Why The Simpsons Is the Greatest Show of All Time

This post might be a decade late, but I think it is an important refresher given just how average the Simpsons has become over the last 7-10 years.

I use to think Seinfeld was the greatest show of all time, but then I realized after watching some Simpsons episodes (first 10 years) that Seinfeld lacks something important.  Seinfeld doesn’t make you care about the characters; unlike the Simpsons.  It may not be the funniest show in TV history, but it is one of the funniest.

Sure Homer is a drunk, Bart is a brat, Lisa is a prude and Marge is kind of boring, and a gambler, but it is when these four people (and Maggie) come together and do real family things is when the show shines.  It manages to be sentimental and funny without coming off as forcing either.  Some of the best episodes are the emotional episodes that focus on the family (and not the huge cast of other Springfielders)

This isn’t a ranking of any type, just me listing some of the most emotional and powerful scenes in the history of the show.

Lisa the Vegetarian – The end with Homer searching for Lisa after their argument and then Maybe I’m Amazed playing is spectacular and very touching

Mother Simpsons – Two scenes jump out, when Homer and his mom realize who each other are while Home lays in his grave and at the end after Homer helps her escape, he just sits on his car and watches the stars

Bart Sells His Soul – Bart sells his soul to Millhouse and isn’t the same after that.  By the time he tries to get it back Millhouse had sold it.  Lisa, who gave Bart so much grief about it, ends up buying the piece of paper with “Bart’s Soul” on it and we see the piece of paper floats down onto the bed as Bart lays there depressed.

Homers Triple Bypass – Homer lying on the bed before his operation, he doesn’t know what to say to his children.  Lisa whispers into Homer’s ear on what to say to Bart and Bart does the same; an amazing moment shared by the three

Lisa on Ice – With their whole family and town egging them on to beat each other at hockey, Lisa and Bart go at it hard, and get really competitive.  At the end, Lisa in goal and Bart going for the game winning shot with the game tied as time runs down, the two kids have flashbacks of times together, Lisa steps aside from the goal and Bart throws his stick down, they hug and brother and sister skate off the ice together.

The Last Temptation of Homer – A new beautiful woman starts working at the plant, and she is just like Homer; loves food and is inappropriate.  They end up going on a trip together for work, in a hotel room together, she is all Homer can think about.  Next scene is Homer in the hotel with a woman with curves in a red dress, like the new employee, but then as the camera it pans up to be Marge.  The internal struggle between his lust and his love is beautifully done and never paints homer as a bad guy.

Marge Not Be Proud – This is the one that gets me the most; Bart is caught stealing a video game while he is dragged away during the family portrait, and it devastates Marge.  She starts treating him as an adult by not babying him or doing the “lame” family stuff they use to do.  This devastates Bart as he no longer feels part of the family and has really disappointed his mom.  In the end Marge catches Bart sneaking something in under his coat…Bart doesn’t want to revile it, but Marge pulls it out, and it is a picture frame with a picture of Bart in it with a receipt taped to the frame.

There are other Simpsons’ episodes (and the movie) that have a lot of heart to them.  For me, these episodes with the heart and soul are the ones that really shine.  Other episodes like Marge vs the Monorail and Last Exit to Springfield are all amazing and hilarious, but they each lack a little bit of heart.  It is the heart in these episodes that helps the Simpsons earn the title of greatest show of all time.