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The Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 9

Every episode of The Simpsons Season 9 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 9!

Binge this in 9h 35m•Peaking at 8.1/10

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 Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 1 - The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
    8.1/10(42 votes)

    #1 - The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson

    S9:E1

    Designated driver Barney absconds to Manhattan in Homer's car and leaves it there. But when the family journeys to the Big Apple to retrieve their property, Homer discovers his car has been booted.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:Ian Maxtone-Graham

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  2. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 2 - The Principal and the Pauper
    6.7/10(39 votes)

    #2 - The Principal and the Pauper

    S9:E2

    Unmasked as an impostor, Principal Skinner flees to Capital City to reclaim his former life as a shiftless good-for-nothing. The people of Springfield gain a newfound appreciation for him and form a plan to bring him back.

    Director:Steven Dean Moore
    Writer:Ken Keeler

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  3. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 3 - Lisa's Sax
    7.3/10(31 votes)

    #3 - Lisa's Sax

    S9:E3

    After Lisa’s saxophone is destroyed, the Simpsons reminisce about how she originally got the instrument. On the hottest day of the year, Homer must decide whether to buy an air conditioner or replace Lisa’s sax.

    Director:Dominic Polcino
    Writer:Al Jean

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  4. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 4 - Treehouse of Horror VIII
    7.9/10(35 votes)

    #4 - Treehouse of Horror VIII

    S9:E4

    In “The Homega Man,” Homer faces a post-apocalyptic Springfield. Next, Bart attempts to become Superfly in "Fly vs. Fly." In “Easy-Bake Coven,” amidst a witch hunt in 1649, Marge and her sisters invent trick-or-treating.

    Director:Mark Kirkland
    Writers:Mike Scully, David X. Cohen, Ned Goldreyer

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  5. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 5 - The Cartridge Family
    7.5/10(31 votes)

    #5 - The Cartridge Family

    S9:E5

    Alarmed by a soccer riot, Homer buys a handgun. His reckless behavior drives Marge and the kids out of the house, and even his new gun club buddies desert him.

    Director:Pete Michels
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  6. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 6 - Bart Star
    7.2/10(32 votes)

    #6 - Bart Star

    S9:E6

    When Homer becomes the coach of a peewee football team, he replaces star quarterback Nelson with the less talented Bart. Facing his teammates’ scorn, Bart looks for a way out but finds a better way to show his team spirit.

    Director:Dominic Polcino
    Writer:Donick Cary

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  7. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 7 - The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
    7.1/10(31 votes)

    #7 - The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons

    S9:E7

    Trying to escape his arranged marriage, Apu asks Marge to pose as his wife during his mother’s visit. When the ruse fails, Homer makes a last-ditch attempt to intervene, but Apu is smitten with his new bride Manjula.

    Director:Steven Dean Moore
    Writer:Richard Appel

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  8. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 8 - Lisa the Skeptic
    7.6/10(36 votes)

    #8 - Lisa the Skeptic

    S9:E8

    When a skeleton is unearthed at the site of a future shopping mall, all Springfield is convinced it is the skeleton of an angel – except Lisa.

    Director:Neil Affleck
    Writer:David X. Cohen

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  9. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 9 - Realty Bites
    7.3/10(29 votes)

    #9 - Realty Bites

    S9:E9

    When Marge gets her real estate license, she learns to put a positive spin on the flaws of the houses she’s selling. But when the Flanders buy the Murder House, she realizes she has to tell the truth.

    Director:Swinton O. Scott III
    Writer:Dan Greaney

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  10. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 10 - Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
    7.3/10(34 votes)

    #10 - Miracle on Evergreen Terrace

    S9:E10

    After accidentally ruining the family’s Christmas tree and presents, Bart buries the evidence and claims a burglar stole everything. When Kent Brockman does a human interest story on the family’s tragic loss, the townspeople shower the family with generosity… until the truth comes out.

    Director:Bob Anderson
    Writer:Ron Hauge

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  11. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 11 - All Singing, All Dancing
    4.8/10(33 votes)

    #11 - All Singing, All Dancing

    S9:E11

    Homer rents a Clint Eastwood movie and is dismayed to find it's a musical. Using clips from past episodes, the rest of the family reminds him about the many times he and other members of the family and town have broken into song and dance.

    Director:Mark Ervin
    Writer:Steve O'Donnell

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  12. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 12 - Bart Carny
    6.7/10(30 votes)

    #12 - Bart Carny

    S9:E12

    When the carnival comes to town, Homer and Bart wind up working the ring toss. A father-son team of grifters shows them the downside of the “carny code,” but the Simpsons beat them at their own game.

    Director:Mark Kirkland
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  13. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 13 - The Joy of Sect
    7.9/10(33 votes)

    #13 - The Joy of Sect

    S9:E13

    A cult lures in most of Springfield to toil for “The Leader.” After Marge escapes and has the family deprogrammed, Homer exposes the man behind the spaceship.

