The Simpsons

In season 7, Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein took over as showrunners and they encountered a new thing called the Internet. Apparently, the Internet is a place where geeks like to b---h and moan about the world of entertainment. So The Simpsons, being a very popular TV show, was often the target of their criticism. And so, Oakley & Weinstein decided to have some fun with that and took The Simpsons to interesting places.


#10 - YOU ONLY MOVE TWICE
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by Mike Anderson
Original Airdate: November 3, 1996



This is my all-time favorite concept for a Simpsons episode. Basically, Homer gets an amazing new job in a beautiful upstate town but his boss is a James Bond villain. However, Homer is completely clueless about it. It's f---ing hilarious! But sadly, the episode is ultimately hurt because the focus tends to be on how the rest of the Simpsons family hate their new life. And honestly, I could care less about that. I just wanna see more of Homer and Hank Scorpio. By the way, the episode ends with Homer owning the Denver Broncos which is very amusing considering recent NFL history.


#9 - THE DAY THE VIOLENCE DIED
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by Wes Archer
Original Airdate: March 17, 1996



The Simpsons has a very fascinating backstory, and with the rise of the Internet, it started to be discussed heavily. Technically, The Simpsons was inspired by The Flintstones and The Jetsons, which were both based on The Honeymooners to a certain extent. And Bart Simpson, the marketing icon of the show, was based on Dennis The Menace. Then of course, there's the on-going debate about how much credit Matt Groening deserves. It's no secret that Sam Simon is the true creator of the show. So with that in mind, here's an episode about the man who created Itchy from The Itchy & Scratchy Show and how he successful sues the company that makes the cartoons for billions of dollars. Then he goes off and lives as a rich man while the company struggles to get back on its feet. So the argument could be made that the character is based on Sam Simon who did successfully sue the show and makes millions of dollars every year for doing nothing. Meanwhile, there's Matt Groening who has remained with the show and earns his money every year by contributing whatever he can. That leads me to the ending of the episodes. According to the commentary track on the DVD, many fans were confused by it. Basically, two characters who look like Bart and Lisa save Itchy and Scratchy from its financial troubles. These two characters are modeled after the design from The Tracy Ullman Show. In other words, Matt Groening's Bart and Lisa are successful and Sam Simon's Bart and Lisa fail. It's all a big "f--k you" to Sam Simon and all the geeks on the Internet that question the show's origin. So if you have some knowledge of the show's background, you might be able to enjoy the episode.


#8 - TWO BAD NEIGHBORS
Written by Ken Keeler
Directed by Wes Archer
Original Airdate: January 14, 1996



Here's another episode made specially to piss people off on the Internet. As I mentioned before, Bart is based on Dennis The Menace and in this episode he literally becomes Dennis The Menace while Ex-President George Bush takes over the role of Mr. Wilson. It's a very silly and strange concept that gets even wackier once Homer starts feuding with the former President. ALSO keep in mind that when The Simpsons debut, George Bush badmouthed the show so there's some inside humor thrown in as well. So again, if you enjoy The Simpsons and its history you're gonna love the episode. Otherwise, you might think it's kind of weird.


#7 - MOTHER SIMPSON
Written by Richard Appel
Directed by David Silverman
Original Airdate: November 19, 1995



I find it very annoying when there's a missing parent on a sitcom and the characters never reveal what happened. The Simpsons were very guilty of that for 6 seasons but in the 7th they rectified that by finally telling us what happened to Homer's mother. Basically, she's a fugitive from the law after destroying a biological weapon Mr. Burns was developing in the 1960's. The episode works because the emotions are high as Homer and his mother bond for the first time in 30 years.


#6 - LISA THE ICONOCLAST
Written by Jonathan Collier
Directed by Mike Anderson
Original Airdate: February 18, 1996



I wouldn't call myself a history expert like IanTheCanadian but I do love history and an episode like this is up my alley. Here, Lisa discovers that town founder Jebediah Springfield was actually a murderous pirate who attacked George Washington. But when given the opportunity to reveal the truth, she follows the great advise from John Ford's Liberty Valance movie, "when the legend becomes fact, print the legend."


