The Simpsons: Difference between revisions

{{otheruses}}

{{Infobox Television

| show_name = The Simpsons

| image = [[Image:C-SimpFamily.png|250px]]

| caption = [[Clockwise]] from top left: [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], [[Marge Simpson|Marge]], [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]], [[Santa's Little Helper]] (dog), [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Snowball (The Simpsons)|Snowball II]] (cat) and [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]].

| genre = [[Animation]]<br/>[[Comedy]]

| picture_format = [[NTSC]] ([[480i]])

| runtime = 22&ndash;24 minutes

| creator = [[Matt Groening]]

| developer = [[James L. Brooks]]<br />Matt Groening<br />[[Sam Simon]]

| voices = [[Dan Castellaneta]]<br />[[Julie Kavner]]<br />[[Nancy Cartwright (actress)|Nancy Cartwright]]<br /> [[Yeardley Smith]] <br /> [[Hank Azaria]] <br /> [[Harry Shearer]] <br /> ([[List of cast members of The Simpsons|Complete list]])

| executive_producer = [[Al Jean]]<br />James L. Brooks<br />Matt Groening<br />Sam Simon

| theme_music_composer = [[Danny Elfman]]

| opentheme = "[[The Simpsons Theme]]"

| composer = [[Alf Clausen]]

| country = [[USA]]

| language = [[English language|English]]

| picture_format = [[NTSC]] or<br />[[ATSC]] [[720p60]] [[Letterbox|Pillarbox]]

| audio_format = [[Stereo]] (NTSC) <br />[[Dolby Digital]] 2.0 (ATSC)

| network = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]

| first_aired = [[December 17]], [[1989]]

| last_aired = present

| num_seasons = 19

| num_episodes = 409

| list_episodes = List of The Simpsons episodes

| related = ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]''

| website = http://www.thesimpsons.com/

| imdb_id = 0096697

| tv_com_id = 146

}}

'''''The Simpsons''''' is an [[animation|animated]] [[Television in the United States|American]] [[Situation comedy|sitcom]] created by [[Matt Groening]] for the [[Fox Broadcasting Company]]. It is a [[satire|satirical]] parody of the "[[Middle America (United States)|Middle America]]n" lifestyle epitomized by its titular [[Simpson family|family]] which consists of [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], [[Marge Simpson|Marge]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]]. The show is set in the fictional town of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]], and it lampoons many aspects of the [[human condition]], as well as [[American culture]], [[society]] as a whole, and [[television]] itself.

The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a pitch for a series of [[The Simpsons shorts|animated shorts]] with the producer [[James L. Brooks]]. Groening created a [[dysfunctional family]] and named the characters after members of his own family, substituting Bart for his own name.<ref name="americasfirstfamily">{{cite video|people=BBC|year=2000|title='The Simpsons': America's First Family (6 minute edit for the season 1 DVD)|format=DVD|location=UK|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The shorts became a part of ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' on [[April 19]], [[1987]].<ref name="goodnight">Richmond, p. 14</ref> After a three-season run, the sketch was developed into a half-hour [[prime time]] show and was an early hit for Fox.

Since its debut on [[December 17]], [[1989]], the show has aired [[List of The Simpsons episodes|409 episodes]]. It is currently airing its [[The Simpsons (season 19)|nineteenth season]]. The season 18 finale, which aired on [[May 20]], [[2007]], was the show’s [[You Kent Always Say What You Want|400th episode]], and 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of ''The Simpsons'' franchise. ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'', a feature-length film, was released in theaters worldwide on [[July 26]] and [[July 27]], [[2007]], and has grossed approximately [[United States dollar|US$]]525.3 million worldwide to date.

''The Simpsons'' has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 23 [[Emmy Award]]s, 24 [[Annie Award]]s and a [[Peabody Award]]. ''[[TIME|Time]]'' magazine's [[December 31]], [[1999]] issue named it the 20th century's best television series,<ref name="century">{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,993039,00.html|title=The Best Of The Century|accessdate=2007-06-03|date=[[1999-12-31]]|publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]''}}</ref> and on [[January 14]], [[2000]] it was awarded a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]. ''The Simpsons'' is the [[List of longest running US television series|longest-running]] American [[sitcom]]<ref name="longsitcom">{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/20030121tvnote0121p5.asp |title=TV Notes: 'Simpsons' breaks record with contract renewal |accessdate=2006-12-19 |last=Owen |first=Rob|date=[[2003-01-21]]|publisher=''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''}}</ref> and the longest-running American [[animated program]].<ref name="Guinness">{{cite book |last=Folkard |first=Claire|title=''Guinness World Records 2006'' |year=2006|publisher=Bantam USA|id=ISBN 0553589067}}</ref> Homer's annoyed grunt "[[D'oh!]]" is considered stupid, yet it has been adopted into the English lexicon; while ''The Simpsons'' has influenced many adult-oriented animated sitcoms.<ref name="influence">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2761301.stm|title=The Simpsons: The world's favourite family|accessdate=2006-12-19|date=[[2003-02-15]]|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

==Origins==

{{main|History of The Simpsons|The Simpsons shorts}}

Groening conceived of the idea for the Simpsons in the lobby of [[James L. Brooks]]'s office. Brooks had asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts, which Groening initially intended to present as his ''[[Life in Hell]]'' series. However, when Groening realized that animating ''Life in Hell'' would require the rescinding of [[publication right]]s for his life's work, he chose another approach and formulated his version of a [[dysfunctional family]].<ref name=inter>{{cite interview|last=Groening|first=Matt|subjectlink = Matt Groening| interviewer = David Bianculli| title = Fresh Air| program = [[National Public Radio]]| callsign = [[WHYY-FM|WHYY]]| url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008| city = Philadelphia| date = [[2003-02-14]]| accessdate = 2007-08-08}}</ref> He named the characters after his own family members, substituting "Bart" for his own name.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/>

[[Image:Simpsons on Tracey Ullman.png|thumb|250px|left|The [[Simpson family]] as they first appeared in ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]].'']]

The [[Simpson family]] first appeared as [[The Simpsons shorts|shorts]] in ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' on [[April 19]] [[1987]].<ref name="goodnight"/> Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned-up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial short episodes.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/>

In 1989, a team of production companies adapted ''The Simpsons'' into a half-hour series for the [[Fox Broadcasting Company]]. The team included what is now the [[Klasky Csupo]] animation house. Jim Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=568&IssueNum=32|title='3rd Degree: Harry Shearer'|accessdate=2006-09-01|author=Kuipers, Dean|date=[[2004-04-15]]|publisher=Los Angeles: City Beat}}</ref> Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called "the mainstream trash" that they were watching.<ref name="toonterrific">{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Tucker||title=Toon Terrific|publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''|date=[[1993-03-12]]|page=48(3)}}</ref> The half-hour series premiered on [[December 17]], [[1989]] with "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]", a [[Christmas special]].<ref name=officialsite>[http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/0101.htm "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"] ''The Simpsons.com''. Retrieved on [[February 5]], [[2007]]</ref> "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons episode)|Some Enchanted Evening]]" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not air until May 1990 because of animation problems.<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