    Director:Steven Dean Moore
    Writer:Steve O'Donnell

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  14. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 14 - Das Bus
    7.7/10(31 votes)

    #14 - Das Bus

    S9:E14

    When Otto drives the school bus off a bridge, the kids wind up on a deserted island, fending for themselves in a “Lord of the Flies” parody. Back in Springfield, Homer takes on Bill Gates.

    Director:Pete Michels
    Writer:David X. Cohen

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  15. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 15 - The Last Temptation of Krust
    7.2/10(35 votes)

    #15 - The Last Temptation of Krust

    S9:E15

    Krusty bombs at a charity comedy event and feels like a tired old hack. With the Simpsons’ support, Krusty takes his act in a fresh new direction… but in the end, his true nature asserts itself.

    Director:Mike B. Anderson
    Writer:Donick Cary

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  16. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 16 - Dumbbell Indemnity
    7.1/10(30 votes)

    #16 - Dumbbell Indemnity

    S9:E16

    Moe goes broke trying to wine and dine a new girlfriend. Desperate for money, he cooks up an insurance scam with Homer.

    Director:Dominic Polcino
    Writer:Ron Hauge

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  17. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 17 - Lisa the Simpson
    7.3/10(30 votes)

    #17 - Lisa the Simpson

    S9:E17

    Lisa struggles with solving a simple puzzle and fears that the "Simpson gene” is suddenly wiping out her intelligence. Homer stages a family reunion in hopes of introducing Lisa to some Simpsons she can respect.

    Director:Susie Dietter
    Writer:Ned Goldreyer

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  18. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 18 - This Little Wiggy
    7.5/10(28 votes)

    #18 - This Little Wiggy

    S9:E18

    At Marge’s insistence, Bart has a “play date” with Ralph. Bart suddenly sees the upside of this friendship when he discovers Chief Wiggum’s “master key” and goes to explore Springfield’s abandoned prison.

    Director:Neil Affleck
    Writer:Dan Greaney

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  19. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 19 - Simpson Tide
    7.8/10(29 votes)

    #19 - Simpson Tide

    S9:E19

    When Homer joins the Naval Reserve, a captain takes a liking to him and leaves him in charge of a nuclear submarine.

    Director:Milton Gray
    Writers:Joshua Sternin, Jennifer Ventimilia

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  20. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 20 - The Trouble with Trillions
    7.5/10(31 votes)

    #20 - The Trouble with Trillions

    S9:E20

    Facing an IRS audit, Homer agrees to help the feds bust Mr. Burns for a missing trillion-dollar bill. When Burns makes an anti-government stand, Homer flees with him to Cuba.

    Director:Swinton O. Scott III
    Writer:Ian Maxtone-Graham

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  21. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 21 - Girly Edition
    7.2/10(28 votes)

    #21 - Girly Edition

    S9:E21

    Lisa becomes the anchor of a kids’ news program but is upstaged by Bart’s treacly human interest stories. At home, Homer corrupts a helper monkey.

    Director:Mark Kirkland
    Writer:Larry Doyle

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  22. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 22 - Trash of the Titans
    7.9/10(29 votes)

    #22 - Trash of the Titans

    S9:E22

    Homer feuds with the Springfield garbage men and decides to run for Sanitation Commissioner. After winning the election with a sleazy campaign, Homer can’t keep the extravagant promises he made to the town.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:Ian Maxtone-Graham

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  23. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 23 - King of the Hill
    7.9/10(28 votes)

    #23 - King of the Hill

    S9:E23

    After Rainier Wolfcastle helps Homer get in shape, Homer accepts a challenge to climb the Murderhorn, the tallest mountain in Springfield.

    Director:Steven Dean Moore
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  24. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 24 - Lost Our Lisa
    7.6/10(27 votes)

    #24 - Lost Our Lisa

    S9:E24

    Bart’s latest stunt thwarts Lisa’s plan to attend a museum exhibit. When she tries to go alone and takes the wrong bus, Homer sets out to find her.

    Director:Pete Michels
    Writer:Brian Scully

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  25. The Simpsons Season 9 Episode 25 - Natural Born Kissers
    7.3/10(34 votes)

    #25 - Natural Born Kissers

    S9:E25

    Homer and Marge try to spice up their love life and are caught baring it all in public. Bart and Lisa discover an alternate ending to Casablanca.

    Director:Klay Hall
    Writer:Matt Selman

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Season 9 Ratings Summary

"The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" is the best rated episode of "The Simpsons" season 9. It scored 8.1/10 based on 42 votes. Directed by Jim Reardon and written by Ian Maxtone-Graham, it aired on 9/21/1997. This episode is rated 1.4 points higher than the second-best, "The Principal and the Pauper".