The Ultimate Compilation of Beavis & Butt-Head's Greatest Episodes

Summary

The legacy of

Beavis and Butt-Head

lives on through the series' best episodes, which find the titular duo embarking on hilarious misadventures.

Beavis and Butt-Head

's best episodes blend absurdist comedy with political and social commentary.

Several of

Beavis and Butt-Head

Beavis and Butt-Head, created by Mike Judge, is known for its greatest episodes featuring Beavis' alter ego, Cornholio. With a total of 270 episodes in its 10-season run, the show follows the titular duo on their hilariously ridiculous misadventures. Originally debuting on Liquid Television in 1992, Beavis and Butt-Head gained popularity through two animated shorts that showcased their antics as dim-witted teenage slackers obsessed with pranks and heavy metal music. Their success led MTV to produce a full-fledged animated comedy series centered around these characters.

The enduring legacy of Beavis and Butt-Head, with its two feature films and revivals by MTV and later Paramount+, solidified its place among the distinctive '90s adult animated sitcoms. Despite lacking a concrete storyline, the show captivated audiences with the titular teens' gullibility and apathy. The humor in Beavis and Butt-Head is unapologetically juvenile, crude, and often random. Yet, it is this unique blend of absurd comedy that has contributed to its lasting success. Additionally, the show's impact resulted in the creation of the spinoff Daria, and its creator, Judge, ventured into other animated projects. Nevertheless, the true testament to Beavis and Butt-Head's enduring influence lies in its best episodes.

25 "Door-To-Door" (Season 1, Episode 1)

MTV aired the very first episode of Beavis and Butt-Head titled "Door-to-Door". This episode serves as an introduction to the two main characters, as well as their laid-back, hippie teacher, Mr. Van Driessen. In this particular episode, the teacher assigns them the task of going door-to-door to collect money for charity in their neighborhood. However, things take an unexpected turn when they encounter their neighbor, Mistress Cora Anthrax, who happens to be an intimidating and aged dominatrix. This episode sets the stage for the show's dark and situational humor, showcasing the continuous string of misfortunes that Beavis and Butt-Head encounter whenever they venture away from their beloved couch.

24 "Drones" (Season 8, Episode 6)

23 "Huh-Huh Humbug"/"It’s A Miserable Life" (Season 6, Episodes 7-8)

: Finding Political Commentary in Beavis and Butt-Head Adventures

"Drones," a standout episode in the Beavis and Butt-Head series, goes beyond its typical boundaries by delving into the realm of contemporary politics. Through the innocent lens of its main characters, the show explores themes of modern warfare and power politics. During a school trip visit to a military complex, Beavis and Butt-Head stumble upon an American drone flying over Afghanistan while mistakenly believing they are playing "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas with planes." Whether by design or accident, "Drones" intelligently reveals the futility of American military dominance. In addition to this thought-provoking storyline, the episode also includes the duo's classic music video commentaries, and hilariously entertaining critiques of two clips from Jersey Shore.

In this two-part episode, Beavis and Butt-Head reimagine classic Christmas stories like It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. They enter a dream-like reality where they never existed, with Beavis encountering the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, while Butt-Head is guided by a guardian angel. It's absolutely hilarious to witness their visions of a more peaceful Highland, where Anderson's yard is perfectly manicured, and Burger World attracts a multitude of customers. Surprisingly, the characters experience slight pangs of guilt, adding an unexpected touch of humanity to their otherwise apathetic personalities.

22 "Holy Cornholio" (Season 8, Episode 5)

The Beavis and Butt-Head reboot in 2011 was filled with memorable Cornholio moments. Beavis, when triggered by certain circumstances, transforms into an unhinged alter ego known as The Great Cornholio. During one instance, Beavis goes to the hospital after getting an action figure stuck in his hand, only to unknowingly become a cult leader. Little does he know, members of this cult view his alter ego as the second coming of the Messiah. Drawing parallels to Mike Judge's cult comedy Idiocracy, "Holy Cornholio" sheds light on how easily humans can be manipulated in both religious and political contexts.

21 "Beard Boys" (Season 5, Episode 3)

In "Beard Boys," Beavis and Butt-Head go to great lengths to impress women and prove their manliness. They resort to using super glue to attach their own hair to their faces as makeshift beards. However, their efforts to attract women at the mall end up being completely fruitless. This episode subtly mocks the idealized concept of masculinity that many boys in real life strive for, resulting in comedic situations. While Beavis and Butt-Head faced criticism in the 1990s for potentially negatively influencing teenagers, they also cleverly satirized the teenage anxieties and insecurities experienced during puberty.

