The Simpsons#Production

{{Main|List of The Simpsons characters}}

The main characters are the Simpson family, who live in the fictional "Middle America" town of Springfield.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=28}} Homer, the father, works as a safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, a position at odds with his careless, buffoonish personality. He is married to Marge ({{nee}} Bouvier), a stereotypical American housewife and mother. They have three children: Bart, a ten-year-old troublemaker and prankster; Lisa, a precocious eight-year-old activist; and Maggie (named by Bart),S26E13 the baby of the family who rarely speaks, but communicates by sucking on a pacifier. Although the family is dysfunctional, many episodes examine their relationships and bonds with each other and they are often shown to care about one another.{{cite video |people=Oakley, Bill |date=2005 |title=The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}

The family also owns a greyhound, Santa's Little Helper, (who first appeared in the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire") and a cat, Snowball II, who is replaced by a cat, also named Snowball II, in the fifteenth-season episode "I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot".{{cite episode |title=I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot |episode-link=I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot |series=The Simpsons |network=Fox |air-date=January 11, 2004 |season=15 |number=9}} Extended members of the Simpson and Bouvier family in the main cast include Homer's father Abe and Marge's sisters Patty and Selma. Marge's mother Jacqueline and Homer's mother Mona appear less frequently.

File:Simpsons cast.png

The show includes a vast array of quirky supporting characters, which include Homer's friends Barney Gumble, Lenny Leonard, and Carl Carlson; the school principal Seymour Skinner and staff members such as Edna Krabappel and Groundskeeper Willie; students such as Milhouse Van Houten, Nelson Muntz, and Ralph Wiggum; shopkeepers such as Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Comic Book Guy, and Moe Szyslak; government figures Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby and Clancy Wiggum; next-door neighbor Ned Flanders; local celebrities such as Krusty the Clown and news reporter Kent Brockman; nuclear tycoon Montgomery Burns and his devoted assistant Waylon Smithers; and many more.

The creators originally intended many of these characters as one-time jokes or for fulfilling needed functions in the town. A number of them have gained expanded roles and subsequently starred in their own episodes. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the comedy show SCTV.{{cite news |url=https://www.avclub.com/matt-groening-1798209542 |title=Matt Groening: Interview |access-date=January 15, 2022 |last=Rabin | first = Nathan |date=April 26, 2006 |newspaper=The A.V. Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119014837/http://www.avclub.com/articles/matt-groening,13984/ |archive-date=January 19, 2009 |url-status=live }}

Despite the depiction of yearly milestones such as holidays or birthdays passing, the characters never age. The series uses a floating timeline in which episodes generally take place in the year the episode is produced. Flashbacks and flashforwards do occasionally depict the characters at other points in their lives, with the timeline of these depictions also generally floating relative to the year the episode is produced. For example, the 1991 episodes "The Way We Was" and "I Married Marge" depict Homer and Marge as high schoolers in the 1970s who had Bart (who is always 10 years old) in the early '80s, while the 2008 episode "That '90s Show" depicts Homer and Marge as a childless couple in the '90s, and the 2021 episode "Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars" portrays Homer as an adolescent in the same period. The 1995 episode "Lisa's Wedding" takes place during Lisa's college years in the then-future year of 2010, the same year the show began airing its 22nd season, in which Lisa was still 8. In 2015, the show reached the point where, had the characters been allowed to age in real time, Bart would have been older than Homer was in the first episode. Regarding the contradictory flashbacks, Selman stated that "they all kind of happened in their imaginary world".{{cite web|last=Bailey|first=Kat|date=July 28, 2021|title=The Simpsons: Matt Selman On Continuity And His Support For a Simpsons Hit & Run Remake|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/matt-selman-simpsons-hit-and-run-remake?fbclid=IwAR2dNT3h2bwJAkw8gY72mmgn3f1ndf20KP7iWER4cETTmlkoSbMX7TORVns/|access-date=July 28, 2021|work=IGN}}

The show follows a loose and inconsistent continuity. For example, Krusty the Clown may be able to read in one episode, but not in another. However, it is consistently portrayed that he is Jewish, that his father was a rabbi, and that his career began in the 1960s. The latter point introduces another snag in the floating timeline: historical periods that are a core part of a character's backstory remain so even when their age makes it unlikely or impossible, such as Grampa Simpson and Principal Skinner's respective service in World War II and Vietnam.

The only episodes not part of the series' main canon are the Treehouse of Horror episodes, which often feature the deaths of main characters. Characters who die in "regular" episodes, such as Maude Flanders, Mona Simpson, Edna Krabappel, etc, however, stay dead. An exception to this is Hans Moleman, who is often killed in his appearances - {{As of|2019|lc=y}} he has been killed 26 times only to reappear later.[https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/hans-moleman-simpsons-character-al-jean.html The Enigma of The Simpsons' Hans Moleman] Most episodes end with the status quo being restored, though occasionally major changes will stick, such as Lisa's conversions to vegetarianism and Buddhism, the divorce of Milhouse van Houten's parents, and the marriage and subsequent parenthood of Apu and Manjula.

{{Main|Springfield (The Simpsons)}}

The Simpsons takes place in a fictional American town called Springfield. Although there are many real settlements in America named Springfield,{{cite web |title=GeoNames |url=http://www.geonames.org/search.html?q=%22Springfield%22&country=US |publisher=GeoNames |access-date=March 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707015943/http://www.geonames.org/search.html?q=%22Springfield%22&country=US |archive-date=July 7, 2010 |url-status=live }} the town the show is set in is fictional. The state it is in is not established. In fact, the show is intentionally evasive with regard to Springfield's location.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=289–290}} Springfield's geography and that of its surroundings is inconsistent: from one episode to another, it may have coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, mountains, or whatever the story or joke requires.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=30}} Groening has said that Springfield has much in common with Portland, Oregon, the city where he grew up.{{cite web|url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=12392 |title=Matt Groening's Portland | last=Hamilton | first = Don |date=July 19, 2002 |work=Portland Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224031814/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=12392 |archive-date=February 24, 2007 }} Groening has said that he named it after Springfield, Oregon, and the fictitious Springfield which was the setting of the series Father Knows Best. He "figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, 'This will be cool; everyone will think it's their Springfield.' And they do."{{cite magazine |last1=De La Roca |first1=Claudia |title=Matt Groening Reveals the Location of the Real Springfield |magazine=Smithsonian Magazine |date=May 2012 |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/matt-groening-reveals-the-location-of-the-real-springfield-60583379/ |access-date=December 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910151244/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/matt-groening-reveals-the-location-of-the-real-springfield-60583379/ |url-status=live }} Many landmarks, including street names, have connections to Portland.{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2024 |title="The Simpsons" Landmarks in Portland |url=https://www.travelportland.com/culture/simpsons-landmarks/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=The Official Guide to Portland |language=en-US}}

{{Main|History of The Simpsons|The Simpsons shorts}}

File:Jameslbrooks.jpg (pictured) asked Matt Groening to create a series of animated shorts for The Tracey Ullman Show.]]

When producer James L. Brooks was working on the television variety show The Tracey Ullman Show, he decided to include small animated sketches before and after the commercial breaks. Having seen one of cartoonist Matt Groening's Life in Hell comic strips, Brooks asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts. Groening initially intended to present an animated version of his Life in Hell series.{{cite video |year=2000 |title=The Simpsons: America's First Family |medium=television documentary |publisher=BBC}} However, Groening later realized that animating Life in Hell would require the rescinding of publication rights for his life's work. He therefore chose another approach while waiting in the lobby of Brooks's office for the pitch meeting, hurriedly formulating his version of a dysfunctional family that became the Simpsons.{{cite interview |last=Groening |first=Matt |subject-link=Matt Groening |interviewer=David Bianculli |title=Fresh Air |work=NPR |publisher=WHYY |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008 |location=Philadelphia |date=February 14, 2003 |access-date=August 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213045217/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008 |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |url-status=live }} He named the characters after his own family members, substituting "Bart" for his own name, adopting an anagram of the word "brat".

The Simpson family first appeared as shorts in The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |p=14}} Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial shorts. The animation was produced domestically at Klasky Csupo,{{cite journal |first=Harvey |last=Deneroff |title=Matt Groening's Baby Turns 10 |journal=Animation |volume=14 |issue=1 |date=January 2000 |pages=10, 12}}{{sfn|Beck|2005 |p=239}} with Wes Archer, David Silverman, and Bill Kopp being animators for the first season. The colorist, "Georgie" Gyorgyi Kovacs Peluce (Kovács Györgyike){{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Jennifer Lynde |title=Notebook Primer: Hungarian Animation, 1915–1989 |url=https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/notebook-primer-hungarian-animation-1915-1989 |access-date=December 23, 2022 |work=MUBI |date=November 18, 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Robert Vincent Peluce Obituary (2004) |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/robert-peluce-obituary?id=27351850 |access-date=December 23, 2022 |work=Legacy.com |agency=Los Angeles Times |date=April 16, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223111749/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/robert-peluce-obituary?id=27351850 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |location=Los Angeles, CA}}{{cite book |last1=Ortved |first1=John |title=The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History |date=October 12, 2010 |publisher=Macmillan Publishers |isbn=978-0-86547-939-5 |page=52 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcJMPiM0tCwC&dq=Gyorgyi+Peluce&pg=PA52 |language=en}}{{cite book |last1=Sigall |first1=Martha |title=Living Life Inside the Lines: Tales from the Golden Age of Animation |date=2005 |publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-57806-749-7 |page=193 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=diKnDBs0wrIC&dq=Gyorgyi+Peluce&pg=PA193 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Gyorgyi Peluce |url=https://www.intanibase.com/iad_artists/artist.aspx?artistID=11803 |website=The Internet Animation Database |access-date=December 23, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Ortved |first1=John |title=The Simpson Family Made Its Television Debut 30 Years Ago |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/simpson-family-television-debut-30-years-ago-180962482/ |access-date=December 23, 2022 |work=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}} made the characters yellow; as Bart, Lisa, and Maggie have no hairlines, she felt they would look strange if they were flesh-colored. Groening supported the decision, saying: "Marge is yellow with blue hair? That's hilarious — let's do it!"

In 1989, a team of production companies adapted The Simpsons into a half-hour series for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The team included the Klasky Csupo animation house. Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content.{{cite web|url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |title=3rd Degree: Harry Shearer |access-date=September 1, 2006 |last=Kuipers |first=Dean |date=April 15, 2004 |publisher=Los Angeles: City Beat |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308105912/http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |archive-date=March 8, 2008 }} Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called "the mainstream trash" that they were watching.{{cite magazine |first=Ken |last=Tucker |title=Toon Terrific |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 12, 1993 |page=48(3)}} The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire".{{cite web |url=http://www.thesimpsons.com/#/recaps/season-1_episode-1 |title=Simpsons Roasting on and Open Fire |publisher=The Simpsons |access-date=September 19, 2011 |archive-date=April 9, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040409161603/http://www.thesimpsons.com/bios/bios_family_bart.htm#/recaps/season-1_episode-1 }} "Some Enchanted Evening" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990, as the last episode of the first season, because of animation problems.{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}} In 1992, Tracey Ullman filed a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits of The Simpsons{{cite magazine |first=Frank |last=Spotnitz |title=Eat my shorts! |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |page=8(1) |date=October 23, 1992 |url=https://ew.com/article/1992/10/23/tracey-ullman-sues-fox/ |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016142946/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,312110,00.html |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |url-status=live }}—a claim rejected by the courts.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/1992/biz/news/ullman-loses-simpsons-suit-101001/ |title=Ullman loses 'Simpsons' suit |agency=Associated Press |via=Variety |access-date=August 24, 2011 |date=October 21, 1992 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012110513/http://variety.com/1992/biz/news/ullman-loses-simpsons-suit-101001/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=live }}

On January 26, 2023, the series was renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons, taking the show through the 2024–25 television season.{{cite magazine |last=Snierson |first=Dan |date=January 26, 2023 |title=The Simpsons renewed through 2025, will pass 800-episode mark |url=https://ew.com/tv/the-simpsons-renewed-season-35-season-36/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 16, 2023}} The two seasons contain a combined total of 51 episodes. Seven of these episodes are season 34 holdovers, while the other 44 will be produced in the production cycle of the upcoming seasons, bringing the show's overall episode total up to 801.{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/1619130524148330496 |number=1619130524148330496 |title=If anyone is questioning the math, @TheSimpsons Season 34 season finale will be Episode 750 — but there are 7 more "holdover" shows airing this fall that were produced as part of production season 34 |user=mattselman |last=Selman |first=Matt |date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=February 16, 2023}} Season 35 premiered on October 1, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Breaking News – FOX to Debut Animated Comedy "Krapopolis" on Sunday, Sept. 24 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2023/07/10/fox-to-debut-animated-comedy-krapopolis-on-sunday-sept-24-849013/20230710fox02/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=thefutoncritic.com}} Season 36 premiered on September 29, 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/tv/2024/09/how-to-watch-the-simpsons-season-36-premiere-streaming-free-or-on-demand.html|title=How to watch The Simpsons Season 36 premiere streaming free or on demand|first=Amy Leona|last=Havin|work=The Oregonian|date=September 29, 2024|access-date=September 29, 2024}}

On April 2, 2025, it was announced that The Simpsons would be renewed for four more seasons in what is considered a "mega deal" with parent company Disney. This renewal will take the show through the 2028–2029 television season, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the show. Each season will consist of 15 episodes.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/the-simpsons-family-guy-bobs-burgers-american-dad-renewed-1236356360/ |work=Deadline |title=Fox Picks Up Four Seasons Of 'The Simpsons', 'Family Guy', 'Bob's Burgers' & Returning 'American Dad!' In Mega Deal With Disney TV Studios |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=April 4, 2025}}

File:MattGroening-byPhilipRomano.jpg, the creator of The Simpsons]]

Matt Groening and James L. Brooks have served as executive producers during the show's entire history, and also function as creative consultants. Sam Simon, described by former Simpsons director Brad Bird as "the unsung hero" of the show,{{sfn|Ortved|2009|p=59}} served as creative supervisor for the first four seasons. He was constantly at odds with Groening, Brooks and the show's production company Gracie Films and left in 1993.{{sfn|Ortved|2009|p=146–149}} Before leaving, he negotiated a deal that sees him receive a share of the profits every year, and an executive producer credit despite not having worked on the show since 1993,{{sfn|Ortved|2009|p=146–149}}{{cite magazine|first=Dan | last = Snierson |title=Conan on being left out of Simpsons Movie|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/07/18/conan-being-left-out-simpsons-movie/ |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020044407/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20046980%2C00.html |archive-date=October 20, 2012}} at least until his death in 2015.{{cite news | last=Yardley | first=William | date=March 9, 2015 | title=Sam Simon, 59, Dies; Guided 'The Simpsons,' Then Shared His Profits | newspaper=The New York Times | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/arts/television/sam-simon-who-helped-shape-the-simpsons-dies-at-59.html?_r=0 | access-date=July 20, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102084622/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/arts/television/sam-simon-who-helped-shape-the-simpsons-dies-at-59.html?_r=0 | archive-date=November 2, 2015 | url-status=live }} A more involved position on the show is the showrunner, who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season.{{cite web|last=Cagle | first = Daryl |url=http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607073449/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp |archive-date=June 7, 2008 |title=The David Silverman Interview |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=MSNBC }}

{{Main|List of The Simpsons writers}}

The first team of writers, assembled by Sam Simon, consisted of John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti, George Meyer, Jeff Martin, Al Jean, Mike Reiss, Jay Kogen, and Wallace Wolodarsky.{{sfn|Ortved|2009 |p=58}} Newer Simpsons{{'}} writing teams typically consist of sixteen writers who propose episode ideas at the beginning of each December.{{cite news |first=Gail |last=Mitchell |title=Mike Scully |publisher=Ultimate TV |date=January 24, 1999}} The main writer of each episode writes the first draft. Group rewriting sessions develop final scripts by adding or removing jokes, inserting scenes, and calling for re-readings of lines by the show's vocal performers.{{cite news |first=David |last=Owen |title=Taking Humor Seriously |magazine=The New Yorker |date=March 13, 2000}} Until 2004,{{sfn|Ortved|2009 |p=199}} George Meyer, who had developed the show since the first season, was active in these sessions. According to long-time writer Jon Vitti, Meyer usually invented the best lines in a given episode, even though other writers may receive script credits. Each episode takes approximately six months to produce, so the show rarely comments on current events.{{cite news |first=Geoff |last=Nixon |title=Mmmmmm ... pop culture |work=The Silhouette |date=March 4, 2004}}

File:Simpsons writers2.jpg (partial), Conan O'Brien, Bill Oakley, Josh Weinstein, Mike Reiss, Ken Tsumura, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti (partial), CJ Gibson, and David M. Stern. Front row, left to right: Dee Capelli, Lona Williams, and unknown.]]

