# Worst Simpsons episodes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 7, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019 "2009-06-07T16:15:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Captain\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/101 "2010-10-05T06:07:34Z")
I wish that Groening would of slowly aged the family, instead of keeping them at the same ages. Wouldn’t it be fun to see Bart and Lisa in High School, then Lisa in college with Bart in town working odd jobs and whatnot. I don’t know, I’m not the writer. This show has been on 21 years. There was a 90’s episode that looked into the future with Lisa getting married on a date in 2010 that has already passed. Has Obama been on The Simpsons? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/102 "2010-10-05T06:26:48Z")
> [@fjs1fs](#): > > I can’t believe nobody mentioned “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” I found that episode unendurable and totally unfunny. I haven’t really watched the show for the last 6 years or so, and I think just about everyone seems to agree that the show is really just not funny anymore, but “WSMB?” episode was made while the show was still in its “Golden Age,” which is why it gets my vote. There were some stinker episodes through the years, but that one was memorable to me because it was given a lot of hype and was realllllly bad! No way! ☹ That’s my favorite episode! BTW, I picked Groundskeeper Willy… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/103 "2010-10-05T09:02:51Z")
> [@Captain\_Midnight](#): > > Has Obama been on The Simpsons? Michelle Obama was a character in the episode [“Stealing First Base,”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealing_First_Base) but the First Lady didn’t do her own voice. Instead, she was played by guest star Angela Bassett. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/104 "2010-10-05T16:42:01Z")
I didn’t realize there was so much hate for Bleeding Gums Murphy dying. I don’t think it’s the greatest ep ever, but it has it’s moments. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/105 "2010-10-05T17:01:55Z")
There have been episodes mentioned that had, for me, “meh” moments in otherwise good episodes. But I really didn’t like the Shari Bobbins episode. Just one long non-joke parody. And a musical too. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/106 "2010-10-05T17:30:58Z")
episodes become better if you get the philosophical, political, cultural hook that they are latching too. there is always surface funny in some jokes and sight gags. there is also deep satire linked to other things. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/107 "2010-10-07T01:13:14Z")
> [@heathen\_earthling](#): > > Lots of contenders, but I remember “The Color Yellow” (in which the Simpsons learn of their black ancestor Virgil) being really bad. No memorable jokes, weird rushed pacing, historical para-Simpsons, plot basically ripped off Family Guy, etc. I hated the ending ripping off Family Guy like that. If they’d had the former slave be the ancestor of OJ instead of Grampa that would’ve been much funnier. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Faldeglim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@Michael\_Faldeglim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Faldeglim)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/108 "2010-12-06T03:56:09Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > While “Missionary: Impossible” has all the trademark flaws of mid-late Simpsons episodes (increasingly far-fetched plots, lame Deus-ex-machina ending), it’s nowhere near the nadir of the series. This episode coined the word Jeebus for Jeebus sakes! (Googling Jeebus results in 248,000 hits.) > > Also, the Pledge Enforcement Van, and “Do Shut Up”: “If they’re not having a go with the birds, they’re having a row with the wankers.” > > If this is the worst episode, I’ll eat my hat. No, no, NO! :smack: You’re out of your mind Erdosain. That episode didn’t create the word “Jeebus” – I’ve visited the Simpsons Archive page for this episode a dozen times too many and in the Comments section one guy pointed out it came from the September 30, 1999, _Family Guy_ (a show that, I hasten to add, I was initially quite close-minded to). At least in that _Family Guy_, there was some humour – even if it did bug the hell out of some ridiculous con-men (what I from now on call the United States Republican Party). ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/109 "2010-12-06T05:20:38Z")
> [@Michael\_Faldeglim](#): > > No, no, NO! :smack: You’re out of your mind Erdosain. That episode didn’t create the word “Jeebus” – I’ve visited the Simpsons Archive page for this episode a dozen times too many and in the Comments section one guy pointed out it came from the September 30, 1999, _Family Guy_ (a show that, I hasten to add, I was initially quite close-minded to). I stand corrected that Family Guy used Jebus a few months before the Simpsons, but I would argue that “Missionary Impossible” popularized the word into the blasphemous juggernaut it is today. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Faldeglim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@Michael\_Faldeglim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Faldeglim)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/110 "2010-12-11T21:59:48Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > The one where Homer got inside a robot suit and fought killer robots to impress Lisa. That one squicked me out like panda rape. Homer was trying to impress Bart there, not Lisa. As I recall, Lisa was suffering from inability to keep a new cat. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Faldeglim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@Michael\_Faldeglim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Faldeglim)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/111 "2010-12-11T22:05:19Z")
“Missionary: Impossible”– WORST EPISODE EVER. Die, Homer of 231 episodes ago. _ **DIE SLOWLY!** _ ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/112 "2010-12-13T09:34:17Z")
