The Enduring Legacy of The Simpsons' 'Marge vs. The Monorail'

The Iconic Episode

The beloved Simpsons story debuted in season 4. Former The Simpsons showrunner Josh Weinstein celebrates the 30th anniversary of season 4's 'Marge vs. The Monorail' by revealing a long-lost moment cut from the final episode. In the 1993 installment, Springfield gladly gives a large donation to a shady businessman to build the city an impressive monorail network, but Marge soon uncovers a scam that could destroy the town. Since it first aired, the Conan O'Brien-penned episode has become one of the series' most celebrated episodes.

Homer controlling the monorail while Bart stands behind him in The Simpsons Marge vs the Monorail

With January 14 marking 31 years since the celebrated Simpsons season 4 episode aired, Weinstein shared a cut moment from the installment on Twitter via a photo of its script. In the scene, Lisa reads to Maggie from a monorail-themed Thomas the Tank Engine parody book that tells the story of a lonely monorail fitting in among the engines. While Marge disapproves of Lisa getting swept up in the town's excitement, Maggie also catches 'monorail fever' and refuses to put the book down.

The Simpsons' 'Marge vs. The Monorail' stands as a beloved episode to this day. It featured memorable guest appearances from regular guest star Phil Hartman and Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy, who played himself as a guest for the monorail's opening ceremony. As voiced by Hartman, shady salesman Lyle Lanley also steals the show with 'The Monorail Song,' a catchy number he uses to convince the people of Springfield to support his idea for the titular mode of transport.

Twitter article posted by Josh Weinstein

Legacy and Recognition

In addition to spawning popular memes online, 'Marge vs. The Monorail' has also been acknowledged in official Simpsons media. What remains of the monorail is accessible in the fondly remembered 2003 video game The Simpsons: Hit and Run, and can be used as a vehicle in its hub worlds. 'Marge vs. The Monorail' was also acknowledged in 2022's 'Treehouse of Horror XXXIII,' with one segment opening with a faithful recreation of one of the episode's gags.

Between catchy songs, fun jokes, and memorable guest appearances, 'Marge vs. The Monorail' is a key episode of The Simpsons' earliest years. As such, Weinstein's shared script moment is a perfect way to celebrate the episode, sharing a moment that audiences never got to see. It speaks to how enduring the episode is that some still want to honor its anniversary decades later.

Availability and Conclusion

The Simpsons seasons 1-34 are currently available to stream on Disney+. This makes it possible for fans, old and new, to revisit the iconic 'Marge vs. The Monorail' episode and relive the timeless humor and entertainment it offers. The enduring popularity of this episode is a testament to the impact and influence of The Simpsons on popular culture, and it continues to captivate audiences with its timeless humor and cultural references.