The Simpsons: 10 Greatest One-Time Characters

The Episode: "Marge vs. The Monorail" (Season 4, Episode 12)

The Voice Actor: Phil Hartman

This list wouldn't have felt right without at least one Phil Hartman character, and Lanley, of course, is the infamously dubious con man who turns up in Springfield to sell its residents an unnecessary Monorail. In the process of convincing everyone (except Marge, who is outright ignored as the only voice of reason), he delivers what could be the best ever Simpsons showtune, "The Monorail Song."

Lanley's character was based on a similar chap from the 1957 musical The Music Man, which featured a plot about a shyster travelling from town to town, selling people things they didn't need before making a run for it. It's not really surprising that so many people tend to remember Lyle Lanley over the original musical's titular character, though, a tribute to The Simpsons' longevity and great writing.

Hartman was one of the defining voice actors of The Simpsons' long run, and Lanley emphasises everything that was so masterful about his vocal performances. It's all here: the misplaced confident, the quick delivery, and the underlying sense of cluelessness. All together now: "Is there a chance the track could bend...?"