The Simpsons: 10 Exceptional Episodes From The Last 10 Years

4. "Steal This Episode" - Season 25

Plot: Homer becomes a hero in town for showing pirated movies, but Marge's conscience causes her to inadvertently turn her husband in to the FBI. Homer's impassioned speech to the court on the rights of the ordinary man against big-business impresses several Hollywood types - including filmmaker Judd Apatow - earns Homer an acquittal, and a movie based on his experience: a movie Homer refuses to show illegally, instead demanding his friends and neighbours pay to see it in a theatre. Homer has a habit of taking his new hobbies and joys too far, and he does so again when Bart shows him how to illegally download movies online (although the segment is "edited and censored" by Fox.) It's a particularly timely plot, one that seems to be on the side of online pirates, although Homer's hypocritical rant at the end - about his filming being his money, so it's different - makes a strong and humorous point as well. More importantly, the presence of star Apatow, Seth Rogen, and Channing Tatum (as Homer, after gaining several pounds) add to, instead of detract from, the humor of the episode. Funniest Moment: As Bart and Lisa are watching the movie based on Homer's ordeal, Bart asks Lisa who the "real pirates" were: those illegally downloading online, or the movie producers. Lisa explains that both sides "claim their intentions are noble, but by the end of the day they're trying to steal as much money as they can." She then prepares to announce who the real pirates are, but- in a tongue-in-cheek callback - she is edited by Fox again.