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There’s no denyingThe Simpsons’revered place in TV history.

These are the 25 greatest episodes ofThe Simpsons.

‘‘The Simpsons are going to ________!’’

The Simpsons - Lisa’s First Word

‘The Simpsons’.Credit:FOX/Disney+

has become a trope on the show, but seldom has it worked so well.

It’s an absurd setup bolstered by one of the show’s best laughs-per-minute ratios.

(Ned doesn’t have insurance because he considers it a form of gambling.)

The Simpsons | Airdate: Nov. 23, 2003 Episodes of The Simpsons that qualify as all-time classics are rare in the new millennium, but ‘‘The Regina Monologues’’ has a

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I’ve done everything the Bible says, even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff!

‘'), then checks himself into a mental hospital.

Now I’m Pruneface!

The Simpsons | Airdate: Nov. 3, 1996 One of the Golden Age’s wackiest episodes also happens to be one of its funniest. In this season 8 standout, the

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Take that, Dick Tracy!

Now I’m Prune Tracy!

Take that, Dick…'').

The Simpsons | Airdate: Dec. 3, 1992 The best Simpsons episodes aren’t only hilarious—they’re also poignant, showcasing the big, beating heart beneath the series’ occasionally caustic satire. Nowhere

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‘‘Who Shot Mr. Burns?

‘‘stunt, ‘‘WSMB?’’

is perhapsThe Simpsons’ most grandiose pop moment ever.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Dec. 19, 1996 Homer’s mild-mannered nemesis had a few spotlight episodes before this one—but none were as juicy as ‘‘Hurricane Neddy,’’ which digs into

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An atypical outing, too: Satiric potshots (O.J.

(Maggie did the deed accidentally, of course.)

By deftly deployingThe Simpsons’ array of supporting characters (even Doctor Colossus!

The Simpsons | Airdate: May 21, 1995; Sept. 17, 1995 A two-part comedic homage to Dallas ’s ‘‘Who shot J.R.?’’ stunt, ‘‘WSMB?’’ is perhaps The Simpsons ’s most

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), this one-time anti-Cosbylightning rod demonstrated what a rich, self-sustaining universe it had become.

1 by Funky See, Funky Do’s ‘‘I Do Believe We’re Naked.’’

It’s a media parody so sharp, we’re still stinging a bit.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Jan. 9, 1992 Homer tries to top his past gifts to Bart (a shoe tree and shelf paper) with a Mr. Microphone-style radio. The

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‘‘Let’s hope so because Moe is leaving to do his own sitcom.’’

Then Homer invents a new drink, for which Moe takes credit.

Extra attraction: Bart actually apologizes for making a prank call to Moe’s.

The Simpsons | Airdate: May 11, 1997 ‘‘Could The Simpsons ever maintain its popularity without Moe the bartender?’’ asks Troy McClure. ‘‘Let’s hope so — because Moe is

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Remorse and fiery mixed drinks does it get much better?

Homer, of course.

‘‘Twenty-Two…’’ plays to these strengths.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Jan. 21, 1991 Moe laments his poor business: ‘‘Increased job satisfaction and family togetherness are poison for a purveyor of mind-numbing intoxicants like myself.''

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(It even finds time to supply the hillbilly Cletus with a toe-tapping theme song.)

Let’s see aChuck Lorrejoint try that.

A bingeing Barney ditches Homer’s car in the Big Apple, prompting a family trip to retrieve it.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Oct. 2, 1994 Based on those cartoonishly violent killer critters, Itchy & Scratchy Land is the theme-park realization of Bart’s most extreme daydreams —

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Put that on a T-shirt, and we’ve got something.

‘‘You choo-choo-choose me?

‘‘marvels a desperately happy Ralph.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Feb. 20, 1992 When Mr. Burns recruits nine all-star major-leaguers for his company softball team, what ensues is less an indictment of America’s pastime

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Anyone who’s suffered an unrequited crush will find these 30 minutes wonderfully squirmy.

It says ‘bee’ and there’s a picture of a bee on it!’’

But it’s Homer’s anguished journey (‘‘Oh no, I’m sweating likeRoger Ebert!'')

