THE SIMPSONS

We're big fans of the Simp's and one of the reasons is their astonishing creativity and often quick referencing in surreal circumstances. Blink, and you miss them. A couple of recent examples from Season 28-in episode 10, Dutch artist Theo Jansen and his kinetic sculptures Strandbeest turn up at Springfield's Winter Fair.

Episode 9 begins with Bob Fosse doing his signature walk on a high wire amongst the clouds and closes with the couch gag that quickly turns into a recreation of Francisco Goya's famous 3rd of May, 1808 painting supporting Spanish resistance to Napoleon's armies.

This is half the pleasure of watching: catching and identifying these clever bits. I think few if any group of writers has as much creative freedom in the industry.