly bad Itchy and Scratchy cartoon, Lisa and Bart ghost write their own using their grandfather's name. Meanwhile, Homer takes night school to make up a missing science credit. (originally in Pool 2)
28. 7F16 (SI-216 / S02E15) Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
Fearing death, Grandpa Simpson tells Homer that he has a half-brother. This half-brother, Herbert Powell, is a carmaker in Detroit, and wants Homer to design a car for the average man to save his car company. Danny DeVito guest stars as Herbert Powell. (originally in Pool 11)
195. 4F24 (SI-824 / S09E17) Lisa, the Simpson
Thanks to the unfounded predictions of Grampa Simpson, Lisa is convinced that she's genetically predisposed to lose her intelligence. Meanwhile, Apu discovers Jasper frozen in his freezer, and turns the Kwik-E-Mart into a tourist's trap. (originally in Pool 51)
146. 3F16 (SI-716 / S07E18) The Day the Violence Died
With the help of Lionel Hutz, Bart unwittingly bankrupts the studio that produces Itchy & Scratchy when he and Hutz successfully prove the idea for Itchy was stolen some 70-80 years ago. (originally in Pool 53)
If you ask me, the City of Brotherly Love isn't Philadelphia, it's Detroit...
I have to admit I really don't know what to do with this bracket, mainly how the "Itchy & Scratchy" episodes compare to each other. "Lisa, the Simpsons" is quite a sleeper. The problem with "Oh Brother" is that the debacle is really far more Herb's fault more than Homer's. Then again, Bart's line at the very end almost singlehandedly saves the show.
Please don't agree completely with the ratings below (unless I somehow managed to randomly nail them); these seem far less obvious to me than usual.
1. Lisa, the Simpson
2. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
3. The Front
4. The Day the Violence Died
1. Homer the Vigilante
2. Trilogy of Error
3. Two Dozen and One Greyhounds
4. The Principal and The Pauper
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
Lemon of Troy
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
Dancin' Homer
Lost Our Lisa
Much Apu About Nothing
Homer the Vigilante
1. The Computer Wore Menace Shoes
2. D'oh-in' in the Wind
3. The Fat and the Furriest
Worst. The Frying Game
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
Gump Roast
Homer vs. Dignity
Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
Blame it on Lisa
A Tale of Two Springfields
The Frying Game
139. 3F07 (SI-707 / S07E11) Marge Be Not Proud
Bart manages to keep a failed 'four-fingered discount' trip a secret from Homer and Marge. But unfortunately, Marge finds out when the family returns to the store to have the family Christmas photo taken. Lawrence Tierney guest stars. (originally in Pool 45)
91. 1F08 (SI-508 / S05E10) $pringfield
When the local economy stalls, everyone, including Marge, votes to legalize gambling on Springfield. Mr. Burns even opens up his own casino, Homer gets to be a blackjack dealer, and Marge is addicted to the slot machines. (originally in Pool 41)
149. 3F18 (SI-718 / S07E21) 22 Short Films About Springfield
A dull, lazy afternoon, prompts Bart and Milhouse to wonder if anything interest ever happens in Springfield -- a cue for a series of clips about Springfield. (originally in Pool 39)
65. 9F03 (SI-403 / S04E06) Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie
When Bart fails to keeps an eye on Maggie and puts her life in danger, Homer finally puts his foot down on Bart's mischief by passing the ultimate punishment: Bart can never see The Itchy and Scratchy Movie. (originally in Pool 23)
Now that I've seen "PTA Disbands" on the Season 6 DVD, "22 Short Films..." is reputedly by far the best Simpsons episode among those I still have yet to see. Apparently it isn't even close. I hate having an "NR" at this elite stage but there's nothing else I can do. Season 7 can't come soon enough.
The order of the other three seems obvious to me; your mileage may vary. Side note: in an upset, I'll claim that "You have chosen a three wood. May I suggest a putter?" is only the third-best quote/exchange from those three episodes, behind {"Your manager says for you to shut up!" "Vera said that?!"} and {"Earl Warren wasn't a stripper!" "Now who's being naive?"}
1. $pringfield
2. Marge Be Not Proud
3. Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie
(NR. 22 Short Films About Springfield)
1. Bart After Dark
2. Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment
3. Treehouse of Horror IV
4. Bart's Friend Falls in Love
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
You Only Move Twice
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Homer and Apu
Marge vs. the Monorail
The PTA Disbands
Bart the Lover
Bart After Dark
92. 1F09 (SI-509 / S05E11) Homer the Vigilante
When a cat burglar hits Springfield, Homer vows to fight back. (originally in Pool 12)
123. 2F18 (SI-618 / S06E20) Two Dozen and One Greyhounds
Santa's Little Helper's frisky nature nets the Simpsons a new dog and 25 spanking new puppies. When Burns steals the young greyhounds, Bart and Lisa set out to discover why he wants them. (originally in Pool 35)
180. 4F23 (SI-823 / S09E02) The Principal and The Pauper
During a surprise banquet to honor his twentieth anniversary as principal, Seymour Skinner's true identity is revealed to be Armin Tamzarian. Now established as an impostor, Tamzarian retires and relocates to his old neighborhood in Capitol City. Guest starring Martin Sheen as the real Seymour Skinner. (originally in Pool 23)
266. CABF14 (SI-1214 / S12E18) Trilogy of Error
In a “Run, Lola, Run” parody, a breakfast accident involving Marge's kitchen knife and Homer's thumb is seen through the eyes of individual family members. While Homer & Marge make a mad dash for the hospital, Lisa takes her linguistic robot to the Springfield science fair, and Bart runs afoul of Fat Tony's illegal fireworks ring. (originally in Pool 2)
See my vest, Armin Tamzarian. See my vest. Maybe I backlash-underrate episodes that get way overrated on a single meme or song, though in this case I think two are obviously better than the other two, with close calls within each pair. Note that highly favorable comments on "Vigilante" last time around (John?) led me to rewatch it on DVD and ultimately agree about its high quality.
