The Simpsons: Season 9

1997
25 episodes

Season 9 of The Simpsons premiered on September 21, 1997 and has 25 episodes, from "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" to "Natural Born Kissers". The last episode aired on May 17, 1998.

Where to watch The Simpsons

In the United States, you can stream The Simpsons on Hulu, Disney Plus, fuboTV and YouTube TV. You can also buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home. It is on streaming services in 61 countries.

Where to watch

Episodes

Episode 1The City of New York vs. Homer SimpsonAired September 21, 1997
Designated driver Barney absconds to Manhattan in Homer's car and leaves it there. But when the family journeys to the Big Apple to retrieve their property, Homer discovers his car has been booted.
- 23m
- Directed by Jim Reardon
- Written by Ian Maxtone-Graham
Guest stars
- Joan Kenley Woman on Phone (voice)
Episode 2The Principal and the PauperAired September 28, 1997
Unmasked as an impostor, Principal Skinner flees to Capital City to reclaim his former life as a shiftless good-for-nothing. The people of Springfield gain a newfound appreciation for him and form a plan to bring him back.
- 23m
- Directed by Steven Dean Moore
- Written by Ken Keeler
Guest stars
- Martin Sheen Real Seymour Skinner (voice)
- Maggie Roswell Maude Flanders (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
- Pamela Hayden Milhouse (voice)
Episode 3Lisa's SaxAired October 19, 1997
After Lisa’s saxophone is destroyed, the Simpsons reminisce about how she originally got the instrument. On the hottest day of the year, Homer must decide whether to buy an air conditioner or replace Lisa’s sax.
- 23m
- Directed by Dominic Polcino
- Written by Al Jean
Guest stars
- Fyvush Finkel Fyvush Finkel (voice)
- Doris Grau Ice cream lady (voice)
- Maggie Roswell Maude Flanders (voice)
Episode 4Treehouse of Horror VIIIAired October 26, 1997
In “The Homega Man,” Homer faces a post-apocalyptic Springfield. Next, Bart attempts to become Superfly in "Fly vs. Fly." In “Easy-Bake Coven,” amidst a witch hunt in 1649, Marge and her sisters invent trick-or-treating.
- 23m
- Directed by Mark Kirkland
- Written by Ned Goldreyer, David X. Cohen and Mike Scully
Guest stars
- Maggie Roswell Maude Flanders (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
- Pamela Hayden Milhouse (voice)
Episode 5The Cartridge FamilyAired November 2, 1997
Alarmed by a soccer riot, Homer buys a handgun. His reckless behavior drives Marge and the kids out of the house, and even his new gun club buddies desert him.
- 23m
- Directed by Pete Michels
- Written by John Swartzwelder
Episode 6Bart StarAired November 9, 1997
When Homer becomes the coach of a peewee football team, he replaces star quarterback Nelson with the less talented Bart. Facing his teammates’ scorn, Bart looks for a way out but finds a better way to show his team spirit.
- 23m
- Directed by Dominic Polcino
- Written by Donick Cary
Guest stars
- Roy Firestone Roy Firestone (voice)
- Mike Judge Hank Hill (voice)
- Joe Namath Joe Namath (voice)
Episode 7The Two Mrs. NahasapeemapetilonsAired November 16, 1997
Trying to escape his arranged marriage, Apu asks Marge to pose as his wife during his mother’s visit. When the ruse fails, Homer makes a last-ditch attempt to intervene, but Apu is smitten with his new bride Manjula.
- 23m
- Directed by Steven Dean Moore
- Written by Richard Appel
Guest stars
- Jan Hooks Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon (voice)
- Andrea Martin Apu's Mother (voice)
- Maggie Roswell Maude Flanders (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 8Lisa the SkepticAired November 23, 1997
When a skeleton is unearthed at the site of a future shopping mall, all Springfield is convinced it is the skeleton of an angel – except Lisa.
- 23m
- Directed by Neil Affleck
- Written by David X. Cohen
Guest stars
- Stephen Jay Gould Stephen Jay Gould (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 9Realty BitesAired December 7, 1997
When Marge gets her real estate license, she learns to put a positive spin on the flaws of the houses she’s selling. But when the Flanders buy the Murder House, she realizes she has to tell the truth.
- 23m
- Directed by Swinton O. Scott III
- Written by Dan Greaney
Guest stars
- Maggie Roswell Maude Flanders (voice)
Episode 10Miracle on Evergreen TerraceAired December 21, 1997
After accidentally ruining the family’s Christmas tree and presents, Bart buries the evidence and claims a burglar stole everything. When Kent Brockman does a human interest story on the family’s tragic loss, the townspeople shower the family with generosity… until the truth comes out.
- 23m
- Directed by Bob Anderson
- Written by Ron Hauge
Guest stars
- Maggie Roswell Maude Flanders (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
- Alex Trebek Alex Trebek (voice)
- Pamela Hayden Rod Flanders (voice)
Episode 11All Singing, All DancingAired January 4, 1998
Homer rents a Clint Eastwood movie and is dismayed to find it's a musical. Using clips from past episodes, the rest of the family reminds him about the many times he and other members of the family and town have broken into song and dance.
- 23m
- Directed by Mark Ervin
- Written by Steve O'Donnell
Episode 12Bart CarnyAired January 11, 1998
