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3. Bart Simpson's Dracula – THOH IV

This segment has the benefit of not only being riotously funny, but also a little creepy, thanks to the shadow effects used for Mr. Burns' Dracula character. But let's not get carried away here with the scares. This is filled with tremendous gags, like Super Fun Happy Slide, the revelation of the true American Dream, and the Springfield police's clueless reaction to finding bodies with teeth marks and a cape marked “Dracula” - destroying the Mummy wing of the Springfield museum. As a bonus, the wrap-around segment for this bit – Homer going mad from the Dogs Playing Poker painting, is one of the most delirious bits of voice acting the show has ever produced.

2. The Devil and Homer Simpson – THOH IV

An all-time classic for good reason – with Homer selling his soul to the Devil (Ned Flanders – why are you so surprised?) for a doughnut, leading to him going to trial for his very soul. One of the more sentimental segments, with Homer saved by Marge's love, it's also got some of the best gags, with Homer spending a day in hell, and besting all of the tortures sent his way. Lionel Hutz's appearance is also worth the price of admission, as he mounts a confident sounding but nonsensical defense of Homer's soul. Other moments I love – Bart casually acknowledging the Devil's presence, Richard Nixon's appearance on the Jury of the Damned, and the surreal ending, with Homer forced to carry the burden of his ill-gotten doughnut forever.

1. The Shinning – THOH V

What other one could I choose for number one but this? The parody of The Shining never stops being funny for a second, from the repeated false starts, the casual fatalism of Mr. Burns and Smithers as they strand the family in the mountain hotel, Homer's rapid descent into madness thanks to the lack of beer and TV and his deliriously loopy attack on Marge... I could go on. Another little bit of clever self-criticism, the segment is an indictment on the hold that TV has on us (“Now let's all bask in TV's warm glowing warming glow.”) but even without that element this would top my list for how completely packed with classic moments it is.

Top Quotes:

“But you'll kill everyone!” “But ice-cream cake!” - The Ned Zone – THOH XV

“I believe I'll vote for a third party!” “Go ahead, throw your vote away!” - Citizen Kang – THOH VII

“Oh, don't be so shocked.” - The Thing and I – THOH VII

“You've got to hand it to those dolphins, they just wanted it more.” - Night of the Dolphin – THOH XI

“Did you wreck the car?” “No!” “Did you raise the dead?” “Yes.” “But the car's OK?” - Dial Z for Zombies – THOH III

“Dad, don't make us poke your eyes out!” - Attack of the 50-Foot-Eyesores – THOH VI

“He was a zombie?” - Dial Z for Zombies – THOH III

“The doll's trying to kill me and the toaster's been laughing at me!” - Clown Without Pity – THOH III

“Oh, Lisa, you and your stories! Bart's a vampire! Beer kills brain cells! Now let's go back to the … place … where our beds andTV… is.” - Bart Simpson's Dracula – THOH IV

“Teacher! Mother! Secret Lover!” - The Shinning – THOH V

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