What about that godawful episode where the Simpsons go to Britain? London does not look that way, GOODNIGHT! "I can't believe that I've just met mr Bean!"
Tony Blair's entirely wasted cameo appearance bugged me, I was looking forward to some good quality satire. I did adore the scene where Homer rear ends the Queen's golden carriage though. also:Lisa: Can you tell me what happens at the end of the series? J.K. Rowling: He grows up and marries you. Is that what you want to hear!? Lisa: Yes!!
At least I have the excuse that the Ireland episode wasn't good, and not because of the stereotyping. The only thing I found offensive about it was the use of the Hollywood Irish accent. Other than that it was a typical modern Simpsons episode, which is to say that it wasn't all that funny.
Mr. Burns at the Mayo Clinic. "Social Security number. Naught-Naught-Naught, Naught-Naught, Naught-Naught-Naught...TWO. Thank you President Roosevelt." "Cause of parent's death. Got in my way." Marge: How long does it take to deliver pizza? FBI agent: She's onto us. Pizza van leaves and is replaced by a van that says Flowers By Irene. Secret Service agent telling Homer that they've been trying to find the Trillion dollar bill Mr. Burns stole. "All we can tell from satellite surveillance is that it's not on the roof." Rex Banner: You're out there Beer Barron, and I'll find you. Homer (in the distance):No you wont. Rex Banner: Oh yes I will. Homer: D'oh! Mr. Burns trying to retrieve his password. "Place of birth. Pangaea"
Some of the suggestions in this thread seem too big to be considered 'small' Simpsons moments, unless I'm misinterpreting the point of the thread. I thought this was about subtle throwaway gags, not huge comic setpieces like Homer going insane on the Halloween episode. Here's a small line I really loved, the words were just written and delivered perfectly: "Can't talk. Seeing Flanders. Later sex."
In that context: Troy McClure: That's too funny! I can't remember when I've heard a funnier anecdote. Okay, now you tell one.
My fav episode, Thank God It's Doomsday Homer: Hmmm Heaven greeter's head explodes: Greeter: Okay just for that your room's next to the kiddy pool, alright Mr. Smarty head exploder.
Grampa: "Latex condo. Man, I'd love to live in one of those." Homer: "Where are my pants?" Marge: "You threw them out the window in a fit of passion. You said you'd never need them again." Cut to Homer's pants hanging in a tree with Flanders trying to remove them with a broom. Bart: "Recognize this man?" Blows up balloon with Krusty's face. Sea Captain: "Ar, that's Handsome Pete. He dances for nickels. Pete, you have customers!" Handsome Pete dances, then shakes his coin can. Barrt tosses a quarter in, Pete continues to dance. Sea Captain: "No, not a quarter! He'll be at it for hours." Sea Captain: "Ah, squiddy, why do we fight?" Lenny: "It's a secret." Karl: "Shut up." Later on. Lenny: "It's a secret." Karl, drinking, glares at Lenny. Homer: "Shut up." Repair Man: "Those parts I need didn't arrive, and they won't until next week if I order them today. Which I won't." Homer: "Oh yeah? What if I do this?" Homer and Repair Man do secret Stonecutter handshake. Repair Man: "Hey, I didn't know you were a member." Repair Man tightens bolt on pipe with wrench immediately stopping the leak. Mr. Burns, holding model airplane. Burns: "Hop in Smithers." Smithers: "But sir, that's just a model, I couldn't fit in-" Burns points a gun at Smithers. Burns: "I said get in." Image of Mr Burns on Smithers's computer: "Hello, Smithers. You're quite good at turning me on."
Who controls the British crown? Who keeps the metric system down? We do. We do. Who keeps Atlantis off the maps? Who keeps the Martians under wraps? We do. We do. Who holds back the electric car? Who keeps Steve Guttenberg a star? We do. We do. Who robs cave fish of their sight? Who rigs every Oscar night? We do. We DOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Number One: Remove the stone of shame. And attach the stone of triumph! [yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANpitsb4wGM[/yt]
Small moment? Remember the Christmas episode where Bart melted all the presents, so the town donated money to the family? Homer bought a car, dropped it in the lake, and when the snow melted the people demanded their money back and came to the house and took everything of value. Flanders pushes away a grill labeled "Property of Ned Flanders." When Homer wishes that Flanders would fail, first he imagines him without any money, then he imagines him losing the Leftorium, then he imagines him dead and buried... but decides that's too mean so he goes back to imagining him going out of business.
Moe: "Garage?! Ooh, la, la Mr. Frenchman." Homer: "What do you call it?" Moe: "A car hole." Later, Homer: "A counterfeit jeans ring operating in my car hole!"
My favorite "small" moment is something really small. Most people probably missed it. It was in the episode where Marge decides to throw a dinner party. The moment comes during the cleaning/cooking montage when she takes the toilet seats out of the dishwasher. For some reason that struck me to be incredibly funny.
The ending of "City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" when Homer is driving his car out of the city with the boot still on, and every rotation just rips up the car more, but he has this angry determined look on his face.
Can't Sleep, clown will eat me. Fat Tony: Now the time has come for you to do us a favor. Homer: You mean the mob only did me a favor to get something in return? Oh, Fat Tony! I will say good day to you, sir! Fat Tony: Ok. I will go. (Fat Tony leaves and realizes what just happened.) Wait a minute! Fat Tony: I'm afraid I must insist. You see, my wife, she has been most vocal on the subject of the pretzel monies. "Where's the money? "When are you going to get the money?" "Why aren't you getting the money now?" And so on.
"Sorry, Fat Tony. I realized that crime doesn't pay." "Yeah, I guess you're right." Fat Tony, Legs, and Louie all then get into their own individual limousines, with Tony having a leggy babe in his, and drive off.