View source for The Simpsons

{{pp-semi-vandalism}}
{{Copyedit|date=May 2007}}
:''"Simpsons" redirects here. For the surname, see [[Simpson]]. For other uses of "The Simpsons", see [[The Simpsons (disambiguation)]].''
{{Infobox Television
| show_name            = The Simpsons
| image                = [[Image:C-SimpFamily.png|250px]] 
| caption              = Clockwise from top left: [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], [[Marge Simpson|Marge]], [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]], [[Santa's Little Helper]] (dog), [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Snowball (The Simpsons)|Snowball II]] (cat) and [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]].
| format               = [[animated television series|Animation]]<br/>[[Comedy]]
| picture_format       = [[480i]] ([[SDTV]])
| runtime              = 20&ndash;23 minutes
| creator              = [[Matt Groening]]
| developer            = [[James L. Brooks]]<br />[[Matt Groening]]<br />[[Sam Simon]] 
| voices               = [[Dan Castellaneta]]<br />[[Julie Kavner]]<br />[[Nancy Cartwright (actress)|Nancy Cartwright]]<br /> [[Yeardley Smith]] <br /> [[Hank Azaria]]  <br /> [[Harry Shearer]] <br /> ([[List of cast members of The Simpsons|Complete list]])
| executive_producer   = [[Al Jean]]<br />[[James L. Brooks]]<br />[[Matt Groening]]<br />[[Sam Simon]]
| theme_music_composer = [[Danny Elfman]]
| country              = {{USA}}
| language             = [[English language|English]]
| network              = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
| first_aired          = [[December 17]], [[1989 in television|1989]]
| last_aired           = present<br>(renewed through 2007&ndash;2008)
| num_episodes         = 398
| list_episodes        = List of The Simpsons episodes
| website              = http://www.thesimpsons.com/
| imdb_id              = 0096697
| tv_com_id            = 146
}}
'''''The Simpsons''''' is an [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] and [[Peabody Award]]-winning [[animation|animated]] [[United States|American]] [[Situation comedy|sitcom]] created by [[Matt Groening]] for the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox TV Network]]. It is a [[satire|satirical]] parody of the "[[Middle America (United States)|Middle America]]n" lifestyle epitomized by its [[Simpson family|title family]], which consists of [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], [[Marge Simpson|Marge]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]]. The show is set in the fictional town of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]], and lampoons many aspects of the human condition, as well as [[American culture]], [[society]] as a whole, and  [[television]] itself.

The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a pitch for a series of [[The Simpsons shorts|animated shorts]] with the  producer [[James L. Brooks]]. Groening sketched an outline version of a dysfunctional family, and named the characters after members of his own family; substituting Bart for his own name.<ref name="americasfirstfamily">{{cite video|people=BBC|year=2000|title='The Simpsons': America's First Family (6 minute edit for the season 1 DVD)|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250735/|format=DVD|location=UK|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The shorts became a part of ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' on [[April 19]], [[1987]].<ref name="goodnight">Richmond, p. 14</ref> After a three-season run, the sketch was developed into a half-hour [[prime time]] show. 

''The Simpsons'' was an early hit for Fox, and won several major awards. ''[[TIME|Time]]'' magazine's 1998 issue named it the 20th century's best television series,<ref name="century">{{cite web|author=Unnamed author|url=http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,993039,00.html|title=The Best Of The Century|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=[[1999-12-31]]|publisher=TIME}}</ref> and on [[January 14]], [[2000]] it was awarded a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]. ''The Simpsons'' is currently the [[List of longest running U.S. television series|longest-running]] American [[sitcom]],<ref name="longsitcom">{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/20030121tvnote0121p5.asp |title=TV Notes: 'Simpsons' breaks record with contract renewal |accessdate=2006-12-19 |last=Owen |first=Rob|date=[[2003-01-21]]|publisher=Post-Gazette}}</ref> and the longest-running American [[animated program]].<ref name="Guinness">{{cite book |last=Folkard |first=Claire|title=Guinness World Records 2006 |year=2006|publisher=Bantam USA|id=ISBN 0553589067}}</ref> Homer's annoyed grunt "[[D'oh!]]" has been adopted into the English lexicon, while ''The Simpsons'' has been cited as an influence on many adult-oriented animated sitcoms.<ref name="influence">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2761301.stm|title=The Simpsons: The world's favourite family|author=Unnamed author|accessdate=2006-12-19|date=[[2003-02-15]]|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

