This was the first seasonal list where I wasn't sure what was gonna be #1 going into it. I dunno if that is a knock against Season 15 or if it's better that there were 3 or 4 episodes I considered. Ended up going back and forth for awhile on this one
Going into this season, I thought it was going to be awful, but I ended up finding a majority of the episodes passable (minus Co-Dependent’s Day (that one was fucking awful))
THANK YOU for not favouring The Regina Monologues! That episode was so incredibly offensive to us Brits, especially me! Maybe you shouldn't have included Smart and Smarter
I like how you're not really negative towards these post golden era seasons, makes a nice change of pace from what feels like everyone else on the internet
I like this too. I mean.. I really wanna know how good are the post 10 seasons, and have everyone copy paste the same iS lIkE FaMiLy GuY and crap like that without explanation really gets on my nerves.
These are now what I think of as the 'second golden age' episodes, really. I didn't like them when they first aired, but now I think up to season 15 as well are actually great. I can't pinpoint where I shut off from The Simpsons... probably up to season 18. I try to watch the newer ones from time to time, but it's clutching at straws to call it the same show in recent years.
I've never been too sure how to feel about the twist of Lisa helping Maggie out the whole time. It's an okay twist but I almost would've preferred it if they really did imply Maggie could end up being smarter than Lisa some day and Lisa just accepts it in the end. They *sorta* go for it if I recall but the twist dilutes it imo.
I feel the twist sorta robs the potential character development from Lisa by stating "nah Maggie is only kinda smart" which makes Lisa the lone "smart" kid of the three which is something that Scully/Early Jean era loves doing. It's similar as to why I REALLY don't like the "Simpsons Gene" idea that implies Bart is doomed to fail despite the series previously showing he IS a gifted kid and street smart.
It will be like malcom in middle how every kid gets smarter, malcom is a genius, dewy becomes musical prodigy then they show the baby is super smart too
My interpretation of it was that the school purposely manipulated the tape in attempt to kick out Maggie. The California Condor bit was highly suspect.
@@TMIINemises yeah, even for a joke, I feel like that one REALLY pushed suspension of disbelief. There is just too little way they could do that with no one noticing that Lisa was helping Maggie. I feel like that outlandishness is supposed to be the joke, but it just pushes a bit too far to make it land.
Tis the Fifteenth Season is criminally underrated. I expected it higher because you are usually very good at finding and promoting those kinds of episodes. Personally I think season 15 is one of the strongest teen seasons, especially when you remove the three episodes you did. Your top 2 wouldn't make my top 10, that's how solid I think this season is for this era.
“Oh sometimes I whittles the future” is a quote that lives in my brain too this day. The wandering juvie is the episode that comes to mind when I think of season 15.
@@connorscanlan2167 Gina: Bart, I can't believe you don't know this, but there's no such thing as cootie shots, cootie force fields, or cootie insurance. Bart: But State Farm took my money!
8:50 What do you mean finally did a storyline with Snowball II? She had half a spotlight episode in season 14 when she saved Homer from the burning treehouse. Didn't get a top 10 spot though. #justiceforsnowballII
S15 is definitely an odd and uneven one, but it’s a nice feeling when they whip out a good episode. Of all the teen seasons, it felt like the one that tried the hardest to imitate the classic Simpsons atmosphere, so there’s an added sense of “they’ve still got it” with the highlights. Thanks for the shout out, by the way.
I'll admit, Seasons 14-16 are some of my favorites past the Classic Era, so much so that I personally consider them a "Silver Age." Beyond some really, REALLY bad episodes, (Co-dependent's Day is my second least favorite in the series and My Big Fat Geek Wedding is just a mess), I find the output to generally be really consistent and fun. I'm not sure what my Top 10 of Season 15 would be, but I'm a big fan of the President Wore Pearls, Today I Am a Clown, Catch 'em if You Can, Simple Simpson, and Fraudcast News. I also love Diatribe of a Mad Housewife for its adorable Marge content and observational humor about writing, ("It was then that she realized this was... The End."), as well as the Fat and the Furriest for having some of my favorite jokes of the season, ("Lisa, the moral of Moby Dick is 'be yourself!'"). Overall, an underrated season, imo.
Season 15 will always get extra points for me because it's the first time Thomas Pynchon spoke publicly until his *next* Simpsons appearance in season 16. As a big fan it's also very funny (and very in character) for him to have rewritten his appearance in his season 16 episode, because he didn't want to call Homer an asshole.
Fun list as always! Personally, I would have put The Way we Weren't higher. I think it's an interesting way to revisit the Homer and Marge relationship and the etiquette jokes from Marge's camp offer a nice bit of variety. The whole bit with the camp counselor saying "Oh dear, that's an olive fork, not a salad fork. Here's something that will help you remember." And then stabbing a girl in the hand is some extremely well-timed slapstick.
Agreed. Plus the reveal that the Sea Captain was apparently there with them the entire time ("I'll just take some Teddy Grahams for the road." "There goes a good friend.") is just aces.
+1 to this, The Way We Weren't was easily the most memorable for me. Just having that past connection was both heartwarming and clever, while I can't count how many times I've rewatched the So Happy Together sequence. Definitely an underrated episode.
Also a big fan of that episode. It's one of my favorite Homer and Marge episodes. And I love all the jokes with younger versions of the adult characters. I also would have put The Wandering Juvie in the top ten. Real solid Bart plot.
Your bubble episode has one of my favorite middle Simpsons lines, where Bart asked the juvi girl why she got locked up. She says she pushed Snow White off the castle at Disneyland. When he says, "Oh my God, did she live?" She answers, "Yeah...but it's not a good life." Daaaaaark (but it grew on me.)
I think I prefer the Gina episode over the Milhouse one, simply because the relationship between Gina and Bart is actually pretty endearing. How Gina is more dangerous than Bart gives a nice contrast compared to other relationships. In regards to Glass Onion, I wouldn't call the mystery weak, much like the title, its transparent who likely did it, but its the twists and turns that come from it that add the layers that keep you guessing and if either he worked alone or someone helped him out to carry out the murder. And yes, Janelle Monae was surprisingly good in it, she was the actress I knew the least about before watching the film and the one that surprised me the most.
Yeah Homer's bear fighting suit didn't leave much to the imagination from the back side. Actually that's based on a real event where a guy built himself a bear fighting seat but it was so heavy it required a forklift to lift it up. And he never did fight that bear.
