Continuing my series of personal favourites, this time with The Simpsons!

This one proved particularly hard – my initial short list had about fifty episodes on it, and there are plenty more I looked twice at! But in the end I’ve culled it down to a personal Top 21… and yes, its all in the first 10-12 seasons…

As always, love to hear your thoughts!

 

21. Behind the Laughter

Such a clever use of the show’s format, with so many gags about the characters, what they did outside of the Simpsons, industry references… really good!

 

20. Homer vs The Eighteenth Amendment

A great example of an episode which has one story across it, but never runs out of ideas to make it funny the whole time!

 

19. Bart Gets Famous

This deserves to be on the list just for the tour of the box factory, but all the stuff with Bart as a celebrity (including everyone getting tired of him!) is brilliant as well!

 

18. The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase

Three really fun stories doing something different with the characters. I would totally watch Wiggum PI!

 

17. Krusty Gets Busted

To me this is the episode where The Simpsons really arrives, showing how the show at its best can be funny AND clever AND dramatic. Plus of course, it introduces Side Show Bob!

 

16. The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show

This has a lot of fun with television and networks, but with a lot of gags and clever inside references.

 

15. Who Shot Mr Burns? Pt 1

This really has to be on the list because I was exactly the right age when it first aired to enjoy what a BIG DEAL this was in that moment (and to be spoiled for part 2!). But there’s a lot of very memorable stuff going on here.

 

14. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

The guest star, the plot, the end result of Homer’s “help”…

 

13. Flaming Moe’s

I love a good Moe episode, and this one has SO much going on, and is packed full of very quotable moments! Plus the “Cheers” song!

 

12. Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish

Perhaps one of the cleverest of the Simpsons episodes. Once again there’s a lot going on, a lot smart references, and unforgettable images and moments.

 

11. The City of New York vs Homer Simpson

Unlucky to not make it into the Top 10, certainly the best of the “Simpsons go away somewhere” episodes, having great fun with New York City. The musical number is a highlight!

10. Marge vs The Monorail

Into the top 10 with a clear classic – some great Phil Hartman, one of their best musical numbers, plenty of gags, and a lot going on!

 

9. And Maggie Makes Three

“Do it for her”.
The Simpsons mines the past setting for gags, but as with many of their best, some real heart here as well.

 

8. The Cartridge Family

Another which is wall to wall hilarious, has emotion, and is about something without ever feeling like its lecturing.

 

7. Brother From Another Series

Lets be honest, I love the Sideshow Bob episodes, but pairing him with David Hyde Pierce was genius!

 

6. Sideshow Bob Roberts

As we get to the very top of the list, this is very much becoming my personal choices. To me this is the best of Sideshow Bob, and I love all the political references. Its also amazing how much plot they pack into twenty-two minutes here!

 

5. The Joy of Sect

Its just hilarious! And a little bit biting…

 

4. Homer’s Enemy

Another one just full of quotable lines and incredibly funny set pieces!

 

3. Deep Space Homer

Into the top 3, and this one just packs in an incredible amount, once again full of references and gags and moments!

 

2. The Springfield Files

Mulder and Scully, Nimoy, that scene with the whale, all the stuff at the FBI, the visual gags on Homer’s walk home. This is a true, faultless classic!

 

1. You Only Move Twice

Whilst deciding which episodes should be on the list was tough, from the start I knew what my number 1 was going to be!

The one with Hank Scorpio!

If you’ve seen it, you’ll know why 🙂