The Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 12

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.1/10(28 votes)

   #1 - Treehouse of Horror XI

   S12:E111/1/2000

   This year's Halloween story sees The Simpsons as "The Munsters" (with everyone except Lisa getting killed), Homer as a wandering spirit on the hunt for a good deed in "G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad," Bart and Lisa as peasants in a fairy tale forest in "Scary Tales Can Come True," and Lisa inadvertently dooming mankind by rescuing a dolphin in "Night of the Dolphin."

   Director:Matthew Nastuk

   Writers:Carolyn Omine, Don Payne, John Frink, Rob LaZebnik

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   Director:Matthew Nastuk

   Writers:Carolyn Omine, Don Payne, John Frink, Rob LaZebnik
2. 

   7.1/10(24 votes)

   #2 - A Tale of Two Springfields

   S12:E211/5/2000

   While calling Animal Control over a badger taking residence in Santa's Little Helper's doghouse, Homer discovers that Springfield has two different area codes–and ends up leading a revolt that splits the town in two.

   Director:Shaun Cashman

   Writer:John Swartzwelder

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   Director:Shaun Cashman

   Writer:John Swartzwelder
3. 

   6.7/10(27 votes)

   #3 - Insane Clown Poppy

   S12:E311/12/2000

   Krusty takes parenting lessons from Homer when, during an outdoor book fair, a girl tells Krusty that she is his long-lost daughter from a one-night stand with a female soldier who fought during the first Gulf War.

   Director:Bob Anderson

   Writers:Don Payne, John Frink

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   Director:Bob Anderson

   Writers:Don Payne, John Frink
4. 

   6.6/10(25 votes)

   #4 - Lisa the Tree Hugger

   S12:E411/19/2000

   Lisa falls for the teenaged leader of a militant environmentalist group and tries to impress him by living in Springfield's oldest tree in order to keep it from being cut down.

   Director:Steven Dean Moore

   Writer:Matt Selman

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   Director:Steven Dean Moore

   Writer:Matt Selman
5. 

   7.0/10(27 votes)

   #5 - Homer vs. Dignity

   S12:E511/26/2000

   When the Simpsons once again have financial problems, Mr. Burns pays Homer to play pranks on others and humiliate himself in public. Meanwhile, Smithers creates a Malibu Stacy-themed musical.

   Director:Neil Affleck

   Writer:Rob LaZebnik

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   Director:Neil Affleck

   Writer:Rob LaZebnik
6. 

   7.8/10(25 votes)

   #6 - The Computer Wore Menace Shoes

   S12:E612/3/2000

   Homer decides to buy a computer after turning up to the Plant to find it closed by e-mail. He then creates his own website and it eventually gains attention when he posts gossip. Homer dubs himself as "Mr. X" to conceal his identity. When he reveals that he is Mr. X, he becomes drugged into a mysterious island where people who know too much are imprisoned after Homer starts writing conspiracy theories such as flu shots.

   Director:Mark Kirkland

   Writer:John Swartzwelder

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   Director:Mark Kirkland

   Writer:John Swartzwelder
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7. 

   7.3/10(29 votes)

   #7 - The Great Money Caper

   S12:E712/10/2000

   Homer and Bart become father–son con artists (after Bart is given money out of pity when Homer decided to not take him home), but soon find that they are the ones being had.

   Director:Michael Polcino

   Writer:Carolyn Omine

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   Director:Michael Polcino

   Writer:Carolyn Omine
8. 

   7.6/10(29 votes)

   #8 - Skinner's Sense of Snow

   S12:E812/17/2000

   A snowstorm traps the students of Springfield Elementary inside, with them overthrowing Principal Skinner when he uses his Army skills to control them. Meanwhile, Homer tries to rescue the children–using Flanders' car.

   Director:Lance Kramer

   Writer:Tim Long

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   Director:Lance Kramer

   Writer:Tim Long
9. 

   7.7/10(29 votes)

   #9 - HOMЯ

   S12:E91/7/2001

   While working as a human guinea pig (to pay off the family's lost savings after making a bad investment), Homer discovers the root cause of his subnormal intelligence: a crayon that was lodged in his brain ever since he was a boy. He decides to have it removed to increase his IQ, but discovers that being smart does not necessarily equal being happy.

   Director:Mike B. Anderson

   Writer:Al Jean

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   Director:Mike B. Anderson

   Writer:Al Jean
10. 

    7.3/10(26 votes)

    #10 - Pokey Mom

    S12:E101/14/2001

    Marge tries to rehabilitate a convict with remarkable artistic talent. Meanwhile, Homer uses a trash can to fix people's spines.

