The Skooch Simpsons Season 3 DVD Review
Title: Stark Raving Dad
Episode Number: 1 (36)
First Airdate: September 19, 1991
Type of show: Homer (8)
Main story: Homer is committed to an insane asylum for wearing a pink shirt to work
Secondary story: Bart stirs up a media flurry when Homer tells him Michael Jackson is coming to their home
First Five Minutes: When Bart puts his lucky red hat in with a load of whites, Homer has no choice but to wear a pink shirt to work. He’s then forced to do a take-home personality test.
First Appearances: recurring (RC) - New Bedlam Rest Home for the Emotionally Interesting. one-offs (OO) - Michael Jackson / Leon Kompowsky.
Weird in retrospect: Mr. Burns saying “these colour monitors have already paid for themselves,” & that’s pretty much the last you hear about ‘em. EVER.
Celebrity Voices: John Jay Smith (Michael Jackson) as Michael Jackson / Leon Kompowsky
Animation: 3 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 4 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 1 / 5
Overall Average: 3.8 / 5
My Verdict: This episode pretty much sets the stage for how stupid Springfieldians can be. It’s also pretty funny, if you subtract the creepy MJ-factor. 4 / 5
Total Score: 7.8 / 10
Title: Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
Episode Number: 2 (37)
First Airdate: September 26, 1991
Type of show: Lisa (3)
Main story: Lisa wins an essay contest in which the prize is a trip to Washington, D.C.
Secondary story: Lisa loses her faith in democracy after meeting a crooked congressman
First Five Minutes: Homer gets a free magazine in the mail (along with a fake cheque for a million dollars) & Lisa decides to enter the essay contest in the magazine.
First Appearances: RC - Springfield National Forest, Barbara Bush, Rowena, Teddy Kennedy, George Bush Sr. OO - Congressman Bob Arnold.
Weird in retrospect: Nelson being political.
Celebrity Voices: JoAnn Harris as Truong Van Dinh, Lona Williams as Minnesota Girl.
Troy McClure Movies Mentioned: Preacher With A Shovel
Animation: 3 / 5
Story: 2 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 2 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 1 / 5
Overall Average: 3 / 5
My Verdict: Shocking news: some politicians are corrupt! Yeah, this one don’t age so well. A little below my average ranking this time, as most Lisa episodes will probably be. 2 / 5
Total Score: 5 / 10
Title: When Flanders Failed
Episode Number: 3 (38)
First Airdate: October 3, 1991
Type of show: Homer & Flanders (2)
Main story: Ned opens up the Leftorium, a store dedicated to providing left-handed products
Secondary story: Homer almost destroys Ned’s life by not telling anyone about the Leftorium
First Five Minutes: Ned has a BBQ & announces he’s leaving the pharmaceutical business (?) to open up a left-handed store called the Leftorium.
First Appearances: RC - Flanders saves Homer’s life for the first time, Surly Guy. OO - Springfield Martial Arts Academy.
Weird in retrospect: Homer still gave a damn about Flanders.
Dead Characters: Maude Flanders (1990-2000)
Continuity Errors: Mr. Burns forgets he’s met Homer before (this is the last time I’ll mention this, as it’s pretty much a running joke). Some minor animation glitches.
Animation: 2 / 5
Story: 3 / 5
Continuity: 4 / 5
Characters: 4 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 1 / 5
Overall Average: 2.8 / 5
My Verdict: Awesome! There’s a CFL Draft reference in this episode. Unfortunately, no dead players were picked in the few seconds they showed it. & then some other stuff happened. Average show, ruined by the over-schmaltzy ending. 2 / 5
Total Score: 4.8 / 10
Title: Bart the Murderer
Episode Number: 4 (39)
First Airdate: October 10, 1991
Type of show: Bart (9)
Main story: Bart gets a job working for some shady businessmen
Secondary story: Principal Skinner suspisciously goes missing
First Five Minutes: Bart has a terrible, terrible day.
First Appearances: RC - The Legitimate Businessman’s Social Club, William “Fat Tony” Williams, Legs, Louie, Jack Larson of Laramie Cigarettes. OO - Ah Fudge!, Cocoa Beanie, Joe Mantegna, Neil Patrick Harris.
Weird in retrospect: Martin cheering Skinner being missing. Sideshow Bob is pretty buff when he’s shown working out in prison.
Celebrity Voices: Neil Patrick Harris as himself playing Bart, Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony (& as himself playing Fat Tony).
