Snakester's Top 10 Simpsons's Episodes

Sorry this has taken so long. I had a week of vacation so I avoided the computer a little bit. As referenced by Big Red, I haven't seen many of the newer Simpsons episodes but I think most would agree that their best stuff was in the early days. Still, trying to find your 10 favorites out of 20 seasons of work is a pretty daunting task.

10. Bart's Comet - Feb 5, 1995: Bart discovers a comet while serving time with Principal Skinner. I always laugh at Skinner's screams of NO when he realizes Bart found a comment, then lets go of the weather balloon sporting his big butt and then the paper arrives noting that 'School is for losers.' The fact that one of the slides the scientists use shows the destrution of the comet to specifically include Moe's is an example of the side jokes we've come to love. Kent Brockman stating that 'Democracy simply doesn't work' and goes on to quickly scroll a list of gay people now that there is nothing left to lose. The little nugget that I always remember is Homer stating that the comet will burn up in the atmosphere and be no bigger than a Chihuahua's head. Then at the end as the pebble of a comet breaks down the cheap shelter everyone was hiding it, there happens to a Chihuahua standing in the yard with clearing a head larger than the comet.

9. I Love Lisa - Feb 11, 1993: This has all the best Ralph moments anyone could want. "Doctor said I wouldn't have so many nose bleeds if I just kept my finger out of there." And of course "I bent my Wookie." But the apple didn't fall to far from the tree, "Nothing gets chocolate out, see!" I enjoy Bart's slo-mo presentation of showing the exact moment Lisa makes Ralph's heart explode.

8. Lisa The Vegetarian - Oct 15, 1995: Looking at my list, I seem to enjoy episodes in which Lisa brings out the best in everyone. This episode has my favorite chant I still use almost on a daily basis, "You don't win friends with salad!" Nice appearance by Sir Paul McCartney to teach Lisa a valuable lesson. Homer chases the pig screaming "It's still good, it's still good!" The credits are special as you can clearing tell there is some backwards talking of a Lentil Soup recipe during Maybe I'm Amazed.

7. Mr. Plow - Nov 19, 1992: Everyone probably remembers something about this episode so I will go for a few nuggets. Linda Ronstandt wanted to sing Barney's jingle in Spanish in a reference to her own Spanish album she put out. "Are you tired of having your hands cut off by snowblowers?" As if you could do it more than once. We are shown how upstanding young Barney basically has his life ruined by Homer's insistence on having a beer. Still my favorite part is when someone calls for Mr. Plow on a delinquent payment and Homer pretends to be Tony Plow from Leave It To Beaver confirming that unnamed persons were gay.

6. Lisa's Pony - Nov 7, 1991: There are plenty of funny moments by Homer as he first tries to win back Lisa's love then tried to jungle two jobs to pay for it. His plan includes coming home sleeping for 15 minutes and having 10 minutes to bask in Lisa's love before going off to the power plant "Fresh as a daisy". The reference to the Godfather when Lisa wakes up with the horse head in her bed is classic. In a different scope, I liked how this showed how far Homer would push himself for his child and the sacrifices we all make for the good of our families.

5. Call of the Simpsons - Feb 18, 1990: I still enjoy this crude first season episode. Cowboy Bob checking Homer's credit when the siren goes off and Homer sheepishly asking if that was a good thing. "Have you ever known a siren to mean a good thing?" Nice moments in the forest culminating in Homer being mistaken for Bigfoot.

4. Treehouse of Horror V - Oct 30, 1994: This is by far my favorite Treehouse maybe simply for the parody of The Shining. "No TV and no beer make Homer something something." "Go crazy?" "Don't mind if I Do!" But I enjoy the spoof on the days of the week the drive takes as Marge reminds Homer about the locking the doors and finally leaving Grandpa at the gas station. The alternate Ned Flanders controlled world & Principal Skinner grinding up children for lunch are also high level!

3. Cape Feare - Oct 7, 1993: This is my favorite Sideshow Bob episode perhaps because of the time when Bob walks through all the rakes and the multiple times we get to hear Kelsey Grammer's grumble. I love that even though most don't. The second opening of The Thompsons is a classic. The fact that Bart distracts Bob by getting him to act out the HMS Pentifore is very funny to me for some reason.

2. King Size Homer - Nov 5, 1995: Ok maybe I am a little juvenile with this one. It is a dream to work from home but I don't think most people would take it that far. Yes cheap fat jokes but I enjoyed them. Homer trying to weigh himself and realizing his fat was on the towel bar or how overjoyed he is to wear a mu mu. I think it showed that being at home and not at the plant didn't make a difference as he became too lazy to even do that instead employing the drinking bird instead. I still sometimes find myself typing asking "Where's the any key?"

1. Lisa on Ice - Nov 13, 1994: This is one of the first episodes I always think about when I try to think of my favorites. I think it is because I don't seem to see it that much in syndication. It is all Homer completely contradicting everything Marge says to console Lisa. I find myself chanting "Sports, sports, sports!" But it houses my single favorite line that was a staple of my daily high school life. The episode begins with an assembly as Principal Skinner unveils his new academic alerts. Ralph is called and exclaims that he won but is told he is failing English. "Me fail English? That unpossible!"

Honorable Mention:
Homer's Enemy - Homer fights with new power planet employee Frank Grimes
Oh Brother Where Art Though - Homer discovers a half-brother and ruins his life
Dead Putting Society - The first blood feud between Homer & Flanders
Homer They Fall - Homer shows he can take a punch to a certain degree