The 15 Worst 'Simpsons' Episodes Ever

"Lisa Goes Gaga" has Lady Gaga cheering up Lisa and Springfield. Gaga shows Lisa and others how to be themselves. Moe, however, insists on not getting help. Gaga and Lisa perform a duet. Homer sings "Poker Face" during the closing credits.

Why it falls short: Fans, critics, and casual viewers dislike this episode. Gaga's performance gets praise. The forced plot and recycled jokes are hard to watch. Many critics see the episode as a commercial for Lady Gaga, not a "The Simpsons" installment.The Simpsons, a theme that shows up in some newer seasons.

In "The Musk Who Fell to Earth," Elon Musk visits Springfield. He finds ideas in Homer's massive vault. Musk clashes with Mr. Burns, who tries to kill the Tesla CEO. Burns's bullet misses and hits Homer instead. Musk saves the day. Musk leaves in his rocket but returns after finding Lisa as a stowaway.

Why it falls short: Elon Musk might be smart, but he lacks a sense of humor. Like "Lisa Goes Gaga" and other star-studded episodes, "The Musk Who Fell to Earth" acts like a celebrity commercial, not a real episode.

In "Every Man's Dream," Homer and Marge look at a trial separation. Homer and Marge date other people who share a certain connection, all within a dream.

Why it falls short: The dream within a dream method feels redundant and pointless. It is confusing and dull. Who wants to watch Homer and Marge break up after they have overcome so much together?

Original Airing:September 27, 2015
Season:The Simpsons - Season 27
Episode Number: 1

"A Midsummer's Nice Dream" shows Homer replacing Chong after Chong leaves a Cheech and Chong show. Homer perfectly repeats the duo's "Dave's not here, man" line. Cheech invites Homer to join the tour. Chong finds a new partner in Principal Skinner. Meanwhile, Marge starts hoarding.

Why it falls short: Fans of Cheech and Chong might not like this episode. If you like it, the jokes feel watered down. If you don't like it, the stoner themes won't appeal to you. It is a loss for everyone.

Original Airing:March 13, 2011
Season:The Simpsons - Season 22
Episode Number: 16

"What to Expect When Bart's Expecting" shows Bart gaining power to help couples conceive using a faulty voodoo doll. Bart helps several couples with fertility problems. Fat Tony then kidnaps Bart, wanting him to use his magic on horses to breed a champion racehorse, but things go wrong.

Why it falls short: The plot for "What to Expect When Bart's Expecting" is completely new. This episode ranks among the weirdest and creepiest because a ten-year-old helps the town with fertility problems.

"I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say D'oh" shows Marge directing a play Lisa wrote, which parodiesHamiltonEntitledBloody, Bloody JebediahSideshow Mel stars first before Professor Frink takes over. The production earned several awards.

Why it falls short: The episode fails; it lacks humor.Hamilton-inspired show had potential but plays out like a first draft. "A Streetcar Named Marge," which put Marge as the lead in a theater version ofA Streetcar Named Desire, was a better episode

Original Airing:April 7, 2019
Season:The Simpsons - Season 30
Episode Number: 20

"Four Great Women and a Manicure" features belovedSimpsons' characters portray famous historical women, including Selma as Queen Elizabeth I, Lisa as Snow White, Marge as Lady Macbeth, and Maggie as Howard Roark fromThe FountainheaEach segment shows Marge and Lisa bonding over manicures.

Why it falls short: Anthology series are usually The Simpsons' strong point, but this episode feels weak. It is the only episode inThe SimpsonsThe show does not show or mention Bart in history. Only one segment feels memorable. The rest are throwaway moments stuck together haphazardly.

"Homer vs. Dignity" shows Homer working as a prank monkey for Mr. Burns to get extra money, or "d'oh." Homer cruelly mocks his Springfieldians at Mr. Burns' command until Lisa makes her father reclaim his dignity. Homer promises to give the money to a good cause while Mr. Burns continues his evil acts.

