12 Great Simpsons Episodes You'll Never Own (Thanks To Fox)

Fox's decision to discontinue the series on home media means you'll miss these gems. D'oh!

The Simpsons Treehouse Of Horror Xxv
Fox

Earlier this summer, Fox announced that it would no longer produce DVD/Blu-Ray box sets of its flagship show The Simpsons. Despite strong sales, the network seemed to be driving traffic towards the online subscription service Simpsons World, or just hoping viewers with cable channel FXX would watch the show there.

One problem: Simpsons World is only available in the U.S., and beyond that, many fans have become collectors of the series, and as completists, are less than happy. Far, far less than happy, and quickly approaching Moe Szyslak territory. No less than four petitions have sprung up online (two on change.org alone), and multiple Facebook pages have been set up over the move. Fans have taken to Twitter to complain as well, but thus far, Fox has shown no signs of changing course.

Thanks to Fox's marketing blunder (d'oh!), there are plenty of great episodes fans will never own from Seasons 18, 19, and everything beyond Season 20 (that season was released on home media early as it was a major milestone for the show).

Everything from revisiting Angry Dad, to the 500th episode special, to Ralph Wiggum as a presidential candidate will never see the laser of a DVD player. With that in mind, here's a look at a dozen Simpsons episodes you'll never own (unless Fox comes to its senses).

12. The Bob Next Door

The Simpsons Treehouse Of Horror Xxv
Fox

Not having the complete set of Sideshow Bob episodes? That in itself is a crime on the level of one of Bob's very own plots!

Yet that is now the case. The Bob Next Door was a particularly inspired episode from Season 21, in which Bob goes the Face/Off route (that's the Travolta/Cage face swap flick, for those who have forgotten) and puts on a new face - Bart's new neighbor's! After fooling the Simpson family as to his identity, he kidnaps Bart and takes him to the Five Corners - the spot where five states meet - to kill him "legally" by firing a gun in one state, and have the bullet pass through others before hitting his intended victim.

Sure, his plan isn't foolproof - the logic behind his multi-state murder simply isn't sound - but it's an extremely fun episode, that, sadly, fans will never have a chance to own.

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Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.