The Simpsons (1989– ) User Reviews

It started off fantastic...

[Arlando909 · 9/10 · 1 June 2006]

No one, not even Matt Groening himself, could've imagined that The Simpsons would become as big as it did. Nor could anyone anticipate it could become so cultural. "D'oh" is in the dictionary, and it has spawned off several catch-phrases and one liners. Truly, The Simpsons is the biggest thing since Seinfeld! The first three seasons showed them as if they were an actual family. Like the kind of family you'd meet on the street (only a lot more dysfunctional). Homer trying to do the fatherly thing in each episode. Marge being the voice of reason all the time. Lisa and Bart with their sibling rivalry. These first three seasons are not usually sighted as being the best, but they are often brought up when one speaks of "The Best Episode Ever!" By Season four, the show took a turn for what may have been the best. It left it's more realistic roots and became more of a satire. With more zany antics and more clever, witty, and often times sophisticated humor, The Simpsons became the most popular family on television. Each episode still contained it's own merits, themes and messages. Seasons 4 to about 10 are often said to be the "Golden Age" of The Simpsons.

However, as the year 2000 came, fans began to see themselves divided. Those who stuck with the show since it came about in 1989 were quick to jump on how the show changed. The humor became more lurid and toilet like, with antics becoming heavily more unrealistic and zany (to the point where some even say it isn't funny... but stupid). Some characters becoming unrealistically stupid, and the show shifting gears from focusing on Bart to Homer... to everyone outside of the Simpson family. The show also began to see more cumbersome and meaningless plots. Plots that didn't focus on current issues, or that didn't seem to be as strong as older episodes. Despite this, new fans seem to have come about to replace then, and the show continues to remain at the top of its game, even today.

I'm sure you all know where I stand on that debate. Nine stars to nine fantastic seasons.

I'm glad I'm not the only one...

[amarkovic-65487 · 8/10 · 13 April 2020]

I was hesitant to give this the rating I did, but from reading other audience reviews, my review actually will come across as far more... lenient. What can I say that hasn't been said already, the golden age of The Simpsons (seasons 3-8) is flawless television. Going through it again, it was awe inspiring to me how they manage to structure joke upon joke upon joke upon joke, something that must've been a complete breath of fresh air considering the boring, lifeless, milk-toast excuses for comedy shows that were coming around at that time. Yeah, those ones using canned laughter which relied completely on actors and people being loud as an excuse to be funny with a roaring laughter every 5 seconds spoon feeding the audience of when to laugh, with an exception of Seinfeld these were just boring shows for boring people, The Simpsons was intelligent, heart felt, structured and most of all... FUNNY.

However, all good things must come to an end. In an ideal scenario, The Simpsons ended on season 10 and season 9 didn't include the infamous 'The Principal and The Pauper', it lives its legacy as one of the greatest TV shows of all time and is passed down from generation to generation. Sure, the season 9 and 10 weren't golden age material, they were still solid entries in The Simpsons canon but then from season 11, things started to drastically change, we were getting episodes which would've been some of the weaker episodes in a golden age era season that were the best episodes of the season they were actually in. Sure, season 13 was pretty good but the show was tanking in quality almost directly after, pretty much season 14 onwards was terrible (not to mention the really bland movie). Now we're on the 31st season, the show is just completely unwatchable, the best episodes are mediocre and boring and the worst episodes are... 'Lisa Goes Gaga' (if you know what I mean). The show, at this point, is almost completely unrecognisable, a mere slight resemblance of what it once was (even the animation sucks nowadays), that's why it's so damn difficult to rate this show, at the same time it's one of my favourite and least favourite shows, the show should've ended 20 years ago, you can't keep lightning in a bottle for that long, it's not a show that is relevant to today's cultural landscape, it would be so much more respected if it had ended on its 10th season. That's why I can't in good conscience rate this show the 9 or 10/10 that I want to... but the only reason I'm giving it a 7 over a 5 is because even though there is more bad than good of The Simpsons (more signals for it to just end), the golden age is some of the best television to have ever been constructed and cannot be ignored.





