Simpsons fans are convinced they have found “the peak of television” after a classic gag from the beloved sitcom went viral. Even though the show aired its 36th season last year, enthusiasts are digging into The Simpsons’ treasure trove to revisit what many claim is the greatest joke ever told.
A dedicated fan account that posts clips from the series crowned a scene from season seven as the absolute greatest of the comedy’s many achievements. This sparked a huge reaction from hordes of loyal fans agreeing that the minds behind the ‘A Fish Called Selma’ episode really hit the comedic jackpot.
Twitter use @criminalsimpsons could barely contain their excitement, insisting: “This was the peak of television; nothing will ever be funnier than this moment.”
They shared a clip of that unforgettable seventh season’s 19th episode which features a satire on Planet of the Apes, leaving viewers longing for the show’s golden days. The legendary Troy McClure stars in the cleverly crafted moment, embracing the role of an astronaut in the musical parody titled ‘Stop the Planet of the Apes, I Want to Get Off’.
Fans of the show have praised not only the performance but also the scriptwriting, singling out this gem as a highlight among the countless memorable moments throughout The Simpsons’ long history. One commentator noted: “The fact that this sequence takes up nearly two minutes of a 22-minute run time tells you that the writers knew exactly how much gold they struck, and they cashed it in.”
The iconic scene in The Simpsons where Dr. Zaius’ breakdancing assistant bursts into a dance routine has been causing fans to erupt into fits of laughter, with one viewer taking to Twitter to express their delight: “It’s hard to pick the best bit, but for me it’s Dr. Zaius’ breakdancing ape assistant.”
Another long-time fan of the show reminisced by posting a throwback clip from the second season’s 21st episode ‘Bart the Daredevil’, revealing: “Hard to argue but this was the moment I knew The Simpsons were among the greatest comedy media ever.”
The particular scene showcases Homer’s bold skateboard jump over Springfield Gorge, prompting a swift response from another user, who claimed: “Literally the funniest scene in Simpsons history.”
The original poster continued to praise both the Springfield Gorge scene and Phil Hartman’s musical performance in ‘Stop the Planet of the Apes, I Want to Get Off’, hailing them as moments that cemented the sitcom’s legacy, even suggesting they could rival the comedic influence of The Looney Tunes. Adding to the hilarity were fans joking that The Simpsons’ parody of the Planet of the Apes musical was executed so perfectly, it likely quashed any serious efforts to create an actual stage adaptation, illustrated by a comment: “I’m convinced that this gag is so good it killed off any chance of an actual planet of the apes musical because it would never top this.”