Majestic Twleve - Favorite Faces From The Simpsons

Lately I’ve been a bit on a Simpsons kick. And while I don’t think I could accurately list all 12 of my favorite episodes (because picking a solid twelve of near 600 episodes is almost as difficult as picking a solid twelve of near 700 Pokemon) I can certainly pick characters that I enjoy seeing from time to time. If a character you like didn’t get mentioned, don’t feel bad, there are plenty I would love to have listed, but these are the supporting characters (so not the main family) that I really have enjoyed throughout the series. 

#12 – Ralph Wiggum – Ralph gets a spot over his dad for many reasons. Mostly, a bumbling cop that progressively gets less knowledgeable about how the law works throughout the series is a tiresome gag. Ralph’s relative intelligence is actually something enjoyable as it is often contrasted with Lisa’s higher functioning brainpower. It’s also cute to see him paired up with Bart for a few of their misadventures. But what allows Ralph to stand out is that for all the stupid things he says, they are among the most memorable quotes because they’re either just insanely bizarre or they’re truth presented in the most simple and direct way which is both surprising and obvious at the same time.

#11 – Fat Tony D’Micco– For as little as he’s in the show, Fat Tony (now Fit-Fat Tony) has been one of the major antagonists of the series throughout its run and while a stereotype of an Italian Mobster, he’s still a fun horrible boss. You’ll be unsurprised to hear he isn’t the only “villainous” character to make the cut of this list. As for Fat Tony, his involvement with the Simpson family on various money-shortage occasions has led Homer into some less than ideal situations, all of which make for entertaining adventures. But the voice acting is one thing that really helps sell this character. If I ever get around to doing a top ten guest-voice actors, Joe Mantegna would certainly get on that list.

#10 – Snake – It’s simple. He’s a crook. He’s a murderer (sometimes). He’s a kidnapper. He’s Springfield’s best and worst criminal all at the same time. Best because he’s always committing crimes and escaping the cops. Worst because he eventually always gets caught, though he is certainly capable of escaping prison again. When he isn’t involved in the main story, he’s usually used in a minor gag that usually involves Chief Wiggum. But the few times he’s been involved in the main story, he is generally my favorite part like when he and Homer fight in a sports car that crashes into a murder house Marge is trying to sell. Or when he tries to steal back his ex-girlfriend from Mr. Burns. Somehow, Snake always wins and the absurdity of that is what makes me enjoy his antics.

#09 – Comic Book Guy – I’m a comic, gaming, and movie nerd. We have to stick together. But, in all seriousness, I really do enjoy Comic Book Guy’s character because I like seeing a representation of nerd culture in here outside of Lisa (who is… not the best example of positive nerd culture). Granted, Comic Book Guy has his problems, but I can accept that because he’s designed as an exaggeration of nerd culture problems taken to a humorous level. On top of that, we’ve seen in him multiple episodes being described as one of the most intelligent minds in Springfield with only Lisa and possibly Professor Frink being more intelligent. He’s just… kind of an asshole.

#08 – Groundskeeper Willie – Another exaggerated stereotype, Willie is just a fun character for all of the outlandish things he’s expected to do… and then completely fulfills. Being a physical fit muscle-head that chases dogs in airvents or becoming a nightmarish monster in the dreams of the children of Springfield or even being the failed hero of those children whenever everyone and everything turns against them, he’s a character who never stops and never quits. Things never quite work out for him for whatever reason (usually an axe to the back) but the fact is he at least tries and we know he certainly means well every time.

#07 – Edna Krabappel – When I first heard that she and Ned Flanders had gotten together, I was actually excited. It seemed like an odd pairing with many possibilities. It allowed both characters to grow and experience new storylines. I was all for that. But shortly after this pairing became official, the voice actress for Edna Krabappel died. Much like when Phil Hartman died, all of Marcia Wallace’s characters (which I think is just Edna) were retired. But unlike Troy McClure, Edna was tied to a very important and central character to the series. So writing her out not only felt incredibly unnatural, but against her character. I agree, out of respect for the actress, you write the character out of the show. But this was a no-win situation for the show’s writers, leaving only a depressed and lonely Ned Flanders to once again wallow in despair. But she was the perfect foil to Bart Simpson in every way and no matter what, no character will ever properly take her place.

