CHEF RICH: Well, here we are again. Another Friday, another installment of Simpsons 25 here on Bubbleblabber.com! If you’re showing up late to the party, here’s the first installment (25-21), and the second (20-16). You better catch up, Bucko, because we’re about to hit the meat and potatoes of this list! Mr. Green, anything you’d like to add before we dive in?

GONZO GREEN: You’re definitely right about getting to the good stuff now. This is the point in the list where people are sincerely hoping they see their favorite episode, while also beginning to fear that the one they love will tragically be left out of this ranking altogether as the episode tick away. So let’s go break some hearts.

I’m down for a bit of the “Good Cop, Bad Cop.” You’ve got the facial hair and I’ve got the charm. Let’s do it!

15. Homer vs. the 18^th Amendment (Season 8, Episode 18)

GONZO GREEN: I distinctly remember this as being an episode that I had on my list, and you did not. But I knew this episode would make it in the end, and I was willing to fight to the death to get it included. I truly believe this is one of the funniest episodes ever, as well as being an all-around solid classic. That’s a big claim, but this one has non-stop laughs, a great old-timey Untouchables feel to it, a Walter Winchel-esque narrator, and the temporary introduction of a straight-laced character as a foil to Homer’s “Beer Baron” persona – a perfect role, as Homer gets to play a bad guy that is ALSO a good guy. Really, this one is just prime for laughs.

CHEF RICH: Rex Banner, voiced by veteran actor Dave Thomas, was a fantastic addition to the lore that the Simpsons have created for themselves. His stern and aggressive pursuit of Homer leads to (what I now see as) an iconic episode. It’s one I had only seen a few times before we created this list and I must admit that I am thankful you threatened all that bodily harm if I didn’t watch this episode again. I especially love the scene when Marge and Homer are in bed with all the stills exploding in the basement. Yelling “BOOM” is exactly how I would handle that situation as well.

I recall that scene, especially when Homer is lit on fire and runs & rolls around on the front lawn, was clearly the one that clinched it in your mind. As we both laughed until we hurt, it became obvious that this episode would indeed make the list, because that’s just the kind of laughs this it delivers. I enjoyed when Homer was caught snaking out of the house late at night by Marge and said, “I’m not gonna lie to you Marge… so long!” Or when Rex Banner looks over the city of Springfield and says he’ll catch the Beer Baron, wherever he is, and Homer yells back, “No you won’tttt!” Or even Wiggum’s claim that, “All our founding fathers, astronauts, and World Series heroes have been either drunk or on cocaine.”

And it was the town that became Banner’s downfall, as Chief Wiggum gave the order to fire him out of a catapult. If there’s one thing the Simpsons does well, it’s firing people and animals into orbit with catapults.

This episode also ends with one of the greatest, most honest lines in Simpsons history: “To alcohol… the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.” I’ll drink to that!

 

14. Bart of Darkness (Season 6, Episode 1)

CHEF RICH: This episode was a bit of a curveball for us as we made this list. I say “curveball” in the sense that we remembered it after we had pretty much finalized our original 25. I can remember sitting on your couch and thinking, “Hey, what about the episode with the swimming pool?” There are just so many iconic quotes in this episode, from Otto getting soaked when he hits the brakes on the poolmobile (“Man, I gotta get that window fixed!”), to the random Amish guy (“T’is a fine barn, but sure t’is no pool, English.”), this episode has tons of memorable laughs!

GONZO GREEN: That’s right! You just kinda said it out loud and we both looked at each other and wondered how we had forgotten it up until that point. Which really sums up why this episode needed to be on the list; it’s just one of those that you can say, “Hey, remember when the Simpsons got a pool?” and any fan of the show would be able to both remember it and quote it, because they too probably love it. Personally, I really enjoyed Bart’s slip into madness as he was holed up in his room; from creepily sitting in darkness, or playing out violent Stratego scenarios, to writing some sort of weird British screenplay – which he later tortures Lisa with. (“‘Kippers for breakfast, Aunt Helga. Is it Saint Swithun’s Day already?’ ‘Tis,’ replied Aunt Helga…”) There are references, sight gags, and silly quotes on The Simpsons, and then there are jokes like that: ones that are totally out there and make no sense, occurring only to be random, confusing, and hilarious. And let’s not forget the Springfield Police Department Resc-U-Phone: “You have selected REGICIDE. If you know the name of the King or Queen being murdered, press one.”

Another aspect I enjoyed were the nods to Rear Window and the inclusion of Jimmy Stewart into the episode as Bart’s neighbor. With Rear Window references, and Martin singing “Summer Wind” by the legendary Frank Sinatra, it was clear the writers were influenced by 50s/60s pop culture during the creation of this classic. And it worked!

 

13. Flaming Moe’s (Season 3, Episode 10)

CHEF RICH: How this episode fell out of the top 10 is still a bit baffling to me because it has everything! Aerosmith, Homer spoofing Phantom Of The Opera, and flaming cough syrup-infused alcohol! With all that and much more, this episode HAD to make the list.

GONZO GREEN: I think this episode really marked the point where The Simpsons first “made it” as a series. Aerosmith actually asked to be in the show because they were fans of it. Although, apparently all it takes to get them to do anything is some pickled eggs. Also, this episode also predominantly featured a character other than a member of the Simpson family as the protagonist, which showcased the show’s ability to still make a quality episode without focusing primarily on the Simpson family. Plus, this turned out to be just the first of many “Moe’s Gets Popular for Some Reason” episodes.

I think we’ll see a few more of those, right Gonzo?

Oh, you sly fox, you. I think we just might. Also, I must say that – like Bart in the previous episode on this list – Homer’s moment of quickly fleeting sanity is hilarious as well. The moe moe moe scene, you moe?

