Okay, time for another madness tournament. This time we’re doing classic Simpsons (Seasons 1-8, aka the GOOD years, before Matt Groening left for Futurama and left Mike Scully in charge to muck up the show with celebrities playing themselves and Homer being a jerk to everyone and getting a new job every week). Vote for your favorite episode of the two. Seeding is based by a ranking of all the episodes I did a couple months ago (don’t whine…I’m sure MOST of your classic favorites will make it, even if they don’t ALL make it), with each bracket based on the executive producer.
I’m also leaving out the Treehouse of Horror episodes, since that could have its very own Madness tournament in the future (come October, I bet) and it’s hard to compare them to regular episodes.
Round 1 closes Monday night.
Groening, Brooks & Simon Bracket
Dead Putting Society
vs 16. Some Enchanted Evening
Blood Feud
vs 15. Old Money
Lisa’s Substitute
vs 14. Bart the Genius
The Telltale Head
vs 13. Three Men & A Comic Book
Bart the General
vs 12. There’s No Disgrace Like Home
Homer vs. Lisa & the 8th Commandment
vs 11. Bart the Daredevil
When Flanders Failed
vs 10. Krusty Gets Busted
Bart Gets an F
vs 9. Itchy & Scratchy & Marge Jean & Reiss Bracket
Last Exit to Springfield
vs 16. Radio Bart
Marge Vs The Monorail
vs 15. Whacking Day
Homer the Heretic
vs 14. Separate Vocations
Duffless
vs 13. Mr. Plow
Lisa’s Pony
vs 12. Kamp Krusty
Cape Feare
vs 11. Krusty Gets Kancelled
Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
vs 10. A Streetcar Named Marge
Homer At the Bat
vs 9. I Love Lisa Mirkin Bracket
Homie the Clown
vs 16. Bart vs Australia
Homer The Great
vs 15. Lisa On Ice
Marge on the Lam
vs 14. The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Homer The Vigilante
vs 13. Who Shot Mr Burns
Lisa’s Rival
vs 12. Homer: Bad Man
Bart Gets An Elephant
vs 11. The Last Temptation of Homer
Grampa Simpson vs Sexual Inadequacy
vs 10. Homer vs Patty & Selma
Deep Space Homer
vs 9. Rosebud Oakley & Weinstein Bracket
El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer
vs 16. A Milhouse Divided
In Marge We Trust
vs 15. Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily
22 Short Films About Springfield
vs 14. Hurricane Neddy
Lisa the Vegetarian
vs 13. King Size Homer
Homer vs The 18th Amendment
vs 12. Homer The Smithers
You Only Move Twice
vs 11. Summer of 4 Foot 2
The City of New York vs Homer
vs 10. The Springfield Files
I’ve seen all episodes from Season 1-15, but I’m really not enough of an expert to remember the episodes based on a title. There any chance you can post summaries of each one, to make it easier for voters? I supposed we could just look it up on some sort of episode archive, but I think I’m too lazy to do that for each one.
You’ve made my brain melt, you realize that? Thanks a lot. Asking me to choose between Deep Space Homer and Rosebud? Homer vs. the 18th and Homer the Smithers? Hurricane Neddy and 22 Short Films? You’ll be hearing from my [del]attorney[/del] law-talking guy.
You inhuman monster! How am I supposed to decide between some of these?
The Telltale Head vs 13. Three Men & A Comic Book
Marge Vs The Monorail vs 15. Whacking Day (I ended up using a random number generator)
Homer The Great vs 15. Lisa on Ice (can’t go against the Stonecutters)
The City of New York vs Homer vs 10. The Springfield Files
But I did what I could:
Groening, Brooks & Simon Bracket
Dead Putting Society
Old Money
Bart the Genius
Three Men & A Comic Book
Bart the General
Bart the Daredevil
When Flanders Failed
Itchy & Scratchy & Marge
Jean & Reiss Bracket
Last Exit to Springfield
Marge Vs The Monorail
Homer the Heretic
Mr. Plow
Kamp Krusty
Cape Feare
Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
Homer At the Bat
Mirkin Bracket
16. Bart vs Australia
2. Homer The Great (winner)
14. The Boy Who Knew Too Much
13. Who Shot Mr Burns
12. Homer: Bad Man
6. Bart Gets An Elephant
7. Grampa Simpson vs Sexual Inadequacy (“I… had… sex!”)
8. Deep Space Homer
I’m not gonna post an episode summary myself (with all the time I took seeding that and tallying scores, I’ll waste enough free time on this), but this list should narrow things down for looking up descriptions.
