The Simpsons
Originally created by cartoonist Matt Groening, "Our Favorite Family," has graced the small screen in one form or another for over 20 years. The Simpson family first appeared on television as the subjects of interstitial "shorts" on The Tracey Ullman Show in April of 1987. The Simpsons remained a staple on The Tracey Ullman Show for three seasons until they premiered in their own half-hour series, on December 17, 1989. With the help of Jim Brooks and Sam Simon, Matt Groening's cartoon family turned into an instant success.
Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.
Currently in its 21st season, The Simpsons has piled up over 440 episodes, over 20 Emmy Awards, a handful of music albums, countless endorsements and merchandise, and even made the jump to the silver screen in the summer of 2007 with The Simpsons Movie. And according to Matt Groening, "There is no end in sight."
Dan Castellaneta | Homer Simpson | |
Harry Shearer | Principal Seymour Skinner | |
Nancy Cartwright | Bart Simpson | |
Yeardley Smith | Lisa Simpson | |
Julie Kavner | Marge Simpson | |
Pamela Hayden | Santa Claus Girl | |
Hank Azaria | Moe Szyslak | |
Chris Latta | Mr. Burns | |
Jo Ann Harris | Girl | |
Maggie Roswell | Princess Kashmir | |
Marcia Wallace | Edna Krabappel | |
Tress MacNeille | Agnes Skinner | |
Russi Taylor | Sherri | |
Albert Brooks | Jacques | |
Sam McMurray | Gulliver Dark | |
Susan Blu | Weasel #1 | |
Kelsey Grammer | Sideshow Bob | |
June Foray | Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper Babysitting Service Receptionist | |
Miriam Flynn | Miss Barr | |
Paul Willson | Howard the Florist | |
Penny Marshall | Lucille Botzcowski | |
Ron Taylor | Bleeding Gums Murphy | |
Christian Coffinet | Gendarme Officer |
Homer is forced to become a department store Santa when Marge spends the family's Christmas savings on removing Bart's tattoo.
Bart ends up at a school for gifted children after cheating on an IQ test.
After losing his job, Homer contemplates ending it all, until he discovers a new life path as a safety advocate.
After being embarrassed by the rest of the family at a company picnic, Homer becomes obsessed with improving their behavior towards each other.
After being beaten up by Nelson Muntz one too many times, Bart turns to Grampa for help, and soon leads a rebellion against the school bully.
A depressed Lisa's spirit is lifted when she meets a jazz-man, Bleeding Gums Murphy.
Homer takes the family camping, but it soon becomes a misadventure when they lose their equipment and Homer is mistaken for Bigfoot.
Bart gets more than he bargained for when he saws the head off a statue of the town's founder.
After Homer humiliates Marge on her birthday, she takes up bowling out of spite, only to develop a mutual infatuation with a suave French instructor.
After a photograph of Homer gyrating with an exotic dancer is distributed throughout Springfield, he finds himself kicked out of the house by Marge.
Bart is sent to France on a student exchange program, where he's treated like a slave; an Albanian student with suspicious motives takes Bart's place in the family.
After Krusty is found guilty of robbing the Kwik-E-Mart following Homer's eyewitness testimony, Bart and Lisa set out to prove his innocence.
Homer takes Marge out for a night on the town to make up for his recent neglecting of her, leaving the kids with a sinister babysitter who has a diabolical secret.