1. Homer the Vigilante
2. Trilogy of Error
3. Two Dozen and One Greyhounds
4. The Principal and The Pauper
209. AABF02 (SI-1002 / S10E06) D'oh-in' in the Wind
Homer sets out to determine what his middle initial stands for, but in the process, delves into the old free-spirit ways of hippies, inspired by his mother's radical past and former associates. Guest starring George Carlin as Munchie and Martin Mull as Seth. (originally in Pool 40)
290. DABF16 (SI-1316 / S13E21) The Frying Game
Homer is sentenced to community service after nearly killing a rare insect found in his backyard pond. While working in a Meals on Wheels program, Homer befriends an elderly old woman. When the woman is thought to be dead, Homer and Marge become murder suspects after being named the sole beneficiaries of her will. Homer is convicted and sentenced to the death penalty, but just before he is scheduled to die in the electric chair, it is revealed that he's a contestant on a new reality show called "Frame Up" and the old woman is alive and well. (originally in Pool 21)
254. CABF02 (SI-1202 / S12E06) The Computer Wore Menace Shoes
After realizing that he's missing the cyberspace boat, Homer plugs into the internet and builds a web site. But when low traffic hits him where it hurts, he resorts to spicing up his cyberslab with damaging gossip concerning fellow townsfolk. Guest starring Patrick McGoohan as Prisoner #6. (originally in Pool 33)
318. EABF19 (SI-1419 / S15E05) The Fat and the Furriest
After another failed Mother's Day gift, Homer takes the kids to Sprawl-Mart and ends up buying a Kitchen Carnival for Marge. Homer uses the Carnival to create an edible candy man, but Marge finally forces him to take it to the Springfield Dump - where he's promptly attacked by a bear. When he's labelled a coward by the media, Homer builds a bear-fighting suit, and after some Jackass style testing antics sets out to confront the bear. (originally in Pool 55)
The order here seems obvious to me but I'll be verbose anyway.
I'm told by fans of "The Prisoner" that the parody in "Menace Shoes" is actually hilarious, and not just randomly confusing (as it was to me when I saw it without ever being exposed to "The Prisoner"). It's obviously the least bad of these four.
"D'oh-in'" is somewhat cringe-inducing but only somewhat. It would be second-worst in some pools.
That stupid episode with the bear would be worst of a lot of pools and it's certainly worse than at least two of the Season 15 eps that hit worst-of-the-worst status almost by default -- but here it's in a pool with a especially noxious bottom-5 candidate.
1. The Computer Wore Menace Shoes
2. D'oh-in' in the Wind
3. The Fat and the Furriest
Worst. The Frying Game
1. Much Apu About Nothing
2. Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?
3. Bart Gets an Elephant
4. My Sister, My Sitter
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
Lemon of Troy
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
Dancin' Homer
Lost Our Lisa
Much Apu About Nothing
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
Gump Roast
Homer vs. Dignity
Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
Blame it on Lisa
A Tale of Two Springfields
86. 1F04 (SI-504 / S05E05) Treehouse of Horror IV
In a Night Gallery parody, Bart presents three tales of terror... In "The Devil and Homer Simpson," Homer gives up his soul for a single doughnut. Now, the Devil wants Homer. Next, Bart has a nightmare about a bus crash. And his nightmare is about to come true when a playful gremlin starts taking the bus apart piece by piece "Terror at 5 1/2 Feet." Finally, Mr. Burns is a vampire, and he wants blood, and he turns Bart into a vampire in "Bart Simpson's Dracula." (originally in Pool 39)
158. 4F06 (SI-806 / S08E05) Bart After Dark
As punishment for destroying private property, Bart is force to work for the homeowner, but unbeknown to everyone in the family, including Bart, the homeowner runs a shady business where people leave with lighter wallets and smiles on their faces. (originally in Pool 54)
171. 4F15 (SI-815 / S08E18) Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment
When Prohibition hits the town of Springfield, and with Bart's help, Homer goes into the booze making business. (originally in Pool 23)
58. 8F22 (SI-322 / S03E23) Bart's Friend Falls in Love
Bart and Milhouse enter the age of cooties, when Milhouse dates a new girl... without her father knowing it. Meanwhile, Homer tries to lose weight by listening to a subliminal tape. (originally in Pool 31)
Drinkin' and oglin' -- can either of the Season 8 vice episodes top what seems to be the most highly acclaimed of the Treehouses of Horror?
I claim "Bart After Dark" nips the Treehouse, though it needs the Lisa-saves-the-environment subplot to push it over the top. "Bart's Friend" has a hilarious sex-ed video and also a brilliant subplot, but it's just too bittersweet for all-time greatness. Fourth quartile of the top tier seems exactly right for it. As always, your mileage may vary.
1. Bart After Dark
2. Treehouse of Horror IV
3. Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment
4. Bart's Friend Falls in Love
(Two sidebets: I predict that at least three people will comment but that nobody else other than me will put "Bart After Dark" at #1 among these. Prove me right/wrong, as appropriate.)
1. Bart the Lover
2. Bart of Darkness
3. I Love Lisa
4. Hungry, Hungry Homer
Truly surprising. If memory serves, at least one regular reader/commenter (though typically not a Simpson-pool commenter) believes "I Love Lisa" to be the all-time best. Maybe because of that, I thought it was more popular than it was (or better than it was). It's a slam dunk for my personal top 20, though I'll admit I also dearly love both "Lover" and "Darkness".
In any case, I think the combination of my post, Paul's comment and John's comment dictates the result above.
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
You Only Move Twice
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Homer and Apu
Marge vs. the Monorail
The PTA Disbands
Bart the Lover
Be sure also to comment #6-13 (right below this) and #1-13 (here).
151. 3F20 (SI-720 / S07E23) Much Apu About Nothing
Anti-immigration fever hits Springfield and Homer catches the fever until he discovers Apu is an illegal immigrant. (originally in Pool 16)
170. 4F13 (SI-813 / S08E17) My Sister, My Sitter
Lisa's babysitting reputation is put to the test when she is assigned the task of babysitting Bart and Maggie, for which Bart is determine to make Lisa's life a 'living Hell'. (originally in Pool 25)
98. 1F15 (SI-515 / S05E17) Bart Gets an Elephant
When 'KBBL is going to give me something stupid', Bart forgoes the $10,000 cash price for an elephant. Problem is, the elephant is causing some major problems. (originally in Pool 51)
59. 8F23 (SI-323 / S03E24) Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?
Herbert Powell returns, and asks the Simpsons help for an invention idea of his, using the money Homer received from the nuclear plant for some bogus award. Guest stars Joe Frazier and Danny DeVito. (originally in Pool 24)
I haven't gratuitously quoted lines in awhile, but nobody else has either. In a world where All the best bands are affiliated with Satan and The NY-Mets are my favorite squadron, there's still one particular episode here that demonstrates outstanding achievement in the field of excellence.
1. Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?
2. Much Apu About Nothing
3. Bart Gets an Elephant
4. My Sister, My Sitter
77. 9F17 (SI-417 / S04E18) So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show
When Homer get seriously injured from Bart's practical joke, the Simpsons recall at the hospital various moments from past episodes. (originally in Pool 55)
250. BABF20 (SI-1120 / S12E02) A Tale of Two Springfields
After Springfield's telephone area code splits in two, Homer spearheads a movement to divide the town itself in half along the new area code line. Guest starring The Who. (originally in Pool 44)
304. EABF08 (SI-1408 / S14E13) A Star Is Born-Again
In a send-up of "Notting Hill", Ned Flanders begins dating a forgotten starlet. Guest stars Marisa Tomei, Helen Fielding, and James L. Brooks. (originally in Pool 37)
265. CABF13 (SI-1213 / S12E17) Simpson Safari
A belated prize awaits Homer in his next box of animal crackers, one which starts the family out on an exotic trip to Ngorongoro, Africa. (originally in Pool 33)
Remind me what, if anything, the consensus revealed about clip shows generally. Least-bad of the worst? Worst of the worst? Bad but easily out-stinked?
I've actually never seen "Safari" but the other two non-clip shows in this bracket just make me shudder. Homer's "divide the town" crusade is irredeemably stupid, and the cameo by The WHo is exactly how not to handle a celebrity cameo.
NR. So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show
NR. Simpson Safari
Second-Worst (and quite awful). A Star Is Born-Again
Worst. A Tale of Two Springfields
1. I, D'oh-Bot
2. Bart of War
3. Bart Carny
Worst. Blame it on Lisa
Despite the ordering I posted a week ago, I've come to realize just how right Paul is about "Carny." Still not as bad as "Blame it on Lisa" though.
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
Gump Roast
Homer vs. Dignity
Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
Blame it on Lisa
1. Lost Our Lisa
2. Stark Raving Dad
3. Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy
4. Marge Gets a Job
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
Lemon of Troy
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
Dancin' Homer
Lost Our Lisa
104. 1F22 (SI-522 / S06E01) Bart of Darkness
After breaking his leg, Bart spends the Summer at his bedroom window, spying on the neighbors with a telescope. Bart finds the view boring until he sees Ned Flanders murdering his wife. (originally in Pool 46)
74. 9F13 (SI-413 / S04E15) I Love Lisa
Lisa's valentine to the most disliked boy in her class causes her to be chased by him. (originally in Pool 50)
263. CABF09 (SI-1209 / S12E15) Hungry, Hungry Homer
After Homer discovers that the Springfield Isotopes are being moved to Albuquerque, he stages a hunger strike outside the stadium. (originally in Pool 51)
51. 8F16 (SI-316 / S03E16) Bart the Lover
He has the name of the 23rd president, the face of Gordie Howe, and the lines of a Frenchman. Is Mrs. Krabapple's new pen pal/lover Bart's latest practical joke? Meanwhile, Homer starts building a doghouse, and learns to give up swearing. (originally in Pool 11)
Much better pool than #12, in my opinion. One behemoth and at least two episodes that would have made fine top choices in a weaker playoff pool. Tough call for second place in this one, since both deserve at least that much.
1. I Love Lisa
2. Bart the Lover
3. Bart of Darkness
4. Hungry, Hungry Homer
1. The PTA Disbands
2. Like Father, Like Clown
3. Bart Sells His Soul
4. Boy-Scoutz N the Hood
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
You Only Move Twice
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Homer and Apu
Marge vs. the Monorail
The PTA Disbands
(After commenting here, be sure also to comment here and here.)
36. 7F24 (SI-224 / S03E01) Stark Raving Dad
Thanks to Bart leaving his lucky red hat in the load of washed white shirts, Homer wears a pink shirt to the nuclear power plant. He is promptly committed to a mental institution, where he meets up with a white man (Leon Kompowski) who walks and talks like Michael Jackson. (originally in Pool 3)
202. 5F17 (SI-917 / S09E24) Lost Our Lisa
After hastily boarding the wrong bus to a limited engagement museum exhibit, Lisa finds herself lost in unfamiliar parts of Springfield. Meanwhile, Bart adheres novelty items to his face, only to later discover that the glue he was given--by Homer--is permanent. (originally in Pool 42)
113. 2F07 (SI-607 / S06E10) Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy
Grampa Simpson's love tonic saves Homer and Marge's sex life, but breaks the bond between Father and Son. Meanwhile, Bart thinks Springfield is invaded by UFOs. (originally in Pool 35)
66. 9F05 (SI-405 / S04E07) Marge Gets a Job
The Simpsons home needs about $8,000 worth of foundation work, so Marge gets a job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. However, things start getting a bit sticky when Mr. Burns develops a crush on Marge. Tom Jones guest stars. (originally in Pool 14)
"Stark Raving Dad" can't hang with the other three. It's not a huge difference, but aside from sentimental value and pop "yes that's really him" trivia, it doesn't offer much and the other three all do.
"Marge Gets a Job" might be the most overlooked episode in season 4. If you own that season on DVD, (re)watch that episode. You'll appreciate it. I don't think it's better than the other two this pool but your mileage may vary.
I absolutely adore "Lost Our Lisa" but then I'm a sucker for Lisa/Homer episodes. The ending really makes this episode (contrast the beautiful tune the egg plays with Homer's version of the Old Spice theme), as does the Russian chessplayers giving directions. That said, I predict the commenters' consensus will be for "Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequcy," itself a very good choice.