Credited with sixty episodes, John Swartzwelder is the most prolific writer on The Simpsons.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=21}} One of the best-known former writers is Conan O'Brien, who contributed to several episodes in the early 1990s before replacing David Letterman as host of the talk show Late Night.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/icing-simpsons-cake-2511538 |title=The icing on the Simpsons' cake |access-date=January 15, 2022|date=January 4, 2005 |last=McGinty |first=Stephen |work=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022093031/http://www.scotsman.com/news/the-icing-on-the-simpsons-cake-1-670191 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |url-status=live }} English comedian Ricky Gervais wrote the episode "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife", becoming the first celebrity both to write and guest star in the same episode.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4120569.stm |title=Gervais writing Simpsons episode |work=BBC News Online |date=December 23, 2004 |access-date=December 29, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220061036/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4120569.stm |archive-date=December 20, 2006 |url-status=live }} Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, writers of the film Superbad, wrote the episode "Homer the Whopper", with Rogen voicing a character in it.{{cite news |title=Rogen gets a dream gig: 'Simpsons' writer, voice |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-09-23-rogen-simpsons_N.htm | last=Keveney | first = Bill |work=USA Today |date=September 23, 2009 |access-date=September 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025121029/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-09-23-rogen-simpsons_N.htm |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=live }}

At the end of 2007, the writers of The Simpsons went on strike together with the other members of the Writers Guild of America, East. The show's writers had joined the guild in 1998.{{cite news|title=Why SpongeBob is sitting out the writers strike |access-date=January 9, 2008 |date=December 23, 2007 |last=Munoz | first= Lorenza |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/12/23/1223writerstrike.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226152155/http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/12/23/1223writerstrike.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 }}

In May 2023, the writers of The Simpsons went on strike together with the other members of the Writers Guild of America, East.{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2023 |title=The Simpsons Season 35: Renewal, Cast & Everything We Know |url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-35-updates-cast-news/ |access-date=June 11, 2023 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Simpsons Writer Addresses WGA Strike Amid Hollywood Fallout |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-simpsons-writers-strike-wga-explained/ |access-date=June 11, 2023 |website=TV Shows |date=May 4, 2023 |language=en}}

{{Main|List of The Simpsons cast members|List of The Simpsons guest stars|Non-English versions of The Simpsons}}

The Simpsons has six main cast members: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer. Castellaneta voices Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, Mayor Quimby, Barney Gumble, and other adult male characters.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} Julie Kavner voices Marge Simpson, Patty, Selma, as well as several minor characters.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997|pp=178–179}} Castellaneta and Kavner had been a part of The Tracey Ullman Show cast and were given the parts so that new actors would not be needed.{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/doh-youre-the-voice-20030227-gdvamr.html |title=D'oh, you're the voice |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=February 27, 2003 |last=Lee | first = Luaine |work=The Age |location=Melbourne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102224412/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064146568.html |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |url-status=live }} Cartwright voices Bart Simpson, Maggie Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, and other children.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson, is the only cast member who regularly voices only one character, although she occasionally plays other episodic characters.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} The producers decided to hold casting for the roles of Bart and Lisa. Smith had initially been asked to audition for the role of Bart, but casting director Bonita Pietila believed her voice was too high,{{cite news|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1565538/simpsons-trivia-from-swearing-lisa-to-burns-sexual-smithers/ |title='Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=July 26, 2007 |last=Carroll | first = Larry |publisher=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220140402/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565538/20070725/story.jhtml |archive-date=December 20, 2007 }} so she was given the role of Lisa instead.{{cite news |title=She who laughs last |date=December 8, 2007 |page=8E |work=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) | last=Miranda | first = Charles}} Cartwright was originally brought in to voice Lisa, but upon arriving at the audition, she found that Lisa was simply described as the "middle child" and at the time did not have much personality. Cartwright became more interested in the role of Bart, who was described as "devious, underachieving, school-hating, irreverent, [and] clever".{{sfn|Cartwright|2000 |pp=35–40}} Groening let her try out for the part instead, and upon hearing her read, gave her the job on the spot.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1017238.stm |title=Bart's voice tells all |access-date=May 16, 2007 |date=November 10, 2000 |work=BBC News Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040701164123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1017238.stm |archive-date=July 1, 2004 |url-status=live }} Cartwright is the only one of the six main Simpsons cast members who had been professionally trained in voice acting prior to working on the show.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=21}} Azaria and Shearer do not voice members of the title family, but play a majority of the male townspeople. Azaria, who has been a part of the main voice cast since the second season in one episode "Old Money" and then perpetually part of the regular main voice cast since the third season, voices recurring characters such as Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, and Professor Frink. Shearer provides voices for Mr. Burns, Mr. Smithers, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, and formerly Dr. Hibbert.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} Every main cast member has won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance.{{cite news |url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2006/07/shearer_snubbed.html |title=Shearer snubbed again! Blame that Mr. Burns? |access-date=August 10, 2007 |date=July 20, 2006 |last=O'Neil | first = Tom |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222051429/http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2006/07/shearer_snubbed.html |archive-date=December 22, 2007 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/harry-shearer-bobs-burgers-win-first-emmys-820580/|title=Ever Sardonic Harry Shearer On 'Impeccable' Timing of First Emmy Win|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|access-date=August 18, 2014|date=August 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084341/http://deadline.com/2014/08/harry-shearer-bobs-burgers-win-first-emmys-820580/|archive-date=August 19, 2014|url-status=live}}

With one exception, episode credits list only the voice actors, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and, therefore, closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt; James L. Brooks, David Silverman |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}} However, the network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode "Old Money", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt; Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky, Al Jean, David Silverman |date=2002 |title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Old Money" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}} In 2003, the cast appeared in an episode of Inside the Actors Studio, doing live performances of their characters' voices.

The six main actors were paid $30,000 per episode, until 1998, when they were involved in a pay dispute with Fox. The company threatened to replace them with new actors, even going as far as preparing for casting of new voices, but series creator Groening supported the actors in their action.{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Doherty |title=Matt Groening |work=Mother Jones |date=March–April 1999}} The issue was soon resolved and, from 1998 to 2004, they were paid $125,000 per episode. The show's revenue continued to rise through syndication and DVD sales, and in April 2004 the main cast stopped appearing for script readings, demanding they be paid $360,000 per episode.{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/simpsons-actors-demand-bigger-share-20040403-gdxm1k.html|title=Simpsons actors demand bigger share |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=April 3, 2004 |first=Dan |last=Glaister |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202171844/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/02/1080544690429.html |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Rick |last=McGinnis |title=Star talks Simpsons |work=metro |date=August 9, 2004}} The strike was resolved a month later{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/simpsons-cast-goes-back-to-work/ |title='Simpsons' Cast Goes Back To Work |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=May 1, 2004 |work=CBS News |first=Joel |last=Arak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913212830/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/01/entertainment/main615066.shtml |archive-date=September 13, 2008 |url-status=live }} and their salaries were increased to between $250,000{{cite news |title=Meet the Simpsons |date=May 6, 2004 |newspaper=Daily Express |first=Peter |last=Sheridan}} and $360,000 per episode.{{cite news |first=Michael | last = Schneider |title=Still no deal for 'Simpsons' cast |work=Variety |date=May 19, 2008 |url=https://variety.com/2008/digital/news/still-no-deal-for-simpsons-cast-1117986121/ |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012044612/http://variety.com/2008/digital/news/still-no-deal-for-simpsons-cast-1117986121/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=live }} In 2008, production for the twentieth season was put on hold due to new contract negotiations with the voice actors, who wanted a "healthy bump" in salary to an amount close to $500,000 per episode. The negotiations were soon completed, and the actors' salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.{{cite news |title=Simpsons cast sign new pay deal |work=BBC News Online |date=June 3, 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7434296.stm |access-date=September 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914050545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7434296.stm |archive-date=September 14, 2008 |url-status=live }} Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, the cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode.{{cite news |last=Block |first=Alex Ben |title='The Simpsons' Renewed for Two More Seasons |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-renewed-two-more-seasons-245748 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=October 15, 2011 |date=October 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010170625/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-renewed-two-more-seasons-245748 |archive-date=October 10, 2011 |url-status=live }}

In addition to the main cast, Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, Marcia Wallace, Maggie Roswell, and Russi Taylor voice supporting characters.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} From 1999 to 2002, Roswell's characters were voiced by Marcia Mitzman Gaven. Karl Wiedergott has also appeared in minor roles, but does not voice any recurring characters.{{sfn|McCann|Groening|2002 |p=117}} Wiedergott left the show in 2010, and since then Chris Edgerly has appeared regularly to voice minor characters. Repeat "special guest" cast members include Albert Brooks, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Joe Mantegna, Maurice LaMarche, and Kelsey Grammer.{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2006/06/20/the-five-great-simpsons-guest-stars/ |title=The Five: Great Simpsons guest stars |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=June 20, 2006 |last=Finley | first = Adam |publisher=HuffPost TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104225947/http://www.aoltv.com/2006/06/20/the-five-great-simpsons-guest-stars/ |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=live }} Following Hartman's death in 1998, the characters he voiced (Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz) were retired;{{cite interview |last=Groening |first=Matt |subject-link=Matt Groening |interviewer=Terry Gross |title=Fresh Air |work=NPR |publisher=WHYY-FM |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4249835 |location=Philadelphia |date=December 29, 2004 |access-date=November 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610050752/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4249835 |archive-date=June 10, 2007 |url-status=live }} Wallace's character of Edna Krabappel was retired as well after her death in 2013. Following Taylor's death in 2019, her characters (including Sherri, Terri, and Martin Prince) are now voiced by Grey Griffin.{{cite web|last=Clarke|first=Patrick|title='The Simpsons' recasts three roles following the death of voice actor Russi Taylor|url=https://www.nme.com/news/simpsons-recasts-three-roles-following-death-voice-actor-russi-taylor-2574416|website=NME|access-date=April 23, 2020|date=November 11, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716195209/https://www.nme.com/news/simpsons-recasts-three-roles-following-death-voice-actor-russi-taylor-2574416|url-status=live}}

Episodes will quite often feature guest voices from a wide range of professions, including actors, athletes, authors, bands, musicians and scientists. In the earlier seasons, most of the guest stars voiced characters, but eventually more started appearing as themselves. Tony Bennett was the first guest star to appear as himself, appearing briefly in the season two episode "Dancin' Homer".{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=393}} The Simpsons holds the world record for "Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series".{{cite news|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z3 |title=THE SIMPSONS – Season 19 (2007–2008) |access-date=October 21, 2007 |publisher=FoxFlash |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217121947/http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z3 |archive-date=December 17, 2007 }}

The Simpsons has been dubbed into several other languages, including Japanese, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. It is also one of the few programs dubbed in both standard French and Quebec French.{{cite web|url=http://www.omnivore.org/jon/orwell/caste.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210002353/http://www.omnivore.org/jon/orwell/caste.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2008 |title=Caste of Characters |access-date=August 7, 2007 |date=September 9, 2000 |last=Kay | first = Jonathan |publisher=Saturday Night Magazine }} The show has been broadcast in Arabic, but due to Islamic customs, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinks soda instead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the lifelong Simpsons fans in the area.{{cite news |last=El-Rashidi |first=Yasmine |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112925107943268353 |title=D'oh! Arabized Simpsons not getting many laughs |access-date=August 7, 2007 |date=October 14, 2005 |work=The Wall Street Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302200451/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112925107943268353 |archive-date=March 2, 2015 |url-status=live }}

File:David Silverman with a fan.jpg, who helped define the look of the show]]

Several different American and international studios animate The Simpsons. Throughout the run of the animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show, the animation was produced domestically at Klasky Csupo. With the debut of the series, because of an increased workload, Fox subcontracted production to several local and foreign studios. These are AKOM,First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=Some Enchanted Evening |episode-link=Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons) |series=The Simpsons |credits=Groening, Matt; Sam Simon, David Silverman, Kent Butterworth |network=Fox |air-date=May 13, 1990 |season=1 |number=13}} Anivision,First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror II |episode-link=Treehouse of Horror II |series=The Simpsons |credits=Jean, Al; Mike Reiss, Jeff Martin, George Meyer, Sam Simon, John Swartzwelder, Jim Reardon |network=Fox |air-date=October 31, 1991 |season=3 |number=7}} Rough Draft Studios,First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=Homer the Heretic |episode-link=Homer the Heretic |series=The Simpsons |credits=Meyer, George;Jim Reardon |network=Fox |air-date=October 8, 1992 |season=4 |number=3}} USAnimation,First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=Radioactive Man |episode-link=Radioactive Man (The Simpsons episode) |series=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; Susie Dietter |network=Fox |air-date=September 24, 1995 |season=7 |number=2}} and Toonzone Entertainment.First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=The Fat and the Furriest |episode-link=The Fat and the Furriest |series=The Simpsons |credits=Cohen, Joel H.; Matthew Nastuk |network=Fox |air-date=November 30, 2003 |season=15 |number=5}}

For the first three seasons, Klasky Csupo animated The Simpsons in the United States. In 1992, the show's production company, Gracie Films, switched domestic production to Film Roman,{{cite news |last=Bernstein | first = Sharon |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-21-fi-739-story.html |title='The Simpsons' Producer Changes Animation Firms |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 21, 1992 |page=18 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618113432/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-01-21/business/fi-739_1_bart-simpson |archive-date=June 18, 2012 |url-status=live }} who continued to animate the show until 2016 when they were replaced by Fox Television Animation, which allowed the show to be made more in-house. In Season 14, production switched from traditional cel animation to digital ink and paint.{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt; Al Jean, Jeffrey Lynch, Mike Reiss, David Silverman |date=2004 |title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Whacking Day" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}} The first episode to experiment with digital coloring was "Radioactive Man" in 1995. Animators used digital ink and paint during production of the season 12 episode "Tennis the Menace", but Gracie Films delayed the regular use of digital ink and paint until two seasons later. The already completed "Tennis the Menace" was broadcast as made.{{cite news|url=http://www.license-europe.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/192007/425752/article.pdf |title=A Salute to the Simpsons |last=Grala |first=Alyson |page=14 |work=License! |access-date=August 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925213323/http://www.license-europe.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/192007/425752/article.pdf |archive-date=September 25, 2007 }}

The production staff at the American animation studio, Film Roman, draws storyboards, designs new characters, backgrounds, props and draws character and background layouts, which in turn become animatics to be screened for the writers at Gracie Films for any changes to be made before the work is shipped overseas. The overseas studios then draw the inbetweens, ink and paint, and render the animation to tape before it is shipped back to the United States to be delivered to Fox three to four months later.{{cite news |title=TV's 'The Simpsons' Goes Global |date=August 5, 2001 |agency=Associated Press | last=Elber | first = Lynn}}

The series began high-definition production in season 20; the first episode, "Take My Life, Please", aired February 15, 2009. The move to HDTV included a new opening sequence.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z4&mo=2&d=10 |title=Primetime Listings (February 8 – February 14) |access-date=January 24, 2009 |date=January 23, 2009 |publisher=FoxFlash |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201143538/http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z4&mo=2&d=10 |archive-date=February 1, 2009 }} Matt Groening called it a complicated change because it affected the timing and composition of animation.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/matt-groening-1798216089 |title=Matt Groening | last=Ryan | first = Kyle |date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |work=The A.V. Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113031416/http://www.avclub.com/articles/matt-groening,25525/1/ |archive-date=November 13, 2011 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Media in The Simpsons|Politics in The Simpsons|Religion in The Simpsons}}

The Simpsons uses the standard setup of a situational comedy, or sitcom, as its premise. The series centers on a family and their life in a typical American town,{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=28}} serving as a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle.{{cite news |title=The Simpsons: Culture, Class and Popular TV | last=Flew | first = Terry |work=Metro |issue=97 |date=March 3, 1994 |url=http://www.metromagazine.com.au/magazine/backisues.asp?keywords=cultu&whichpage=12&pagesize=15 |access-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722074356/http://www.metromagazine.com.au/magazine/backisues.asp?keywords=cultu&whichpage=12&pagesize=15 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |url-status=live }} However, because of its animated nature, The Simpsons{{'}} scope is larger than that of a regular sitcom. The town of Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. By having Homer work in a nuclear power plant, the show can comment on the state of the environment.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=55}} Through Bart and Lisa's days at Springfield Elementary School, the show's writers illustrate pressing or controversial issues in the field of education. The town features a vast array of television channels, which enables the producers to make jokes about the entertainment industry and the press.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=388}}

Some commentators say the show is political in nature and susceptible to a left-wing bias.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=221–222}} Al Jean acknowledged in an interview that "We [the show] are of liberal bent."{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=223}} The writers often evince an appreciation for progressive leanings, but the show makes jokes across the political spectrum.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=224}} The show portrays government and large corporations as evil entities that take advantage of the common worker.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=223}} Thus, the writers often portray authority figures in an unflattering or negative light. In The Simpsons, politicians are corrupt, ministers such as Reverend Lovejoy are dismissive to churchgoers, and the local police force is incompetent.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=56}} Religion also figures as a recurring theme.{{cite journal|doi=10.5040/9780567662040.ch-007|title=Biblical Literacy and the Simpsons|journal=Rethinking Biblical Literacy ed. Katie Edwards|last=Myles|first=Robert|year=2015|pages=143–162 |isbn=978-0-56740-321-6}} In times of crisis, the family often turns to God, and the show has dealt with most of the major religions.{{cite news |first=Mark I |last=Pinsky |title=The Gospel According to Homer |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=August 15, 1999}}

Sexuality is often a source of jokes in the series or serves as the theme of certain episodes. Even though homosexuals are sometimes sources of gags, the series often comments on how American society treats them, with "Homer's Phobia" devoting an entire episode to the family making a gay friend and Homer's initial hostility to him. In 1990, The Simpsons became the first animated early evening show to depict a kiss between two men in "Simpson and Delilah".

{{Main|The Simpsons opening sequence}}

The Simpsons{{'}} opening sequence is one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. The standard opening has gone through three iterations (a replacement of some shots at the start of the second season, and a brand new sequence when the show switched to high-definition in 2009).{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4682314/The-Simpsons-opening-sequence-changes.html |title='The Simpsons' opening sequence changes |last=Leonard |first=Tom |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=March 2, 2009 |date=February 17, 2009 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220191329/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4682314/The-Simpsons-opening-sequence-changes.html |archive-date=February 20, 2009 |url-status=live }}

Each has the same basic sequence of events: the camera zooms through cumulus clouds, through the show's title towards the town of Springfield. The camera then follows the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, the Simpsons settle down on their couch to watch television. The original opening was created by David Silverman, and was the first task he did when production began on the show.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/interviews/silverman/page4.shtml |title=Top titles |access-date=August 1, 2007 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119123229/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/interviews/silverman/page4.shtml |archive-date=November 19, 2011 |url-status=live }} The series' distinctive theme song was composed by musician Danny Elfman in 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro-style piece. This piece has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career.{{cite web|url=http://elfman.filmmusic.com/elfman_la_times.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001024519/http://elfman.filmmusic.com/elfman_la_times.html |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |title=Danny Elfman in the L.A. Times |access-date=July 3, 2006 |last=Glionna |first=John M. |year=1999 |publisher=Danny Elfman's Music for a Darkened People}}

One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that three of its elements change from episode to episode: Bart writes different things on the school chalkboard, Lisa plays different solos on her saxophone (or occasionally a different instrument), and different gags accompany the family as they enter their living room to sit on the couch.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=90–91}}

{{Main|Treehouse of Horror}}

File:Bart Night Gallery.jpg" in the manner of Rod Serling's Night Gallery]]

The special Halloween episode has become an annual tradition. "Treehouse of Horror" first broadcast in 1990 as part of season two and established the pattern of three separate, self-contained stories in each Halloween episode.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season2/page3.shtml |title=The Simpsons Halloween Special |access-date=November 9, 2007 |last1=Martyn |first1=Adrian |last2=Wood |year=2000 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103060830/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season2/page3.shtml |archive-date=November 3, 2010 |url-status=live }} These pieces usually involve the family in some horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=31}} They always take place outside the normal continuity of the show. Although the Treehouse series is meant to be seen on Halloween, this changed by the 2000s (and again in 2020), when new installments have premiered after Halloween due to Fox's current contract with Major League Baseball's World Series.{{cite news |title=Pick of the Day: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XVII |last=Ryan |first=Andrew |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=November 4, 2006 |page=12}} Prior to 2020 (between 2011 and 2019), every Treehouse of Horror episode had aired in October.

