EWB's Favorite Simpsons Episode

[Lowerdeck]

We got a competition in the style of the World Cup to determine the best movie, based on the 32 highest rated movies on IMDB's website. But since I don't watch that many movies, we'll embark on something different. Maybe a lot of you want to see something like what you're about to see too.

There will be 8 groups of four - each contestant will face the others in their group scoring 3 points if they "win" the match by getting at least 5 more votes than the other. If the two score within five votes of each other they will draw and score a single point. A loser scores no points. (I'm also doing this at my board, but it's too small so votes will be tallied from both.)

The top two from each group go through to the knockout stage until we're left with one remaining - the greatest Simpsons episode!

As with the World Cup proper, the 32 teams are seeded A to D - the top 8 movies are A seeds, 9-16 = B, 17-24 = C and 25-32 = D!

These will be drawn into groups with each group getting an A, B, C and D. The groups themselves meanwhile are lettered A-H, four in each.

A Seeds

8.2 You Only Move Twice

5.15 Deep Space Homer

3.10 Flaming Moe's

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1

8.10 The Springfield Files

3.17 Homer at the Bat

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield

B Seeds

6.12 Homer the Great

4.9 Mr. Plow

8.23 Homer's Enemy

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V

5.2 Cape Feare

5.4 Rosebud

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield

C Seeds

7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

4.3 Homer the Heretic

6.9 Homer Badman

8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

6.14 Bart's Comet

8.15 Homer's Phobia

6.1 Bart of Darkness

7.12 Team Homer

D Seeds

7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

6.16 Bart vs. Australia

3.4 Bart the Murderer

5.10 $pringfield (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)

6.24 Lemon of Troy

3.13 Radio Bart

5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

Edited June 4, 2007 by Lowerdeck

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

Well, every episode that I instantly thought of as a 'classic' is listed here, except for one (Bart the Fink). Should be interesting to see how this plays out, I remember NHC forums doing a huge poll like this when I posted there, and Last Exit to Springfield came out on top.

[Nerf]

I can't actually decide my favourite Simpsons episode. Probably the one with the psycho babysitter. Which one was that?

[Lowerdeck]

My prediction: the winner will be either Cape Feare, Last Exit to Springfield, or You Only Move Twice.

I got the groupings coming in a few minutes.

[Lowerdeck]

In case you may not know specific episodes, or at least by their official title, here's some guides for you:

- www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/eprate

- www.snpp.com/episodes.html

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield

7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail

6.12 Homer the Great

4.3 Homer the Heretic

5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's

5.4 Rosebud

8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V

6.14 Bart's Comet

3.13 Radio Bart

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1

4.9 Mr. Plow

7.12 Team Homer

6.24 Lemon of Troy

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer

5.2 Cape Feare

6.9 Homer Badman

5.10 $pringfield (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson

8.15 Homer's Phobia

3.4 Bart the Murderer

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice

8.23 Homer's Enemy

6.1 Bart of Darkness

6.16 Bart vs. Australia

Group discussion anyone? Group H looks pretty tough with the Hank Scorpio and Frank Grimes episodes, along with the Australian one. Group F looks strong too with Cape Feare, the space episode, and the one with the sexual harassment on the babysitter.

[apsham]

Is the one there where Homer gets the gun? I was just watching it, and darn it has some moments that I grin at whenever I think about it... especially Moe's story about the robbers and the following exchange:

Bart: Is that a camera in the wall?

Camera: No... go back to bed.

Not my favorite but pretty good... good god, I could never pick one.

[Lowerdeck]

I took the top 32 rated episodes off IMDB. (Excluding the 19th season opener (which hasn't even aired anyway) and the ender of season 18.)

Cartridge Family was ranked somewhere in the 50s.

Edited June 4, 2007 by Lowerdeck

[Rashid]

It got every episode I hoped would be there except 'Trash of the Titans', which is my favorite episode.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

Ooh, and Lisa The Vegetarian.

"I think I'll be donating a million dollars to the local orphanage...WHEN PIGS FLY!!!"

"..."

"..."

"Will you be donating that check now?"

"No, I'd still rather not."

[Lowerdeck]

Yeah, it was hard that there's a lot of missing episodes.

Perhaps convert this into a March Madness type thing, top 64 episodes?

The next batch of episodes.