M Bracket = Season 5 & Season 6 (the Mirkin years were the best, so it was VERY hard to see most of the episodes seeded below 16 not make it in at alll…)
As the board’s resident Simpsons expert (thanks for directing me to this thread, Marley23), I’m willing to oblige (these descriptions are self-written):
Groening, Brooks & Simon Bracket
Dead Putting Society
Bart trains for a mini-golf tournament.
Some Enchanted Evening
Bart and Lisa match wits against the infamous “Babysitter Bandit.”
Blood Feud
After Bart gives Mr. Burns a life-saving blood transfusion, a stubborn Homer demands something in return.
Old Money
When Grampa’s girlfriend dies, he recives her inheritance and plans to give it to the person who deserves it most.
Lisa’s Substitute
Lisa falls in love with her subsitiute teacher (Dustin Hoffman, who refused credit).
Bart the Genius
After switching tests with Martin, Bart is sent to a school for geniuses.
The Telltale Head
Bart becomes a pariah after cutting off the head of Jebidiah Springfield’s statue.
Three Men & A Comic Book
Bart, Milhouse, and Martin spar over the custody of Radioactive Man#1.
Bart the General
Bart plans revenge on Nelson the bully with help from Herman the military antiques salesman.
There’s No Disgrace Like Home
After Marge gets drunk makes an ass of herself at a party, Homer decides that the family needs therapy. (From that alone, you can tell this is a Season 1 episode.) Shock treatment ensues.
Homer vs. Lisa & the 8th Commandment
Homer’s iilegal cable hookup bothers Lisa, who has just learned the 8th Commandment: “Thou shalt not steal.”
Bart the Daredevil
After watching daredevil Captain Lanch Murdoch, Bart does his own stunts, culminating in an attempt to jump Springfield Gorge.
When Flanders Failed
Flanders’s new store for left-handed people is failing, and Homer is its only chance for success.
Krusty Gets Busted
Krusty is arrested for robbing the Kwik-E-Mart and his sidekick, Sideshow Bob, takes over. Bart and Lisa suspect foul play. Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille).
Bart Gets an F
After getting an F on a test, Bart bargains with Mrs. Krabappel and God for one more chance.
Itchy & Scratchy & Marge
Marge’s protests lead to a kinder, gentler Itchy & Scratchy.
Jean & Reiss Bracket
Last Exit to Springfield
Homer becomus union leader and attempts to bargain for a dental plan. Lisa needs braces. Dental plan. Lisa needs braces. Dental plan. Lisa needs braces.
Radio Bart
Bart’s new microphone leads to chaos as he pretends to be a boy trapped in a well.
Marge Vs The Monorail
A monorail is introduced in Springfield, but things run less than smoothly.
Whacking Day
Lisa is incensed over Springfield’s favorite holiday, Snake Whacking Day.
Homer the Heretic
Homer skips church and founds his own “religion,” but God soon teaches him the error of his ways.
Separate Vocations
Lisa becomes a bad girl after an apitude test claims she’ll become a homemaker. Bart, who was judged a cop, tracks her down.
Duffless
Homer attempts to give up beer for a month, as Lisa prepares her science fair project: “Is My Brother Dumber Than A Hamster?”
Mr. Plow
Homer and Barney start rival snow-plowing businesses.
Lisa’s Pony
Homer takes a second job at the Kwik-E-Mart to support Lisa’s new pony.
Kamp Krusty
Bart and Lisa’s summer camp experience is not as sunny as they expected.
Cape Feare
The family joins the Witness Protection Program as Sideshow Bob hunts Bart down.
Krusty Gets Kancelled
The new star, Gabbo, leads to problems for Krusty, who plans a star-studded comeback special.
Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
The power plant is sold to German interests.
A Streetcar Named Marge
Marge gets the lead in a musical adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Homer At the Bat
Homer is the ringer on Mr. Burns’s all-star softball team.
I Love Lisa
After giving Ralph a sympathy Valentine’s card, Lisa attempts to avoid his advances.
Mirkin Bracket
Homie the Clown
After becoming an official Krusty impersonator, Homer learns the perks of being the famous klown- his problems with the Mafia not being one of them.
Bart vs Australia
Bart causes an international incident and is forced to recieve capital punishment in Australia.
Homer The Great
Homer attempts to join the mysterious Stonecutters, but soon makes a mess of the sacred organization.
Lisa On Ice
Bart and Lisa join rival pee-wee hockey teams.
Marge on the Lam
Marge and her new friend, Ruth Powers, become fugitives from the law.
The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Bart is the only one who knows the truth about an incident involving Mayor Quimby’s nephew and a chef, but he skipped school on that day. Will he testify and face Principal Skinner’s wrath?
Homer The Vigilante
Homer founds a vigilante group to catch a cat burglar.
Who Shot Mr Burns
Mr. Burns is shot- and everyone in Springfield seems to have a grudge against him.
Lisa’s Rival
Lisa teams up with Bart to sabotage the new student, Allison Taylor.