20 "Werewolves of Highland" (Season 8, Episode 1)

19 "Prank Call" (Season 6, Episode 14)

The duo of Beavis and Butt-Head made their long-awaited return to the small screen after an absence of over ten years with the MTV revival. In the pilot episode titled "Werewolves of Highland," series creator Mike Judge's characters effortlessly embraced the popular culture of 2011. The episode delved into the teenage fascination with vampires and werewolves following the success of the Twilight series. Despite not fully grasping the frenzy surrounding Twilight, the adolescent protagonists expressed a strong desire to transform into these mythical creatures after their teacher explained how they are often portrayed as romantic antiheroes. The comical escapades of Beavis and Butt-Head in attempting to get bitten by vampires became a delightful highlight of the show's triumphant return to television.

A number of the top-rated episodes of Beavis and Butt-Head revolve around the duo's immature pranks. One such episode follows their phone call to a man named Harry Sachz (pronounced as "hairy sacks"), as they cunningly shift the blame onto their friend Stewart. The episode offers a glimpse into the troubles faced by the inhabitants of Highland due to their mischiefs. In this particular scenario, an infuriated Harry not only engages in physical altercation with Stewart's father but also places the phone in a highly undesirable location. And yet, what do Beavis and Butt-Head decide to do? They proceed to prank call Harry once again!

18 "Mr Anderson's Balls" (Season 4, Episode 24)

Mr. Anderson, the unfortunate target of Beavis and Butt-Head's relentless bullying, constantly falls victim to their schemes. The incident known as "Mr. Anderson's Balls" exemplifies how easily he is deceived by the troublesome pair. While in search of a missing child for the promise of a reward, Beavis and Butt-Head stumble upon Mr. Anderson enjoying a game of golf. Seizing the opportunity to swindle him, they pilfer his own golf balls and proceed to sell them back to him. Astonishingly, Mr. Anderson is deceived, underscoring how these mischievous duo can occasionally display cunning intelligence (albeit solely for their own selfish gain).

17 "Bungholio: Lord of the Harvest" (Season 6, Episode 1)

In the extended Halloween special known as "Bungholio: Lord of the Harvest," Beavis and Butt-Head venture out for some trick-or-treating fun. During their escapades, Beavis unleashes his unforgettable Cornholio alter ego, leading to hilarious consequences. This immensely popular episode not only showcases their comical antics but also explores their gradual transition into a more mature mindset. Despite their reluctance to wear costumes and appear childish, Beavis and Butt-Head can't resist the allure of Halloween treats. Just as they briefly contemplate the shift in their behavior, they quickly revert back to their silly antics, indulging in a candy feast. However, their night takes a thrilling turn when they unexpectedly find themselves inside a car trunk, face-to-face with a menacing chainsaw-wielding farmer.

16 "Scared Straight" (Season 3, Episode 11)

15 "Home Improvement" (Season 2, Episode 9)

Much like Scared Straight, this timeless Beavis and Butt-Head episode features Principal McVickers temporarily sending his troublesome students to jail. Hoping for a change in their behavior and academic performance, he believes that the duo will be frightened straight. However, instead of being scared, Beavis and Butt-Head surprisingly find pleasure in their unexpected detour behind bars. Whether it is hilariously leaving inked hand prints on each other or providing their expert commentary on prison washrooms, these teenagers demonstrate that prison has always been their true calling.

15 "Home Improvement" (Season 2, Episode 9)

In the episode "Home Improvement" from season 2 of Beavis and Butt-Head, the main characters stumble upon paint thinner and unintentionally experience its intoxicating effects. Due to concerns that young viewers might imitate the reckless behavior portrayed by Judge's iconic duo, MTV felt compelled to broadcast a warning against sniffing paint thinner. Assigned with the task of painting Mr. Anderson's house, Beavis and Butt-Head begin inhaling the fumes of a can of paint thinner. Predictably, their painting endeavors come to a halt and the unfortunate result is Mr. Anderson's house being utterly ruined.

14 "Woodshop" (Season 7, Episode 22)

“Woodshop” brilliantly showcases how Beavis and Butt-Head ingeniously generate a rapid and humorous buildup of tension in the most ordinary of environments. It is imperative to never leave these exuberant teenagers unsupervised, especially when they have access to perilous equipment like wood saws. Intrigued by the machine's destructive potential, they recklessly slice through anything and everything that catches their eye. As their slapstick antics persist, it comes as no surprise when Beavis inevitably ends up cutting his own finger. This particular episode demonstrates how captivating the physical misfortunes of these impulsive boys can be for the audience.

