The 20 Best Simpsons Episodes of The 1990s:
Ahoy-hoy classic Simpsons fans!
Today we’re going to take a trip back in time to the best era of The Simpsons. The 1990s. The era that had us watching episodes on BBC2 between Malcolm in the Middle and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Or for those lucky few that could watch any time they liked on VHS, as Grandpa Simpson would say “it was the style at the time.”
That’s right, your childhood is now considered vintage or retro.
Back then, The Simpsons was a household viewing staple for kids and adults alike. It would be difficult not to appreciate the show’s satirical humour and witty pop culture references. Thirty-three years later and the show is still as popular as ever thanks to streaming services like Disney+ and internet memes.
There are now 750 episodes and thirty-four seasons, but still, nothing beats the glory days of the Simpsons. I think it’s safe to say most fans prefer the old episodes, maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe the show fell off- *cough* Lisa Goes Gaga *cough* The Musk Who Fell To Earth*
But I digress…
“I used to be ‘with it.’ But then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it’ and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary to me. It’ll happen to you!”
So, without further ado, I present to you 20 of the most quotable, iconic, ironic and often silly and moronic episodes of The Simpsons.
20. Marge vs. the Monorail
After Mr Burns is fined for dumping toxic waste, Springfield has to decide what to spend the money on- enter the fast-talking con man with his catchy monorail song. He successfully dupes the townspeople into buying the monorail and hiring Homer as conductor. But not without disastrous consequences.
“And that was the only folly the people of Springfield ever embarked upon. Except for the popsicle-stick skyscraper. And the 50-foot magnifying glass. And that escalator to nowhere.”- Marge Simpson
19. Homer the Heretic
Having had an ideal Sunday avoiding church, Homer vows not to go again, in a dream god sanctions his decision. The following Sunday he stays home against Marge’s objections. She is certain something terrible will happen. And as ever, she’s right.
“Boy, everyone is stupid except me.”- Homer Simpson
18. 22 Short Films About Springfield
As Bart and Milhouse stand on the overpass they wonder if anything interesting ever happens in Springfield. We are then taken through a series of interconnected vignettes about the town and its inhabitants.
“Smithers, you infernal ninny! Stick your left hoof on that flange now! Now, if you can get it through your bug-addled brain, jam the second mephitic clodhopper of yours on the right doodad! Now, pump those scrawny chicken legs, you stuporous funker!”- Mr Burns to Mr Smithers
17. The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
When Barney is voted as the designated driver for the night, he disappears for two months with Homer’s car. Homer finds his car has been abandoned in downtown Manhattan, the place he hates most. When the family goes to retrieve the car, Homer finds it worse than he thought.
“We’re gettin’ out of here, now! Jump in, Marge, trust me! Throw the kids– no time for the baby!”- Homer Simpson
16. Lisa the Vegetarian
While visiting a petting zoo, a sweet baby lamb causes Lisa to become a vegetarian, coinciding with Homer’s big neighbourhood barbecue. Father and daughter fall out over Lisa hijacking Homer’s main course- a pig. Fortunately, Lisa finds support from Paul and Linda McCartney.
“Wait, Dad! Good news, everyone! You don’t have to eat meat. I made enough gazpacho for all! It’s tomato soup served iced cold!”- Lisa Simpson
15. And Maggie Makes Three
Homer reminisces about the time he received a paycheck that allowed him to pay off his debts, insult his boss Mr Burns and get his dream job at a bowling alley. Marge announces she is pregnant with Maggie, meaning Homer has to give up his dreams. It isn’t until he is back in the present day at his usual job at the power plant that we see Homer’s workstation decorated with photos of Maggie.
“Well, who wouldn’t be upset? That new baby in your mother’s womb was a ticking time bomb threatening to blow this family eight ways from Sunday!”- Homer Simpson
14. Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
It’s a miserable Christmas for the Simpsons. Mr Burns has cut the Christmas bonuses, Marge has spent the Christmas savings to erase Bart’s tattoo. To cover up the fact he didn’t get a bonus Homer takes a second job as a store Santa. When that fails, he resorts to betting on a dog race.
“If TV has taught me anything, it’s that miracles always happen to poor kids at Christmas. It happened to Tiny Tim, it happened to Charlie Brown, it happened to the Smurfs, and it’s gonna happen to us.”- Bart Simpson
13. Homer the Great
Homer joins the secret society of Stonecutters, where his birthmark reveals him to be the true leader of the organisation. At Lisa’s suggestion, Homer uses his power for the good of the community, and all the other Stonecutters leave to found the Ancient Society of No Homers.
“Im an Elk, a Mason, a Communist…I’m the president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance, for some reason…Ah, here it is. The Stonecutters.”- Grandpa Simpson
12. King-Size Homer
Homer discovers that if he has a disability, he can work from home. Since obesity counts as a disability Homer makes it his mission to reach a weight of 300 pounds. Homer neglects the computer while he visits the movies, almost causing a nuclear reactor meltdown. In a race against time, Homer has to save the town from disaster.
