The Simpsons: Milhouse’s Best Moments Across 35 Years, Ranked

As a long-time Simpsons fan and observer of the show’s characters, I must say that Pamela Hayden’s portrayal of Milhouse Van Houten has been nothing short of remarkable. Her ability to breathe life into such a unique character has left an indelible mark on the series and its devoted audience.

This year, The Simpsons will be 35, and one of its key figures is set to depart from the show shortly. Pamela Hayden has revealed that she’ll be leaving the series after the next episode in Season 36. Throughout the series, Hayden has voiced a variety of characters, but she will undoubtedly be remembered for her portrayal of Milhouse. Many memorable and hilarious moments have come from this character over the years, so there’s no better time to reminisce about some of his greatest moments.

As of Pamela Hayden’s departure from the show, The Simpsons boasts an impressive total of 36 seasons and 774 episodes. With such a vast collection, finding the top moments can be quite a task. This list, while not including every significant event throughout the series, may lean towards certain periods (for valid reasons). It’s intended to be a fun way to honor Hayden’s enduring impact as Milhouse, the resilient nerd who has taken countless blows but never stopped moving forward. Indeed, it seems that everything is going well for Milhouse!

10. “Is it because of my small calves? They’re the hardest place to add mass!” – Future-Drama / Season 16, Episode 15

In another possible continuity not included in the main storyline of “The Simpsons,” an intriguing peek at Bart and Lisa’s future reveals a muscular and fitness-obsessed Milhouse, who briefly dated Lisa following his heroic act of rescuing her from a fire he accidentally set. This new interpretation of Milhouse is filled with laughter as he laments over the size of his calves after being dumped by Lisa: “Is it my small calves that made her leave? They’re the hardest place to bulk up!” The sketch concludes with the memorable line, “It’s time to work out when the iron is feeling down!” Overall, a flawless blend of humor and wit.

9. “Which kind of sprinkler do you like?” – Summer of 4 Ft. 2 / Season 7, Episode 25

In simpler terms, “Summer of 4 Ft. 2” is packed with hit after hit for Milhouse. The episode itself contains some of his most memorable moments, such as the famous “You got the dud!” The episode begins with sheer childish joy that only Milhouse can muster, as he tries to set up all his favorite sprinklers and assumes Bart knows them too. However, things quickly escalate when he exclaims “Up yours, Krabappel!” in class. This is just the beginning of the episode, which is one of the best in the entire series.

8. “Why did I have the bowl Bart? Why did I have the bowl?” – The Canine Mutiny / Season 8, Episode 20

Some of the best Milhouse moments are when he challenges Bart or the two are an actual equal footing, and one of the best comes out of nowhere. He knows Bart was lying to him about Santa’s Little Helper eating his pet goldfish, and challenges it with “Why did I have the bowl?” It’s both the repetition of the line itself along with Hayden’s energy. It’s the kind of energy you can only assume is someone who had been debating it in their head for a long time, and is tired of Bart not relenting. It’s quite a fun moment for Milhouse where he gets tired of the status quo yet has no power to change this. Quite the encapsulation for Milhouse overall.

7. “But my mom says I’m cool” – Burn’s Heir / Season 5, Episode 18

My mom thinks I’m trendy,” is a line from ‘The Simpsons’ that has become well-known outside the show. This popularity stems from a significant scene featuring Milhouse, one of the series’ most endearing and pitiful characters. His initial appeal lies in his heartfelt declaration, “I have nothing to offer you but my love.” This is swiftly followed by the famous line that further cements his geeky persona. Despite the moment seemingly adding to his humiliation, it’s all done playfully because that’s just the kind of character Milhouse is. And we can’t help but adore him.