''The Simpsons'' was the Fox network's first TV series to rank among a season's top 30 highest-rated shows.<ref name="rating89">{{cite web|url=http://classictvhits.com/tvratings/1989.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1989–1990|accessdate=2006-07-03|publisher=ClassicTVHits.com}}</ref> Its success prompted Fox to reschedule the series to compete with ''[[The Cosby Show]],'' a move that hurt the ratings of ''The Simpsons.''<ref name="avclub1">{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/47771/1|title=Matt Groening: Interview|accessdate=2006-10-22|author=Rabin, Nathan|date=[[2006-04-26]]|publisher=The A.V. Club}}</ref> In 1992, Tracey Ullman filed a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits of ''The Simpsons''—a claim rejected by the courts.<ref name="ullman">{{cite news |first=Frank|last=Spotnitz||title=Eat my shorts!|publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''|page=8(1)|date=[[1992-10-23]]}}</ref>

The show was controversial from its beginning. The rebellious lead character at the time, Bart, frequently received no punishment for his misbehavior, which led some parents and [[Conservatism|conservatives]] to characterize him as a poor [[role model]] for children.<ref>Turner, p. 131</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6252856.stm|title=Is The Simpsons still subversive?|accessdate=2007-08-06|date=[[2007-06-29]]|author=Rosenbaum, Martin|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> At the time, then-current President [[George H. W. Bush]] said, "We're going to strengthen the American family to make them more like [[the Waltons]] and less like the Simpsons."<ref name="mikescully">{{cite news|first=Nick|last=Griffiths|title=America's First Family|publisher=''The Times Magazine''|pages=25, 27–28|date=[[2000-04-15]]}}</ref> Several US public schools even banned ''The Simpsons'' [[merchandise]] and [[t-shirt]]s, such as one featuring Bart and the caption "Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')".<ref name="mikescully"/> Despite the ban, ''The Simpsons'' merchandise sold well and generated [[US$]]2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales.<ref name="mikescully"/>

== Production ==

===Executive producers===

<div class="infobox" style="width: 40em; font-size: 85%; padding-left: 5px; width: 360px">

'''List of show runners throughout the series' run:'''

*Season 1&ndash;2: [[Matt Groening]], [[James L. Brooks]], & [[Sam Simon]]

*Season 3&ndash;4: [[Al Jean]] & [[Mike Reiss]]

*Season 5&ndash;6: [[David Mirkin]]

*Season 7&ndash;8: [[Bill Oakley]] & [[Josh Weinstein]]

*Season 9&ndash;12: [[Mike Scully]]

*Season 13&ndash;present: [[Al Jean]]

</div>

Matt Groening and James L. Brooks have served as [[executive producer]]s during the show's entire history, and also function as creative consultants. Sam Simon, who served as creative supervisor for the first four seasons, also still receives an executive producer credit despite not having worked on the show since 1993.<ref>{{cite news | author = Dan Snierson | title = D'Oh! | publisher = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035285_20035331_20046980,00.html | accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> A more involved position on the show is the [[show runner]], who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season.<ref>{{cite web|author=Cagle, Daryl|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20051130094202/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp|title=The David Silverman Interview|accessdate=2005-11-30|publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref>

===Writing===

{{main|List of writers of The Simpsons}}

[[Image:Mirkinjean.jpg|left|200px|thumb|[[Al Jean]] (left) is the current executive producer of the show and [[David Mirkin]] (right) is a former executive producer and has been a part of the writing staff since 1994.]]

''The Simpsons'''s writing team consists of sixteen writers who propose episode ideas at the beginning of each December.<ref name="scully">{{cite news|first=Gail|last=Mitchell||title=Mike Scully|publisher=Ultimate TV|date=[[1999-01-24]]}}</ref> The main writer of each episode writes the first draft. Group rewriting sessions develop final scripts by adding or removing jokes, inserting scenes, and calling for re-readings of lines by the show’s vocal performers.<ref name="meyer">{{cite news|first=David|last=Owen||title=Taking Humor Seriously|publisher=[[The New Yorker]]|date=[[2000-03-13]]}}</ref> The leader of these sessions is [[George Meyer]], who has developed the show since Season One. According to long-time writer [[Jon Vitti]], Meyer usually invents the best lines in a given episode, even though other writers may receive script credits.<ref name="meyer"/> Each episode takes six months to produce so the show rarely comments on current events.<ref>{{cite news|first=Geoff|last=Nixon|title=Mmmmmm... pop culture|publisher=''The Silhouette''|date=[[2004-03-04]]}}</ref> However, episodes occasionally mention planned events, such as the [[Olympic Games|Olympics]] or the [[Super Bowl]].

Credited with sixty episodes, [[John Swartzwelder]] is the most prolific writer on ''The Simpsons''<nowiki>'</nowiki> staff.<ref>Turner, p. 21</ref> One of the best-known former writers is [[Conan O'Brien]], who contributed to several episodes in the early 1990s before replacing [[David Letterman]] as host of the [[talk show]] ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien|Late Night]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=536&id=6982005|title=The icing on the Simpsons' cake|accessdate=2007-08-10|date=[[2005-01-04]]|author=McGinty, Stephen|publisher=''Scotsman''}}</ref> English comedian [[Ricky Gervais]] wrote the episode "[[Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife]]", becoming the first celebrity to both write and guest star in an episode.<ref name="Gervais">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4120569.stm|title=Gervais writing Simpsons episode|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=[[2004-12-23]]|accessdate=2006-12-29}}</ref>

=== Voice actors ===

{{main|List of cast members of The Simpsons|List of guest stars on The Simpsons|Non-English versions of The Simpsons}}

[[Image:Hankazaria05.jpg|right|150px|thumb|[[Hank Azaria]] has been a part of the ''Simpsons'' regular voice cast since the second season.<ref>{{cite interview|last=Azaria|first=Hank| interviewer = [[Terry Gross]]| title = Fresh Air| program = [[National Public Radio]]| callsign = [[WHYY-FM|WHHY]]| url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4679119| city = Philadelphia| date = [[2004-12-06]]| accessdate = 2007-08-15}}</ref>]]

With one exception, episode credits list only the [[voice actor]]s, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and, therefore, closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt; James L. Brooks, David Silverman|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> However, the network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode "[[Old Money (The Simpsons episode)|Old Money]]", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt; Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky, Al Jean, David Silverman|year=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Old Money"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In 2003, the cast appeared in an episode of ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]'', doing live performances of their characters' voices.

