Big Red's 10 favorite Simpsons episodes

Note: I consulted a Simpson Archive to get show names and dates and that’s when I realized just how long it has been since I actively watched new seasons of The Simpsons. At some point in 2000 or 2001, I just stopped and I don’t really know why. Anyways, this list reflects that as all of my picks come from the period before that.
I also noticed the synopsis the website gave for episodes changed over time. For most of the first seven or eight seasons, a show could be adequately described with a sentence or two. For shows after 2000, it takes six to eight sentences to describe the plot of the show. I thought that was kind of interesting. Anyways, here you go.

10. Brother’s Little Helper – Oct. 3 1999
I learned in college that when dealing with storylines, writers very rarely bring in random things for no reason. With that in mind, I think The Simpsons pulled a fast one on the viewers and Major League Baseball with this episode.
The plot involves Bart taking medication to IMPROVE his mental PERFORMANCE. Which brings about the great line from Bart, “Lisa did you know that the average human uses 10 percent of their brain. I am now one of them.” Anyways, the psychological drugs took in large doses by Bart create undesired SIDE EFFECTS of paranoia for Bart who develops a theory that MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL is spying on everyone in order to evaluate it’s fans. In the end he seems to be right after knocking a satellite out of the sky. That brings on MARK MCGWIRE (who actually does the voice), who hides the evidence and distracts the crowd by hitting HOME RUNS.
Remember this is before the steroid scandal really started to pick up steam, and while it’s easy to get caught up in Bart’s episode with psychological medications and his eventual switch to Ridilin, what is this show really saying with the inclusion of MLB.

9. Last Exit to Springfield – March 1993
This episode is fresh in my mind because I just saw it the other day. It’s he classic “Lisa needs braces” episode right when Mr. Burns takes away the dental plan at the Nuclear Plant. Homer becomes the union chief, the company goes on strike and hilarity ensues as Homer does the negotiations. A lot of good lines and a strong story line from beginning to end.

8. Two Bad Neighbors – Jan 11, 1996
Homer and Bart versus former President George Bush. It’s a funny sequence of events with allusions to Dennis the Menace. Bush moves in across the street from the Simpsons and from the start there is a rivalry between the two. Bush eventually leaves replaced by Gerald Ford, who Homer immediately hits it off with.

7. Dead Putting Society – Nov. 15, 1990
The Homer and Flanders rivalry takes off in this episode for the first time as Bart and Todd Flanders square off in a putt-putt golf tournament. This one has a great segment where Lisa teaches Bart inner peace and where Homer goes out of his way to make sure he has none. The play-by-play guy during the tournament is also a great spoof on Golf announcers. This was probably one of the early episodes that hooked everyone in.

6. Mr. Plow – Nov. 19 1992
“What’s that name, it’s Mr. Plow.” This has a lot of great spots from Barney chasing after the diaper he’s wearing, to the hilarious commercials Homer and Barney come up with for their snow plow busnesses to Marge getting turned on by Homer in his “Mr. Plow” jacket. I love it when this one comes on in syndication.

5. Homer the Great – Jan. 8, 1995
Who makes Steve Gutenberg a star? The Stone Cutters do and that’s the group Homer temporarily becomes the leader of after a birth mark is discovered. He eventually ruins the group and they kick him out forming the “No Homer’s Club.” The song for the Stone Cutters is funny along with the stone of shame they make Homer drag naked.

4. Homer’s Barbershop Quartet – Sept. 30 1992
I love this episode mainly because it’s a complete knock off on all the Beatles stuff that people talk about all the time. It even ends with them performing on the roof with George Harrison driving by saying “It’s been done.” It’s one of those episodes where you can catch something new everytime you watch it.

3. Colonel Homer – Mar. 26, 1992
This is the awesome show where Homer discovers country singing sensation Lurleen Lumpkin played by National Lampoon wife Beverly D’Angelo. Homer becomes Lurleen’s manager, Marge becomes jealous and hilarity ensues. Lurleen eventually puts the moves on with her “Won’t you bunk with me tonight” song and Homer runs back to Marge.

2. Homer at Bat– Feb. 20, 1992
A spoof on “The Natural,” this was probably the first episode to include a plethora of guest stars as Mr. Burns hires a bunch of MLB stars as ringers for the company softball team to win a bet. Homer had carried the team after making his own bat. The many ways each ringer is knocked out of action is great (Ken Griffey’s gigantic head, Don Mattingly’s sideburns, etc.). It’s all great when you’re “Talking softball.”

1. Homer the Heretic – Oct. 8 1992
I guess 1992 was a really good season for me. Anyways here’s where Homer starts his own church because he doesn’t want to get up and go to his old one. I think every guy can relate to not wanting to get up early on a cold Sunday. Homer stays home, watches football in his robe and slippers while Marge and the kids brave a blizzard. He forms a new religion to stay out of church, but alas his home burns down and he is forced to return to the church.