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Top Episodes Ever of The Simpsons Number 9


We are "The Simpsons" fans is a old-fashioned, nasty, contentious group.Getting us all to agree on the best episodes of what was, in its heyday, the smartest and funniest TV show ever broadcast is harder than getting Beatles fans to agree on the best Fab Four album, Woody Allen aficionados to see eye to eye on the Woodman's best film, or Kurt Vonnegut lovers to concur on the author's best novel. ("Revolver," "Love and Death" and "Cat's Cradle," respectively.) It can't do so.

So of course picking a definitive list of the top 10 "Simpsons" episodes will elicit howls of outrage from dissenting fellow fans - "Worst. List. Ever." -world.No matter. In the immortal words of Homer Simpson, "If you agree, signify by getting indignant."

9. "Bart's Inner Child"
Homer wins a free trampoline, which irritates Marge. After Marge realizes she nags too much, she and Homer take the advice of self-help expert Brad Goodman, a "Ph.D. in pain." Goodman comes to town for a conference, and Bart becomes a model for surprise in the city, thanks to its willingness to "do what I want."The episode brilliantly skewers new-agey self-help gurus with Goodman's "feel-bad rainbow" and its talk of "shame spirals" and "life scripts." It's also noteworthy for clever pop-cultural references - a shot of dozens of kids who have been injured on the trampoline that is straight out of "Gone With the Wind," and the Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote-cartoon moment when Homer throws the trampoline off a cliff.


TBart's Inner Child instant and for free on Watch Simpsons Online