''The Simpsons'' has six main cast members. [[Dan Castellaneta]] performs [[Homer Simpson]], [[Abraham Simpson]], [[Krusty the Clown]], and other adult, male characters.<ref name="crew">Richmond, pp. 178–179</ref> [[Julie Kavner]] speaks the voices of [[Marge Simpson]] and [[Patty and Selma]], as well as several minor characters.<ref name="crew"/> [[Nancy Cartwright (actress)|Nancy Cartwright]] performs the voice of [[Bart Simpson]] and other children.<ref name="crew"/> [[Yeardley Smith]], the voice of [[Lisa Simpson]], is the only cast member who regularly voices only one character, although she occasionally plays other episodic characters.<ref name="crew"/> There are two male actors who do not voice members of the title family but play a majority of the male townspeople. [[Hank Azaria]] voices recurring characters such as [[Moe Szyslak|Moe]], [[Clancy Wiggum|Chief Wiggum]], and [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon|Apu]], and [[Harry Shearer]] provides voices for [[Montgomery Burns|Mr. Burns]], [[Waylon Smithers|Smithers]], [[Seymour Skinner|Principal Skinner]], [[Ned Flanders]], and [[Julius Hibbert|Dr. Hibbert]].<ref name="crew"/> With the exception of Harry Shearer, every main cast member has won an Emmy for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance|Outstanding Voice-Over Performance]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2006/07/shearer_snubbed.html|title=Shearer snubbed again! Blame that Mr. Burns?|accessdate=2007-08-10|date=[[2006-07-20]]|author=O'Niel, Tom|publisher=''The Envelope''}}</ref>

In addition to the main cast, [[Pamela Hayden]], [[Tress MacNeille]], [[Marcia Wallace]], [[Maggie Roswell]], and [[Russi Taylor]] voice supporting characters.<ref name="crew"/> From 1999 to 2002, Maggie Roswell's characters were voiced by [[Marcia Mitzman Gaven]]. [[Karl Wiedergott]] has appeared in minor roles, but does not voice any recurring characters.<ref>{{cite book |last=McCann |first=Jesse L.|coauthors=Matt Groening|title=[[The Simpsons Beyond Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ...Still Continued]]|origyear=2002 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers |isbn=0-06-050592-3 |pages=p. 117 }}</ref> Repeat "special guest" cast members include [[Albert Brooks]], [[Phil Hartman]], [[Jon Lovitz]], [[Joe Mantegna]] and [[Kelsey Grammer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/06/20/the-five-great-simpsons-guest-stars/|title=The Five: Great Simpsons guest stars|accessdate=2007-08-10|date=[[2006-06-20]]|author=Finley, Adam|publisher=TV Squad}}</ref> <!--Until a good source is found. [[Maurice LaMarche]], [[Jane Kaczmarek]] and [[Jan Hooks]].-->

Episodes will quite often feature guest voices from a wide range of professions, including actors, athletes, authors, bands, musicians and scientists. In the earlier seasons, most of the guest stars voiced characters, but eventually more started appearing as themselves. [[Tony Bennett]] was the first guest star to appear as himself, appearing briefly in the season two episode "[[Dancin' Homer]]".<ref>Turner, p. 393</ref> ''The Simpsons'' holds the [[Guinness Book of World Records|world record]] for "Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series".<ref name="Foxflash">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z3|title=THE SIMPSONS - Season 19 (2007-2008|accessdate=2007-10-21|publisher=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FoxFlash]]}}</ref>

The main cast has been involved in much-publicized pay disputes with Fox on more than one occasion. In 1998, they threatened to strike, forcing [[20th Century Fox]] to increase their salary from $30,000 per episode to $125,000. The series creator Groening supported the actors in their action.<ref>{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Doherty|title=Matt Groening|publisher=''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]''|date=March/April 1999}}</ref> The show's revenue continued to rise through syndication and DVD sales, the main cast stopped appearing for script readings in April 2004. The work stoppage occurred after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with Fox, in which the cast asked for an increase in their pay to $360,000 per episode, or $8 million over a 22-episode season. On [[May 2]], [[2004]], the actors reached an agreement with Fox.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rick|last=McGinnis|title=Star talks Simpsons|publisher=''[[Metro International|metro]]''|date=[[2004-08-09]]}}</ref>

The show has been dubbed into [[Non-English versions of The Simpsons|several other languages]], including [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[German language|German]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], and [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]. It is also one the few programs dubbed in both [[French language|French]] and [[Quebec French]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omnivore.org/jon/orwell/caste.htm|title=Caste Of Characters|accessdate=2007-08-07|date=[[2000-09-09]]|author=Kay, Jonathan|publisher= ''Saturday Night Magazine''}}</ref> ''The Simpsons'' has been broadcast in [[Arabic language|Arabic]], but due to [[Islam]]ic customs, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinks [[Carbonated water|soda]] instead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the life-long ''Simpsons'' fans in the area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05287/588741.stm|title=D'oh! Arabized Simpsons not getting many laughs|accessdate=2007-08-07|date=[[2005-10-14]]|El-Rashidi, Yasmine|publisher=''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''}}</ref>

===Animation===

<div class="infobox" style="width: 40em; font-size: 85%; padding-left: 5px; width: 350px">

'''International animation studios involved:'''

'''[[AKOM]]'''

*Exclusively produced the first two seasons of the series.

*Produced episodes throughout the run of the series.

'''[[Anivision]]'''

*Produced animation for episodes from seasons 3&ndash;10.

'''[[Rough Draft Studios]]'''

*Produced animation for episodes from [[The Simpsons (season 4)|Season Four]] onwards.

'''[[U.S. Animation, Inc.]]'''

*Jointly produced "[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons)|Radioactive Man]]" with Anivision.

*Produced "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]"

'''[[Toonzone Entertainment]]'''

*Produced "[[The Fat and the Furriest]]" and "[[She Used to Be My Girl]]".

</div>

Several different U.S. and international studios animate ''The Simpsons''. Throughout the run of the animated shorts on ''The Tracey Ullman Show,'' the animation was produced domestically at [[Klasky Csupo]].<ref name="animation">{{cite news |first=Harvey |last=Deneroff|title=Matt Groening's Baby Turns 10||publisher=''[[Animation Magazine]]'', Vol. 14, #1|date=January 2000|pages=10, 12}}</ref> With the debut of the series, because of an increased workload, Fox subcontracted production to several international studios, located in [[South Korea]].<ref name="animation"/> Artists at the U.S. animation studio, Film Roman, draw [[storyboard]]s, design new characters, backgrounds, props and draw character and background layouts, which in turn become [[animatic]]s to be screened for the writers at Gracie Films for any changes to be made before the work is shipped overseas. The overseas studios then draw the [[inbetween]]s, [[digital ink and paint|ink and paint]], and render the animation to tape before it is shipped back to the U.S. to be delivered to Fox three to four months later.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV's 'The Simpsons' Goes Global |accessdate=2007-08-15|date=[[2001-08-05]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|author=Elber, Lynn}}</ref>

For the first three seasons, [[Klasky Csupo]] animated ''The Simpsons'' in the U.S. In 1992, the show's production company, [[Gracie Films]], switched domestic production to [[Film Roman]],<ref>{{cite news|title='The Simpsons' Producer Changes Animation Firms|publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''|date=[[1992-01-21]]}}</ref> who continue to animate the show as of 2007.

In [[The Simpsons (season 14)|Season 14]], production switched from traditional [[Traditional animation#Traditional ink-and-paint and camera|cel animation]] to [[Traditional animation#Digital ink and paint|digital ink and paint]].<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt; Al Jean, Jeffrey Lynch, Mike Reiss, David Silverman|year=2004|title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "[[Whacking Day]]"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The first episode to experiment with digital coloring was "[[Radioactive Man (The Simpsons episode)|Radioactive Man]]" in 1995. Animators used digital ink and paint during production of the [[The Simpsons (season 12)|Season 12]] episode "[[Tennis the Menace]]", but Gracie Films delayed the regular use of digital ink and paint until two seasons later. The already completed "Tennis the Menace" was broadcast as made.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.license-europe.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/192007/425752/article.pdf|title=A Salute to the Simpsons|last=Grala|first=Alyson|pages=p. 14|publisher=''License Mag''|accessdate=2007-08-11}}</ref>

==Characters==

{{main|List of characters from The Simpsons}}

[[Image:Simpsons cast.png|thumb|300px|right|''The Simpsons'' sports a vast array of secondary and tertiary characters.]]

