Vanity Fair, in conjunction with the massive oral history of The Simpsons that makes their latest issue actually worth considering buying, has released a list of the top 10 greatest episodes of this greatest show. This should be enlightening and not-at-all kiss-ass.
10. The President Wore Pearls (Season 15, 2003)
VF sez: "It may seem ludicrous to include anything later than Season 8 in this list"--
Not at all; what is ludicrous is the amount of better episodes to place on here. "Moe Better Blues", "Hungry Hungry Homer", the recent "24" parody which was so exactingly hilarious I almost regretted never watching an ep of "24" in my life...dig deeper.
9. Krusty Gets Kancelled (Season 4, 1993)
VF sez: "This is Krusty's best episode—better than the reunion with his father"--I briefly interject to call this writer an ass-- "or the Bar Mitzvah episode, which won an Emmy much later on."
Ah, so VF is impressed by the big stars, huh? Set my eyes to stunned.
8. Bart the Murderer (Season 3, 1991)
Bart joins Mafia, somehow I love this one but can't give it top 10 status.
7. Homer's Enemy (Season 8, 1997)
VF sez: "Perhaps the darkest Simpsons episode ever. Grimes works hard, is honest and unselfish; he is quite literally everything Homer is not. To see him fail, and ultimately be destroyed, once he enters Homer's world is hilarious and satisfying."
The first one I agree with; when an episode ends with laughter at a funeral, it's pretty fair to say it's legend. Hank Azaria proves his MVV (Most Valuable Voice) status as the flustered, rageful Grimes.
6. The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show (Season 8, 1997)
VF sez: "A classic satire of network influence, obsessed TV fans, and programs that survive long after the shark has been jumped, the episode is a meta-celebration, a tongue-in-cheek rebuttal to everyone who claimed that the quality of The Simpsons had declined over the years."
I don't think the semi-colon is overused, and I resent the backlash.
5. Two Bad Neighbors (Season 7, 1996)
Wherein President Bush (you know, the first fucking one) and Homer go to war. Far more productive than the war that was later...eh, too easy.
4. Cape Feare (Season 5, 1993)
Sideshow Bob had to make an appearance on the list, and this is his best show. Yes, yes, this is the one with the rakes.
3. Marge vs. the Monorail (Season 4, 1993)
VF sez: "A tribute to The Music Man, written by Conan O'Brien." .
This ends up on a ton of best-of lists by fans (mine among), but nonbelievers are fond of shouting out "overrated!" and pointing to the writing credit as the reason why, claiming some sort of revisionist appreciation based on the fact that the scribe would go on to become a famous late night host. Speaking for myself, I actually came to appreciate Conan more for having written this episode, rather than the other way around.
2. Bart vs. Australia (Season 6, 1995)
The hell? Funny and all, but...number 2? Of ever? Does Fosters beer sponsor a lotta VF parties?
1. Rosebud (Season 5, 1993)
VF sez: "A perfect episode. Mr. Burns's lamentations for his childhood bear, Bobo, lead to a show-long parody of Citizen Kane. (Maggie has the bear and refuses to give it up.) At once a satire and a tribute, the episode manages to both humanize Mr. Burns and delve deep into Homer's love for his oft-forgotten second daughter, Maggie. Also, the Ramones guest-star."
"Smithers...have the Rolling Stones killed."
Another episode that "delves" into Homer's love for Maggie is "And Maggie Makes Three", which despite being rife with blatant animation errors, is soulful and hilarious.
No "Mother Simpson", guest-starring Glenn Close as the jerk-ass' long-lost but loving mater.
No "Last Exit to Springfield", which is uniformly beloved among the Simpson faithful.
No "Lisa's Substitute", my personal number one and the most emotionally involving episode in Simpsons history.
No "Summer of 4 ft. 2", another outstanding Lisa episode and the moment I realized what an overrated, pain in the ass character Bart is.
Consider this a mild blog post, as I can virtually guarantee the current furious typing of nerds in Chicago dedicating 5 paragraphs, minimum, to deconstructing each choice and what they would replace it with. And I will read them all.
The Simpsons vanity Fair
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