The Simpsons

On December 17, 1989, a family of four yellow-skinned characters debuted on the fledgling Fox network and changed television forever. The Simpsons began life as a series of 30-second animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987, created by cartoonist Matt Groening. He sketched the family in the lobby of producer James L. Brooks's office, naming them after his own relatives, substituting "Bart" for himself. The half-hour series premiered with the Christmas special "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" and quickly became an early hit for Fox, becoming the first Fox series to land in the top 30 ratings in its first full season.

The show follows the misadventures of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson in the deliberately ambiguous town of Springfield. Its irreverent satire of American society, politics, and pop culture, delivered through a vast ensemble of memorable characters, has made it a cultural touchstone. Over 36 seasons and more than 750 episodes, The Simpsons has earned 34 Primetime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. The voice cast, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, and Harry Shearer, has remained remarkably stable, providing continuity across decades.

The franchise extends far beyond the TV screen. The Simpsons Movie (2007) grossed over $527 million worldwide. Bongo Comics has published hundreds of issues. The album The Simpsons Sing the Blues (1990) featured the hit "Do the Bartman," co-written by Michael Jackson under a pseudonym due to contractual obligations. Universal Studios theme parks feature fully realized Springfield attractions. Following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, the series found a new home on Disney+, introducing it to a new generation. The show continues to air new episodes, with Season 36 premiering in September 2024. [edit]