Here's how I'd rate the seasons: Season 1 - 8/10 Season 2 - 8/10 Season 3 - 9/10 Season 4 - 9/10 Season 5 - 10/10 Season 6 - 10/10 (best season) Season 7 - 9/10 Season 8 - 8/10 Season 9 - 8/10 Season 10 - 7/10 Season 11 - 6/10 Season 12 - 6/10 Season 13 - 7/10 Season 14 - 5/10 Season 15 - 4/10 Season 16 - 5/10 Season 17 - 4/10 Season 18 - 4/10 Season 19 - 4/10 Season 20 - 6/10 Season 21 onward - 2/10

A great show, despite declining in quality over the years

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 8 January 2010]

When I was 10, I adored the Simpsons, America's favourite dysfunctional family. Me and my brother and sisters watched it every day after school, and got a bagful of laughs. Two years ago though, I stopped watching it. Maybe I didn't find it as funny, creative or as original anymore. Well after seeing the Simpsons Movie, I decided to give the show another chance. And I am glad I did, because it is smart, creative, funny AND original. It is true that the show has been declining in written quality the past three years or so, but the more recent seasons are still watchable, thanks to the animation and the endearing characters.

The show's animation is fantastic. In animated shows, I like animation that is colourful and fluid, and the animation in this show is exactly that. The theme tune is irresistibly catchy and the story lines are outstandingly good. Other than the voice acting what made the show so good was its writing. Not obnoxious or childish, but smart and most importantly funny. And the visual jokes are also impressive.

And the voice acting is exceptional bringing the dysfunctional family to life. Homer is a type of father figure who repeatedly lets down his family, has a love for doughnuts and beer and pretty much hates his job. Dan Castallenetta, a talented voice actor whom I fondly remember as Megavolt from Darkwing Duck, does a great job not only as Homer but as Grandpa and Krusty, not loud and abrasive at all but just right. Julie Kavner is also great as Marge, a caring matriarch who genuinely cares for her family. Nancy Cartwright is perfect as Bart, who is quite naughty and hates school, same with Yeardley Smith as studious Lisa. Plus Maggie is absolutely adorable.

Then there are the supporting characters. My favourite is Grandpa, he is absolutely hilarious. Hank Azaria is amusing as Moe and Chief Wiggum, and Harry Shearer is suitably chirpy as Ned and impresses equally with his monotonic drawls for Principal Skinner and Reverend Lovejoy. There are many memorable guest performances from various celebrities, and frequent appearances from Phil Hartmann and Tress MacNeille. My favourite is Kelsey Grammar as Sideshow Bob, a reprising villain I enjoy watching, sinister yet funny. All in all, despite the fact it isn't as enjoyable as it was, The Simpsons is still a great show. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox

This Show Will Be Used to Study How Life Was 100 Years From Now

[tfrizzell · 21 July 2001]

Brilliant television series that could probably be best described as "The Flintstones" gone stark-raving mad. "The Simpsons", everyone knows them. Some love the series and some could care less about it. Love it or hate it, it is near impossible to criticize the intelligence and creativity of this series. The titled animated family makes their home in Springfield, USA and gets into situations that are seemingly more outlandish and crazier than the previous adventure. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are still going strong after nearly a dozen years of television life and with each passing moment it seems that the series sets some new precedent. For several years the show seemed to be the only attraction to the then obscure Fox Network. It was the first primetime animated show that was treated like a sitcom since "The Flintstones" quietly left the air in 1966. Many people feared the series when it first premiered in 1989 because they felt that it was hardcore adult material in a candied form that would appeal to younger audiences. Well for the most part this was true. However, "The Simpsons" would prove to be much more for all audiences. The great thing about the series is that it caters to all audiences. True there are usually situations that may not be suitable for all viewers, but then again that is true with everything on television this side of Disney Land and Sesame Street. "The Simpsons" works because of great comedy of course, but also great lessons that can be taken from most of the episodes. The people within the program may be animated, but they are just as complicated and vulnerable as the people watching them. All the regulars have their quirks, but in some episodes you can understand what certain characters are going through because the show is so life-like at times. Former President George Bush (the one from 1988-1992) once made a statement that families should be more like "The Waltons" and less like "The Simpsons". His opinion is somewhat old-fashioned and unrealistic. In other words, many topics dealt with in "The Simpsons" fit life for people in the 1990s and 2000s better than "The Waltons" did in the 1970s. A crowning achievement in television art. 5 stars out of 5.

