Marge vs. the Monorail

When Mr. Burns is fined three million dollars (pocket change) for dumping toxic waste right in town, Springfield has a windfall. They are about to fix Main Street, when a sort of Harold Hill shows up and talks them into building a monorail. All common sense goes out the window. Cleverly done with an actual heroic act performed by Homer.

Unquestionably the best episode of the Simpsons. Wonderful cameos, the iconic monorail song and an incredible opening sequence that references the Flintstones and Beverly Hills Cop. I love South Park, early Family Guy and Rick & Morty, but this is without doubt the high watermark of 22 mins animated comedy.

A con artist sells Springfield a dodgy monorail system.

This is very strong and memorable episode with great humour.

The strength of 'Marge Vs The Monorail' is the prolific number of gags and the use of characters. Homer and family lead it well; but there is great use of guest characters like Lyle Langley and Leonard Nimoy. Regulars like Mr Burns, Smithers, Mayor Quimby, and Chief Wiggum also have great moments.

Additionally the Monorail song is very funny and the animation is some of the best up this point in the show's run.

Pretty good rule of thumb: the best episodes usually show a flagrant contempt for the town's citizens (a lot like South Park). In this case, the use of a $3 million windfall a mass transit boondoggle rather than much-needed street repairs. On the other hand, don't you wish town halls can be settled so easily with Phil Hartman and a big musical number? The jokes are hopelessly cynical (read: hysterical) and even Leonard Nimoy gets in on the fun. The whole thing's a treat.

8/10

This episode is really amazing, and very absurd, a quality usually reserved for the later seasons, but unlike the later seasons, this episode gets it right, being actually funny and not just desperately trying to be funny. The main villain of this episode is con man, Lyle Lanely, played expertly by the late Phil Hartman. The monorail song is so hilarious and very catchy. The humor is the episode is some of the best and most funny in any episode and there is a random guest appearance from Leonard Nimoy. Even though there is no clear reason for him to be there it is still really funny unlike some other guest stars I know of from the later seasons...