The Simpsons are a typical family who live in a fictional "[[Middle America (United States)|Middle American]]" town of Springfield.<ref name="Turner28">Turner, p. 28</ref> Homer, the father, works as a safety inspector at the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]]—a position at odds with his careless, [[jester|buffoon]]ish personality. He is married to Marge Simpson, a [[stereotype|stereotypical]] American [[homemaker|housewife]] and mother. They have three children: Bart, a ten-year-old troublemaker; Lisa, a precocious eight-year-old [[activist]]; and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]], a baby who rarely speaks, but communicates by sucking on a [[pacifier]]. The family owns a dog, [[Santa's Little Helper]], and a cat, [[Snowball II]]. Both pets have had starring roles in several episodes. Despite the passing of yearly milestones such as holidays or birthdays, the Simpsons [[unageing|do not physically age]] and still appear identical to how they did at the end of the 1980s.

The show includes an array of quirky characters: co-workers, teachers, family friends, extended relatives, and local celebrities. The creators originally intended many of these characters as one-time jokesters or for fulfilling needed functions in the town. However, a number of them have gained expanded roles and subsequently starred in their own episodes. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the comedy show ''[[Second City Television|SCTV]]''.<ref name="avclub1"/>

==Setting==

<!-- Warning: DO NOT add any examples of which STATES Springfield might be in.

For any example there is a counter example.

DON'T add that The Simpsons is set in KENTUCKY based on "BEHIND THE LAUGHTER" or

VERMONT based on "The Simpsons Movie Springfield Challenge"

Please read the "Where is Springfield?" section of "Springfield (The Simpsons)"

-->

{{main|Springfield (The Simpsons)}}

''The Simpsons'' takes place in the fictional American town of Springfield, without any geographical coordinates or references to [[U.S. states|US states]] that might identify which part of the country it represents.<!--READ WARNING ABOVE - do not add "Kentucky" or "Vermont"--> Nevertheless, fans have tried to determine the town's location by taking the town's characteristics, surrounding geography, and nearby landmarks as clues. As a response, the show has become intentionally evasive in regard to Springfield's location.<ref>Turner, pp. 289–290</ref> The name "Springfield" is a common one in America and appears in over half of the states.<ref>{{cite web|title=Geographic Names Information System Feature Query Results|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=171:2:15227271951011717603:pg_R_17965331718946601910:NO&pg_min_row=16&pg_max_rows=15&pg_rows_fetched=15|publisher=US Geological Survey|accessdate=2007-06-05}}</ref> Springfield's geography, and that of its surroundings, contain coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, tall mountains, or whatever the story or joke requires.<ref>Turner, p. 30</ref> Despite this, Groening has said that Springfield has much in common with [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]], the city where he grew up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=12392|title=Matt Groening’s Portland|accessdate=2007-08-04|author=Hamilton, Don|date=[[2002-07-19]]|publisher=''[[Portland Tribune]]''}}</ref>

<!-- Warning: DO NOT add any examples of which STATES Springfield might be in.

For any example there is a counter example.

DON'T add that The Simpsons is set in KENTUCKY based on "BEHIND THE LAUGHTER" or

VERMONT based on "The Simpsons Movie Springfield Challenge"

Please read the "Where is Springfield?" section of "Springfield (The Simpsons)"

-->

==Themes==

{{main|List of The Simpsons episodes}}

{{seealso|Politics in The Simpsons|Religion in The Simpsons|Education in The Simpsons}}

''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.<ref name="Turner28"/> However, because of its animated nature, ''The Simpsons'''s 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. By having Homer work in a nuclear power plant, the show can comment on the state of the environment.<ref>Turner, p. 55</ref> Through Bart and Lisa's days at [[Springfield Elementary School]], the show's writers illustrate pressing or controversial issues in the field of education. The town features a vast array of media channels—from kids' television programming to local news, which enables the producers to make jokes about themselves and the entertainment industry.<ref>Turner, p. 388</ref>

Some commentators say the show is political in nature and susceptible to a left-wing bias.<ref>Turner, pp. 221–222</ref> [[Al Jean]] admitted in an interview that "We [the show] are of liberal bent."<ref name="turner223">Turner, p. 223</ref> The writers often evince an appreciation for progressive ideals, but the show makes jokes across the political spectrum.<ref>Turner, p. 224</ref> The show portrays government and large corporations as callous entities that take advantage of the common worker.<ref name="turner223"/> Thus, the writers often portray authority figures in an unflattering or negative light. In ''The Simpsons'', politicians are corrupt, ministers such as [[Reverend Lovejoy]] are indifferent to churchgoers, and the local police force is incompetent.<ref>Turner, p. 56</ref> Religion also figures as a recurring theme. In times of crisis, the family often turns to God, and the show has dealt with most of the major religions.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark I|last=Pinsky|title=The Gospel According to Homer|publisher=''[[Orlando Sentinel]]''|date=[[1999-08-15]]}}</ref>

==Hallmarks==

===Opening sequence===

{{main|The Simpsons opening sequence}}

{{seealso|Chalkboard gag|couch gag}}

[[Image:Simpsons couch gag.jpg|thumb|250px|Shot from an overblown, extended [[couch gag]] (often used when an episode is running short).]]

''The Simpsons''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[Title sequence|opening sequence]] is one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. Most episodes open with the camera zooming through the show's title towards the town of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]]. The camera then follows the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, the Simpsons settle down on their couch to watch television. The opening was created by [[David Silverman]], the first task he did when production began on the show.<ref name=silverinter>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/interviews/silverman/page4.shtml|title=Top titles|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> The series' distinctive theme song was [[composer|composed]] by [[musician]] [[Danny Elfman]] in 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro style piece. This piece, which took two days to create, has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career.<ref name="elfman">{{cite web|url=http://elfman.filmmusic.com/elfman_la_times.html|title=Danny Elfman in the L.A. Times|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Glionna, John M.|year=1999|publisher=Danny Elfman's Music For A Darkened People}}</ref>

One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that several segments are changed from episode to episode. Bart writes something different on the school chalkboard,<ref name=silverinter/> Lisa may play a different solo on her saxophone and a different visual gag accompanies the family as they enter their living room to sit on the couch.<ref>Richmond, pp. 90–91</ref>

===Halloween episodes===

{{main|Treehouse of Horror (series)}}

[[Image:Bart Night Gallery.jpg|thumb|210px|right|Bart introducing a segment of "[[Treehouse of Horror IV]]" in the manner of [[Rod Serling]]'s ''[[Night Gallery]]''.]]

