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The Simpsons Season 8 Episodes
Season 8 Episode Guide
25 Episodes 1996 - 1997
The eighth season opens with another trilogy of horror-themed tales (the best of which focuses on alien invaders taking over a U.S. presidential election) and a classic episode in which Homer lands an impressive job at a planned community but fails to notice that his friendly new boss is actually a James Bond supervillain named Hank Scorpio. As the season progresses, the writers take the unusual step of letting the residents of Springfield grow and change in small ways: Milhouse's parents get divorced, Lisa shares her first kiss with school bully Nelson Muntz and the cartoon show "Itchy & Scratchy" adds a new character in order to boost its ratings (this storyline coined the well-known phrase "Worst. Episode. Ever."). Other highlights include Homer's stint as a bootlegger after Prohibition is declared in Springfield, cameos from "X-Files" characters Mulder and Scully (guest voices of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson) and a notorious episode in which Homer earns the wrath of a hardworking employee who's baffled by Homer's success.
Episode 1
Treehouse of Horror VII
Sun, Oct 27, 1996 30 mins
A Halloween trilogy. This time, Bart meets his "pure evil" Siamese twin; Lisa's science project attacks Bart; aliens Kang and Kodos invade Clinton and Dole's replicas just before the 1996 Presidential election.
Episode 2
You Only Move Twice
Sun, Nov 3, 1996 30 mins
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.
Episode 3
The Homer They Fall
Sun, Nov 10, 1996 30 mins
Moe turns Homer into a prizefighter, who meets the champ in a bout called by ring announcer Michael Buffer. Other voices: Paul Winfield, Hank Azaria, Dan Castellaneta, Pamela Hayden, Julie Kavner, Harry Shearer.
Episode 4
Burns, Baby Burns
Sun, Nov 17, 1996 30 mins
Rodney Dangerfield is the voice of Mr. Burns' illegitimate son, who irritates Burns with his lack of social graces. Other voices: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Nancy Cartwright.
Episode 5
Bart After Dark
Sun, Nov 24, 1996 30 mins
While Marge and Lisa are away, Bart becomes the right-hand man for the owner of a burlesque house. Voices: Tress MacNeille, Nancy Cartwright, Julie Kavner, Dan Castellaneta, Harry Shearer, Hank Azaria.
Episode 6
A Milhouse Divided
Sun, Dec 1, 1996 30 mins
Milhouse's parents decide to divorce, prompting Homer to take action to prevent a similar fate for himself and Marge. Voices: Maggie Roswell, Hank Azaria, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright.
Episode 7
Lisa's Date with Density
Sun, Dec 15, 1996 30 mins
Lisa develops a crush on Nelson, and then she tries to change him. Meanwhile, Homer solicits money over the phone using an automatic telephone dialer. Voices: Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith.
Episode 8
Hurricane Neddy
Sun, Dec 29, 1996 30 mins
Citizens rebuild the Flanders' hurricane-damaged house. But Ned's guilt about criticizing their work sends him to a mental hospital. Voices: Harry Shearer, Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Pamela Hayden, Julie Kavner.
Episode 9
El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer)
Sun, Jan 5, 1997 30 mins
Chief Wiggum's chili peppers send Homer on a hallucinatory, spiritual journey that makes him question whether Marge is his soulmate. Voices: Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner.
Episode 10
The Springfield Files
Sun, Jan 12, 1997 30 mins
Homer's claim of an alien sighting brings FBI agents Scully and Mulder to investigate. Guest voices: Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, Leonard Nimoy. Dan Castellaneta, Harry Shearer.
Episode 11
The Twisted World of Marge Simpson
Sun, Jan 19, 1997 30 mins
A smooth talker sells Marge on the pretzel business. But when sales go soft, Homer asks crime boss Fat Tony for help. Joe Mantegna, Julie Kavner, Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Maggie Roswell.
Episode 12
Mountain of Madness
Sun, Feb 2, 1997 30 mins
On a company mountain retreat, an avalanche traps hiking partners Homer and Mr. Burns in a cabin. Voices: Harry Shearer, Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith, Nancy Cartwright.
Episode 13
Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious.
Fri, Feb 7, 1997 30 mins
When Marge suffers stress-related hair loss, the Simpsons hire nanny Shary Bobbins, who speaks in song and inspires others to do so. But the Simpsons may prove too much for her. Voices: Maggie Roswell, Hank Azaria, Julie Kavner.
Episode 14
The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show
Sun, Feb 9, 1997 30 mins
Itchy and Scratchy creator Roger Myers picks Homer to be the voice of a new canine character---who is roundly rejected by the public.
Episode 15
Homer's Phobia
Sun, Feb 16, 1997 30 mins
Homer's fearful about the potential influence that the Simpsons' new gay friend may have on Bart.
Episode 16
The Brother From Another Series
Sun, Feb 23, 1997 30 mins
Murderous convict Sideshow Bob (Kelsey Grammer) is released to work for his brother Cecil (David Hyde Pierce), whom Bob bested at the Krusty-sidekick audition.
Episode 17
My Sister, My Sitter
Sun, Mar 2, 1997 30 mins
Lisa's reputation as a first-rate baby sitter is jeopardised when she's put in charge of Bart, who's determined to make things tough.
Episode 18
Homer vs. the 18th Amendment
Sun, Mar 16, 1997 30 mins
Homer becomes a bootlegger when Springfield decides to enforce a 200-year-old prohibition decree. Voices: Dave Thomas, Hank Azaria, Dan Castellaneta, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith.
Episode 19
Grade School Confidential
Sun, Apr 6, 1997 30 mins
After witnessing a kiss between Skinner and Mrs. Krabappel, Bart becomes their confidante. But rumors of their passion lead to their being fired---until Skinner reveals a secret.
Episode 20
The Canine Mutiny
Sun, Apr 13, 1997 30 mins
Bart replaces Santa's Little Helper with a "limited edition" dog he bought with a fraudulent credit card.
Episode 21
The Old Man and the Lisa
Sun, Apr 20, 1997 30 mins
Penniless from bad investments, Burns asks for help from Lisa, who turns him into a profitable recycler. But then Burns takes things a nasty step further to increase his dividends. Pro wrestler Bret "The Hit Man" Hart has a voice cameo.
Episode 22
In Marge We Trust
Sun, Apr 27, 1997 30 mins
Reverend Lovejoy puts Marge in charge of counseling parishioners; Homer finds his likeness is popular in Japan as the symbol for a cleaning product.
Episode 23
Homer's Enemy
Sun, May 4, 1997 30 mins
A new plant employee who's had it tough resents Homer's lack of professionalism and his cushy life. Meanwhile, Bart buys an abandoned factory at an auction for a dollar.
Episode 24
The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase
Sun, May 11, 1997 30 mins
Three mock spin-offs: "Chief Wiggum, P.I."; "The Love-Matic Grandpa"; and "The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour," with guest star Tim Conway and a teen stand-in for Lisa.
Episode 25
The Secret War of Lisa Simpson
Sun, May 18, 1997 30 mins
Lisa joins the all-male military school where Bart is sent for discipline. Then comes the hazing.