1. Lost Our Lisa
2. Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy
3. Marge Gets a Job
4. Stark Raving Dad
322. FABF04 (SI-1504 / S15E09) I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot
Homer and Bart are watching a BattleBots-type program on cable and are inspired to build a robot of their own. Marge disapproves, believing that their lack of engineering knowledge will doom their project. They build a robot anyway, but it gets slaughtered in its first competition. Unable to repair completely, they adjust the robot so that Homer can operate it from the inside. Homer and the robot begin to win competition after competition, and they eventually make it to the finals of the show that inspired them, where they not only find themselves outmatched, but with their lives at risk. (originally in Pool 40)
284. DABF10 (SI-1310 / S13E15) Blame it on Lisa
Lisa sponsors a South American orphan - and when the child is reported missing, the Simpsons go to Brazil to find him. (originally in Pool 3)
312. EABF16 (SI-1416 / S14E21) The Bart of War
After his latest bout of mischief results in another encounter with the Springfield police department (as the result of watching a South Park episode), Marge and Homer elect to place Bart into a program of supervised afternoon activities - in the form of a quasi-Native American tribe dubbed "The Pre-Teen Braves." But tribal war ensues when his clan is forced into a game of community service one-upsmanship with an opposing group of do-gooders, "The Cavalry Kids." (originally in Pool 27)
190. 5F08 (SI-908 / S09E12) Bart Carny
When Homer costs a carnival worker and his son their jobs, Homer offers the pair a place to stay. But when the carnies lock the family out of their house and claim it as their own, Homer attempts to get it back by outsmarting the two. Guest starring Jim Varney as Cooder. (originally in Pool 54)
The SNPP.com summary of "Blame it on Lisa" is mercifully short, with no mention of kidnapping or risque Sesame Street ripoffs.
All four of these are pretty bad, with (in my opinion) an obvious pecking order.
1. Bart Carny
2. I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot
3. The Bart of War
Worst. Blame it on Lisa
1. Faith Off
2. The Blunder Years
3. The Strong Arms of the Ma
Worst. Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
Gump Roast
Homer vs. Dignity
Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
1. Dancin' Homer
2. Itchy & Scratchy Land
3. The Twisted World of Marge Simpson
4. Realty Bites
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
Lemon of Troy
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
Dancin' Homer
41. 8F05 (SI-305 / S03E06) Like Father, Like Clown
Krusty finally drops by to have dinner with the Simpsons to thank Bart for believing him (see Krusty Gets Busted), and drops a bombshell: He real name is Krustofsky, and he is estranged from his rabbi father, who disowned him when Krusty decided to be a clown instead of a rabbi. Now, Bart vows to reunite Klown and rabbi. (originally in Pool 46).
124. 2F19 (SI-619 / S06E21) The PTA Disbands
A few weeks away from school is what Dr. Bart has ordered when he successfully schemes to have the teachers go on strike. But much to Bart's surprise the school reopens and Marge is his new teacher. Meanwhile, Lisa tries to cope with the situation. (originally in Pool 28).
89. 1F06 (SI-506 / S05E08) Boy-Scoutz N the Hood
When Bart finds a $20, he spends it on a squishy, made of pure syrup. After a wild night, he wakes up to find that he joined a boy scout troop, with den father Ned Flanders. (originally in Pool 42).
132. 3F02 (SI-702 / S07E04)Bart Sells His Soul
Bart's faith is tested when he sells his soul for five dollars. Meanwhile, Moe turns the Tavern into Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag. (originally in Pool 13).
As much as I enjoyed finally seeing "The PTA Disbands" on DVD (I'd never seen it first-run or syndicated!), it fell short (in my opinion) of what I'd expect from an episode whose high esteem almost pushed it ahead of "Mr. Plow" in the prelims.
Nonetheless, I'd be equally unsurprised to see any episode in this quintet lauded as consensus best of the four or consensus worst of the four.
Despite one of the all-time great opening segments, I think the second half of "Boy-Scoutz" flags way too much for it to hang with other top-16 contenders. I also think both of the deep spiritual episodes in this pool trump "PTA" but your mileage may vary on both counts.
1. Bart Sells His Soul
2. Like Father, Like Clown
3. The PTA Disbands
4. Boy-Scoutz N the Hood
A quick programming note: Five weeks from now we'll be through with this stage. We'll have 16 very best episodes, 16 "consolation elite," and 16 very worst. I'm inclined to just ditch tier 2 at that point (what would we settle? epsiode most egregiously screwed by pairings?) but for both best-of and worst-of, we'll throw the floor open for two wild card bids, any episode eligible, spots granted after what with luck will be a long, passionately argued comment thread.
1. Marge vs. the Monorail
2. Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming
3. Bart the General
4. Lisa's Sax
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
You Only Move Twice
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Homer and Apu
Marge vs. the Monorail
Be sure also to vote in #6-11 (right below this one) and #1-11 (scroll down a bit).
18. 7F05 (SI-205 / S02E05) Dancin' Homer
After helping the Springfield Isotopes win a game, Dancin' Homer becomes the team mascot, and the family gets invited to Capital City. Tom Poston guest stars, and Tony Bennett sings the Capital City song. (originally in Pool 55)
187. 5F06 (SI-906 / S09E09) Realty Bites
When Marge becomes a real estate agent, her firm loses lucrative sales due to her total honesty. Meanwhile, Homer buys a 1960s hot-rod convertible at the local police auction. Unfortunately, the rod's former owner and convicted felon, Snake, wants his property returned post haste, and will do anything to get it back. (originally in Pool 4)
107. 2F01 (SI-601 / S06E04) Itchy & Scratchy Land
The family's trip to Itchy & Scratchy Land, the violentest place on earth, proves heavenly until the Itchy & Scratchy robots want to put the family there for real. (originally in Pool 6)
164. 4F08 (SI-808 / S08E11) The Twisted World of Marge Simpson
Marge's new pretzel franchise is failing until Homer strikes a deal with Fat Tony, Springfield's local mobster (originally in Pool 10)
Very deep pool; top to bottom this would even be plausible (albeit very weak) as a Tier 1 pool. Well, maybe 75% of it would be plausible. Having recently gotten the Season 2 DVD (already had the other five that are out), I have a much higher opinion of "Dancin' Homer" now than I did a few months ago. It may not be better than "A Streetcar Named Marge" (top ep in its original pool) but it can hold its own among the top tier.
I do feel guilty putting both "Marge's business venture" eps at the bottom, but neither is as good as the other two (in my opinion) and now's as good a time as any to mention that the local syndication showed "All's Fair in Oven War" last night. The main theme would make it an instant anti-classic but the hilarious Playboy subplot salvages it. Anyhow...
