Kelsey Grammer returns to guest-voice as the infamous Sideshow Bob, David Hyde Pierce as Sideshow Bob's dubious brother Cecil Terwilliger, and John Mahoney as their father, Mr. Terwilliger. Marge dreams that Keith Olbermann (guest-voicing as himself) chides her for fast-forwarding through television commercials. Marge tries her to make restitution by watching hours of advertisements, and she and the Simpson family take particular interest in an ad for Wes Doobner's World-Famous Family-Style Rib Huts. They drive to the restaurant, only to find Sideshow Bob waiting for them, triumphant in his elaborate hoax to lure them to their doom. When Sideshow Bob's attempt to terminate the family is foiled, he is put on trial, where his father blames Sideshow Bob's psychosis on Bart. During the proceedings, Bart accidentally kills his old nemesis, and Bob's brother Cecil invites Bart to attend the memorial service for Sideshow Bob to bury the hatchet for good.
FAN DESK VERDICT An all-timer. This is the episode you show someone to explain why The Simpsons matters — clear the evening and watch it properly.
The Simpsons S19E08 (“Funeral for a Fiend”) first aired on November 25, 2007.
In the US, The Simpsons season 19 — including this episode — is available on FX, Hulu, Disney+, fuboTV, DirecTV On Demand, Spectrum On Demand, YouTube TV, FOX One Amazon Channel, Hulu on Disney+, Amazon, Fandango at Home, and AppleTV.
Guest stars include David Hyde Pierce (Cecil Terwilliger (voice)), John Mahoney (Robert Terwilliger, Sr. (voice)), Keith Olbermann (Keith Olbermann (voice)), and Kelsey Grammer (Sideshow Bob (voice)).
The Simpsons S19E08 (“Funeral for a Fiend”) was directed by Rob Oliver and written by Michael Price.
Fans rate The Simpsons S19E08 (“Funeral for a Fiend”) 9.1/10, which puts it in the essential tier for The Simpsons.