I first want to acknowledge the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and I want to thank Dr. King for the holiday that allows me to sleep late today.
And now to discuss "The Simpsons"! I'm going through the DVD box-sets, starting with Season 3 which many regard to be the beginning of their golden era. Coincidentally, this season aired during my freshman year of high school, from 1991 to 1992. Every episode is a classic but I have constructed my own Top 10 list of the shows from that season. As I rewatch the DVDs of subsequent seasons, I will also make Top 10 lists. But for now, I give you...
Phil's Top 10 'Simpsons' Episodes from Season 3
1) "Like Father, Like Clown" (originally aired October 24, 1991) : At a dinner with the Simpsons, Krusty the Clown reveals that he is estranged from his rabbi father. Bart and Lisa explore Jewish traditions and literature to prove to the rabbi that clowning is an honorable profession, and lead Krusty and his father to reconcile on the air.
2) "Flaming Moe's" (originally aired November 21, 1991) : Homer gives Moe the idea for a new cocktail whose secret ingredient is cough syrup. Moe takes the recipe without crediting Homer, and his bar flourishes, attracting the cool crowd and Aerosmith. But before Moe can franchise his operation, a bitter Homer reveals the secret of Moe's success.
3) "Burns Verkaufen Der Kraftwerk" (originally aired December 5, 1991) : A weary Burns decides to sell the plant to a group of German investors. When the Germans assume control, they discover the plant is not the bargain it seems, and in particular that Homer is a buffoon who dreams of the land of chocolate. Finally, Burns returns and retakes the plant, leaving the irate Germans vowing revenge.
4) "Homer at the Bat" (originally aired February 20, 1992) : With a homemade baseball bat, Homer rules the company softball team - until Mr. Burns, to win a bet, decides to hire ringers. He recruits professional baseball players who each fall victim to misfortune, leaving the game in Homer's hands (and head).
5) "Bart the Murderer" (originally aired October 10, 1991) : While the rest of his class enjoys the best field trip ever - to a chocolate factory - Bart becomes a Goodfella under Springfield mob boss Fat Tony. At first Bart enjoys the perks of the job, but the family is concerned when they find hijacked cigarettes in Bart's room and an FBI truck outside. Then Principal Skinner disappears - and Bart is the prime suspect.
6) "Lisa's Pony" (originally aired November 7, 1991) : Homer fails to buy Lisa a new saxaphone reed and she is humiliated at a school concert. To make it up to her, Homer buys her a pony. To affort the pony, Homer must get a second job at the Kwik-E-Mart and he can no longer sleep. Finally, Lisa relents and gives up the pony but keeps her father's love.
7) "I Married Marge" (originally aired December 26, 1991) : In this flashback view of Homer and Marge's early wedded life, we see their marriage in a casino wedding chapel, Homer's successful attempt to land a job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and the birth of Bart.
8) "Colonel Homer" (originally aired March 26, 1992) : After an argument with Marge, Homer runs off to a country-western bar, where he discovers beautiful songstress Lurleen Lumpkin. Homer decides to manage her, leading Marge to wonder if she's losing her man to a younger woman. But after Lurleen's successful appearance on the country comedy show 'Yah Hoo!' she realizes there's no one for Homer but his wife.
9) "When Flanders Failed" (originally aired October 3, 1991) : At a backyard BBQ, Ned Flanders announces he's opening a new store devoted to merchandise for left-handers. Homer secretly wishes Flanders to fail, and Ned undergoes a series of business reversals leaving the Flanders family living in a car with Homer the last hope to save the Leftorium. Meanwhile, Bart pretends to be taking Karate lessons, only to be beaten up by bullies.
10) "Homer Alone" (originally aired February 6, 1992) : After a particularly trying morning, Marge has a breakdown and stops her car on a bridge. The family gets her a trip to Rancho Relaxo, a local spa, leaving Bart and Lisa with Patty and Selma, and Maggie with Homer - who immediately loses her.
