The 20 best one-off characters from ‘The Simpsons’

These guys embiggened The Simpsons to make it the perfectly cromulent show that it is.

Although the Simpson family themselves have always been the most important, a huge factor in what made The Simpsons so great was the excellent cast of supporting characters. That supporting cast included hundreds of friends, enemies and acquaintances of The Simpsons family, whether it was secondary characters who appeared frequently, or others who featured rarely but still managed to make a mark. Some of the characters that have appeared in only one episode of The Simpsons, in fact, turned out to be some of the show’s most memorable characters. Even casual fans of the show, for example, will immediately identify with the likes of Hank Scorpio, Lyle Lanley, Rex Banner and Frank Grimes. This list, however, is an ode to the unsung heroes of The Simpsons, characters whose time on the show was all-too brief but who still made a huge contribution, particularly during its glory years. In one way, it’s a shame that we didn’t see some of them more frequently, but, as was the case with McGarnagle, more frequent exposure may have done their legacy more harm than good. In no particular order, then, here are some of our favourite underappreciated one-off characters from The Simpsons. P.S. There is a very slight chance that some of the characters below made extremely minor cameos in other episodes, but please don't begrudge them their well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Chester J Lampwick

Episode: The Day the Violence Died (Season 7) Who is he? A bum who claimed to be the original creator of cartoon violence, with Bart’s help, he cleaned out Itchy and Scratchy Studios for $800million, with which he bought a solid gold house and a rocket car. Most memorable moment: His war of words with Grampa Simpson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEBdBLt0Sek Clip via Mark Raines

Don Brodka

Episode: Marge Be Not Proud (Season 7) Who is he? The incredibly intimidating-looking security guard at Try N’ Save, he caught Bart in the act of trying to steal a copy of Bonestorm. Most memorable moment: The message he left on The Simpsons’ answering machine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSM7bvLiCHk Clip via Moved to 2009Greenyphatom (2nd Account)

Pepi

Episode: Brother from the Same Planet (Season 4) Who is he? After Bart joins the Bigger Brother programme and is paired with all-round good guy and shining example, Tom, Homer decides to get his own little brother and ends up with Pepi. He originally wanted him in blonde but is happy enough with his choice. Most memorable moment: His exchange with Homer about the fictitious constellations in the sky. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WBFFoHATx8 Clip via Prosecco Man

Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo

Episode: The Last Temptation of Homer (Season 5) Who is he? A customer in Moe's pub who is heartbroken when Moe ridicules his name. Most memorable moment: Poor guy... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-LtddOgUCE Clip via Simpsonphile

Molloy

Episode: Homer the Vigilante (Season 5) Who is he? A smooth-talking and very charming colleague of Abe Simpson’s in the retirement home, he is subsequently revealed as the Cat Burglar who has been relieving Springfield residents of their most treasured possessions. Most memorable moment: “It seems that the cat was caught by the very person who was trying to catch him.”

Nigel

Episode: Homer’s Barbershop Quartet (Season 5) Who is he? The very shady-looking manager of The Be Sharps, the barbershop quartet that Homer formed with Apu, Principal Skinner and Barney in the ‘80s. Most memorable moment: His words to Homer about Marge before the Be Sharps' tour of Sweden.

Laura Powers

Episode: New Kid on the Block (Season 4) Who is she? A girl that moves in next door to the Simpsons, Bart develops a crush on her only to be heartbroken when she falls for local bully Jimbo Jones. Most memorable moment: "How would you like a Hurts Doughnut?"