Since its debut on [[December 17]], [[1989]], the show has aired [[List of The Simpsons episodes|399 episodes]] over 18 seasons. As of [[March 20]], [[2006]], it was renewed for a 19th season due to be aired in 2007–2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=13700|title=The Simpsons and King Renewed|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Turner, Chris|date=[[2006-03-20]]|publisher=Comingsoon.net}}</ref> The 18th season finale, aired on May 20, will be the [[24 Minutes|400th episode]] and 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of ''The Simpsons'' franchise. A feature-length film, ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'', is currently being produced to be released on [[July 27]], [[2007]].<ref name="simpsonmovie">{{cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117940840?categoryid=14&cs=1|title=Homer going to bat in '07|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Fleming, Michael|date=[[2006-04-02]]|publisher=Variety.com}}</ref>

==Origins==
{{main|The Simpsons shorts}}
Groening conceived of the Simpsons in the lobby of [[James L. Brooks]]'s office. He had been called in to pitch a series of animated shorts, and initially intended to present his ''[[Life in Hell]]'' series. When he realized that animating ''Life in Hell'' would require him to rescind publication rights for his life's work, Groening decided take another direction.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> He hurriedly sketched out his version of a dysfunctional family, and named the characters after his own, substituting Bart for his own name.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/>

[[Image:Simpsons on Tracey Ullman.png|thumb|250px|left|The [[Simpson family]] as they first appeared in ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]].'']] 
The [[Simpson family]] first appeared as shorts on ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' on [[April 19]], [[1987]].<ref name="goodnight"/>  Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators, assuming that they would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely traced over his drawings, leading to the crudely drawn appearance of the initial shorts.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> 

In 1989, ''The Simpsons'' was adapted into a half-hour series for the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]] by a team of production companies, including what is now the [[Klasky Csupo]] animation house. Due to the then fledgling position of Fox, Jim Brooks obtained an unusual contractual provision that ensured the network could not interfere with the creative process by providing show notes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=568&IssueNum=32|title='3rd Degree: Harry Shearer'|accessdate=2006-09-01|author=Kuipers, Dean|date=[[2004-04-15]]|publisher=Los Angeles: City Beat}}</ref> Groening has remarked that his goal in creating the show was to "offer an alternative to the audience, and show them there's something else out there than the mainstream trash that they are presented as the only thing."<ref name="toonterrific">{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Tucker||title='Toon Terrific|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|date=[[1993-03-12]]|page=48(3)}}</ref> The first full length episode shown was "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]" in place of the intended first episode, "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons Episode)|Some Enchanted Evening]]." The latter had to be reanimated after the creators viewed the poor quality of the final animation, and the episode was eventually shown as the final episode of the first season. 

''The Simpsons'' was the first TV series of the Fox network to appear in the top 30 highest-rated shows of the season.<ref name="rating89">{{cite web|url=http://classictvhits.com/tvratings/1989.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1989-1990|author=Unnamed author|accessdate=2006-07-03|publisher=ClassicTVHits.com}}</ref> Its success led Fox to reschedule the series to compete directly against ''[[The Cosby Show]],'' a move that hurt the ratings of ''The Simpsons.''<ref name="avclub1">{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/47771/1|title=Matt Groening: Interview|accessdate=2006-10-22|author=Rabin, Nathan|date=[[2006-04-26]]|publisher=The A.V. Club}}</ref> Ullman later filed a lawsuit, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success and therefore she should receive a share of ''The Simpsons''' profit. Eventually the courts ruled in favor of the network.<ref name="ullman">{{cite news |first=Frank|last=Spotnitz||title=Eat my shorts!|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|page=8(1)|date=[[1992-10-23]]}}</ref>

The show was also involved in controversy early on in the series. Bart was rebellious and frequently escaped without punishment, which led some parents' groups and conservative spokespeople to believe he provided a poor [[role model]] for children. [[George H. W. Bush]] rallied, "We're going to keep trying to strengthen the American family. To make them more like [[the Waltons]] and less like the Simpsons."<ref name="mikescully">{{cite news|first=Nick|last=Griffiths|title=America's First Family|publisher=The Times Magazine|pages=25, 27-28|date=[[2000-04-15]]}}</ref> ''The Simpsons'' [[t-shirts]], one featuring Bart with the legend "Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')", alongside other merchandise was banned from several public schools in the United States.<ref name="mikescully"/> ''The Simpsons'' merchandise however, sold very well; during the first 14 months, [[US$]]2 billion in revenue was generated worldwide.<ref name="mikescully"/>