The show's humor turns on cultural references that cover a wide spectrum of society so that viewers from all generations can enjoy the show. Such references, for example, come from movies, television, music, literature, science, and history.{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=63–65}} The animators also regularly add jokes or sight gags into the show's background via humorous or incongruous bits of text in signs, newspapers, billboards, and elsewhere. The audience may often not notice the visual jokes in a single viewing. Some are so fleeting that they become apparent only by pausing a video recording of the show or viewing it in slow motion.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=62}} Kristin Thompson argues that The Simpsons uses a "flurry of cultural references, intentionally inconsistent characterization, and considerable self-reflexivity about television conventions and the status of the programme as a television show."{{sfn|King|2002}}

One of Bart's early hallmarks was his prank calls to Moe's Tavern owner Moe Szyslak where he asks for a gag name. Moe tries to find that person in the bar, but soon realizes it is a prank call and angrily threatens Bart. These calls were apparently based on a series of prank calls known as the Tube Bar recordings, though Groening has denied any causal connection.[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-03-vw-42985-story.html Telephone Trespassing : Think only kids make prank calls? Now grown-ups are dialing, baiting their prey and taping what follows. And thousands collect the recordings.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203211508/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-06-03/news/vw-42985_1_prank-calls |date=December 3, 2013}} Mark Ehrman. Los Angeles Times. June 3, 1993. Accessed January 15, 2022. "'Simpsons' creator Matt Groening confesses to being a fan of prank tapes. The New Saigon calls, he says, are his favorites—although he prefers to characterize the similarity between the Moe's Tavern calls and the Tube Bar tapes as 'creative synchronicity.'"

Moe was based partly on Tube Bar owner Louis "Red" Deutsch, whose often profane responses inspired Moe's violent side.{{cite news |url=https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2005/10/17/joke-on-simpsons-started-in-jc-famed-crank-calls-originated-in-tube-bar/ |title=Joke on 'Simpsons' started in JC |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=August 10, 2005 |work=Hudson Reporter |last=Kaulessar | first = Ricardo |archive-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115072617/https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2005/10/17/joke-on-simpsons-started-in-jc-famed-crank-calls-originated-in-tube-bar/ |url-status=live }} As the series progressed, it became more difficult for the writers to come up with a fake name and to write Moe's angry response, and the pranks were dropped as a regular joke during the fourth season.James L. Brooks; Groening, Matt; Jean, Al. (2001). Commentary for "Some Enchanted Evening", in The Simpsons: The Complete First Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.Reiss, Mike. (2001). Commentary for "Moaning Lisa", in The Simpsons: The Complete First Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox. The Simpsons also often includes self-referential humor.{{cite news |title=Doh! The Simpson's sets a record by staying relevant |last=Strachan | first = Al |work=The Vancouver Sun |date=March 10, 2009}} The most common form is jokes about Fox Broadcasting.{{cite news |title=Embiggening the smallest man |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jun/30/film.filmnews |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 24, 2009 |date=June 30, 2007 |last=Burkeman | first = Oliver |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013021744/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jun/30/film.filmnews |archive-date=October 13, 2013 |url-status=live }} For example, the episode "She Used to Be My Girl" included a scene in which a Fox News Channel van drove down the street while displaying a large "Bush Cheney 2004" banner and playing Queen's "We Are the Champions", in reference to the 2004 U.S. presidential election and claims of conservative bias in Fox News.{{cite episode |title=She Used to Be My Girl |episode-link=She Used to Be My Girl |series=The Simpsons |network=Fox |air-date=December 5, 2004}}{{Cite news|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-12-07/gossip/18277466_1_chairman-roger-ailes-mary-kate-al-jean |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029024947/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-12-07/gossip/18277466_1_chairman-roger-ailes-mary-kate-al-jean |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |title='Simpsons' on Fox hunt |work=Daily News |location=New York |last1=Grove | first1 = Lloyd | last2=Morgan | first2 = Hudson |date=December 7, 2004 |access-date=April 3, 2012 }}

The show uses catchphrases, and most of the primary and secondary characters have at least one each.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=60}} Notable expressions include Homer's annoyed grunt "D'oh!", Mr. Burns' "Excellent" and Nelson Muntz's "Ha-ha!" Some of Bart's catchphrases, such as "¡Ay, caramba!", "Don't have a cow, man!" and "Eat my shorts!" appeared on T-shirts in the show's early days.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=25}} However, Bart rarely used the latter two phrases until after they became popular through the merchandising. The use of many of these catchphrases has declined in recent seasons. The episode "Bart Gets Famous" mocks catchphrase-based humor, as Bart achieves fame on the Krusty the Clown Show solely for saying "I didn't do it".{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=61}}

{{main|The Simpsons future predictions}}

The Simpsons has gained notoriety for jokes that appeared to become reality. Perhaps the most famous example comes from the episode "Bart to the Future", which mentions billionaire Donald Trump having been president of the United States at one time and leaving the nation broke.{{cite news |last=Redkar |first=Surabhi |date=January 1, 2023 |title=The Simpsons: 5 interesting predictions about 2023 that featured on the sitcom |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/the-simpsons-5-interesting-predictions-about-2023-that-featured-on-the-sitcom-1205291 |work=Pinkvilla |access-date=July 20, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525234828/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/the-simpsons-5-interesting-predictions-about-2023-that-featured-on-the-sitcom-1205291 |archive-date=May 25, 2023}} The episode first aired in 2000, sixteen years before Trump (who at the time was exploring a presidential run) was elected.{{cite news |title=The Simpsons predicted a Donald Trump presidency 16 years ago |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-simpsons-predicted-a-donald-trump-presidency-2016-11?r=UK&IR=T |work=Business Insider |access-date=December 31, 2017 |date=November 9, 2016 |author=Clark, Charles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135402/http://www.businessinsider.com/the-simpsons-predicted-a-donald-trump-presidency-2016-11?r=UK&IR=T |archive-date=January 1, 2018 |url-status=live }} Another episode, "When You Dish Upon a Star", lampooned 20th Century Fox as a division of The Walt Disney Company. Nineteen years later, Disney purchased Fox.{{cite news|last1=Rosario|first1=David|title=The Disney-Fox Deal Was Predicted By 'The Simpsons' Nearly 20 Years Ago|url=https://heroichollywood.com/disney-fox-deal-predicted-simpsons-20-years-ago/|newspaper=Heroic Hollywood|access-date=December 14, 2017|date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215110730/https://heroichollywood.com/disney-fox-deal-predicted-simpsons-20-years-ago/|archive-date=December 15, 2017|url-status=live}} Other examples purported as The Simpsons predicting the future include the introduction of the smartwatch, video chat services, Richard Branson's spaceflight{{cite news|url=https://people.com/tv/the-simpsons-predicted-richard-branson-would-go-to-space-seven-years-ago/|title=The Simpsons Predicted Richard Branson Would Go to Space 7 Years Ago|first=Vanessa|last=Eitenne|publisher=People.com|date=July 16, 2021|access-date=July 20, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-prediction-richard-branson-space-flight/|title=The Simpsons Seemingly Predicted Richard Branson Space Flight Back in 2014|first=Nico|last=Marrone|publisher=Screen Rant|date=July 17, 2021|access-date=July 20, 2021}} and Lady Gaga's acrobatic performance at the Super Bowl LI halftime show.{{cite web|last1=Hancock|first1=Edith|last2=Henning Santiago|first2=Amanda|title=15 times 'The Simpsons' accurately predicted the future|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-simpsons-is-good-at-predicting-the-future-2016-11/#15-nobel-prize-winner-season-22-episode-1-1|website=Business Insider|access-date=December 31, 2017|date=October 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101030111/http://www.businessinsider.com/the-simpsons-is-good-at-predicting-the-future-2016-11/#15-nobel-prize-winner-season-22-episode-1-1|archive-date=January 1, 2018|url-status=live}}

Al Jean has commented on the show's purported ability to predict the future, explaining that they are really just "educated guesses" and stating that "if you throw enough darts, you're going to get some bullseyes."{{cite web |last1=McMahon |first1=James |title='The Simpsons' showrunner on uncanny predictions: "9/11 was bizarre" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/the-simpsons-al-jean-predictions-911-3096871 |website=NME.com |date=November 16, 2021 |publisher=NME |access-date=January 10, 2024}} Producer Bill Oakley stated, "There are very few cases where The Simpsons predicted something. It's mainly just coincidence because the episodes are so old that history repeats itself."{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Jose |title='The Simpsons' Writer on Show Predicting 2020 After Murder Hornets Arrive: 'OK Fine I Guess' |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/jose-martinez/the-simpsons-writer-agrees-show-predicted-2020-murder-hornets |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} Fact-checking sources such as Snopes have debunked many of the claimed prophecies, explaining that the show's extensive run means "a lot of jokes, and a lot of opportunities for coincidences to appear" and "most of these 'predictions' have rather simple and mundane explanations".{{cite web |title='The Simpsons' Didn't Predict That |url=https://www.snopes.com/collections/the-simpsons-didnt-predict-that/ |website=Snopes.com |access-date=December 26, 2019 |date=February 6, 2017 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019185618/https://www.snopes.com/collections/the-simpsons-didnt-predict-that/ |url-status=live }} For example, the device shown on The Simpsons with autocorrection is an Apple Newton, a real 1993 device notorious for its poor handwriting recognition.{{cite news |last1=Evon |first1=Dan |title=Did 'The Simpsons' Predict Autocorrect? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/simpsons-predict-autocorrect/?collection-id=210994 |access-date=March 26, 2021 |work=Snopes.com |date=September 26, 2019 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019185612/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/simpsons-predict-autocorrect/?collection-id=210994 |url-status=live }} Technologically advanced watches have appeared in numerous works of fiction, decades before The Simpsons.{{cite news |last1=Evon |first1=Dan |title=Did 'The Simpsons' Predict the Smartwatch? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/simpsons-predict-smartwatch/?collection-id=210994 |access-date=March 26, 2021 |work=Snopes.com |date=December 2, 2019 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019185619/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/simpsons-predict-smartwatch/?collection-id=210994 |url-status=live }}

A number of neologisms that originated on The Simpsons have entered popular vernacular.{{cite news |url=https://www.avclub.com/beyond-d-oh-18-simpsons-quotes-for-everyday-use-1798210070 |title=Beyond "D'oh!": Simpsons Quotes For Everyday Use |author=Bahn, Christopher |author2=Donna Bowman |author3=Josh Modell |author4=Noel Murray |author5=Nathan Rabin |author6=Tasha Robinson |author7=Kyle Ryan |author8=Scott Tobias |access-date=January 15, 2022|date=April 26, 2006 |newspaper=The A.V. Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617011132/http://www.avclub.com/article/beyond-doh-simpsons-quotes-for-everyday-use-1543 |archive-date=June 17, 2014 |url-status=live }} Mark Liberman, director of the Linguistic Data Consortium, remarked, "The Simpsons has apparently taken over from Shakespeare and the Bible as our culture's greatest source of idioms, catchphrases and sundry other textual allusions."{{Cite news |last=Macintyre |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Macintyre |title=Last word: Any word that embiggens the vocabulary is cromulent with me |newspaper=The Times |date=August 11, 2007 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/last-word-ben-macintyre-s6h7sdhsxbb |location=London |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706043344/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article2234263.ece |archive-date=July 6, 2008 |url-status=live }} The most famous catchphrase is Homer's annoyed grunt: "D'oh!" So ubiquitous is the expression that it is now listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, but without the apostrophe.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1387335.stm |title=It's in the dictionary, d'oh! |access-date=December 24, 2006 |date=June 14, 2001 |work=BBC News Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113004358/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1387335.stm |archive-date=January 13, 2007 |url-status=live }} Dan Castellaneta says he borrowed the phrase from James Finlayson, an actor in many Laurel and Hardy comedies, who pronounced it in a more elongated and whining tone. The staff of The Simpsons told Castellaneta to shorten the noise, and it went on to become the well-known exclamation in the television series.{{cite news|url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta94.html |first=Jeremy |last=Simon |title=Wisdom from The Simpsons' 'D'ohh' boy |format=Interview |work=The Daily Northwestern |date=February 11, 1994 |access-date=September 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515145344/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta94.html |archive-date=May 15, 2008 }}

Groundskeeper Willie's description of the French as "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" was used by National Review columnist Jonah Goldberg in 2003, after France's opposition to the proposed invasion of Iraq. The phrase quickly spread to other journalists.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/11/pressandpublishing.usa |title=Wimps, weasels and monkeys – the US media view of 'perfidious France' |access-date=August 5, 2006 |author=Younge, Gary |author2=Jon Henley |date=July 7, 2006 |work=Guardian Unlimited |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826223540/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/11/pressandpublishing.usa |archive-date=August 26, 2013 |url-status=live }} "{{visible anchor|Cromulent}}" and "embiggen", words used in "Lisa the Iconoclast", have since appeared in the Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon,{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cromulent |title=cromulent definition |access-date=July 24, 2011 |publisher=Dictionary.com, LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717180654/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cromulent |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=live }} and scientific journals respectively.{{cite journal |title=Sidelines |journal=Nature |date=August 8, 2007 |volume=448|issue=7154 |doi=10.1038/448632a |page=632|bibcode=2007Natur.448Q.632. |doi-access= |s2cid=265792095 | issn = 0028-0836}} "Kwyjibo", a fake Scrabble word invented by Bart in "Bart the Genius", was used as one of the aliases of the creator of the Melissa worm.{{cite video |people=Vitti, Jon |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons The Complete First Season DVD commentary for the episode "Bart the Genius" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}} "I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords", was used by Kent Brockman in "Deep Space Homer" and has become a snowclone,{{cite web |url=http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/000399.html |title=I, for one, welcome our new *overlords |access-date=January 12, 2009 |author=Liberman. Mark |date=January 29, 2004 |publisher=Language Log |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412013155/http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/%7Emyl/languagelog/archives/000399.html |archive-date=April 12, 2011 |url-status=live }} with variants of the utterance used to express obsequious submission. It has been used in media, such as New Scientist magazine.{{cite web |url=https://www.newscientist.com/blog/space/2007/06/british-government-welcomes-our-new.html |title=The British government welcomes our new insect overlords |publisher=New Scientist magazine |access-date=October 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912221913/http://www.newscientist.com/blog/space/2007/06/british-government-welcomes-our-new.html |archive-date=September 12, 2007 }} The dismissive term "Meh", believed to have been popularized by the show,{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2012/02/26/the-meh-generation/lmLccPoBMpwvPycxr2vqhJ/story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709211244/http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-26/ideas/31094294_1_collins-english-dictionary-mitt-romney-presidential-race/2 |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |title=The 'meh' generation |last=Zimmer |first=Ben |date=February 26, 2012 |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=January 15, 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/mar/05/newmedia.broadcasting |title=Meh – the word that's sweeping the internet |access-date=October 14, 2007 |date=March 5, 2007 |work=The Guardian |author=Hann, Michael |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012235636/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/mar/05/newmedia.broadcasting |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=live }} entered the Collins English Dictionary in 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=f216bac2-8f0b-4202-a1ae-8f7ed4de2bd7 |title=Canadian politics: The definition of 'meh' |access-date=November 21, 2008 |date=November 18, 2008 |publisher=Canwest News Service |work=The Vancouver Sun |author=Boswell, Randy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206011004/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=f216bac2-8f0b-4202-a1ae-8f7ed4de2bd7 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 }} Other words credited as stemming from the show include "yoink" and "craptacular".

The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations includes several quotations from the show. As well as "cheese-eating surrender monkeys", Homer's lines, "Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try", from "Burns' Heir" (season five, 1994) as well as "Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the Internet and all", from "Eight Misbehavin'{{-"}} (season 11, 1999), entered the dictionary in August 2007.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1561004/Simpsons-quotes-enter-new-Oxford-dictionary.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202182829/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1561004/Simpsons-quotes-enter-new-Oxford-dictionary.html |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |title=Simpsons quotes enter new Oxford dictionary |access-date=September 23, 2008 |date=August 24, 2007 |author=Shorto, Russell |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London }}

Many quotes/scenes have become popular Internet memes, including Jasper Beardley's quote "That's a paddlin{{' "}} from "The PTA Disbands" (season 6, 1995) and "Steamed Hams" from "22 Short Films About Springfield" (season 7, 1996).

