Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.
Air date: 1996-10-27
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: A Halloween trilogy. This time, Bart meets his "pure evil" Siamese twin; Lisa's science project attacks Bart; aliens Kang and Kodos invade as Clinton and Dole's replicas just before the 1996 Presidential election.
Air date: 1996-11-03
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: In an idyllic planned community, Homer works for a new boss who has trouble with the government. Meanwhile, the rest of the family has difficulty dealing with the bucolic burg.
Air date: 1996-11-10
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: When Moe sees that Homer can absorb massive blows to the head, he turns him into a prizefighter and sets up a match with heavyweight champion Drederick Tatum.
Air date: 1996-11-17
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Mr. Burns' boorish long-lost son Larry gets the brush-off from Burns, but Homer hatches a plan to reconcile them.
Air date: 1996-11-24
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: After trespassing and damaging property at a mysterious old house, Bart is required to work there as a punishment... but it turns out to be a burlesque house.
Air date: 1996-12-01
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Kirk and Luann Van Houten are getting a divorce. Homer is confident that it will never happen to him, but Kirk tells him how quickly things can change.
Air date: 1996-12-15
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Lisa develops a crush on Nelson and tries to change him into a better person. Meanwhile, Homer finds an autodialer and starts a telemarketing scam.
Air date: 1996-12-29
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: A hurricane destroys the Flanders' home and they have to move into the church basement. The people of Springfield gather to rebuild their house, but when Ned sees the poor workmanship, he has a complete breakdown.
Air date: 1997-01-05
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: After eating a dish laced with potent peppers during the chili cookoff, Homer has hallucinations where a mystical coyote urges him to find his soulmate.
Air date: 1997-01-12
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Homer witnesses something out of this world in Springfield woods, but no one believes him -- not even FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who come to investigate the incident.
Air date: 1997-01-19
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Marge's new pretzel franchise is failing until Homer strikes a deal with Fat Tony, Springfield's local mobster.
Air date: 1997-02-02
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: To promote teamwork amongst the power plant's employees, Mr. Burns makes them go on a corporate retreat up in the mountains.
Air date: 1997-02-07
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Marge is stressed by the demands of motherhood and the Simpsons get a magical British nanny, who floats down from the sky holding an umbrella.
Air date: 1997-02-09
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: In an attempt to boost ratings, the Itchy and Scratchy Show adds a new "in-your-face" character voiced by Homer.
Air date: 1997-02-16
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: The Simpsons befriend a shop owner, but when Homer discovers the man is gay, he worries about his influence on Bart.
Air date: 1997-02-23
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: When Sideshow Bob is released from prison, his brother Cecil puts him in charge of building Springfield's new hydroelectric dam.
Air date: 1997-03-02
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Lisa has a stellar reputation as a babysitter, but when Homer and Marge leave her in charge of Bart and Maggie, everything starts going wrong.
Air date: 1997-03-16
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: When Prohibition is revived in Springfield, Homer and Bart supply the town with alcohol.
Air date: 1997-04-06
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Bart discovers Principal Skinner and Mrs. Krabappel kissing, and it's not long before the whole town knows of their secret affair.
Air date: 1997-04-13
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: When Bart can't pay the credit card bill for his expensive new purebred dog, the repo men unwittingly take Santa's Little Helper.
Air date: 1997-04-20
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Financially ruined, Mr. Burns turns to Lisa for help in building a recycling business. Lisa believes he's changed, but his new business venture takes a shocking new direction.
Air date: 1997-04-27
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Disturbed that Reverend Lovejoy has lost interest in counseling parishioners, Marge volunteers as the "Listen Lady." Meanwhile, Homer sees his likeness on a box of Japanese detergent.
Air date: 1997-05-04
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: A hardworking new employee at the power plant is consumed with resentment at Homer's undeserved success.
Air date: 1997-05-11
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Troy McClure presents three Simpsons spinoff spoofs: In "Chief Wiggum, P.I.," Chief Wiggum becomes a New Orleans detective. Next, Grampa Simpson's soul is trapped inside Moe's Love tester machine in "The Love-Matic Grampa." Finally, the Simpson family hosts a '70s-style variety show.
Air date: 1997-05-18
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Lisa joins the all-male military school where Bart is sent for discipline. Then comes the hazing.