I think this was the era where I started thinking "Oh, these episodes are new". I never got the sense before this season that the show was still going; up until that point it was always like "Hey I've never seen this episode!", not "this is new!". Probably because of the new digital look, which looked completely different to every season before it
Devastated how low the Treehouse of Horror landed. Despite the troubles of the early Al Jean era, I legitimately think this seasons Treehouse of Horror is almost in the top 5 Treehouse of Horrors of all time. Also not huge on the Frink segment, but the 1st and the 3rd segments are just so damn solid and funny.
I am shocked, shocked and appalled that The Ziff Who Came to Dinner has been left off your list. Either everything John Lovitz touches is gold or he stands out among dung. The mythology gag to every character Lovitz has played was fun. He did the lovely friendship with Homer storyline twenty years before Kirk did. The squirt-squirt at the end makes me laugh every time. And the can-can thought bubble may be my favorite thought bubble in series history. I still feign coughing by going "Achem! Achem!" to this day. And that's just the Artie stuff, not including Lisa's great reaction to Bart betraying her at the start. But seriously, love the work and the best Simpsons analyst going despite this oversight. And my other favorite episode of the season did win the top spot.
Very good insights as always. Can't really argue with Simple Simpson as the #1 episode, but it's gotta be the weakest #1 since "Lisa Gets an A" from season 10. Both good episodes to be sure, but it's more like... something's gotta be #1, right? My pick, I guess, would be "I, D'ohbot" just because it has a pair of good heartfelt plots balanced with a lot of gratuitous violence. What happens to the cats after Snowball II reminds me of what happens to the dogs in "A Fish Called Wanda." Horrible, but somehow hilarious.
I finally agree with your #1! I loved Pieman so much I made his costume and wore it in two Halloweens, and still say "don't do the crime if you can't do the key lime."
0:25 anyone else suddenly in the mood for RealJims to do a Perfect Pixar sequel series with WDAS? (it’d be appropriate for their 100th anniversary next year)
Lot of great episodes here (as a big Lisa fan, getting "Smart and Smarter", "The President Wore Pearls", and "Fraudcast News" all in the same season was a treat). But it's telling that we're at the point where an episode in the Top 10 is described as "one of those that has all the right elements to be a good, solid entry, but doesn't quite come together for me".
Jims, I’m proud of you for drawing attention to the Pynchon appearance in “Diatribe of a Mad Housewife”. As a confirmed Pynchon-obsessive, I can’t tell you how many times I watched that episode just to hear his voice, which sufficed as a genuine connection to the man given his reclusive nature and the fact that we hadn’t even a current photo until just a few years ago. However, you can of course get that elsewhere, namely in “All’s Fair in Oven War” - although there we just get legitimately appalling puns as he eats some wings, so the S15 cameo will always be my favorite. Hope we’re blessed with another book from the old man before he croaks, and perhaps another guest appearance to boot! 🐖
As much as S15 is past the Simpsons golden age, as flawed as it is at points, I think it’s actually still a pretty good season. One of the stronger teen seasons of the show, it definitely leaned more comedy than its previous emotional beats. I mean, My Mother The Carjacker has parts that almost entirely undermine its emotional points, but they JUST come out on the other side as funny still. Mona cheerfully recounting her escape and talking about clam chowder and crackers was so close to just not working at all, but I ended up getting a laugh out of it. I slightly think it may be down to Glenn Close just being naturally charismatic, but even so, it worked for me, if narrowly.
Any Season 15 episode ranking that has "My Big Fat Geek Wedding" in the bottom 3 is objectively correct in my eyes. I'll never forgive that one for how it utterly ruined Skinner and Krabappel's relationship, robbing him of any meaningful development and turning her into a self-righteous b!tch. Now she's gone and the two never had any proper closure (unless they can do something like "Diary Queen" did with her and Ned). It's a personal Simpsons ick for me to this day.
I like most of the picks that made top ten here, and yet The Way We Weren't always stood out to me as a favorite. I quite like what it brings to the Homer/Marge lore.
I personally love "The Way We Were" and think it's a really cool episode that gives us more context into Homer and Marge's childhood. Even if it doesn't add up with the continuity, it's still a lot of fun.
This is the tail end of my golden age. I was around 7 when this was coming out so there's that nostalgia factor but i did begin to fall out of love around season 17 anyway here are some of my favourite gags from the seasom "I am Rudy Giunliani do as I command you" " H- O - M - E -R " "I could close it faster, or I could close it right" "I don't count Jazz, it sucks" " you're not mild-mannered; you're often liquored up and rude" "hosing off blood, some of it's mine but most it's not: here's Marge" "California Condor" "Killing him softly? With his saw!" "I am iron-man dudududdudu vote for me!" "I should've known. The same thing happened on Saved by the Bell" " Are you always on?" "I think I'd like some whipped cream on my Wyoming!" "Wobble wobble wobble" " sometimes I whittle the future *Chief wiggum getting mauled*"
I love Smart and Smarter. Not just best ep of s15 for me but top ten worth of the whole 10-19 teens era of the Simpsons. That it manages this while having a fricking Simon Cowell cameo makes them pulling that off even more incredible. Okay that he gets decked by Homer does help. The reveal also pleasantly reminds me of a plot beat from a really great latter Frasier episode from when that show too was also not doing so great which makes me like both this and that one even more for that unexepected connection.
I always wished they brought her back for another episode. I feel like her character could've been explored more. Also, as mentioned before, Sarah Michelle Gellar was good in the role, and you could tell she enjoyed voicing the character. (Yes, I know they brought Gina back in a later episode during a montage of Bart's exes, but I mean in a role that's larger than a quick cameo).
Margical History Tour absolutely should be top 10 if for no other reason than Dr Nick's perfect line: "Now in the morning, you'll be good as new... or dead! But the important thing is, we'll know."
I kind of love Diatribe of a Mad Housewife. The whole Harpooned Heart plotline is just comedy gold, and while Homer's B-plot may be irrelevant, it doesn't need to be anything aside from "Homer does something crazy without considering Marge" to work with the episode. I really do like the ending with Homer wanting Flanders to help him be a better husband. It fits with his character. He knows deep down that he'd be completely lost without Marge, even if he's not the best at showing it. That said, President Wore Pearls is definitely my favorite of the season. Perhaps that's because not long after it aired, we ended up watching Evita as part of a class in school, which made me appreciate it even more. Also, IMO the best Lisa episodes are the ones where she realizes she's fallible, and this one pays off as she lets her newfound power and influence blind her to what's really happening. S15 has always been "the last defensible Simpsons season" in my mind. It has some disastrous episodes, but its gems really shine. Though this list has also made me realize that I have apparently misremembered some of the worse S15 episodes in S16 and some good S16 ones in S15. So maybe I need to watch the S16 retrospective to work that out. Finally, My Big Fat Geek Wedding might not be a great episode, but Skinner's line "They told me it was Cat *Man*!" is just so quotable.
thanks for putting all your music in the description. that Skies of Arcadia remix is an absolute banger and I would have asked what it was if you hadn't put it there already.
