The Simpsons: 10 Best Episodes Of Season 6, Ranked (According To IMDB)
The sixth season of The Simpsons began a little bit behind the eight ball. Several show runners left to create the now cult cartoon, The Critic. Writer Conan O’Brien left to start his gig hosting Late Night. The Critic was even a sore spot for creator Matt Groening. To date, only one episode has Groening’s name removed, because it felt like shameless promotion for the aforementioned series.
Clearly, none of that seemed to matter as the series continued to roll through what many old school fans consider one of the better seasons as the show was hitting it’s stride and even pulled off a massive cliffhanger season ending. Here are the 11 best episodes of season six, ranked according to IMDB.
11 A Star Is Burns - 8.6
Despite the backstage drama, “A Star Is Burns” still holds a candle in the hearts of a lot of fans, thanks largely in part to the appearance of The Critic, Jay Sherman. After the show was cancelled by ABC, Fox picked it up and put it with The Simpsons to generate some viewership. Matt Groening felt that this episode was a shameless plug for The Critic and didn’t want to be associated with the episode about a Film Festival coming to Springfield. He had his name removed from the episode.
10 Homie The Clown - 8.6
As it turns out, Krusty is degenerate gambler with a lot of debt owed to the mob. To settle his debts he opens up a clown college that Homer enrolls in. He eventually realizes that being mistaken for Krusty has its perks.
But also a very big downfall when he’s kidnapped by Fat Tony and the mob. Krusty eventually shows up to save Homer’s skin and pay off his debt - 48 bucks.
9 Itchy And Scratchy Land - 8.6
In another in the series of Simpsons vacation episodes, the family heads to Itchy And Scratchy Land, complete with plenty of spots for adults, including a rehab center. Despite it being advertised as the happiest place on Earth, it was more like Westworld. The robot characters malfunction and instead of targeting each other, they begin targeting the theme park patrons! It’s not even a Halloween episode! The family is left to fend for themselves thanks to pranks Bart and Homer have played and have to fight their way out of the park.
8 Lemon Of Troy - 8.7
The ancient Greek mythology, Helen Of Troy is mimed for comic gold in the war between Springfield and neighboring Shelbyville. In “Lemon Of Troy,” some of the boys of Shelbyville steal Springfield’s lemon tree. Bart, Nelson, Todd, Milhouse, and Martin head into enemy territory to get it back. Even the dad’s get in on the act to rescue the tree.
7 Bart’s Comet - 8.7
It’s classic Twilight Zone episodes, “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street” and “The Shelter,” Simpsons style - several years before the disaster flick captivated moviegoers. After messing with Skinner’s hot air balloon, Bart is forced to be his astronomy assistant. He actually notices a comet and scientists realize that it’s heading towards Springfield! Ned has constructed a shelter and is kind enough to let everyone in. Unfortunately, he’s pushed out. In guilt, Homer leaves the shelter to watch the comet plummet to Earth.
6 Bart Of Darkness - 8.7
The name of the episode might play off of “Heart Of Darkness,” the inspiration for Apocalypse Now. But the episode actually borrows more from Hitchcock’s classic, Rear Window. After trying to dive into the pool from their treehouse, Bart breaks his leg. With no where to go, he starts people watching and thinks he catches squeaky clean Ned Flanders do the unthinkable.
5 And Maggie Makes Three - 8.8
With the family photo album stopping at Lisa, the kids question, “what about Maggie?” Cue up some backstory - Homer was debt free and wanted to live out his dream of working a bowling alley.
After actually burning a bridge, he quits the nuclear plant. But after celebrating, Marge gets preggers again. Once Homer actually realizes this he tries to het a raise at the alley, but ultimately has to beg Burns for his job back. Burns presents him with a plaque that reads, “Don’t Forget: You’re Here Forever.” In one of the more heartwarming moments in the show’s history, the missing baby pictures are found - they cover the plaque strategically to read “Do It For Her.”
4 Homer The Great - 9.0
One of the all time classic episodes, “Homer The Great” debuted as part of the sixth season. Homer learns of The Stonecutters, a secret society within Springfield. Despite destroying their sacred parchment, it is revealed that he is their chosen one. Patrick Stewart guest stars and the episode was nominated for an Emmy for the classic Stonecutters song, “We Do.”
3 Homer Badman - 9.0
In a “Simpsons Did It” moment, “Homer Badman” inadvertently tackled the “Me Too” movement’s worst aspect - false accusations. After Homer and Marge rob a candy convention, the big lug has to drive Ashley the babysitter home. He sees a prized piece of candy stuck to her derrière and snatches it (the candy, not the derrière). The entire town turns on Homer and won’t believe his story until Groundskeeper Willie happens to have caught the incident on tape - but now he is labeled Rowdy Roddy Peeper.
2 Treehouse Of Horror V - 9.2
Thanks to The Simpsons, just about anytime someone mentions The Shining, an ardent fan will mention “The Shinning.” But the excellent parody of Kubrick’s supernatural story isn’t the only blood curdling cartoon tale of lunacy going on here.
Homer finds a toaster than takes him through time in “Time and Punishment,” and the children have to stave off the teachers trying to eat them in “Nightmare Cafeteria.” Over 25 years later, and “Treehouse Of Horror V” is still the standard bearer for all other Simpson Halloween specials.
1 Who Shot Mr. Burns, Part One - 9.2
For years, the ultimate TV cliffhanger was the Dallas two-parter, “A House Divided” / “Killer At Large,” known as “Who Shot J.R.?” The Simpsons created the same sense of wonder with the sixth season finale, “Who Shot Mr. Burns, Part 1.” Burns is doing all he can to torment the citizens of Springfield. This leads to him being shot. But by who? All summer long, fans tried to figure out who was the culprit.