The Simpsons was the first successful animated program in American prime-time since Wait Till Your Father Gets Home in the 1970s.{{sfn|Alberti|2003 |p=xii}} During most of the 1980s, American pundits considered animated shows as appropriate only for children, and animating a show was too expensive to achieve a quality suitable for prime-time television. The Simpsons changed this perception, initially leading to a short period where networks attempted to recreate prime-time cartoon success with shows like Capitol Critters, Fish Police, and Family Dog, which were expensive and unsuccessful.{{citation|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-28-ca-2993-story.html|title='Fish Police' on Endangered Species List|author=Daniel Cerone|date=February 28, 1992|newspaper=LA Times|access-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020006/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-02-28/entertainment/ca-2993_1_prime-time-programs|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}} The Simpsons{{'}} use of Korean animation studios for tweening, coloring, and filming made the episodes cheaper. The success of The Simpsons and the lower production cost prompted American television networks to take chances on other adult animated series. This development led American producers to a 1990s boom in new, animated prime-time shows for adults, such as Beavis and Butt-Head, South Park, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Futurama (which was created by Matt Groening), and The Critic (which was also produced by Gracie Films). For Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, "The Simpsons created an audience for prime-time animation that had not been there for many, many years ... As far as I'm concerned, they basically re-invented the wheel. They created what is in many ways—you could classify it as—a wholly new medium."{{cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/08/simpsons200708 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=August 2007 |title=Simpson Family Values |first=John |last=Ortved |work=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827213908/http://www.vanityfair.com./culture/features/2007/08/simpsons200708 |archive-date=August 27, 2008 |url-status=live }}

The Simpsons has had crossovers with four other shows. In the episode "A Star Is Burns", Marge invites Jay Sherman, the main character of The Critic, to be a judge for a film festival in Springfield. Matt Groening had his name removed from the episode since he had no involvement with The Critic. South Park later paid homage to The Simpsons with the episode "Simpsons Already Did It".{{cite news |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1647331,00.html |title=The Simpsons, Bigger and Better |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=July 29, 2007 |author=Richard Corliss |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204050753/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1647331,00.html |archive-date=December 4, 2010 }} In "Simpsorama", the Planet Express crew from Futurama come to Springfield in the present to prevent the Simpsons from destroying the future.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/comic-con/2013/07/20/the-simpsons-futurama-crossover-epsidoe/ |title='The Simpsons' to join forces with 'Futurama' for crossover episode |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |author=Snierson, Dan |date=July 20, 2013 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721032141/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/07/20/the-simpsons-futurama-crossover-epsidoe/ |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |url-status=live }} In the Family Guy episode "The Simpsons Guy", the Griffins visit Springfield and meet the Simpsons.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23373451 |title=Simpsons in Family Guy crossover |work=BBC News |access-date=July 27, 2013 |date=July 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722013553/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23373451 |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |url-status=live }}

The Simpsons has also influenced live-action shows like Malcolm in the Middle, which featured the use of sight gags and did not use a laugh track unlike most sitcoms.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2761301.stm |title=The Simpsons: The world's favourite family |access-date=December 19, 2006 |date=February 15, 2003 |work=BBC News Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922102613/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2761301.stm |archive-date=September 22, 2006 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com:8080/news2000/jan00/news30107.html |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160525010559/http://www.medialifemagazine.com:8080/news2000/jan00/news30107.html |archive-date=May 25, 2016 |title='Malcolm in the Middle': trite Fox fare with a first-rate time slot |access-date=July 3, 2006 |author=Wallenstein, Andrew |magazine=Media Life Magazine }} Malcolm in the Middle debuted January 9, 2000, in the time slot after The Simpsons. Ricky Gervais called The Simpsons an influence on The Office,{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/interviews/ricky-gervais.html |title=Ricky Gervais Part One |access-date=December 20, 2006 |author=Schuchardt, Richard |publisher=DVDActive.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061028150624/http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/interviews/ricky-gervais.html |archive-date=October 28, 2006 }} and fellow British sitcom Spaced was, according to its director Edgar Wright, "an attempt to do a live-action The Simpsons".{{cite news |url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/humor/201008/directors-roundtable-extended-version-comedy-issue-apatow-landis?currentPage=4#ixzz0u4u2e5ot |title=Gross Prophets |access-date=July 19, 2010 |author=Martin, Brett |work=GQ |date=August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718215746/http://www.gq.com/entertainment/humor/201008/directors-roundtable-extended-version-comedy-issue-apatow-landis?currentPage=4#ixzz0u4u2e5ot |archive-date=July 18, 2010 |url-status=live }} In Georgia, the animated television sitcom The Samsonadzes, launched in November 2009, has been noted for its very strong resemblance with The Simpsons, which its creator Shalva Ramishvili has acknowledged.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8494926.stm |title=Putin appears in Georgia's Simpsons-like cartoon show |publisher=BBC |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915152704/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8494926.stm |archive-date=September 15, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgias-answer-to-the-simpsons-1844272.html |title=Georgia's answer to 'The Simpsons' |work=The Independent |date=December 18, 2009 |access-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213092325/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgias-answer-to-the-simpsons-1844272.html |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |url-status=live }}

{{Main| LGBT representation in The Simpsons}}

The Simpsons has historically been open to portrayals of LGBT characters and settings, and it has routinely challenged heteronormativity.{{Cite book |last=Henry |first=Matthew |url=https://archive.org/details/leavingspringfie00albe |title=Leaving Springfield: The Simpsons and the Possibility of Oppositional Culture |publisher=Wayne State University Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-8143-2849-1 |editor-last=Alberti |editor-first=John |pages=225–243 |chapter=Looking for Amanda Hugginkiss: Gay Life on The Simpsons}} It was one of several animated television shows in the United States that began introducing characters that were LGBT, both openly and implied, in the 1990s.{{Cite journal |last=Padva |first=Gilad |date=July 9, 2008 |title=Educating The Simpsons: Teaching Queer Representations in Contemporary Visual Media |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19361650802162227 |journal=Journal of LGBT Youth |language=en |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=57–73 |doi=10.1080/19361650802162227 |s2cid=216116217 |issn=1936-1653 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504091510/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19361650802162227 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }} While early episodes involving LGBT characters primarily included them through the use of stereotypes, The Simpsons developed several prominent LGBT characters over its run.{{Cite web |last=Keough |first=Yasmine Evelyn |date=February 24, 2021 |title=LGBTQ History Through The Eyes Of The Simpsons |url=https://gamerant.com/the-simpsons-lgbtq-history/ |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707181252/https://gamerant.com/the-simpsons-lgbtq-history/ |url-status=live }} Producers of the show, such as Matt Groening and Al Jean, have expressed their opinion that LGBT representation in media is important, and that they seek to actively include it.{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2020 |title=Is Lisa Simpson queer? It's complicated |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a34560331/the-simpsons-lisa-queer-bisexual-lgbtq/ |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210034433/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a34560331/the-simpsons-lisa-queer-bisexual-lgbtq/ |url-status=live }} Some characters, such as Julio, were created with their sexual orientation in mind, with it being central to their character.{{Cite web |last=Lavin |first=Will |date=April 23, 2021 |title='The Simpsons' recasts gay character with gay actor Tony Rodriguez |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-simpsons-recasts-gay-character-with-gay-actor-tony-rodriguez-2926587 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814135015/https://www.nme.com/news/the-simpsons-recasts-gay-character-with-gay-actor-tony-rodriguez-2926587 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} The show expanded its roster of openly LGBT characters through episodes in which prominent characters Patty Bouvier and Waylon Smithers came out in seasons 16 and 27, respectively.{{Cite news |last=Waxman |first=Sharon |date=February 21, 2005 |title='Simpsons' Animates Gay Nuptials, and a Debate |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/21/arts/television/simpsons-animates-gay-nuptials-and-a-debate.html |access-date=April 14, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512161958/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/21/arts/television/simpsons-animates-gay-nuptials-and-a-debate.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Dennis |date=April 3, 2016 |title=The Simpsons handles Smithers' coming out with surprising subtlety |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-handles-smithers-coming-out-with-surprisi-1798187626 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410023520/https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-handles-smithers-coming-out-with-surprisi-1798187626 |url-status=live }}

{{main|List of The Simpsons episodes}}

In the United States, the cable television network FXX, a sibling of 20th Television and formerly the Fox network, has exclusive cable and digital syndication rights for The Simpsons. Original contracts had previously stated that syndication rights for The Simpsons would not be sold to cable until the series conclusion, at a time when cable syndication deals were highly rare. The series has been syndicated to local broadcast stations in nearly all markets throughout the United States since September 1994.[https://deadline.com/2013/11/fxx-lands-the-simpsons-in-the-biggest-off-network-deal-in-tv-history-635800/ FXX Lands 'The Simpsons' In Biggest Off-Network Deal In TV History] Deadline Hollywood, November 15, 2013

FXX premiered The Simpsons on their network on August 21, 2014, by starting a twelve-day marathon which featured the first 552 episodes (every single episode that had already been released at the time) aired chronologically, including The Simpsons Movie, which FX Networks had already owned the rights to air. It was the longest continuous marathon in the history of television (until VH1 Classic aired a 433-hour, nineteen-day, marathon of Saturday Night Live in 2015; celebrating that program's 40th anniversary).{{cite news|last1=Bradley|first1=Bill|title='The Simpsons' Launches on FXX With Longest Continuous Marathon Ever|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/09/simpsons-launches-on-fxx-longest-marathon_n_5120709.html|newspaper=The Huffington Post|access-date=August 19, 2014|date=April 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723124514/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/09/simpsons-launches-on-fxx-longest-marathon_n_5120709.html|archive-date=July 23, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=VH1 Celebrates 40 Years of 'Saturday Night Live' with 'SNL Rewind: 2015 – 1975′ Mega-Marathon|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/89273/vh1-saturday-night-live-rewind-marathon/|publisher=VH1|access-date=October 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218001634/http://www.vh1.com/news/89273/vh1-saturday-night-live-rewind-marathon/|archive-date=February 18, 2016|url-status=live}} The first day of the marathon was the highest rated broadcast day in the history of the network so far, the ratings more than tripled those of regular prime time programming for FXX.{{cite magazine|last1=Kissell|first1=Rick|title='The Simpsons' Marathon More Than Triples Primetime Audience for FXX|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/the-simpsons-marathon-more-than-triples-primetime-audience-for-fxx-1201288542/|magazine=Variety|access-date=August 24, 2014|date=August 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824135117/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/the-simpsons-marathon-more-than-triples-primetime-audience-for-fxx-1201288542/|archive-date=August 24, 2014|url-status=live}} Ratings during the first six nights of the marathon grew night after night, with the network ranking within the top 5 networks in basic cable each night.{{cite web|last1=Kondolojy|first1=Amanda|title=FXX Paints Labor Day Weekend Yellow|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/08/28/fxx-paints-labor-day-weekend-yellow/297657/|publisher=TV by the Numbers|access-date=September 2, 2014|date=August 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906052136/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/08/28/fxx-paints-labor-day-weekend-yellow/297657/|archive-date=September 6, 2014}} In Australia, a marathon of every episode of the show (at the time) aired from December 16, 2019, to January 5, 2020, on Fox8 (a cable network operated on pay TV provider Foxtel and a corporate sibling to the American Fox network).{{cite web |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/watch/the-simpsons.html#:~:text=On%20FOX8&text=From%20December%2016th%20FOX8%20will,with%20a%2021%20day%20marathon |title=Foxtel is Celebrating The Simpsons 30th Anniversary |website=Foxtel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809150447/https://www.foxtel.com.au/watch/the-simpsons.html#:~:text=On%20FOX8&text=From%20December%2016th%20FOX8%20will,with%20a%2021%20day%20marathon |archive-date=August 9, 2020}} In Canada, Bell Media's Much and Rogers Media's FXX Canada syndicate the series as of January 2025.

After Disney acquired both 20th Television and FX Networks, it was announced that The Simpsons would air on the company's Freeform channel starting October 2, 2019.{{cite web|last=Turchiano|first=Danielle|date=May 14, 2019|title=Freeform to begin airing 'The Simpsons' in Fall 2019|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/the-simpsons-freeform-airing-september-2019-1203214008/|work=Variety|access-date=August 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605221039/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/the-simpsons-freeform-airing-september-2019-1203214008/|archive-date=June 5, 2019}}

{{Redirect|Simpsons World|the Treehouse of Horror segment|Treehouse of Horror XXXIII}}

On October 21, 2014, a digital service courtesy of the FXNOW app, called Simpsons World, launched with every episode of the series accessible to authenticated FX subscribers, and is available on game consoles such as Xbox One, streaming devices such as Roku and Apple TV, and online via web browser.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/10/22/simpsons-world-app-site/|title=A deep dive into the glorious time-suck that is 'Simpsons World'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028050037/http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/10/22/simpsons-world-app-site/|archive-date=October 28, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/simpsons-world-preview-nearly-300-hours-of-springfield-1639727131|title=Simpsons World Preview: Nearly 300 Hours of Springfield in Your Pocket|author=Alissa Walker|work=Gizmodo|date=September 29, 2014 |access-date=October 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030040836/http://gizmodo.com/simpsons-world-preview-nearly-300-hours-of-springfield-1639727131|archive-date=October 30, 2014|url-status=live}} There was early criticism of both wrong aspect ratios for earlier episodes and the length of commercial breaks on the streaming service, but that problem was soon amended with fewer commercial breaks during individual episodes.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/the-new-simpsons-world-app-has-some-issues-1649806534|title=The New Simpsons World App Has Some Issues|author=Jason Schreier|author-link=Jason Schreier|work=Kotaku|date=October 23, 2014 |access-date=October 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101083411/http://kotaku.com/the-new-simpsons-world-app-has-some-issues-1649806534|archive-date=November 1, 2014|url-status=live}} Later it was announced that Simpsons World would now let users watch all of the SD episodes in their original format.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/02/14/simpsons-world-streams-in-4-3-ratio/|title=At last, 'The Simpsons' is streaming in its original aspect ratio|author=Jon Fingas|publisher=AOL|work=Engadget|date=February 14, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405011101/https://www.engadget.com/2015/02/14/simpsons-world-streams-in-4-3-ratio/|archive-date=April 5, 2017|url-status=live}} Simpsons World was discontinued after the launch of Disney+ on November 12, 2019, where the series streams exclusively.{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=April 11, 2019|title='The Simpsons' to stream exclusively on Disney+|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/the-simpsons-streaming-disney-plus-1203187595/|work=Variety|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412201721/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/the-simpsons-streaming-disney-plus-1203187595/|archive-date=April 12, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/series/the-simpsons/3ZoBZ52QHb4x|title=Watch the Simpsons | Full episodes | Disney+|access-date=November 21, 2021|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121010328/https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/series/the-simpsons/3ZoBZ52QHb4x|url-status=live}} Initially, the series was only available cropped to 16:9 without the option to view the original 4:3 versions, reigniting criticisms of cropping old episodes.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-simpsons-disney-plus-widescreen-cropping/|title=The Simpsons Fans Are Rightfully Annoyed at Disney Plus Cropping Old Episodes|work=TV Guide|first=Sadie|last=Gennis|date=November 12, 2019|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112215200/https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-simpsons-disney-plus-widescreen-cropping/|archive-date=November 12, 2019|url-status=live}} In response, Disney announced that "in early 2020, Disney+ will make the first 19 seasons (and some episodes from season 20) of The Simpsons available in their original 4:3 aspect ratio, giving subscribers a choice of how they prefer to view the popular series."{{cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title=Disney Plus Will Make 'The Simpsons' Available in Original Uncropped Format in Early 2020 |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/simpsons-disney-plus-original-aspect-ratio-uncropped-1203407099/ |website=Variety |access-date=November 16, 2019 |date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116152910/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/simpsons-disney-plus-original-aspect-ratio-uncropped-1203407099/ |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/15/20967429/disney-plus-simpsons-feedback-older-episodes-original-aspect-ratio-2020|title=Disney+ will fix The Simpsons' joke-destroying 16:9 aspect ratio starting in 2020|last=Peters|first=Jay|date=November 15, 2019|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=November 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116182718/https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/15/20967429/disney-plus-simpsons-feedback-older-episodes-original-aspect-ratio-2020|archive-date=November 16, 2019|url-status=live}} On May 28, 2020, Disney+ made the first 19 seasons, along with some episodes from season 20, of The Simpsons available in both 16:9 and the original 4:3 aspect ratio.{{Cite web|title=The Simpsons in original aspect ratio coming to Disney Plus on May 28th|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/20/21265179/disney-plus-simpsons-correct-aspect-ratio-fix|last=Lyles|first=Taylor|date=May 20, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=May 20, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528064057/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/20/21265179/disney-plus-simpsons-correct-aspect-ratio-fix|url-status=live}} Season 31 came to Disney+ on October 2, 2020, with Hulu streaming the latest episodes of season 32 the next day. Season 32 came to Disney+ on September 29, 2021.