I was kinda harsh on Season 15, but your list reminded me of some solid episodes. For all the (valid) criticisms of modern Simpsons, I guess it proves the show's never been all bad.
I'm glad I was able to get Disneyplus before you started doing these mid seasons' episodes and retrospectives so I'm not super lost in the dark when hearing about them. Only owned seasons 1-13 for the longest time and only really knew those seasons. But it's fun re-discovering these episodes from season 14 and beyond, I'm almost shocked how well they actually can be, considering seasons 10-13 had obvious changes that could feel a bit jarring and less anticipating the seasons after, but while season 14 seemed to have find the right area to go with the new shift, then season 15 brings that new shift to a comfortable, great place for it to work and still be great, minus just few moments. Hope all this made sense btw, I'm not always the best at expressing thoughts thru text, or any matter really.
I agree that Marge vs. Singles, Seniors etc. is underrated and I'm glad to see it on the list. Good satire on how some social and political movements are driven by shamelessly selfish interests. Among the gags I especially like Kirk Van Houten's reaction to the Monument of deadbeat dad ("That's all? Just a statue? This country makes me sick!"). I admit that I find the ending kind of meh since there's no final battle between Marge and Lindsey Naegle, but I would probably still rank this one higher than you did. Same goes double for Smart and Smarter. Not only is the concept excellent - since there are two "way too smart for their age" girls in the Simpson family, this premise was inevitable and I'm surprised it hadn't been done much earlier - but it's also among the funniest Lisa episodes in later Simpsons and besides the only Lisa-Maggie relationship story the show has ever done, which makes it feel special. One of the big unwritten rules of The Simpsons is that the family must never find out how ingenious Maggie actually is, and I really enjoy how Smart and Smarter breaks that rule, makes a good story from it and then restores the status quo without breaking anything in the show permanently. I would have preferred the celebrity guest star (Simon Cowell) voicing some kind of alter ego fictional character rather than just himself but it's pretty forgivable here (I guess his "authority" as a celebrity is the necessary excuse to why the family believes his claim that Maggie is supposedly not gifted after all).
S15 is surprisingly strong one, now when I look back at it. I think, S16 is one that loses steam a bit, in these years before a movie, but there's quite a lot of memorable ones in S15 (in good, not questionable way, like some from S14). My favorites are: "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" - very nice late Bart-Lisa story, before those became too trite and unoriginal; "Simple Simpson" - yes, this one is iconic, while more on a silly side than previous "Homer's new persona" episodes, but as a parody poking fun at superhero tropes, very enjoyable (sort of superhero-themed analogue of THOH segment); with those being mostly a Simpsons comics domain, having one in the series is nice (also yes, there was Pieman AU in those too); "The Way We Weren't" - I know, people are contemptuous to it as canon-distorting one, but as "what-if" fanfic-ey contribution it's entertaining one; seeing once again recurring cast as children, even if in contrived manner where everyone are famuliar with each other all the time, is a fun ride. Plus, Homer, Marge and others are acting in-character and sympathetic as kid selves, I have no complains (except for weird build-up with trial over Homer stealing Milhouse's kiss...); "'Tis the Fifteenth Season" - serviceable Christmas episode, again Homer getting hit by watching Christmas Carol and deciding to dedicate himself to good deeds in characteristic over-the-top manner is very on-brand for him; "I, (Annoyed Grunt)-bot" - yes, good one too, with Homer (yet again) solving his unsatysfaction with himself in ridiculous way, seemingly a theme of the season; original setting too; "Margical History Tour" - not exactly brightest example, but here and there pretty enjoyable. Henry VIII doesn't do much to me, but Bart-Lisa rivalry rendered as Mozart and Salieri conflict is ingenious. Sacagawea is so-so, but it made me learn about the subject (I'm not very knowlegeable of USA history) and pairing Lisa with Lenny and Carl is not something series ever normally does... at all. So, closer to the bottom of chart of good one for me, but still something rewatchable.
I always hated the "This is what they call a schmaltzy ending" bit. Here you have a sweet ending that makes me feel good inside (and satisfied with the episode as a whole) only to have it cut away to tell me I'm stupid for feeling something and implying that I don't know what a "schmalzty ending" is. Thank you for correcting me, all wise and powerful Simpsons writers.
Unfortunately common trope in satire and comedy, being too scared to have a nice moment at the end and backpedaling with "LMAO THIS ENDING IS JUST SOOOO SAPPY AND CORNY!! THANKFULLY WE'RE SELF AWARE!" It comes off as insecure to me
'I D'ohbot' has always been the most memorable S15 episode for me. 'Simple Simpson' is a close runner-up. Maybe it's because they reflected my interests at the time. I will check out some of your other picks. And I actually saw an Evita ballet yesterday and didn't understand a lick of it so maybe I should watch 'The President Wore Pearls' to ease me into it.
Annoyed grunt bot will always be hilarious to me when homer just starts beeping lmao. And as a cat lover and crazy cat dad all the cats dying makes me burst out laughing every time because even though cats are cute and graceful they're also some of the biggest spazzes in the animal kingdom
I just watched My Mother The Carjacker after getting surprisingly emotional at all the times in HD seasons she’s bought up, and it’s deliciously mean. Almost an innocently important episode by accident, bringing up the abandonment, Homer fully thinking her leaving made him who he is, and just really frigging sad both in ep and the long run.
the funny thing about the 'Diatribe of a Mad Housewife' episode is that my family's copy is broken and the dialogue is always out of sync so hearing Lisa's voice coming out of stupid sexy Flanders or Homer's voice from Marge is great and adds to the episode.
Season 15 is far from perfect, but it's probably the last season I can watch and feel any amount of tingly nostalgia for. Apart from the last few episodes, Season 16 is just a slog.
