The 10 Best Ned Flanders Episodes of 'The Simpsons,' Ranked

He can make a mean mixed drink, he calls Reverend Lovejoy (Harry Shearer) for guidance over the pettiest things, and he gets along well with George H.W. Bush. He calls his bushy brown mustache a "soup-strainer," he screams like a girl, and his religious devotion is rivaled only by his remarkably patient and outgoing demeanor. He even gets upset at his wife Maude (Maggie Roswell) when she underlines passages in his Bible when she can't find hers. This man, of course, is Ned Flanders (also Harry Shearer), next-door neighbor to The Simpsons, and easily one of the funniest characters in the show (at least during its Golden Age).

The owner of The Leftorium, the good Christian, the sex symbol ("Stupid sexy Flanders!") -- this father of two can add "iddly" onto any word. Flanders in his prime worked as a brilliant juxtaposition to Homer's ignorance and obnoxious demeanor. One of his best iterations is in The Simpsons Movie, but we're only counting the television show here. Flanders has gone through changes over the years, such as his first wife Maude's passing. But just because an episode features a major plot shift doesn't mean it was well-written; so, episodes like "Alone Again, Natura Diddily" aren't necessarily going to make the cut. Likewise, not all of Flanders's best episodes feature him as the main character; we're looking for quality over quantity (though having both obviously helps). Ranked by their tremendous comedic power, their emotional resonance, and their nuances regarding this man's selfless and pious character, here are the Simpsons episodes that demonstrate the delightful versatility of Ned Flanders.

10 "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song"

Season 5, Episode 19

As chairman of the PTA, Flanders is "d-diddly-lighted" to be in charge and thinks he can put the "pal back in principal!" The kids love him immediately, as opposed to Superintendent Chalmers (Hank Azaria) joking about putting the "super back in superintendent." When asked about lunch, Flanders also wants to put the "stew" back in students. He certainly feeds Bart (Nancy Cartwright) a lot; every time the kid is sent to the principal's office, Flanders lets him eat chocolate and serves him drinks.

Flanders' presence is felt in this Season 5 gem even when he's not in the scene, especially when the episode cuts to Mrs. Krabappel's (Marcia Wallace) classroom: because Flanders totally lacks the strong hand of discipline, it has become a madhouse. Interestingly, when Homer (Dan Castellaneta) and Marge (Julie Kavner) bring up their concerns, we get a bit of Flanders' fascinating backstory. Of course, he gets fired for invoking the Lord over the intercom. As always, the man takes it in stride.

9 "Bart the Lover"

Season 3, Episode 16

Homer swears so much that he's influenced little Todd's vocabulary next door. Before even getting into how Flanders responds, though, it's essential to mention his anecdote at dinner: a guy came into Flanders' left-handed store and asked for a dollar in change, but Flanders accidentally gave him three quarters. He apparently spent the rest of the day tracking this guy down to give him one more quarter. What a legend.

Anyway, this "tizzy" about the cursing leads a phone call that annoys the reverend so much that even he winds up muttering, "Damn Flanders." Ned proceeds to figure out where Todd learned to swear, and ultimately discovers it's Homer. This back-and-forth leads Homer to give Flanders the insane feedback that his mustache makes it look like he's got something to hide. Astoundingly, Flanders accepts this, saying he'll shave if Homer stops cursing. This comedically bizarre deal leads to Flanders getting cast in commercials. Homer's response is priceless, and this might be the only time we see a clean-shaven Flanders in the series' history.

8 "Time and Punishment" from "Treehouse of Horror V"

Season 6, Episode 6, Segment 2

If George Orwell's 1984 were funny, it might look something like a certain section of Treehouse of Horror V's "Time and Punishment." Homer's toaster keeps transporting him back in time to the dinosaurs and then bringing him back to an alternate present. In the most memorable one, he discovers that Flanders is the totalitarian ruler of the world who watches what everybody does, greeting them with, "Hi-dly ho, slaverinos!"

