Feel free to read Eric's editorial on the Top 25 Simpsons Episodes ever.

We generally feel that Season 6 is the best season. Close behind is Season 4, and then 7, 8, and 3.

The most hardcore of "Simpsons" fans tend to regard the 1-4 era as the "classic" era of the show. 5-8 is often regarded as the "peak" or "golden years" by some fans, while others see it as a decline. Season 9 is generally thought of as a slightly inferior version of Season 8. Seasons 10-11 were the lowest point in the show's history for quality. Seasons 12-14 marked an uneven resurgence, and Season 15-16 brought the show into a "modern" style that has divided many fans.

The episodes that the largest number of fans seem to agree are great come from Seasons 4-8. If you're a casual fan of the show, your favorite episode is probably somewhere in there. This is mainly because of Fox's strategy for showing syndicated episodes. The mediocre Season 1 is heavily aired, but Seasons 2 and 3 are barely ever shown. Season 9 is also rarely shown. Seasons 10-16 are aired a fair amount, but the general decline in quality in the show in those years, coupled with the fact that a lot of fans don't watch as many episodes in syndication as they have in previous years, means that less people are coming to "love" any of those episodes enough to proclaim one a "favorite" episode

We'll be seeing new "Simpsons" episodes through at least a twentieth season, if the show's current contract is upheld.