Simple Simpson 😬…idk. My fave is catch ‘em if you can. It’s a stylish in a way that post classic Simpsons usually aren’t. While it may not be the most grounded episode and its plot does border on the contrived the episode does offer a novel take on the tired and repetitive tales of homer and marge’s marriage troubles. Examining their circumstance rather than their interpersonal failures (which up until that point had only been indirectly acknowledged)
Huh, these retrospectives make me realise how deep into The Simpsons I actually saw in its original run, with every episode drop I’m going WAIT THAT WAS SEASON **WHAT**
What I like about the robot episode Homer has nothing to gain really he just wants to make Bart happy reminds me of when Homer signed Lisa up for the beauty pageant
Not a bad season overall but again is a mixed bag. My rankings this time (I won't explain every episode): 1. Catch 'Em If You Can - This one is a really fun episode overall imo. Lot of chasing around and it's really unique. I also think it's really funny. The b plot with Abe was unnecessary honestly but the rest of it I really liked. 2. The Ziff Who Came to Dinner - Underrated opinion here but Artie Ziff is one of my favorite recurring guest characters. I usually enjoy any episode he's in (especially "The Way We Was," one of my favorite episodes) and this is no exception. Not much else to say after that. 3. The Way We Weren't - The marital episodes are episodes up my alley and it's a charming episode as well. I'm also glad that the whole thing with Homer not showing up was accidental and not intentional on Homer's part which made it emotionally better and Homer more likable here. 4. Smart & Smarter - Another unique episode and another funny episode. 5. Simple Simpson - A classic ofc. The third act with Mr. Burns getting involved is alright but it's really weak compared to the rest of it imo. 6. Treehouse of Horror XIV - I really enjoyed this ToH for the most part. Even "Frinkenstein," my least favorite segment of the three easily, mostly works in the "horror" department. The other two segments are really good for a mid season ToH and "Stop the World, I Want to Goof Off" is a top tier segment with how clever, funny and phenomenal it is. 7. My Mother the Carjacker 8. Tis the Fifteenth Season - One of the better Christmas episodes, and I plan to watch it this year funny enough. It's no "Marge Be Not Proud" but I still enjoy most of it. The story changes a lot here but that's the only real flaw that I remember. 9. Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore 10. Bart-Mangled Banner - I don't really get the hate for this one other than the Simpsons getting screwed over for a misunderstanding (which is a BIG flaw). It had some decent moments, like the prison part was good. 11. The Fat and the Furriest - Homer's fear of bears was honestly entertaining but it didn't really have much other than that. 12. The President Wore Pearls - Musicals aren't my cup of tea but the story itself was good enough to be considered a decent episode in my book. 13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 14. The Regina Monologues 15. Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays - The beginning is really lame and the rest of it is just not enjoyable other than Homer's stupidity during the commercial because of Marge's reaction. 16. Co-Dependent's Day - This is last in everyone else's list but I honestly don't think it's THAT abysmal. Homer being unlikable is not really new to me and I feel he's done worse. For example he wouldn't let Bart see a movie in "Itchy and Scratchy Land" for literally nothing compared to everything else he did that Homer let him get away with, and all because selfish Homer wants Bart to follow a certain career path (which I think is not great parenting when you control how your kid wants to do after childhood) 17. I, (Annoyed Grunt)-bot - B plot is really bad and the main wasn't really entertaining imo. 18. The Wandering Juvie 19. Diatribe of a Mad Housewife - Another episode with an awful b plot (it's basically a season 10 Homer plot) with a mediocre main story. I disagree that this episode is great for those who enjoy Marge's personality. I think "The Island of Dr. Hibbert" from the previous ToH is a much better example in that regard. 20. Fraudcast News - Funny enough I hate both "C.E.D'oh" and "Last Exit to Springfield" so it's funny you compared those three together. 21. Today I Am a Clown - Mainly here because it's a generic Krusty episode (sorry Krusty is not one of my favorite characters" and it's really boring. Also has a forgettable b plot that didn't have much to do with the main story. Bottom fifty episode in the whole show as well. 22. Margical History Tour - Much worse episode and it's my least favorite type of episode, the three story ones. This one I particularly hate very much and though it's not bottom ten in the show for me, I will never watch that episode again.
This was the first seasonal list where I wasn't sure what was gonna be #1 going into it. I dunno if that is a knock against Season 15 or if it's better that there were 3 or 4 episodes I considered. Ended up going back and forth for awhile on this one
Going into this season, I thought it was going to be awful, but I ended up finding a majority of the episodes passable (minus Co-Dependent’s Day (that one was fucking awful))
Thanks for vids
Thank you for doing these videos !
I know this is off topic but I kinda want to see a Simpsons histories on Disco Stu if that is possible that would be awesome
THANK YOU for not favouring The Regina Monologues! That episode was so incredibly offensive to us Brits, especially me! Maybe you shouldn't have included Smart and Smarter
I like how you're not really negative towards these post golden era seasons, makes a nice change of pace from what feels like everyone else on the internet
agree
nohomers likes them generally
Tbh it feels like sometimes only me and my dad like these episodes
I like this too. I mean.. I really wanna know how good are the post 10 seasons, and have everyone copy paste the same iS lIkE FaMiLy GuY and crap like that without explanation really gets on my nerves.
These are now what I think of as the 'second golden age' episodes, really. I didn't like them when they first aired, but now I think up to season 15 as well are actually great. I can't pinpoint where I shut off from The Simpsons... probably up to season 18. I try to watch the newer ones from time to time, but it's clutching at straws to call it the same show in recent years.
I've never been too sure how to feel about the twist of Lisa helping Maggie out the whole time. It's an okay twist but I almost would've preferred it if they really did imply Maggie could end up being smarter than Lisa some day and Lisa just accepts it in the end. They *sorta* go for it if I recall but the twist dilutes it imo.
Yeah my thoughts too
I feel the twist sorta robs the potential character development from Lisa by stating "nah Maggie is only kinda smart" which makes Lisa the lone "smart" kid of the three which is something that Scully/Early Jean era loves doing.
It's similar as to why I REALLY don't like the "Simpsons Gene" idea that implies Bart is doomed to fail despite the series previously showing he IS a gifted kid and street smart.
It will be like malcom in middle how every kid gets smarter, malcom is a genius, dewy becomes musical prodigy then they show the baby is super smart too
My interpretation of it was that the school purposely manipulated the tape in attempt to kick out Maggie. The California Condor bit was highly suspect.
@@TMIINemises yeah, even for a joke, I feel like that one REALLY pushed suspension of disbelief. There is just too little way they could do that with no one noticing that Lisa was helping Maggie. I feel like that outlandishness is supposed to be the joke, but it just pushes a bit too far to make it land.
Homer yelling, "That's Patty, Chump!" At God always made me laugh.
Tis the Fifteenth Season is criminally underrated. I expected it higher because you are usually very good at finding and promoting those kinds of episodes.
Personally I think season 15 is one of the strongest teen seasons, especially when you remove the three episodes you did. Your top 2 wouldn't make my top 10, that's how solid I think this season is for this era.
Considering he talked about it positively on the Christmas video i trought it would at least make the top 10
That episode is devilishly funny.
“Oh sometimes I whittles the future” is a quote that lives in my brain too this day. The wandering juvie is the episode that comes to mind when I think of season 15.