The season 3 premiere "Stark Raving Dad", which features Michael Jackson as the voice of Leon Kompowsky, was pulled out of rotation in 2019 by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Al Jean after HBO aired the documentary Leaving Neverland, in which two men share details into how Jackson allegedly abused them as children.{{cite web |last=Flint |first=Joe |title='Simpsons' Episode Featuring Michael Jackson's Voice to Be Pulled |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/simpsons-episode-featuring-michael-jacksons-voice-to-be-pulled-11552007802 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=March 7, 2019 |access-date=March 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309063639/https://www.wsj.com/articles/simpsons-episode-featuring-michael-jacksons-voice-to-be-pulled-11552007802 |archive-date=March 9, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=The Simpsons producers unanimously agree to pull Michael Jackson episode |url=https://filmindustry.network/the-simpsons-producers-unanimously-agree-to-pull-michael-jackson-episode/34245 |publisher=Film Industry Network |access-date=July 3, 2019 }} It is therefore unavailable on Disney+. However, the episode is still available on The Complete Third Season DVD box set released on August 26, 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Simpsons-Complete-3rd-Season/2540 |title=The Simpsons – The Complete 3rd Season DVD Information |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018070154/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Simpsons-Complete-3rd-Season/2540 |archive-date=October 18, 2012 }}

In July 2017, all episodes from seasons 4 to 19 were made available for purchase on the iTunes Store in Canada.{{cite news|date=July 26, 2017|title=Woo-hoo! The Simpsons seasons 4–19 now available for digital download on iTunes in Canada|url=https://torontosun.com/2017/07/26/woo-hoo-the-simpsons-seasons-4-19-now-available-for-digital-download-on-itunes-in-canada/wcm/2da08081-0d60-4431-9ba4-d4c0ac9c87cc|newspaper=Toronto Sun|access-date=August 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622144906/http://torontosun.com/2017/07/26/woo-hoo-the-simpsons-seasons-4-19-now-available-for-digital-download-on-itunes-in-canada/wcm/2da08081-0d60-4431-9ba4-d4c0ac9c87cc|archive-date=June 22, 2018}}

On August 10, 2024, it was announced that four episodes of season 36 would air exclusively on Disney+.{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=August 11, 2024 |title='The Simpsons' to Produce Four New Episodes Exclusively for Disney+ — Including a New Christmas Two-Parter |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-simpsons-our-new-episodes-disney-plus-christmas-1236102998/ |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

{{Further|Reception of The Simpsons}}

The Simpsons was the Fox network's first television series to rank among a season's top 30 highest-rated shows.{{cite news |title=Nielsen's top 50 shows |work=USA Today |page=3D |date=April 18, 1990}} In 1990, Bart quickly became one of the most popular characters on television in what was termed "Bartmania".{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=120–121}}{{cite news |title=Cartoon leads a revolt against apple-pie family – Simpsons |date=July 8, 1990 |author=Cassidy, John |work=The Sunday Times}}{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/simpsons-set-for-big-screen/story-e6frewt9-1111113944156 |title=Simpsons set for big screen |access-date=April 15, 2009 |date=July 15, 2007 |work=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126185832/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/simpsons-set-for-big-screen/story-e6frewt9-1111113944156 |archive-date=November 26, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/29/business/cashing-in-on-a-hot-new-brand-name.html?pagewanted=all |title=Cashing in on a Hot New Brand Name |author=Kleinfield, N.R. |access-date=April 15, 2009 |date=April 29, 1990 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516160048/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/29/business/cashing-in-on-a-hot-new-brand-name.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |url-status=live }} He became the most prevalent Simpsons character on memorabilia, such as T-shirts. In the early 1990s, millions of T-shirts featuring Bart were sold;{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/30/business/the-t-shirt-industry-sweats-it-out.html?pagewanted=all |title=The T-Shirt Industry Sweats It Out |access-date=April 15, 2009 |date=December 30, 1990 |author=Barmash, Isadore |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516175723/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/30/business/the-t-shirt-industry-sweats-it-out.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |url-status=live }} as many as one million were sold on some days.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20114134,00.html |title=Bart Simpson–Defiant, Saw-Topped and Cheeky—the Brat Terrible Gave Underachievers a Good Name |access-date=April 15, 2009 |date=December 31, 1990 |magazine =People |volume=34 |issue=26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206050228/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20114134,00.html |archive-date=February 6, 2009 |url-status=live }} Believing Bart to be a bad role model, several American public schools banned T-shirts featuring Bart next to captions such as "I'm Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?" and "Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/07/arts/television-overacheiver-and-learning-to-deal-with-it-man.html?pagewanted=all |title=Television; Overacheiver – And Learning To Deal With It, Man |access-date=September 18, 2008 |date=October 7, 1990 |author=Rohter, Larry |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516153637/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/07/arts/television-overacheiver-and-learning-to-deal-with-it-man.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |url-status=live }}Burey, Chris. (1990). ABC News report about the Bart Simpson t-shirt controversy included as an Easter Egg in The Simpsons: The Complete First Season (2001) [DVD]. 20th Century Fox. The Simpsons merchandise sold well and generated $2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales. Because of his popularity, Bart was often the most promoted member of the Simpson family in advertisements for the show, even for episodes in which he was not involved in the main plot.Groening, Matt; Jean, Reiss; Moore, Rich; Reiss, Mike; Vitti, Jon. (2002). Commentary for "Lisa's Substitute", in The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.

Due to the show's success, over the summer of 1990 the Fox Network decided to switch The Simpsons{{'}} time slot from 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday night to the same time on Thursday, where it competed with The Cosby Show on NBC, the number one show at the time.{{cite news |title='Simpsons' steals away Cosby viewers |date=May 9, 1991 |page=4 |work=Los Angeles Times |author=Cerone, Daniel}} Through the summer, several news outlets published stories about the supposed "Bill vs. Bart" rivalry.Brooks, James L.; Groening, Matt; Jrean, Al; Reiss, Mike; Silverman, David. (2002). Commentary for "Bart Gets an 'F'{{-"}}, in The Simpsons: The Complete Eighth Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox. "Bart Gets an 'F'{{-"}} (season two, 1990) was the first episode to air against The Cosby Show, and it received a lower Nielsen rating, tying for eighth behind The Cosby Show, which had an 18.5 rating. The rating is based on the number of household televisions that were tuned into the show, but Nielsen Media Research estimated that 33.6 million viewers watched the episode, making it the number one show in terms of actual viewers that week. At the time, it was the most watched episode in the history of the Fox Network,{{cite news |title=Don't have a cow, man! More viewers watch 'The Simpsons' than 'Cosby'! |date=October 18, 1990 |page=C5 |work=Deseret News |author=Scott D. Pierce}} and it is still the highest rated episode in the history of The Simpsons.{{cite web|url=http://television.aol.com/feature/the-simpsons/3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101045236/http://television.aol.com/feature/the-simpsons/3 |archive-date=January 1, 2009 |title='The Simpsons' Best Episodes: No. 15–11 |access-date=April 15, 2009 |publisher=AOL |author=Potts, Kimberly |year=2006 }} The show moved back to its Sunday slot in 1994 and has remained there ever since.{{cite news |title=Fifth Season Finds 'The Simpsons' Still Fresh, Funny |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |author=Duffy, Mike |page=C-8 |date=September 3, 1994}}

The Simpsons has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, and it has been noted for being described as "the most irreverent and unapologetic show on the air".{{cite web|url=http://bostonphoenix.com/archive/tv/97/05/TEN_REASONS.html |title=Eye pleasers |access-date=January 27, 2008 |work=The Boston Phoenix |first=Ted |last=Drozdowski |year=1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203205756/http://bostonphoenix.com/archive/tv/97/05/TEN_REASONS.html |archive-date=February 3, 2008 }} In a 1990 review of the show, Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly described it as "the American family at its most complicated, drawn as simple cartoons. It's this neat paradox that makes millions of people turn away from the three big networks on Sunday nights to concentrate on The Simpsons."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1990/05/18/simpsons|title=The Simpsons |access-date=January 15, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |author=Ken Tucker |date=May 18, 1990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025155541/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,317389,00.html |archive-date=October 25, 2014 |url-status=live }} Tucker also described the show as a "pop-cultural phenomenon, a prime-time cartoon show that appeals to the entire family."{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1990/06/15/simpsons-6/|title=The Simpsons |access-date=January 15, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |author=Ken Tucker |date=June 15, 1990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025155343/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,317611,00.html |archive-date=October 25, 2014 |url-status=live }}

On February 9, 1997, The Simpsons surpassed The Flintstones with the episode "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" as the longest-running prime-time animated series in the United States.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1997/12/26/1997-timeline|title=1997 Timeline |access-date=January 15, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Marlene |last=McCampbell |date=December 26, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525044642/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,290859,00.html |archive-date=May 25, 2007 |url-status=live }} In 2004, The Simpsons replaced The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952 to 1966) as the longest-running sitcom (animated or live action) in the United States in terms of the number of years airing.{{cite news |url=http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20030121tvnote0121p5.asp |title=TV Notes: 'Simpsons' breaks record with contract renewal |access-date=December 19, 2006 |last=Owen |first=Rob |date=January 21, 2003 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801235324/http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20030121tvnote0121p5.asp |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |url-status=live }} In 2009, The Simpsons surpassed The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet{{'}}s record of 435 episodes and is now recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's longest running sitcom (in terms of episode count).{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/coldplay-silverman-to-guest-on-the-simpsons-1.775040 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110012521/http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/tv/story/2009/07/28/simpsons-guests-records.html |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |publisher=CBC |title=Coldplay, Silverman to guest on The Simpsons |date=July 28, 2009 |access-date=August 18, 2009 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_20-Years-of-The-Simpsons/blog/1711773/7691.html |title=20 Years of The Simpsons! |access-date=May 31, 2010 |publisher=Guinness World Records |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524203906/http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_20-Years-of-The-Simpsons/BLOG/1711773/7691.html |archive-date=May 24, 2012 }} In October 2004, Scooby-Doo briefly overtook The Simpsons as the American animated show with the highest number of episodes (albeit under several different iterations).{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3949579.stm |title=Scooby-Doo breaks cartoon record |access-date=August 21, 2006 |date=October 25, 2004 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103075959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3949579.stm |archive-date=November 3, 2010 |url-status=live }} However, network executives in April 2005 again canceled Scooby-Doo, which finished with 371 episodes, and The Simpsons reclaimed the title with 378 episodes at the end of their seventeenth season.{{sfn|Folkard|2006}} In May 2007, The Simpsons reached their 400th episode at the end of the eighteenth season. While The Simpsons has the record for the number of episodes by an American animated show, other animated series have surpassed The Simpsons.{{cite news|url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/83-11152007-1441491.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216164406/http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/83-11152007-1441491.html |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |title=Some records will last forever |access-date=November 17, 2007 |date=November 15, 2007 |publisher=PhillyBurbs.com |first=Andy |last=Vineberg }} For example, the Japanese anime series Sazae-san has over 2,000 episodes (7,000+ segments) to its credit.

In 2009, Fox began a year-long celebration of the show titled "Best. 20 Years. Ever." to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere of The Simpsons. One of the first parts of the celebration is the "Unleash Your Yellow" contest in which entrants must design a poster for the show.{{cite magazine |title=Simpsons Poster Contest Will Have Fans Seeing Yellow |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/01/simpsons-poster/ |magazine=Wired |author=Wallace, Lewis |date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502032044/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/01/simpsons-poster/ |archive-date=May 2, 2009 |url-status=live }} The celebration ended on January 10, 2010 (almost 20 years after "Bart the Genius" aired on January 14, 1990), with The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!, a documentary special by documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock that examines the "cultural phenomenon of The Simpsons".{{cite magazine |title=Morgan Spurlock tapped for 'The Simpsons' 20th anniversary special |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/07/13/morgan-spurlock-tapped-for-the-simpsons-20th-anniversary-special/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 13, 2009 |author=Ward, Kate |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807180659/http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/07/13/morgan-spurlock-tapped-for-the-simpsons-20th-anniversary-special/ |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=Edmonton Sun |date=July 14, 2009 |title=The Simpsons to celebrate in style |author=Harris, Bill}}

As of the twenty-first season (2009–2010), The Simpsons became the longest-running American scripted primetime television series, having surpassed the 1955–1975 run of Gunsmoke. On April 29, 2018, The Simpsons also surpassed Gunsmoke{{'}}s 635-episode count with the episode "Forgive and Regret".{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Television/story?id=5888441&page=1 |title='The Simpsons' Hits a Landmark |first=Bill |last=Keveney |date=September 28, 2008 |access-date=October 2, 2008 |publisher=ABC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002190521/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Television/Story?id=5888441&page=1 |archive-date=October 2, 2008 |url-status=live }}

The Simpsons is both the longest-running and the highest ranking animated series to feature on TV Time's top 50 most followed TV shows ever.{{cite web | title=The Simpsons (TVShow Time) | website=TV Time | date=December 17, 1989 | url=https://www.tvtime.com/en/show/71663 | access-date=June 17, 2021 | archive-date=June 24, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201642/https://www.tvtime.com/en/show/71663 | url-status=live }}

On February 6, 2019, it was announced that The Simpsons has been renewed for seasons 31 and 32.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/the-simpsons-renewed-seasons-31-32-fox-1202550894/|title='The Simpsons' Renewed For Seasons 31 & 32 By Fox|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=February 6, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en|access-date=February 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206232228/https://deadline.com/2019/02/the-simpsons-renewed-seasons-31-32-fox-1202550894/|archive-date=February 6, 2019|url-status=live}}

On March 3, 2021, it was announced that The Simpsons was renewed for seasons 33 and 34.{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/the-simpsons-renewed-for-season-33-and-34/ar-BB1ed8sC|title=The Simpsons renewed for season 33 and 34|last=Sotoodeh|first=Sarah|date=March 3, 2021|website=MSN|language=en|access-date=June 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304180832/https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/the-simpsons-renewed-for-season-33-and-34/ar-BB1ed8sC|archive-date=March 4, 2021|url-status=live}}

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by The Simpsons}}

File:The Simpsons star.jpg.]]

The Simpsons has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 34 Primetime Emmy Awards, 34 Annie Awards{{cite news|url=http://annieawards.org/20thwinners.html |title=Legacy: 20th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1992) |access-date=October 16, 2007 |publisher=Annie Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102182719/http://annieawards.org/20thwinners.html |archive-date=November 2, 2012 }} and a Peabody Award.{{cite web |url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/stories/story/peabody-awards-book |title=George Foster Peabody Award Winners |access-date=October 15, 2006 |publisher=Peabody Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007024156/http://www.peabodyawards.com/stories/story/peabody-awards-book |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live }} In a 1999 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment, Time named The Simpsons the century's best television series, writing: "Dazzlingly intelligent and unapologetically vulgar, the Simpsons have surpassed the humor, topicality and, yes, humanity of past TV greats."{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,993039,00.html |title=The Best of the Century |access-date=January 10, 2012 |date=December 31, 1999 |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115104342/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,993039,00.html |archive-date=January 15, 2012 }} In that same issue, Time included Bart Simpson in the Time 100, the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,988514,00.html |title=The Cartoon Character Bart Simpson |access-date=September 19, 2011 |author=Corliss, Richard |date=June 8, 1998 |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923155524/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,988514,00.html |archive-date=September 23, 2011 }} Bart was the only fictional character on the list. On January 14, 2000, the Simpsons were awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/index.php?module=wof&s=nor&p=1&sname=the+simpsons&wof_id=729 |title=The Simpsons |access-date=April 10, 2011 |publisher=Hollywood Chamber of Commerce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726020550/http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/index.php?module=wof&s=nor&p=1&sname=the+simpsons&wof_id=729 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 }} Also in 2000, Entertainment Weekly magazine TV critic Ken Tucker named The Simpsons the greatest television show of the 1990s. Furthermore, viewers of the UK television channel Channel 4 have voted The Simpsons at the top of two polls: 2001's 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows (despite the show not being aimed at children),{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/kidstv/results.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426131402/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/kidstv/results.html |archive-date=April 26, 2009 |title=100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows |access-date=December 31, 2007 |publisher=Channel 4.com }} and 2005's The 100 Greatest Cartoons,{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/cartoons/results.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520014452/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/cartoons/results.html |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |title=100 Greatest Cartoons |access-date=December 31, 2007 |publisher=Channel 4.com }} with Homer Simpson voted into first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/tv_characters/results.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531160558/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/tv_characters/results.html |archive-date=May 31, 2009 |title=100 Greatest TV Characters |access-date=December 31, 2007 |publisher=Channel 4.com }} Homer also placed ninth on Entertainment Weekly{{'s}} list of the "50 Greatest TV icons".{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/50-greatest-tv-icons/ |title=The 50 Greatest TV Icons |access-date=January 15, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709073128/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20152957_20152958_20159773_41,00.html |archive-date=July 9, 2014 |url-status=live }}

In 2002, The Simpsons ranked No. 8 on TV Guide{{'}}s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,{{cite news |title=TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |work=TV Guide |date=May 4, 2002}} and was ranked the No. 6 cult show in 2004.{{cite news |title=25 Top Cult Shows Ever!|work=TV Guide |date=May 30, 2004}} In 2007, it moved to No. 8 on TV Guide's cult shows list{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/top-cult-shows-40239/|title=TV Guide Names the Top Cult Shows Ever|work=TV Guide|date=June 29, 2007|access-date=June 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507142236/https://www.tvguide.com/news/top-cult-shows-40239/|archive-date=May 7, 2019|url-status=live}} and was included in Time{{'s}} list of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time".{{cite news |url=https://time.com/collection-post/3103782/the-simpsons/ |title=All-TIME 100 TV Shows |access-date=January 15, 2022 |magazine=Time |date=September 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721152444/http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/slide/the-simpsons-3/ |archive-date=July 21, 2013}} In 2008 the show was placed in first on Entertainment Weekly{{'s}} "Top 100 Shows of the Past 25 Years".{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/06/24/simpsons-ew-100/ |title=Watch 'The Simpsons,' from EW's New Classics Collection

|access-date=January 15, 2022 |first1=Jennifer |last1=Armstrong |first2=Whitney |last2=Pastorek |first3=Dan |last3=Snierson |first4=Tim |last4=Stack |first5=Alynda |last5=Wheat |year=2008 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216174230/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20207076_20207079_20209139_24,00.html |archive-date=February 16, 2009 |url-status=live }} Empire named it the greatest TV show of all time.{{cite news |url=https://www.empireonline.com/50greatesttv/default.asp?tv=1 |title=The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time–01–The Simpsons |access-date=September 27, 2008 |year=2008 |work=Empire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106112356/http://www.empireonline.com/50greatesttv/default.asp?tv=1 |archive-date=January 6, 2010 }} In 2010, Entertainment Weekly named Homer "the greatest character of the last 20 years",{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/06/01/100-greatest-characters-of-last-20-years-full-list/ |title=The 100 Greatest Characters of the Last 20 Years: Here's our full list! |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |author=Vary, Adam B. |date=June 1, 2010 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126165142/http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/01/100-greatest-characters-of-last-20-years-full-list/ |archive-date=January 26, 2013 |url-status=live }} while in 2013 the Writers Guild of America listed The Simpsons as the 11th "best written" series in television history.{{cite news |url=http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=4977 |title=11. The Simpsons |publisher=Writers Guild of America |access-date=July 17, 2013 |year=2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611003658/http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=4977 |archive-date=June 11, 2013 }} In 2013, TV Guide ranked The Simpsons as the greatest TV cartoon of all time{{cite magazine |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/definitive-ranking-old-cartoons/ |title=The Definitive Ranking of The Simpsons, Peanuts, and More Old Cartoons From Your Childhood|magazine=TV Guide |author=Sands, Rich |date=September 24, 2013 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710095501/https://www.tvguide.com/news/greatest-cartoons-tv-guide-magazine-1071203/ |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |url-status=live }} and the tenth greatest show of all time.{{cite magazine |last1=Fretts |first1=Bruce |last2=Roush |first2=Matt |title=The Greatest Shows on Earth |magazine=TV Guide Magazine |volume=61 |issue=3194–3195 |pages=16–19}} A 2015 The Hollywood Reporter survey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named it as their No. 10 favorite show.{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/friends-hollywoods-100-favorite-tv-821361 |title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows |date=September 16, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 17, 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717030112/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/friends-hollywoods-100-favorite-tv-821361 |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |url-status=live }} In 2015, British newspaper The Telegraph named The Simpsons as one of the 10 best TV sitcoms of all time.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10121664/The-10-best-TV-sitcoms-of-all-time.html|title=The 10 best TV sitcoms of all time |author=Gerard O Donovan |author2=Ben Lawrence |author3=Chris Harvey |author4=Andrew Pettie |author5=Neil Midgley |author6=Michael Hogan |date=November 10, 2015 |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118123652/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10121664/The-10-best-TV-sitcoms-of-all-time.html|archive-date=November 18, 2018|url-status=live}} Television critics Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz ranked The Simpsons as the greatest American TV series of all time in their 2016 book TV (The Book).{{cite web|last1=Champagne|first1=Christine|title=Two Critics Pick The All-Time Best TV Shows. And They Know You Already Hate Their List|url=https://www.fastcocreate.com/3063291/two-critics-pick-the-all-time-best-tv-shows-and-they-know-you-already-hate-their-list|website=Co.Create|publisher=Mansueto Ventures, LLC|access-date=September 2, 2016|date=August 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915081700/https://www.fastcocreate.com/3063291/two-critics-pick-the-all-time-best-tv-shows-and-they-know-you-already-hate-their-list|archive-date=September 15, 2016|url-status=live}} In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked The Simpsons as the second-greatest TV show of all time.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/the-sopranos-5-1234599298/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time – 50–1|first=Alan|last=Sepinwall|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 26, 2022}} In 2023, Variety ranked The Simpsons as the fourth-greatest TV show of all time.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|publisher=Variety|date=December 20, 2023}}

