Episode 1F14
Written by David Richardson
Directed by Wes Archer
Also starring: Pamela Hayden, Maggie Roswell

Premise: Flanders gets Homer a ticket for the Pigskin Classic football game between the Shelbyville Sharks and the Springfield Atoms. Homer's full of gratitude - and decides to become Flanders' friend.

Features: Kent Brockman, Bill and Marty at KBBL, the Flanders, Lenny, Carl, Mr Burns, Milhouse, Mr and Mrs van Houten, Mayor Quimby, Moe, Dr Hibbert, Chief Wiggum, Rev. Lovejoy, Grampa, Helen Lovejoy.

Couch: The Simpsons rush in - to find two living rooms. They divide their bodies and sit down - twice.

Homage: Homer sings a corrupted version of Village People's Macho Man, and listens to Eddie Money's hit Two Tickets to Paradise.

Moe's secrets: He reads sentimental novels (including My Friend Flicka and Little Women) to sick children in hospital.

Mmmmm: ...sacrelicious.

Notes: This episode has some great existential musings from Lisa - the ending of the episode, in particular, is fantastic, with a glimpse of the 'next episode' - and contains some nice moments highlighting the differences between the Simpsons and the Flanders.