The Simpsons | Airdate: April 14, 1996 Working with animation grants the writers of The Simpsons the liberty to do things that live-action shows can only dream of.

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and a memorable cameo by Colonel Klink ofHogan’s Heroes that makes getting there so great.

It’s noScenes From a Marriage, but it’s a hell of a lot more amusing.

666: ‘‘Treehouse’’ episodes are as inconsistent as Grampa’s bladder.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Sept. 21, 1997 The show that dares ask the question ‘‘Why did I drink all that crab juice?’’ A bingeing Barney ditches Homer’s car

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Welcome to the exception.

Remember the advice your father gave you on your wedding day.’’

Plow’’ (season 4, episode 9)

Airdate:Nov. 19, 1992

‘‘Call Mr.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Feb. 11, 1993 Lisa gives sad little Ralph Wiggum a Valentine’s Day pity card, featuring a smiling train and a special greeting. ‘‘You Choo-Choo-Choose

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Plow, that’s my name/That name again is Mr. As Springfield’s No.

He: ‘‘Cutting my nails?

Brushing my teeth?'').

The Simpsons | Airdate: Feb. 18, 1993 For years, we chuckled at Homer’s sloppy, overheated love for beer. But all that hilarious brain-cell killing was never really addressed…until

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But Homer finds competition and even betrayal from…Barney?

Not exactly laugh-a-minute,but oh, that jingle…

8. Who likes scathing commentary on aging TV series?

(‘‘You’ve heard the expression, ‘Let’s get busy’?

The Simpsons | Airdate: Dec. 9, 1993 When Mr. Burns is forced to hire a female employee at the plant, Homer is suddenly very attentive at work. There’s

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Well, this is a dog who gets biz-zay.'')

Hot (and funny) stuff, coming through!

(Don’t agree?Go back to Russia!)

The Simpsons | Treehouse of Horror V , 1994 ‘‘The Shinning’’ has it all: a loving parody of one of the most terrifying movies ever made, great gags,

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Sing it with me now:“You don’t win friends with sal-ad!”

I’ll always remember you, but not from your films.’’

Meanwhile, at the nuclear plant, Mr. Burns is trying to ax the union dental plan.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Nov. 19, 1992 ‘‘Call Mr. Plow, that’s my name/That name again is Mr. Plow!’’ Those 12 words of insipid brilliance stand testament to one

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‘'); Grampa rattling on aboutwearing onions on his belt.

The things, in other words, that make us loveThe Simpsonsin the first place.

That’s the plot of ‘‘Marge vs. the Monorail,’’ but it’s not the point.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Feb. 9, 1997 Hey, kids! Who likes scathing commentary on aging TV series? In this provocative, self-referential spectacle that polarized a nation (okay, some

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Country star Lurleen Lumpkin, from ‘‘Colonel Homer,’’ has a bit part.

A musical number?The Music Man-inspired'‘The Monorail Song'‘is, well, inspired.

Elaborate visuals that were clearly devised by a roomful of overgrown boys?

The Simpsons | Airdate: Feb. 16, 1997 The Simpsons gets away with more hot-button hotdoggery than any other show, and the most cunning example may be this flamboyant

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Thus we proclaim: Best.

The Simpsons | Airdate: Oct. 15, 1995 In the early days, Bart and Homer were the Simpson family’s — and the show’s—undisputed breakout stars. Talk to Simpsons writers,

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The Simpsons | Airdate: March 24, 1996 You may remember Troy McClure from such TV shows as ‘‘The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular,’’ but in his splashiest turn, the

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The Simpsons | Airdate: Oct. 21, 1993 It begins with Citizen Kane , ends somewhere near the ‘‘Planet of the Apes,’’ and in between, manages to find time

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The Simpsons | Airdate: March 11, 1993 This episode is virtually flawless, the product of a series at the height of its creative powers—when the satire was savage

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The Simpsons | Airdate: Oct. 7, 1993 The Simpsons is, at its heart, one big parody, but even Homer Thompson could recognize ‘‘Cape Feare’’ as the show’s most

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The Simpsons | Airdate: Jan. 14, 1993 Fast-talking huckster Lyle Lanley (Phil Hartman, natch) sells the town a faulty monorail; only through Marge’s intervention is the town saved.

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