Awkward feelings

[mancunianfatman · 10/10 · 25 November 2010]

I have to start off by saying that seasons 1-9 of the Simpsons were absolutely fantastic, easily some of the best television i have ever seen. the writing was sharp and witty, the characters unpredictable and to some degree you could relate to them. I don't think anyone can deny that the Simpsons is probably the most famous TV show ever. even people who don't watch the show have heard about it or can name a few of the characters whether it be Homer, Bart or Marge, THAT IS HOW POWERFUL THIS SHOW HAS BECOME. After all the success of the TV show it was inevitable that eventually a movie would be made, but to talk about the movie would be starting a completely different review all together, so i won't get into that.

Now you might have wondering why i have got "Awkward feelings" as my summary, well thats exactly what i get when i watch the more recent episodes. i feel awkward and pretty upset to be honest, at just how bad the newer episodes are. they are over the top, pointless and predictable. in the first 9 seasons each episode had a subtle moral whether it be about stealing , drugs or other things, but when watching the latest ones i just get the feeling they make them just for the money factor, without actually giving a Sh*t about how they are ruining the memories most hardcore fans have of when the show was the best thing on television. It has gone on far too long , and i know i am in the majority when i say that this show is slowly starting to leave a bad taste in mouths of the fans. They should just end the show now whilst its still "decent" , in the 400+ episodes that exist, you would think they have told all the stories they wanted about the family, but no they keep coming up with stupid stories that make no sense, which we have already seen similar ones to in the older episodes.

As much as i cannot stand the last 5 or six seasons , ill still have to give this show 10/10 , because of the first 9 or so seasons, That is how highly i think of them.

By Scott Dewhurst

Only 1-20

[srloco · 9/10 · 27 May 2022]

This is a classic show but only the first 20 season are worth watching I mean after they were bought by Disney they went down hill.

It's great and funny the first 20 seasons and then it just gets tiring and the humor is more for kids and family.

A brilliant show that should be allowed to die

[othepantha · 10/10 · 31 March 2015]

What can I say about the Simpsons? Initially, let's start with the positives. Has there ever quite been a show like the Simpsons? I think not! Matt Groening and James L. Brooks have truly created something of great comical and philosophical magnitude. From seasons 1-13 (that's right, up to season 13!), comedy appropriate to the society was cleverly exploited, causing the Simpsons to become a global phenomenon for obvious reasons. Flaws in society were excavated; puns were dished out with a clean edge and, most profoundly, this was a cartoon that both enticed adults and children alike (paving the way for successful cartoons such as Family Guy and South Park; although neither would reach the success of The Simpsons). Now the negatives. From seasons 14-19, Simpsons episodes were mediocre, shamelessly brandishing celebrities left, right and centre and dishing out jokes that seemed force and less natural. The series still did have the spark that peaked interest and tickled the funny bone but, other than that, it was rather a disappointment. This, however, was nothing compared to the decline in quality from seasons 20-26! Story lines seemed to consist of depression in the Simpson household and offered little to no comedic value. In addition, celebrities not only made cameo appearances, but dominated episodes in which the plot was clearly strained and offered nothing (especially the disgusting 'Lisa goes Gaga' which seems to combine all of my points beautifully). The writers have quite literally lost the plot and the show really should be cancelled! It is hard to tell whether the show has become a sentimental attachment to Mr Groening or whether FOX are just too worried about losing money at the cancelling of this show. Whatever the reason, FOX or Matt Groening need to end this show so it can leave the spotlight retaining dignity and fond memories; otherwise, we may look back at the early episodes as a distant memory! I rate The Simpsons as a 10 simply because of its earlier brilliance and my loyalty: a testament to its early episodes!

