The Simpsons is one of the best shows of all time. After 22 seasons it has tallied up 486 episodes, many of which are among the greatest half hours of television ever. The show has a passionate fanbase, and even the casual fans surely have a favorite episode. So, which episode of The Simpsons stands out as the greatest in its vaunted history? That would be season eight's "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show."
Written by David X. Cohen (then David S. Cohen), who went on to co-create Futurama, this is an episode that plays to a particularly kind of fan. The episode is quite self-referential, and satirizes television and fandom in general, so unless you are really into television this may not make a list of your favorite episodes. For those who are interested in such themes, on the other hand, it is a pitch perfect episode.
In "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show," the executives in charge of Krusty the Klown's show are concerned about "The Itchy and Scratchy Show's" flagging ratings. As such, they decide to bring in a new character called Poochie, who is a collection of buzzwords and empty grabs for attention and popularity. Homer gets the job voicing Poochie, but when the character proves unpopular the reaction from fans is virulent, and thus the show's creators decide to kill off Poochie, giving the fans back their old show they had grown ambivalent about, but at least they don't have to deal with change.
Also, a character named Roy is suddenly living with the Simpsons and the show acts as if it has been the case for years, and the character just so happens to share some traits with Poochie, the rocking dog. The jokes about how television works, and the tropes of television, are excellent, particularly in the creation of Poochie. His first appearance is totally in our face, but completely devoid of story. This episode also brought us the first utterance of Comic Book Guy's classic catchphrase, "Worst. Episode. Ever." This moment is one of many dealing with how fans relate to the shows they love.
However, it's not just clever satire and a great plot that makes this episode so excellent. It is also loaded with hilarious lines, and Homer is in outstanding form, which is saying something when you are talking about one of the best characters in TV history. The best joke, however, is not a line but a sight gag. The newspaper's announcement of Poochie comes with the headline, "Funny Dog to Make Life Worthwhile." That basically says it all. Others may have their own favorite episode of The Simpsons, and they will have their own reasons for their choices, but for smart satire and hilarious jokes, you can't beat "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show." That is why it is the best episode of the best show in television history.
Chris Morgan - Chris Morgan is a writer, covering mostly sports and pop culture. You can find his work on Twitter: ...
