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 | Randy | |
Dan Castellaneta | Homer Simpson | |
Harry Shearer | Ned Flanders | |
Nancy Cartwright | Bart Simpson | |
Yeardley Smith | Lisa Simpson | |
Julie Kavner | Marge Simpson | |
Pamela Hayden | Milhouse Van Houten | |
Tress MacNeille | Debutante's Mother | |
Maggie Roswell | Helen Lovejoy | |
Frank Welker | Executive Vice-President | |
Russi Taylor | Martin Prince | |
Marcia Wallace | Edna Krabappel | |
Phil Hartman | Troy McClure | |
Willem Dafoe | The Commandant | |
Joe Mantegna | Fat Tony | |
David Hyde Pierce | Cecil Terwilliger | |
Leonard Nimoy | Leonard Nimoy | |
Kelsey Grammer | Sideshow Bob | |
Jon Lovitz | Jay Sherman | |
Albert Brooks | Hank Scorpio | |
David Duchovny | Fox Mulder | |
Gillian Anderson | Dana Scully | |
Alex Rocco | Roger Meyers Jr. | |
Paul Winfield | Lucious Sweet | |
Gedde Watanabe | Factory Foreman |
Bart's Siamese twin swells in the attic; Lisa's science experiment creates a miniature universe of advanced civilization; aliens possess Clinton and Dole.
The Simpsons move to the town of Cypress Creek, where Homer works for a friendly boss who happens to be a supervillain; the rest of the family has a hard time with the transfer.
Homer becomes a boxer after Moe discovers his amazing ability to take a punch.
The Simpsons try to reunite Mr. Burns with Larry, his slovenly long-lost son.
Marge leads a crusade against a local burlesque house after she discovers Bart working there.
Homer questions the state of his marriage after Luann Van Houten demands a divorce from Kirk.
Lisa develops a crush on Nelson, and tries to reform him; Homer gets an autodialer and decides to make easy money with a telemarketing scam.
After a hurricane destroys Ned Flanders' house, he suffers a nervous breakdown and is forced to confront repressed problems from his childhood.
After eating insanity peppers at a chili cook-off, Homer has a hallucination of a talking coyote urging him to find his soulmate.
Special Agents Mulder and Scully arrive in Springfield after Homer claims to have seen an alien.
Marge enters the pretzel vending business, but when she fails, Homer recruits some help from the mob.
Homer and Mr. Burns get trapped in a snowed-in cabin during a company retreat.
Marge is stressed from motherhood and hires a British nanny to help out around the house, who struggles to teach Bart and Lisa how to behave.
Homer is cast as Poochie, a new "Itchy and Scratchy" character designed to reverse declining ratings; a hip college student moves in with the Simpsons.
After Marge befriends John, a gay store owner, Homer worries that his presence will have a negative effect on Bart's sexuality.
Bart suspects a paroled Sideshow Bob is up to his old tricks when he is hired by his brother Cecil to assist in the construction of a dam.
Bart is outraged when Lisa becomes his babysitter.
After alcohol is banned in Springfield, Homer adopts the moniker of the "Beer Baron" to bootleg liquor, prompting an investigation from an uptight Treasury agent.
Bart discovers Principal Skinner and Mrs. Krabappel kissing, and it's not long before the whole town knows of their secret affair.
When the items Bart purchased with a fake credit card are repossessed, he claims that Santa's Little Helper is the dog he bought instead of his new pet, Laddie.
Burns loses his fortune and recruits Lisa to help him get it back.
Marge becomes a church counselor; Homer discovers his face on a Japanese detergent logo.
Homer's laziness begets the ire of his industrious but arrogant new co-worker Frank Grimes; Bart buys a run-down factory for a dollar.
Troy McClure presents three spinoffs: "Chief Wiggum, P.I.," "The Love-Matic Grandpa," and "The Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour."
Bart is sent to a military school to be disciplined; Lisa, seeking a challenge, enrolls with him, but faces discrimination as the school's only girl cadet.