Legendary

[homer-simpson-4 · 10/10 · 14 May 2006]

Who don't know who are Simpsons? the Simpsons are one of most influential TV shows ever made and the longest broadcasting animation on TV. Nowadays they have 17. series and over 370 episodes..that is two times more than Flinstones (the 2nd longest cartoon show) Simpsons have started as a part of Tracy Ullman Show.after that creator of Simpsons, Matt Groening, has got his own time and he made first twenty minutes long Simpsons.through years character of Simpson figure have changed, but the typical sense of humor has never changed..Homer is choleric with chimpanzee IQ, Marge always push around, Bart makes always mischief, Lisa is very intelligent a this is problem for she and Maggie has never said a word..And all this and many more makes the Simpsons a legend..What is more there is something that Simpsons overstep others cartoons..Simpsons are the only show (not only cartoon but all) that is broadcast in prime time over 15 YEARS!!

The Greatest Cartoon Ever Made

[YellowTea · 10/10 · 2 July 2022]

No cartoon - and even dare I say, tv show - has had such a profound impact on the zeitgeist. Pretty much everyone knows The Simpsons, regardless of their demographic. There have been many copycats (Family Guy) that have tried to steal some of the thunder and appeal, but none have come close.

The Simpsons excels on every front - or at least did, which I'll get into soon.

The characters are all likable and unique. The storylines are original and interesting. The writing is incisive, snappy and witty. What's not to like? That is before the seasons entered into the high double digits.

There is a noticeable decline in quality as the series progresses, but it manages to hang on to its brilliance for many, many years - a task which is no easy feat.

To me, The Simpsons struggled mightily to adapt to the rapidly changing millennium and focused too hard on inserting the latest lazy pop culture reference, such as "Mapple" (in response to the emergent Apple), and so on and so on. The Simpsons also, from what I've heard, suffered from shuffling of writers, which greatly detracted from the overall quality and tonality of the material.

The Simpsons is still by far the best tv show ever made and will in all likelihood retain that designation for the foreseeable future.

Seasons 1-10 are untouchable comedic gold. Not a single episode misses the mark.

The greatest animated comedy of all time but its probably time to call it a day

[brianethomas2001 · 10/10 · 13 December 2005]

The Simpson's is with out a doubt the greatest comedy to come out of America,

it has covered everything, from everyday life, endless special guests. to parody's of famous movies. but now 16 years on and many laughs later the Simpson's has become a house hold name. But now i think the creators are running out of ideas, the jokes from the new episodes are going from classic to desperate and kind of dumb i think they should get the movie over with and then finally close the book of the greatest piece of animated comedy.

Over all the best ever. but unfortunately all great things must come to an end and i think the time is near.

Gone from good to bad

[davidaempatton · 7/10 · 4 March 2021]

I've watched it since season 1 and it was fantastic the best episodes are from 1989-2002.

The earlier seasons had great Humor, Dialogue, Memorable Lines, Funny characters

THESE NEW EPISODES SUCK ASS. Take the show off the air.

great for 12 seasons

[bryantc706 · 10/10 · 26 August 2014]

The simpsons were the best for the first 12 seasons but a decline each season from 4 to 12. By season 13 to today are terrible. The plots do not make sense and there are some differences with the simpsons.

Homer is stupid but he was hilarious. Now he is a dimwit that is just plain stupid. Marge is more boring each season, Bart is an Alcohoic how funny. Lisa is so annoying about being so smart. Maggie is still the same from the start. I really think this show will not last long due to the boring episodes they had and the low ratings they have. For some reason the intro are more interesting than the whole episode I just don't get why they are doing that. The simpsons is having the same fate as spongebob with some great seasons at first but turn to trash.

First 12 13/10

13 to recent 3/10

The only hope for the simpsons to be great again is that the simpsons family guy special is good and the rest of season 26 to more than just par.

Used to be brilliant

[jeffsels · 6/10 · 21 December 2021]

Yet again, Disney ruin something which was once brilliant. I used to watch The Simpsons and always had laughs at the gags and character exploits: not anymore. Why do they have so many musical numbers and Woke storylines? Dull and uninspiring writing now. Not for me. I don't watch it anymore.

Why?