The Simpson family replies, "Okeley-dokeley" in unison, clearly frightened. But Homer doesn't play along, complaining why "that geek Flanders" is on TV. In one single sentence, Homer demonstrates that he's a "negative-nelly," and now he and his family have to get a "re-Neducation." This section only lasts two minutes, but it's such a terrific and ironic spin on the nicest guy in Springfield that it feels like this storyline could have been extended to an entire episode (or even a movie).

7 "A Streetcar Named Marge"

Season 4, Episode 2

Season 4's "A Streetcar Named Marge" is so well done that it goes down as one of Marge's best episodes, one of Maggie's best episodes, and yes: it's one of Flanders' best showings as well. Of all the people to play Stanley, who was originally played by Marlon Brando, Ned Flanders would probably be near the bottom of that list. But the director makes this decision from his physical appearance alone; he's the only guy who's both physically fit and doesn't have any tattoos.

Flanders does already have experience with "A Streetcar Named Desire," too. He once played Blanche, because of course he would (he went to an all-male school). He's actually a very good actor, and plays Stanley very well (at least when Maggie isn't around to distract him). He even tries to help Marge master her bottle-breaking scene, which amusingly ends with Marge getting a little too aggressive. Who knew Flanders was such a natural thespian?

6 "Homer the Heretic"

Season 4, Episode 3

In "Homer the Heretic," Homer decides that he's not going to church anymore. After word spreads around, the Simpsons' doorbell rings. Homer opens it, revealing none other than Ned Flanders with a guitar. With his trademark cheeriness, Flanders says he's determined to convince Homer to return to Sunday mass. He starts playing the guitar, and his family sings about Noah's arc in the most Christian-camp tone possible. Homer shuts the door immediately.

Thus begins a classic bit of Homer's life being interrupted at random moments by the Flanders clan continuing their song. They call him at the power plant, and then they drive right beside him on the road. It's hysterical when Homer drives away and Todd says, "Dad, the heathen's getting away!" Flanders floors it, chasing Homer as if they're in some kind of police procedural from the '70s. But this episode also sees Flanders save Homer from a house-fire. It takes more effort than he expected, but Flanders winds up being both a comedic hero and an actual hero.

5 "Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood"

Season 5, Episode 8

When Bart walks into the Junior Campers Meeting Room, who does he see inside but Flanders. He's the leader, and apparently it's Sponge Bath the Old Folks Day. Bart winds up fainting, and awakens to find Flanders giving a boy instructions on how to keep giving Bart CPR. Flanders' sunny demeanor somehow makes these situations feel even more horrifying. Playing a large role in this episode, Flanders never disappoints here.

An underrated Flanderism is when he offers to "zinc" Homer's "sniffer" (apply sunscreen to his nose). But perhaps the best use of Flanders' idiosyncratic speaking style has to be when he, Rod, Homer, and Bart are stranded on a raft in the middle of the ocean. So far from home that there appears to be no hope left, Flanders absolutely loses his cool. To transcribe what he says would be a headache that this writer doesn't get paid enough to decipher, but it illustrates that panicked Flanders is fantastic.

4 "Dead Putting Society"

Season 2, Episode 6

In one of the greatest sports episodes ever, Homer proves such a rude guest that Flanders politely asks him to leave. The guy has a lovely bar with imported beer in his basement, and all Homer can do is jealously complain. Yet Flanders still feels bad at the end of the day, and writes a kind-hearted note to Homer in the evening. But Homer once again turns Flanders into an enemy when he has Bart sign up for a miniature golf tournament.

It's uncommon to see Flanders get really mad, especially throughout an entire episode. "Dead Putting Society" shows that this exceptionally patient neighbor still has a limit, and Homer's definitely the kind of man who can push him over it. They go on to sign a contract that the father of the boy "who doesn't win" (important wording there) has to mow the lawn in his wife's Sunday dress. He winds up just as happy as ever at the end, despite interesting circumstances.

3 "Homer Loves Flanders"

Season 5, Episode 16

Another episode where Flanders gets mad, except he's even angrier this time around. In "Homer Loves Flanders," Ned is so generous to Homer at a football game that Mr. Simpson goes from hating his neighbor to being totally obsessed with hanging out with him as often as possible. Flanders becomes steadily more and more uneasy with this new friendship, which gets so creepy that he even lies to Homer about seeing a family relative. (It's the scene when Homer recedes into the bushes.)