Homer: Bad Man
Homer is charged with sexual harrasment after touching a woman’s sweet, sweet can(dy).
Bart Gets An Elephant
Bart gets an elephant. Chaos ensues.
The Last Temptation of Homer
Homer falls in love with a new co-worker.
Grampa Simpson vs Sexual Inadequacy
Grampa and Homer team up to sell a old-timey libido-reviving patent medicine. The kids suspect reverse vampires.
Homer vs Patty & Selma
Homer must keep his need of money from Patty and Selma a secret from Marge. Bart becomes a ballet dancer.
Deep Space Homer
Desperate for ratings, NASA decides to send a common man- Homer- into space.
Rosebud
Mr. Burns demands his favorite teddy bear back from Maggie.
Oakley & Weinstein Bracket
El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer
After making a fool of himself at a chili-eating contest, Homer attempts to search for his true soul mate.
A Milhouse Divided
Milhouse’s parents divorce, and Homer fears he and Marge may be on the same track.
In Marge We Trust
Reverend Lovejoy is jealous of Marge’s success as the new church “Listen Lady.” Homer finds a bizarre Japanese box with his face on it.
Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily
Child welfare forces Bart and Lisa to live with new foster parents- the Flanderseses.
22 Short Films About Springfield
Various shorts about Springfieldianites, including Skinner and Chalmers’s dinner of “steamed hams,” Lisa’s hair problems, Nelson vs. a very tall man, the life of Bumblebee Man, Homer trapping Maggie in a newspaper box, and various homages to Pulp Fiction.
Hurricane Neddy
Flanders goes insane after a hurricane destroys his house.
Lisa the Vegetarian
After meeting a lovable baby lamb at the zoo, Lisa decides to become a vegetarian.
King Size Homer
Homer decides to gain weight so he can work at home.
Homer vs The 18th Amendment
Prohibition is reinstated in Springfield, causing Homer to become a bootlegger.
Homer The Smithers
Homer becomes Mr. Burns’s new assistant as Smithers goes on vacation.
You Only Move Twice
Homer takes a new job and moves to a new town. The family is depressed- except for Homer, who is impressed by his [del]supervillain[/del] nice guy boss, Hank Scorpio.
Summer of 4 Foot 2
Lisa decides to reinvent herself during summer vacation.
The City of New York vs Homer
The family travels to New York City, much to Homer’s anger.
The Springfield Files
Agents Mulder and Scully investigate Homer’s claims of alien sightings.
Much Apu About Nothing
When Springfield plans to deport illegal immigrants, Apu attempts to become an American citizen.
Mountain of Madness
Homer and Mr. Burns are teamed up in a teamwork-building competition, and are trapped in an avalance.
Much Apu About Nothing
Also, I’d like to formally protest the exclusion of “Stark Raving Dad” and “Homer’s Enemy”. Also, I hope the only reason “Lisa’s Wedding” was left out was because including it would have obviously made this entire exercise pointless.
As most who look at this probably will, I must point out there are some glaring omissions (Where’s “Homer’s Enemy?” “$pringfield?” “Marge Be Not Proud?” “A Star is Burns?” “Flaming Moe’s?” “Homer and Apu?”), but other than that, this is a very well put-together bracket, with some gimmes and some very difficult choices. Groening, Brooks & Simon Bracket
Groening, Brooks & Simon Bracket
16. Some Enchanted Evening
15. Old Money
14. Bart the Genius
13. Three Men & A Comic Book
12. There’s No Disgrace Like Home
Homer vs. Lisa & the 8th Commandment
7. When Flanders Failed
8. Bart Gets an F
Jean & Reiss Bracket
Last Exit to Springfield
Whacking Day
Separate Vocations
Duffless
Lisa’s Pony
Krusty Gets Kancelled
Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
Homer At the Bat
Mirkin Bracket
Homie the Clown
Lisa On Ice
Marge on the Lam
Who Shot Mr Burns
Homer: Bad Man
The Last Temptation of Homer
Grampa Simpson vs Sexual Inadequacy
Deep Space Homer
Oakley & Weinstein Bracket
16. A Milhouse Divided
2. In Marge We Trust
14. Hurricane Neddy
13. King Size Homer
12. Homer The Smithers
11. Summer of 4 Foot 2
7. The City of New York vs Homer
9. Mountain of Madness
The poll closes tonight at 10PM EDT. Get your votes in today!
And, as I mentioned in the OP, it’s impossible to narrow down seasons 1-8 to 64 episodes without some glaring omissions, particularly in the Mirkin bracket which had 40 quality episodes, but had to be narrowed down to 16. As was also mentioned, don’t whine, cuz while your favorite episode may have not made it, I’m sure your second or third favorite did…