[pnwryan · 4/10 · 7 July 2022]

Why can't you just end the show? You ruin it year after year and it's worse since Disney took over. Please just end it already, you already made your landmakr. What more do you want?

The greatest television show of all time

[mercer74 · 5 June 1999]

What more can I possibly say about a TV show that has already been praised to death? I was 15 when the Simpsons first aired and I'm 25 now. I've seen every single episode, and I'd have to say it's a rare combination of factors that come together to make The Simpsons the best show ever.

It's a very clever and intelligent show - they never dumb anything down - and as creator Matt Groening has remarked, "The Simpsons is a show that rewards paying attention." There are always enough obscure pop-culture references or subtle background gags to ensure that the second, third, or tenth viewing of an episode will find you noticing something you hadn't before.

In the early days of The Simpsons, they derived a large part of their popularity from the everyday, down-to-earth, unglamorous, average-blue-collar-slob aspect of the Simpson family. Homer is lazy and doesn't like his job, Bart doesn't excel at school, the plastic ketchup bottle they use at the dinner table makes that farting sound, and so on. This aspect of the program contrasts it with popular 80's family sitcoms such as The Cosby Show which always featured impossibly well-functioning families who got along a little too perfectly and usually learned a neat little lesson at the end of each episode. An early tag-line for The Simpsons said that they "put the Fun back in Dysfunctional."

Perhaps this blue-collar-slobness by itself is nothing shockingly original - think of previous TV shows such as Roseanne, Married with Children, All in the Family, The Honeymooners - but the Simpsons doesn't stop there. This show is extremely densely packed with jokes - everything from cerebral witticisms and sly satire to Homer falling down and going "D'oh!" Because it's a cartoon, the writers can get away with surreal gags such as the time Homer tells a joke which falls flat, after which a long silence happens which is punctuated by a single tumbleweed rolling through the Simpson's living room.

There are just too many things to mention about The Simpsons. It can be touching occasionally; more often the viewers are treated to an unequalled cavalcade of obscure references, surreal sight gags, wacky adventures, self-mocking irony... The list goes on and on. Just watch it, else you're missing out on one of the most important elements of 1990's popular culture.

Quite an educational show for you doubting parents

[lmayer2 · 10/10 · 26 February 2007]

The Simpsons is truly a one of a kind show. On one hand, it can be educational. I don't think one episode of the Simpsons goes by where there isn't a reference to someone or something that kids would definitely not know. There, they learn something if they catch it. On the other hand, you have your comedy. Of course, the comedy and the Simpsons comedy is favored among more. Why is the comedy material funny? Randomness. The Simpsons is very random and that's what sets it apart drastically from the others such as Futurama and King of the Hill. However, this is taking the easy way out, as randomness has to do about things that don't a have to do with anything. In my opinion, it's cheating. I can't wait till the movie comes out

From those little "In Betweeners" on the TRACY ULLMAN Show to perhaps the longest running Series in TV History!

[redryan64 · 10/10 · 2 January 2008]

Animated Film or "Cartoons' have long been part of the motion world. Their magical movement and "life" has been the instrument of so much laughter, tears and all round amazement, tons of it. From HUMOROUS PHASES OF FUNNY FACES (Vitagraph Co., 1906) right down through the heyday of ROGER RABBIT(1988) and beyond, the animated film has been there providing us with an alternate film Universe; another dream world for other dreams.

For the longest time, the animated "Cartoon" has been branded by some as being strictly (non-greasy) "Kids' Stuff." That rap's being hung on them doubtless dates from the early days of commercial Telecasts in the late 1940's and early 1950's, when so many local Stations broadcast Noontime, late Afternoon and Saturday Morning programming aimed at Children. Beyond their assortment of various "Aunts", "Uncles", Cowboys, Clowns and Puppets of varying ilk; they had to fill out their on air time. But with what would they do, what could be used to fill up the shows? As a diversion from the live action, the Stations made use of what ever short films that could be purchased, rented or leased for a price within their budgets. The films available fell into 2 basic types. The first group featured the likes of Snub Pollard, Harry Langdon, Our Gang, Mickey (Himself) McGuire, The 3 Tons of Fun Harry Langdon, the Keystone Kops and Charlie Chase. These were live action silent comedies.