The Ralph switcheroo in that episode is also quite memorable.
"Your eyes need diapers."
"I don't have such good memory since I drank my thermometer."
I can't wait to lay my eggs in his brain
@@connorscanlan2167 Gina: Bart, I can't believe you don't know this, but there's no such thing as cootie shots, cootie force fields, or cootie insurance.
Bart: But State Farm took my money!
its my favourite form this season too
Willie making fun of Millhouse in The President Wears Pearls will ALWAYS get a laugh out of me
Willie in that episode, period. Skinner’s villain song may not be great, but I love Willie’s drunken joyride so much.
I'd buy a whole album of Willie just mocking Milhouse.
Him drinking on the lawnmower is classic.
And Milhouse forgetting about it later makes me chuckle every time.
That's potentially my favorite Simpsons joke ever
I now hope the show does go on until season 60 just so we can get a dvd set with Just Stamp the Ticket man on it
Do they even make the sets anymore?
@@scockery by the time the get to season 60, most likely not
8:50 What do you mean finally did a storyline with Snowball II? She had half a spotlight episode in season 14 when she saved Homer from the burning treehouse. Didn't get a top 10 spot though. #justiceforsnowballII
Season 15 is very underrated in my opinion, with a few exceptions this would be a very good season.
S15 is definitely an odd and uneven one, but it’s a nice feeling when they whip out a good episode. Of all the teen seasons, it felt like the one that tried the hardest to imitate the classic Simpsons atmosphere, so there’s an added sense of “they’ve still got it” with the highlights.
Thanks for the shout out, by the way.
I'll admit, Seasons 14-16 are some of my favorites past the Classic Era, so much so that I personally consider them a "Silver Age." Beyond some really, REALLY bad episodes, (Co-dependent's Day is my second least favorite in the series and My Big Fat Geek Wedding is just a mess), I find the output to generally be really consistent and fun. I'm not sure what my Top 10 of Season 15 would be, but I'm a big fan of the President Wore Pearls, Today I Am a Clown, Catch 'em if You Can, Simple Simpson, and Fraudcast News. I also love Diatribe of a Mad Housewife for its adorable Marge content and observational humor about writing, ("It was then that she realized this was... The End."), as well as the Fat and the Furriest for having some of my favorite jokes of the season, ("Lisa, the moral of Moby Dick is 'be yourself!'"). Overall, an underrated season, imo.
The only thing I like about My Big Fat Geek Wedding is seeing Matt playing himself.
Seeing “Co-Dependents day” get thrown in the can, Will always bring a smile to my face.
Season 15 will always get extra points for me because it's the first time Thomas Pynchon spoke publicly until his *next* Simpsons appearance in season 16. As a big fan it's also very funny (and very in character) for him to have rewritten his appearance in his season 16 episode, because he didn't want to call Homer an asshole.
Fun list as always! Personally, I would have put The Way we Weren't higher. I think it's an interesting way to revisit the Homer and Marge relationship and the etiquette jokes from Marge's camp offer a nice bit of variety. The whole bit with the camp counselor saying "Oh dear, that's an olive fork, not a salad fork. Here's something that will help you remember." And then stabbing a girl in the hand is some extremely well-timed slapstick.
Agreed. Plus the reveal that the Sea Captain was apparently there with them the entire time ("I'll just take some Teddy Grahams for the road." "There goes a good friend.") is just aces.
+1 to this, The Way We Weren't was easily the most memorable for me. Just having that past connection was both heartwarming and clever, while I can't count how many times I've rewatched the So Happy Together sequence. Definitely an underrated episode.
Also a big fan of that episode. It's one of my favorite Homer and Marge episodes. And I love all the jokes with younger versions of the adult characters. I also would have put The Wandering Juvie in the top ten. Real solid Bart plot.
Your bubble episode has one of my favorite middle Simpsons lines, where Bart asked the juvi girl why she got locked up. She says she pushed Snow White off the castle at Disneyland. When he says, "Oh my God, did she live?" She answers, "Yeah...but it's not a good life." Daaaaaark (but it grew on me.)
So good. Sarah Michelle Gellar nails that character. Haha.
I think I prefer the Gina episode over the Milhouse one, simply because the relationship between Gina and Bart is actually pretty endearing. How Gina is more dangerous than Bart gives a nice contrast compared to other relationships. In regards to Glass Onion, I wouldn't call the mystery weak, much like the title, its transparent who likely did it, but its the twists and turns that come from it that add the layers that keep you guessing and if either he worked alone or someone helped him out to carry out the murder. And yes, Janelle Monae was surprisingly good in it, she was the actress I knew the least about before watching the film and the one that surprised me the most.
Yeah Homer's bear fighting suit didn't leave much to the imagination from the back side. Actually that's based on a real event where a guy built himself a bear fighting seat but it was so heavy it required a forklift to lift it up. And he never did fight that bear.
My favorites are "Marge vs. SSCCATAG" and "The President Wore Pearls" simply because of how funny they are, so many memorable jokes.
"Did you jiggle your keys?" "I tried it all man!!"
Swatch watch!
I can't be the only one who Adores The way we were. The back story is so incredibly cute but still fun!! Baby Marge is the best
I think this was the era where I started thinking "Oh, these episodes are new". I never got the sense before this season that the show was still going; up until that point it was always like "Hey I've never seen this episode!", not "this is new!". Probably because of the new digital look, which looked completely different to every season before it
This season re-ran SO MUCH in Brazil's FOX. I can't even judge it in any way because of my nostalgia of it. :P
Devastated how low the Treehouse of Horror landed. Despite the troubles of the early Al Jean era, I legitimately think this seasons Treehouse of Horror is almost in the top 5 Treehouse of Horrors of all time. Also not huge on the Frink segment, but the 1st and the 3rd segments are just so damn solid and funny.
I am shocked, shocked and appalled that The Ziff Who Came to Dinner has been left off your list. Either everything John Lovitz touches is gold or he stands out among dung.
The mythology gag to every character Lovitz has played was fun. He did the lovely friendship with Homer storyline twenty years before Kirk did. The squirt-squirt at the end makes me laugh every time. And the can-can thought bubble may be my favorite thought bubble in series history. I still feign coughing by going "Achem! Achem!" to this day. And that's just the Artie stuff, not including Lisa's great reaction to Bart betraying her at the start.
But seriously, love the work and the best Simpsons analyst going despite this oversight. And my other favorite episode of the season did win the top spot.