The special [[Halloween]] episode has become an annual tradition. "[[Treehouse of Horror]]" first aired in 1990 as part of [[The Simpsons (season 2)|season two]] and established the pattern of three separate, self-contained stories in each Halloween episode.<ref name="BBCI">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season2/page3.shtml|title=The Simpsons Halloween Special|accessdate=2007-11-09|author=Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian |date=2000|publisher=BBC}}</ref> These pieces usually involve the family in some [[Horror film|horror]], [[science fiction]], or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.<ref>Turner, p. 31</ref> They always take place outside the normal continuity of the show. Although the ''Treehouse'' series is meant to be seen on Halloween, in recent years, new installments have premiered after Halloween due to Fox's current contract with [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[World Series]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pick of the Day: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XVII|last=Ryan|first=Andrew|publisher=''[[The Globe and Mail]]''|date=[[2006-11-04]]|pages=p. 12}}</ref>

===Humor===

{{main|Recurring jokes in The Simpsons}}

The show uses catchphrases, and most of the primary and secondary characters have at least one each.<ref>Turner p. 60</ref> Notable expressions include Homer's annoyed grunt "[[D'oh!]]", Mr. Burns' "Excellent..." and Nelson Muntz's "''Ha''-ha!". Some of Bart's catchphrases, such as "''[[¡Ay, caramba!]]''", "Don't have a cow, man!" and "Eat my shorts!" appeared on t-shirts in the show's early days.<ref>Turner p. 25</ref> However, Bart rarely used the latter two phrases until after they became popular through the merchandising. The use of many of these catchphrases has declined in recent seasons. The episode "[[Bart Gets Famous]]" mocks catchphrase-based humor, as Bart achieves fame on the Krusty the Clown Show for saying "I didn't do it."<ref>Turner p. 61</ref>

The show's humor also turns on cultural references that cover a wide spectrum of society so that viewers from all generations can enjoy the show.<ref name="referential">Turner pp. 63–65</ref> Such references, for example, come from movies, television, music, literature, science, and history.<ref name="referential"/> Whenever possible, the animators also put jokes or sight gags into the show's background via humorous or incongruous bits of text in signs, newspapers, and elsewhere.<ref name="turner62">Turner p. 62</ref> The audience may often not notice the visual jokes in a single viewing. Some are so fleeting that they become apparent only by pausing a video recording of the show.<ref name="turner62"/>

==Influences on culture==

===Influences on language===

[[Image:Matt Groening.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''The Simpsons'' creator [[Matt Groening]].]]

A number of [[neologism]]s that originated on ''The Simpsons'' have entered the popular vernacular.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/47756|title=Beyond "D'oh!": Simpsons Quotes For Everyday Use|author=Bahn, Christopher|coauthors=Donna Bowman, Josh Modell, Noel Murray, Nathan Rabin, Tasha Robinson, Kyle Ryan, Scott Tobias|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=[[2006-04-26]]|publisher=The A.V. Club}}</ref> [[Mark Liberman]], director of the [[Linguistic Data Consortium]], remarked, "''The Simpsons'' has apparently taken over from Shakespeare and the Bible as our culture's greatest source of idioms, catchphrases and sundry other textual allusions."<ref>{{citation|last=Macintyre|first=Ben|author-link=Ben Macintyre|title=Last word: Any word that embiggens the vocabulary is cromulent with me|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=[[2007-08-11]]|year=2007|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article2234263.ece}}</ref> The most famous catchphrase is Homer's annoyed grunt: "[[D'oh!]]" So ubiquitous is the expression that it is now listed in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'', but without the apostrophe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1387335.stm|title=It's in the dictionary, d'oh!|accessdate=2006-12-24|date=[[2001-06-14]]|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Dan Castellaneta says he borrowed the phrase from [[Jimmy Finlayson|James Finlayson]], an actor in early [[Laurel and Hardy]] comedies, who pronounced it in a more elongated and whining tone. The director of ''The Simpsons'' told Castellaneta to shorten the noise, and it went on to become the well-known exclamation in the TV series.<ref name="doh">{{cite news|first=Jeremy|last=Simon|title=Wisdom from The Simpsons' 'D'ohh' boy|format=Interview|publisher=''The Daily Northwestern''|date=[[1994-02-11]]}}</ref>

Other ''Simpsons'' expressions that have entered popular use include "excellent" (drawn out as a sinister "eeeexcelllent…" in the style of Charles Montgomery Burns), Homer's triumphant "Woohoo!" and Nelson Muntz's mocking "HA-ha!" [[Groundskeeper Willie]]'s description of the [[France|French]] as "[[cheese-eating surrender monkeys]]" was used by conservative ''[[National Review]]'' columnist [[Jonah Goldberg]] in 2003, after France's opposition to the proposed [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]]. The phrase quickly spread to other journalists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,11882,893202,00.html|title=Wimps, weasels and monkeys - the US media view of 'perfidious France'|accessdate=2006-08-05|author=Younge, Gary|coauthors=Jon Henley|date=[[2006-07-07]]|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]}}</ref> "Cromulent", a word used in "[[Lisa the Iconoclast]]" has since appeared in the [[Webster's Dictionary|Webster’s New Millennium Dictionary]] of [[English language|English]].<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cromulent lookup] via reference.com</ref> "Kwyjibo", a fake [[Scrabble]] word invented by Bart in "[[Bart the Genius]]" was used as one of the aliases of the creator of the [[Melissa (computer worm)|Melissa worm]].<ref>{{cite video | people=Vitti, Jon|year=2001|title=The Simpsons The Complete First Season DVD commentary for the episode "Bart the Genius"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> "I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords", also known as the Overlord meme, was used by [[Kent Brockman]] in "[[Deep Space Homer]]" and has seeped into popular culture to describe a number of events. Variants of Brockman's utterance are used to express mock submission, usually for the purpose of humor.<ref>Turner, p. 300</ref> It has been used in media, such as ''[[New Scientist]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newscientist.com/blog/space/2007/06/british-government-welcomes-our-new.html|title=The British government welcomes our new insect overlords|publisher=New Scientist magazine|accessdate=2007-10-14}}</ref> The dismissive term "Meh" has also been popularized by the show.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2026533,00.html|title=Meh - the word that's sweeping the internet|accessdate=2007-10-14|date=[[2007-03-05]]|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|author=Michael Hann}}</ref>

===Influence on television===

''The Simpsons'' was the first successful animated program in prime time since ''[[Wait Till Your Father Gets Home]]'' in the 1970s.<ref>Alberti, p. xii.</ref> During most of the 1980s, pundits considered animated shows as appropriate only for children, and animating a show was too expensive to achieve a quality suitable for prime-time television. ''The Simpsons'' changed this perception.<ref name="animation"/> The use of Korean animation studios doing [[Tweening|in-betweening]], coloring, and filming made the episodes cheaper. The success of ''The Simpsons'' and the lower production cost prompted television networks to take chances on other animated series.<ref name="animation"/> This development led to a 1990s boom in new, animated prime-time shows, such as ''[[South Park]]'', ''[[Family Guy]]'', ''[[King of the Hill]]'', ''[[Futurama]]'', and ''[[The Critic]]''.<ref name="animation"/> ''South Park'' later paid homage to ''The Simpsons'' with the episode "[[Simpsons Already Did It]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1647470,00.html|title=The Simpsons Did It!|accessdate=2007-08-01|date=[[2007-07-29]]|author=Richard Corliss|publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]''}}</ref>

''The Simpsons'' has also influenced live-action shows like ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]'', which debuted [[January 9]], [[2000]] in the time slot after ''The Simpsons''.<ref name="influence"/><ref name="malcolm">{{cite web|url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2000/jan00/news30107.html|title='Malcolm in the Middle': trite Fox fare with a first-rate time slot|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Wallenstein, Andrew|publisher=''Media Life Magazine''}}</ref> ''Malcolm in the Middle'' featured the use of [[sight gag|sight gags]] and did not use a [[laugh track]] like most [[sitcom]]s. [[Ricky Gervais]] has called ''The Simpsons'' a major influence on his British comedy ''[[The Office (UK TV series)|The Office]]'', which also dispenses with a laugh track.<ref name="gervais">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/interviews/ricky-gervais.html|title=Ricky Gervais Part One|accessdate=2006-12-20|author=Schuchardt, Richard|publisher=DVDActive.com}}</ref>

==Critical reactions and achievements==

===Awards===

{{main|List of awards won by The Simpsons}}

[[Image:Walk of fame - The Simpsons.jpg|thumb|190px|right|The Simpsons have been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.]]

