The 10 Best Seasons of ‘The Simpsons’, Ranked

“The Simpsons” isn’t just any animated series; it’s an iconic pop culture encyclopedia that has reshaped the way we perceive television, animation, comedy, and the longevity of a TV show. Over the years, “The Simpsons” has shattered countless cultural barriers, making it nearly impossible to list them all. What’s remarkable is that the show is still going strong, with its 35th season set to debut in October.

While the early episodes are often considered the pinnacle of the series, it’s worth noting that there have been many outstanding seasons in recent years as well. So, here’s a ranking of the ten best seasons of “The Simpsons.”

you are watching: The 10 Best Seasons of ‘The Simpsons’, Ranked

10. Season 22

“The Simpsons” is often regarded as having declined in quality over the years, although fans seem to disagree on when exactly the show’s “Golden Age” occurred. It’s widely acknowledged that season 11 marked a significant creative downturn, and it took the series quite some time to regain its footing. However, there have been recent seasons that have shown signs of rejuvenation, reminiscent of the early years.

Season 22, in particular, stands out for its renewed ambition. The season introduced experimental episodes like the music-heavy “Elementary School Musical,” which breathed new life into the series.

9. Season 1

The initial seasons of comedy shows don’t always hit their stride and establish themselves as future classics right away. Series like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” didn’t quite find their definitive tone in their first seasons. However, “The Simpsons” was an exception, as its first season firmly established why the series was so special.

“The Simpsons” may have resembled traditional sitcoms of the 1980s, but its unique animation style served as a clever parody of small-town life and suburban America. What set the show apart was its willingness to be sincere, a quality evident in its debut episode, “Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire.”

8. Season 10

Season 10 stands out as perhaps the last truly great season of the show. While season 9 showed some signs of problems with the controversial episode “The Principal and the Pauper,” which rewrote the backstory of Principal Skinner, Season 10 manages to maintain the same quality as the earlier seasons.

see more : Paramount+ to Launch in Japan via Partnerships With J:COM and Wowow

One of the highlights of Season 10 was the unforgettable guest appearance by Mark Hamill, who portrayed himself as well as a bodyguard instructor in the hilarious episode “Mayored to the Mob.” However, it’s worth noting that the season did end on a controversial note with the episode “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo.”

7. Season 2

Season 2 marked a significant turning point for The Simpsons. The show not only sharpened its animation style but also allowed the writers to let their creativity run wild with a wide array of ideas. Despite the wacky antics, The Simpsons retained its core theme of familial love and hopefulness.

Moreover, Season 2 introduced a groundbreaking concept with its first flashback episode, “The Way We Was.” This episode took viewers back in time to witness Homer and Marge’s first date, shedding light on the enduring bond that has kept them together for over 30 years.

6. Season 3

Season 3 of The Simpsons stands out for a particular reason when it comes to streaming. The episode titled “Stark Raving Dad,” which featured an extended guest appearance by Michael Jackson, was censored on Disney+ due to the serious allegations of sexual abuse against the pop star. This decision was made to address the controversy surrounding Jackson.

However, the season is still packed with classic episodes. One notable gem is “Flaming Moe’s,” where Moe, the lonely bartender, experiences a brief moment of success with his unique drink recipe. Unfortunately, like many of Moe’s endeavors, this success is short-lived.

5. Season 6

Season 6 of The Simpsons delivered another iconic moment with its finale, “Who Shot Mr. Burns? In The Simpsons’ version, Mr. Burns is shot, plunging Springfield into chaos as residents become suspects in a complex narrative. The resolution to this mystery was saved for the next season’s premiere, creating tremendous anticipation among fans.

Throughout the season, we also enjoyed classic episodes like “Lemon of Troy” and “Homer the Great,” making Season 6 a standout in the show’s history.

4. Season 7

see more : ‘Reptile’ Review: Benicio Del Toro Excels in Grant Singer’s Gripping Directorial Debut | TIFF 2023

Season 7 of The Simpsons had the perfect chance to resolve the “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” cliffhanger with its premiere episode, “Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part Two,” finally revealing the culprit.

But that wasn’t all this season had to offer. It featured numerous outstanding character spotlight episodes, delving into the lives of background players. However, one episode that stands out is “22 Short Films About Springfield,” reminiscent of Pulp Fiction. This anthology-style episode weaved together various events in Springfield, creating one of the series’ most exhilarating episodes.

3. Season 5

Sideshow Bob is undoubtedly one of the most fearsome characters in The Simpsons. He’s the spurned former sidekick of Krusty the Clown turned serial killer, driven by his obsession to kill Bart. In the episode “Cape Feare,” which parodied Martin Scorsese’s Cape Fear, Sideshow Bob comes dangerously close to achieving his goal.

Season 5 of The Simpsons was filled with exceptional episodes that showcased the series’ willingness to take risks with ambitious storylines, placing the beloved characters in genuine peril. For instance, in the classic episode “Deep Space Homer,” Homer literally ventures into space.

2. Season 8

The Simpsons has ventured into crossover episodes with various shows over the years, including Bob’s Burgers, The Critic, Family Guy, and American Dad! However, none of these crossovers were quite as memorable as the one in season 8’s “The Springfield Files.” In this episode, Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny make appearances as their respective X-Files characters, Mulder and Scully, in a storyline where Homer finds himself entangled in an alien invasion.

Season 8 also excelled at parodies of other pop culture franchises. Take, for instance, the episode “You Only Move Twice,” which offered a perfectly timed and hilarious spoof of the James Bond series, poking fun at the spy saga’s iconic elements and clichés.

1. Season 4

Season 4 stands as an epitome of television perfection. It’s a rarity for any show, regardless of genre, to deliver 22 consistently excellent episodes in a single season. This incredible feat is a testament to the remarkable writing talent behind The Simpsons during its early years.

Among the talented young writers contributing to the series was Conan O’Brien, who gifted us with the timeless classic episode “Marge vs. The Monorail.” In this episode, the charismatic salesman Lyle Lanley, voiced by the incomparable Phil Hartman, masterfully convinces the citizens of Springfield to invest in a perilous monorail system.

Source: https://dominioncinemas.net
Category: MOVIE