When the carnival comes to town, Homer and Bart wind up working the ring toss. A father-son team of grifters shows them the downside of the “carny code,” but the Simpsons beat them at their own game.
- 23m
- Directed by Mark Kirkland
- Written by John Swartzwelder
Guest stars
- Jim Varney Cooder (voice)
Episode 13The Joy of SectAired February 8, 1998
A cult lures in most of Springfield to toil for “The Leader.” After Marge escapes and has the family deprogrammed, Homer exposes the man behind the spaceship.
- 23m
- Directed by Steven Dean Moore
- Written by Steve O'Donnell
Guest stars
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 14Das BusAired February 15, 1998
When Otto drives the school bus off a bridge, the kids wind up on a deserted island, fending for themselves in a “Lord of the Flies” parody. Back in Springfield, Homer takes on Bill Gates.
- 23m
- Directed by Pete Michels
- Written by David X. Cohen
Guest stars
- James Earl Jones Narrator (voice)
- Phil Hartman Troy McClure (voice)
- Pamela Hayden Milhouse Van Houten (voice)
- Russi Taylor Wendell / Sherri / Terri / Lewis / Martin (voice)
- Jack Ong Chinese Fisherman (voice)
- Tress MacNeille Lewis (voice)
Episode 15The Last Temptation of KrustAired February 22, 1998
Krusty bombs at a charity comedy event and feels like a tired old hack. With the Simpsons’ support, Krusty takes his act in a fresh new direction… but in the end, his true nature asserts itself.
- 23m
- Directed by Mike B. Anderson
- Written by Donick Cary
Guest stars
- Steven Wright Steven Wright (voice)
- Janeane Garofalo Janeane Garofalo (voice)
- Bobcat Goldthwait Bobcat Goldthwait (voice)
- Hank Williams Jr. Canyonero Singer (voice)
- Jay Leno Jay Leno (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 16Dumbbell IndemnityAired March 1, 1998
Moe goes broke trying to wine and dine a new girlfriend. Desperate for money, he cooks up an insurance scam with Homer.
- 23m
- Directed by Dominic Polcino
- Written by Ron Hauge
Guest stars
- Helen Hunt Renee (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 17Lisa the SimpsonAired March 8, 1998
Lisa struggles with solving a simple puzzle and fears that the "Simpson gene” is suddenly wiping out her intelligence. Homer stages a family reunion in hopes of introducing Lisa to some Simpsons she can respect.
- 23m
- Directed by Susie Dietter
- Written by Ned Goldreyer
Episode 18This Little WiggyAired March 22, 1998
At Marge’s insistence, Bart has a “play date” with Ralph. Bart suddenly sees the upside of this friendship when he discovers Chief Wiggum’s “master key” and goes to explore Springfield’s abandoned prison.
- 23m
- Directed by Neil Affleck
- Written by Dan Greaney
Guest stars
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 19Simpson TideAired March 29, 1998
When Homer joins the Naval Reserve, a captain takes a liking to him and leaves him in charge of a nuclear submarine.
- 23m
- Directed by Milton Gray
- Written by Jennifer Ventimilia and Joshua Sternin
Guest stars
- Bob Denver Bob Denver (voice)
- Rod Steiger Captain Tenille (voice)
Episode 20The Trouble with TrillionsAired April 5, 1998
Facing an IRS audit, Homer agrees to help the feds bust Mr. Burns for a missing trillion-dollar bill. When Burns makes an anti-government stand, Homer flees with him to Cuba.
- 23m
- Directed by Swinton O. Scott III
- Written by Ian Maxtone-Graham
Guest stars
- Paul Winfield Lucius Sweet (voice)
- Maggie Roswell Maude Flanders (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 21Girly EditionAired April 19, 1998
Lisa becomes the anchor of a kids’ news program but is upstaged by Bart’s treacly human interest stories. At home, Homer corrupts a helper monkey.
- 23m
- Directed by Mark Kirkland
- Written by Larry Doyle
Guest stars
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 22Trash of the TitansAired April 26, 1998
Homer feuds with the Springfield garbage men and decides to run for Sanitation Commissioner. After winning the election with a sleazy campaign, Homer can’t keep the extravagant promises he made to the town.
- 23m
- Directed by Jim Reardon
- Written by Ian Maxtone-Graham
Guest stars
- Steve Martin Ray Patterson (voice)
- Bono Bono (voice)
- Adam Clayton Adam Clayton (voice)
- Larry Mullen Jr. Larry Mullen (voice)
- The Edge The Edge (voice)
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 23King of the HillAired May 3, 1998
After Rainier Wolfcastle helps Homer get in shape, Homer accepts a challenge to climb the Murderhorn, the tallest mountain in Springfield.
- 23m
- Directed by Steven Dean Moore
- Written by John Swartzwelder
Guest stars
- Steven Weber Neil (voice)
- Brendan Fraser Brad (voice)
- Joe Mantegna Fat Tony (voice)
Episode 24Lost Our LisaAired May 10, 1998
Bart’s latest stunt thwarts Lisa’s plan to attend a museum exhibit. When she tries to go alone and takes the wrong bus, Homer sets out to find her.
- 23m
- Directed by Pete Michels
- Written by Brian Scully
Guest stars
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)
Episode 25Natural Born KissersAired May 17, 1998
Homer and Marge try to spice up their love life and are caught baring it all in public. Bart and Lisa discover an alternate ending to Casablanca.
- 23m
- Directed by Klay Hall
- Written by Matt Selman
Guest stars
- Marcia Wallace Edna Krabappel (voice)