''The Simpsons'' has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 23 [[Emmy Award]]s,<ref name="Foxflash"/> 24 [[Annie Award]]s<ref>{{cite news|url=http://annieawards.org/20thwinners.html|title=Legacy: 20th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1992)|accessdate=2007-10-16|publisher=[[Annie Awards]]}}</ref> and a [[Peabody Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/PeabodyWinnersBook.pdf|title=George Foster Peabody Award Winners|accessdate=2006-10-15|publisher=Peabody.uga.edu}}</ref> In a 1998 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment, ''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]'' magazine named ''The Simpsons'' the century's best television series.<ref name="century">Citation</ref> In that same issue, ''TIME'' included Bart Simpson in the ''[[TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century|Time 100]]'', the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.<ref name="timebart">{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/simpson.html|title=Bart Simpson|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Corliss, Richard|date=[[1998-06-08]]|publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]''}}</ref> Bart was the only fictional character on the list. On [[January 14]], [[2000]], the Simpsons won a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]. Also in 2000, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' magazine TV critic Ken Tucker named ''The Simpsons'' the greatest television show of the 1990s. Furthermore, viewers of the UK television channel [[Channel 4]] have voted "The Simpsons" at the top of two polls: 2001's [[100 Greatest Kids' TV shows]], and 2005's [[100 Greatest Cartoons]], with Homer Simpson voted into first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters. Homer would also place ninth on ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> list of the "50 Greatest TV icons".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=2682379|title=The 50 Greatest TV Icons|accessdate=2007-11-15|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> In 2002, ''The Simpsons'' ranked #8 on [[TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time]],<ref name="tvguide">{{cite news|title=TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|publisher=''[[TV Guide]]''|date=[[2002-05-04]]}}</ref> and in 2007 it was included in ''TIME''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s list of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/completelist/0,,1651341,00.html|title=The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME|accessdate=2007-01-10||publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]''}}</ref>

===Run length achievements===

On [[February 9]] [[1997]], ''The Simpsons'' surpassed ''[[The Flintstones]]'' with the episode "[[The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show]]" as the longest-running [[prime-time]] animated series in the United States. In 2004, ''The Simpsons'' replaced ''[[The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet]]'' (1952 to 1966) as the longest-running sitcom (animated or [[live action]]) in the United States.<ref name="longsitcom"/> In October 2004, ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'' briefly overtook ''The Simpsons'' as the American animated show with the highest number of episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3949579.stm |title=Scooby-Doo breaks cartoon record| accessdate=2006-08-21|date=[[2004-10-25]]|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> However, network executives in April 2005 again cancelled ''Scooby-Doo'', which finished with 371 episodes, and ''The Simpsons'' reclaimed the title with 378 episodes at the end of their seventeenth season.<ref name="Guinness"/> In May 2007, ''The Simpsons'' reached their 400th episode at the end of the eighteenth season. While ''The Simpsons'' has the record for the number of episodes by an American animated show, other animated series have surpassed ''The Simpsons''.<ref name=lastforever>{{cite news|url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/83-11152007-1441491.html|title=Some records will last forever|accessdate=2007-11-17|date=[[2007-11-15]]|publisher=PhillyBurbs.com|author=Andy Vineberg}}</ref> For example, the Japanese [[anime]] series ''[[Sazae-san#Sazae-san animated series|Sazae-san]]'' has close to 2,000 episodes to its credit.<ref name=lastforever/>

The year 2007 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Simpsons franchise. With its nineteenth year (2007–2008), the series will be only one season behind ''[[Gunsmoke]]'s'' US primetime, scripted television record of 20 produced seasons. However, ''Gunsmoke's'' episode count of 635 episodes far surpasses ''The Simpsons'', which would not reach that mark until its 29th season, under normal programming schedules.<ref name="longsitcom"/>

===Criticism of declining quality===

For many years, critics' reviews of new ''Simpsons'' episodes praised the show for its wit, realism, and intelligence.<ref name="toonterrific"/><ref name="calgary">{{cite news |first=Bob|last=Remington|title=It's The Simpsons, Man|publisher=TV Times (''[[Calgary Herald]]'')|page=10|date=[[1990-10-26]]}}</ref> However, in the mid-90s, the tone and emphasis of the show began to change. Some critics started calling the show "tired".<ref name="slate">{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2078501/|title=Who turned America's best TV show into a cartoon?|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Suellentrop, Chris|date=[[2003-02-12]]|publisher=''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''}}</ref> By 2000, some long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show and pointed to its shift from character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2000/01/24/simpsons/index.html|title=Worst Episode Ever|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Weinman, Jaime J.|date=[[2000-01-24]]|publisher=[[Salon.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010105104500/http://www.msnbc.com/news/419648.asp?cp1=1|title=’The Simpsons’ has lost its cool|accessdate=2001-01-05|author=Bonné, Jon |date=[[2000-09-02]]|publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref>

In 2003, to celebrate the show's 300th episode "[[Barting Over]]", ''[[USA Today]]'' published a pair of Simpsons related articles: a top-ten episodes list chosen by the webmaster of [[The Simpsons Archive]] fansite,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-02-06-fan-favorites_x.htm|title=10 fan favorites|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Paakkinen, Jouni|date=[[2003-02-06]]|publisher=''[[USA Today]]''}}</ref> and a top-15 list by ''The Simpsons''' own writers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-02-06-favorites_x.htm |title=15 writer favorites|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=[[2003-02-06]]|publisher=''[[USA Today]]''}}</ref> The most recent episode listed on the fan list was 1997's "[[Homer's Phobia]]"; the Simpsons' writers most recent choice was 2000's "[[Behind the Laughter]]". In 2004, [[Harry Shearer]] criticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: "I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, so Season Four looks very good to me now."<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris|last=Leggett||title=Harry Shearer|publisher=UK Teletext|date=[[2004-08-04]]}}</ref>

Despite this criticism, ''The Simpsons'' has managed to maintain a large viewership and attract new fans. However, while the first season enjoyed an average of 13.4 million viewers per episode in the US,<ref name="rating89">{{cite web|url=http://classictvhits.com/tvratings/1989.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1989–1990|accessdate=2006-07-03|publisher=ClassicTVHits.com}}</ref> the seventeenth season ended with an average of 9.2 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/story/story.html&story_id=4712&page=4|title=2006 Ratings Wrap-Up (continued)|author=Mahan, Colin|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=[[2006-05-26]]|publisher=TV.com}}</ref> In an April 2006 interview, Matt Groening said, "I honestly don't see any end in sight. I think it's possible that the show will become too financially cumbersome... but right now, the show is creatively, I think, as good or better than it's ever been. The animation is incredibly detailed and imaginative, and the stories do things that we haven't done before. So creatively there's no reason to quit."<ref name="avclub3">{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/47771/3|title=Matt Groening interview with The A.V. Club (page 3)|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|publisher=A.V. Club|accessdate=2006-10-27|date=[[2006-04-26]]}}</ref>