The second group was made up of old silent and early sound animated short subjects. Their sources were many and varied. There were silent with sound track added; containing music, sound effects and occasional words. Paul Terry's Farmer Al Falfa was much in evidence; as were productions of the then defunct Van Beueren Studios. Those cartoons were those featuring "Cubby Bear" and "a human Mutt and Jeff team of "Tom And Jerry", not the MGM Cat & Mouse team. And of course, there were many others; a lot of them released to Television by 'Official Films' (as opposed to any Un-Official Films that may be lying about.) Eventually of course, in God's good time, original TV Cartoons were produced. Those such as Alexander Anderson & Jay Ward's CRUSADER RABBIT. Hanna-Barbera's RUFF & REDDY, HUCKLEBERRY HOUND, YOGI BEAR, etc. and Terrytoons' TOM TERRIFIC, DEPUTY DAWG and others did make it out to our living rooms via the Networks. These were mainly done for the kids. (Although, once again, any Jay Ward Production has an appeal to all ages.) And that brings us down the Video Evolutionary Track to THE SIMPSONS. Now, even though animated, even the most vehemently anti-cartoon old grouch would have to concede the point to us that this is not just child's fare.

In short, THE SIMPSONS is the story of a totally dysfunctional American Family; being representative of the typical family. The 5 Simpsons are the Homer (father), Marge (Mother), Bart (Son & Star), Lisa (Sister) and Maggie (Infant Sister). Together with their various and sundry pets, neighbors, friends and co-workers have an incredibly high number of adventures, which can be and are limitless in scope and locale. From week to week it isn't uncommon to see either Homer or Marge taking to a new profession or running for public office. Their home town of Springfield has an everyman's geological set up; being bordered by mountains, forests, desserts, rivers, canyons and whatever else the particular story requires. In short, it is boundless and all encompassing. It is a town that is as vast or as deep as imagination, itself.

There are some who criticize the characterization of Homer as an uncouth, swill slugging vulgarian. Their line of reasoning being that a poor example of American Family and an even poorer example of a fictional Father figure than was Carroll O'Connor's 'Archie Bunker.' To those critics, we can only say that they should take time and carefully watch and even more meticulously listen to the damn thing! Even though it may appear on the surface that the admittedly dysfunctional (to say the least) family would be a poor example to put on exhibit, albeit a comic version of one.

If one stops to take inventory of the individual episodes, their themes and presentations, they'd certainly see things far differently. For believe it or not, the Simpsons present us with a fine example of an American Family, as viewed through the multi lensed spectrum Of a comedy series that, even though it's a "Cartoon", has a lot to say. For underneath it all, with all the gags, funny business and wacky plots; we find some very decent, "old fashioned" and important virtues that we would do well in remembering.

As just one example, an important one is the down to earth relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Marge and Homer. No matter how wacky the plot or how far aground the story takes the Family Simpson, in the end we see how much they really do love each other and are always there when their mate needs the other.

Honest folks, just try it for yourselves, soon!

A Pinnacle In Television History... Still

[Stoop_Kid · 10/10 · 19 March 2006]

OK so many say that this show is slowing loosing it's luster. I beg to differ slightly. Family Guy seems to be the "in thing" right now and though I love that show as well, The Simpsons is still the hierarchy or animated television. This show can be enjoyed by all races, religions, and ethnicities alike. It's not as racy as the aforementioned competition but still just as (if not more) funny. Things do tend to wear over time and people's likes/dislikes tend to change. I've enjoyed every episode from the first one up until the current ones. The competition does touch topics that, if this show would touch, it would be kind of tasteless. I'll be a fan up until the last and final episode. Nothing has really changed except for people's opinions. Along with Seinfeld, Martin, and Married With Children, The Simpsons is and always will be a most noteworthy sitcom in t.v. history. That is All!!!

The Simpsons - is there any better show?

