Watch Conan O’Brien Sing ‘The Monorail Song’ From The Simpsons And Weep With Joy

You know, a town with money’s a little like the mule with a spinning wheel. No one knows how he got it and danged if he knows how to use it.
The Simpsons are celebrating their 25th anniversary – along with the fact that they are the be-all-end-all of animated comedies – in a number of different ways. Matt Groening‘s got himself a fancy new book chronicling the family history of the titular mob. American cable network FXX is in the midst of marathoning all 552 episodes, whilst gearing up to launch the all encompassing Simpsons World online streaming service. And then there’s this – a short run of concerts at Los Angeles’ famed Hollywood Bowl, featuring the many, many extremely memorable songs of The Simpsons performed by the cast with the backing of an entire orchestra.
Once the boiling jealousy within you over the fact that some people in the world could actually attend such a thing whilst you yourself could not subsides, I’d like to draw your attention to the somewhat comforting fact that they have the internet on computers now.
So with that said, here’s this. Shaky, from-the-audience, but nonetheless perfectly cromulent footage of former Simpsons writer Conan O’Brien performing The Monorail Song from the episode he penned – who some (me) rate as the greatest Simpsons episode of all time (and I’m right) – in lieu of the absence of original performer Phil Hartman, whose untimely death in 1998 meant he had a hard time committing to this particular performance.

The pedant among you might be quick to point out that Conan half-flubbed a line (it’s “I swear it’s Springfield’s only choice!”) but honest to Five-Fingered God who cares, because this is beautiful and amazing and I hate everyone who was there that wasn’t me.
But wait! There’s more!
How about a little bit of Jon Lovitz singing the barnstorming closing number from Stop the Planet of the Apes! I Want to Get Off!?

Or the elder two Simpsons children (in their middle-aged, female, Yeardley Smith and Nancy Cartwright-guises) singing about the perfect sitter in Minimum Wage Nanny?

Or even the Los Angeles Gay Men’s Chorus belting out a rousing rendition of the highly secretive Stonecutters anthem?

JOY. SO MUCH JOY.
My mighty soul is embiggened.

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