The Simpsons: 10 Worst Episodes Ever
2. Bart Vs. Itchy & Scratchy
Perhaps funny cigarettes were making their way around the writers' room during Season 30...
Vandalism, mansplaining, feminism and franchise reboots are thrown together here for a nauseating cocktail that fails all four themes. Bart assembles a boys rights activist group (aptly titled the Boys' Rights Association in a dig at the controversial MRA movement), and declares war on an all-female reboot of Itchy & Scratchy that's in the works.
Bart winds up enjoying the new show, however, and a fortuitous turn of events lead him to join a feminist gang instead. There's a multitude of controversial topics roped into this episode, and none of them get discussed fruitfully.
Needless to say, most people who sit down to watch a cartoon for half an hour are looking to be entertained. Having major topics brought up only to be talked down and rendered pointless is not anyone's idea of a good time. All three guest stars (Awkwafina, Nicole Byer and Chelsea Peretti) are misused here to the opposite of the ever sought after comic effect.
Writer Megan Amram was a staff writer for The Good Place, a masterful exploration of various ethical and philosophical themes. With this track record in mind, it becomes all the more confusing how she managed to bungle this potentially provocative storyline.