The Simpsons: 10 Episodes That Would Have Made Perfect Endings
4. The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase
Seeing the state of The Simpsons right now, you can't help but think maybe a kinder fate would've been to go full hack and spun it off into The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour, where the skits are knowingly awful and unfunny and Lisa is replaced with a preppy cheerleader because she didn't want anything to do with it. Presented as if it was a behind-the-scenes show hosted by Troy McClure (you might remember him from The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular), The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase explores three possible futures for the characters: that varitey show, a Magnum PI rip-off with Chief Wiggum, or The Love-Matic Grampa. The last one especially (where Abe Simpsons dies, his spirit inhabiting a love testing machine who then tries to help Moe's romantic life) is a vicious swipe at the cynicism of TV companies who refuse to let shows die, continuing them beyond their natural life cycle. Ha! The ironing is delicious. Again, a typically sardonic, self-aware finale to go out on.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
