Recap / The Nostalgia Critic S 5 E 22

Release: June 5, 2012

Show: The Simpsons (1989-present)

Countdown

1. "Bart Gets An F" (1990)
2. Every Treehouse of Horror episode
3. "Lisa's Wedding" (1995)
4. "Homer the Great" (1995)
5. "Marge vs. The Monorail" (1993)
6. "22 Short Films About Springfield" (1996)
7. "Homer at the Bat" (1992)
8. "Cape Feare" (1993)
9. "Homer's Enemy" (1997)
10. "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge" (1990)
11. "Deep Space Homer" (1994)

Runners-up

• "Blood Feud" (1991)
• "Rosebud" (1993)
• "Lisa on Ice" (1994)
• "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" (1995)
• "Mother Simpson" (1995)

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This countdown contains examples of:

• Critical Dissonance: Invoked before he reveals the #1 pick.
  Critic: Now, before I get to Number 1, I want to point out that this is all opinion-based—
  Off-screen audience member: We're gonna hate it, aren't we?
  Critic: Everyone has their own different take on things...
  Off-screen audience member: It's a real bad one, isn't it?
  Critic: What you might like, I might not. What I may like, you may not—
  Off-screen audience member: Hate it already!
  Critic: (annoyed) Just show it!
• Darker and Edgier: The Critic's perception of "Homer's Enemy":
  "This is easily one of the darkest episodes The Simpsons have put out — and I'm not gonna lie, that's what makes it so enjoyable."
• Elephant in the Room: Critic argues with the Running Gag character over the credits.
• Fanon Discontinuity: The episode opens with the Critic wistfully reminiscing about The Simpsons as if it already ended years ago.
  Critic: And, if it was still on air today, I'm sure it would continue to inspire and challenge all of the masses out there— (a promotion for a modern Simpsons episode appears, killing the mood) Goddamn it, it's still on?!
• Lame Comeback: Overheard during the arguing in the credits:
  Elephant: In my opinion, you're an ass.
  Critic: (yelling) You know what?! You're a goddamn elephant!
• Leaning on the Fourth Wall: When discussing "22 Shorts Films About Springfield":
  Critic: I think the only nitpick I have is that while they did connect a lot of the stories together, they never did connect it to the commercial interruptions.^note In the episode, there was no segue between Moe trapped behind bullet-proof glass while Snake robs him and "Skinner and the Superintendant", or between various characters visiting Lisa about her gum problem and "Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel". And that really annoys me, because it's like the commercials just get in the way of every(ad break)thing.
• Orphaned Reference: The Critic's summary of "Homer's Enemy" does not mention Bart's subplot at all, yet the clip of Frank Grimes ranting about Homer's home life still retains him mentioning "a son who owns a factory".
• Seasonal Rot: Invoked:
  Critic: Yes, like most people, I really wish The Simpsons would just up and die so we can talk about what a great impact it had on comedy as opposed to asking why the hell they’re beating a dead horse with another dead horse!
• Where the Hell Is Springfield?: Referenced.
  Critic: Well, let's travel back to Springfield, El-la-ca-chusetts, this is the Top 11 Best Simpsons Episodes.

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"Mono... D'oh!"