As of this coming December, The Simpsons will have been on the air for 25 years. The very first episode, 'Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire' (that's the Christmas episode in which Homer and Bart adopt Santa's Little Helper at the dog racing track), premiered on 17 December, 1989, almost a quarter of a century ago!
So...how to celebrate this auspicious occasion? Well, for starters, you can load up on cool Simpsons stuff - from cufflinks to mugs, we've got plenty to go around here at Gadget Inspector.
Still, this is one heck of an anniversary, and we figure that simply hawking our wares would not be doing justice to those endlessly influential yellow folk. So, in tribute to 25 years of The Simpsons, here are Gadget Inspector's Top 5 Moments from America's funniest TV show:
5. Mr Snrub (from 'Marge vs. The Monorail')
In this classic episode, Mr Burns gets fined several million dollars for dumping nuclear waste in a city park. A town meeting is called to decide how the money should be spent - the people of Springfield eventually opt to buy a monorail, but not before Mr Burns has tried to get the $3 million back in his own vault:
Mr Burns [wearing cunning disguise]: Hello, my name is Mr Snurb, and I come from...uh...someplace far away. Yes, that'll do. Anyway, I say we invest that money back in the nuclear plant.
Smithers: I like the way Snrub thinks!
4. Strapped for Cash (from 'Rosebud')
Another vintage Burns moment. The frail old billionaire is searching for his beloved teddy bear, 'Bobo', and Homer realises that Maggie is playing with the tattered old toy. He takes the bear to Burns, expecting a big reward:
Mr Burns: Naturally, I can't pay you much of a reward because I'm strapped for cash.
[The ceiling collapses, showering Burns with gold and jewels. A crown lands on his head.]
Mr Burns: As you can see, this old place is falling apart!
Well saved, Monty.
3. Not the Elephants! (from 'Cape Feare')
When most people think of this episode, they think of the infamous 'stepping on rakes' scene. If you ask us, though, there's a funnier moment in 'Cape Feare', and it arrives when Sideshow Bob confronts his nemesis Bart while lying in the road:
Sideshow Bob: Surely there's no harm in lying in the middle of a public street?
[Bob is then trampled by a large parade, including a marching band and several elephants]
2. So Long Dental Plan! (from 'Last Exit to Springfield')
Dental plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental plan!
Lisa needs braces!
etc.
1. Ghost Car (from 'Marge on the Lam')
Yep, this is our all-time favourite. Marge and her friend Ruth are driving down a dark highway with Chief Wiggum (and Homer) in hot pursuit:
Ruth: Look Marge, there's no reason for you to get dragged into this. Once we lose the cops, I'll let you out.
Marge: Well, I don't think they'll be that easy to lose. These are professional lawmen, and-
[Ruth switches off the car's tail lights]
Wiggum [in the other car]: OH MY GOD, IT JUST DISAPPEARED!! IT'S A *GHOST CAR*!!
It's the Chief's completely horrified reaction that really sells this one. Classic.
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