Bart's rebellious, bad boy nature, which underlies his misbehavior and rarely leads to any punishment, led some people to characterize him as a poor role model for children.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=131}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6252856.stm |title=Is The Simpsons still subversive? |access-date=August 6, 2007 |date=June 29, 2007 |author=Rosenbaum, Martin |work=BBC News Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708072703/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6252856.stm |archive-date=July 8, 2007 |url-status=live }} In schools, educators claimed that Bart was a "threat to learning" because of his "underachiever and proud of it" attitude and negative attitude regarding his education.{{cite news |title=Is Bart a brat? Popular cartoon kid as annoying to some as he is funny to others |date=June 2, 1990 |author=Freedman, Donna |work=Anchorage Daily News}} Others described him as "egotistical, aggressive and mean-spirited".{{cite news |title=Bart Simpson: Cool dude or smart-aleck menace? |date=June 1, 1990 |author=Dunne, Mike |work=The Sacramento Bee}} In a 1991 interview, Bill Cosby described Bart as a bad role model for children, calling him "angry, confused, frustrated". In response, Matt Groening said, "That sums up Bart, all right. Most people are in a struggle to be normal [and] he thinks normal is very boring, and does things that others just wished they dare do."{{cite news |title=A Badder Bart |date=September 25, 1991 |work=The Record}} On January 27, 1992, then-President George H. W. Bush said, "We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American family, to make American families a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons."{{cite news|first=Nick |last=Griffiths |title=America's First Family |url=http://snpp.com/other/articles/firstfamily.html |work=The Times Magazine |pages=25, 27–28 |date=April 15, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811014602/http://www.snpp.com/other/articles/firstfamily.html |archive-date=August 11, 2014 }} The writers rushed out a tongue-in-cheek reply in the form of a short segment that aired three days later before a rerun of "Stark Raving Dad" in which Bart replied, "Hey, we're just like the Waltons. We're praying for an end to the Depression, too."{{sfn|Turner|2004|pp=230–231}}{{cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/08/simpsons200708 |title=Simpson Family Values |author=Ortved, John |access-date=August 26, 2008 |date=August 2007 |work=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827213908/http://www.vanityfair.com./culture/features/2007/08/simpsons200708 |archive-date=August 27, 2008 |url-status=live }}

The show also received criticism from the nuclear power industry in its early years, with its portrayal of the evil boss Mr. Burns and "bungling idiot" employees (including Homer Simpson himself) with their lack of safety and security.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7cYfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uNgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1118%2C5123046 |title=Nuclear industry having meltdown over Simpsons |author=Associated Press |access-date=July 18, 2022 |date=December 6, 1990 |work=Southeast Missourian}} In a letter to the nuclear power-backed U.S. Council for Energy Awareness, producer Sam Simon apologized, stating, "I apologize that the Simpsons have offended a lot of people in the energy industry. I agree with you that in real life, Homer Simpson would not be employed at a nuclear power plant. On the other hand, he probably wouldn't be employed anywhere."

Various episodes of the show have generated controversy. The Simpsons visit Australia in "Bart vs. Australia" (season six, 1995) and Brazil in "Blame It on Lisa" (season 13, 2002) and both episodes generated controversy and negative reaction in the visited countries.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0317/1224242946443.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017062621/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0317/1224242946443.html |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |newspaper=The Irish Times |title=Cartoon family get animated on first Irish visit |date=March 17, 2009 |access-date=April 15, 2009 |author=Carroll, Steven }} In the latter case, Rio de Janeiro's tourist board—which claimed that the city was portrayed as having rampant street crime, kidnappings, slums, and monkey and rat infestations—went so far as to threaten Fox with legal action.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1931551.stm |title=Simpsons apologize to Rio |date=April 15, 2002 |access-date=March 17, 2009 |work=BBC News Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325070037/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1931551.stm |archive-date=March 25, 2012 |url-status=live }} Groening was a fierce and vocal critic of the episode "A Star Is Burns" (season six, 1995), which featured a crossover with The Critic. He felt that it was just an advertisement for The Critic, and that people would incorrectly associate the show with him. When he was unsuccessful in getting the episode pulled, he had his name removed from the credits and went public with his concerns, openly criticizing James L. Brooks and saying the episode "violates the Simpsons' universe". In response, Brooks said, "I am furious with Matt, ... he's allowed his opinion, but airing this publicly in the press is going too far. ... his behavior right now is rotten."{{cite news |title=Matt Groening's Reaction to The Critic's First Appearance on The Simpsons |author=Brennan, Judy |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 3, 1995}}{{cite news |title=Groening's point well-taken, but probably best made privately |author=Richmond, Ray |work=Los Angeles Daily News |date=March 4, 1995}}

"The Principal and the Pauper" (season nine, 1997) is one of the most controversial episodes of The Simpsons. Many fans and critics reacted negatively to the revelation that Seymour Skinner, a recurring character since the first season, was an impostor. The episode has been criticized by Groening and by Harry Shearer, who provides the voice of Skinner. In a 2001 interview, Shearer recalled that after reading the script, he told the writers, "That's so wrong. You're taking something that an audience has built eight years or nine years of investment in and just tossed it in the trash can for no good reason, for a story we've done before with other characters. It's so arbitrary and gratuitous, and it's disrespectful to the audience."{{cite web |url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/shearer-delight/Content?oid=1065334 |title=Shearer Delight |author=Wilonsky, Robert |date=April 27, 2001 |access-date=April 15, 2009 |work=East Bay Express |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002203123/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/shearer-delight/Content?oid=1065334 |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |url-status=live }}

The show has reportedly been taken off the air in several countries. China banned it from prime-time television in August 2006, "in an effort to protect China's struggling animation studios".{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/13/AR2006081300242.html |title=China Bans 'Simpsons' From Prime-Time TV |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 13, 2006 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |author=McDonald, Joe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025114537/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/13/AR2006081300242.html |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=live }} In 2008, Venezuela barred the show from airing on morning television as it was deemed "unsuitable for children".{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7338131.stm |title=Simpsons ditched by Venezuelan TV |work=BBC News Online |access-date=August 12, 2011 |date=April 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012044928/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7338131.stm |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=live }} The same year, several Russian Pentecostal churches demanded that The Simpsons, South Park and some other Western cartoons be removed from broadcast schedules "for propaganda of various vices" and the broadcaster's license to be revoked. However, a court decision later dismissed this request.{{cite journal |url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1187370 |title=Прокуратуру попросили из "Южного парка" |date=June 15, 2009 |last=Козенко |first=Андрей |journal=Коммерсантъ |access-date=January 10, 2012 |location=Moscow |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120040905/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1187370 |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |url-status=live }}

{{Further|Reception of The Simpsons#Arguments for decline in quality}}

Critics' reviews of early Simpsons episodes praised the show for its sassy humor, wit, realism, and intelligence.{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Remington |title=It's The Simpsons, Man |publisher=TV Times |work=Calgary Herald |page=10 |date=October 26, 1990}} However, in the late 1990s, around the airing of season nine, the tone and emphasis of the show began to change. Some critics started calling the show "tired".{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2003/02/the_simpsons.html |title=Who turned America's best TV show into a cartoon? |access-date=July 3, 2006 |author=Suellentrop, Chris |date=February 12, 2003 |work=Slate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113022918/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2003/02/the_simpsons.html |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |url-status=live }} By 2000, some long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show, and pointed to its shift from character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2000/01/24/simpsons_2/ |title=Worst Episode Ever |access-date=July 3, 2006 |author=Weinman, Jaime J. |date=January 24, 2000 |work=Salon.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103123413/http://www.salon.com/2000/01/24/simpsons_2/ |archive-date=November 3, 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.today.com/id/3341530 |title='The Simpsons' has lost its cool |access-date=January 27, 2008 |author=Bonné, Jon |date=September 2, 2000 |publisher=msnbc.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624194552/http://www.today.com/id/3341530 |archive-date=June 24, 2013 |url-status=live }} Jim Schembri of The Sydney Morning Herald attributed the decline in quality to an abandonment of character-driven storylines in favor of celebrity cameo appearances and references to popular culture. Schembri wrote in 2011: "The central tragedy of The Simpsons is that it has gone from commanding attention to merely being attention-seeking. It began by proving that cartoon characters don't have to be caricatures; they can be invested with real emotions. Now the show has in essence fermented into a limp parody of itself. Memorable story arcs have been sacrificed for the sake of celebrity walk-ons and punchline-hungry dialogue."{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/pop-spoofs-no-longer-the-main-draw-20111109-1n614.html#ixzz1dHgzL7xF |title=Pop spoofs no longer the main draw |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=November 10, 2011 |date=November 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020062950/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/pop-spoofs-no-longer-the-main-draw-20111109-1n614.html#ixzz1dHgzL7xF |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |url-status=live }}

In 2010, the BBC noted "the common consensus is that The Simpsons{{'}} golden era ended after season nine",{{cite news |title=The Simpsons: 10 classic episodes |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8449416.stm |work=BBC News Online |date=January 14, 2010 |access-date=January 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605172049/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8449416.stm |archive-date=June 5, 2016 |url-status=live }} and Todd Leopold of CNN, in an article looking at its perceived decline, stated "for many fans ... the glory days are long past."{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/14/simpsons.anniversary.end/index.html |title=Is it time for 'The Simpsons' to 'g'oh'? |work=CNN|author=Leopold, Todd |date=December 14, 2009 |access-date=January 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231064906/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/14/simpsons.anniversary.end/index.html |archive-date=December 31, 2009 |url-status=live }} Similarly, Tyler Wilson of Coeur d'Alene Press has referred to seasons one to nine as the show's "golden age",{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Tyler |title=The 10 best 'Simpsons' episodes out on DVD |newspaper=Coeur d'Alene Press |date=July 27, 2007 |page=D3}} and Ian Nathan of Empire described the show's classic era as being "say, the first ten seasons".{{cite news|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=11196|title=The Simpsons Movie (PG)|access-date=July 25, 2007|first=Ian|last=Nathan|work=Empire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122132601/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=11196|archive-date=January 22, 2012|url-status=live}} Jon Heacock of LucidWorks stated that "for the first ten years [seasons], the show was consistently at the top of its game", with "so many moments, quotations, and references – both epic and obscure – that helped turn the Simpson family into the cultural icons that they remain to this day".{{cite web|url=http://www.ludicworks.com/best-episodes-ever-the-simpsons-seasons-1-10/|title=Best. Episodes. Ever. 'The Simpsons': Seasons 1–10|work=Ludic Works|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109153813/http://www.ludicworks.com/best-episodes-ever-the-simpsons-seasons-1-10/|archive-date=November 9, 2016}}

Mike Scully, who was showrunner during seasons nine through twelve, has been the subject of criticism.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=42}} Chris Suellentrop of Slate wrote that "under Scully's tenure, The Simpsons became, well, a cartoon ... Episodes that once would have ended with Homer and Marge bicycling into the sunset now end with Homer blowing a tranquilizer dart into Marge's neck. The show's still funny, but it hasn't been touching in years."{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2003/02/the_simpsons.html |title=The Simpsons: Who turned America's Best TV Show into a Cartoon? |access-date=May 15, 2008 |author=Suellentrop, Chris |date=February 12, 2003 |work=Slate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113022918/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2003/02/the_simpsons.html |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |url-status=live }} When asked in 2007 how the series' longevity is sustained, Scully joked: "Lower your quality standards. Once you've done that you can go on forever."{{cite news |author=Clark, Stuart |date=January 19, 2007 |url=http://www.hotpress.com/features/interviews/2905326.html?page_no=4 |title=Homer is where the heart is (page 4) |work=Hot Press |access-date=July 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314103839/http://www.hotpress.com/features/interviews/2905326.html?page_no=4 |archive-date=March 14, 2010 |url-status=live }}

Al Jean, who was showrunner during seasons thirteen through thirty-three,{{cite tweet |number=1374084663711436801 |user=AlJean |author=Al Jean |title=@WonderedAlways TBD; 4 at least plus something special |date=March 22, 2021 |bot=TweetCiteBot}} has also been the subject of criticism, with some arguing that the show has continued to decline in quality under his tenure. Former writers have complained that under Jean, the show is "on auto-pilot", "too sentimental", and the episodes are "just being cranked out". Some critics believe that the show has "entered a steady decline under Jean and is no longer really funny".{{harvnb|Ortved|2009 |p=225}} John Ortved, author of The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History, characterized the Jean era as "toothless",{{harvnb|Ortved|2009 |p=226}} and criticized what he perceived as the show's increase in social and political commentary.{{harvnb|Ortved|2009 |pp=227–28}} Jean responded: "Well, it's possible that we've declined. But honestly, I've been here the whole time and I do remember in season two people saying, 'It's gone downhill.' If we'd listened to that then we would have stopped after episode 13. I'm glad we didn't."{{cite news|title=The writer|work=Radio Times|author=Wilson, Benji|page=16|date=January 9, 2010}}

In 2004, cast member Harry Shearer criticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: "I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, so season four looks very good to me now."{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Leggett |title=Harry Shearer |publisher=UK Teletext |date=August 4, 2004}} Cast member Dan Castellaneta responded: "I don't agree, ... I think Harry's issue is that the show isn't as grounded as it was in the first three or four seasons, that it's gotten crazy or a little more madcap. I think it organically changes to stay fresh."{{Cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/doh-the-voice-of-homer-is-deceivingly-deadpan |title=D'oh!: The Voice of Homer Is Deceivingly Deadpan |work=Fox News |date=August 23, 2004 |author=Elber, Lynn |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703090128/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C129665%2C00.html |archive-date=July 3, 2013 }} Also in 2004 author Douglas Coupland described claims of declining quality in the series as "hogwash", saying "The Simpsons hasn't fumbled the ball in fourteen years, it's hardly likely to fumble it now."{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=xiii}} In an April 2006 interview, Groening said: "I honestly don't see any end in sight. I think it's possible that the show will get too financially cumbersome ... but right now, the show is creatively, I think, as good or better than it's ever been. The animation is incredibly detailed and imaginative, the stories do things that we haven't done before, so creatively there's no reason to quit."