13 "Closing Time" (Season 3, Episode 30)

During a night shift at Burger World, Beavis and Butt-Head are left unsupervised by their boss, leading to disastrous consequences. With a lack of customers and plenty of spare time, the duo wreaks havoc in the fast food restaurant. Displaying their utter disregard for rules, they go as far as serving a plate of worms to a health inspector. Although the inspector unknowingly enjoys the meal, he promptly shuts down the establishment due to health code violations. This memorable episode from season 3 solidifies Beavis and Butt-Head as the worst employees ever.

12 "No Laughing" (Season 2, Episodes 13-14)

Even though something may lack comedic value, the snickers and chuckles of Beavis and Butt-Head tend to divert the attention of those around them. In order to put an end to their mindless laughter, Principal McVicker imposes a laugh curfew on the troublemakers for a full week. Despite their cocky acceptance of the challenge, it proves to be an enormous feat for the main characters to contain their laughter, especially when Coach Buzzcut leads a sex education class. Renowned as one of the finest gym teachers on television, Buzzcut's aggressive demeanor (once again brought to life by Judge's voice acting) amusingly juxtaposes Beavis and Butt-Head's utmost efforts to stifle any laughter.

11 "1-900 BEAVIS" (Season 4, Episode 9)

Titled "1-900 BEAVIS," this risqué episode parodies the adult hotlines popular in the 1980s and 1990s. It follows the mischievous adventures of the boys as they prank call a phone sex number. Intrigued by the potential profitability, Beavis and Butt-Head decide to start their own phone sex service. As expected, their endeavor is short-lived and causes trouble for others. A notable aspect of the episode is both characters attempting to sound seductive to attract potential customers.

10 "Candy Sale" (Season 5, Episode 23)

“Candy Sale” is a unique episode of Beavis and Butt-Head, shedding light on Coach Buzzcut's unexpected concern for his students. The episode reintroduces guest teacher Mr. Manners, now going by Mr. Candy. He assigns the students of Highland High the task of selling candy bars. Beavis and Butt-Head, in their usual fashion, come up with a plan to exchange their allotted candy bars. However, their scheme backfires, leaving them with no earnings and facing the wrath of Mr. Candy. This pivotal moment showcases Buzzcut's defense of the duo, as he believes that no one else can effectively discipline his students. But even Buzzcut struggles to keep Beavis and Butt-Head in line!

9 "Scientific Stuff" (Season 2, Episode 1)

The introduction of Daria Morgendorffer in the sophomore season premiere of Beavis and Butt-Head holds significance in the show's history. In the episode "Scientific Stuff," Daria conducts a scientific experiment in an attempt to provide a theoretical explanation for the duo's foolishness. It is intriguing to witness Beavis and Butt-Head interact with a teenager other than themselves. Tracy Grandstaff's voice acting skillfully delivers moments of deadpan humor. Daria eventually received her own spinoff series and remains highly praised as one of MTV's finest animated shows.

8 "True Crime" (Season 3, Episode 22)

When Beavis steals someone else's debit card and manages to accurately guess the password ("balls"), he and his best friend engage in transactions amounting to thousands of dollars, only to be captured on surveillance footage. Subsequently, their criminal activities are reenacted with a touch of melodrama in the satirical reality series America's Most Hated (clearly a parody of America's Most Wanted). As if that weren't enough, even the popular crime documentary series Cops is spoofed as Coppers, featuring police officers raiding Beavis and Butt-Head's residence. The episode delightfully mocks the typical elements found in true crime narratives, and this satirical approach remains relevant to this day.

7 "Manners Suck" (Season 4, Episode 21)

Contrary to expectations, when guest teacher Mr. Manners visits Highland's high school, his demeanor proves to be lacking in proper conduct. This may be attributed to the constant testing of his patience by Beavis and Butt-Head. Despite Manners' best efforts to maintain discipline in Van Driessen's class, the rebellious metalhead students create such an uncomfortable teaching environment that he resorts to physically reprimanding them by grasping their necks. Consequently, an unexpected brawl erupts between Van Driessen and Manners, marking the first occasion where the typically composed Van Driessen succumbs to a violent outburst.

6 "Citizen Butt-Head" (Season 3, Episodes 16-17)

Bill Clinton makes an appearance in the TV show Beavis and Butt-Head in a two-part episode. In "Citizen Butt-Head," the American President plans to visit Highland High School. The principal tries to prevent Beavis and Butt-Head from getting close to the President, but they manage to disrupt Clinton's speech during a school assembly, which greatly upsets the school. Additional highlights of the episode include a cameo by Daria and a strange encounter between the boys and Clinton.