Maybe the funniest part of this entire episode is when Homer chases Flanders. The former is on foot while the other's in a car, but the power of friendship apparently endows Homer with the cardio of the T-1000 from Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This is one of the most hysterical movie references in the series, and it also leads to Flanders losing his cool in a church. This is a side of him we don't always get to see, making him more "re-liddly-latable" than usual.

2 "Hurricane Neddy"

Season 8, Episode 8

It's in Season 8's "Hurricane Neddy," however, when Flanders goes absolutely berserk. His house is demolished during a hurricane, and the town comes together to build him a new one. Wholesome concept, terrible execution. As Flanders walks through his family's new home, we can see his patience growing thinner and thinner. It's a deathtrap, and Ned's breakdown in front of everybody is both shocking and a surprisingly sharp roast.

Another brilliant call was to have Flanders drive himself to a psychiatric hospital in the aftermath of his public outburst. He knows something's definitely off, and he's still responsible enough to take immediate action on it. We get a bunch of Flanders' backstory here, going all the way back to his beatnik parents and one time he was spanked for months on end in an experimental disciplinary measure. It's hard to beat this origin story, and we never get a deeper dive into ol' Neddy's unique psychology.

1 "When Flanders Failed"

Season 3, Episode 3

One of Season 3's most memorable episodes may very well be "When Flanders Failed." While "Hurricane Neddy" expands our knowledge of Flanders and lets us see him in a more complicated light, "When Flanders Failed" gracefully carries the weight of tragedy. Quitting the pharmacy business, Flanders decides to open a store for left-handed people like himself. His party was pretty well-attended, but word clearly hasn't spread enough.

As the new business gradually goes under, Homer notices all these people in town who could use a left-handed store. But Homer doesn't help, despite the Ned in his imagination begging for help. It's very sad to watch Flanders scramble for money, yet that Simpsons humor is retained seamlessly throughout -- like when Flanders reminds Homer of what happened to his beloved Bible. Along with the uplifting finale, this story arguably packs the most emotional power of any Flanders-centered episode out there.

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Release Date December 17, 1989

Network FOX

Showrunner Al Jean

Directors Steven Dean Moore, Mark Kirkland, Rob Oliver, Michael Polcino, Mike B. Anderson, Chris Clements, Wes Archer, Timothy Bailey, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Matthew Faughnan, Chuck Sheetz, Rich Moore, Jeffrey Lynch, Pete Michels, Susie Dietter, Raymond S. Persi, Carlos Baeza, Dominic Polcino, Lauren MacMullan, Michael Marcantel, Neil Affleck, Swinton O. Scott III, Jennifer Moeller

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The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.

Writers J. Stewart Burns, Michael Price, Brian Kelley, Bill Odenkirk, Dan Vebber, Kevin Curran, Stephanie Gillis, Dan Castellaneta, Deb Lacusta, Billy Kimball, Jessica Conrad, Cesar Mazariegos, Daniel Chun, Jennifer Crittenden, Conan O'Brien, Valentina Garza, Elisabeth Kiernan Averick, Christine Nangle, Broti Gupta, Loni Steele Sosthand, Megan Amram, Bob Kushell, David Isaacs, David Mandel

Franchise(s) The Simpsons

Main Genre Animation

Seasons 36

Producers Dan Greaney, Don Payne, Greg Daniels, John Frink, Julie Thacker, Larina Adamson, Marc Wilmore, Michael Wolf, Tom Martin, Jeff Westbrook, David Mirkin, Max Pross, Tim Long, Tom Gammill, David Sacks, Richard Raynis, Richard Sakai, Ron Hauge, Joel H. Cohen, Matt Warburton

Creator(s) Matt Groening

Story By Matt Groening and James L. Brooks

Executive Producer(s) Gábor Csupó, Al Jean, James L. Brooks, Matt Groening

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