Worst episode (per season)

[IAMHOMER]

(Apologies if this thread has been done before, but I haven't really got the time to trawl through hundreds of posts)

Every Simpsons season, even during the golden era (1-5) has had at least one clunker, or rather one that falls well below the standards of most of the rest. Which one would you rate as the worst in each season you've seen, and if you can be bothered, why?

Here are my picks:

S1: There's no Disgrace like Home
Although this episode improves markedly in the last two acts, it is really the first one that virtually wrecks it for me. Homer seems too sanctimonious and hypocritical in trying to turn the Simpsons into a nice loving family when often he's the worst behaved member himself, Marge acts out of character, and the family at the picnic is too sickly sweet and make the Flanders seem exciting in comparison.

S2: Couldn't decide between these two:
Dancin Homer
The first of many flashback episodes, however, unlike the family-type classics like I Married Marge and Lisa's First Word, and like Homer's Barbershop Quartet we are not sure whether the whole thing really happened. At least that episode is funny because of the way it satirizes so many aspects of the Beatles in the Simpsons context, however, this is just a dull story with Homer making a fool of himself with no long term reward.
Brush with Greatness
I know some people like this, but not me. Far too many plots crammed into a single episode - the family go to Mount Splashmore, Homer tries to lose weight, Bart finds a picture of Ringo Starr in the attic, Marge enrolls in an art class, Burns poses for Marge - what's the episode supposed to be about? The constant close-ups of Homer's obesity and naked Burns are disgusting as well. Oh, and Ringo can't act.

S3 Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
I know Simpsons has never been renowned for its political correctness but I find the German stereotyping not very funny and actually slightly offensive, maybe because I've learnt German and have relatives over there (don't the Austrians wear Lederhosen anyway?). Burns is irritating, but the real problem is Homer is far too stupid even by his standards. He doesn't even remember the name of his own job, he does a jigsaw puzzle to keep himself occupied during the night before an important meeting and doesn't know how to hit the pieces together, his only 'meaningful' contribution when talking about the SNPP is the candy machine. IMO the weaker episodes have almost always been because of Homer's excessive idiocy or the jerkass Homer that has marred much of the later episodes.

S4 Itchy and Scratchy: the Movie
I don't like this much, mainly because I felt Homer and Bart's characters were too exaggerated. Homer tries to take all the credit for Lisa being a grade A student even though his sole contribution towards educating her was apparently to read to her TV guide, gets stuck in the child's desk, doesn't know which one is Itchy. Bart behaves too badly even for himself - he has always had a mischievous streak, but more as fun-loving prankster, than the wilfully rebellious type you see in this episode. The most unbelievable part is how, after letting him get away with numerous offences such as breaking Abe's false teeth, wrecking gramophone records and smearing mustard on the carpet, Homer finally lays down the law and punishes Bart for a comparatively minor one like letting Maggie escape, who emerges unscathed. How many families has there NOT been an incident where their little one has slipped through their fingers unnoticed?

S5 Burns' Heir
There are a few funny moments in this one, but what really ruins this one is again Homer's incredible stupidity. The speech he gives Bart to read out for Burns reads more like from a retarded 4 year old than a dumb but reasonably articulate 36 year old ("Hello, Mr. ...Kurns. I bad want...money now. Me sick"), laughing at Bart being kicked in the butt, mistaking Hans Moleman for Bart and repeatedly kissing him are prime examples. Also Bart trashing Burns' estate, getting to love Burns and rejecting his family - where's the credibility?

S6 Another Simpsons Clip Show
The worst by far, simply because there is no plot to speak of. It's just an excuse for lazy or creatively challenged (or both) writers to show a series of clips, based around a dumb romance theme, many of which are poorly assembled and often far too long.

I can't comment on the subsequent seasons because I haven't watched enough of them yet.

[TriforceBun]

S1: Homer's Odyssey (D)--Very out-of-character, the observation of depression feels off (Homer wants to kill himself?), and the safety stuff is dull.

S2: War of the Simpsons (B-)--Very funny first act, but the latter two are dull, with few memorable quotes or interesting characterization. And that winking fish, agh!

S3: Seperate Vocations (B-)--I'm not really sure why I never liked this one. I just don't feel it's very funny, believable, or engaging. The concept is a nice one, but it never felt very natural to me.

S4: (besides the clip show) Whacking Day (B)--The concept is just too thin and farfetched to make an episode that really worked from it. Mostly good gags though.

S5: Bart Gets an Elephant (B)--Funny up until Bart actually got an elephant, then it slowed down. I just don't like the third act...I felt like it could've aired in S10 and few would know the difference.

S6: (besides the clip show, of course) Fear of Flying (B)--A pretty fun first couple of acts, but the therapy stuff isn't too interesting, and doesn't delve into Marge's character nearly as much as it should.

S7: Two Bad Neighbors (B)--An okay episode, but the plot and Bush stuff just gets old. Plus, Homer is a major jerk in this one.