“All my life I’ve been an obese man trapped inside a fat man’s body.”- Homer Simpson
11. Mr Plow
Homer buys a snowplow after wrecking the two family cars during a snowstorm and starts up his own business-Mr Plow. the competition becomes cut-throat when fellow bar-fly Barney starts up his business- Plow King.
“Call Mr Plow, that’s my name. That name again is Mr Plow!”- Homer’s Jingle
10. Hurricane Neddy
A hurricane hits Springfield and only Ned Flanders’s house gets destroyed. After also discovering his business has been looted, he lashes out at the townspeople who have helped (ineptly) to rebuild his house.
“Calm down, Neddilly-diddily-diddily-diddily-diddily… they did their best…shoddily-iddily–iddily-diddily…gotta be nice…hostility-ility-bility-dility…aw hell, diddily-ding-dong-crap!”- Ned Flanders
9. Lemon of Troy
The neighbouring town of Shelbyville steals Springfield’s beloved lemon tree. Bart organises a plan to retrieve the tree with a group of other children. The parents try to find their children and the tree with the help of Ned Flanders’ RV.
“Bart, you have roots in this town and you ought to show respect for it. This town is a part of us all, a part of us all, a part of us all. Sorry to repeat myself, but it’ll help you remember.”- Marge Simpson
8. Bart Sells His Soul
To prove that the soul does not exist Bart sells his to Milhouse for five dollars. Bart soon realises he feels different and begins to understand the meaning of having a soul. However, Milhouse will only return it for fifty dollars. In this same episode Moe attempts to revamp his bar and turns it into a family diner.
“Alf pogs! Remember Alf? He’s back… in pog form!”- Milhouse Van Houten
7. You Only Move Twice
Homer is offered a job by Globex, which means the family must move nearer to the company headquarters in Cyprus Creek. Homer enjoys his new job but the rest of the family isn’t as impressed with their new life.
“Homer, I don’t want to leave Springfield. I’ve dug myself into a happy little rut here and I’m not about to hoist myself out of it.”- Marge Simpson
6. Homer at the Bat
Homer signs up for the nuclear power plants softball team. But Mr Burns doesn’t want to risk losing to the rival team of the Shelbyville power plant team, so he hires ringers from the major league to replace his team. However the day before the big game all the big leaguers are involved in dramatic incidents meaning Mr Burns has to rely on his original team of Homer and co.
“Well Mr Burns had done it, the power plant had won it, with Roger Clemens clucking all the while. Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness made us smile, while Wade Boggs lay unconscious on the barroom tile, we’re talkin’ softball.”- ‘Talkin’ Softball lyrics’
5. Bart of Darkness
During a heatwave in Springfield, the Simpson family buy a swimming pool. When Bart tries to jump from treehouse to pool, he breaks his leg and is forced to spend the rest of summer stuck in his room. Bored, Bart starts spying on the neighbours with a telescope and eventually becomes paranoid.
“CanwehaveapoolDad? CanwehaveapoolDad? CanwehaveapoolDad?”- Bart and Lisa
4. Treehouse of Horror V
As with all Treehouse of Horrors, we are presented with three parodies of classic horror movies.
The Shinning- A parody of Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’, sees the Simpson family looking after Mr Burns’s remote haunted lodge.
Time and Punishment- A loose parody of Ray Bradury’s ‘A Sound of Thunder’ where Homer finds Ned Flanders as the ruler of an Orwellian world when he accidentally changes the past with a toaster.
Nightmare Cafeteria- A grotesque version of ‘Soylent Green’ Bart and Lisa discover the school’s gory plan for solving the overcrowding issue.
“Television! Teacher, mother, secret lover!”- Homer Simpson
3. Cape Feare
When Sideshow Bob is paroled from prison the Simpsons are enrolled in a witness protection program as ‘The Thompsons’ and are moved out of Springfield. But Bob has followed them and only has one thing in mind: revenge.
“But who’d wanna hurt me? I’m this century’s Dennis the Menace.”- Bart Simpson
2. Last Exit to Springfield
Mindful that Lisa needs braces, and not wanting to pay for them himself, Homer voices opposition urging the other members to reject the union contract at the nuclear power plant.
Homer becomes the union boss and negotiates a new contract that includes a dental plan.
“Come gather ‘round children, It’s high time ye learns, bout a hero named Homer, and a devil named Burns.”- Lisa’s protest song
1. Homer’s Enemy
Self-made man Frank Grimes is hired at the nuclear power plant. Unimpressed with Homer’s bad habits and lack of work ethic, becomes enraged when he sees Homer’s house, wife and kids and sees that Homer is more successful than he is. Frank’s attempts at ridiculing Homer backfire with unfortunate consequences.
“I’m not your buddy Simpson. I don’t like you. In fact, I hate you. Stay the hell away from me! Because from now on… we’re enemies.”- Frank Grimes
And there we have it, the 20 best Simpsons episodes of the 1990s!
Enjoyed this list?
Shout out your favourite episode or memory of The Simpsons below ⬇️
