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."
Hank Azaria | Superintendent Chalmers | |
Dan Castellaneta | Krusty the Klown | |
Harry Shearer | Principal Skinner | |
Nancy Cartwright | Bart Simpson | |
Yeardley Smith | Lisa Simpson | |
Julie Kavner | Marge Simpson | |
Pamela Hayden | Milhouse Van Houten | |
Maggie Roswell | Luann Van Houten | |
Marcia Wallace | Edna Krabappel | |
Phil Hartman | Lionel Hutz | |
Doris Grau | Lunchlady Doris | |
Russi Taylor | Martin Prince | |
James Earl Jones | Maggie Simpson | |
Tress MacNeille | Chat Show Host | |
Kelsey Grammer | Sideshow Bob | |
Frank Welker | Santa's Little Helper | |
Jon Lovitz | Jay Sherman | |
Larry King | Larry King | |
Henry Corden | Fred Flintstone | |
Barry Hansen | Dr. Demento | |
Woody Harrelson | Woody Boyd | |
John Ratzenberger | Cliff Clavin | |
Patrick Stewart | Number One | |
Meryl Streep | Jessica Lovejoy | |
Susan Sarandon | Ballet Teacher |
Confined to his room with a broken leg, Bart suspects Ned Flanders of murdering Maude; the family's new swimming pool earns Lisa popularity among the neighborhood kids.
Lisa is jealous when a new girl in class is smarter than she is; Homer obtains a giant mound of sugar.
The family recalls past tales of lost love.
A family vacation to Itchy & Scratchy Land turns disastrous when the robots malfunction and turn on the tourists.
When Sideshow Bob is released from prison and is elected Mayor of Springfield, Bart and Lisa suspect foul play and are determined to expose his corruption.
The family's job at Mr. Burns' country estate goes awry when Homer goes mad; Homer's attempt to repair a toaster results in inadvertent time travel; The school staff turn cannibalistic.
Bart falls for Reverend Lovejoy's daughter and is surprised when she becomes a bad influence on him.
Sibling rivalry between Bart and Lisa ensues when they become the star players of their respective ice hockey teams.
Homer is branded as a pervert after his kids' babysitter misconstrues his retrieval of a candy from the seat of her pants as a sexual advance.
Homer and Abe hit the road to sell Abe's miraculous aphrodisiac.
Marge goes into therapy to find the root cause of her traumatizing aerophobia.
Homer becomes a member of a mysterious organization called the Stonecutters and is heralded as "the chosen one".
Homer recounts the story of Maggie's birth when the kids ask why there are no photos of her in the family album.
Bart discovers a comet that is on a collision course with Springfield.
Homer becomes a Krusty the Clown stand-in, but is mistaken for the real Krusty by the Springfield mafia.
After refusing to pay for a collect call, Bart must travel down under to repair US-Australian political relations, but is unprepared for the punishment awaiting him.
Desperate for money, Homer takes a loan from Patty and Selma; Bart discovers a natural talent for ballet.
The citizens of Springfield host their own film festival, with popular movie critic Jay Sherman arriving from New York to judge.
A fortune teller gives Lisa a look at her wedding in the year 2010.
Santa's Little Helper's new mate has puppies, and Mr. Burns schemes to steal them and make them into a coat.
Bart manipulates Mrs. Krabappel into leading a teachers' strike against Principal Skinner, but is perturbed when Marge becomes his substitute.
While Bart is hospitalized, Lisa runs into her old mentor Bleeding Gums Murphy, who is also a patient, and becomes devastated when he dies soon after.
Marge joins the Springfield Police Department to fight crime and corruption, only to find herself rescuing Homer when he gets mixed up in a counterfeit jeans operation.
When a group of Shelbyville kids steal Springfield's sacred lemon tree, Bart and his friends venture there to get the tree back.
After Mr. Burns steals oil from Springfield Elementary and blocks out the sun, an unknown person shoots him.