S8: Simpsons Spin-off Showcase (B)--Not as bad as many say, but still a little too weird at times. I really like the Love-Matic Grampa, but the single, broad joke of the third act can't really carry an entire segment before it gets tired.

S9: The Trouble With Trillions (C+)--An okay episode that just doesn't have enough good gags in it. Fairly weak, but still tolerable.

S10: When You Dish Upon a Star (D+)--Just lame all-around. Way too much of the dull celebrities, and Homer getting mad at them for not doing his chores was just nonsensical. I do like the Ron Howard ending. Haven't seen Sunday, Cruddy Sunday, BTW.

S11: Tough choice. I suppose I'll go with ol' KTAAR. (D)--Bad episode with horrible characterization, messy plot, and childish gags, though a few funny bits keep this from getting a lower score.

S12: Simpson Safari (D)--No real explanation needed. Painful to watch.

S13: (besides the clip show [D]) Homer the Moe (C-)--Dumb episode with an overdone plot. A few funny bits.

S14: Helter Shelter (D-)--My personal Worst Episode Ever. Over-the-top, remarkably dumb plot, and a tortuous third act kill it. The only things keeping it from an F are a few good jokes in the first 10 minutes or so (notably the KOTH bit).

S15: The Regina Monologues (D+)--Wacky vacation nonsense, forced gags, and some very irritating bits.

S16: She Used to Be My Girl (C+)--S16 had no standout horrible eps, IMO, but it also didn't have any super-great ones either. My Girl is fairly dull, though not terrible.

S17: So far, Manatees (C-). Been there, done that.

[Ed Flanders]

Season 1: Homer's Odyssey - Just pretty dull, although I love how Homer finds a rock at the bridge.

Season 2: Bart's Dog Gets an F - Worst of the SLH episodes and just kinda there overall.

Season 3: Dog of Death - Not bad at all really, but S3 rocks and this is just the weakest of it IMO.

Season 4: New Kid on the Block - I think NKOTB gets a bit of leeway with fans due to it being a Conan written episode as I feel it lacks the real comedy punch present in other S4 episodes and it doesn't bring up much emotion other than "That sucks" for Bart.

Season 5: Homer the Vigilante - A funny episode to be sure but below the rest of S5 and overall it leaves me saying "What's the point?"

Season 6: The Springfield Connection - Just doesn't hit my funny bone like the rest of Season 6.

Season 7: Homerpalooza - Funny first act along some good/great lines here and there but overall it just isn't as good as the rest of the season and the "take one more (object to body part) and you'll die" part loses it's edge when you realize they do it again a few episodes later in The Homer They Fall.

I'll edit my post and do 8-16 later.

[Green_Peaness]

Homer's Night Out - C- Really sitcomy, especially with a plot that doesn't make sense.

Dancing Homer - C+ Boring, except for some of the first act.

When Flanders Failed - C+ Worst Homer characterization until season 9 imo. Not much to offer in the humor department either.

Krusty Gets Cancelled - B/B- A few highlights include Gabbo and the German cat-and-mouse team. A lot worse than any other season 4 episode imo.

Lady Bouvier's Lover - B- Done much better in Old Money imo, and I hate the recurring "infringing rights" gag. Still, not bad. Several other season 5 episodes also got about a B or B-.

Homie the Clown - B- Not much to say about this. A lack of good gags compared to other season 6 episodes even though it's kind of a gag episode, and the ending feels Scullyish (but not in an offensive way).

Homerpalooza - C+ Some good observations about music, but a dumb Homer-gets-a-job plot.

[Imperciph]

S4 Itchy and Scratchy: the Movie
I don't like this much, mainly because I felt Homer and Bart's characters were too exaggerated. Homer tries to take all the credit for Lisa being a grade A student even though his sole contribution towards educating her was apparently to read to her TV guide, gets stuck in the child's desk, doesn't know which one is Itchy. Bart behaves too badly even for himself - he has always had a mischievous streak, but more as fun-loving prankster, than the wilfully rebellious type you see in this episode. The most unbelievable part is how, after letting him get away with numerous offences such as breaking Abe's false teeth, wrecking gramophone records and smearing mustard on the carpet, Homer finally lays down the law and punishes Bart for a comparatively minor one like letting Maggie escape, who emerges unscathed. How many families has there NOT been an incident where their little one has slipped through their fingers unnoticed?

Welcome to the NHC. I am sorry but the aforementioned episode is one of my favorites from Season 4 and I am going to try to defend this.

First of all, Homer always is the one who tries to take the easy way out of things so he decides to be Lisa's parent. His thinking of reading Tv guide to Lisa being a good sign of parenting is another hilarious example of Homer's incompetence as a father.

Again, I don't think there is anything wrong with Bart's characteization. He displays the the alarming result of not disclipining your own child. Throughout the whole episode is about whether Bart's parents will finally discipline him and secure him a good future.

And you should notice in the future Homer is about same age as Grandpa so its quite natural for him to forget who is Itchy.

And you completely lost me with the last sentence. In the previous season, Bart pulls a hoax on the whole town and falsely sends love-letters to his teacher. How is playing with false teeth and smearing the carpet any less realistic? In fact, those are what a real mischievous 10 year may do.

