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The Best Episodes Written By John Swartzwelder

Every TV Episode Written by John Swartzwelder Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 11 Episode 1 - Madonna/Simple Minds
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    S11:E1

    Sketches include: ""SNL Drug Tests,"" ""A Message From The Almighty,"" ""National Inquirer Theatre,"" ""Pinklisting,"" ""Cabrini Green,"" and ""Nancy Reagan Meets Charles and Di."" Simple Minds performed ""Alive and Kicking.""

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  2. undefined Season 8 Episode 2 - You Only Move Twice
    8.5/10(49 votes)

    S8:E2

    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.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  3. undefined Season 6 Episode 12 - Homer the Great
    8.4/10(49 votes)

    S6:E12

    Homer joins the secret society of the Stonecutters and is suddenly exalted when the brethren discover his birthmark. The ancient order is shaken to the core by the ineptitude of its new Chosen One.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  4. undefined Season 8 Episode 18 - Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment
    8.4/10(42 votes)

    S8:E18

    When Prohibition is revived in Springfield, Homer and Bart supply the town with alcohol.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  5. undefined Season 8 Episode 23 - Homer's Enemy
    8.4/10(52 votes)

    S8:E23

    A hardworking new employee at the power plant is consumed with resentment at Homer's undeserved success.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  6. undefined Season 5 Episode 4 - Rosebud
    8.1/10(49 votes)

    S5:E4

    Burns longs for a childhood toy that winds up in the grip of Maggie.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  7. undefined Season 7 Episode 17 - Homer the Smithers
    8.1/10(40 votes)

    S7:E17

    Forced to take a vacation, Smithers needs to find a temporary replacement who won't outshine him. Homer seems the perfect choice until a sudden outburst forces Mr. Burns to assert his independence.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  8. undefined Season 8 Episode 12 - Mountain of Madness
    8.1/10(38 votes)

    S8:E12

    To promote teamwork amongst the power plant's employees, Mr. Burns makes them go on a corporate retreat up in the mountains.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  9. undefined Season 3 Episode 4 - Bart the Murderer
    8.0/10(54 votes)

    S3:E4

    While working for Fat Tony, Bart gains enough influence with his boss to solve his problems with Principal Skinner--perhaps permanently.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  10. undefined Season 6 Episode 14 - Bart's Comet
    8.0/10(42 votes)

    S6:E14

    When Bart is forced to assist Principal Skinner in early-morning astronomy observations, he discovers a giant comet heading towards Springfield. Facing impending doom, the entire town shows up at the Flanders family bomb shelter.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  11. undefined Season 7 Episode 6 - Treehouse of Horror VI
    8.0/10(44 votes)

    S7:E6

    In "Attack of the 50 Foot Eyesores," strange atmospheric conditions bring giant advertising statues to life. In "Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace," Groundskeeper Willie is killed in a freak accident and seeks revenge in the childrens' dreams. In the final segment, Homer steps through a secret portal and becomes three-dimensional.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  12. undefined Season 11 Episode 2 - Chevy Chase/Sheila E.
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    S11:E2

    Sketches include ""Smoky Hallway,"" ""Wacky Glue,"" ""Those Unlucky Andersons"", ""Ford and Reagan,"" ""The Pat Stevens Show,"" ""Pathological Liars Anonymous,"" ""Craig Sundburg-Idiot Savant,"" ""Trojans,"" ""The Blue, The Gray and The Yellow,"" ""Vlad the Impaler,"" ""Drums Drums Drums,"" and ""Jose Cuervo's Party School Bowl."" Sheila E. performed ""Hollyrock"" and ""A Love Bizarre.""

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  13. undefined Season 11 Episode 3 - Pee Wee Herman/Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco Band
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    S11:E3

    Sketches include ""Twin Towers Tightrope,"" ""Pee Wee Herman's Thanksgiving Special"", ""Marital Problems,"" ""Pee Wee's School Romance,"" ""Find the Mouse in the Coke,"" and ""Hal Fisher's Money Magnet Method.""

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  14. undefined Season 6 Episode 4 - Itchy & Scratchy Land
    7.9/10(41 votes)

    S6:E4

    The family's trip to Itchy & Scratchy Land takes an unexpected turn when high-tech robots malfunction and become violent.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  15. undefined Season 4 Episode 6 - Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie
    7.8/10(49 votes)

    S4:E6

    Bart is punished by being barred from the Itchy and Scratchy movie.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  16. undefined Season 6 Episode 15 - Homie the Clown
    7.8/10(40 votes)

    S6:E15

    Krusty the Clown's reckless spending forces him to open a clown college to keep afloat. New graduate Homer discovers the perks and perils of being Krusty.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  17. undefined Season 10 Episode 2 - The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace
    7.8/10(38 votes)

    S10:E2

    A midlife crisis prompts Homer to quit his job and become an inventor.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  18. undefined Season 2 Episode 10 - Bart Gets Hit by a Car
    7.7/10(57 votes)

    S2:E10

    After Mr. Burns hits Bart with his car, ambulance-chasing attorney Lionel Hutz persuades Homer and Marge to sue for a million dollars.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  19. undefined Season 2 Episode 3 - Treehouse of Horror
    7.7/10(74 votes)

    S2:E3

    The Simpson kids hide in the family treehouse and tell each other spooky stories. The first regards haunted houses, the second introduces Kang and Kodos for the first time in an alien abduction, and the third is a Simpson-adapted retelling of The Raven.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  20. undefined Season 2 Episode 9 - Itchy & Scratchy & Marge
    7.7/10(60 votes)

    S2:E9

    Maggie attacks Homer with a mallet after seeing it on Itchy & Scratchy. Marge begins a protest outside the production offices, demanding the show be retooled to prevent further violence.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  21. undefined Season 4 Episode 20 - Whacking Day
    7.7/10(43 votes)

    S4:E20

    Lisa takes a stand against Springfield's annual snake-bashing festival.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  22. undefined Season 5 Episode 11 - Homer the Vigilante
    7.7/10(40 votes)

    S5:E11

    Homer leads a vigilante group to catch the Springfield Cat Burglar, who then robs the museum.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  23. undefined Season 5 Episode 20 - The Boy Who Knew Too Much
    7.7/10(44 votes)

    S5:E20

    Bart can clear Mayor Quimby's nephew of a charge of battery, but only by implicating himself as a hooky player.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  24. undefined Season 7 Episode 2 - Radioactive Man
    7.7/10(41 votes)

    S7:E2

    Bart auditions for the part of Fallout Boy in the movie "Radioactive Man," being filmed in Springfield.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  25. undefined Season 9 Episode 23 - King of the Hill
    7.7/10(33 votes)

    S9:E23

    After Rainier Wolfcastle helps Homer get in shape, Homer accepts a challenge to climb the Murderhorn, the tallest mountain in Springfield.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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John Swartzwelder Ratings Summary

"Madonna/Simple Minds" is the best rated episode written by John Swartzwelder. It scored 9/10 based on 1 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 11/9/1985 and is rated 0.5 points higher than their second-best episode, "You Only Move Twice".