In 2016, popular culture writer Anna Leszkiewicz suggested that even though The Simpsons still holds cultural relevance, "contemporary appeal" is only for the "first ten or so seasons", with recent episodes only garnering mainstream attention when a favorite character from the golden era is killed off, or when new information and shock twists are given for old characters.{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv-radio/2016/04/smithers-question-why-do-we-keep-retrofitting-progressive-narratives-pop|title=The Smithers question: why do we keep retrofitting progressive narratives in pop culture?|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=September 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612053455/http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv-radio/2016/04/smithers-question-why-do-we-keep-retrofitting-progressive-narratives-pop|archive-date=June 12, 2016|url-status=live}} The series' ratings have also declined; while the first season enjoyed an average of 13.4 million viewing households per episode in the U.S., the twenty-first season had an average of 7.2 million viewers.{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2010/05/full-series-rankings-for-the-2009-10-broadcast-season-44277/|title=Full Series Rankings for the 2009–10 Broadcast Season –|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=May 27, 2010|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709180259/http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/full-series-rankings-for-the-2009-10-broadcast-season/|archive-date=July 9, 2013|url-status=live}}

Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz argued in their 2016 book titled TV (The Book) that the peak of The Simpsons are "roughly seasons 3–12", and that despite the decline, episodes from the later seasons such as "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind" and "Holidays of Future Passed" could be considered on par with the earlier classic episodes, further stating that "even if you want to call the show today a thin shadow of its former self, think about how mind-boggingly great its former self had to be for so-diminished a version to be watchable at all."{{cite book|last1=Sepinwall|first1=Alan|last2=Seitz|first2=Matt Zoller|title=TV (The Book): Two Experts Pick the Greatest American Shows of All Time|date=September 6, 2016|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|isbn=978-1-4555-8819-0|title-link=TV (The Book): Two Experts Pick the Greatest American Shows of All Time}}{{cite web|author1=Seitz, Matt Zoller|author2-link=Alan Sepinwall|author2=Sepinwall, Alan|title=Why The Simpsons Is the Best TV Show Ever|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/09/tv-the-book-simpsons-best-television-show.html|website=Vulture|publisher=New York Media, LLC|access-date=October 17, 2016|date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019041130/http://www.vulture.com/2016/09/tv-the-book-simpsons-best-television-show.html|archive-date=October 19, 2016|url-status=live|author1-link=Matt Zoller Seitz}}

In 2020, Uproxx writer Josh Kurp stated that while he agrees with the sentiment that The Simpsons is not as good as it used to be, it is because "it was working at a level of comedy and characterization that no show ever has." He felt there were still many reasons to watch the series, as it was "still capable of quality television, and even the occasional new classic" and the fact that the show was willing to experiment, giving examples such as bringing on guest animators like Don Hertzfeldt and Sylvain Chomet to produce couch gags, and guest writers like Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Pete Holmes and Megan Amram to write episodes.{{cite web |last1=Kurp |first1=Josh |title=Making The Case For Still Watching 'The Simpsons' After 30-Plus Seasons |url=https://uproxx.com/tv/case-for-still-watching-the-simpsons/ |publisher=Uproxx |date=April 18, 2020 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518205129/https://uproxx.com/tv/case-for-still-watching-the-simpsons/ |url-status=live }} In the season thirty-two episode "I, Carumbus", the show itself makes a nod to these concerns in its credits gag where the god Jupiter notes that "It definitely feels like they're wrapping it up ... any day now."{{Cite web|last=Celestino|first=Mike|date=October 5, 2020|title=TV Recap: "The Simpsons" Season 32, Episode 2 – "I, Carumbus"|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/10/04/tv-recap-the-simpsons-season-32-episode-2-i-carumbus/|url-status=live|access-date=June 9, 2021|website=Laughing Place|language=en-US|archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504070802/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/10/04/tv-recap-the-simpsons-season-32-episode-2-i-carumbus/}}{{Citation |last1=Anderson |first1=Mike B. |title=I, Carumbus |date=October 4, 2020 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13056344/ |access-date=September 18, 2023 |series=The Simpsons |others=Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright |last2=Oliver |first2=Rob}}

In a 2021 interview with NME, Jean was quoted as saying, "To people who say The Simpsons isn't as good as it used to be, I would say I think the world isn't as good as it used to be. But we're declining at a slower rate."{{cite web |last1=McMahon |first1=James |title='The Simpsons' showrunner on uncanny predictions: "9/11 was bizarre" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/the-simpsons-al-jean-predictions-911-3096871 |website=NME |date=November 16, 2021 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119152732/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/the-simpsons-al-jean-predictions-911-3096871 |url-status=live }}

A counter-narrative since mid-2023 has asserted that—with seasons thirty-three and thirty-four—the show started to become "good again".{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Jesse David |title=The Simpsons Is Good Again After 35 seasons, 770 episodes, and a decades-long funk, the show innovated its way back to popularity and relevance. |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/the-simpsons-is-good-again.html |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=Vulture}}{{cite news |last1=Shackleton |first1=Niamh |title=People are saying The Simpsons is finally good again after at least two decades |url=https://www.unilad.com/film-and-tv/disney/the-simpsons-good-again-say-fans-disney-plus-363357-20231013 |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=Unilad |date=13 October 2023}}{{cite web |last1=VanHooker |first1=Brian |title=Is 'The Simpsons' Good Again? A Superfan Roundtable |url=https://www.cracked.com/article_39628_is-the-simpsons-good-again-a-superfan-roundtable.html |access-date=18 March 2025 |date=26 September 2023 |website=Cracked}} ScreenRant asserted that season thirty-four was "seen as a return to form" and had been interpreted by reviewers as a "comeback".{{cite news |last1=Gunning |first1=Cathal |title=5 Reasons The Simpsons Season 34 Was A Massive Comeback For The Show |url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-season-34-show-comeback-reasons/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=ScreenRant |date=2 August 2023}} They then wrote of season thirty-five that there was "no denying that there has been an obvious uptick in quality beginning as early as season 33".{{cite news |last1=Gunning |first1=Cathal |title=The Simpsons Season 35 Repeats A Decades-Old Mistake (But There's 1 Upside To It) |url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-season-35-topical-news-story-problem/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=ScreenRant |date=10 Jan 2024}}

{{Further|Apu Nahasapeemapetilon#Accusations of racial stereotyping}}

The stereotypical nature of the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has been the subject of controversy. Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu stated in his 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu that as a child he was a fan of The Simpsons and liked Apu, but he now finds the character's stereotypical nature troublesome. Defenders of the character responded that the show is built on comical stereotypes, with creator Matt Groening saying, "that's the nature of cartooning."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/arts/television/simpsons-matt-groening-apu.html|work=The New York Times|title='Simpsons' Creator Matt Groening Says Debate Around Apu Is 'Tainted'|date=July 18, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718142054/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/arts/television/simpsons-matt-groening-apu.html|archive-date=July 18, 2018|url-status=live|last1=Itzkoff |first1=Dave }} He added that he was "proud of what we do on the show", and "it's a time in our culture where people love to pretend they're offended".{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/simpsons-creator-matt-groening-on-apu-controversy-people-love-to-pretend-theyre-offended|title='Simpsons' creator Matt Groening on Apu controversy: 'People love to pretend they're offended'|last=Lam|first=Katherine|date=May 1, 2018|work=Fox News|access-date=May 1, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501170222/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/05/01/simpsons-creator-matt-groening-on-apu-controversy-people-love-to-pretend-theyre-offended.html|archive-date=May 1, 2018|url-status=live}} In response to the controversy, Apu's voice actor, Hank Azaria, said he was willing to step aside from his role as Apu: "The most important thing is to listen to South Asian people, Indian people in this country when they talk about what they feel and how they think about this character."{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/25/entertainment/hank-azaria-apu/index.html|title=Hank Azaria willing to 'step aside' from playing Apu on 'The Simpsons'|author=Lisa Respers France|work=CNN|access-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502064415/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/25/entertainment/hank-azaria-apu/index.html|archive-date=May 2, 2018|url-status=live}} In February 2020, he confirmed that he would no longer voice Apu. Groening stated at the same time that the character would remain in the show.

The criticisms were referenced in the season 29 episode "No Good Read Goes Unpunished", when Lisa breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience by saying, "Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?" to which Marge replies, "Some things will be addressed at a later date." Lisa adds, "If at all." This reference was clarified by the fact that there was a framed photo of Apu with the caption on the photo saying "Don't have a cow, Apu", a play on Bart's catchphrase "Don't have a cow, man," as well as the fact that many Hindus do not eat cows as they are considered sacred. In October 2018, it was reported that Apu would be written out of the show,{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/the-simpsons-indian-character-apu-axed-after-racial-controversy-11537982|title=The Simpsons Indian character Apu 'axed' after racial controversy|publisher=Sky News|access-date=October 29, 2018|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035450/https://news.sky.com/story/the-simpsons-indian-character-apu-axed-after-racial-controversy-11537982|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live}} which Groening denied.{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/apu-wont-be-written-off-the-simpsons-2542154|title='The Simpsons' confirm Apu won't be axed after all|work=NME|date=August 27, 2019|access-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219103705/https://www.nme.com/news/apu-wont-be-written-off-the-simpsons-2542154|archive-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live}}

On June 26, 2020, in light of the various Black Lives Matter protests, Fox announced that recurring characters of color (Carl Carlson and Dr. Hibbert, among others) would no longer be voiced by white actors.{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2020/06/26/the-simpsons-recast-non-white-characters-actors-voice/|title=Simpsons Will 'No Longer' Have White Actors Play Non-White Characters|first=Vlada|last=Gelman|work=TVLine|date=June 26, 2020|access-date=June 26, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626233258/https://tvline.com/2020/06/26/the-simpsons-recast-non-white-characters-actors-voice/|url-status=live}} Beginning with season 32, Carl, a black character originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by black actor Alex Désert.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-simpsons-carl-voice-alex-desert-hank-azaria-1234782691/|title='The Simpsons' Season Premiere: Here's Who Took Over Carl's Voice From Hank Azaria (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Michael|last=Schneider|work=Variety|date=September 24, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924233315/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-simpsons-carl-voice-alex-desert-hank-azaria-1234782691/|url-status=live}} In addition, Bumblebee Man, a Spanish-speaking Latino character also originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by Mexican-American actor Eric Lopez,{{cite tweet |number=1315279320235925509 |user=AlJean |title=.@TheSimpsons And a warm Simpsons welcome to Eric Lopez! |access-date=October 11, 2020 |date=October 11, 2020}} and Dr. Hibbert, a black character originally voiced by Harry Shearer, is now voiced by black actor Kevin Michael Richardson.{{cite news|last=Moreau|first=Jordan|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/the-simpsons-dr-hibbert-recast-harry-shearer-kevin-michael-richardson-1234912612/|title=Harry Shearer No Longer Voicing Black 'Simpsons' Character Dr. Hibbert, Kevin Michael Richardson to Take Over|website=Variety|date=February 22, 2021|access-date=February 1, 2022|archive-date=February 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201202126/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/the-simpsons-dr-hibbert-recast-harry-shearer-kevin-michael-richardson-1234912612/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|The Simpsons (franchise)}}

{{main|List of The Simpsons comics}}

Numerous Simpson-related comic books have been released over the years. The first comic strips based on The Simpsons appeared in 1991 in the magazine Simpsons Illustrated, which was a companion magazine to the show.{{cite magazine |title=The new Simpsons magazine |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 29, 1991 |url=https://ew.com/article/1991/03/29/new-simpsons-magazine/|access-date=January 15, 2022 |first=Kate |last=Meyers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928192349/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,313807,00.html |archive-date=September 28, 2012 |url-status=live }} The comic strips were popular and a one-shot comic book titled Simpsons Comics and Stories, containing four different stories, was released in 1993 for the fans.{{cite news |title = Groening launches Futurama comics|work = The Gazette|date = November 19, 2000|first = Bill|last = Radford}} The book was a success and due to this, Groening and his companions Bill Morrison, Mike Rote, and Steve and Cindy Vance created the publishing company Bongo Comics. A total of nine comic book series were published by Bongo Comics between 1993 and the company's dissolution in 2018.{{cite web|url=http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/simpsons_sundays/simpsons_on_sundays.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708094751/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/simpsons_sundays/simpsons_on_sundays.asp |archive-date=July 8, 2007 |title=Sundays with the Simpsons |access-date=March 10, 2009 |author=Shutt, Craig |publisher=msnbc.com }} Issues of Simpsons Comics, Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror and Bart Simpson have been collected and reprinted in trade paperbacks in the United States by HarperCollins.{{cite web |url=http://www.harpercollins.com/search/index.aspx?kw=simpsons |title=Simpsons search at Harper Collins |access-date=August 3, 2008 |work=Harper Collins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012023022/http://www.harpercollins.com/search/index.aspx?kw=simpsons |archive-date=October 12, 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.harpercollins.com/search/index.aspx?kw=treehouse%20of%20horror |title=Treehouse of Horror search at Harper |access-date=August 4, 2008 |work=HarperCollins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014051432/http://www.harpercollins.com/search/index.aspx?kw=treehouse%20of%20horror |archive-date=October 14, 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.harpercollins.com/search-results/?search-term=bart+simpson |title=Bart Simpson search at Harper |access-date=August 4, 2008 |work=HarperCollins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701004333/http://www.harpercollins.com/search-results/?search-term=bart+simpson |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|The Simpsons Movie}}

File:Kwik-e-mart-7-11.jpg 7-Eleven store transformed into a Kwik-E-Mart as part of a promotion for The Simpsons Movie]]

20th Century Fox and Gracie Films produced The Simpsons Movie, an animated film that was released on July 27, 2007.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/news/homer-going-to-bat-in-07-1117940840/ |title=Homer going to bat in '07 |access-date=July 3, 2006 |author=Fleming, Michael |date=April 2, 2006 |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304225736/http://variety.com/2006/film/news/homer-going-to-bat-in-07-1117940840/ |archive-date=March 4, 2014 }} The film was directed by long-time Simpsons producer David Silverman and written by a team of Simpsons writers comprising Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, George Meyer, Mike Reiss, John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti, David Mirkin, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, and Ian Maxtone-Graham. Production of the film occurred alongside continued writing of the series despite long-time claims by those involved in the show that a film would enter production only after the series had concluded. There had been talk of a possible feature-length Simpsons film ever since the early seasons of the series. James L. Brooks originally thought that the story of the episode "Kamp Krusty" was suitable for a film, but he encountered difficulties in trying to expand the script to feature-length.{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt; Al Jean, Mark Kirkland, David Silverman |date=2004 |title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Kamp Krusty" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}} For a long time, difficulties such as lack of a suitable story and an already fully engaged crew of writers delayed the project.

On August 10, 2018, 20th Century Fox announced that a sequel is in development.{{cite news |url=https://movieweb.com/the-simpsons-movie-2-development-fox |title=The Simpsons Movie 2 Reportedly in Development at Fox |access-date=August 11, 2018 |author=Burwick, Kevin |date=August 10, 2018 |publisher=Movieweb.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811023516/https://movieweb.com/the-simpsons-movie-2-development-fox/ |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|The Simpsons discography}}

Collections of original music featured in the series have been released on the albums Songs in the Key of Springfield, Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons and The Simpsons: Testify.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dozens-of-simpsons-songs-bundled-for-testify-1050957/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209211438/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1050957/dozens-of-simpsons-songs-bundled-for-testify |archive-date=February 9, 2008 |title=Dozens Of 'Simpsons' Songs Bundled For 'Testify' |access-date=January 15, 2022|magazine=Billboard}} Several songs have been recorded with the purpose of a single or album release and have not been featured on the show. The album The Simpsons Sing the Blues was released in September 1990 and was a success, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tv-on-the-radio-before-there-was-glee/ |title=TV on the Radio: Before There Was 'Glee' |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=April 27, 2010 |author=Trust, Gary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414011431/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/958459/tv-on-the-radio-before-there-was-glee |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=live }} and becoming certified 2× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Simpsons&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |title=RIAA Searchable database – Gold and Platinum |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=November 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103134319/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Simpsons&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-date=November 3, 2015 }} The first single from the album was the pop rap song "Do the Bartman", performed by Nancy Cartwright and released on November 20, 1990. The song had backing vocals by Michael Jackson, although he did not receive any credit.{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1430454/19980223/jackson_michael.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson Update: News From Korea, Poland And Groening |publisher=MTV |date=February 23, 1998 |access-date=October 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426202919/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1430454/19980223/jackson_michael.jhtml |archive-date=April 26, 2010 }} The Yellow Album was released in 1998, but received poor reception and did not chart in any country.{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB042F020A75927&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM| title='Toons with 'tude hum a tired tune| work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram| date=December 4, 1998| access-date=November 29, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208080104/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB042F020A75927&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM| archive-date=December 8, 2015| url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-some-favorite-tv-shows-n/128131685/ |title=Some favorite TV shows now featured on albums |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |page=51 |date=December 5, 1998 |access-date=July 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite magazine |last=Browne |first=David |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1993/03/26/celebrity-albums |title=I Act, Therefore I Sing |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 26, 1993 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221124057/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,305995,00.html |archive-date=December 21, 2009 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|The Simpsons Ride}}

File:The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida.jpg at Universal Studios Florida]]

In 2007, it was officially announced that The Simpsons Ride, a simulator ride, would be implemented into the Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2007/more/news/universal-launches-simpsons-ride-1117963652/ |title=Universal launches 'Simpsons' ride |first=Josef |last=Adalian |access-date=April 23, 2007 |date=March 1, 2008 |work=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134835/http://variety.com/2007/more/news/universal-launches-simpsons-ride-1117963652/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }} It officially opened May 15, 2008, in Florida{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-04-03-orlando-attractions_N.htm |title=Orlando unveils a few new tricks to boost bookings |first=Jane |last=Clark |date=April 4, 2008 |access-date=August 11, 2008 |newspaper=USA Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020035706/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-04-03-orlando-attractions_N.htm |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=live }} and May 19, 2008, in Hollywood.{{cite news|url=http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/attraction_simpsons_ride.html |title=The Simpsons Ride coming May 19 |publisher=Universal Destinations & Experiences |access-date=March 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718015833/http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/attraction_simpsons_ride.html |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }} In the ride, patrons are introduced to a cartoon theme park called Krustyland built by Krusty the Clown. However, Sideshow Bob is loose from prison to get revenge on Krusty and the Simpson family.{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/universal-takes-new-simpsons-ride-for-a-spin/478385 |title=Universal takes new 'Simpsons' ride for a spin |first=Mark |last=Albright |access-date=April 30, 2008 |date=April 29, 2008 |work=St. Petersburg Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704013653/http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/universal-takes-new-simpsons-ride-for-a-spin/478385 |archive-date=July 4, 2013 }} It features more than 24 regular characters from The Simpsons and features the voices of the regular cast members, as well as Pamela Hayden, Russi Taylor and Kelsey Grammer.{{cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/simpsons-ride-featur-1657/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20081228003741/http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/simpsons-ride-featur-1657/ |archive-date=December 28, 2008 |title=Simpsons ride features 29 characters, original voices |access-date=April 17, 2008 |date=April 9, 2008 |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Brady |last=MacDonald }} Harry Shearer did not participate in the ride, so none of his characters have vocal parts.{{cite news |url=https://www.tmz.com/2008/04/15/mr-burns-sucks-in-real-life-too/ |title=Mr. Burns Sucks in Real Life Too |access-date=April 28, 2008 |date=April 15, 2008 |publisher=TMZ.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014152756/http://www.tmz.com/2008/04/15/mr-burns-sucks-in-real-life-too/ |archive-date=October 14, 2010 |url-status=live }} The ride also features clips from the show in the waiting line.

