The Simpsons: 10 Worst Episodes Ever

This Christmas-themed episode (the eighteenth in the show's history) comes off as more of a poor man's Halloween special. The concept sounds fun in theory with supporting characters taking the lead to freshen up the storytelling. While Krusty and Reverend Lovejoy are amusing figures in their own right, their plot lines ultimately prove hollow here.

There's the usual, cynical digs at religion via Lovejoy's uphill battle to land new parishioners. Sadly they’re lacking the intellect and humour that once made them funny. Krusty and his daughter don't make the most compelling of guests at the Simpsons' Christmas dinner either and the less said about Marge's nightmare subplot the better.

For long time hockey fans, perhaps some interest can be found in Wayne Gretzky's guest appearance (the first hockey player to ever lend his voice to the series). Director Rob Oliver throws in a multitude of sight gags for this one also. While the effort is certainly there, the jokes simply don't land and the whole thing comes off as more of a failed experiment than a successful episode. Worse still are the afterlife themed end credits, a misplaced cherry atop the badly structured cake.