Top 10 Funniest Simpsons TV Parodies
#10: “24”
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“24 Minutes” (2007) “24” is an intense and incredibly serious action drama. So, it’s the perfect show to be sent up by “The Simpsons.” In this season 18 episode, the show gets a Springfield-style twist, with the threat of a stink bomb putting beloved characters like Bart, Lisa, and Principal Skinner on high alert. We're even treated to hilarious cameo appearances by "24" stars Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub. This episode does a great job of parodying “24’s” tropes in a way that even those who aren’t familiar with the show can enjoy. We wouldn’t mind some additional visits to Springfield by Jack Bauer.
#9: “Homeland”
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“Homerland” (2013) With a title like “Homeland,” how could “The Simpsons” not parody it with a title that references their iconic animated father? Like in “24 Minutes,” the season 25 premiere uses an Emmy-winning drama as a source for a very funny parody. After going missing for a few days, Homer returns, seeming not quite like himself. This causes unstable FBI agent Annie Crawford, played by Kristen Wiig, to investigate matters. Things are sorted out by the end, with an explanation that might not make a whole lot of sense, but is forgivable thanks to typically great “Simpsons” humor.
#8: “The Flintstones”
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“Marge vs. the Monorail” (1993) Before “The Simpsons” came along, the most famous animated family lived in the prehistoric town of Bedrock. At the start of this season 4 episode, Homer partially recreates the unforgettable “Flintstones” opening, singing a version of the theme song with lyrics about himself. But before he can complete it, he sings about how he’s about to hit a chestnut tree and then does exactly that. Fred Flintstone might’ve not been the brightest character, but compared to Homer Simpson, he’s a certifiable genius, caveman or not. This brief ode to another animated classic shows that “The Simpsons” know how to honor their predecessors while also being reliably hilarious.
#7: “South Park”
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“The Bart of War” (2003) “The Simpsons” was quite controversial when it first premiered, but in 1997, another animated show came along that made this show look like “The Brady Bunch.” In this season 14 episode, Bart and Milhouse watch an episode of “South Park,” with a scene that expertly spoofs the show’s reputation for mocking celebrities and graphic violence. The previous year, “South Park” had aired its own homage to “The Simpsons,” with an episode about how many potential plotlines the show had gotten to before them. While Bart Simpson might not be anywhere as devilish as Eric Cartman, we’re not surprised he’s amused by his antics.
#6: “Married… with Children”
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“Deep Space Homer” (1994) In the 90s, The Fox network was known for crude programming, and no show exemplified this better than “Married… with Children.” The crass adventures of the Bundy family were spoofed by “The Simpsons” multiple times. In this episode, NASA officials try to figure out what kind of people audiences want to see on TV in order to boost their low ratings. They tune into an episode of “Married… with Children” in which Al denies his wife, Peggy’s, plea for sex and then proceeds to flush a toilet that’s somehow in their living room. This elicits a crazed response from the studio audience. If you’ve ever watched “Married… with Children,” you know this version isn’t too far off.
#5: “Behind the Music”
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“Behind the Laughter” (2000) “Behind the Music” chronicles the stories of countless artists and bands, which included plenty of scandals and tragedies. In the season 11 finale, “The Simpsons” did their own version, also hosted by Jim Forbes. “Behind the Laughter” portrays this yellow cartoon family as actors on a sitcom with in-fighting and tabloid troubles going on behind the scenes. The narration and on-camera interviews sell the mockumentary illusion, and the episode does a great job of poking fun at both “Behind the Music” and Simpsonmania. And, unlike some episodes of “Behind the Music,” this one has a happy ending.
#4: “Cheers”
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“Fear of Flying” (1994) Long-time fans of “Cheers” wished they could visit the titular bar and its familiar cast of characters, like Norm, Cliff, and Carla. Homer Simpson got to do this, but it wasn’t particularly heartwarming. After an innocent prank gets him banned from Moe’s Tavern, Homer goes on a quest to find a new bar. Somehow, Cheers has moved from Boston to Springfield, and Homer initially finds it charming. However, he flees in terror after seeing Norm break a bottle and threaten to attack Woody and other patrons. “Cheers” actors like Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson voiced themselves in this scene, which was a treat for viewers who missed the bar “where everybody knows your name.”
#3: “Twin Peaks”
“Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)” (1995) Not only did this episode reveal the culprit who shot Mr. Burns, but it also provided us with two great TV parodies. First, there was the opening “Dallas” spoof. Then, there was this parody of “Twin Peaks,” which is about as weird as something on the actual show. While trying to solve the crime, Chief Wiggum drinks some warm cream and has a bizarre dream involving Lisa, backwards talking, and a flaming card. Anyone who’s watched “Twin Peaks” recognizes the setting as the famous “Black Lodge,” where agent Dale Cooper found himself having equally strange experiences. You don’t need to have seen “Twin Peaks” to find this scene amusing, but it’s much funnier if you have.
#2: “Tom and Jerry”
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Various For decades, viewers of all ages have been entertained as the cat, Tom, has tried to catch the mouse, Jerry. While the cartoons have their share of slapstick violence, it’s nothing objectionable. That’s not the case with Itchy and Scratchy, the cat-and-mouse duo within the world of “The Simpsons.” In these cartoons, mouse Itchy torments cat Scratchy in ways that are equal parts graphic and hilarious. With blood and guts flying, it can test how much our stomachs can handle. Multiple episodes have revolved around “Itchy & Scratchy,” which has helped make “The Simpsons’” universe feel even better. While these shorts take the “Tom and Jerry” concept to the extreme, you can see the fondness “The Simpsons” writers and animators have for those classic cartoons. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”, “Helter Shelter” (2002)
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“The Real Housewives”, “Boy Meets Curl” (2010)
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“The Prisoner”, “The Computer Wore Menace Shoes” (2000)
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“Frasier”, “Brother From Another Series” (1997)
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“MythBusters”, “The Daughter Also Rises” (2012)
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#1: “The Twilight Zone”
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Various Featuring ironic twists and commentary on various facets of inequality existing in our society, stories from this show have provided many moments of parody for the residents of Springfield. Take for instance, the “Hungry Are the Damned” segment from the first “Treehouse of Horror”, a take on the episode “To Serve Man”, where aliens come to Earth to eat humans. There’s also when Bart sees a gremlin on the side of the school bus but he’s not believed. Not to mention an evil Krusty the Clown doll trying to kill Homer but that’s easily fixed when it’s switched to “Good” mode. The brilliance here is they feature many comedic twists on “Twilight Zone” episodes yet are still enjoyable even if you’ve never seen them.
