Coolest Non-Simpson 'Simpsons' Characters - By Paul Semel

With "The Simpsons: The Complete Ninth Season" out now on DVD, fans of the long-running animated favorite can enjoy some of the show's most classic episodes whenever they want -- episodes such as "Trash of the Titans," in which Homer becomes the new sanitation commissioner; "Bart Carney," which has the family grifted out of their home; and, of course, the always funny (and always annual) "Treehouse of Horror" episode. But although the adventures of "The Simpsons" wouldn't be the same without the Simpson family -- you know, Maggie, Marge, Grampa, et al -- it wouldn't be the same without all the colorful characters whose last names aren't Simpson, either. In honor of the show's ninth season, here are our picks for the nine best "Simpsons" characters who don't have Simpson DNA.

'The Simpsons'/FOX

Who: Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten

Voiced By: Pamela Hayden

Introduced: "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (episode 7G08, Dec. 17, 1989), which was the first "Simpsons" episode after a string of shorts on "The Tracy Ullman Show"

Best Episode: "Radioactive Man" (episode 2F17, Sept. 24, 1995) in which Milhouse gets cast as Fallout Boy in the "Radioactive Man" movie

Fun Fact: Takes his first name from President Richard Milhous Nixon and his last either from Van Houten Avenue in Portland, Ore. (the hometown of "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening) or from Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten.

Why We Love Him: Because he reminds us of ourselves when we were that age. Plus, we hope he'll one day have a brother and that they form a cool rock band they name after themselves.

'The Simpsons'/FOX

Who: Edna Krabappel

Voiced By: Marcia Wallace

Introduced: "Bart the Genius" (episode 7G02, Jan. 14, 1990), in which Bart's theft of another kid's test lands him in a more progressive school

Best Episode: "Grade School Confidential" (episode 4F09, April 6, 1997) in which Krabappel and Principal Skinner began their forbidden love affair

Fun Fact: In 1992, Wallace won the "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance" Emmy for her portrayal of Edna Krabappel in the episode "Bart the Lover" (8F16, Feb. 13, 1992).

Why We Love Her: Because she reminds us of our fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Alpert. Mrs. Alpert was a lot more bitter ... and sounded like the receptionist from "The Bob Newhart Show."

'The Simpsons'/FOX

Who: Comic Book Guy (aka Jeff Albertson)

Voiced By: Hank Azaria

Introduced: "Three Men and a Comic Book" (episode 7F21, May 9, 1991), in which Bart, Milhouse and Martin fight over an issue of "Radioactive Man"

Best Episode: The "Desperately Seeking Xena" segment of "Treehouse of Horror X" (BABF01, Oct. 31, 1999), in which Stretch Dude and Clobber Girl -- aka Bart and Lisa after an X-ray machine explosion gave them superpowers -- battle Comic Book Guy's alter ego, The Collector

Fun Fact: Azaria has said that Comic Book Guy is, at least in part, based on his neighbor at Tufts University during his freshman year. However, there's a rumor that the neighbor may be actor, and Azaria's "Huff" co-star, Oliver Platt.

Why We Love Him: Because he reminds us of ourselves when we were that age. Which was last year.

'The Simpsons'/FOX

Who: C. Montgomery Burns

Voiced By: Harry Shearer

Introduced: "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (episode 7G08, Dec. 17, 1989), in which the family learns the joy of the season by going to the dog track

Best Episode: "Rosebud" (1F01, Oct. 21, 1993) in which Burns pines for his beloved stuffed bear, Bobo

Fun Fact: Is a member of exclusive, and sometimes secretive, organizations such as Skull & Bones, The Excluders Club, The Stonecutters and the Ancient Mystic Order of No-Homers.

Why We Love Him: Because although corrupt evil businessmen may be cliché, Burns takes it all -- the corruption, the evil and the funny -- to a whole new level.

Page 1 of 2          Next next