Troy McClure Movies Mentioned: The Revenge of Abe Lincoln, The Wackiest Covered Wagon in the West
Continuity Errors: Bart didn’t bring his skateboard to school with him. He comes home wearing his Lucky Red Hat when he also didn’t bring it with him. Various animation goofs.
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 3 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 3 / 5
Overall Average: 3.8 / 5
My Verdict: Fat Tony’s rationalization for hijacking a cigarette truck is gold. Is it legal to hold a murder trial when no body has been found? Solid, enjoyable episode. 4 / 5
Total Score: 7.8 / 10
Title: Homer Defined
Episode Number: 5 (40)
First Airdate: October 17, 1991
Type of show: Homer (2) (9)
Main story: Homer feels like a fraud because he luckily stopped a nuclear meltdown
Secondary story: Milhouse’s mom doesn’t want him to hang out with Bart anymore
First Five Minutes: Bart finds out Milhouse had a party on the weekend & Homer’s incompetence at work leads to a near meltdown.
First Appearances: RC - Aristotle Amadopolis, Luann Van Houten. OO - Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Celebrity Voices: Earvin “Magic” Johnson as himself, Chick Hearn as himself, Jon Lovitz as Aristotle Amadopolis & Avery Devereaux.
Continuity Errors: The monitors at SNPP are back to black & white
Animation: 3 / 5
Story: 4 / 5
Continuity: 4 / 5
Characters: 4 / 5
Lasting Impression: 2 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 3 / 5
Overall Average: 3.3 / 5
My Verdict: “Employee of the month isn’t all ham & plaques.” Pretty average episode that has a few animation lapses. However, it does have Lovitz. 3 / 5
Total Score: 6.3 / 10
Title: Like Father Like Clown
Episode Number: 6 (41)
First Airdate: October 24, 1991
Type of show: Krusty the Clown (2)
Main story: Krusty is depressed over being disowned by his father years ago
Secondary story: Bart & Lisa try to get Rabbi Krustofski to take his son back
First Five Minutes: Bart loses faith in Krusty because he keeps cancelling their dinners together
First Appearances: RC - Corporal Punishment, Tina Ballerina, Lois Pennycandy, Rabbi Hyman Krustofski, Mr. Teeny. OO - Yiddle.
Weird in retrospect: The photo album of the Simpsons
Celebrity Voices: Jackie Mason as Rabbi Hyman Krustofski
Continuity Errors: Krusty telling Mr. Teeny to go wait out in the car & then there’s no car at the end of the night. Unless Mr. Teeny drove it home himself!?!? He is shown to be capable of driving a car years down the line.
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 4 / 5
Characters: 4 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 3 / 5
Overall Average: 4.2 / 5
My Verdict: Pretty touching story, with Krusty hitting new lows for patheticnesss. I believe Jackie Mason won an Emmy (or was at least nominated) for his guest spot. 3.5 / 5
Total Score: 7.7 / 10
Title: Treehouse of Horror II
Episode Number: 7 (42)
First Airdate: October 31, 1991
Type of show: Treehouse of Horror (2)
Main story: Everyone eats too much candy & has nightmares
Secondary story: After their nightmares, everyone climbs in bed with someone else for company
Hallowe’en Stories: Lisa’s Nightmare - Monkey’s Paw, Bart’s Nightmare - Bart the Monster, Homer’s Nightmare - Homerstein
Weird in retrospect: Some animation & voices are oddly off
Continuity Errors: Kodos & Kang say humans have superior intellect
Animation: 3 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: not applicable to Treehouse of Horror Episodes
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 4 / 5
Overall Average: 4 / 5
My Verdict: I seem to enjoy every Treehouse episode for one reason or another. They’re always entertaining, & they get better when they dispense with the bookending stories. Burns is especially awesome in the
Homerstein story. 4 / 5
Total Score: 8 / 10
Title: Lisa’s Pony
Episode Number: 8 (43)
First Airdate: November 7, 1991
Type of show: Homer & Lisa (2)
Main story: Homer buys Lisa a pony to win her love back
Secondary story: Homer has to get a second job at the Kwik-E-Mart to help pay for the pony
First Five Minutes: Lisa calls Homer as a last-ditch effort for a saxaphone reed for her performance at the school talent show.
First Appearances: RC - King Toot’s Music Store, Lunchlady Doris, Jerry (owner of King Toot’s), Phineas Q. Butterfat’s 5600 Flavors Ice Cream Parlor. OO The Grateful Gelding Stables, Millicent, Princess the Pony.
Weird in retrospect: The Simpsons own a Betamax. Using stock animation from older episodes.
