The Simpsons

Has anyone here watched any Simpsons from the past, ohh 5 years or so? I don't know anyone who has watched the Simpsons in years, dare I say decades.

I watch the odd episode every once in a while. I just don't watch it regularly.

The New Yorker tracked down John Schwartzwelder for an interview

www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/john-swartzwelder-sage-of-the-simpsons

That episode is so damn good too.

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.