(S06E05) Sideshow Bob: No children have ever meddled with the Republican party and lived to tell about it.

One of the benefits of being a satirical show like The Simpsons is that for the most part, the gags remain somewhat timeless. I say "somewhat" because once in awhile there will be moments that really date that particular episode. In this episode it's a reference to Rush Limbaugh in the guise of Springfield's loudmouth celebrity radio yakker Birch Barlow, author of Only Turkeys Have Left Wings. I know Rush is still around, but I think it's safe to say he's no longer in his heyday.

While in prison, Sideshow Bob calls into Barlow's radio show as a fellow Republican. Barlow soon leads a campaign to get Bob out of prison, and once out, he begins to mount a campaign to become mayor of Springfield. Lisa panics when she hears him on the radio, and tries to explain to Homer who Sideshow Bob is, even though Homer should know by now. Finally, Homer gets it: "Oh! SideSHOW Bob!"

Bart panics as well, since Bob has a tendency of trying to murder him. He's one of Bart's mortal enemies, after all. Well, he and Dr. Demento for some reason. When Sideshow Bob wins the election by a landslide, Lisa becomes suspicious and tries to figure out how he rigged the election. Eventually this leads to her and Bart finding out Bob stuffed the ballot box with votes from dead people, and even dead pets. "The dead have risen and are voting Republican!" exclaims Bart. In the final scene, Lisa uses Bob's own pride against him, getting him to admit to everything. Once again it's off to prison until Kelsey Grammer gets around to returning for another episode.

Some of my favorite moments:

• Homer tells Lisa she can pick the radio station when she's driving the car, so she actually drives the car for awhile.
• Sideshow Bob's campaign commercial that oddly states Quimby shouldn't be elected because he released Sideshow Bob, a known murderer, from prison
• Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper all voted for Sideshow Bob