Top 10 Simpsons Episodes

When Mr. Burns bets that the Nuclear Plant softball team will win the championship, he puts some major-league ringers to work. Marking the first time “The Simpsons” won its timeslot against “The Cosby Show,” this episode proved a celeb-heavy show, even one with athletes, can still be well-written – and better yet, actually funny. Plus, y’can’t top the ridiculous things that happen to the players to make them miss the game.

Homer is attracted to the plant’s new employee, and horrified when he finds they have tons in common. The secondary story sees Bart become an outcast thanks to an unfortunate make-under. With special guest-star Michelle Pfeiffer playing the temptress in question, “The Simpsons” handle the tricky issue of infidelity in a way only they can. And, as many great “Simpsons” episodes do, this one ends with a song.

If you liked that song, get a loada this. After his rumored relationship with sea-creatures tanked his career, Troy McClure takes the advice of his agent – played by Jeff Goldblum – and tries resurrecting his reputation by marrying Selma. This episode reminds us that “The Simpsons” is successful thanks to its main cast, but also its stable of stellar minor characters – and Troy McClure finally gets the top billing he deserves.

Homer-centric episodes always hit their mark, whether he’s accused of harassment or starting a business. There’s no logical explanation how he’d become an astronaut, but we’re happy to go along for the ride. With pop-culture references, movie parodies, guest stars and phrases that’ve entered the zeitgeist, “Deep Space Homer” is one of the greats – there’s even a copy for real astronauts to watch aboard the International Space Station.

Even “The Simpsons” caught cliffhanger fever; but to date this remains their only two-parter. Spoofing “Twin Peaks” and “Dallas,” the folks of Springfield tackled an attempted-murder mystery. After terrorizing the town in increasingly wicked ways, Mr. Burns is shot by an unknown attacker. Every Springfieldian has a motive – even guest star Tito Puente – but despite clues and a contest, not one viewer guessed correctly. Neither did Chief Wiggum.

Figures: Homer finally gets a decent boss, and he’s a supervillain. With several intertwining but individual storylines, including a James Bond spoof about hella-popular one-timer Hank Scorpio, this episode sees the family follow Homer’s new job to Cyprus Creek. And of course, each member hates it for completely distinct and hilarious reasons. Plus, we get to see Homer succeed – however unwittingly – and that just makes us smile.

Written by Conan O’Brien, this is another episode that’s high on the hilarity, Hartman and song scales. The town gets duped into building a faulty monorail by fast-talking con artist Lyle Lanley. With the jokes coming a mile-a-minute, the entire town assembling for our amusement, and Leonard Nimoy to add some gravitas, “Marge vs. the Monorail” ranks high when it comes to absurdity – just the way we likes it.

Although it pissed off all of New Orleans, this episode is a fave of creator Matt Groening since it hit hard with musical numbers, movie spoofs and shirtless Flanderseses. With Homer acting boorish in the face of Marge’s acting aspirations, this is one ep that demonstrates this cartoon’s ability to confront genuine relationship problems like any sitcom – only when “The Simpsons” do it, it’s not nearly as preachy.

We defy you to find a peripheral character as beloved as Sideshow Bob. With Kelsey Grammer providing his dulcet tones, the series takes on a “Cape Fear” parody with almost shot-for-shot precision. When Bob sets his sights on Bart once again, the Simpson family ends up in Witness Protection, living on a houseboat. Between the singing, Grandpa gag, cacti and rakes, we still can’t pick a favorite part.

This episode is line-after-line of ultra-quoted dialogue. But not only is it an onslaught of jokes that have been repeated since it aired; it’s also a well thought-out story: Homer’s unanimously elected head of the Nuclear Plant’s workers’ union, and Mr. Burns – acting characteristically Grinch-like – revokes their dental plan. With Lisa’s dentist serving as an episode highlight, “Last Exit to Springfield” is relevant, irreverent, satirical, and perfect.

With over 500 episodes of “The Simpsons” in the can, we’re sure we’ve left out a few of your favorites. Which do you think is the best? For more top 10s about your favorite shows, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.