Larry Burns

Episode: Burns, Baby Burns (Season 8) Who is he? Mr. Burns’ estranged son, he fails to bond with his father but immediately strikes up a relationship with Homer, who kidnaps him in an attempt to get Mr. Burns to prove his affection. Most memorable moment: His line about his wife and kids is our favourite of a number of outstanding moments here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2AB7YqmmxU Clip via Magel Sanchez

John

Episode: Homer’s Phobia (Season 8) Who is he? The owner of a quirky store named Cockamamie's Collectibles Shop, Homer warms to him without realising he is gay. Most memorable moment: Zzzzzzap! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1b6ko1I00A Clip via mattGAYBAR

Ray Patterson

Episode: Trash of the Titans (Season 9) Who is he? Springfield’s Sanitation Commissioner, he had been doing a bang-up job until Homer decided to challenge him with a campaign based on ‘crazy promises’. Most memorable moment: His acceptance speech when Springfield decided to get rid of Homer and reinstate him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6CVvNRQcvE Clip via Rebirth_4.65

Andy (prime minister of Australia)

Episode: Bart vs. Australia (season 6) Who is he? The prime minister of Australia, he was ready to give Bart a booting as punishment for making a collect call to Tobias, the son of Andy’s neighbour Bruno, which cost Bruno nine hundred dollary-doos. Most memorable moment: “Aye, mates, what’s the good word?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV_O3BA5e28 Clip via nixxelpixel

Mindy Simmons

Episode: The Last Temptation of Homer (Season 5) Who is she? A new attractive employee at the Power Plant, she has loads in common with Homer, who tries desperately to avoid succumbing to their mutual attraction on a work trip to Capital City. Most memorable moment: "Think unsexy thoughts."

Lieutenant LT Smash

Episode: New Kids on the Blecch (Season 12) Who is he? A music producer who recruits Bart, Millhouse, Nelson and Ralph to form a new boyband called The Party Posse. It turns out his reasons for doing so are more sinister than he lets on. Most memorable moment: The revelation of his true identity.

Brad Goodman

Episode: Bart's Inner Child (Season 5) Who is he? A self-help guru who wields huge influence on the impressionable people of Springfield and causes inevitable chaos when he encourages them to act like Bart. Most memorable moment: His motivational video with Troy McClure, particularly the bit with the circle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czFe4TP14MM Clip via ThingsICantFindOtherwise

Godfrey Jones

Episode: Homer Badman (Season 6) Who is he? The host of investigative news programme Rock Bottom, he doesn't mind employing questionable methods to get to the bottom of a story, as Homer finds to his cost. Most memorable moment: The heavily-edited segment on Rock Bottom that appears to highlight Homer's lust for sexual harassment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqDP8SnPVA0 Clip via Alex F

Cooder and Spud

Episode: Bart Carny (Season 9) Who are they? Cooder and his son Spud are carnies who take over the Simpson home after Homer's stupidity led to their booth being taken away from the carnival. Most memorable moment: The Cooders getting comfy in their new home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWmGhaO59qY Clip via the milfhunter's channel

Roy

Episode: The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show (Season 8) Who is he? A young and ultra-hip guy who temporarily moves in with the Simpsons, he shares similar traits with 'The Fonz' from Happy Days. The inclusion of both Roy and Poochie in this episode were believed to be a brilliant and cutting retort by Simpsons writers to suggestions from Fox that they introduce a new character to liven up the show. Most memorable moment: Roy announces where he's off to next.

Lucius Sweet

Episode: The Homer They Fall (Season 8) Who is he? The manager of boxer Drederick Tatum, he's "exactly as rich and famous as Don King and looks just like him too". Most memorable moment: His introduction to Moe before Homer's fight against Drederick Tatum.

Guy Incognito

Episode: Marge's Fear of Flying (Season 6) Who is he? A well-dressed and sophisticated gentleman who looks exactly like Homer, he has the misfortune of trying to get a drink in Moe's almost immediately after Homer had been barred. Most memorable moment: Homer realising that Guy is his exact double, before becoming preoccupied by a dog with a puffy tail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jaAeTaG_ms Clip via Timmy M

Knightboat

Episode: And Maggie Makes Three (Season 6) Who is he? A crime-solving boat with unmissable similarities to KITT from Knight Rider, it seems to always to help its driver, Michael, find a way to catch the bad guys. Most memorable moment: "Oh no, they're headed for land." No problem to Knightboat... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoV1-fsFCmw Clip via kentuckyfriedpanda1 Any glaring omissions? Feel free to let us know: Hello@JOE.co.uk, or message us on Facebook.