== Production ==
<div class="infobox" style="width: 40em; font-size: 85%; padding-left: 5px; width: 360px">
'''List of show runners throughout the series' run:'''
*Season 1&ndash;2: [[Matt Groening]], [[James L. Brooks]], & [[Sam Simon]]
*Season 3&ndash;4: [[Al Jean]] & [[Mike Reiss]]
*Season 5&ndash;6: [[David Mirkin]]
*Season 7&ndash;8: [[Bill Oakley]] & [[Josh Weinstein]]
*Season 9&ndash;12: [[Mike Scully]]
*Season 13&ndash;present: [[Al Jean]]
</div>
===Executive producers===
Groening, Brooks, and Simon have been [[executive producer]]s during the entire run and now function as creative consultants. A more involved position on the show is known as the [[show runner]], who serves as head writer and governs every aspect of the show's production for the entire season.<ref>{{cite web|author=Cagle, Daryl|url=http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp|title=The David Silverman Interview|accessdate=2006-12-29|publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> Credited as executive producers in the episode credits, runners often remain for multiple seasons. From season five onwards, the show runner receives first billing on the closing credit run.

===Voice actors===
{{main|List of cast members of The Simpsons|List of guest stars on The Simpsons|Foreign language voice cast of The Simpsons}}
With one exception, episode credits list only the [[voice actor]]s, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wished to keep their identities a secret during the early seasons, and therefore closed most of the recording sessions and refused to publish photos.<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt; James L. Brooks, David Silverman|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> They eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode "[[Old Money (The Simpsons episode)|Old Money]]," because the producers felt the voice actors should receive credit for their work.<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt; Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky, Al Jean,  David Silverman|year=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Old Money"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> 

There are six main cast members who voice ''The Simpsons.'' [[Dan Castellaneta]] performs the voices of [[Homer Simpson]], [[Abraham Simpson]], [[Krusty the Clown]], alongside many other adult male characters.<ref name="crew">Richmond, pp. 178-179</ref> [[Julie Kavner]] performs the voices of [[Marge Simpson]], [[Bouvier sisters|Patty and Selma]]<ref name="crew"/> and occasionally plays other one-time characters. She has been known to refuse to perform Marge's voice in public, to maintain the mystique of the character. [[Nancy Cartwright (actress)|Nancy Cartwright]] performs the voice of [[Bart Simpson]] and other children.<ref name="crew"/> [[Yeardley Smith]], the voice of [[Lisa Simpson]], is the only main cast member who regularly voices solely one character, although she occasionally voices other one-time characters.<ref name="crew"/> The remaining two male actors who do not voice members of the title family play a majority of the male townspeople. [[Hank Azaria]] voices recurring characters such as [[Moe Szyslak|Moe]], [[Clancy Wiggum|Chief Wiggum]], and [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon|Apu]]<ref name="crew"/> whereas [[Harry Shearer]] provides voices for [[Montgomery Burns|Mr. Burns]], [[Waylon Smithers|Smithers]], [[Seymour Skinner|Principal Skinner]], [[Ned Flanders]] and [[Julius Hibbert|Dr. Hibbert]].<ref name="crew"/> With the exception of Harry Shearer, every main cast member has won an Emmy for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance|Outstanding Voice-Over Performance]]. 
 
Alongside the main cast, [[Pamela Hayden]], [[Tress MacNeille]], [[Marcia Wallace]], [[Maggie Roswell]] and [[Russi Taylor]] are regular cast members who voice supporting characters.<ref name="crew"/> From the 1999 season to the 2002 season, Maggie Roswell's characters were voiced by [[Marcia Mitzman Gaven]]. [[Karl Wiedergott]] has made many appearances in minor roles but does not voice any recurring characters. Recurring "special guest" cast members include [[Albert Brooks]], the late [[Phil Hartman]], [[Jon Lovitz]], [[Jane Kaczmarek]], [[Jan Hooks]], [[Joe Mantegna]], [[Maurice LaMarche]] and [[Kelsey Grammer]]. Celebrity guest stars are often cast who play a stylised version of themselves, especially in the later seasons.