[hhh444-1 · 10/10 · 14 May 2006]

With all my collection of video tapes and d.v.d.s I seem to find myself digging through my Simpsons box, when I need something to watch. It would be hard to pick a favorite episode, because of so many. It would be even harder to pick a least favorite because there is very few that could be less appealing. But boring is one thing that the Simpsons could never be considered. The writers have changed ideas, episode structure, and kept the Simpsons on a continuous exciting adventure. Anytime of the day or no matter what seems to be the mood , the Simpsons is always satisfying to to view even over and over and hours on end.

Easily one of the best cartoon shows (or shows) of all time!

[Beta_Gallinger · 10/10 · 31 July 2007]

This show may have gone downhill significantly over the years, but we have to remember how amazing it once was! After being introduced in animated shorts on "The Tracey Ullman Show" in 1987, the Simpson family started out in their own show late in 1989, with a Chrismas special. The first season continued in 1990, and during the show's early days, it was controversial. At that point in time, it seems that society wasn't used to cartoon shows not being 100% kid-friendly. However, "The Simpsons" also turned out to be one groundbreaking series of the decade, and the controversy eventually died down (less kid-friendly cartoon shows have come since)!

The Simpsons are a dysfunctional American family who live in the city of Springfield. The parents are Homer (an overweight, lazy, aggressive simpleton who works at the local nuclear power plant) and Marge (usually a stay-at-home mother who tries her best to keep the rest of the family in line). The kids are Bart (a ten-year-old boy who very often gets in trouble, and doesn't usually do so well at school), Lisa (a very intelligent, gifted eight-year-old girl who plays the saxophone and usually does very well at school, but often has trouble with her social life), and Maggie (the youngest in the family, only a baby). The family owns two pets, a dog named Santa's Little Helper and a cat named Snowball. Various kinds of trouble for this family often arise, including Marge and Homer having trouble with their relationship, Bart or Lisa experiencing a problem at school, and so many other things! Wherever the Simpsons go, trouble seems to await!

The show has many excellent supporting characters, probably more than most shows do! They include Krusty the Clown (a wacky clown whose #1 fan is probably Bart), Mr. Burns (Homer's evil 104-year-old boss at the power plant), Waylon Smithers (Burns' assistant), the Flanders' (the Christian fundamentalist family who live next door to the Simpsons), Seymour Skinner (the principal of Springfield Elementary who is middle-aged and still lives with his mother), Agnes Skinner (Seymour's bossy mother), Apu Nahasapeemapetilon (a man from India who runs the local Kwik-E-Mart), Edna Krabappel (Bart's teacher, who often gives him trouble), Abraham J. "Grampa" Simpson (Homer's silly father, who lives at a retirement home and has a lot of history), Patty and Selma Bouvier (Marge's nasty, chain-smoking sisters, who hate Homer), Moe Szyslak (a local bartender who is easily fooled by Bart's crank calls), Barney Gumble (Homer's alcoholic friend who is usually only seen at Moe's), Lenny and Carl (two more of Homer's friends, who drink at Moe's with him and work at the power plant), Milhouse Van Houten (Bart's nerdy friend)...the list goes on!

Aside from all the funny characters, "The Simpsons" has several other notable features, including lots of brilliant humour, excellent writing, social commentary, a lot of voice talent (most of the cast members provide the voices of several characters), impressive animation (even if the main characters are simply drawn), etc.! The Halloween episodes are a highlight as well, each featuring three short stories, which are generally less realistic than the plots for most regular episodes. There's really not much (if anything) to be said about the long-running, groundbreaking series that hasn't already been said many times, so I'm basically just repeating things that others have mentioned!

It has now been nearly eighteen years since "The Simpsons" started out in full episodes, and it currently holds the record for the longest-running cartoon show! Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, it hasn't been the same in recent years, gradually declining in quality. Personally, I can't stand watching new episodes. I certainly don't think they're horrendous, but they seem very stale, and certainly can't compare to the classics, making me feel as if I've lost something in my life. I know I'm certainly not the only fan who avoids new episodes, many others believe that it should have come to an end long ago. However, it's best not to dwell on the negative. What "The Simpsons" was in its heyday is not something to be forgotten, and clearly, television in the 1990s wouldn't have been the same without it!

The Best of American TV!