1. Dancin' Homer
2. Itchy & Scratchy Land
3. The Twisted World of Marge Simpson
4. Realty Bites
214. AABF07 (SI-1007 / S10E11) Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
Homer and his drunken cohorts celebrate an improbable victory by the Springfield Isotopes by trashing the local elementary school. But when the police force fails to locate the actual vandals, the town's children are hastily blamed for the rowdiness and punished with a new sunset curfew. (originally in Pool 27)
274. CABF21 (SI-1221 / S13E05) The Blunder Years
A restaurant hypnotist causes Homer to relive a traumatic childhood experience where, upon swimming in a quarry, he found a dead body. That dead body turned out to be Waylon Smithers' father, Waylon Sr., who had disappeared twenty-five years earlier under suspicious circumstances. Meanwhile, Marge fancies Chad Sexington, the man who appears on the packaging of Burly paper towels. (originally in Pool 19)
300. EABF04 (SI-1404 / S14E09) The Strong Arms of the Ma
Marge is mugged at the Kwik-E-Mart and has a severe anxiety attack, which makes her completely unable to leave the house. In order to pass the time, Marge begins lifting weights, which make her stronger and ultimately allows her to overcome her fear. Marge's newfound physique motivates her to take up body building, and she wins 2nd prize in a contest. But when she begins taking steroids on the advice of Ruth Powers, she becomes aggressive and in a fit of rage destroys Moe's, which prompts Marge to rethink her new lifestyle. (originally in Pool 36)
237. BABF06 (SI-1106 / S11E11) Faith Off
Bart becomes hooked on the art of faith healing after witnessing the spin of a traveling revivalist. Meanwhile, Homer prepares for the homecoming game of his old college-days chums. Guest starring Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony and Don Cheadle as Brother Faith. (originally in Pool 6)
The order of these is so obvious to me that I'm probably wrong.
1. The Blunder Years
2. The Strong Arms of the Ma
3. Faith Off
Worst. Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
1. The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
2. The Springfield Connection
3. Treehouse of Horror
4. Lisa the Beauty Queen
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
Lemon of Troy
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
1. Homer's Odyssey
2. Half-Decent Proposal
3. The Ziff Who Came to Dinner
Worst. Homer vs. Dignity
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
Gump Roast
Homer vs. Dignity
181. 3G02 (SI-826 / S09E03) Lisa's Sax
When Lisa's saxophone is destroyed during a scuffle with Bart, the family recounts the story of how she got her instrument during the terrible heat wave of 1990. Guest starring Fyvush Finkel as himself and Krusty. (originally in Pool 12)
137. 3F08 (SI-708 / S07E09) Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming
Sideshow Bob slips away from prison detail, steals an atomic bomb and threatens to detonate it unless the town of Springfield gives up television. R. Lee Ermey and Kelsey Grammer guest star. (originally in Pool 22)
5. 7G05 (SI-105 / S01E05) Bart the General
When Bart gets beat up by the school bully for defending Lisa, he organizes his friends to go after the bully. (originally in Pool 52)
71. 9F10 (SI-410 / S04E12) Marge vs. the Monorail
After getting $3 million from a fine due to Mr. Burn's illegal disposal of nuclear waste, the town decides to spend money on a needless monorail ....built from shoddy materials. Leonard Nimoy guest voices as himself. (originally in Pool 32)
Allow me to express a sacrilege, which I assume will be rebutted in the comments but you never know. "Monorail" not only isn't the best epsiode in this pool, it isn't even second-best. Speak up if you disagree with me.
1. Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming
2. Bart the General
3. Marge vs. the Monorail
4. Lisa's Sax
By the way, David's comment was correct, I mistallied #1-9. That's been fixed on the appropriateresults post. Original #1-10 post here.
1. Homer and Apu
2. The Curse of the Flying Hellfish
3. Radio Bart
4. Simpson and Delilah
So H&A got two first-place "votes," to one each for the next two. But if we used preferential balloting then Hellfish and Apu might end up tied. At any rate of those who spoke up, two put Apu above Hellfish, two vice versa.
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
You Only Move Twice
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Homer and Apu
Last night's syndicated epsiode was "Goo Goo Gai Pan." (Previously in syndication: "On A Clear Day...", hence my earlier rant.)
I still find the "Simpsons travel somewhere" template quite underwhelming and wonder how much of the material from any given episode in that vein is culturally offensive. This particular epsiode rehashes some issues from Selma's Choice (as the Season 16 page does point out) without paying any homage to that ep. Then again, there's also a scene that evokes bad memories of "Homer vs. Dignity."
(Getting back to hating on "Clear Day": When Lisa tries to remember three good things Bart did for her, has she totally forgotten both "Separate Vocations" and "Lisa on Ice"? (The writers obviously had.))
Worst of all, as the SNPP.com writers put it (regarding the adopted Chinese baby who may or may not ever be seen again in subsequent eps): Somebody cancel this week's "Everything's Back to Normal" BBQ...
On the plus side, one quote singlehandedly saves this episode from my hypothetical bottom tier:
"He's just like a little angel who killed 50 million people." --Homer Simpson on Mao
Looking ahead on the Season 16 page: If you've seen "Future-Drama," how can it possibly be anything other than a cheap knockoff of "Lisa's Wedding"?
(Given the original airdates, this has nothing to do with anything else ongoing, I just wanted someone to confirm or deny my opinion that these episodes are all horrible, and perhaps put them in perspective compared to other bottom-feeder eps.)
A Star is Torn
[...] Lisa sings them to sleep with a rendition of "Mockingbird". Krusty is sponsoring a "Li'l Starmaker" competition [...]
Midnight Rx
Mr. Burns is true to his word when he promised a "nasty surprise" for the company office party; he cancels the company's prescription drug plan. Homer has the solution: get some fake Canadian ID papers, go to Canada [...]
The Bonfire of the Manatees
Homer gets into trouble with football gambling debts. As compensation, Fat Tony wants to use the Simpson home for shooting the adult film [...] (summary via Wikipedia, other summaries of course are from snpp.com)
On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister
Everybody up at 3 AM for a field trip to Springfield Glacier. [...]
Each of these is worse than the ones listed above it. All four of these are plausibly among the 20 worst episodes ever. (Any ep from Season 16 onward that isn't listed here, either I've never seen it or it's not all that bad.)
Explanations happily given on request for what makes each episode truly, truly putrid. "On a Clear Day" alone might be worth 1,000+ words of itemized scorn.
