Simpson Episodes

Entertainment and Media - Television/TV Shows

By: JoGoetz 18-Feb-2012

Introduction:

Undoubtedly, The Simpson television show has been one of the most defining programs of our culture and of the Gen-x era. I have watched the show from day one and continue to be a loyal fan today. In honor of The Simpson 500th episode on February 19th, in no particular order this is my top 5 favorite Simpson's episodes.

Homer to the Max - Season 13

"Yes indeedy" . The Simpson family is distracted from their mid-season premier party when they learn that one of the main characters on a new cop show "Police Cops" shares the name "Homer Simpson". Originally, the TV Homer is sauvé and intelligent but after some fiddling with the shows format he becomes a bumbling sidekick and the downgrade causes the real Homer Simpson much unwanted ridicule from the people of Springfield. Homer decides to change his name to something dynamic, something he can spell, something he found on the side of a hair-dryer, "Max Powers". To be honest, I found the remainder of the episode to be boring with the exception of the bit when Bill Clinton is coming on to Marge but the first half is pure gold and is currently the episode de rigueur in my family's car dvd player.

King Size Homer - Season 7

"I think it's ironic that for once dad's butt prevented the release of toxic gas". If there was one episode that I have seen at least 50 times it is this one. Homer is distraught at the idea of having to participate in the power plants new morning workout regime. It is hysterical to see all the other employees in unison gracefully executing their workout routine and to see Homer, stripped to his "tighty whities", awkwardly trying to keep up. So Bart and Homer devise a plan to get Homer on workman's comp by helping him gain 61 pounds so he can work from home. However, Homer's dreams and Homer's reality are as usually two separate things and in the end (get it's a pun) Homer saves the day by plugging a leak in the nuclear reactor with his big butt.

"Holidays of Future Passed" - Season 23

"I got cloneded". The Simpson's Christmas Special of 2011 was by far the funniest episode of the series recent history. Set 30 years in the future, Homer and Marge have learned that the kids are coming home with the grandkids to celebrate the Holidays. It shows us the strength and longevity of Marge and Homer's relationship and that the trials of parenting are not left just for the stupid as both Bart and Lisa struggle to develop loving relationships with their own children. I had to LOL when they showed us the destiny of the Nahasapeemapetilon family and their Octuplet's Octuplets . As funny and touching as this episode is, it would not be The Simpsons if it didn't bring on a little controversy. Lisa and Milhouse now a seemingly banal married couple agree that due to Milhouse's season Christmas allergies, she will be going to her parents house without him. As a suggestion to ease her husbands, suffering Lisa advises Milhouse to go Michigan where Christmas is not celebrated because it is "still under sharia law. Of course, both camps on this issue took argument saying that this both undermined the severity of the bigotry of Muslims and it undermined the fear that people have against Muslim trumping our current judicial system. However, with that aside, this episode was brilliant.

The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson - Season 9

"And that's when the CHUDs came after me..." After learning that his car was stolen by Barney and left in New York City, Homer begrudgingly agrees to take the family with him to retrieve it. To claim his car, Homer must wait by his vehicle until a police office can come by and take off the tire boot. Homer learns that his car is parked in in between the Twin Towers. Now I will admit, I get very sad every time they show the part with the two tenets (one from each side of the tower) yelling at each other about whose a bigger jerk, but then I smile a bit thinking about how that is just New York humor right? Ultimately Homer is fedup with this place and decides to leave the city with the metal boot still firmly attached to his tire. Haven't we all reached that level of frustration at one point or another, especially if you've every been a tourist in NYC.

Stark Raving Dad - Season 3

"Bart: Milhouse can you keep a secret? Milhouse: No. Bart: Oh well who cares, Michael Jackson is coming to my house!!" Long before his name was tarnished by allegations of his lecherous behavior, Michael Jackson was indubitably the king of pop. At the peak of his career, he made an un-credited cameo in this very sweet and charming episode of The Simpsons. Poor Homer is taken away to an insane asylum after Mr. Burns thinks he is mentally ill for wearing a pink shirt to work. Homer seems to be enjoying his time away from the pressures of life and even makes a friend with a large, burly, yet soft-spoken man named "Michael Jackson". Though Homer's friend turns out not to be MJ after all, the kind hearted mental patient was able to help Bart make amends to Lisa for missing her birthday which resulted in us having one of the catchiest tunes of the shows history "Lisa it's your birthday".

Final Thoughts

Picking my favorite Simpson episodes is like asking me to pick which of my children I like the best. But what I have offered on this list are the episode that have left an indelible place in my heart. I love The Simpsons.