Marge vs. the Monorail

A con artist sells Springfield a dodgy monorail system.

This is very strong and memorable episode with great humour.

The strength of 'Marge Vs The Monorail' is the prolific number of gags and the use of characters. Homer and family lead it well; but there is great use of guest characters like Lyle Langley and Leonard Nimoy. Regulars like Mr Burns, Smithers, Mayor Quimby, and Chief Wiggum also have great moments.

Additionally the Monorail song is very funny and the animation is some of the best up this point in the show's run.

I think I have probably watched this episode dozens of times now and it never gets boring or repetitive. From the opening scenes with Homer's take on the Flintstones song '... about to hit a chestnut tree!' To the image of Mr Burns as Hannibal Lectar...

Just a classic episode from when The Simpsons were at their very best.

When Mr. Burns is fined three million dollars (pocket change) for dumping toxic waste right in town, Springfield has a windfall. They are about to fix Main Street, when a sort of Harold Hill shows up and talks them into building a monorail. All common sense goes out the window. Cleverly done with an actual heroic act performed by Homer.

Pretty good rule of thumb: the best episodes usually show a flagrant contempt for the town's citizens (a lot like South Park). In this case, the use of a $3 million windfall a mass transit boondoggle rather than much-needed street repairs. On the other hand, don't you wish town halls can be settled so easily with Phil Hartman and a big musical number? The jokes are hopelessly cynical (read: hysterical) and even Leonard Nimoy gets in on the fun. The whole thing's a treat.

8/10

Conan wrote one of the funniest episodes of the Simpsons ever. When the town comes into money they foolishly spend it when a shyster played by Phil Hartman convinces the the town they need a Monorail system just like Ogdenville and North Haverbrook. Homer becomes the monorail driver and everything goes haywire! The "Monorail Song" is hilarious! One of the funniest lines in a Simpsons song is when Apu asks in song, "is there a chance the track could bend?" Phil Hartman's character answers, "Not on your life my Hindu friend." Leonard Nimoy appears in one of his 2 guest appearances on the Simpsons. I wish Conan still wrote for the Simpsons, it might still be funny if he did.