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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!

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 9 Ratings Summary

"The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" is the best rated episode of "The Simpsons" season 9. It scored 9/10 based on 5313 votes. Directed by Jim Reardon and written by Ian Maxtone-Graham, it aired on 9/21/1997. This episode is rated 2.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Principal and the Pauper".

  • The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
    9.0/105,313 votes

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

    Season 9 Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/1997

    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

  • The Principal and the Pauper
    6.9/103,797 votes

    #2 - The Principal and the Pauper

    Season 9 Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/1997

    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

  • Lisa's Sax
    8.1/102,821 votes

    #3 - Lisa's Sax

    Season 9 Episode 3 - Aired 10/19/1997

    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

  • Treehouse of Horror VIII
    8.2/103,129 votes

    #4 - Treehouse of Horror VIII

    Season 9 Episode 4 - Aired 10/26/1997

    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

    Writer: David X. Cohen, Mike Scully, Ned Goldreyer

  • The Cartridge Family
    8.2/103,108 votes

    #5 - The Cartridge Family

    Season 9 Episode 5 - Aired 11/2/1997

    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

  • Bart Star
    7.6/102,631 votes

    #6 - Bart Star

    Season 9 Episode 6 - Aired 11/9/1997

    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

  • The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
    7.6/102,562 votes

    #7 - The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons

    Season 9 Episode 7 - Aired 11/16/1997

    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

  • Lisa the Skeptic
    8.1/102,825 votes

    #8 - Lisa the Skeptic

    Season 9 Episode 8 - Aired 11/23/1997

    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

  • Realty Bites
    7.6/102,572 votes

    #9 - Realty Bites

    Season 9 Episode 9 - Aired 12/7/1997

    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

  • Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
    7.6/102,826 votes

    #10 - Miracle on Evergreen Terrace

    Season 9 Episode 10 - Aired 12/21/1997

    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

  • All Singing, All Dancing
    5.0/102,919 votes

    #11 - All Singing, All Dancing

    Season 9 Episode 11 - Aired 1/4/1998

    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

  • Bart Carny
    7.6/102,642 votes

    #12 - Bart Carny

    Season 9 Episode 12 - Aired 1/11/1998

    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

  • The Joy of Sect
    8.3/102,959 votes

    #13 - The Joy of Sect

    Season 9 Episode 13 - Aired 2/8/1998

    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

  • Das Bus
    8.2/102,900 votes

    #14 - Das Bus

    Season 9 Episode 14 - Aired 2/15/1998

    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

  • The Last Temptation of Krust
    7.4/102,483 votes

    #15 - The Last Temptation of Krust

    Season 9 Episode 15 - Aired 2/22/1998

    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

  • Dumbbell Indemnity
    7.6/102,522 votes

    #16 - Dumbbell Indemnity

    Season 9 Episode 16 - Aired 3/1/1998

    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

  • Lisa the Simpson
    8.0/102,796 votes

    #17 - Lisa the Simpson

    Season 9 Episode 17 - Aired 3/8/1998

    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

  • This Little Wiggy
    7.8/102,600 votes

    #18 - This Little Wiggy

    Season 9 Episode 18 - Aired 3/22/1998

    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

  • Simpson Tide
    8.1/103,117 votes

    #19 - Simpson Tide

    Season 9 Episode 19 - Aired 3/29/1998

    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

    Writer: Jennifer Ventimilia, Joshua Sternin

  • The Trouble with Trillions
    7.8/102,932 votes

    #20 - The Trouble with Trillions

    Season 9 Episode 20 - Aired 4/5/1998

    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

  • Girly Edition
    7.8/102,540 votes

    #21 - Girly Edition

    Season 9 Episode 21 - Aired 4/19/1998

    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

  • Trash of the Titans
    8.4/103,366 votes

    #22 - Trash of the Titans

    Season 9 Episode 22 - Aired 4/26/1998

    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

  • King of the Hill
    8.2/103,020 votes

    #23 - King of the Hill

    Season 9 Episode 23 - Aired 5/3/1998

    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

  • Lost Our Lisa
    7.7/102,466 votes

    #24 - Lost Our Lisa

    Season 9 Episode 24 - Aired 5/10/1998

    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

  • Natural Born Kissers
    8.0/102,641 votes

    #25 - Natural Born Kissers

    Season 9 Episode 25 - Aired 5/17/1998

    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