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.
“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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.)
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.
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.
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 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
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 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.
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 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".
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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*"
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 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.
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 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).
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 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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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).
I’m surprised you got 16 semifinalists. This is the first season (not including 1, which only had 13 episodes) where after the first cut, I probably would’ve been left with less than 10.
Yeah tbh I'm struggling to even think of 7 episodes I like from season 15. And I'm not one of those fans that say the show ended in 2000 or whatever but seasons 15-18 are my least favourite era of the show, although 18 picks up toward the end. Which is kind of depressing too since its also the era I grew up on.
LMAO - Seriously Season 60, I'd be. . . . .67 if that happened. Interestingly I bet a friend a $1,000 in 2003 if the Simpsons made it to Season 35 (technically the bet was for the THOH count to reach XXXIV). I thought that was a safe bet, I figured they'd be out of ideas by season 25 and be off the air by 30. I am glad they aren't - but my wallet is already feeling a bit lighter. Serious question, absent any major deaths, do you think the Simpsons will make it to season 40?
Its pretty interesting how the challenge of replacing Yeardley Smith or Hank Azaria or any one voice actor will be considerably easier. Simply because of the popularity of The Simpsons. The amount of people trying these voices on their on in the world right now, for example, has to be numerous.
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.
Marge vs Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens and Gays is worth it for the Comic Book Guy mentioning Herman’s Head. And of course the characters inside Lisa’s head in Diatribe of a Mad Housewife.
The way We weren’t is way underrated! This episode is so wild. This episode is the only time, you will ever see Selma kiss Homer! Ha haha ha! Okay I know no one wants to see that but I really do like the storytelling of this episode. I love the different camp stories from both Homer and Marge and I kind of like Marge ironing her hair too. Plus I can’t help but laugh at how Marge was actually sort into Homer’s eye patch! That was weirdly cute! This episode definitely deserves better appreciation!
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.
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
“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
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.
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
Seeing “Co-Dependents day” get thrown in the can, Will always bring a smile to my face.
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.
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 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.
Season 15 is very underrated in my opinion, with a few exceptions this would be a very good season.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
Frinkenstein has one of my favourite understated Frink lines: "Allow me to satisfy your Hebraic desires."
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 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
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
"Did she live?" "Yeah, but it's not a good life."
The Wandering Juvie is great. Sarah Michelle Gellar is hilarious.
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.
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 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.
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.
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".
Definitely agree with the top spot
"I've run out of pie related puns!" gets me every time
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.
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 like The Wandering Juvie. And yes, Sarah Michelle Gellar gives a great performance! I definitely would have put it in the Top 10.
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 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.
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 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.
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 really need a character insight on Lindsey Neagle
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
"Simple Simpson" is the best episode of the season; I'm not surprised at all.
Great video, btw!
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 my pick too. The superhero homages are a lot of fun and lend themselves to some great scenes/gags.
Mulhouse should be next on Simpsons Histories.
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.
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 D'oh Bot is one of my favourite episodes, but that's because I'm a massive fan of Robot Wars.
A complete history of Shelbyville please
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.
7:59
should have shown a shot of frink when he said that with the irony and the quoting and the funny
love these videos so much, keep up the good work!
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!
"Thank you, Scene From Moby Dick"
The Chief Wiggum runner in Smart and Smarter is so good
"That was my last flare" was my favorite part
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 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 think my favorite part of this retrospective is the idea that Stamp-The-Ticket-Man gets the cover of season 60.
One of the last (if not the last) good, watchable seasons. But, my god, could they not figure out any ending.
'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.
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.
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.
Loving the castlevania music
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
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.
thanks for doing these, im trying to find out when i stopped watching and thse recaps come so handy.
I just realized Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin were both Death for the same amount of time.
6:10 EXTREMELY glad this episode made the cut. Butler Moe is my favorite joke in the entire series.
FUCK YEAH PIEMAN WINS! One of my favourite later season episodes!
Milhouse at #10? You've just made an enemy for life!
great video I love this series you're doing
Absolutely love your videos !
Do a Simpsons History with the Main Pets Santa's Little Helper and SnowBall 2
Imagine ranking simpsons episodes by plot and character development lmao
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.
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
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).
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. 😂
Every time Jim’s drops a video it makes my day
Perfect list I swap 10&11
I’m surprised you got 16 semifinalists. This is the first season (not including 1, which only had 13 episodes) where after the first cut, I probably would’ve been left with less than 10.
Yeah tbh I'm struggling to even think of 7 episodes I like from season 15. And I'm not one of those fans that say the show ended in 2000 or whatever but seasons 15-18 are my least favourite era of the show, although 18 picks up toward the end. Which is kind of depressing too since its also the era I grew up on.
OK. Now these seasons are too new for me to remember. Too forgettable or didn't see.
Maggie being actually smart wouldn´t be that out of plot, considering her skills with guns and the fact that Lisa created a robot at age 8.
I agree with the summation of Glass Onion, does have my favourite cameo of the year though.
I am very glad you actually mention how religious focused season 16 is
Same, I thought I was the only one who noticed
LMAO - Seriously Season 60, I'd be. . . . .67 if that happened. Interestingly I bet a friend a $1,000 in 2003 if the Simpsons made it to Season 35 (technically the bet was for the THOH count to reach XXXIV). I thought that was a safe bet, I figured they'd be out of ideas by season 25 and be off the air by 30. I am glad they aren't - but my wallet is already feeling a bit lighter. Serious question, absent any major deaths, do you think the Simpsons will make it to season 40?
Its pretty interesting how the challenge of replacing Yeardley Smith or Hank Azaria or any one voice actor will be considerably easier. Simply because of the popularity of The Simpsons. The amount of people trying these voices on their on in the world right now, for example, has to be numerous.
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 is one of my favorite post-classic series episodes. Good choice.
Marge vs Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens and Gays is worth it for the Comic Book Guy mentioning Herman’s Head. And of course the characters inside Lisa’s head in Diatribe of a Mad Housewife.
This is one of the most overviewed and/or overhated seasons of TS
Ah yes, this will make my coffee break that much more enjoyable
The Fat and the Furriest would be my #1
The way We weren’t is way underrated! This episode is so wild. This episode is the only time, you will ever see Selma kiss Homer! Ha haha ha! Okay I know no one wants to see that but I really do like the storytelling of this episode. I love the different camp stories from both Homer and Marge and I kind of like Marge ironing her hair too. Plus I can’t help but laugh at how Marge was actually sort into Homer’s eye patch! That was weirdly cute! This episode definitely deserves better appreciation!
Odd thing I just noticed about the battle robots - Homer works at the plan with tons of engineers. There was definitely untapped help there.
"which takes away some of the chaotic homer fun away" is a perfectly cromulent sentence.
I love the Christmas episode I'm surprised it wasn't in the top 10