== Merchandise ==

{{main|List of The Simpsons publications}}

{{seealso|The Simpsons discography}}

[[Image:simmonopoly.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]: The Simpsons Edition]]

The popularity of ''The Simpsons'' has made it a billion-dollar merchandizing industry.<ref name="mikescully"/> The title family and supporting characters appear on everything from t-shirts to posters. On [[April 24]] [[2007]], it was officially announced that a ''[[The Simpsons Ride|Simpsons Ride]]'' will be implemented into the [[Universal Studios Orlando]] and [[Universal Studios Hollywood]]. It is scheduled for a Spring 2008 opening.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963652.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1|title=Universal launches 'Simpsons' ride|accessdate=2007-08-06|date=[[2007-04-24]]|author=Adalian, Josef|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> ''The Simpsons'' has inspired special editions of well-known board games, including [[Cluedo|Clue]], [[Scrabble]], [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]], [[Operation (game)|Operation]], and [[The Game of Life]], as well as the trivia games What Would Homer Do? and [[Simpsons Jeopardy!]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8757/simpsons_board_and_trivia_games_are.html|title=Simpsons Board and Trivia Games Are Fun for the Whole Family|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Sexton, Timothy|date=[[2005-08-30]]|publisher=Associated Content}}</ref> Several card games such as [[Trump (card game)|trump cards]] and [[The Simpsons Trading Card Game]] have also been released.

[[Image:Simpsons comic books.jpg|thumb|150px|left|A sampling of ''Simpsons'' comic books.]]

Numerous Simpson-related publications have been released over the years. So far, nine [[comic book]] series have been published by [[Bongo Comics]] since 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070708094751/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/simpsons_sundays/simpsons_on_sundays.asp|title=Sundays with the Simpsons|accessdate=2007-07-08|author=Shutt, Craig|publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref> ''The Simpsons'' and ''Bart Simpson'' comics are also reprinted in the United Kingdom, under the same titles, with various stories from the other Bongo series reprinted in the main Simpsons comic. The comics have also been collected in book form; many other ''Simpsons'' books such as episode guides have also been published.

Collections of original music featured in the TV series have been released on the albums ''[[Songs in the Key of Springfield]]'' and ''[[Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons]]''. Several songs have been recorded with the purpose of a single or album release and have not been featured on the show. The best known single is "[[Do the Bartman]]", which was co-written by [[Michael Jackson]],<ref>{{cite video | people=Bird, Brad; Matt Groening|year=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the special feature "Do the Bartman"|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> and became an international success, topping the [[UK Singles Chart]] for three weeks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/all_the_no1_songs.php?show=5|title=Number 1 Singles - 1990s|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=Official Chart Company}}</ref> and being certified gold by the [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=18135|title=Certified Awards|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]]}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, "[[Deep, Deep Trouble]]" was released as a follow up to "Do The Bartman". The albums ''[[The Simpsons Sing the Blues]]'' and ''[[The Yellow Album]]'' contained [[cover version]]s of songs, as well as some originals.

[[Image:Kwik-e-mart-7-11.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A [[Seattle]] [[7-Eleven]] store transformed into a [[Kwik-E-Mart]] as part of a promotion for ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]''.]]

As a promotion for the ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'', twelve [[7-Eleven]] stores were transformed into [[Kwik-E-Mart]]s and sold ''The Simpsons'' related products. These included "Buzz Cola", "Krusty-O" cereal, Pink doughnuts with sprinkles, and "Squishees".<ref name=FOX>{{cite news | title = 7-Eleven Becomes Kwik-E-Mart for 'Simpsons Movie' Promotion | publisher = [[Fox News]] | date = 2007-07-01 | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287578,00.html | accessdate = 2007-07-03}}</ref>

===DVDs===

{{main|The Simpsons DVDs|The Simpsons DVD boxsets}}

Many episodes of the show have been released on DVD and VHS over the years. When the first season DVD was released in 2001, it quickly became the best-selling television DVD in history, although it was later overtaken by the first season of ''[[Chappelle's Show]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=2338|title=Chapelle's Show—S1 DVD Passes ''The Simpsons'' As #1 All-Time TV-DVD; Celebrates by Announcing Season 2!|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Lambert, David|date=[[2004-09-19]]|publisher=TVshowsonDVD.com}}</ref> In particular, seasons one through ten have been released on DVD in the US ([[DVD region code|Region 1]]), Europe ([[DVD region code|Region 2]]) and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America ([[DVD region code|Region 4]]) with more seasons expected to be released in the future.<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releaselist.cfm?ShowID=3824&Studio=2 DVD release dates] at [[TVShowsOnDVD.com]]. ''Retrieved on [[June 7]], [[2006]]''.</ref>

===Video games===

{{main|The Simpsons video games}}

The [[video game]] industry was quick to adapt the characters and world of Springfield into games. Some of the early games include [[Konami]]'s [[arcade game]] ''[[The Simpsons (arcade game)|The Simpsons]]'' (1991) and [[Acclaim Entertainment]]'s ''[[The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants]]'' (1991). More modern games include ''[[The Simpsons Road Rage]]'' (2001), ''[[The Simpsons Hit & Run]]'' (2003) and ''[[The Simpsons Game]]'' (2007). Two Simpsons [[pinball]] machines have been produced; one that was available briefly after the first season, and another that is still available for purchase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sternpinball.com/simpsons.shtml|title=Stern Pinball, Inc. Announces A Wild "Simpsons Pinball Party"|accessdate=2007-08-12|publisher=Stern Pinball, Inc.}}</ref>

==Film==

{{main|The Simpsons Movie}}

[[Image:Simpsons final poster.png|thumb|right|150px|Official film poster]]

[[20th Century Fox]], [[Gracie Films]], and [[Film Roman]] produced an animated ''The Simpsons'' film that was released on [[July 27]] [[2007]].<ref name="simpsonmovie">{{cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117940840?categoryid=14&cs=1|title=Homer going to bat in '07|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Fleming, Michael|date=[[2006-04-02]]|publisher=Variety.com}}</ref> The film was directed by long-time ''Simpsons'' producer [[David Silverman]] and written by a team of ''Simpsons'' writers comprising Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, George Meyer, [[Mike Reiss]], [[John Swartzwelder]], [[Jon Vitti]], [[David Mirkin]], [[Mike Scully]], [[Matt Selman]], and [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]].<ref name="simpsonmovie"/> Production of the film occurred alongside continued writing of the series despite long-time claims by those involved in the show that a film would enter production only after the series had concluded.<ref name="simpsonmovie"/> There had been talk of a possible feature-length Simpsons film ever since the early seasons of the series. James L. Brooks originally thought that the story of the episode "[[Kamp Krusty]]" was suitable for a film, but encountered difficulties in trying to expand the script to feature-length.<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt; Al Jean, Mark Kirkland, David Silverman|year=2004|title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Kamp Krusty"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> For a long time, difficulties such as lack of a suitable story and an already fully engaged crew of writers delayed the project.<ref name="avclub3"/>