185. 5F04 (SI-904 / S09E07) The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
Just as he begins to enjoy his popularity as a swinging bachelor, Apu receives an unwelcome reminder of his pending arranged marriage. Desperate to escape the agreement, Apu claims to have already married Marge Simpson. Guest starring Jan Hooks as Manjula and Andrea Martin as Apu's mother. (originally in Pool 13)
63. 9F02 (SI-402 / S04E04) Lisa the Beauty Queen
Homer enters Lisa in a beauty contest, and Lisa comes in as runner up. However, when the original winner is injured, Lisa becomes Little Miss Springfield. Bob Hope guest stars. (originally in Pool 49)
16. 7F04 (SI-204 / S02E03) Treehouse of Horror
Bart and Lisa swap three horror stories in their tree house: In "Bad Dream House," the Simpsons move into a haunted house, complete with a dimensional vortex, bleeding walls, and an Indian burial ground. Next, aliens kidnap the Simpsons, and invite them to a 'great feast' on Rigel 4 in "Hungry Are the Damned." Finally, James Earl Jones narrates Edgar Allen Poe's classic tale "The Raven." (originally in Pool 1)
126. 2F21 (SI-621 / S06E23) The Springfield Connection
There's a new cop in town and her name is Marge Simpson. Her job is to clean up the town of its criminals. Unfortunately, not all the criminals are on the street as Marge soon discovers (originally in Pool 17)
Two of these dominate the other two. The best two are very hard to compare because of their different themes/styles. Of the other two, I just didn't care for "The Springfield Connection," sorry. Your mileage may vary.
1. The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
2. Treehouse of Horror
3. Lisa the Beauty Queen
4. The Springfield Connection
279. DABF04 (SI-1304 / S13E10) Half-Decent Proposal
Marge, with a little help from Patty, Selma, and Jack (Daniels), e-mails Artie Ziff, who offers $1,000,000 for a weekend ("no funny business") alone with her - money they could use for an operation to make Homer stop snoring. Jon Lovitz reprises his role as Artie Ziff. (originally in Pool 56)
253. CABF04 (SI-1204 / S12E05) Homer vs. Dignity
Short on funds, Homer approaches the ever-wealthy C. Montgomery Burns for a token raise. But when Burns grants his request on the condition that Homer act as his personal jester, the Simpson family finds itself the subject of degrading and embarassing activities. (originally in Pool 49)
3. 7G03 (SI-103 / S01E03) Homer's Odyssey
Homer gets fired for causing another accident at the nuclear plant, and almost commits suicide. He see the light, and becomes a safety activist, and soon goes after the plant he was fired from. (originally in Pool 26)
327. FABF08 (SI-1508 / S15E14) The Ziff Who Came to Dinner
Marge's ex-boyfriend Artie Ziff is discovered in the Simpsons' attic penniless, unemployed, and on the run from the authorities. When the feds come in to arrest Artie, they find that Homer has won all of Artie's assets in a poker game and is now the primary stockholder, and he takes the fall for Artie's shady business dealings. (originally in Pool 30)
Well this is pretty obvious, the only remotely suspenseful outcome being the (mostly irrelevant) Ziff pecking order.
1. Homer's Odyssey
2. Half-Decent Proposal
3. The Ziff Who Came to Dinner
Worst. Homer vs. Dignity (named by Paul(?) as "Homer vs. Quality")
1. The Boy Who Knew Too Much
2. Trash of the Titans
3. Treehouse of Horror IX
4. A Milhouse Divided
Re Paul, "A Milhouse Divided" was a best-of-bracket episode, probably by far the worst of those.
Re everyone at various times: Sometimes I try to comment on my own blog and the comment doesn't "take," because instead of clicking "Post" I just hit enter, except that with Preview as the default option, that just previews instead of publishing. So if you ever thought you'd commented only the comment seems to disappear, that might be what's going on. Anyway...
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
Lemon of Troy
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
n/a. I'm Goin' to Praiseland
n/a. Dude, Where's My Ranch?
n/a. Eight Misbehavin'
Worst. Gump Roast
Paul seems to be correct, though everyone agreed on which was worst.
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
Gump Roast
48. 8F11 (SI-311 / S03E13) Radio Bart
It's Bart's tenth birthday. Bart receives a radio microphone, which he promptly uses to play practical jokes on everyone, including that a little boy named Timmy O'Toole has fallen down the local well. (originally in Pool 21)
94. 1F10 (SI-510 / S05E13) Homer and Apu
After getting food poisoning from eating the Kwik-E-Mart food, Homer gets Apu, the Kwik-E-Mart employee, fired. Regretting his actions, Homer vows to get Apu his job back. James Woods guest stars. (originally in Pool 47)
150. 3F19 (SI-719 / S07E22) The Curse of the Flying Hellfish
Buried World War II treasure is the prize in a tontine, in which Grampa and Mr. Burns are the last two surviving members. But Burns is determined that he'll be the one who collects the prize. (originally in Pool 7)
15. 7F02 (SI-202 / S02E02) Simpson and Delilah
After trying a hair-growing formula (charged to the company's health insurance), Homer gets promoted to an executive position, and gets a male secretary who helps him along in his job. Harvey Fierstein guest stars. (originally in Pool 44)
Klaus never stood a chance in this quarter--which makes "Delilah" no less of a masterpiece. Depending on whether I've grossly overestimated "Homer and Apu," this is either a 2-way or 3-way bracket of death.
1. Homer and Apu
2. The Curse of the Flying Hellfish
3. Radio Bart
4. Simpson and Delilah
1. Sideshow Bob Roberts
2. The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
3. Blood Feud
4. Lisa's First Word
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
You Only Move Twice
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Be sure also to vote in #6-9 (right below this) and #1-9.
101. 1F19 (SI-519 / S05E20) The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Bart skips class and witnesses a waiter brutally beaten. The Mayor's nephew is blamed, but Bart can clear him -- however it would mean coming clean about skipping class. (originally in Pool 30)
159. 4F04 (SI-804 / S08E06) A Milhouse Divided
Homer questions his own marriage bless when, at the latest Simpsons party, Kirk and Luann Van Houten (Milhouse's parents) announce their divorce.
