The Simpsons - The Complete Third Season - The Complete Third Season

Animation, Comedy, Family

Doris Grau
Marcia Mitzman Gaven
Dan Castellaneta	Homer Simpson / Grampa / Barney Gumble / Krusty the Klown / Groundskeeper Willie / Mayor Quimby / Ha
Julie Kavner	Marge Simpson / Patty & Selma Bouvier / Others
Nancy Cartwright	Bart Simpson / Nelson Muntz / Todd Flanders / Ralph Wiggum / Kearney / Others
Yeardley Smith	Lisa Simpson
Hank Azaria	Moe Szyslak / Chief Wiggum / Apu / Comic Book Guy / Cletus / Prof. Frink / Others
Harry Shearer	Montgomery Burns / Waylon Smithers / Ned Flanders / Kent Brockman / Rev. Lovejoy / Principal Skinner
Marcia Wallace	Edna Krabappel
Phil Hartman	Lionel Hutz / Troy McClure
Tress MacNeille	Jimbo Jones / Agnes Skinner / Others
Pamela Hayden	Milhouse Van Houten / Rod Flanders / Others
Kipp Lennon	Leon Kompowsky
Michael Jackson	Leon Kompowsky

Director	Rich Moore; Wesley Archer; Alan Smart; Brad Bird
Producer	Larina Adamson; Joseph A. Boucher; George Meyer
Writer	James L. Brooks; Matt Groening
Cinematography	Conan O'Brain
Musician	Alf Clausen

Broadcast in 1991, the third season of The Simpsons contains a host of candidates for "Best Simpsons Episode Ever." Homer is in such good form throughout that a reasonable case can be made that he has superseded the importance of his Greek namesake in the annals of culture and civilization. The opener, "Stark Raving Dad," for instance, features a guest appearance by an uncredited Michael Jackson, who plays an obese white inmate whom Homer meets while confined to a mental institution. Other standout episodes include "Like Father, Like Clown," in which Krusty reveals he is estranged from his Rabbi father; this is The Simpsons at the height of its powers, mature, ironic, erudite, and touching while bristling with slapstick and Bart-inspired cheek. "Flaming Moe's" features Aerosmith and sees Homer invent a cocktail that desperate, sleazy bartender Moe steals from him. "Radio Bart" is another demonstration of the series' knack for cultural references, parodying the Billy Wilder movie Ace in the Hole. Finally, there's "Brother Can You Spare Two Dimes," in which Danny DeVito reprises his role as Homer's brother, regaining the fortune Homer lost him by inventing a Baby Translator. Immensely enjoyable at any level, this third year demonstrates conclusively that The Simpsons is quite simply, and by a large margin, the greatest television show ever. --David Stubbs