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The Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 3

Every episode of The Simpsons Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 3!

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and...
Genres:FamilyAnimationComedy
Network:FOX

Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Stark Raving Dad" is the best rated episode of "The Simpsons" season 3. It scored 8.6/10 based on 5271 votes. Directed by Rich Moore and written by Al Jean, Mike Reiss, it aired on 9/19/1991. This episode is rated 0.9 points higher than the second-best, "Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington".

  • Stark Raving Dad
    8.6/105,271 votes

    #1 - Stark Raving Dad

    Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/19/1991

    A deviation from his norm lands Homer in a mental institution, where he shares a room with a man who thinks he's Michael Jackson.

    Director: Rich Moore

    Writer: Al Jean, Mike Reiss

  • Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
    7.7/104,058 votes

    #2 - Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington

    Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/1991

    Lisa's essay wins the Simpsons a trip to Washington, D.C., where her faith in democracy is shaken by her unethical Congressman.

    Director: Wes Archer

    Writer: George Meyer

  • When Flanders Failed
    8.2/104,238 votes

    #3 - When Flanders Failed

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/1991

    Flanders suffers a failure after Homer wishes him ill.

    Director: Jim Reardon

    Writer: Jon Vitti

  • Bart the Murderer
    8.6/104,948 votes

    #4 - Bart the Murderer

    Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 10/10/1991

    While working for Fat Tony, Bart gains enough influence with his boss to solve his problems with Principal Skinner--perhaps permanently.

    Director: Rich Moore

    Writer: John Swartzwelder

  • Homer Defined
    8.3/104,651 votes

    #5 - Homer Defined

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/17/1991

    Homer's averting of a nuclear meltdown earns him employee-of-the-month honors--and a call from Magic Johnson; Milhouse's parents prohibit him from playing with Bart.

    Director: Mark Kirkland

    Writer: Howard Gewirtz

  • Like Father, Like Clown
    7.6/103,912 votes

    #6 - Like Father, Like Clown

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 10/24/1991

    Bart and Lisa use theological arguments to try to reunite Krusty the Clown and his rabbi father, who disowned Krusty when he turned from rabbi to clown.

    Director: Brad Bird, Jeffrey Lynch

    Writer: Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

  • Treehouse of Horror II
    8.2/104,480 votes

    #7 - Treehouse of Horror II

    Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 10/31/1991

    Maggie uses one of three wishes; a mind-reading Bart rules Springfield; Homer donates his brain to Mr. Burns' science project.

    Director: Jim Reardon

    Writer: Al Jean, George Meyer, Jeff Martin, John Swartzwelder, Mike Reiss, Sam Simon

  • Lisa's Pony
    7.8/103,870 votes

    #8 - Lisa's Pony

    Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 11/7/1991

    After disappointing Lisa, Homer buys her a pony, solving one problem, but creating others, requiring a second job--at Apu's Kwik-E-Mart.

    Director: Carlos Baeza

    Writer: Al Jean, Mike Reiss

  • Saturdays of Thunder
    7.9/103,833 votes

    #9 - Saturdays of Thunder

    Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 11/14/1991

    When Homer helps Bart build a soapbox racer, it does little for the car but a lot for their relationship.

    Director: Jim Reardon

    Writer: Ken Levine, David Isaacs

  • Flaming Moe's
    8.8/104,987 votes

    #10 - Flaming Moe's

    Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 11/21/1991

    Moe steals the drink recipe Homer invented, and the rechristened “Flaming Moe” turns his tavern into a hotspot. When a national franchise wants to buy the recipe, Homer wants revenge.

    Director: Rich Moore, Alan Smart

    Writer: Robert Cohen

  • Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
    8.2/103,957 votes

    #11 - Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk

    Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 12/5/1991

    Burns sells the power plant to a German corporation that doesn't care for Homer's approach to his work.

    Director: Mark Kirkland

    Writer: Jon Vitti

  • I Married Marge
    8.3/103,855 votes

    #12 - I Married Marge

    Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 12/26/1991

    A trip down memory lane to the early days of Simpson wedded bliss, when Marge was with child and Homer was without a job.

    Director: Jeffrey Lynch

    Writer: Jeff Martin

  • Radio Bart
    8.5/104,212 votes

    #13 - Radio Bart

    Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 1/9/1992

    Bart fools the town into thinking there's a little boy trapped in a well.

    Director: Carlos Baeza

    Writer: Jon Vitti

  • Lisa the Greek
    8.0/103,689 votes

    #14 - Lisa the Greek

    Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 1/23/1992

    Lisa's ability to pick winning football teams kicks off a strong bond with Homer.

    Director: Rich Moore

    Writer: Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

  • Homer Alone
    8.0/103,680 votes

    #15 - Homer Alone

    Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 2/6/1992

    A stressed Marge vacations alone, leaving Bart and Lisa with Patty and Selma, and Maggie with Homer--until she leaves in search of Marge.

    Director: Mark Kirkland

    Writer: David M. Stern

  • Bart the Lover
    8.3/104,258 votes

    #16 - Bart the Lover

    Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 2/13/1992

    Bart's answer to detention from Mrs. Krabappel is to answer her personal ad with letters from a Mr. Wonderful, but his last laugh is more of a guilty whimper.

    Director: Carlos Baeza

    Writer: Jon Vitti

  • Homer at the Bat
    8.7/105,007 votes

    #17 - Homer at the Bat

    Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 2/20/1992

    Burns hires Major League ringers for the plant softball championship.

    Director: Jim Reardon

    Writer: John Swartzwelder

  • Separate Vocations
    8.2/103,720 votes

    #18 - Separate Vocations

    Season 3 Episode 18 - Aired 2/27/1992

    The results from their aptitude tests cause Bart and Lisa to make 180-degree turns in their behavior.

    Director: Jeffrey Lynch

    Writer: George Meyer

  • Dog of Death
    7.7/103,521 votes

    #19 - Dog of Death

    Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 3/12/1992

    Santa's Little Helper notices resentment after the Simpsons make sacrifices to fund his life-saving operation.

    Director: Jim Reardon

    Writer: John Swartzwelder

  • Colonel Homer
    8.0/103,851 votes

    #20 - Colonel Homer

    Season 3 Episode 20 - Aired 3/26/1992

    Marge fears a cheatin' heart when a waitress-country singer asks Homer to be her manager.

    Director: Mark Kirkland

    Writer: Matt Groening

  • Black Widower
    8.3/103,842 votes

    #21 - Black Widower

    Season 3 Episode 21 - Aired 4/9/1992

    Bart suspects something rotten when Selma gets engaged to Sideshow Bob.

    Director: David Silverman

    Writer: Jon Vitti, Sam Simon

  • The Otto Show
    7.6/103,592 votes

    #22 - The Otto Show

    Season 3 Episode 22 - Aired 4/23/1992

    Spinal Tap hits Springfield, and Otto the bus driver hits the skids after being fired, taking refuge in the Simpsons' garage.

    Director: Wes Archer

    Writer: Jeff Martin

  • Bart's Friend Falls in Love
    7.7/103,574 votes

    #23 - Bart's Friend Falls in Love

    Season 3 Episode 23 - Aired 5/7/1992

    Bart resents Milhouse's new girlfriend; Homer gets the wrong subliminal tape, which has him gaining vocabulary, not losing weight.

    Director: Jim Reardon

    Writer: Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

  • Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?
    8.2/103,746 votes

    #24 - Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?

    Season 3 Episode 24 - Aired 8/27/1992

    Homer's half-brother asks for a loan after Homer is awarded some cash.

    Director: Rich Moore

    Writer: John Swartzwelder