The main cast has been involved in much-publicized pay disputes with Fox on more than one occasion. In 1998, they threatened to strike, forcing [[20th Century Fox]] to increase their salary from $30,000 per episode to $125,000. The actors were supported in their action by series creator Groening.<ref>{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Doherty|title=Matt Groening|publisher=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]||date=March/April 1999}}</ref> As the revenue generated by the show continued to increase through syndication and DVD sales, the main cast stopped appearing for script readings in April 2004 after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with Fox, requesting an increase to $360,000 per episode, or $8 million over a 22-episode season. On [[May 2]], [[2004]], the actors reached an agreement with Fox.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rick|last=McGinnis|title=Star talks Simpsons|publisher=[[Metro International|metro]]|date=[[2004-08-09]]}}</ref>

[[Image:Simpsons writing team.jpg|thumb|280px|''The Simpsons'' writing staff in [[The Simpsons season 13|season 13]], including current show runner [[Al Jean]] (fourth from left in middle row) and previous show runners [[Mike Scully]] (first from left in back row), [[David Mirkin]] (sixth from left in back row), and [[Mike Reiss]] (fourth from left in back row).]]

===Writing===
{{main|List of writers of The Simpsons}}
''The Simpsons'' is created by a writing team consisting of 16 writers.<ref name="scully">{{cite news|first=Gail|last=Mitchell||title=Mike Scully|publisher=Ultimate TV|date=[[1999-01-24]]}}</ref> The team proposes episode ideas at the beginning of December<ref name="scully"/> and each episode is assigned to a main writer who produces the first draft of the script. The final scripts are developed during group rewriting sessions, during which the writers can add or remove jokes, insert scenes, and call for re-readings of lines by the show’s vocal performers.<ref name="meyer">{{cite news|first=David|last=Owen||title=Taking Humor Seriously|publisher=[[The New Yorker]]|date=[[2000-03-13]]}}</ref> The leader of these sessions is [[George Meyer]], who has developed the show since season one. Long time writer [[Jon Vitti]] once explained that even though he will receive the script credit for an episode, the best quotes are usually invented by Meyer.<ref name="meyer"/> Since it requires six months to produce an episode of ''The Simpsons,''<ref>{{cite news|first=Geoff|last=Nixon|title=Mmmmmm... pop culture|publisher=The Silhouette|date=[[2004-03-04]]}}</ref> it is very rare for the show to comment on spontaneous current events, though they occasionally cite planned events such as the [[Olympic Games|Olympics]] or the [[Super Bowl]].

[[John Swartzwelder]] is the most prolific writer on ''The Simpsons'' staff, credited with 60 episodes. Interestingly, [[Conan O’Brien]] wrote four scripts before becoming the host of ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]].'' English comedian [[Ricky Gervais]] is the only celebrity to have guest written an episode<ref name="Gervais">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4120569.stm|title=Gervais writing Simpsons episode|author=Unnamed author|publisher=BBC News|date=[[2004-12-23]]|accessdate=2006-12-29}}</ref> although there have been other guest writers, such as [[Spike Feresten]], a ''[[Seinfeld]]'' writer famous for "[[The Soup Nazi]]" episode.

===Animation===
<div class="infobox" style="width: 40em; font-size: 85%; padding-left: 5px; width: 350px">
'''International animation studios involved:'''

'''[[AKOM]]'''
*Exclusively produced the first two seasons of the series.
*Produced various episodes throughout the run of the series.
'''[[Anivision]]'''
*Produced animation for episodes from seasons 3&ndash;10.
'''[[Rough Draft Studios]]'''
*Produced animation for episodes from season four onwards.
'''[[U.S. Animation, Inc.]]'''
*Jointly produced "[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons)|Radioactive Man]]" with Anivision.
*Produced "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]"
'''[[Toonzone Entertainment]]'''
*Produced "[[The Fat and the Furriest]]" and "[[She Used to Be My Girl]]".
</div>
''The Simpsons'' has been animated by many studios, both American and international. Throughout the run of animated shorts on ''The Tracey Ullman Show,'' the animation was solely produced domestically at [[Klasky Csupo]].<ref name="animation">{{cite news |first=Harvey |last=Deneroff|title=Matt Groening's Baby Turns 10||publisher=Animation Magazine, Vol. 14, #1|date=[[January 2000]]|pages=10, 12}}</ref> Due to the increased workload, production began to be subcontracted to international studios for the half-hour show, usually to [[South Korea]].<ref name="animation"/> Character and background layout is drawn by the domestic studio whereas [[tweening]], coloring and filming is animated by the international studios. Throughout the years, different international studios have animated different episodes, even those within the same season. 