Very good insights as always. Can't really argue with Simple Simpson as the #1 episode, but it's gotta be the weakest #1 since "Lisa Gets an A" from season 10. Both good episodes to be sure, but it's more like... something's gotta be #1, right? My pick, I guess, would be "I, D'ohbot" just because it has a pair of good heartfelt plots balanced with a lot of gratuitous violence. What happens to the cats after Snowball II reminds me of what happens to the dogs in "A Fish Called Wanda." Horrible, but somehow hilarious.
I finally agree with your #1! I loved Pieman so much I made his costume and wore it in two Halloweens, and still say "don't do the crime if you can't do the key lime."
0:25 anyone else suddenly in the mood for RealJims to do a Perfect Pixar sequel series with WDAS? (it’d be appropriate for their 100th anniversary next year)
He should also finish Perfect Pixar with the newer films.
Frinkenstein has one of my favourite understated Frink lines: "Allow me to satisfy your Hebraic desires."
Lot of great episodes here (as a big Lisa fan, getting "Smart and Smarter", "The President Wore Pearls", and "Fraudcast News" all in the same season was a treat). But it's telling that we're at the point where an episode in the Top 10 is described as "one of those that has all the right elements to be a good, solid entry, but doesn't quite come together for me".
i couldnt believe it when just stamp the ticket man returned in season 60's season premier.
Season 15 is underrated in my mind I forget how many good episodes their are in it.
Jims, I’m proud of you for drawing attention to the Pynchon appearance in “Diatribe of a Mad Housewife”. As a confirmed Pynchon-obsessive, I can’t tell you how many times I watched that episode just to hear his voice, which sufficed as a genuine connection to the man given his reclusive nature and the fact that we hadn’t even a current photo until just a few years ago. However, you can of course get that elsewhere, namely in “All’s Fair in Oven War” - although there we just get legitimately appalling puns as he eats some wings, so the S15 cameo will always be my favorite. Hope we’re blessed with another book from the old man before he croaks, and perhaps another guest appearance to boot! 🐖
I like The Wandering Juvie. And yes, Sarah Michelle Gellar gives a great performance! I definitely would have put it in the Top 10.
As much as S15 is past the Simpsons golden age, as flawed as it is at points, I think it’s actually still a pretty good season. One of the stronger teen seasons of the show, it definitely leaned more comedy than its previous emotional beats. I mean, My Mother The Carjacker has parts that almost entirely undermine its emotional points, but they JUST come out on the other side as funny still. Mona cheerfully recounting her escape and talking about clam chowder and crackers was so close to just not working at all, but I ended up getting a laugh out of it. I slightly think it may be down to Glenn Close just being naturally charismatic, but even so, it worked for me, if narrowly.
Any Season 15 episode ranking that has "My Big Fat Geek Wedding" in the bottom 3 is objectively correct in my eyes. I'll never forgive that one for how it utterly ruined Skinner and Krabappel's relationship, robbing him of any meaningful development and turning her into a self-righteous b!tch. Now she's gone and the two never had any proper closure (unless they can do something like "Diary Queen" did with her and Ned). It's a personal Simpsons ick for me to this day.
"Did she live?" "Yeah, but it's not a good life."
The Wandering Juvie is great. Sarah Michelle Gellar is hilarious.
I like most of the picks that made top ten here, and yet The Way We Weren't always stood out to me as a favorite. I quite like what it brings to the Homer/Marge lore.
Definitely agree with the top spot
"I've run out of pie related puns!" gets me every time
I personally love "The Way We Were" and think it's a really cool episode that gives us more context into Homer and Marge's childhood. Even if it doesn't add up with the continuity, it's still a lot of fun.
This is the tail end of my golden age.
I was around 7 when this was coming out so there's that nostalgia factor but i did begin to fall out of love around season 17
anyway here are some of my favourite gags from the seasom
"I am Rudy Giunliani do as I command you"
" H- O - M - E -R "
"I could close it faster, or I could close it right"
"I don't count Jazz, it sucks"
" you're not mild-mannered; you're often liquored up and rude"
"hosing off blood, some of it's mine but most it's not: here's Marge"
"California Condor"
"Killing him softly? With his saw!"
"I am iron-man dudududdudu vote for me!"
"I should've known. The same thing happened on Saved by the Bell"
" Are you always on?"
"I think I'd like some whipped cream on my Wyoming!"
"Wobble wobble wobble"
" sometimes I whittle the future *Chief wiggum getting mauled*"
I love Smart and Smarter. Not just best ep of s15 for me but top ten worth of the whole 10-19 teens era of the Simpsons. That it manages this while having a fricking Simon Cowell cameo makes them pulling that off even more incredible. Okay that he gets decked by Homer does help. The reveal also pleasantly reminds me of a plot beat from a really great latter Frasier episode from when that show too was also not doing so great which makes me like both this and that one even more for that unexepected connection.
I quite like The Wandering Juvie. Gina Vendetti is probably my favorite of Bart’s many, MANY girlfriends. That’s gotta count for something.
I always wished they brought her back for another episode. I feel like her character could've been explored more. Also, as mentioned before, Sarah Michelle Gellar was good in the role, and you could tell she enjoyed voicing the character.
(Yes, I know they brought Gina back in a later episode during a montage of Bart's exes, but I mean in a role that's larger than a quick cameo).
Yes! She's my favorite too!
Can't believe you didn't mention the line from Grandpa... "If you can't build a robot *BE* a robot!"
Margical History Tour absolutely should be top 10 if for no other reason than Dr Nick's perfect line: "Now in the morning, you'll be good as new... or dead! But the important thing is, we'll know."
I D'oh Bot is one of my favourite episodes, but that's because I'm a massive fan of Robot Wars.
When me and my girlfriend watch these retrospectives, we pause on each number and see if we can guess what Jim's selection will be, it's fun :D
I kind of love Diatribe of a Mad Housewife. The whole Harpooned Heart plotline is just comedy gold, and while Homer's B-plot may be irrelevant, it doesn't need to be anything aside from "Homer does something crazy without considering Marge" to work with the episode. I really do like the ending with Homer wanting Flanders to help him be a better husband. It fits with his character. He knows deep down that he'd be completely lost without Marge, even if he's not the best at showing it.
That said, President Wore Pearls is definitely my favorite of the season. Perhaps that's because not long after it aired, we ended up watching Evita as part of a class in school, which made me appreciate it even more. Also, IMO the best Lisa episodes are the ones where she realizes she's fallible, and this one pays off as she lets her newfound power and influence blind her to what's really happening.
S15 has always been "the last defensible Simpsons season" in my mind. It has some disastrous episodes, but its gems really shine. Though this list has also made me realize that I have apparently misremembered some of the worse S15 episodes in S16 and some good S16 ones in S15. So maybe I need to watch the S16 retrospective to work that out.