#06 – Lenny & Carl – Like most top-ten lists, I’m putting these two together. Rarely are they ever seen apart and the humor of these characters is best when they’re together or referencing each other. Whether it’s the bad advice they give Homer (and sometimes Moe) or the cute “more than friends” jokes that take place whenever an intimate moment happens with Homer and Marge, these two are one of the best pairs in Springfield, if not the best pair. There’s really nothing all that special about either one of them beyond the fact they’re just drunken friends of Homer that can often steal the show from Homer with a few solid lines of funny dialogue.

#05 – Moe Syzlack – What better way to follow up Homer’s best friends with one of Homer’s best enablers, Moe Syzlack? Moe is Springfield’s sinister bartender who uses whatever methods he can to keep residents like Homer and Barney coming back for more. He runs his business poorly and cheaply. The fact he hasn’t killed more people from the stuff he serves is ridiculous. But it’s all these dark and seedy things that happen at Moe’s Tavern that make Moe a fun character. Plus the prank calls from Bart are just a delicious icing on the cake. Episodes that feature Moe as the main character? Not as great as when he’s a side-character. But he’s still an overall joy to watch.

#04 – Ned Flanders – The nicest man in Springfield who constantly suffers through all of Homer’s crap day after day. The man who suffers loss more than most Springfield residents. The man who can, at times, be insufferable with his insane levels of devotion to God. Ned Flanders is a rare combination of traits that, in other situations, would be a horrible character. But Flanders is a fun foil to Homer in many ways that allows the pairing of the two produce some of the best episodes of the series. Not to mention Ned feels like a necessary moral balance to the show as most characters are just horrible people doing horrible things. Ned is no exception, but he at least as good intentions behind everything he does.

#03 – Mr. Charles Montgomery Burns – This old bastard is one of the biggest villains of the series. He uses his money and power to keep the town of Springfield under his weak and frail thumb. He was shot by Maggie Simpson in one of the most bizarre and hilarious mysteries of the series. He has every known disease and could be killed with little effort if someone would just try. He can’t remember Homer’s name. He’s basically the devil incarnate and his goal is to make the lives of those in Springfield miserable day after day. He has moments where he can do some good, but is still ultimately a monster and that’s what makes him great.

#02 – Sideshow Bob – Don’t be surprised. One of the show’s best guest stars plays one of the show’s best recurring villain character. Yes, his antics and exploits to murder the Simpson family get more ridiculous and hard to believe as he keeps going. But he’s still an amazingly fun and complex character. He’s been on the show roughly a dozen times as a central character, and more for small cameos (not including couch gags and intros). The fact he’s the arch enemy to a ten year old boy and has a serious problem with rakes. From the musical numbers he performs in nearly every episode to the insanely over-the-top plans to kill those in his way, Sideshow Bob is a character I hope they keep coming up with brilliant ideas to have revisit the show again and again.

#01 – Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz – Is it cheating to do two for the number one spot? Is it still cheating if it’s the same voice actor putting out two of the most ridiculous caricatures of both washed-up Hollywood actors and sleazy lawyers? Simpsons did both those first and did them right with McClure and Hutz, performed by the always amazing Phil Hartman. McClure is the character used to help explain expositional nonsense when the show needed it, and it was a joy to see every time. Hutz played the role of the family lawyer who was simply terrible at his job in virtually every way, but I loved him for it and his existence is part of why I enjoyed Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad. I just really like horrible and sleazy lawyer characters. It’s a shame Phil Hartman was killed, forcing these beloved characters into retirement. For those who claim the first 5-10 seasons are the gold years, I’d like to believe part of that was because of these characters and the roles they played in the Simpsons world. No other characters exist to replace them or fulfill those same tasks, but I feel any attempt at such would just fall flat.

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