(originally in Pool 4)
200. 5F09 (SI-909 / S09E22) Trash of the Titans
When his crude insults persuade the local garbage men to terminate his trash pick-up service, Homer enters the race for sanitation commissioner, banking on the laziness of his fellow towns- people as the key to victory. Guest starring Steve Martin as Ray Patterson, Paul McGuinness, Susie Smith, and U2. (originally in Pool 13)
207. AABF01 (SI-1001 / S10E04) Treehouse of Horror IX
In "Hell Toupee," Homer's new hair transplant commands him to avenge its former owner's foes. Next, Bart and Lisa are sucked into their television to play a deadly game of cat and mouse with Itchy & Scratchy in "The Terror of Tiny Toon." Finally, in "Starship Poopers," Maggie's actual father is revealed to be an alien, leading to a spot on the esteemed Jerry Springer Show. (originally in Pool 33)
"CHOW-da!!!!"
1. The Boy Who Knew Too Much
2. Trash of the Titans
3. Treehouse of Horror IX
4. A Milhouse Divided
233. BABF03 (SI-1103 / S11E07) Eight Misbehavin'
Apu's wife Manjula gives birth to octuplets. Everyone in Springfield soon pitches in to help, until a couple in Shelbyville gives birth to nine, causing everyone to forget about Apu and Manjula. Guest starring Jan Hooks as Manjula, Butch Patrick as himself, and Garry Marshall as Larry Kidkill. (originally in Pool 4)
267. CABF15 (SI-1215 / S12E19) I'm Goin' to Praiseland
When Ned discovers that one of Maude's goals was to build a bible-themed amusement park, he reunites with Rachel in order to fulfill her dream. But when an accident dupes the public into believing that the park was the site of a miracle, Ned is forced to decide between revealing the truth versus enjoying his increased profits. Guest starring Shawn Colvin as Rachel Jordan. (originally in Pool 12)
286. DABF12 (SI-1312 / S13E17) Gump Roast
The Springfield Friars Club roasts Homer, with help from clips from past episodes..."but don't call it a clip show". (originally in Pool 21)
309. EABF13 (SI-1413 / S14E18) Dude, Where's My Ranch?
While out Christmas caroling, the family finds out from a lawyer that the carol they are singing is copyrighted, leading Homer to write his own carol. But when Ned tries to help, Homer turns it into an anti-Flanders song. A passing David Byrne just happens to hear Homer play his song at Moe's, and he turns it into a hit record. When stardom becomes too much, the family spends a week at a dude ranch. (originally in Pool 39)
This time I think the clip show outstinks the rest, as any of the others I can turn my brain off and genuinely enjoy. Well, maybe not "Eight Misbehavin'" so much.
1. I'm Goin' to Praiseland
2. Dude, Where's My Ranch?
3. Eight Misbehavin'
4. Gump Roast
1. Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo
2. Another Simpsons Clip Show
3. The Great Louse Detective
Worst. Smart and Smarter
The anti-pantheon is quickly becoming a dumping ground for Season 15's grating-but-not-terrible fare, none of which is appreciably worse than [not part of this process] Season 16 or Season 17.
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
Smart and Smarter
1. Lemon of Troy
2. Mom and Pop Art
3. Homer's Triple Bypass
4. Moaning Lisa
That said, on watching it again via the season 6 DVD, I found "Lemon of Troy" nearly as underwhelming this time as I remember finding it the first time. Paul obviously likes it a lot more than I do.
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
Lemon of Troy
179. 4F22 (SI-822 / S09E01) The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
Driven to the brink of sanity by his appointed status as designated driver, Barney Gumble drives to downtown Manhattan in Homer's car, leaving it there. But when the family journeys to the Big Apple to retrieve their property, Homer faces a one-on-one showdown with the dreaded boot. (originally in Pool 38)
69. 9F08 (SI-408 / S04E10) Lisa's First Word
While trying to get Maggie to say her first words, Homer recalls what happened a few years back when Lisa was born, when they first moved into their present home, and what Lisa said her first words. (originally in Pool 8)
108. 2F02 (SI-602 / S06E05) Sideshow Bob Roberts
With the help of a radio talk show host, Mayor Quimby is pressured into releasing Sideshow Bob from prison. Once out, Bob promptly runs against the mayor and wins. Bart and Lisa set out to prove Mayor Bob didn't win legally. (originally in Pool 44)
35. 7F22 (SI-222 / S02E22) Blood Feud
Mr. Burns needs double-O negative blood, and only Bart can supply it. Now, Homer wants some gratitude for Bart's donation. (originally in Pool 21)
Very tough call for second-best episode this bracket. Best episode in this bracket is an absolute monster, one of those that works from start to finish, on so many levels, from the Dr. Demento throw-in to the "When YOU drive, YOU can pick the station" gag to the snide Princeton reference.
1. Sideshow Bob Roberts
2. Blood Feud
3. Lisa's First Word
4. The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
Placing New York at the bottom says a lot more about the other two than about it, though I apparently appreciate "destination" episodes a lot less than other people do, even the ones that aren't bad (c.f. my being underwhelmed by "Bart vs. Australia").
1. You Only Move Twice
2. Homer's Barbershop Quartet
3. Brother from the Same Planet
4. Bart the Genius
Re Paul's comment, I think "You Only Move Twice" is a slam-dunk for top 20 yet borderline for top-10. That's just my opinion though.
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
You Only Move Twice
(In addition to this one, don't forget to comment on the top tier and second tier.)
106. 2F33 (SI-633 / S06E03) Another Simpsons Clip Show
A romance novel prompts Marge to have a family meeting to discuss the values of love and past romances. (originally in Pool 45)
226. AABF20 (SI-1020 / S10E23) Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo
After losing their last million yen, the Simpsons agree to participate in a dangerous Japanese TV game show in exchange for air fare back home. Guest voice George Takei as the Game Show Host. (originally in Pool 41)
326. FABF09 (SI-1509 / S15E13) Smart and Smarter
After Apu and Majula send two of their octuplets to the prestigious Miss Wickerbottom's Pre-Nursery School, Homer is inspired to do the same for Maggie. Maggie is intially rejected because she doesn't talk, but Lisa eventually finds hidden talents in Maggie that lead to the discovery that Maggie's IQ is actually higher than Lisa. Dejected that she is no longer the "smart one", Lisa tries other ways of getting attention, including trying to sabotage Maggie's future. Guest stars American Idol judge Simon Cowell as the Admissions Officer. (originally in Pool 25)
297. EABF01 (SI-1401 / S14E06) The Great Louse Detective
Somebody from Homer's past tries to murder him, and it's up to Sideshow Bob to help Homer find out who that person is. (originally in Pool 5)
No obvious bottom-feeder here. Throw out "Louse Detective" as the only one of the quartet for which I can't make a plausible "worst of the worst" case.