For the first three ''The Simpsons'' was animated domestically by Klasky Csupo although from season four onwards, [[Gracie Films]] made the decision to switch the domestic production to [[Film Roman]].<ref>{{cite news|title='The Simpsons' Producer Changes Animation Firms|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=[[1992-01-21]]}}</ref> who continue to animate the show as of December 2006. The last episode (in terms of production order) to be animated by Klasky Csupo was "[[Kamp Krusty]]."

After season 13, production was switched from traditional [[Traditional animation#Traditional ink-and-paint and camera|cel animation]] to [[Traditional animation#Digital ink and paint|digital ink and paint]].<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt; Al Jean, Jeffrey Lynch, Mike Reiss, David Silverman|year=2004|title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Whacking Day"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The first episodes to experiment with digital coloring were "[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons Episode)|Radioactive Man]]" and "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]" in 1995. Digital ink and paint was used again during season 12 with the episode "[[Tennis the Menace]]". However, after seeing the results, Gracie Films decided to delay using 'digital ink and paint' for two more seasons. "Tennis the Menace," being already completed, was broadcast as made.

==Characters==
[[Image:Simpsons cast.png|thumb|300px|right|''The Simpsons'' sports a vast array of secondary and tertiary characters.]]
{{main|List of characters from The Simpsons|Simpson family}}
The Simpsons are a typical [[Nuclear family|nuclear]] "[[Middle America (United States)|Middle American]]" family who live in the town of Springfield. <ref name="Turner28">Turner, p. 28</ref> Homer, the father, works as a safety inspector at the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]] although his personality would suggest otherwise, being that of a well-meaning [[buffoon]]. He is married to Marge Simpson, a [[stereotype|stereotypical]] American [[homemaker|housewife]] and mother, and together they have three children. The eldest, Bart, is a ten-year-old troublemaker who considers himself to be a rebel. On the other hand, Lisa, aged eight, is an extremely intelligent middle child, often involved in left-wing [[activism]] and loves playing the saxophone. Lastly, Maggie Simpson is a baby who is always seen with a [[pacifier]]. The family own a dog, [[Santa's Little Helper]], and a cat, [[Snowball II]], both of which have been the focus of several episodes. Despite numerous yearly milestones passing such as holidays or birthdays, the Simpsons do [[unageing|not physically age]]. 

The show sports a vast array of quirky supporting characters, including co-workers, teachers, family friends, extended relatives and local celebrities. Originally, many of these characters were planned as one-time jokes or to fill a function in the town. However, a number of them gained expanded roles and subsequently have been the subject of their own episodes. According to Matt Groening, the show's large supporting cast was very much inspired by the sketch comedy show ''[[Second City Television|SCTV]]'', in which all the characters interact within the in-show universe.<ref name="avclub1"/>

==Setting==
<!-- Warning: DO NOT add any examples of which STATES Springfield might be in.
              For any example there is a counter example.
              DON'T add that The Simpsons is set in KENTUCKY based on "BEHIND THE LAUGHTER"
              Please read the "Where is Springfield?" section of "Springfield (The Simpsons)"
-->
{{main|Springfield (The Simpsons)}}
''The Simpsons'' is set in the fictional American city of Springfield, located in no specific state.<!--READ WARNING ABOVE - do not add "Kentucky"--> Nevertheless, fans have attempted to determine the site of the town by taking the town's characteristics, surrounding geography and nearby landmarks as clues. As a response, the show has become intentionally deceptive regarding the location and nearly every state and region in the U.S. has been both suggested and ruled out by conflicting evidence. <ref>Turner, pp. 289-290</ref> Only once, in the season 11 episode "[[Behind the Laughter]]", the Simpsons are described as a "Northern Kentucky family," but since there are many counterexamples, this could be taken as a teaser directed towards the increasing curiosity of the fans. In the [[theatrical trailer]] for The Simpsons Movie, Ned Flanders was shown explaining to Bart where Springfield was located: "Look at that.  You can see the four states that border Spingfield: Ohio, Nevada, Maine, and Kentucky!" Groening has stated that Springfield has much in common with [[Portland, Oregon]], the city he grew up in,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050305065812/http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=12392|title=Matt Groening’s Portland|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Hamilton, Don|date=[[2002-07-19]]|publisher=[[Portland Tribune]]}}</ref> and the name "Springfield" was chosen as it is a common city name, appearing in more than thirty states. The geography of Springfield and its surroundings is seen to be flexible, containing coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, tall mountains, or whatever a story or joke requires.<ref>Turner, p. 30</ref>
<!-- Warning: DO NOT add any examples of which STATES Springfield might be in.
              For any example there is a counter example.
              DON'T add that The Simpsons is set in KENTUCKY based on "BEHIND THE LAUGHTER"
              Please read the "Where is Springfield?" section of "Springfield (The Simpsons)"
-->