> [@Captain\_Midnight](#): > > I wish that Groening would of slowly aged the family, instead of keeping them at the same ages. Wouldn’t it be fun to see Bart and Lisa in High School, then Lisa in college with Bart in town working odd jobs and whatnot. I don’t know, I’m not the writer. This is the fatal flaw of the Simpsons. Well, the fact they don’t age + central characters don’t die or get added to + continuity between episodes. That’s not a good formula for coming up with fresh plotlines. It’s amazing that it’s lasted for 20-something years. But in quite a few episodes you can feel the tiredness / frustration of the writers. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/113 "2010-12-13T09:52:35Z")
> [@Michael\_Faldeglim](#): > > Homer was trying to impress Bart there, not Lisa. As I recall, Lisa was suffering from inability to keep a new cat. Mentioned in post #95. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Faldeglim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@Michael\_Faldeglim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Faldeglim)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/114 "2010-12-17T01:44:48Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Mentioned in post #95. I didn’t notice that the first time. I hope that this apology will suffice.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Faldeglim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@Michael\_Faldeglim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Faldeglim)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/115 "2010-12-17T02:02:56Z")
Although “Missionary: Impossible” may be the absolute lowest this show has fallen (_to me_), that doesn’t mean I like every other episode a lot. I do, however, wholeheartedly agree that the show has not held up to the standard of the practically perfect Seasons 3, 4 and 8. Then again, Season 11 is STILL my choice for the worst season of the whole show. So here are the four henchmen of “Missionary: Impossible,” by which I mean the episodes that I rank second- through fifth-worst: In ascending order of overall quality, “Hello Gutter Hello Fadder,” “The Last of the Red Hat Mamas,” “Marge vs. SSCCATAG,” and “Alone Again, Natural-Diddily.” ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Faldeglim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@Michael\_Faldeglim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Faldeglim)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/116 "2010-12-17T02:04:51Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > While “Missionary: Impossible” has all the trademark flaws of mid-late Simpsons episodes (increasingly far-fetched plots, lame Deus-ex-machina ending), it’s nowhere near the nadir of the series. This episode coined the word Jeebus for Jeebus sakes! (Googling Jeebus results in 248,000 hits.) I’ve done that and I can tell you, you can get anywhere from 286,000 to 600,000 hits. HA!😃 ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Faldeglim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@Michael\_Faldeglim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Faldeglim)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/117 "2011-01-22T01:02:17Z")
> [@Maiira](#): > > Eh, too much funny stuff in [“Missionary: Impossible”] for me to dislike it. Homer licking frogs, the villagers following Homer’s lead and falling to the ground shouting “OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD,” and “SAVE ME, JEBUS” crack me up every time. Oh, I don’t agree. I doubt I ever WILL agree. Seriously, I wanted to turn off my TV at “OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD,” but I had actually promised myself that I’d sit through the whole episode, just to ensure that my prediction would be right (I first saw it on a repeat on a Canadian station last year, and from the plot summary I predicted it would be _The Simpsons’_ Worst Episode Ever). How self-insulted I feel. I can’t even believe I actually watched the same half-hour in its entirety on two more occasions, nor that my brother, who can only just identify the show’s characters, wholeheartedly agrees with me regarding this. ---
**Author:** ![Lethal\_Babydoll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3be4f8/32.png) [@Lethal\_Babydoll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lethal_Babydoll)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/118 "2011-03-08T00:19:20Z")
The recent one (just got around to watching it) about the Angry Dad short and the awards season. Every possible bad thing about \*\*The Simpsons. \*\*From the weak celeb cameos, the retread plot lines (Angry Dad, but also they been to award shows many times before, the bad trying to be current-hip stuff with the guys in the car). it was truly dreadful. it’s like watching a car wreck these days. i just can’t stop (probably because i like the seth macfarlane toons so much that i go ahead and record it.) i’ve been married four years and my wife had never seen The Simpsons before we started dating. she can’t understand why i hang in there. i’m starting to wonder, too. it was once so good ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/119 "2011-03-08T00:34:21Z")
> [@Lethal\_Babydoll](#): > > The recent one (just got around to watching it) about the Angry Dad short and the awards season. > > Every possible bad thing about \*\*The Simpsons. \*\*From the weak celeb cameos, the retread plot lines (Angry Dad, but also they been to award shows many times before, the bad trying to be current-hip stuff with the guys in the car). I thought the _Triplets of Belleville_ and _Wallace & Gromit_ parodies were really well done. ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019/120 "2011-03-08T00:45:41Z")
The most recent episode, _The Scorpion’s Tale_, was also horrible. I’m glad it wasn’t made during one of the early seasons, because the scene with Abe Simpson’s eyes falling out would have been seriously disturbing to me as a kid! ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-simpsons-episodes/499019.md?page=7)