[henrymadman · 10/10 · 4 July 2007]

The Simpsons is an animated American sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is a satirical parody of the "Middle American" lifestyle epitomised by its title family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield, and 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 animated shorts with the producer James L. Brooks. Groening sketched an outline version of a dysfunctional family, and named the characters after members of his own family, 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.

The Simpsons was an early hit for Fox, and won several major awards. Time magazine's December 31, 1999 issue named it the 20th century's best television series, and on January 14, 2000 it was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Simpsons is currently the longest-running American sitcom, and the longest-running American animated program. Homer's annoyed grunt "D'oh!" has been adopted into the English lexicon, while The Simpsons has been cited as an influence on many adult-oriented animated sitcoms.

Sorry

[bagelbiterboio · 6/10 · 19 October 2021]

I'm sorry but I'm pretty sure it's common knowledge by now the show has been on a decline for years now, but at this point I believe there is more bad episodes than good with a lot of meh sprinkled in. I have watched every episode of this show and will continue to watch so that title stands and I would be lying if I say I didn't enjoy myself for a portion of it. Though I'd also be lying if I wasn't very critical of this show and I didn't hate a good amount of it's episodes. All and all I feel generous giving this a positive score still (6) but this 6 is carried by how good the good is.

This may be the best show on Television.

[mr_monkey13 · 10/10 · 2 April 2007]

This is definitely the best ANIMATED show on television. I have been a Simpsons fan for a long time, and over the years it has been going downhill, but recently its been really funny! I think that this is best for people who LOVE SEEING GREAT COMEDY AT WORK! Matt Groening is one of the funniest TV people ever (though I should be fair, a lot of the Simpsons is the writers, if not most of it). For those who don't know, it's about a dysfunctional family living in a town called Springfield (the state is unknown!!!!). There's Homer, the dimwitted father working at the Nuclear Powerplant. Then there's Marge, the housewife who is the classic mom. There's Bart, the spiky haired hell-raiser who has a knack for getting in trouble. There's Lisa, the intellectual middle child who plays the Saxaphone and is the smartest one in the family. Then finally there's Maggie, the baby that only talks in sucks on her pacifier. All in all, each episode includes their many misadventures including a meteor hitting the earth, and Homer causing Y2K. Bottom line, totally funny!

How I lost respect

[moresichate · 6/10 · 8 March 2019]

Removing MJ episode , But not Clinton ? Removing Apu? I mean, has The world gone crazy? Everyone is offensiv today .. and censoring humor . Yeah way to go.

Difficult to Rate

[alyssaabernaughty · 5/10 · 13 July 2017]

I surprisingly had a very difficult time rating this show, but I did and a 5 out of 10 is in my opinion a fair rating when you consider the series as a whole.

The reason it is so hard for me to rate this show is the simple fact that it has been on so very, very long. 621 episodes and growing, according to the numbers here on IMDb. And when a season lasts that long, it obviously will have stretches of good quality and stretches of bad quality. The Simpsons is no different.

Although the series does still make me chuckle here and there, the quality has completely fallen off in the show's later years. It suffered a sudden and terrible decline and I still feel very disappointed watching it, remember and "missing" the fantastic episodes of old.

Because that's the other extreme. When The Simpsons first went on the air, and for at least 8 seasons (to me, at least), it was one of the very best comedy shows ever produced. The characters were great, the writing was slick, it seemed like every single joke hit its mark and I laughed out loud all the time. It was one of the few "can't miss" shows I remember in my life, where Sundays at 8pm I just had to be home to watch it. Everyone talked about it, and regardless of how many seasons you think it lasted everyone considers those early years the "golden age" of the Simpsons.

I'm not sure if the problem is people leaving, or naturally running out of ideas after being on the air so long, or simple laziness, or the writers and staff getting old, but clearly at a point this show just went from the creative tops to something almost awful.

I'm basically averaging it out (6 years of awesomeness, 6 years of being OK, and since then being just bloody awful) to give this show a 5 out of 10.

I know I'll be bashed by haters who find my rating too high, and Simpson-heads who can't believe anyone would go lower than 10, but this is the grade I think is fair for this show.