Recently, I started listening to the creator commentaries on The Simpsons on DVD, and it’s been the bee’s knees! The commentaries are full of all sorts of interesting behind-the-scenes chatter and trivia. Like the fact that one writer, John Swartzwelder, wrote 50+ episodes and is likely responsible for every memorable joke, gag or plot from the series – and he’s also an eccentric recluse. Or the fact that the episode where Bart sells his soul is actually based on a prank one writer played on a bully in his youth. And there’s the idea that the creators planned a spin-off called ‘Tales from Springfield’, which would have been about all the supporting characters. Good times!

So for this week’s List of Six, I’ve decided to write one up about my favorite one-off, one-joke Simpsons characters!

I regret having never owned this poster

The Simpsons is not only the best television show of all time, but it’s clearly the best cast of all time. From Homer to Bart to Mr. Burns to Surly to Ruth Powers, there are hundreds of great, timeless characters! But I’m talking the minor, obscure characters who only appeared in a single episode, or maybe had a single gag. Those are some of the absolute best parts of The Simpsons!

Feel free to share some of your own favorites in the comments!

Read the rest of this entry →