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The Simpsons
EpisodesSeason 9 Episode Guide
25 Episodes 1997 - 1998
America's favorite bright-yellow family travel from Springfield to New York City in the opener of the ninth season. They're on a mission to find their car after Barney Gumble takes off with it during a wild bender (predictably, Homer decides to fight back when he discovers he's received a number of parking tickets). And that's just the first of Homer's many wild schemes this season. He also purchases a gun to protect his family after a soccer riot; enlists in the Navy and accidentally pilots a submarine into Soviet territory; coaches Bart's football team; joins a cult; and runs for sanitation commissioner of Springfield in the series' 200th episode, which features guest stars Steve Martin and U2. Season 9 also takes a renewed interest in Lisa, who might be the only member of the family capable of growing up, as she confronts religious hysteria after the skeleton of an angel is discovered, and later fears a genetic disorder might lead her to become as stupid as her father one day.
Episode 1
The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
Sun, Sep 21, 1997 30 mins
The Simpsons go to New York City and, while there, Homer tries to retrieve his illegally parked car, and Marge and the kids see the sights, including a Broadway musical about the Betty Ford Center.
Episode 2
The Principal and the Pauper
Sun, Sep 28, 1997 30 mins
Skinner is declared an impostor by a POW whose identity he assumed in Vietnam. Harry Shearer, Dan Castellaneta, Tress MacNeille, Marcia Wallace, Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright.
Episode 3
Lisa's Sax
Sun, Oct 19, 1997 30 mins
The story of how Lisa got her sax includes Bart's first day at school, his visit to the school psychologist and a heat wave in Springfield. Fyvush Finkel has a voice cameo. Other voices: Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner.
Episode 4
Treehouse of Horror VIII
Sun, Oct 26, 1997 30 mins
In a Halloween trilogy, nuclear survivor Homer battles mutants; Bart is morphed with a fly; Marge is accused of being a witch in 1649.
Episode 5
The Cartridge Family
Sun, Nov 2, 1997 30 mins
Homer buys a gun, but after a few mishaps, Marge demands he get rid of it. When he doesn't, she leaves with the kids.
Episode 6
Bart Star
Sun, Nov 9, 1997 30 mins
Homer heckles Flanders out of coaching Pee Wee football---and then takes over, replacing winning quarterback Nelson with Bart. Joe Namath has a cartoon cameo.
Episode 7
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
Sun, Nov 16, 1997 30 mins
Marge pretends to be Apu's wife so he can avoid an arranged marriage. But his mother learns the truth, and sends for his intended.
Episode 8
Lisa the Skeptic
Sun, Nov 23, 1997 30 mins
Lisa unearths a human skeleton with extra bones suggesting angel's wings to all but Lisa, who's suspected when it disappears. Scientist Stephen Jay Gould has a cameo.
Episode 9
Realty Bites
Sun, Dec 7, 1997 30 mins
Marge gets a realtor's license and goes to work---for Lionel Hutz, who finds her honesty a dubious asset. Meanwhile, Homer buys a hot rod at a police auction, but the incarcerated former owner protests.
Episode 10
Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
Sun, Dec 21, 1997 30 mins
After accidentally destroying the Simpsons' Christmas gifts, Bart claims a burglar stole them, and Springfield responds generously to that false news.
Episode 11
All Singing, All Dancing
Sun, Jan 4, 1998 30 mins
Homer's declared distaste for musicals prompts flashbacks to song-and-dance scenes from past episodes. Voices: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harry Shearer, Hank Azaria.
Episode 12
Bart Carny
Sun, Jan 11, 1998 30 mins
Homer and Bart become carnival workers, and take in two fellow carnies whose crooked game is closed by Chief Wiggum. Voices: Jim Varney, Hank Azaria, Tress MacNeille, Dan Castellaneta, Harry Shearer.
Episode 13
The Joy of Sect
Sun, Feb 8, 1998 30 mins
Cult members find Homer difficult to win over as they woo Springfield citizens with the promise of a life of serenity with their Leader. That is, as soon as they can fuel their spaceship for the trip to the planet Blisstonia.
Episode 14
Das Bus
Sun, Feb 15, 1998 30 mins
A bus accident strands Bart, Lisa and their classmates on an island; Homer starts a business on the Internet.
Episode 15
The Last Temptation of Krust
Sun, Feb 22, 1998 30 mins
After bombing at a comedy festival, Krusty retires---briefly. Jay Leno, Janeane Garofalo, Bobcat Goldthwait and Steven Wright have cameos.
Episode 16
Dumbbell Indemnity
Sun, Mar 1, 1998 30 mins
Broke from courting his new girlfriend, Moe recruits Homer for an illegal scheme so he can keep financing the romancing.
Episode 17
Lisa the Simpson
Sun, Mar 8, 1998 30 mins
Grandpa says "Simpson genes" are behind Lisa's sudden lack of brain power; Jasper tries to live for the future in the Kwik-E-Mart freezer.
Episode 18
This Little Wiggy
Sun, Mar 22, 1998 30 mins
Marge orders Bart to play with Ralph Wiggum, an appalling task---until Bart gets hold of Chief Wiggum's master key to the city.
Episode 19
Simpson Tide
Sun, Mar 29, 1998 30 mins
A nuclear-sub captain (Rod Steiger) puts naval reservist Homer in command during war games. Bob Denver has a cameo.
Episode 20
The Trouble With Trillions
Sun, Apr 5, 1998 30 mins
During a tax audit, Homer strikes an unusual deal---he agrees to work for the FBI and to recover a trillion-dollar bill embezzled by Mr. Burns.
Episode 21
Girly Edition
Sun, Apr 19, 1998 30 mins
Lisa is "anchorchild" of a TV news show for kids, but Bart steals the show after some coaching from Kent Brockman. Meanwhile, Homer's "helper monkey" is no help to Marge.
Episode 22
Trash of the Titans
Sun, Apr 26, 1998 30 mins
Steve Martin and rock band U2 are guest voices as Homer defeats the sanitation commissioner with a dirty campaign and a slew of crazy promises.
Episode 23
King of the Hill
Sun, May 3, 1998 30 mins
Homer gets in shape (no, really!) and climbs a mountain to promote the alleged health-food product that helped him achieve success.
Episode 24
Lost Our Lisa
Sun, May 10, 1998 30 mins
Lisa tricks Homer into giving her permission to take the bus downtown alone---then she gets lost.
Episode 25
Natural Born Kissers
Sun, May 17, 1998 30 mins
Marge and Homer nearly get caught when they re-create their first intimate encounter---at a miniature-golf course; Bart and Lisa unearth a film can containing an alternate ending to "Casablanca."