6. Milhouse the fugitive – Lisa’s Rival / Season 6, Episode 2

This sequence of events isn’t just noteworthy due to its comedic timing; instead, it stands out for unique reasons. In contrast to the typical side gags in The Simpsons episodes, this Milhouse subplot was exceptional. It started with the joke about Bart listing Milhouse on America’s Most Wanted, which then escalated into a satire of The Fugitive. By placing Milhouse in the role of Harrison Ford, the storyline featured a character reminiscent of Tommy Lee Jones, complete with a famous line from the movie: “I don’t care!” Even the iconic “My glasses!” was subtly included, making it a classic Milhouse moment.

5. Thrillhouse – Marge Be Not Proud / Season 7, Episode 11

Similar to other instances on the list, this one is a brief yet potent moment. Unlike the jokes that are simplified for universal understanding, Thrillhouse delivers a more powerful punch due to its clever visual gag. In the episode where Bart steals the sought-after Bonestorm game, Milhouse is overjoyed just by entering his name, which gets cut off as “Thrillho.” Interestingly, this truncated name has the same number of letters as Milhouse, making it a hilarious coincidence that wouldn’t have been as amusing with his regular name. However, Thrillhouse seems oblivious to the humor, too engrossed in his fun.

4. “We already did it. It took seven hours but we did it. It’s done” – Radioactive Man / Season 7, Episode 2

Discussing instances where Milhouse has opportunities Bart can’t, “Radioactive Man” is arguably the top illustration; Milhouse snags the part as Fallout Boy, Radioactive Man’s sidekick, in the Radioactive Man movie. In this particular episode, Milhouse had several significant moments, but none are more striking than when he voices his annoyance at having to repeat the “Jimminy Jilickers” catchphrase. Hayden’s delivery of that frustration is noteworthy, as it’s a tone Milhouse doesn’t often adopt on The Simpsons. This moment stands out so vividly amidst a series of memorable Milhouse scenes.

3. Guess who likes you – Lisa’s Date With Density / Season 8, Episode 7

As a dedicated gamer, let me rephrase this scenario in the first person:

2. “Is this the untimely end of Milhouse?” – Lemon of Troy / Season 6, Episode 24

Without a doubt, “The Lemon of Troy” is one of the most outstanding episodes in The Simpsons series. It’s bursting with an abundance of witty humor, and its exaggerated portrayal of the rivalry between Springfield and Shelbyville results in a captivating narrative. What makes it even more enjoyable is Bart and his friends embarking on an exciting journey to the other town. Milhouse adds charm to the episode with his innocent moments of awe, like using words such as “squozen,” or exclaiming, “Hey everybody, an old man’s talking!

Initially, there’s the moment where he takes the camouflage outfits and envisions blending in with the woodland backdrop. However, nothing compares to the excitement when he encounters another character named Milhouse. The scene unfolds with suspense as it appears Milhouse might be in peril. But fear subsides, giving way to a tender moment between them, reminiscent of the lyrics from “When Doves Cry.” This episode perfectly encapsulates all that makes Milhouse endearing within just 22 minutes.

1. “Everything’s coming up Milhouse!” – Mom and Pop Art / Season 10, Episode 19

“Without a doubt, ‘Everything’s coming up Milhouse!’ is one of Milhouse’s most memorable lines in The Simpsons. Though it appears later than some fans might anticipate and seems unexpected within the context of ‘Mom and Pop Art,’ it packs a powerful punch. It beautifully captures what makes Milhouse, and Pamela Hayden’s portrayal of him, so endearing. Despite being frustrated moments earlier, it exudes hope and demonstrates how Milhouse cherishes even small triumphs.

In Season 22, we find Milhouse uttering the phrase while perched atop an eagle (not long after Lisa revives his romantic aspirations), which is arguably one of the first things that fans associate with him. Over three and a half decades, Hayden has provided The Simpsons viewers with countless unforgettable Milhouse moments. As she departs, fans can reminisce about instances like this to cherish her fondly. Indeed, Milhouse has experienced quite the journey in life. It’s safe to say that everything eventually worked out for him, as they say, “Everything did come up Milhouse.

2024-11-24 05:10