- 8.6/105,263 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
- 7.7/104,050 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
- 8.2/104,231 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
- 8.6/104,941 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
- 8.3/104,644 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
- 7.6/103,904 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
- 8.2/104,469 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
- 7.8/103,863 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
- 7.8/103,824 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
- 8.8/104,976 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
- 8.2/103,948 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
- 8.3/103,847 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
- 8.5/104,203 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
- 8.0/103,683 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
- 8.0/103,675 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
- 8.3/104,251 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
- 8.7/104,996 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
- 8.2/103,714 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
- 7.7/103,515 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
- 8.0/103,844 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
- 8.3/103,836 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
- 7.6/103,586 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
- 7.7/103,567 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
- 8.2/103,737 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
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 5263 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".