{{further|List of The Simpsons video games}}

Numerous video games based on the show have been produced. Some of the early games include Konami's arcade game The Simpsons (1991) and Acclaim Entertainment's The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants (1991).{{Cite web |title=The Simpsons: The Arcade Game |url=https://www.ign.com/games/the-simpsons-the-arcade-game/pc-686650 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528095756/http://www.ign.com/games/the-simpsons-the-arcade-game/pc-686650 |archive-date=May 28, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2010 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}}{{Cite web |title=Simpsons: Space Mutants |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/the-simpsons-bart-vs-the-space-mutants/platform/nes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019014003/http://uk.gamespot.com/the-simpsons-bart-vs-the-space-mutants/platform/nes/ |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2010 |website=GameSpot}} More modern games include The Simpsons: Road Rage (2001), The Simpsons: Hit & Run (2003) and The Simpsons Game (2007).{{Cite web |last=Zdyrko |first=David |date=November 27, 2001 |title=The Simpsons Road Rage |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/28/the-simpsons-road-rage-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103050226/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/28/the-simpsons-road-rage-5 |archive-date=January 3, 2013 |access-date=June 19, 2010 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}}{{Cite web |title=The Simpsons: Hit & Run |url=https://www.ign.com/games/the-simpsons-hit-run/ps2-552251 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531043215/http://www.ign.com/games/the-simpsons-hit-run/ps2-552251 |archive-date=May 31, 2012 |access-date=March 30, 2007 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}}{{Cite web |last=Navarro |first=Alex |date=October 29, 2007 |title=The Simpsons Game Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/the-simpsons-game/reviews/the-simpsons-game-review-6182256/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705075744/http://www.gamespot.com/the-simpsons-game/reviews/the-simpsons-game-review-6182256/ |archive-date=July 5, 2013 |access-date=October 30, 2007 |website=GameSpot}} Electronic Arts, which produced The Simpsons Game, has owned the exclusive rights to create video games based on the show since 2005.{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=November 4, 2005 |title=EA secures exclusive Simpsons license |url=http://uk.gamespot.com//news/ea-secures-exclusive-simpsons-license-6137028? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019014030/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/ea-secures-exclusive-simpsons-license-6137028 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=June 19, 2010 |website=GameSpot}} In 2010, they released a game called The Simpsons Arcade for iOS.{{Cite news |last=Barnholt |first=Ray |date=January 22, 2010 |title=The Konami Arcade Redo-A-Thon |publisher=UGO |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/the-konami-arcade-redo-a-thon |access-date=June 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615031902/http://www.ugo.com/games/the-konami-arcade-redo-a-thon |archive-date=June 15, 2011}} Another EA-produced mobile game, Tapped Out, was released in 2012 for iOS users, then in 2013 for Android and Kindle users.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Justin |date=February 27, 2012 |title=Build Your Own Springfield in The Simpsons: Tapped Out – iPhone Preview at IGN |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/121/1219550p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530122001/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/121/1219550p1.html |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2012 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}}{{Cite web |title=The Simpsons™: Tapped Out |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ea.game.simpsons4_na |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816031108/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ea.game.simpsons4_na |archive-date=August 16, 2013 |access-date=August 15, 2013 |publisher=Google Play}}{{Citation |title=The Simpsons: Tapped Out (Kindle Tablet Edition) |asin=B00CTQ6SIG}} Two Simpsons pinball machines have been produced: one that was available briefly after the first season, and another in 2007, both out of production.{{Cite web |title=Stern Pinball, Inc. Announces A Wild "Simpsons Pinball Party" |url=http://www.sternpinball.com/simpsons.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626234555/http://www.sternpinball.com/simpsons.shtml |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=August 12, 2007 |publisher=Stern Pinball}}

{{See also|List of The Simpsons books|List of The Simpsons home video releases}}

The popularity of The Simpsons has made it a billion-dollar merchandising industry. The title family and supporting characters appear on everything from T-shirts to posters. The Simpsons has been used as a theme for special editions of well-known board games, including Clue, Scrabble, Monopoly, Operation, and The Game of Life, as well as the trivia games What Would Homer Do? and Simpsons Jeopardy!. Several card games such as trump cards and The Simpsons Trading Card Game have also been released. Many official or unofficial Simpsons books such as episode guides have been published. Many episodes of the show have been released on DVD and VHS over the years. When the first season DVD was released in 2001, it quickly became the best-selling television DVD in history, although it was later overtaken by the first season of Chappelle's Show.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Chappelles/2338 |title=Chappelle's Show—S1 DVD Passes The Simpsons As #1 All-Time TV-DVD; Celebrates by Announcing Season 2! |access-date=July 3, 2006 |author=Lambert, David |date=September 19, 2004 |publisher=TV Shows On DVD|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012183821/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Chappelles/2338 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }} In particular, seasons one through seventeen were released on DVD for 13 years between September 2001 to December 2014 in the U.S./Canada (Region 1), Europe (Region 2), and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America (Region 4). However, on April 8, 2015, Al Jean announced that the season 17 DVD would be the last one ever produced, leaving the collection from seasons 1 to 17, season 20 (released out of order in 2010), with seasons 18, 19, and 21 onwards unreleased.{{cite tweet|user=AlJean|number=585822651651727361|first=Al|last=Jean|title=@thesimpsons #EverySimpsonsEver I personally am v sorry to see DVDs discontinued We did them purely for the love of hearing ourselves talk" \|date=April 8, 2015 |access-date=November 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312223348/https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/585822651651727361 |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Sean O'Neal |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-will-no-longer-be-released-on-dvd-1798278711 |title=The Simpsons will no longer be released on DVD|publisher=The A.V. Club |date=April 9, 2015 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023203602/http://www.avclub.com/article/simpsons-will-no-longer-be-released-dvd-217796 |archive-date=October 23, 2015 |url-status=live }} Jean also stated that the deleted scenes and commentaries would try to be released to the Simpsons World app, and that they were pushing for Simpsons World to be expanded outside of the U.S. Two years later, however, on July 22, 2017, it was announced that season 18 would be released on December 5, 2017, on DVD.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Tfi5vjGBo|title=THE SIMPSONS Panel at Comic-Con 2017 – Season 28|author=Animation on FOX|date=July 23, 2017|via=YouTube|access-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901183702/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Tfi5vjGBo&gl=US&hl=en|archive-date=September 1, 2019|url-status=live}} Another two years later, on July 20, 2019, it was announced that season 19 would be released on December 3, 2019, on DVD.{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/simpsons-dvd-season-19-disney-1203274456/| work=Variety| title=The Simpsons' Will Finally Release Season 19 on DVD, Helping Out Purist Collectors| date=July 20, 2019| access-date=July 23, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721173131/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/simpsons-dvd-season-19-disney-1203274456/amp/| archive-date=July 21, 2019| url-status=live}}

In 2003, about 500 companies around the world were licensed to use Simpsons characters in their advertising.{{cite web |author=Bonne, Jon |url=https://www.today.com/news/simpsons-evolves-industry-wbna3403870 |title='Simpsons' evolves as an industry |publisher=Today|date=November 7, 2003 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624185330/http://www.today.com/id/3403870 |archive-date=June 24, 2013 |url-status=live }} As a promotion for The Simpsons Movie, twelve 7-Eleven stores were transformed into Kwik-E-Marts and sold The Simpsons related products. These included "Buzz Cola", "Krusty-O" cereal, pink doughnuts with sprinkles, and "Squishees".{{cite news |title=7-Eleven Becomes Kwik-E-Mart for 'Simpsons Movie' Promotion |work=Fox News |date=July 1, 2007 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/7-eleven-becomes-kwik-e-mart-for-simpsons-movie-promotion |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012004622/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/07/01/7-eleven-becomes-kwik-e-mart-for-simpsons-movie-promotion/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013}}

In 2008, consumers around the world spent $750 million on merchandise related to The Simpsons, with half of the amount originating from the United States. By 2009, 20th Century Fox had greatly increased merchandising efforts.{{cite web |last=Lieberman |first=David |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/2009-05-14-merchandise-fox-simpsons_N.htm |title=Pressure is on 'The Simpsons' to capitalize on merchandise |work=USA Today |date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=October 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024160942/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/2009-05-14-merchandise-fox-simpsons_N.htm |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=live }} On April 9, 2009, the United States Postal Service unveiled a series of five 44-cent stamps featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, to commemorate the show's twentieth anniversary.{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/news/simpsons-stamps-unveiled-imagegallery-others-jfmu9Fdcadj.html |title=Simpsons' stamps unveiled |website=Sify News |access-date=May 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119203243/http://www.sify.com/news/simpsons-stamps-unveiled-imagegallery-others-jfmu9Fdcadj.html |archive-date=November 19, 2011 }} The Simpsons is the first television series still in production to receive this recognition.{{cite news |title=The Simpsons get postage stamps |work=BBC News Online |date=April 1, 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7975925.stm |access-date=April 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402012152/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7975925.stm |archive-date=April 2, 2009 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/product-management/12285618-1.html |title=Postal Service launching 'Simpsons' stamps |date=April 1, 2009 |access-date=April 1, 2009 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |author=Szalai, George |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110111851/http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/product-management/12285618-1.html |archive-date=January 10, 2011 }} The stamps, designed by Matt Groening, were made available for purchase on May 7, 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/09/simpsons.stamps/ |title='Simpsons' stamps to hit post offices (d'oh!) |work=CNN|date=April 9, 2009 |access-date=April 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105195613/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/09/simpsons.stamps/ |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=live }} Approximately one billion were printed, but only 318 million were sold, costing the Postal Service $1.2 million.{{cite web|title=The Simpsons stamps launched in US |url=http://newslite.tv/2009/05/08/the-simpsons-stamps-launched-i.html |publisher=Newslite |date=May 8, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828035658/http://newslite.tv/2009/05/08/the-simpsons-stamps-launched-i.html |archive-date=August 28, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2013/MS-AR-12-006.pdf|title=Stamp Manufacturing and Inventory Management|publisher=United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General|date=July 23, 2012|access-date=April 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427213137/http://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2013/MS-AR-12-006.pdf|archive-date=April 27, 2014}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|25em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|title=Leaving Springfield: The Simpsons and the Possibility of Oppositional Culture|last=Alberti|first=John|publisher=Wayne State University Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0-8143-2849-1|location=Detroit|title-link=Leaving Springfield}}
• {{cite book|title=The Simpsons Beyond Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ... Still Continued|last1=McCann|first1=Jesse L.|last2=Groening|first2=Matt|publisher=Harper Collins Publishers|year=2002|isbn=978-0-06-050592-9|title-link=The Simpsons episode guides}}
• {{cite book|title=The Animated Movie Guide|last=Beck|first=Jerry|publisher=Chicago Review Press|year=2005|isbn=978-1-55652-591-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/animatedmoviegui0000beck}}
• {{cite book|title=My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy|last=Cartwright|first=Nancy|publisher=Hyperion Books|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7868-8600-5|location=New York City|author-link=Nancy Cartwright|title-link=My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy}}
• {{cite book|title=Guinness World Records 2006|last=Folkard|first=Claire|publisher=Bantam USA|year=2006|isbn=978-0-553-58906-1}}
• {{cite book|title=The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family|last=Groening|first=Matt|publisher=HarperPerennial|year=1997|isbn=978-0-06-095252-5|editor1-last=Richmond|editor1-first=Ray|editor1-link=Ray Richmond|edition=1st|location=New York|lccn=98141857|oclc=37796735|ol=433519M|ref={{harvid|Richmond & Coffman|1997}}|author-link=Matt Groening|editor2-last=Coffman|editor2-first=Antonia|title-link=The Simpsons episode guides#The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family}}
• {{cite book|title=New Hollywood Cinema: An Introduction|last=King|first=Geoff|publisher=I B Tauris & Co|year=2002|isbn=978-1-86064-750-5}}
• {{cite book|title=The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History|last=Ortved|first=John|publisher=Greystone Books|year=2009|isbn=978-1-55365-503-9|title-link=The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History}}
• {{cite book|title=Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation|last=Turner|first=Chris|publisher=Random House Canada|others=Foreword by Douglas Coupland.|year=2004|isbn=978-0-679-31318-2|edition=1st|location=Toronto|oclc=55682258|author-link=Chris Turner (author)|title-link=Planet Simpson}}

{{refend}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|title=The Psychology of The Simpsons|last1=Brown|first1=Alan|last2=Logan|first2=Chris|publisher=Benbella Books|year=2006|isbn=978-1-932100-70-9|title-link=The Psychology of The Simpsons}}
• {{cite book|title=Watching with The Simpsons: Television, Parody, and Intertextuality|last=Gray|first=Jonathan|publisher=Routledge|year=2006|isbn=978-0-415-36202-3}}
• {{cite book|title=Fashion and Merchandising Fads|last1=Hoffmann|first1=Frank W.|last2=Bailey|first2=William G.|publisher=Routledge|year=1994|isbn=978-1-56024-376-2|url=https://archive.org/details/fashionmerchandi00hoff}}
• {{cite book|title=The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer|last1=Irwin|first1=William|last2=Conrad|first2=Mark T.|last3=Skoble|first3=Aeon|publisher=Open Court|year=1999|isbn=978-0-8126-9433-8|title-link=The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer}}
• {{cite book|title=The Gospel According to Bart: Examining the Religious Elements of The Simpsons|last=Keller|first=Beth L.|publisher=Regent University|year=1992|isbn=978-0-8126-9433-8|url=https://archive.org/details/simpsonsphilosop00irwi}}
• {{cite book|title=The Simpsons And Society: An Analysis Of Our Favorite Family And Its Influence In Contemporary Society|last=Keslowitz|first=Steven|publisher=Hats Off Books|year=2003|isbn=978-1-58736-253-8}}
• {{cite book|title=The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family|last=Pinsky|first=Mark I|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|year=2001|isbn=978-0-664-22419-6|url=https://archive.org/details/gospelaccordingt00mark}}
• {{cite book|title=The Gospel According to the Simpsons: Leaders Guide for Group Study|last1=Pinsky|first1=Mark I.|last2=Parvin|first2=Samuel F.|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|year=2002|isbn=978-0-664-22590-2|url=https://archive.org/details/gospelaccordingt0000pins_c1g6}}
• {{cite book|title=The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets|last=Singh|first=Simon|year=2013|isbn=978-1-62040-277-1|author-link=Simon Singh|title-link=The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA }}

{{refend}}

{{Spoken Wikipedia|The_Simpsons_Spoken.ogg|date=January 9, 2008}}

• {{Official website|https://www.fox.com/the-simpsons/}}
• [http://www.simpsonsarchive.com/ The Simpsons Archive]
• {{IMDb title|0096697}}
• {{Epguides|Simpsons}}
• [https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-simpsons The Simpsons] on Metacritic
• [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_simpsons The Simpsons] on Rotten Tomatoes
• {{The Interviews title}}
• [http://toonopedia.com/simpsons.htm The Simpsons] at Don Markstein's Toonopedia, [https://archive.today/20240528043029/https://www.webcitation.org/6qycxEBrP?url=http://toonopedia.com/simpsons.htm archived] from the original on June 4, 2017.

{{The Simpsons|state=uncollapsed}}

{{Navboxes

|title= The Simpsons episodes

|list1=

{{The Simpsons episodes}}

{{Simpsons Sideshow Bob}}

{{Simpsons Christmas episodes}}

{{Treehouse of Horror}}

}}

{{Navboxes

|title= The Simpsons topics

|list1=

{{Simpsons games}}

{{The Simpsons books}}

{{Simpsons albums}}

}}

{{Navboxes

|list1=

{{Matt Groening}}

{{Gracie Films}}

{{Klasky Csupo}}

{{Film Roman}}

{{Rough Draft Studios}}

{{Fox Animation}}

{{FOXNetwork Shows (current and upcoming)}}

}}

{{Navboxes

|title= Awards for The Simpsons

|list1=

{{Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production}}

{{Annie Award for Best General Audience Animated Television Production}}

{{EmmyAward AnimationLessThanHour}}

{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Individual Episode}}

{{Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Cartoon}}

{{Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite TV Show}}

{{People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy}}

{{Saturn Award for Best Network Television Series}}

{{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy}}

{{TCA Heritage Award}}

{{Teen Choice Award for Choice Animated Series}}

{{WritersGuildofAmericaAnimationScreenplay}}

}}

{{Subject bar|book=The Simpsons|portal1=The Simpsons|portal2=Animation|portal3=Comedy|portal4=Cartoon |portal5=Television |portal6=United States |portal7=1980s |portal8=1990s| portal9=2000s |portal10=2010s |portal11=2020s|commons=yes|commons-search=Category:The Simpsons|n=yes|n-search=Category:The Simpsons|wikt=yes|wikt-search=Appendix:The Simpsons|q=yes|d=yes|d-search=Q886}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpsons, The}}

Category:1989 American animated television series debuts

Category:1980s American adult animated television series

Category:1980s American animated comedy television series

Category:1980s American satirical television series

Category:1980s American sitcoms

Category:1990s American adult animated television series

Category:1990s American animated comedy television series

Category:1990s American satirical television series

Category:1990s American sitcoms

Category:2000s American adult animated television series

Category:2000s American animated comedy television series

Category:2000s American satirical television series

Category:2000s American sitcoms

Category:2010s American adult animated television series

Category:2010s American animated comedy television series

Category:2010s American satirical television series

Category:2010s American sitcoms

Category:2020s American adult animated television series

Category:2020s American animated comedy television series

Category:2020s American satirical television series

Category:2020s American sitcoms

Category:American adult animated comedy television series

Category:American adult animated television spinoffs

Category:American animated sitcoms

Category:American television series with live action and animation

Category:Animated satirical television series

Category:Animated television series about dysfunctional families

Category:Animated television series set in the United States

Category:Annie Award–winning television shows

Category:Crossover animated television series

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:Peabody Award–winning television programs

Category:Saturn Award–winning television series

Category:Self-reflexive television

Category:Television series based on comedy sketches

Category:Television series by 20th Century Fox Television

Category:Television series by Film Roman

Category:Television series by Fox Television Animation

Category:Television series by Gracie Films

Category:Television series by Klasky Csupo

Category:Television series by Rough Draft Studios

Category:Television series created by Matt Groening

Category:Television shows adapted into comics

Category:Television shows adapted into films

Category:Television shows adapted into video games

Category:Television shows featuring audio description

Category:Television shows scored by Alf Clausen

Category:Television shows scored by Danny Elfman

Category:Fox Broadcasting Company sitcoms

Category:Fox Broadcasting Company animated television series