Dead Characters: Maude Flanders (1990-2000), Bleeding Gums Murphy (1990-95)
Animation: 3 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 3.8 / 5
My Verdict: Mr. Burns’ has my favourite line in this episode when he’s talking about the pony Homer wants to buy. “You’re not going to eat it?” & then the Godfather homage, brilliant. That was a time-bomb joke for me, in that I didn’t get it until I’d heard about that scene in the Godfather. 4 / 5
Total Score: 7.8 / 10
Title: Saturdays of Thunder
Episode Number: 9 (44)
First Airdate: November 14, 1991
Type of show: Homer & Bart
Main story: Homer fears he’s a horrible father to Bart
Secondary story: Bart gets swept up in the soap box derby races
First Five Minutes: Homer pays no attention to Bart building a soap box derby racer
First Appearances: RC - I Can’t Believe They Invented It! TV show. OO 3-time Soap Box Derby Champion Ronnie Beck, Dave & Dave Jr. from the National Fatherhood Institute.
Weird in retrospect: The jokes Homer made at Bill Cosby’s expense
Dead Celebrities: Phil Hartman (1948-98) as Troy McClure
Troy McClure TV Series’ Mentioned: Buck Henderson: Union Buster, Troy & Company’s Summertime Smile Factory.
Animation: 2 / 5
Story: 3 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 4 / 5
Lasting Impression: 2 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 3 / 5
My Verdict: A state of Kansas Jell-O mold: awesome. Plus, Homer pulls an Andy Capp & naps on the couch backwards! Some of the animation looks like first season stuff. 3 / 5
Total Score: 6 / 10
Title: Flaming Moe’s
Episode Number: 10 (45)
First Airdate: November 21, 1991
Type of show: Homer & Moe
Main story: Moe steals a drink idea from Homer & becomes famous
Secondary story: Homer starts going insane because of Moe’s fame
First Five Minutes: Lisa has a slumber party & all the girls terrorize Bart to the point where it drives Homer nuts, & he goes to Moe’s.
First Appearances: RC - Eye on Springfield TV Show, Springfield Tire Yard Fire, Bernard (bouncer at Moe’s). OO - Collette the waitress, Harv Bannister from Tipsy McStagger’s, Aerosmith, Hugh Jazz.
Dead Characters & (Dead) Celebrity Voices: Aerosmith as themselves, Catherine O’Hara as Collette the Waitress. Phil Hartman (1948-98), Maude Flanders (1990-2000).
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 5 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 3 / 5
Overall Average: 4.5 / 5
My Verdict: Fire made it good. The first time I ever heard “There’s a party in my mouth & everyone’s invited.” There’s one beautiful moment of animation with Bart’s head & a brown paper bag. Plus, my other favourite sitcom, “Cheers,” is nicely parodied. WOW, Martin was giving a presentation on the inventor of the gas chromatograph at school, & then later on Prof. Frink used a gas chromatograph to try & figure out the secret ingredient of a Flaming Moe. I never noticed that before. 5 / 5
Total Score: 9.5 / 10
Title: Burns Verkaufen Der Kraftwerk
Episode Number: 11 (46)
First Airdate: December 5, 1991
Type of show: Mr. Burns (2)
Main story: Burns sells the power plant to the Germans
Secondary story: Homer gets fired because he’s uber-incompetent
First Five Minutes: Homer’s stock in the power plant skyrockets after he sells it for $25 & buys one bottle of $20 beer
First Appearances: OO - Hans, Fritz & Horst.
Weird in retrospect: Scott Christian has the wrong voice. Why’s Marge at a power plant meeting? Mr. Burns driving again.
Dead Celebrities: Phil Hartman (1948-98)
Continuity Errors: Lenny’s plastic surgery wore off.
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 4 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 5 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 3 / 5
Overall Average: 4.3 / 5
My Verdict: Horst’s line of uber-emphasize is awesome. & Mr. Burns does a terrible Elvis impersonation. I think this is the second time Homer gets fired. The kickass “Land of Chocolate” is in this one too. I love this episode. 5 / 5
Total Score: 9.3 / 10
Title: I Married Marge
Episode Number: 12 (47)
First Airdate: December 26, 1991
Type of show: Homer & Marge (4)
Main story: Homer relates the story of how he married Marge
Secondary story: Marge fears she may be pregnant again
First Five Minutes: Marge fears she may be pregnant again & goes to see Dr. Hibbert. Meanwhile, Homer begins telling the story of Marge being pregnant with Bart.