==Themes==
{{main|List of The Simpsons episodes}}
{{seealso|Politics in The Simpsons|Religion in The Simpsons|Education in The Simpsons}}

The basic premise of ''The Simpsons'' is a standard sitcom setup. It is a series about a family and their life in a typical American town.<ref name="Turner28"/> The scope of ''The Simpsons'', however, is larger than the regular sitcom. The town of Springfield is a complete universe in which they can explore all themes of modern society. Homer is deliberately working in a nuclear power plant, so that the show can make a comment on the environment.<ref>Turner, p. 55</ref> Bart's and Lisa's days at [[Springfield Elementary School]] can make a statement on education. The town features a vast in-universe media landscape, which has everything from kids' television programming to local news. This is used to make a statement about the entertainment industry.<ref>Turner, p. 388</ref> 

The show is sometimes political with a left-wing bias.<ref>Turner, p. 221</ref> There is a general fondness for progressive ideals, but the show does make jokes from both sides of the political spectrum.<ref>Turner, p. 224</ref> The overall philosophy of ''The Simpsons'' is [[nihilism]].<ref name="turner223">Turner, p. 223</ref> The show portrays government and big business so that they are out to screw the little guy.<ref name="turner223"/> Thus any authority figure in the show is portrayed in a negative light. The politicians are corrupt, [[Reverend Lovejoy]] is indifferent to the people going to his church and the local police force is incompetent.<ref>Turner, p. 56</ref> Religion is also a recurring theme. In the time of crisis the family will turn to God and the show has dealt with most of the major religions.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark I.|last=Pinsky|title=The Gospel According to Homer|publisher=The Orlando Sentinel|date=[[1999-08-15]]}}</ref>

The plots of many episodes focus on one particular character, or the relationship between two characters. Common plots have involved the following: Homer getting a [[List of Homer Simpson's jobs|new job]] or attempting a [[get-rich-quick scheme]]; Marge attempting to escape the monotony of keeping house by finding employment or taking up a hobby; Bart causing a large problem and attempting to fix it, cover it up, or ignore it entirely; and Lisa embracing or advocating the merits of a particular cause or group. Some episodes have focused on the problems of secondary or tertiary characters, which are usually solved with the help of a member of the Simpson family.

==Hallmarks==
[[Image:Simpsons couch gag.jpg|thumb|250px|Shot from an overblown, extended [[couch gag]] (often used when an episode is running short).]]
===Opening sequence===
{{main|The Simpsons opening sequence}}
{{seealso|Chalkboard gag|Sax solo gag|couch gag}}
''The Simpsons'' [[Title sequence|opening sequence]] is one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. Many episodes open with the camera zooming through the show's title towards the town of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]]. Then we follow the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, they settle down on their couch to watch television. The series' distinctive theme song was [[composer|composed]] by [[musician]] [[Danny Elfman]] in 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro style piece. This piece, which took two days to create, has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career.<ref name="elfman">{{cite web|url=http://elfman.filmmusic.com/elfman_la_times.html|title=Danny Elfman in the L.A. Times|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Glionna, John M.|year=1999|publisher=Danny Elfman's Music For A Darkened People}}</ref>

One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that there are several segments that are changed from episode to episode. Bart writes something different on the blackboard. Lisa sometimes plays a different solo on her saxophone and something different happens when the family enters the living room to sit on the couch. This last segment is often the only one of the three gags to survive the process of shortening the opening for some syndicated episodes and for later episodes which needed extra time. This concept of rotating elements has been subsequently used both by Groening in ''[[Futurama]],'' and by others, such as a newspaper headline in ''[[American Dad]].''

===Halloween episodes===
[[Image:Bart Night Gallery.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Bart introducing a segment of "[[Treehouse of Horror IV]]" in the manner of [[Rod Serling]]'s ''[[Night Gallery]]''.]]
{{main|The Simpsons Halloween episodes}}
An annual tradition is a special [[Halloween]] episode.  "[[Treehouse of Horror]]" (1990) started a tradition of three separate, self-contained stories in each Halloween episode. These pieces usually involve the family in some [[Horror film|horror]], [[science fiction]], or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.<ref>Turner, p. 31</ref>  They always take place outside the normal continuity of the show. Although the ''Treehouse'' series is meant to be seen on Halloween, in recent years new installments have premiered after Halloween. This is due to Fox's current contract with [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[World Series]].