Moe… Moe… Moe…

I’d also like to give a shout out to my man, Lionel Hutz: “How bout that? I looked something up! These books behind me don’t just make the office look good, they’re filled with useful, legal tidbits – just like that!” Or Homer’s quip: “Moe, I haven’t seen the place this crowded since the government cracked down on you for accepting food stamps.” Come on, Mr. Top 10. Tell us what else makes this episode so list-worthy! (Seriously, dude, you’re making us look like chumps! …And by us, I mean you.)

Well it’s tough to make a great argument when you’re taking all of the good points! Okay, how about the incredibly well-written Cheers cover they used for Flaming Moes? Totally an underrated and under appreciated piece in the Simpsons musical lore. Really though, this episode is so solid that it couldn’t not make the list of 25 greatest episodes of all time. Regardless of its placement, you can’t deny that it belongs here. Now don’t you feel like a Hugh Jass?

Point taken. And reference accepted.

12. Three Men and a Comic Book (Season 2, Episode 21)

CHEF RICH: This episode did so much by way of character development, storytelling, and artistic direction that its place on this list should never be questioned. Seeing Bart, Milhouse, and Martin sink into a manic state and risk life and limb to protect what they thought was rightfully theirs was a sight to behold. I mean, c’mon, how friggin’ ICONIC is the scene when they’re wrestling around in the treehouse during the huge storm, lightning crashing all around them, all the while Homer is blissfully oblivious to the plight of the children just outside of the window. A classic scene from a classic episode!

GONZO GREEN: Homer’s response to Marge asking him to check on the kids was priceless there. In between lightning strikes: “They’re fine.” And that whole scene was a wonderful comedic homage to Treasure of the Sierra Madre, an art The Simpsons perfected over the next 22 seasons and a movie. In fact, they mastered comedic homages AND characters going insane, as we’ve noted above. The references in this episode really set the table for the series too. Casper is the ghost of Richie Rich? Hilarious. Bart narrating his life like The Wonder Years as Homer yells at him to stop staring blankly? Amazing. And I loved the little nod to the tragic demise of George Reeves, as the kids waiting to see the actor that played Fallout Boy were told to keep their questions tasteful, and Bart asks: “Do you think the ghost of Dirk Richter still haunts the bordello where his bullet-riddled body was found?” This whole episode was pure brilliance.

I think we’ve really hit the nail on the head here. No sense in saying any more, lest we sully the good name of this episode. Agreed?

Well then I’ll probably kill it here now, but I must say I really like the storyline and underlying themes in this one. It’s a classic love and loss story – with some morals about hard work, the value of a dollar, friendship, and trust – but updated, and for a comic book/cartoon audience. Except in this tale no one learns anything at the end. Regardless, I think this story really says a lot for the writers. It isn’t structured like a normal Simpsons episode; it’s more like a multi-act play.

This really was one of the first times the Simpsons toyed around with their plot structure and the way they ran an episode. And you’re completely correct; this episode does run like a play; much more than just 22 minutes of animation. This formula was not only revisited later by the Simpsons, but also borrowed (or blatantly stolen) by many other weekly, episodic animated comedies.

“Simpsons did it!” (Look at that, a South Park reference!)

 

11. The Springfield Files (Season 8, Episode 10)

CHEF RICH: This episode contains what I consider the funniest delivery of any line in all of The Simpsons history. Mulder and Scully referring to Homer on a treadmill:

Mulder – “His jiggling is almost hypnotic.”

Scully – “Yes, it’s like a lava lamp.”

I die every time I hear that, and I know I’ve borrowed the line on more than one occasion when I’ve seen my dad attempting to run or walk up stairs. What say you, Gonzo Green? What are your feelings here? Share with the class!

GONZO GREEN: Every scene with Mulder & Scully is absolute perfection. This episode almost didn’t make the list for being a crossover, but I must say it probably has the highest amount of funny jokes of any episode in the series. Some episodes are still funnier, with funnier jokes (and obviously ten episodes are still better overall than this one) but on number of funny jokes alone, this one wins. It begins with Leonard Nemoy’s opening: “The following tale of alien encounters is true. And by true, I mean false. It’s all lies. But they’re entertaining lies. And in the end, isn’t that the real truth? The answer is no.” And it ends with the town sing-a-long. Including & in-between, every single line is funny.

Pairing Dr. Spock, one of the most iconic characters in sci-fi history, with two characters from the most popular sci-fi show on television at the time, and this was bound to be an incredible episode. I do believe they actually exceeded even the loftiest expectations with this episode. In all honesty, it was tough to keep this one outside of the top 10, but that just means the top 10 is stellar!

Agreed. While watching it, I honestly thought the exact same thing about it not ranking higher, but it was the right call. In closing, one of my favorite lines:

Marge: “Homer, have you been drinking?”

Homer: “No! Well, ten beers.”

Oh, and speaking of ten, there’s only ten more episodes to go…

But that’s all for this installment of Simpsons 25 here on Bubbleblabber.com! If you’re a little behind on the lists you can see 25-21 here and 20-16 here. Once you are all caught up, begin to mentally prepare yourselves because you’re going to see not one but TWO lists next week! That’s right folks we’re giving you all 10 next week, just in time for the premiere of Season 25! And make sure you check back for all the Simpsons news and reviews you can handle!!! We’ve got tons of other cool stuff on site as well, so feel free to snoop around; you might just be pleasantly surprised with what ya find!

(@chefrichBB) demands your finest meats and cheeses!

(@Gonzo_Green) has a sweet, heavenly voice. Like Urkel. And he appears every Friday night. Like Urkel!

 

Check out #’s 10-6 here