First Appearances: RC - Repot Depot, Gulp ‘N Blow. OO - Shotgun Pete’s Wedding Chapel.
Weird in retrospect: The front door was open for no reason, bizarre! Why did Homer have a lighter on his person when Bart was born?
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 4 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 4.2 / 5
My Verdict: Homer ruining Empire Strikes Back is awesome, because you know there was at least one idiot that did that. Plus, anytime you get to see Dr. Hibbert’s old hairstyles is time well spent. It’s also revealed that Homer really wanted a job at the power plant because they got doughnuts. However, according to this episode, Bart was born in 1980 or ‘81, making him... well... not 10.
Total Score: 8.2 / 10
Title: Radio Bart
Episode Number: 13 (48)
First Airdate: January 9, 1992
Type of show: Bart (2) (10)
Main story: Bart fools the town into believing a young boy fell into a well
Secondary story: Bart ironically falls into the well
First Five Minutes: Homer orders a craptacular birthday present for Bart’s tenth birthday & Bart has a birthday party at Wall E. Weasel’s.
First Appearances: RC - Wall E. Weasel’s. OO - Sting, Funky See Funky Do, the Lincoln Squirrel.
Weird in retrospect: Why would Bart invite Martin to his birthday party? Comic Book Guy was black for some reason.
Celebrity Voices & Dead Characters: Sting as himself, Bleeding Gums Murphy (1990-95)
Continuity Errors: The microphone works wayyyyyy farther away than advertised when Santa’s Little Helper is chewing on it & everyone thinks Timmy O’Toole has “gone feral.”
Animation: 3 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 4 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 4 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 3.8 / 5
My Verdict: The only way Homer’s gift could be cool, is if it were used in the exact way Bart did. & the canary that died of natural causes? GOLD. 3.5 / 5
Total Score: 7.3 / 10
Title: Lisa the Greek
Episode Number: 14 (49)
First Airdate: January 23, 1992
Type of show: Homer & Lisa 2 (3)
Main story: Homer & Lisa begin bonding over Lisa’s superior gambling on football ability
Secondary story: Lisa is pissed when Homer doesn’t want to spend time with her after the football season
First Five Minutes: Homer’s wrapped up in football & Lisa feels that Homer doesn’t care about her.
First Appearances: OO - Smooth Jimmy Apollo.
Dead Celebrities: Phil Hartman (1948-98)
Troy McClure TV Series Mentioned: Handle With Care
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 3 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 4 / 5
Lasting Impression: 2 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 1 / 5
Overall Average: 3.2 / 5
My Verdict: The first of many of Homer’s flimsy “Bible rationalizations.” Barney’s especially awesome in this episode, but it’s kind of average in my books. 3 / 5
Total Score: 6.2 / 10
Title: Homer Alone
Episode Number: 15 (50)
First Airdate: February 8, 1992
Type of show: Marge (3)
Main story: Marge feels unappreciated & suffers a nervous breakdown
Secondary story: Marge goes on a vacation, leaving Maggie with Homer
First Five Minutes: Marge suffers a nervous breakdown of sorts
First Appearances: OO - Rancho Relaxo, Nick’s Bowling Shops.
Dead Celebrities: Phil Hartman (1948-98)
Troy McClure Movies Mentioned: Today We Kill Tomorrow We Die, Gladys the Groovy Mule, Calling All Quakers.
Continuity Errors: Homer wearing a watch for story purposes only.
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 3 / 5
Continuity: 4 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 2 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 3.3 / 5
My Verdict: There’s an awesome back & forth with Quimby & Wiggum. & Homer losing Maggie & his lines for breaking it to Marge are great. But overall, it’s just an average episode. 2.5 / 5
Total Score: 5.8 / 10
Title: Bart the Lover
Episode Number: 16 (51)
First Airdate: February 13, 1992
Type of show: Mrs. Krabappel
Main story: Bart writes fake love letters to Mrs. Krabappel
Secondary story: Homer tries to curb his potty mouth at Marge’s urging
First Five Minutes: The Twirl King Yo-Yo Champions visit the school & yo-yo-mania hits!
First Appearances: OO - Twirl King Yo-Yo Champions: Ted Carpenter, Mr. Amazing, Sparkle, Zero Gravity & The Cobra.
Weird in retrospect: Nelson thinking it would be cool to get all kinds of girls. Flanders without his moustache.