===Humor===
{{main|Recurring jokes in The Simpsons}}
The show uses catchphrases and most of the primary and secondary characters have at least one catchphrase each.<ref>Turner p. 60</ref> Notable catchphrases include Homer's famous annoyed grunt "[[D'oh!]]", Mr. Burns' "Excellent..." and Nelson Muntz's "''Ha''-ha!". An interesting phenomenon occurred with Bart's catchphrases. The phrases "[[¡Ay, caramba!]]," "Don't have a cow, man!" and "Eat my shorts!" were featured on t-shirts in the early days of the show's run.<ref>Turner p. 25</ref> However, the latter two phrases were rarely actually spoken on the show itself until after they became popular through merchandise, and the use of many of these catchphrases has declined in recent seasons. The use of catchphrase-based humor was mocked in the episode "[[Bart Gets Famous]]" in which Bart gets famous on the Krusty show for saying the line "I didn't do it."<ref>Turner p. 61</ref>

Another part of the show's humor is to make cultural references.<ref name="referential">Turner pp. 63-65</ref> They cover a wide range of references so that viewers from all generations can have a piece of the show. These references could be scenes from a movie or TV show, which is played out in the Simpson universe. It could also be references to music, literature, science or history.<ref name="referential"/> 

Whenever possible, jokes are put in the background of the show.<ref name="turner62">Turner p. 62</ref> This is typically humorous bits of text, which is put on signs, newspapers or other places. These are sometimes hard to find in a single viewing and some of them can only be viewed when the show is paused.<ref name="turner62"/>

==Cultural impact==
===Impact on language===
{{main|Culturally significant neologisms from The Simpsons}}
A number of [[neologism]]s that originated on ''The Simpsons'' have become common knowledge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/47756|title=Beyond "D'oh!": Simpsons Quotes For Everyday Use|author=Bahn, Christopher|coauthors=Donna Bowman, Josh Modell, Noel Murray, Nathan Rabin, Tasha Robinson, Kyle Ryan, Scott Tobias|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=[[2006-04-26]]|publisher=The A.V. Club}}</ref> The most famous is Homer's annoyed grunt: "D'oh!." So ubiquitous is the catchphrase that it is now listed in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1387335.stm|title=It's in the dictionary, d'oh!|author=Unnamed author|accessdate=2006-12-24|date=[[2001-06-14]]|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> but without the apostrophe. The first listed usage is not from ''The Simpsons'', but from a 1945 [[BBC Radio|BBC radio]] script in which the word was spelled "dooh."  Dan Castellaneta has explained that he borrowed the phrase from [[Jimmy Finlayson|James Finlayson]], an actor in early [[Laurel and Hardy]] comedies, who pronounced it more stretched-out and whiny.<ref name="doh">{{cite news|first=Jeremy|last=Simon|title=Wisdom from The Simpsons' 'D'ohh' boy|format=Interview|publisher=The Daily Northwestern|date=[[1994-02-11]]}}</ref> Castellaneta was told by the show's director to shorten the noise, leading to the famous grunt in the TV series.<ref name="doh"/>

Other ''Simpsons'' expressions that have entered into popular use include the word "excellent" (drawn out as a sinister "eeeexcelllent…" in the style of Charles Montgomery Burns), Homer's triumphant "Woohoo!" and Nelson Muntz's mocking "HA-ha!" [[Groundskeeper Willie]]'s description of the [[France|French]] as "[[cheese-eating surrender monkeys]]" was used by conservative ''[[National Review]]'' columnist [[Jonah Goldberg]], in 2003, after France's opposition to the proposed [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]], and quickly spread to other journalists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,11882,893202,00.html|title=Wimps, weasels and monkeys - the US media view of 'perfidious France'|accessdate=2006-08-05|author=Younge, Gary|coauthors=Jon Henley|date=[[2006-07-07]]|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]}}</ref>

===Impact on television===
''The Simpsons'' was the first animated program in prime time since the ''[[The Flintstones|Flintstones]]'' era. During most of the 1980s, animated shows were seen as being for kids and the animation was too expensive to get a quality suitable for prime time television. ''The Simpsons'' changed this perception.<ref name="animation"/> The use of Korean animation studios doing inbetweening, coloring and filming made the episodes cheaper. The success of ''The Simpsons'' and the lower production cost made television networks take chances on other animated series.<ref name="animation"/> This led to a boom in new animated shows for prime time in the 1990s, such as ''[[South Park]]'', ''[[Family Guy]]'', ''[[King of the Hill]]'', ''[[Futurama]]'' and ''[[The Critic]]''.<ref name="animation"/> ''South Park'' later paid homage to ''The Simpsons'' with the episode "[[Simpsons Already Did It]]."

