| "Lisa the Skeptic" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
 The townspeople see the "angel" "come to life". | |
| Episode no. | Season 9 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Neil Affleck |
| Written by | David X. Cohen |
| Production code | 5F05 |
| Original air date | November 23, 1997 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
| Episode features | |
| Chalkboard gag | "I will not tease fatty" |
| Couch gag | The living room is a sauna, with three men in towels relaxing. The Simpsons (also in towels) arrive, but leave sheepishly as the three men glare at them. |
| Commentary | Matt Groening Mike Scully David X. Cohen George Meyer Yeardley Smith Pete Michels |
"Lisa the Skeptic" is the eighth episode of the ninth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on Fox in the United States on November 23, 1997. On an archaeological dig with her class, Lisa discovers a skeleton that resembles an angel. All of the townspeople believe that the skeleton actually came from an angel, but skeptical Lisa attempts to persuade them that there must be a rational scientific explanation. The episode's writer, David X. Cohen, developed the idea after visiting the American Museum of Natural History, and decided to loosely parallel themes from the Scopes Monkey Trial. The episode also makes allusions to actual hoaxes, such as the Cardiff Giant.
It has been discussed in the context of ontology, existentialism, and skepticism; it has also been used in Christian religious education classes to initiate discussion about angels, science, and faith.