Dead Characters: Stinky & Wrinkles - fish (1992), Maude Flanders (1990-2000)
Homer’s love postcard from the Beer Factory to Marge: Maybe it’s the beer talking Marge, but you’ve got a butt that won’t quit. They got these big chewy pretzels here therjanstwkgrm five dollars??!!!? get outta here.
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 3 / 5
Overall Average: 4.2 / 5
My Verdict: “Come back zinc, come back!” I love that edutainment. Homer’s starting to get over the top ricockulous now. Homer’s swearing montage is excellent as well. A touching story with plenty of idiot Homer to go around. 5 / 5
Total Score: 9.2 / 10
Title: Homer at the Bat
Episode Number: 17 (52)
First Airdate: February 20, 1992
Type of show: Homer (3) (10)
Main story: The SNPP softball team is in the championship game
Secondary story: Mr. Burns hires a bunch of major league ringers to play one game
First Five Minutes: Homer makes “Wonderbat” & wins the first game of the softball season
First Appearances: OO - Wonderbat, Jose Canseco, Mike Scioscia, Ozzie Smith, Don Mattingly, Steve Sax, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ken Griffey Jr., Darryl Strawberry.
Weird in retrospect: Everyone at SNPP thinking very highly of the idea of Homer’s “secret weapon.”
Celebrity Voices: Jose Canseco, Mike Scioscia, Ozzie Smith, Don Mattingly, Steve Sax, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ken Griffey Jr., Darryl Strawberry.
Animation: 3 / 5
Story: 4 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 4 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 3.8 / 5
My Verdict: Mr. Burns managing a bunch of Major League Baseball players is brilliant. Darryl Strawberry being a kiss-ass to Mr. Burns is a nice touch too. Darryl, Darryl, Darryl. 5 / 5
Total Score: 8.8 / 10
Title: Separate Vocations
Episode Number: 18 (53)
First Airdate: February 27, 1992
Type of show: Bart & Lisa
Main story: Bart & Lisa seem to switch places attitude-wise, thanks to the results of a school aptitude test
Secondary story: Lisa commits a textbook heist & Bart finds her out
First Five Minutes: After taking an aptitude test at school, Lisa is horrified to find out she’s destined to be a homemaker, while Bart is surprised he’s supposed to turn out as a cop.
First Appearances: OO - Mr. Glasscock.
Weird in retrospect: Showing elementary schoolkids smoking.
Dead Celebrities: Steve Allen (1921-2000) as himself doing a voiceover for Bart.
Animation: 3 / 5
Story: 3 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 2 / 5
Lasting Impression: 2 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 2.8 / 5
My Verdict: Anytime you’ve got Steve Allen doing Bart’s voice, you know you’ve got something good. As for this episode, at points it brings the funny, but the characters not acting normally kinda takes you out of it. 3 / 5
Total Score: 5.8 / 10
Title: Dog of Death
Episode Number: 19 (54)
First Airdate: March 12, 1992
Type of show: Santa’s Little Helper (2)
Main story: Santa’s Little Helper needs stomach surgery
Secondary story: the family has to make sacrifices to pay for the surgery
First Five Minutes: Springfield is swept up in lottery fever, while Santa’s Little Helper appears to be very sick.
First Appearances: RC - The Veterinarian.
Weird in retrospect: Moe’s looking unusually full with customers.
Continuity Errors: Bart’s hair grew back pretty fast
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 4 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 3 / 5
Overall Average: 4 / 5
My Verdict: Homer’s ricockulous ideas for the lottery winnings are excellent. & then seeing Kent Brockman win, GOLD. Skinner losing his composure at the lottery fund rip-off cracks me up. There’s an awesome Clockwork Orange homage in here too. 4 / 5
Total Score: 8 / 10
Title: Colonel Homer
Episode Number: 20 (55)
First Airdate: March 26, 1992
Type of show: Homer (4) (11)
Main story: Homer discovers a country music singer & becomes her manager
Secondary story: Marge’s jealousy threatens to break up their marriage
First Five Minutes: Homer leaves town after Marge freaks out at him during a movie
First Appearances: RC - Springfield Googoplex, Lurleen Lumpkin. OO - Yodelin’ Zeke.
Weird in retrospect: Anyone but Marge being attracted to Homer, although Lurleen is poor yellow trailer trash after all.