5.3 Homer Goes to College 33

7.7 King Size Homer 34

7.5 Lisa the Vegetarian 35

1.12 Krusty Gets Busted 36

6.15 Homie the Clown 37

8.9 El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Homer 38

4.1 Kamp Krusty 39

5.5 Treehouse of Horror IV 40

7.6 Treehouse of Horror VI 41

6.5 Sideshow Bob Roberts 42

5.11 Homer the Vigilante 43

12.18 Trilogy of Error 44

7.4 Bart Sells His Soul 45

6.8 Lisa on Ice 46

6.4 Itchy & Scratchy Land 47

7.17 Homer the Smithers 48

5.9 The Last Temptation of Homer 49

4.10 Lisa's First Word 50

7.20 Bart on the Road 51

6.18 A Star Is Burns 52

5.1 Homer's Barbershop Quartet 53

7.3 Home Sweet Home-Diddily-Dum-Doodily 54

2.11 One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish 55

7.2 Radioactive Man 56

2.8 Bart the Daredevil 57

5.18 Burns' Heir 58

3.18 Separate Vocations 59

5.20 The Boy Who Knew Too Much 60

2.15 Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? 61

7.25 Summer of 4 Ft. 2 62

3.3 When Flanders Failed 63

9.5 The Cartridge Family 64

3.11 Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk 65

3.1 Stark Raving Dad 66

6.21 The PTA Disbands 67

4.16 Duffless 68

6.23 The Springfield Connection 69

8.5 Bart After Dark 70

7.16 Lisa the Iconoclast 71

5.13 Homer and Apu 72

4.11 Homer's Triple Bypass 73

9.13 The Joy of Sect 74

4.6 Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie 75

Edited June 5, 2007 by Lowerdeck

[Lowerdeck]

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield vs. 7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail vs. 5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

6.12 Homer the Great vs. 4.3 Homer the Heretic

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's vs. 1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

5.4 Rosebud vs. 8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat vs. 3.13 Radio Bart

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V vs. 6.14 Bart's Comet

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1 vs. 6.24 Lemon of Troy

4.9 Mr. Plow vs. 7.12 Team Homer

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer vs. 5.10 $pringfield (or How ... Gambling)

5.2 Cape Feare vs. 6.9 Homer Badman

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files vs. 3.4 Bart the Murderer

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson vs. 8.15 Homer's Phobia

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice vs. 6.16 Bart vs. Australia

8.23 Homer's Enemy vs. 6.1 Bart of Darkness

[Matt]

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield vs. 7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

Can't stand the neighbours one and LETS is the "DENTAL PLAN! Lisa needs braces", right?

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail vs. 5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

6.12 Homer the Great vs. 4.3 Homer the Heretic

Not a fan of either of the first two, but Marge-centric episodes annoy me. And I'm surprised HTH made it here.

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's vs. 1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

5.4 Rosebud vs. 8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

Flaming Moe's is one of the best, though SROAOF is alright too. Homer vs. the 18th ammendment is great, shame for Bobo.

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat vs. 3.13 Radio Bart

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V vs. 6.14 Bart's Comet

NO TV AND NO BEER MAKE HOMER GO SOMETHING SOMETHING. Classic. Radio Bart is slightly better all round than HATB.

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1 vs. 6.24 Lemon of Troy

4.9 Mr. Plow vs. 7.12 Team Homer

Everyone knows it was Maggie dammit You can't rewatch WSMB in my opinion, LOT is far better. Ouch on the Homer/Plow front, they're two of the best. My vote goes to Team Homer.

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer vs. 5.10 $pringfield (or How ... Gambling)

5.2 Cape Feare vs. 6.9 Homer Badman

Like both, but the Gambling takes it by a shade, and "Mr Thompson... MR THOMPSON!" is one of the best gags on the show.

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files vs. 3.4 Bart the Murderer

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson vs. 8.15 Homer's Phobia

I picked Homer's phobia because I don't remember the other, Bart in the mafia is cool and TSF doesn't have replay value.

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice vs. 6.16 Bart vs. Australia

8.23 Homer's Enemy vs. 6.1 Bart of Darkness

First one's a toss-up but I think YOMT just about takes it, and Homer's Enemy has to be one of the favourites to win this thing.

Edited June 5, 2007 by - Matt -

[Katsuya]

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield vs. 7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail vs. 5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

6.12 Homer the Great vs. 4.3 Homer the Heretic

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's vs. 1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

5.4 Rosebud vs. 8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat vs. 3.13 Radio Bart

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V vs. 6.14 Bart's Comet

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1 vs. 6.24 Lemon of Troy

4.9 Mr. Plow vs. 7.12 Team Homer

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer vs. 5.10 $pringfield (or How ... Gambling)

5.2 Cape Feare vs. 6.9 Homer Badman

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files vs. 3.4 Bart the Murderer

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson vs. 8.15 Homer's Phobia

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice vs. 6.16 Bart vs. Australia

8.23 Homer's Enemy vs. 6.1 Bart of Darkness

[GA!]