After winning a Fox and ''[[USA Today]]'' competition, [[Springfield, Vermont]] hosted the film's world premiere.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6910174.stm|title=Simpsons launch hits Springfield|accessdate=2007-07-22|date=[[2007-07-21]]|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> ''The Simpsons Movie'' grossed a combined total of $74 million in its opening weekend in the US, taking it to the top of the box office,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2007&wknd=30&p=.htm|title=Weekend Box Office July 27–29, 2007|accessdate=2007-07-29|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> and set the record for highest grossing opening weekend for a film based on a television series, surpassing ''[[Mission Impossible II]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20048748,00.html|title=Raking in the d'oh! |author=Joshua Rich|accessdate=2007-07-30|publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''}}</ref> It opened at the top of the international box office, taking $96 million from seventy-one overseas territories &mdash; including $27.8 million in the United Kingdom, making it Fox's second highest opening ever in that country.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSN2936859520070730|title="Simpsons Movie" rules foreign box office|accessdate=2007-07-30|date=[[2007-07-29]]|author=Frank Segers|publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> In Australia, it grossed [[AU$]]13.2 million, the biggest opening for an animated film and third largest opening weekend in the country.<ref>{{cite news | author = Patrick Kolan | title = Simpsons Movie Breaks Records | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = [[2007-07-30]] | url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/809/809446p1.html | accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref> As of [[December 17]], [[2007]] the film has a worldwide gross of $525,495,894.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=simpsons.htm|title=The Simpsons Movie|accessdate=2007-12-17|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref>

==Notes==

{{reflist|2}}

==References==

*{{cite book | last=Alberti | first=John (ed.) | year=2003 | title=Leaving Springfield: 'The Simpsons' and the Possibility of Oppositional Culture | publisher=Wayne State University Press | id=ISBN 0-8143-2849-0}}

*{{cite book|last=Richmond |first=Ray|coauthors=Antonia Coffman|title=[[The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family]] |year=1997 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers|id=ISBN 0-060-19348-4 }}

*{{cite book | last=Turner | first=Chris | title=[[Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation]] |publisher=Random House of Canada |id=ISBN 0-679-31318-4}}

==Further reading==

*{{cite book | last=Brown | first=Alan | coauthors=Chris Logan | year= 2006 | title=[[The Psychology of The Simpsons]] | id=ISBN 1-932100-70-9}}

*{{cite book | last=Gray | first=Jonathan | year= 2006 | title=Watching with The Simpsons: Television, Parody, and Intertextuality | id=ISBN 0-4153-6202-4}}

* Irwin, William; Mark T. Conrad; Aeon Skoble (eds.) (1999). ''The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer''. Chicago: Open Court. ISBN 0-8126-9433-3.

* {{cite book | last=Keller | first=Beth L. | year = 1992 | publisher = Regent University| title=The Gospel According to Bart: Examining the Religious Elements of The Simpsons | id=ISBN 0-8126-9433-3}}

* {{cite book | last=Keslowitz | first=Steven | year = 2003| publisher = Hats Off Books| title=The Simpsons And Society: An Analysis Of Our Favorite Family And Its Influence In Contemporary Society | id=ISBN 1-58736-253-8}}

* {{cite book | last=Pinsky | first=Mark I | title=The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family | id=ISBN 0-664-22419-9}}

* {{cite book | last=Pinsky | first=Mark I. | coauthors=Samuel F. Parvin | title=The Gospel According to the Simpsons: Leaders Guide for Group Study | id=ISBN 0-664-22590-X}}

==External links==

{{Commonscat|The Simpsons}}

{{wikiquote}}{{portal}}

* [http://www.thesimpsons.com/index.html TheSimpsons.com] Official website

* {{imdb title|id=0096697|title=The Simpsons}}

* {{tv.com show | id=146 | title=The Simpsons}}

* [http://www.snpp.com The Simpsons Archive] (See [[The Simpsons Archive]])

* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/simpsonsthe/simpsonsthe.htm ''The Simpsons''] at the Encyclopedia of Television

* [http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Wikisimpsons_Central The ''Simpsons'' Wiki]

<!--

Please don't add any categories that have the theme of broadcasters that air The Simpsons.

There are too many of these around the world and listing them would clutter the bottom of the page. -->

{{The Simpsons}}

<noinclude>

</noinclude>

{{featured article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpsons, The}}

[[Category:The Simpsons| ]]

[[Category:1989 television program debuts]]

[[Category:1980s American animated television series]]

[[Category:1990s American television series]]

[[Category:2000s American television series]]

[[Category:American animated television series]]

[[Category:American comedy television series]]

[[Category:American culture]]

[[Category:Animated sitcoms]]

[[Category:Fox network shows]]

[[Category:Hollywood Walk of Fame]]

[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]

[[Category:Satirical television programmes]]

[[Category:Television series by Fox Television Studios]]

[[Category:Television shows set in the United States]]

[[Category:Television spin-offs]]

{{Link FA|bg}}

[[af:The Simpsons]]

[[ar:سيمبسونس]]

[[ast:Los Simpson]]

[[az:Simpsonlar]]

[[bar:Die Simpsons]]

[[bs:Simpsonovi]]

[[br:Simpsons]]

[[bg:Семейство Симпсън]]

[[ca:Els Simpson]]

[[cs:Simpsonovi]]

[[cy:The Simpsons]]

[[da:The Simpsons]]

[[de:Die Simpsons]]

[[et:Simpsonid]]

[[el:Σίμπσονς]]

[[eml:The Simpsons]]

[[es:Los Simpson]]

[[eo:La Simpsonoj]]

[[eu:Simpsondarrak]]

[[fa:سیمپسون‌ها]]

[[fr:Les Simpson]]

[[ga:The Simpsons]]

[[gl:The Simpsons]]

[[ko:심슨 가족]]

[[hr:Simpsoni]]

[[id:The Simpsons]]

[[is:Simpsonfjölskyldan]]

[[it:I Simpson]]

[[he:משפחת סימפסון]]

[[ka:სიმპსონები]]

[[la:The Simpsons]]

[[lv:Simpsoni]]

[[lt:Simpsonai]]

[[hu:A Simpson család]]

[[ms:The Simpsons]]

[[nl:The Simpsons]]

[[ne:द सिम्प्सन्स]]

[[ja:ザ・シンプソンズ]]

[[no:Simpsons]]

[[pl:Simpsonowie]]

[[pt:The Simpsons]]

[[ksh:De Simsens]]

[[ro:The Simpsons]]

[[ru:Симпсоны (мультфильм)]]

[[sq:Simpsons]]

[[simple:The Simpsons]]

[[sk:Simpsonovci]]

[[sl:Simpsonovi]]

[[sr:Симпсонови]]

[[sh:The Simpsons]]

[[fi:Simpsonit]]

[[sv:Simpsons]]

[[vi:The Simpsons]]

[[th:เดอะซิมป์สันส์]]

[[tr:The Simpsons]]

[[uk:Сімпсони]]

[[vls:The Simpsons]]

[[zh-yue:阿森一族]]

[[zh:辛普森一家]]