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With over four hundred episodes and nineteen seasons under its belt, "The Simpsons" has changed the face of television forever. Award-winning and critically acclaimed, the series delivers solid messages about family, society, and the environment. The show, steeped in irreverence, enjoys a far more colorful history and has had a greater impact on the world than most television series. "The Simpsons" has given us such phrases as "Meh" and "D'oh!," which have become a part of everyday language for many people.



The Simpson family, who reside in the fictional American community of Springfield, include Homer, a father who gives bad advice and works as the safety inspector at the local power plant; Marge, a loving mother and wife who tries to keep peace in the family; Bart, a hell-raising 10-year-old; Lisa, a philosophical 8-year-old who loves to play the saxophone; and Maggie, the baby, who communicates by sucking her pacifier.

Giving voices to the family are Dan Castellaneta as Homer, Julie Kavner as Marge, Nancy Cartwright as Bart and Yeardley Smith as Lisa. The aforementioned actors, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden, Russi Taylor, Tress MacNeille, and Maggie Roswell also provide the voices of several other characters.


In need of filler material for FOX's "The Tracey Ullman Show," Pauly Platt, a fan of Matt Groening's "Life in Hell" comic strip, suggested that Groening be brought in to work on the program. The Simpson family itself was created in less than fifteen minutes while Groening waited in the foyer to James L. Brooks' office. The show first appeared on April 19th, 1987 as a series of thirty second spots produced by Groening. Response to the Ullman shorts was so positive that "The Simpsons" premiered on FOX as a half-hour Christmas special on December 17th, 1989, and then as a regular series on January 14th, 1990.

Seasons Two, Three, Four, and Five were broadcast by FOX on Thursday nights in the 8 PM slot, before returning to Sunday nights beginning with Season Six. Before local syndication, FOX aired classic Simpsons episodes beginning at 7 PM to lead the failed block of comedy FOX scheduled for 1995.

In addition, Seasons One, Two, and Three were animated by Klasky-Csupo, who also worked on the Ullman shorts. Subsequent seasons have been animated by Film Roman, with additional animation being done by Akom Production Company, Anivision, and Rough Draft Studios in Korea.

The series has spawned an abundance of merchandise bearing the likenesses of Groening's creations. One would have to look far and wide to find a place where there is not a Simpsons mug, beach towel, t-shirt, board game, wristwatch, puzzle, or backpack with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie proudly telling the world that the owner is a Simpsons fan. There is even a platinum recording entitled "The Simpsons Sing the Blues," which gave birth to two music videos ("Do the Bartman" and "Deep, Deep Trouble") and put the family on the musical charts. By 1996, among entertainment properties, total sales of Simpsons merchandise worldwide was second only to "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." After an oversaturation of Simpsons merchandise on the market in the early 90's, FOX attempted to revive production of items featuring OFF. 1997's book "The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family" was a huge hit, as was 1999's CD, "Go Simpsonic."

As far as achievements go, "The Simpsons" has been honored with a Peabody Award, twenty-three Emmy Awards, twenty-four Annie Awards, four Genesis Awards, a Golden Globe nomination for "Best Musical or Comedy" in 2003, and many more accolades. In September 2006, "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" won an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, marking the ninth time "The Simpsons" has captured that award. "Life on the Fast Lane," "Homer vs. Lisa and the Eighth Commandment," "Lisa's Wedding," "Homer's Phobia," "Trash of the Titans," "Behind the Laughter," "HOMR," and "Three Gays of the Condo" also captured the award in 1990, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2003, respectively. Also, in 1997 "The Simpsons" surpassed "The Flintstones" as the longest-running prime-time animated show in history.

One unique honor came on January 14th, 2000, when "The Simpsons" received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This was part of FOX's "Simpsons Global Fanfest," a yearlong celebration of all things Simpson. Several lines of Simpsons action figures by Playmates Toys hit store shelves, a few Simpsons video games such as "The Simpsons Road Rage" and "The Simpsons: Hit & Run" were released, and many Simpsons episode collections were released on DVD (the Season One DVD is the second best selling series set of all time, behind the first season of "Chappelle's Show").

Lastly, with nearly nineteen full seasons aired, "The Simpsons" has pushed past "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet" as the longest running television comedy in history. "Watch out, 'Gunsmoke,' you're next," quipped Al Jean, executive producer of the show ("Gunsmoke" ran for a record 20 years).



In 1999, Time Magazine named "The Simpsons" the best TV show of the 20th century, and with good reason. The series has transformed the way the television industry and audiences perceive animation and comedy in general. Evidenced by the proliferation and success of new animated series which appeal to adults, "The Simpsons" has become the standard against which all others are measured. It's safe to say that without "The Simpsons" there would never have been a "South Park" or a "Family Guy." Many people argue that the FOX network itself would not exist today if it weren't for Bart, Homer, and the rest of the gang. In the meantime, new episodes of the series continue to receive strong ratings on FOX, the long-anticipated Simpsons Movie was both a critical and financial success, and the future of the world's favorite yellow family remains bright. Who says that all good things must come to an end?