#5 - MARGE BE NOT PROUD
Written by Mike Scully
Directed by Steven Dean Moore
Original Airdate: December 17, 1995



This is one of those relatable episodes that stick with you. Mike Scully was great at that. In the episode, Bart disappoints Marge by stealing a video game so he tries everything he can to make up to her. Apparently, this was based on a real-life experience that Mike Scully had as a child so the emotions are very accurate and connect with the audience.


#4 - SIDESHOW BOB'S LAST GLEAMING
Written by Spike Feresten
Directed by Dominic Polcino
Original Airdate: November 26, 1995



Call me crazy, but I think this Sideshow Bob episode is ALMOST as good as Cape Feare. Cape Feare is definitely funner but I feel that this episode is better written. It's meatier, it's much more epic and it has a superior ending. Plus, I feel that Kelsey Grammer delivers his best performance as Sideshow Bob in this episode. You can feel that the man has been driven to insanity and will do almost anything to kill Krusty The Clown. Even if it means flying the Wright brother's plane into a shed in the middle of nowhere. So... I consider this one a classic even though some people may have started to get tired of Sideshow Bob at this point.


#3 - KING SIZE HOMER
Written by Dan Greaney
Directed by Jim Reardon
Original Airdate: November 5, 1995



90% of the credit for this episode goes to the animators. This episode is hilarious on a visual level. Maybe it's just me but I laugh at almost everything Homer does because he's just so funny looking. But I'm gonna throw the writers a bone too. I do enjoy the concept of Homer becoming obese and working at Home. Some very good comedy came out of that. So overall, this is one of the funnier episodes in the show's 25 year history.


#2 - RAGING ABE SIMPSON AND HIS GRUMBLING GRANDSON IN
"THE CURSE OF THE FLYING HELLFISH"
Written by Jonathan Collier
Directed by Jeffrey Lynch
Original Airdate: April 28, 1996



Grandpa Simpson has always been a joke but in this one episode he's a badass. It tells the story of Grandpa in World War II as a member of a platoon called The Flying Hellfish. They steal expensive paintings from the Nazi's and make a pact that whoever lives the longest gets to keep it. So when it comes down to Grandpa and Mr. Burns, well, you know what happens. Overall, this is an exciting and highly entertaining episode that deserves more recognition.


#1 - TREEHOUSE OF HORROR VI
Written by John Swartzwelder, Steve Tompkins, and David S. Cohen
Directed by Bob Anderson
Original Airdate: October 29, 1995



It's safe to say that this is the most famous installment in the Treehouse of Horror series. And all because of Homer's journey into the 3rd dimension. But before I get there, let me acknowledge the first two segments. Both of which are quite brilliant as well. The first one is about giant billboards coming to life and attacking Springfield. The amount of hilarious satrical humor is a prime example of why The Simpsons used to be so awesome. The second segment is a spoof of Nightmare on Elm Street with Groundskeeper Willie playing the Freddie role. Although calling it a spoof is a bit misleading. It's basically NOES but with Simpsons characters. And that's why it's so effective. Now for the main event: Homer in 3D. At the time, this segment was mindblowing. 3D Animation was in its early days so just seeing it on television was super cool. But what's even cooler is that nearly two decades later, it's still one of the highlights in the show's history. I find it incredibly amusing that almost all the jokes and gags rely on the fact that they're using CGI. It's so self-aware and meta that one can't help but laugh. For example, I really love this line, "wow! This place looks expensive. I feel like I'm wasting money just standing here."

TOP 10 SEASON EIGHT EPISODES OF THE SIMPSONS!
A/K/A THE LOVE-HATE FOR OAKLEY & WEINSTEIN CONTINUES

#10 - BURNS, BABY BURNS
Written by Ian Maxtone-Graham
Directed by Jim Reardon
Original Airdate: November 17, 1996



Comedy legend, Rodney Dangerfield, guest stars as Mr. Burns' son - and for whatever reason - the episode is played out like a Rodney Dangerfield movie. It's very funny but also very strange. Some fans will love it and others will hate it.