Finally, My Big Fat Geek Wedding might not be a great episode, but Skinner's line "They told me it was Cat *Man*!" is just so quotable.
thanks for putting all your music in the description. that Skies of Arcadia remix is an absolute banger and I would have asked what it was if you hadn't put it there already.
"Simple Simpson" is the best episode of the season; I'm not surprised at all.
Great video, btw!
Simple Simpson is my pick too. The superhero homages are a lot of fun and lend themselves to some great scenes/gags.
A complete history of Shelbyville please
Wandering Juvie is one of my favorite post-season 12 episodes. Sad it didn't make top 10, but glad it's in the video
I was kinda harsh on Season 15, but your list reminded me of some solid episodes. For all the (valid) criticisms of modern Simpsons, I guess it proves the show's never been all bad.
Mulhouse should be next on Simpsons Histories.
I'm glad I was able to get Disneyplus before you started doing these mid seasons' episodes and retrospectives so I'm not super lost in the dark when hearing about them. Only owned seasons 1-13 for the longest time and only really knew those seasons. But it's fun re-discovering these episodes from season 14 and beyond, I'm almost shocked how well they actually can be, considering seasons 10-13 had obvious changes that could feel a bit jarring and less anticipating the seasons after, but while season 14 seemed to have find the right area to go with the new shift, then season 15 brings that new shift to a comfortable, great place for it to work and still be great, minus just few moments. Hope all this made sense btw, I'm not always the best at expressing thoughts thru text, or any matter really.
I really need a character insight on Lindsey Neagle
I agree that Marge vs. Singles, Seniors etc. is underrated and I'm glad to see it on the list. Good satire on how some social and political movements are driven by shamelessly selfish interests. Among the gags I especially like Kirk Van Houten's reaction to the Monument of deadbeat dad ("That's all? Just a statue? This country makes me sick!"). I admit that I find the ending kind of meh since there's no final battle between Marge and Lindsey Naegle, but I would probably still rank this one higher than you did.
Same goes double for Smart and Smarter. Not only is the concept excellent - since there are two "way too smart for their age" girls in the Simpson family, this premise was inevitable and I'm surprised it hadn't been done much earlier - but it's also among the funniest Lisa episodes in later Simpsons and besides the only Lisa-Maggie relationship story the show has ever done, which makes it feel special. One of the big unwritten rules of The Simpsons is that the family must never find out how ingenious Maggie actually is, and I really enjoy how Smart and Smarter breaks that rule, makes a good story from it and then restores the status quo without breaking anything in the show permanently. I would have preferred the celebrity guest star (Simon Cowell) voicing some kind of alter ego fictional character rather than just himself but it's pretty forgivable here (I guess his "authority" as a celebrity is the necessary excuse to why the family believes his claim that Maggie is supposedly not gifted after all).
Robo Trumble always makes me laugh 😂
S15 is surprisingly strong one, now when I look back at it. I think, S16 is one that loses steam a bit, in these years before a movie, but there's quite a lot of memorable ones in S15 (in good, not questionable way, like some from S14).
My favorites are:
"Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" - very nice late Bart-Lisa story, before those became too trite and unoriginal;
"Simple Simpson" - yes, this one is iconic, while more on a silly side than previous "Homer's new persona" episodes, but as a parody poking fun at superhero tropes, very enjoyable (sort of superhero-themed analogue of THOH segment); with those being mostly a Simpsons comics domain, having one in the series is nice (also yes, there was Pieman AU in those too);
"The Way We Weren't" - I know, people are contemptuous to it as canon-distorting one, but as "what-if" fanfic-ey contribution it's entertaining one; seeing once again recurring cast as children, even if in contrived manner where everyone are famuliar with each other all the time, is a fun ride. Plus, Homer, Marge and others are acting in-character and sympathetic as kid selves, I have no complains (except for weird build-up with trial over Homer stealing Milhouse's kiss...);
"'Tis the Fifteenth Season" - serviceable Christmas episode, again Homer getting hit by watching Christmas Carol and deciding to dedicate himself to good deeds in characteristic over-the-top manner is very on-brand for him;
"I, (Annoyed Grunt)-bot" - yes, good one too, with Homer (yet again) solving his unsatysfaction with himself in ridiculous way, seemingly a theme of the season; original setting too;
"Margical History Tour" - not exactly brightest example, but here and there pretty enjoyable. Henry VIII doesn't do much to me, but Bart-Lisa rivalry rendered as Mozart and Salieri conflict is ingenious. Sacagawea is so-so, but it made me learn about the subject (I'm not very knowlegeable of USA history) and pairing Lisa with Lenny and Carl is not something series ever normally does... at all. So, closer to the bottom of chart of good one for me, but still something rewatchable.
I always hated the "This is what they call a schmaltzy ending" bit. Here you have a sweet ending that makes me feel good inside (and satisfied with the episode as a whole) only to have it cut away to tell me I'm stupid for feeling something and implying that I don't know what a "schmalzty ending" is. Thank you for correcting me, all wise and powerful Simpsons writers.
Unfortunately common trope in satire and comedy, being too scared to have a nice moment at the end and backpedaling with "LMAO THIS ENDING IS JUST SOOOO SAPPY AND CORNY!! THANKFULLY WE'RE SELF AWARE!" It comes off as insecure to me
@@royalblanket especially in this era.
FUCK YEAH PIEMAN WINS! One of my favourite later season episodes!
'I D'ohbot' has always been the most memorable S15 episode for me. 'Simple Simpson' is a close runner-up. Maybe it's because they reflected my interests at the time. I will check out some of your other picks. And I actually saw an Evita ballet yesterday and didn't understand a lick of it so maybe I should watch 'The President Wore Pearls' to ease me into it.
love these videos so much, keep up the good work!
Annoyed grunt bot will always be hilarious to me when homer just starts beeping lmao. And as a cat lover and crazy cat dad all the cats dying makes me burst out laughing every time because even though cats are cute and graceful they're also some of the biggest spazzes in the animal kingdom
I did not think this video would prompt THIS comment, but Jim, I am so glad I found someone in total agreement with me on Glass Onion. 😂
thanks for doing these, im trying to find out when i stopped watching and thse recaps come so handy.
The Chief Wiggum runner in Smart and Smarter is so good
I think my favorite part of this retrospective is the idea that Stamp-The-Ticket-Man gets the cover of season 60.
I really like the feel of season 15. I just kept laughing when I remembered Homer yelling DALAI LAMA?! in Simple Simpson lol. Great list
7:59
should have shown a shot of frink when he said that with the irony and the quoting and the funny
OK. Now these seasons are too new for me to remember. Too forgettable or didn't see.
