The Simpsons

Simpsons cast

Jameslbrooks

Matt Groening by Gage Skidmore 2

Simpsons writers2

Dan Castellaneta cropped

Julie Kavner 1974

The Simpsons is an American animated television series created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield and parodies American culture, society, television, and many aspects of the human condition. The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a pitch for a series of animated shorts with the producer James L. Brooks. Groening created a dysfunctional family and named the characters after his own family members, substituting Bart for his own name. The shorts became a part of The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987. After a three-season run, the sketch was developed into a half-hour prime time show and became an early hit for Fox, becoming the network's first series to land in the Top 30 ratings in a season (1989–1990).

Since its debut on December 17, 1989, 700 episodes of The Simpsons have been broadcast. It is the longest-running American sitcom, and the longest-running American scripted primetime television series, both in terms of seasons and number of episodes. The Simpsons Movie, a feature-length film, was released in theaters worldwide on July 27, 2007, and grossed over $527 million. Additionally, The Simpsons has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 34 Primetime Emmy Awards, 34 Annie Awards, and a Peabody Award. The show has also been noted for its influence on American culture and the television industry.

Characters

The main characters are the Simpson family, who live in Springfield. The family consists of Homer, the father, who works as a safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant; Marge, the loving mother and homemaker; Bart, their mischievous son; Lisa, their intelligent and activist daughter; and Maggie, the baby of the family. Other significant characters include the town's many residents, such as Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, and many others.

Themes and Style

The Simpsons uses the standard setup of a situational comedy, or sitcom, as its premise. The series centers on a family and their life in a typical American town. However, because of its animated nature, The Simpsons' scope is larger than that of a regular sitcom. The town of Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. The show is known for its satire of American popular culture and especially television culture. It mocks many aspects of the human condition, as well as American culture, society, politics, and many other aspects of life.

Production

The show is animated by Film Roman, a company that Groening went to after leaving Klasky Csupo, which had animated the shorts for The Tracey Ullman Show. It takes about six to eight months to produce an episode of The Simpsons. Unlike most other television shows, The Simpsons features a large cast of recurring characters.

Legacy

The Simpsons has had a significant impact on popular culture and the television industry. It has influenced many other sitcoms, animated and otherwise. The show is recognized for its innovation in the television industry, its influence on the English language, and its role in modern American culture. The Simpsons has also generated vast amounts of merchandise, including books, DVDs, and a wide range of collectibles.