And Homer finally punishing Bart for not watching Maggie is great because it shows that for Homer, causing his children any harm is the worst offense of all. In fact, that is one of the times when he does a great job of parenting.



The other episodes on your list are good, I agree with them but I think Bart gets an Elephant is slightly worse than Burn's Heir.

[Mira]

1- Homer's Odyssey D-
2- War of the Simpsons C-
3- Mr. Lisa goes to washington B-
4- Marge in Chains C
5- Marge on the Lam C+
6- Fear of Flying B-
7- Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming C
8- Burns Baby Burns B-
9- Principal The Pauper D-
10- When You Dish Upon A Star D-
11- Saddlesore Gallactica & It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Marge D- for both
12- New Kids on the Blecch F
13- Lastest Gun In The West F
14- Helter Shelter D-
15- The Fat & The Furriest- D
16- Goo Goo Gai Pan D-

[Jims]

Season 1 - Homer's Oddesey

Never a big fan of this episode. Didn't seem interesting enough to me. Besides, Homer killing himself in the first season doesn't leave much room for a second.

Season 2 - The War of the Simpsons

Nothing really sticks out about this episode, aside from some of the interviews at the marriage retreat. Homer and Marge go away, some fishing plotline, kids wreck havoc at home. Not a bad episode, but probably my least favorite of Season 2.

Season 3 - Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?

Almost went with "Homer Defined" or "The Otto Show," but I picked this one instead. I didn't like the sequel to "O Brother Where Art Thou?" I thought it would've been funnier to leave Herb Powell ruined. Too warm and fuzzy for me.

Season 4 - Marge in Chains

...Aside from the clip show, of course. It was interesting to see Marge in prison, but I didn't like Apu prosecuting Marge like that. Seemed a little harsh, I guess, to me.

Season 5 - Bart Gets an Elephant

...Although I almost picked "Secrets of a Successful Marriage." I always rate that episode too low.

Season 6 - Fear of Flying

Again, aside from the clip show. Story seemed a little dull to me although it did have its good moments. I particularly enjoy all the reasons at the end why Marge was afraid of flying.

Season 7 - Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming

It's a shame, too, because I love Sideshow Bob episodes. This one just doesn't seem as memorable as "Black Widower" or "Sideshow Bob Roberts."

Season 8 - Burns, Baby Burns

As much as I like Rodney Dangerfield, I didn't dig the episode as much as I might've. It was kinda cool seeing how Burns would react to having a son.

Season 9 - Miracle on Evergreen Terrace

I love Christmas episodes. "Marge Be Not Proud" was a great example. This Christmas episode made "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" look optimistic. Just a little too sad for me.

After Season 9, it's really hard to choose.

[Number 10767]

Well don't hold me to this, but let's see what I can throw together...

Excluding all clip shows:
1. Homer's Odyssey (O humor, where art thou?)
2. Old Money (I like some Grampa episodes, but this one really did not work for me)
3. When Flanders Failed or Separate Vocations (Couldn't decide, though both of these are only mediocre at worst)
4. Lisa the Beauty Queen (An okay episode in a mostly brilliant season)
5. Bart's Inner Child (Ditto)
6. Fear of Flying (Very promising first act, but mostly boring afterwards. Marge's craziness is pretty unfunny. Once she gets into therapy, the show gets a little better but not much.)
7. Scenes From the Class Struggle in Springfield (Is it just me or is this the girliest Simpsons episode ever? Maybe I'd like it better if I were a housewife)
8. My Sister, My Sitter (I can never believe how many people like this episode. The stupid, over-the-top ridiculousness of the 3rd act seems like a predecessor to the idiotic twists that come in plenty of Scully episodes.)
9. The Principal and the Pauper (The first act has some good jokes from Agnes Skinner and Ralph Wiggum. The show pretty much collapses after the real Seymour Skinner shows up.)
10. Homer Simpson in "Kidney Trouble" (Seems to be a consensus on When You Dish around NHC, but this one is worse IMHO.)
11. Kill the Alligator and Run and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad Marge (In a season rife with bad episodes, these two still stand out as truly abysmal for me.)
12. Pokey Mom (I must confess I definitely like Simpson Safari and New Kids on the Blecch more than this sorry excuse for an episode.)
13. Brawl in the Family (Probably my least favorite ever.)
14. Helter Shelter or Pray Anything (I don't get the love for the latter that some have. The former is rightfully loathed.)
15. Margical History Tour (Laughed maybe once or twice. For some reason, the writers couldn't pull together those three-story episodes in this season, as the TOH was pretty bad too.)
16. Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass (Lame, lame, lame.)
17. Bonfire of the Manatees (So far. Though it's not terrible, so if this is the worst writing we have to endure all season, I will be a happy boy!)

[Mr Black]

Season 1- There's no disgrace like home
Season 2- Call of the Simpsons
Season 3- Mr Lisa goes to Washington
Season 4- So it's come to this, A simpsons