
In this inaugural installment of A.V. To Z, we pick the best obscure (or at least semi-obscure) Simpsons character for each letter of the alphabet. We sifted through hundreds of lesser-seen characters as we debated our nominations. Some letters offered a clear-cut winner, and some presented agonizing decisions—hence the occasional runner-up, to defuse arguments. Even the definition of “obscure” proved slippery, given how many characters have grown from an initial cameo appearance to become an integral part of the show’s lore. We eventually settled on the Frink Line: A character had to be more obscure, in our judgment, than Professor Frink to be considered for inclusion. (Sorry, Professor.)