Celebrity Voices: Beverly D’Angelo as Lurleen Lumpkin
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 3 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 3.7 / 5
My Verdict: “If you don’t watch the violence, you’ll never get desensitized to it,” : best rationalization EVER. I don’t really enjoy the unlikely aspects of the super get famous episodes. Like, why would everyone in Springfield be listening to KUDD, broadcasting out of Weevilville, all at the same time? Lurleen’s songs sure are catchy though. 3 / 5
Total Score: 6.7 / 10
Title: Black Widower
Episode Number: 21 (56)
First Airdate: April 8, 1992
Type of show: Sideshow Bob
Main story: Sideshow Bob is released from prison & gets married to Selma
Secondary story: Bart is extremely suspicious of Sideshow Bob’s intentions
First Five Minutes: Selma brings her ex-con boyfriend to dinner at the Simpsons & he’s revealed to be Sideshow Bob
First Appearances: RC - Selma getting married.
Celebrity Voices: Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 4 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 4.2 / 5
My Verdict: Even after all these years, I can’t believe how awesome Sideshow Bob episodes are. Homer’s prescription for avoiding TV shows Marge likes, sounds pretty alcoholic to me. A pretty good suspense episode too. 4.5 / 5
Total Score: 8.7 / 10
Title: The Otto Show
Episode Number: 22 (57)
First Airdate: April 23, 1992
Type of show: Otto
Main story: Otto hits rock bottom & ends up moving in with the Simpsons
Secondary story: Bart tries to learn the guitar but gives up
First Five Minutes: Bart attends his first rock concert, featuring none other than Spinal Tap.
First Appearances: OO - Spinal Tap
Weird in retrospect: Comic Book Guy is wayyyyyy off-model. How did Otto get a job as a bus driver without a licence?
Celebrity Voices: Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel, Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins
Animation: 2 / 5
Story: 4 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 4 / 5
Lasting Impression: 3 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 3.3 / 5
My Verdict: Yet another rock group that saw it’s popularity rise after being on the Simpsons. Homer gives the best advice ever: “If something’s hard to do, then it’s not worth doing it.” Spotty animation at times, but alright. 3.5 / 5
Total Score: 6.8 / 10
Title: Bart’s Friend Falls in Love
Episode Number: 23 (58)
First Airdate: May 7, 1992
Type of show: Bart & Milhouse
Main story: When Milhouse gets himself a girlfriend, it threatens to destroy his friendship with Bart
Secondary story: Lisa encourages Homer to use a subliminal weight loss tape
First Five Minutes: A new student joins the 4th Grade class
First Appearances: RC - Kirk Van Houten OO - Samantha Stanky
Dead Celebrities / Voices: Kimmy Robertson as Samantha Stanky, Phil Hartman (1948-1998)
Troy McClure Educational Films Mentioned: Lead Paint: Delicious But Deadly, Here Comes the Metric System, Fuzzy Bunny’s Guide to You-Know-What
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 4 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 2 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 3.7 / 5
My Verdict: This is the episode that starts with the awesome Indiana Jones homage. Damn, Marvin Monroe’s voice really is horrible. Watching Milhouse cry is particularily hilarious & Bart seems more & more like he’s going to turn out gay. 3.5 / 5
Total Score: 7.2 / 10
Title: Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?
Episode Number: 24 (59)
First Airdate: August 27, 1992
Type of show: Homer & Herb
Main story: Herb comes back to ask Homer for help financially
Secondary story: Homer is awarded $2000 for being sterile & not knowing it
First Five Minutes: It’s discovered that Homer is sterile, Herb Powell vows to get his fortune back, & Bart destroys the couch.
First Appearances: OO - “Smokin” Joe Frazier, First Annual Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence, Spine Melter 2000
Celebrity Voices / Dead Characters: Danny DeVito as Herb Powell, Joe Frazier as himself. Maude Flanders (1990-2000)
Animation: 4 / 5
Story: 4 / 5
Continuity: 5 / 5
Characters: 5 / 5
Lasting Impression: 4 / 5
How Well Does It Age: 2 / 5
Overall Average: 4 / 5
My Verdict: There’s an awesome moment that’s always cut in syndication, where Homer says “There’s no way my life could possibly get worse,” & then... nothing. He repeats it... waits... then, finally, Smithers calls him to Mr. Burns’ office. I’m surprised no one’s made a baby translator yet. Despite Herb finally forgiving Homer, he’s never shown up again. 4 / 5
Total Score: 8 / 10
Overall Average for Season 3: 7.4 / 10
Total Cast Count at Season’s End: 65 new + 157 old = 222
Total Guest Celebrity Voices: 25 new + 21 old = 46
The Simpsons Season 1 DVD Review
The Simpsons Season 2 DVD Review
Simpsons Character First Appearances
Troy McClure Resume
Simpsons Episode Rankings