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield vs. 7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail vs. 5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

6.12 Homer the Great vs. 4.3 Homer the Heretic

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's vs. 1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

5.4 Rosebud vs. 8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat vs. 3.13 Radio Bart

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V vs. 6.14 Bart's Comet

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1 vs. 6.24 Lemon of Troy

4.9 Mr. Plow vs. 7.12 Team Homer

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer vs. 5.10 $pringfield (or How ... Gambling)

5.2 Cape Feare vs. 6.9 Homer Badman

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files vs. 3.4 Bart the Murderer

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson vs. 8.15 Homer's Phobia -- Khlav Kalash!!! Not bowl! Stick! Stick!

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice vs. 6.16 Bart vs. Australia

8.23 Homer's Enemy vs. 6.1 Bart of Darkness

[Slogger]

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield vs. 7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail vs. 5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

6.12 Homer the Great vs. 4.3 Homer the Heretic

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's vs. 1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

5.4 Rosebud vs. 8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat vs. 3.13 Radio Bart

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V vs. 6.14 Bart's Comet

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1 vs. 6.24 Lemon of Troy

4.9 Mr. Plow vs. 7.12 Team Homer

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer vs. 5.10 $pringfield (or How ... Gambling)

5.2 Cape Feare vs. 6.9 Homer Badman

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files vs. 3.4 Bart the Murderer

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson vs. 8.15 Homer's Phobia

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice vs. 6.16 Bart vs. Australia

8.23 Homer's Enemy vs. 6.1 Bart of Darkness

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield vs. 7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2 - worst matchup EVER...I love LETS, but WSMB2 has Speedway Squad (in colour), "you shot who in the what now?", Dr. Colossus, "did you have the same backwards-talking dream with the flaming cards?"...

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail vs. 5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

6.12 Homer the Great vs. 4.3 Homer the Heretic

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's vs. 1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

5.4 Rosebud vs. 8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat vs. 3.13 Radio Bart

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V vs. 6.14 Bart's Comet

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1 vs. 6.24 Lemon of Troy

4.9 Mr. Plow vs. 7.12 Team Homer

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer vs. 5.10 $pringfield (or How ... Gambling)

5.2 Cape Feare vs. 6.9 Homer Badman

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files vs. 3.4 Bart the Murderer

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson vs. 8.15 Homer's Phobia

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice vs. 6.16 Bart vs. Australia

8.23 Homer's Enemy vs. 6.1 Bart of Darkness

[Lowerdeck]

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2 - worst matchup EVER...I love LETS, but WSMB2 has Speedway Squad (in colour), "you shot who in the what now?", Dr. Colossus, "did you have the same backwards-talking dream with the flaming cards?"...

I forgot about all that. Wow, that's some pretty good stuff there. I may need to rewatch that one cause of this post.

[Shades Of War]

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield vs. 7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail vs. 5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

6.12 Homer the Great vs. 4.3 Homer the Heretic

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's vs. 1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

5.4 Rosebud vs. 8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat vs. 3.13 Radio Bart

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V vs. 6.14 Bart's Comet

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1 vs. 6.24 Lemon of Troy

4.9 Mr. Plow vs. 7.12 Team Homer

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer vs. 5.10 $pringfield (or How ... Gambling)

5.2 Cape Feare vs. 6.9 Homer Badman

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files vs. 3.4 Bart the Murderer

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson vs. 8.15 Homer's Phobia

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice vs. 6.16 Bart vs. Australia

8.23 Homer's Enemy vs. 6.1 Bart of Darkness

[Lowerdeck]

anyone else want to vote? Hate not to go into the second set of matches with this few votes for the first.

[Sam]

Shame A Fish Named Selma isn't on the list as that episode was amazing! Mind you there are so many fantastic episodes that I guess shortlisting 400 into 32 is always going to leave out a lot of great ones.

------

Group A

7.21 22 Short Films About Springfield vs. 7.13 Two Bad Neighbors

4.17 Last Exit to Springfield vs. 7.1 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 2

Group B

4.12 Marge vs. the Monorail vs. 5.8 Boy Scoutz n the Hood

6.12 Homer the Great vs. 4.3 Homer the Heretic

Group C

3.10 Flaming Moe's vs. 1.1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

5.4 Rosebud vs. 8.18 Homer vs. the 18th Amendment

Group D

3.17 Homer at the Bat vs. 3.13 Radio Bart

6.6 Treehouse of Horror V vs. 6.14 Bart's Comet

Group E

6.25 Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Part 1 vs. 6.24 Lemon of Troy

4.9 Mr. Plow vs. 7.12 Team Homer

Group F

5.15 Deep Space Homer vs. 5.10 $pringfield (or How ... Gambling)

5.2 Cape Feare vs. 6.9 Homer Badman

Group G

8.10 The Springfield Files vs. 3.4 Bart the Murderer

9.1 The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson vs. 8.15 Homer's Phobia

Group H

8.2 You Only Move Twice vs. 6.16 Bart vs. Australia

8.23 Homer's Enemy vs. 6.1 Bart of Darkness

Edited June 9, 2007 by Sam