    Director:Bob Anderson

    Writer:Tom Martin

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    Director:Bob Anderson

    Writer:Tom Martin
11. 

    7.0/10(26 votes)

    #11 - Worst Episode Ever

    S12:E112/4/2001

    Bart and Milhouse are banned from The Android Dungeon after stopping Comic Book Guy from buying a box of priceless Star Wars memorabilia for $5, but are hired as his replacements when Comic Book Guy has a heart attack and is advised to leave his job in order to make friends.

    Director:Matthew Nastuk

    Writer:Larry Doyle

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    Director:Matthew Nastuk

    Writer:Larry Doyle
12. 

    6.4/10(26 votes)

    #12 - Tennis the Menace

    S12:E122/11/2001

    While making funeral arrangements for Grampa's future, the funeral planner pitches the idea of a mausoleum that uses the same amount of cement as a full-sized tennis court. This prompts Homer to instead build a tennis court in his backyard, initially mistaking the sport for "Foxy Boxing". The tennis court makes Marge and Homer popular in town, but it turns out that this is only because Homer's inferior tennis ability makes them an easy target. Bart on the other hand, shines as a natural.

    Director:Jen Kamerman

    Writer:Ian Maxtone-Graham

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    Director:Jen Kamerman

    Writer:Ian Maxtone-Graham
13. 

    6.7/10(26 votes)

    #13 - Day of the Jackanapes

    S12:E132/18/2001

    Krusty announces his retirement due to interference from network executives and the growing popularity of the big-money game show "Me Wantee", but when Krusty reveals to Sideshow Bob that all of the episodes featuring him have been erased, Sideshow Bob uses Krusty's biggest fan (Bart) to murder him during Krusty's farewell show.

    Director:Michael Marcantel

    Writer:Al Jean

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    Director:Michael Marcantel

    Writer:Al Jean
14. 

    7.1/10(28 votes)

    #14 - New Kids on the Blecch

    S12:E142/25/2001

    A music producer selects Bart, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph to be members of the next hit boy band, who record subliminal songs about joining the Navy.

    Director:Steven Dean Moore

    Writer:Tim Long

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    Director:Steven Dean Moore

    Writer:Tim Long
15. 

    7.1/10(27 votes)

    #15 - Hungry Hungry Homer

    S12:E153/4/2001

    Homer becomes a Good Samaritan after discovering the simple joys of helping people in need–which is put to the test when he goes on a hunger strike after the owner of the Springfield Isotopes attempts to discredit him when Homer stumbles on his plot to discreetly move the team to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    Director:Nancy Kruse

    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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    Director:Nancy Kruse

    Writer:John Swartzwelder
16. 

    6.4/10(26 votes)

    #16 - Bye Bye Nerdy

    S12:E163/11/2001

    When Lisa becomes the target of a female bully, Lisa discovers a scientific reason as to why bullies pick on nerds. Meanwhile, Homer goes into the baby-proofing business, which is threatening the businesses of pediatricians and greeting card salesmen.

    Director:Lauren MacMullan

    Writers:Don Payne, John Frink

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    Director:Lauren MacMullan

    Writers:Don Payne, John Frink
17. 

    6.3/10(25 votes)

    #17 - Simpson Safari

    S12:E174/1/2001

    When the Simpsons run out of food thanks to a bag boy strike (caused by Homer), the family finds an old box of animal crackers with a sweepstakes that sends The Simpsons to Africa.

    Director:Mark Kirkland

    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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    Director:Mark Kirkland

    Writer:John Swartzwelder
18. 

    7.8/10(29 votes)

    #18 - Trilogy of Error

    S12:E184/29/2001

    Homer's rush to the hospital to reattach his thumb, Lisa's rush to school to win the science fair, and Bart's run-in with an illegal fireworks scheme are interconnected in a parody of Go and Run Lola Run.

    Director:Mike B. Anderson

    Writer:Matt Selman

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    Director:Mike B. Anderson

    Writer:Matt Selman
19. 

    7.2/10(24 votes)

    #19 - I'm Goin' to Praiseland

    S12:E195/6/2001

    After finding a sketchbook belonging to his late wife Maude, Ned Flanders opens a Bible-themed amusement park to honor her memory.

    Director:Chuck Sheetz

    Writer:Julie Thacker

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    Director:Chuck Sheetz

    Writer:Julie Thacker
20. 

    6.9/10(23 votes)

    #20 - Children of a Lesser Clod

    S12:E205/13/2001