Why it falls short: The scene with Homer and the Panda competes for one of the worst in the series' history. Elsewhere, the episode copies directly from previous seasons ofThe Simpsons. Overall, this is a bad episode.

"The Principal and the Pauper" reveals Principal Skinner's real name is Armin Tamzarian. The "real" Seymour Skinner was a POW, and Principal Skinner took his identity. This sudden knowledge ruins the principal's standing until the real Seymour Skinner, who took over at Springfield Elementary, cannot live up to his namesake, proving Tamzarian's worth. Like most episodes, this one ends where it starts; Tamzarian takes back Principal Skinner's role and identity.

Why it falls short:Fans and critics do not favor this episode; they see it as the start of the show's decline. The plot feels forced, Principal Skinner is dull, and the deus ex machina ending earns scorn from dedicated fans.

"The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" takes the Simpsons to Jerusalem for vacation with Ned Flanders. Homer fails to grasp the importance of holy sites. Ned loses his temper and leaves. Homer worries Ned got lost in the desert and gets lost too. Homer has a spiritual shift, and he and Ned fix their fight.

It falls short because of this.The show runs out of ideas when they come up with a reason.Sending characters to far places feels wrong. The depiction of Jerusalem lacks accuracy. Ned getting so upset over Homer seems out of character after 21 seasons living next door.

In "No Good Read Goes Unpunished," Bart learns something from The Art of Warwhile Marge realizes thatThe Princess in the Garden, Marge rewrites the problematic parts of her childhood favorite book. Marge and Lisa find the edits weaken the story.

It falls short because of this.The episode tries to address Hari Kondabolu's documentary.The Problem with Apu, which looks at racial stereotypes in Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. Many felt the plot with Marge and Lisa was tone-deaf and a weak fix, especially when Lisa—the show's moral compass—says, "Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do."

Original Airing:April 8, 2018
Season:The Simpsons - Season 29
Episode Number: 15

"The Strong Arms of the Ma," shows Marge developing agoraphobia after a mugging. To fight her fears, Marge lifts weights and gains a physique like a professional bodybuilder. Marge then takes steroids, which harms her health and personality, leading to a blind rage. Marge later sees the mistakes of her actions.

It falls short because of this.This is another weak Marge episode. Instead of focusing on her true character insecurities, like the Season seven episode "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield," "The Strong Arms of the Ma" brings in strange ideas without adding the right amount of humor.

"A Star Is Torn" covers Krusy's "Li'l Starmaker" competition. Lisa enters, and Homer becomes her manager. Another contestant, Cameron, sings Lisa's song perfectly, and they face off in the finals. Lisa and Homer fight, making Homer Cameron's manager. Homer later ruins Cameron's shot while Lisa uses her final song to thank her dad.

Why it falls short:Fans either love or hate this episode because it focuses on Homer and Lisa's relationship. If you like sappy moments, it is a good episode. If you prefer humor over emotion, it is a skip.

Original Airing:May 8, 2005
Season:The Simpsons - Season 16
Episode Number: 18

Marriage problems hit "My Big Fat Geek Wedding." Edna Krabappel left Seymour Skinner at the altar after learning about his cold feet. Marge and Homer also fight. Edna had a quick fling with the Comic Book Guy, then she chose to be alone.

This fails because it misses the mark.Does anyone care about Skinner and Krabappel's relationship? "My Big Fat Geek Wedding" shows the answer is "No." However, the Comic Book Guy's sharp sarcasm brings some laughs, stopping it from being the "worst episode ever."

"Marge Gamer" shows Marge getting hooked on Earthland Realms., an online multiplayer role-playing game. Many Springfield stars appear in the game. Bart torments them all as the Shadow Knight. Bart crosses a line by destroying Marge in the game, creating real-life tension between them. Homer and Lisa also feud over soccer.

This fails because it misses the mark.Soccer star Ronaldo's guest spot felt awkward. Gamers criticized the inaccurate role-playing game depiction. This Season 11 episode ended up on the list of least memorable moments.