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 | Chief Wiggum | |
Dan Castellaneta | Homer Simpson | |
Harry Shearer | Mr. Boswell | |
Nancy Cartwright | Bart Simpson | |
Yeardley Smith | Lisa Simpson | |
Julie Kavner | Marge Simpson | |
Pamela Hayden | Woman at Strip Club | |
Maggie Roswell | Auditioning Woman #1 | |
Phil Hartman | Lionel Hutz | |
Marcia Wallace | Edna Krabappel | |
Doris Grau | Ice-Cream Lady | |
Tress MacNeille | Dolph | |
Russi Taylor | Wendell | |
Elizabeth Taylor | Elizabeth Taylor | |
Hugh M. Hefner | Hugh Hefner | |
Lona Williams | Debra Jo Smallwood | |
Barry White | Barry White | |
Leonard Nimoy | Leonard Nimoy | |
Jon Lovitz | Llewellyn Sinclair | |
Adam West | Adam West | |
Flea | Flea | |
Bette Midler | Bette Midler | |
Luke Perry | Luke Perry | |
Sara Gilbert | Laura Powers | |
Pamela Reed | Ruth Powers |
Bart and Lisa attend "Kamp Krusty" but it is nothing like they thought it would be; Homer's hair grows back and he loses weight while the kids are away.
Marge stars in a musical adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire, but is angry with Homer's lack of interest; Maggie squares off with her strict new daycare owner.
After attributing a relaxing Sunday to his skipping church, Homer vows to never attend service again, and forms his own religion to justify his behavior.
Homer enters Lisa in the Little Miss Springfield pageant to build her self-esteem.
An evil Krusty the Clown doll tries to kill Homer; Marge is captured by a giant ape who falls in love with her; Bart inadvertently raises the dead.
With Bart continually getting in trouble, Homer bans him from seeing the new Itchy & Scratchy movie.
When Marge takes a job at the power plant, Mr. Burns falls in love with her; Bart "cries wolf" to avoid taking a test.
Bart develops a crush on his new neighbor, only to discover that she's dating Jimbo Jones; Homer sues an all-you-can-eat restaurant after he's kicked out.
Homer opens a successful snow-plowing business, only to inspire Barney to start a rival outfit that puts him out of work.
While trying to coax Maggie into saying her first word, Homer and Marge talk about how Lisa spoke hers.
Years of poor eating habits catch up with Homer when he suffers a massive heart attack, but the family can't afford the triple bypass operation he needs.
After receiving a considerable donation of money, Springfield builds a monorail system with Homer as the conductor, unaware they've just boarded a one-way train to Hell.
Selma starts to feel broody, but after taking Bart and Lisa to Duff Gardens, she changes her mind.
When Bart gets tired of Homer's horrible parenting skills, he enrolls in the "Bigger Brother" program where he's assigned a fantastic role model.
Lisa gives Ralph a Valentine's card out of pity, but soon regrets it when he develops an unwanted crush on her.
After Homer loses his license for DUI, Marge pressures him to give up beer for a month; Lisa attempts to prove that Bart is less intelligent than a hamster.
When Mr. Burns revokes the plant's dental plan, forcing Lisa to be fitted with cheap, ugly braces, Homer leads its union into going on strike.
While Homer recovers in hospital from Bart's disastrous April Fool's Day prank, the family reminiscences over earlier hardships.
Bart and Lisa convince Grampa to let them use his name for episodes of "Itchy and Scratchy" they have written; Homer re-takes a test he failed in high school.
Marge home-schools Bart after he is expelled from Springfield Elementary; Lisa protests a barbaric local holiday centered around clubbing snakes to death.
A misunderstanding leads to Marge being imprisoned for shoplifting, with her absence soon descending the family, and eventually, the town into chaos.
When Krusty's show is canceled after losing viewers to a ventriloquist and his dummy, Bart and Lisa organize a celebrity-filled comeback special for their favorite clown.