The clip show is actually the first of the clip shows to hit an anti-playoff pool. I could see an argument that they're the worst episodes ever, but then the true bottom 10-15 are so bad that they eclipse even clip shows. This one I have to say is below average even among clip shows because the pretext for the family meeting captures 90% of what's grating about Marge (not that she's objectively grating in general, but on occasion you have to admit).
The Tokyo trip is about as bad as any given Simpsons travel episode, though not necessarily any worse. Actually on a skim of the ep summary, it's got great early moments I'd forgotten about.
I hate the fact that Simon Cowell whored himself out to the episode built around his guest appearance, but that ep has its redeeming features (especially Principal Skinner's wet-blanket one-liners). Then again the jokes within the museum are pretty crude. On the third hand I love some of the learning-themed Springfield police comments.
Tough call; this one will definitely need multi-commenter input.
1. The Great Louse Detective
2. Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo
3. Smart and Smarter
Worst. Another Simpsons Clip Show
Even beyond clip-showness, I couldn't not put ASCS there. Even given every crappy thing Homer ever did to Marge over 16+ seasons, her dippiness in this particular episode is egregious enough for me to wish all the bad things on her (other than being framed for DUI, I guess) and more.
1. My Mother the Carjacker
2. The Dad Who Knew Too Little
3. The Sweetest Apu
Worst. Kill the Alligator and Run
Anti-Pantheon:
My Big Fat Geek Wedding
Simpsons Tall Tales
Co-Dependent's Day
Make Room For Lisa
Barting Over
Helter Shelter
Kill the Alligator and Run
70. 9F09 (SI-409 / S04E11) Homer's Triple Bypass
All those years of eating those fatty foods has caused Homer to have a heart attack. Now, Homer has a choice - spend $40,000 for Dr. Hibbert's bypass operation, or $129.95 for Dr. Nick Riviera's operation--any operation. (originally in Pool 42)
6. 7G06 (SI-106 / S01E06) Moaning Lisa
Lisa is feeling down and blue about the problems around her, and meets a fellow blues musician, Bleedin' Gums Murphy. (originally in Pool 11)
222. AABF15 (SI-1015 / S10E19) Mom and Pop Art
When Homer learns to vent his anger through home-grown artwork, he attracts the attention of a professional art dealer. Guest voices Isabella Rossellini as Astrid Weller and Jasper Johns. (originally in Pool 15)
127. 2F22 (SI-622 / S06E24) Lemon of Troy
Bart leads a group of boys in taking back the town's beloved Lemon tree when it is stolen by a group of Shelbyville kids. (originally in Pool 56)
I don't think I like "Homer's Triple Bypass" as much as you do. When syndicated runs hit the powerhouse season 4 stretch, "Bypass" is as likely to make me groan as to put a spring in my step.
I do like "Moaning Lisa" a lot, perhaps more than you. For each of the last two epsiodes above, at least one of the regular readers (if not regular commenters) is an especially big fan of the ep.
In any case my rankings are a very close call and this could easy come out any of the possible orderings.
1. Lemon of Troy
2. Mom and Pop Art
3. Moaning Lisa
4. Homer's Triple Bypass
1. Homer the Heretic
2. Lisa the Iconoclast
3. The Last Temptation of Krust
4. Krusty Gets Busted
The Consolation Elite (so far):
Homie the Clown
Treehouse of Horror VII
Homer Badman
Marge on the Lam
A Fish Called Selma
Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
2. 7G02 (SI-102 / S01E02) Bart the Genius
Bart swaps IQ tests with Martin, and ends up the butt of everyone's jokes at a school for gifted kids. (originally in Pool 10)
155. 3F23 (SI-723 / S08E02) You Only Move Twice
Homer moves the family to a new town after he receives a better job offer, at a better nuclear power plant, but Homer is oblivious to the fact that his new boss is a Super Villain who is out to rule the world. (originally in Pool 15)
82. 9F21 (SI-421 / S05E01) Homer's Barbershop Quartet
We flashback to 1985, where Homer, Apu, Principal Skinner, and Chief Wiggum (replaced with Barney) were the hit barbershop quartet known as the 'B Sharp'. George Harrison guest stars. (originally in Pool 6)
73. 9F12 (SI-412 / S04E14) Brother from the Same Planet
Bart decides to get a bigger brother when Homer neglects him for the last time. Turnabout is fair play, Homer replaces Bart with a little brother. Meanwhile, Lisa becomes addicted to the Corey hot-line, a 900 number. (originally in Pool 48)
The top and bottom of this one seem obvious (the best of season 1 doesn't match up well against the best of the rest, but then the worst of season 1 isn't nearly as bad as the worst of the rest). Interesting call for the middle slots.
1. You Only Move Twice
2. Brother from the Same Planet
3. Homer's Barbershop Quartet
4. Bart the Genius
1. The Last Temptation of Homer
2. Kamp Krusty
3. Bart vs. Australia
4. Life on the Fast Lane
Pantheon in Progress:
Mr. Plow
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
A Streetcar Named Marge
Selma's Choice
Cape Feare
Homer at the Bat
The Last Temptation of Homer
Three or more episodes, please. (I think this rules out Frank Grimes and Homer's mother and Rabbi Krustofsky, though I could be wrong.) Characters whose names are knowable by Simpson viewers, please.
(So no "pimply teenager," unless he has a name and that name is more commonly known than I think it is.)
I ran into a brick wall at 64.
Homer Simpson
Marge Simpson
Bart Simpson
Lisa Simpson
Maggie Simpson
Abe Simpson
Jacqueline Bouvier
Selma Bouvier
Patty Bouvier
Ned Flanders
Maude Flanders
Rod Flanders
Todd Flanders
Rev. Timothy Lovejoy
Helen Lovejoy
C. Montgomery Burns
Waylan Smithers
Carl Carlson
Lenny
Clancy Wiggum
Sara(h) Wiggum
Ralph Wiggum
Officer Eddie
Officer Lou
Apu N.
Manjula N.
Milhouse van Houten
Martin Prince
Terri
Sherri
Nelson Muntz
Jimbo
Kerney
Edna Krapappel
Ms. Hoover
Principal Skinner
Agnes Skinner
Comic Book Guy
Krusty the Klown
Sideshow Bob
Sideshow Mel
Fat Tony
Mario (the restauranteur)
Dew