One of the last (if not the last) good, watchable seasons. But, my god, could they not figure out any ending.
"Thank you, Scene From Moby Dick"
Do a Simpsons History with the Main Pets Santa's Little Helper and SnowBall 2
I just watched My Mother The Carjacker after getting surprisingly emotional at all the times in HD seasons she’s bought up, and it’s deliciously mean. Almost an innocently important episode by accident, bringing up the abandonment, Homer fully thinking her leaving made him who he is, and just really frigging sad both in ep and the long run.
"That was my last flare" was my favorite part
Absolutely love your videos !
the funny thing about the 'Diatribe of a Mad Housewife' episode is that my family's copy is broken and the dialogue is always out of sync so hearing Lisa's voice coming out of stupid sexy Flanders or Homer's voice from Marge is great and adds to the episode.
Loving the castlevania music
great video I love this series you're doing
Every time Jim’s drops a video it makes my day
6:10 EXTREMELY glad this episode made the cut. Butler Moe is my favorite joke in the entire series.
I just realized Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin were both Death for the same amount of time.
Season 15 is far from perfect, but it's probably the last season I can watch and feel any amount of tingly nostalgia for. Apart from the last few episodes, Season 16 is just a slog.
Ah yes, this will make my coffee break that much more enjoyable
Its interesting to me that family guy did the main character as death plot before the Simpsons and it was a canon story too
Simple Simpson 😬…idk. My fave is catch ‘em if you can. It’s a stylish in a way that post classic Simpsons usually aren’t. While it may not be the most grounded episode and its plot does border on the contrived the episode does offer a novel take on the tired and repetitive tales of homer and marge’s marriage troubles. Examining their circumstance rather than their interpersonal failures (which up until that point had only been indirectly acknowledged)
Perfect list I swap 10&11
I agree with the summation of Glass Onion, does have my favourite cameo of the year though.
personally, I think the best of the season is Simple Simpson and Wandering Juvie, though the latter may be due to the fact I'm a huge Buffy fan.
Huh, these retrospectives make me realise how deep into The Simpsons I actually saw in its original run, with every episode drop I’m going WAIT THAT WAS SEASON **WHAT**
Simple Simpson is one of my favorite post-classic series episodes. Good choice.
If a mystery movie has a weak mystery, that’s a lolfail for sure. You’re quite generous to these hacks. It’s a good quality to have
"Lolfail"? Is that a 4chan term? It sounds like a 4chan term.
@@mythcat1273 it may be. Not sure where I saw it. It seemed appropriate.
What I like about the robot episode Homer has nothing to gain really he just wants to make Bart happy reminds me of when Homer signed Lisa up for the beauty pageant
Not a bad season overall but again is a mixed bag. My rankings this time (I won't explain every episode):
1. Catch 'Em If You Can - This one is a really fun episode overall imo. Lot of chasing around and it's really unique. I also think it's really funny. The b plot with Abe was unnecessary honestly but the rest of it I really liked.
2. The Ziff Who Came to Dinner - Underrated opinion here but Artie Ziff is one of my favorite recurring guest characters. I usually enjoy any episode he's in (especially "The Way We Was," one of my favorite episodes) and this is no exception. Not much else to say after that.
3. The Way We Weren't - The marital episodes are episodes up my alley and it's a charming episode as well. I'm also glad that the whole thing with Homer not showing up was accidental and not intentional on Homer's part which made it emotionally better and Homer more likable here.
4. Smart & Smarter - Another unique episode and another funny episode.
5. Simple Simpson - A classic ofc. The third act with Mr. Burns getting involved is alright but it's really weak compared to the rest of it imo.
6. Treehouse of Horror XIV - I really enjoyed this ToH for the most part. Even "Frinkenstein," my least favorite segment of the three easily, mostly works in the "horror" department. The other two segments are really good for a mid season ToH and "Stop the World, I Want to Goof Off" is a top tier segment with how clever, funny and phenomenal it is.
7. My Mother the Carjacker
8. Tis the Fifteenth Season - One of the better Christmas episodes, and I plan to watch it this year funny enough. It's no "Marge Be Not Proud" but I still enjoy most of it. The story changes a lot here but that's the only real flaw that I remember.
9. Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore
10. Bart-Mangled Banner - I don't really get the hate for this one other than the Simpsons getting screwed over for a misunderstanding (which is a BIG flaw). It had some decent moments, like the prison part was good.
11. The Fat and the Furriest - Homer's fear of bears was honestly entertaining but it didn't really have much other than that.
12. The President Wore Pearls - Musicals aren't my cup of tea but the story itself was good enough to be considered a decent episode in my book.
13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
14. The Regina Monologues
15. Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays - The beginning is really lame and the rest of it is just not enjoyable other than Homer's stupidity during the commercial because of Marge's reaction.
16. Co-Dependent's Day - This is last in everyone else's list but I honestly don't think it's THAT abysmal. Homer being unlikable is not really new to me and I feel he's done worse. For example he wouldn't let Bart see a movie in "Itchy and Scratchy Land" for literally nothing compared to everything else he did that Homer let him get away with, and all because selfish Homer wants Bart to follow a certain career path (which I think is not great parenting when you control how your kid wants to do after childhood)
17. I, (Annoyed Grunt)-bot - B plot is really bad and the main wasn't really entertaining imo.
18. The Wandering Juvie
19. Diatribe of a Mad Housewife - Another episode with an awful b plot (it's basically a season 10 Homer plot) with a mediocre main story. I disagree that this episode is great for those who enjoy Marge's personality. I think "The Island of Dr. Hibbert" from the previous ToH is a much better example in that regard.
20. Fraudcast News - Funny enough I hate both "C.E.D'oh" and "Last Exit to Springfield" so it's funny you compared those three together.
21. Today I Am a Clown - Mainly here because it's a generic Krusty episode (sorry Krusty is not one of my favorite characters" and it's really boring. Also has a forgettable b plot that didn't have much to do with the main story. Bottom fifty episode in the whole show as well.
22. Margical History Tour - Much worse episode and it's my least favorite type of episode, the three story ones. This one I particularly hate very much and though it's not bottom ten in the show for me, I will never watch that episode again.
How is not allowing your kid to go to cinema worse then drunk driving and framing it on a innocent person, who is your SO?
I am very glad you actually mention how religious focused season 16 is
Same, I thought I was the only one who noticed
I love the Christmas episode I'm surprised it wasn't in the top 10
The Fat and the Furriest would be my #1
"which takes away some of the chaotic homer fun away" is a perfectly cromulent sentence.
Imagine ranking simpsons episodes by plot and character development lmao