#9 - BART AFTER DARK
Written by Richard Appel
Directed by Dominic Polcino
Original Airdate: November 24, 1996



Bart gets a part-time job at a burlesque house and no one cares except for Marge who is outraged and wants the place shut down. She almost succeeds but the place is saved by a classic song-and-dance number. Overall, it's a very fun episode.


#8 - MOUNTAIN OF MADNESS
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by Mark Kirkland
Original Airdate: February 2, 1997



At a corporate retreat, Homer and Mr. Burns are trapped by snow in a cabin and are then slowly driven into insanity. It's classic Swartzwelder to say the least.


#7 - BROTHER FROM ANOTHER SERIES
Written by Ken Keeler
Directed by Pete Michels
Original Airdate: February 23, 1997



In a change of pace, Sideshow Bob is the good guy. He saves Springfield, and Bart & Lisa, from his equally evil brother who's voiced by David Hyde Pierce. It's not a "classic" Sideshow Bob episode but it's still loads of fun to watch.


#6 - TREEHOUSE OF HORROR VII
Written by Ken Keeler, Dan Greaney and David S. Cohen
Directed by Mike Anderson
Original Airdate: October 27, 1996



Bart has an evil twin, Lisa is a God and the lack of 3rd Party support destroys America. It's another standout Treehouse of Horror episode.


#5 - HOMER VS. THE EIGHTEENTH AMENDMENT
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by Bob Anderson
Original Airdate: March 16, 1997



When alcohol is banned in Springfield, Homer becomes a very successful bootlegger. This is an interesting episode because Homer manages to out-smart everyone while still retaining his goofy and idiotic personality.


#4 - THE ITCHY & SCRATCHY & POOCHIE SHOW
Written by David S. Cohen
Directed by Steven Dean Moore
Original Airdate: February 9, 1997



As I said during the season 7 list, Oakley & Weinstein became showrunners when the Internet was beginning to conquer mainstream America. So as you can imagine, The Simpsons was one of the earliest shows targeted by angry geeks and nerds. We think of 90's Simpsons as the classic era, but in reality, people were already b----ing and moaning back then. So this episode is a f--k you to fans and nervous network executives. This is an episode that should be preserved by the Library of Congress as an essential work of art.


#3 - GRADE SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL
Written by Rachel Pulido
Directed by Susie Dietter
Original Airdate: April 6, 1997



If you enjoyed Bart The Lover then you're gonna like this episode as well. It's the same tone and style. But this one revolves around Principal Skinner and Mrs. Krabappel having an affair. What's great about season 8 is that the writer's aren't scared to explore the side characters and this is the best example of that.


#2 - HOMER'S ENEMY
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by Jim Reardon
Original Airdate: May 4, 1997



This is the episode that divided the fanbase. There's the folks who enjoy the sitcom-y era by Sam Simon and Al Jean & Mike Reiss. Then there's the people who prefer the boundary-crossing era by David Mirkin and Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein. The fans of seasons 1-thru-4 felt that this episode was WAY too "meta" and that it destroyed the show. And the fans of seasons 5-thru-8 felt it was a groundbreaking idea to put a realistic character like Frank Grimes into the cartoon-ish world of The Simpsons. Both sides make a valid point but I mostly agree with the latter group. This episode is too unique to hate. Plus, calling this the "shark jumping" episode is just ridiculous.


#1 - HOMER'S PHOBIA
Written by Ron Hauge
Directed by Mike Anderson
Original Airdate: February 16, 1997



"Zap Zap!"
"We work hard, we play hard."
"A bunch of guys alone in the woods? That seems pretty gay."

The premise of this episode is very simple. Homer thinks that Bart is gay and tries to cure him. I'm sure other TV shows and movies have dealt with similar concepts but what makes this one standout is the high-level of comedy. Even 17 years later, this episode STILL makes me laugh like an idiot.

They'll probably just start remixing past scores.  Cheap bastards...