When the Simpsons were great

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I’ve been meaning to post this for a while, but the snow kept me from my computer. The Simpson’s super-hyped 300th episode ran last Sunday and it was a bit lame. The 301st episode that followed it was a little better. Like so many other red-blooded Americans, I’m a huge fan of the Simpsons and their intelligent sardonic humor. But after 14 years, the show left its apogee behind long ago.

Slate tries to figure out what went wrong with the show and doesn’t quite find an answer. Meanwhile, USA Today and Entertainment Weekly list their top episodes of all time. Although they had objectively excellent choices, I offer you my own subjective top five:

5) The tax-day episode is pure libertarian fun. It’s anti-IRS, anti-foreign aid, and they end up seeking refuge in Cuba. (”Mr. Burns, I think we can trust the President of Cuba!”)

4) The Homer gets a gun episode. Although it does make gun ownership look a little kooky, NRA members are portrayed as responsible people concerned with safety, and in the end guns save the day by stopping a robber. (”Five days?! But I’m mad now.”)

3) The episode where Marge becomes the listen lady gets to be on this list because of its very odd subplot: Mr. Sparkle. (”I’m disrespectful to dirt! Can you see I am serious?”)

2) The Frank Grimes episode. I just relate so much to Homer in this episode. It’s not our fault we get more than we deserve. Best part is Grimes dies violently in the end.

1) And the best Simpsons episode of all time without any doubt is the Hank Scorpio episode. Scorpio is basically a Bond-type supervillian, trying to take over the world. However, he’s also one of these dot-com era type managers who wants to keep the people in his organization motivated so he has a cubicle like everyone else and the company has a free juice bar and rec room, etc. He reminds me of Paul Orfaela, the founders of Kinko’s, where I worked for many long years. Best part is Scorpio takes over the East Coast in the end. (”Don’t call me that word. I don’t like things that elevate me above other people. I’m just like you. Oh, sure, I come later in the day, I get paid a lot more and I take longer vacations, but I don’t like the word ‘boss.’”)

What’re your favorite episodes?

Feb 19, 2003 | Comments

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One comment posted

  1. Posted by Lance Jonn Romanoff - 03/04/2003

    “Deep Space Homer” was always one of my favorites.

    “In a way, you’re both winners. But in another, more accurate way, Barney is the winner.” - NASA Scientist.

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