Favorite Simpsons running gag?

I like the jokes about geography, both the fact that they never decide where Springfield is and the fact that buildings within Springfield keep moving in relation to each other.

Marge: Bart’s grades are a little up this semester, but Lisa’s are way down.
Homer: D’oh, we always have one good kid and one bad kid.
Marge: We have three kids, Homer.
Homer: Marge, the dog doesn’t count as a kid…

I really, really miss Lionel Hutz. :frowning:

I don’t recall it. Is it possible it’s a prankish wiki edit?

“I mace you good!”

I always like Mr. Burns’ use of antiquated 19th century terms. However, it’s especially funny when he’s talking about his employees (“Jackanapes … LOLLIGAGGERS … NOODLEHEADS!”).

I haven’t seen all of the recent eps, but do recall one where we learn one of Milhouse’s nans is Italian- maybe it was mentioned then?

Pretty recent episode. The one where Lisa is trying to learn Italian and Milhous is her tutor.

Maybe two years ago. He tutored Lisa in Italian and explained that he learned the language from his Italian grandmother. She hated him and ‘taught’ him by ordering him to speak in Italian, then chasing him around the countryside and whipping him with an olive branch when he spoke English.

I love that Burns says “hoy hoy” when he answers the phone. Seems that there was a debate, when the phone was first invented, over the proper telephone greeting - the debate was between “hello” (favored by the phone’s inventor, Alexander Graham Bell) and “hoy hoy”. Awesome, albeit very sublte, reference.

Me too.

I should say another thing I love is when characters (usually Homer) names things and all the names end with an “eee” sound. Lobster? Pinchy! Elephant? Stampy! Monorail possum? Bitey! Racing rubber duck? Cheaty! Gratuitous cartoon dog? Poochy! (and the list goes on…)

I miss Troy McClure’s movie titles and educational videos.

I also think “Arnie Pye, with Arnie in the Sky” is genius.

I can’t see people’s souls Kent, but if I could, your’s would be black. Black like a spade.

Running gag? The changing messages outside the Springfield Retirement Home. My favorite:

Springfield Retirement Home
Please don’t discuss the outside world

or

The signs associated with various businesses:

Sneed’s Seed and Feed
formerly
Chuck’s

“I’m tired of reporting the news- I want to make the news!”
“Arnie, this isn’t the time…”
You’re not the time, Kent! You’re not the time!”

“Due to a fire at the army testing lab, a bunch of escaped, infected monkeys are on the freeway. Don’t unroll your windows, because those monkeys look confused and irritable!”

“And look out on the corner of 14th and Elm, because I just dropped my bagel!”

I like the signs outside of various events, conventions, and the church.

Bi-mon-sci-fi-con!

7:30 Medfly spraying
8:00 Concert
8:15 Medfly spraying, second pass

So close and yet so far.

Alexander Graham Bell initially used Ahoy (as used on ships) as a telephone greeting. Edison suggested hello.

A favorite Burns anachronism line:
Burns: I’d like to send this to the Prussian consulate in Siam by Aeromail. Am I too late for the 4:30 auto-gyro?
And I’m surprised no one’s mentioned the prank call bit. My favorite part is Moe’s responses.

Moe Szyslak: When I get a hold of you, I’m gonna use your head as a bucket and paint my house with your brain.

Smoke Yourself Thin

Classic.

I remember wondering when I saw that the first time how many people were going to not get it.