''The Simpsons'' also had an impact on live-action shows. ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]'', which debuted [[January 9]], [[2000]] in the time slot right after ''The Simpsons'', was largely inspired by this show.<ref name="influence"/><ref name="malcolm">{{cite web|url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2000/jan00/news30107.html|title='Malcolm in the Middle': trite Fox fare with a first-rate time slot|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Wallenstein, Andrew|publisher=Media Life Magazine}}</ref> It features the use of sight gags and does not use a [[laugh track]] like most [[sitcom]]s. [[Ricky Gervais]] has called ''The Simpsons'' a major influence on his British comedy ''[[The Office (UK TV series)|The Office]]'', which also leaves out a laugh track.<ref name="gervais">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/interviews/ricky-gervais.html|title=Ricky Gervais Part One|accessdate=2006-12-20|author=Schuchardt, Richard|publisher=DVDActive.com}}</ref>

==Critical reactions and achievements==
[[Image:Walk of fame - The Simpsons.jpg|thumb|right|The Simpsons have been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.]]
===Awards===
{{main|List of awards won by The Simpsons}}
''The Simpsons'' has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 23 [[Emmy Award]]s, 22 [[Annie Award]]s and a [[Peabody Award|Peabody]]. On [[January 14]], [[2000]] the Simpsons were awarded a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]. In its 1998 issue celebrating the greatest achievements in arts and entertainment of the 20th century, ''[[TIME|Time]]'' magazine named ''The Simpsons'' the century's best television series.<ref name="century">Citation</ref> In that same issue, Bart Simpson was named to the ''Time 100'', the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.<ref name="timebart">{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/simpson.html|title=Bart Simpson|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Corliss, Richard|date=[[1998-06-08]]|publisher=TIME}}</ref> He was the only fictional character on the list. In 2002, it was listed as #8 on [[TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time]].<ref name="tvguide">{{cite news|title=TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|publisher=TV Guide|date=[[2002-05-04]]}}</ref> 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" top of two polls, 2001's [[100 Greatest Kids' TV shows]], and 2005's [[100 Greatest Cartoons]], with Homer Simpson voted first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters. On May 20th, of 2007, it will reach ground breaking history as the 400th episode will air on the night.

===Run length achievements===
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 America. In 2004 it replaced ''[[The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet]]'' (1952 to 1966) as the longest-running sitcom, animated or [[live action]], ever in the United States.<ref name="longsitcom"/> In October 2004, ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'' briefly overtook ''The Simpsons''  as the American animated show with the highest episode count.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3949579.stm|author=Unnamed author|title=Scooby-Doo breaks cartoon record|accessdate=2006-08-21|date=[[2004-10-25]]|publisher=BBC}}</ref> In April 2005, ''Scooby-Doo'' was cancelled again, finishing with 371 episodes, while ''The Simpsons'' reclaimed the title with 378 episodes as of the end of their seventeenth season.<ref name="Guinness"/> While ''The Simpsons'' has a record number of episodes for an American animated show, some foreign animated series have surpassed ''The Simpsons'' in this regard.  For example, the Japanese [[anime]] series ''[[Doraemon]]'' has over 600 episodes to its credit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldscreen.com/featuresarchive.php?filename=1003japan.txt|title=Japan Rising|author=Winslow, George|accessdate=2006-12-18|date=[[2003]]|publisher=World Screen}}</ref>

The year 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the Simpsons franchise, since the show originally began as skits on ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' in 1987. With its 19th season (2007-2008), through which the show was renewed in 2006, the series will be one season behind ''[[Gunsmoke]]'s'' US primetime, scripted television record of 20 produced seasons.<ref name="longsitcom"/> However, ''Gunsmoke's'' episode count of 635 episodes far surpasses ''The Simpsons'', which would not reach that mark until its 29th season, under normal season lengths.

===Criticism of declining quality===  	 
For many years, most critics' reviews of new ''Simpsons'' episodes praised the show for its wit, realism, and intelligence.<ref name="toonterrific"/><ref name="calgary">{{cite news |first=Bob|last=Remington|title=It's The Simpsons, Man|publisher=TV Times (The Calgary Herald)|page=10|date=[[1990-10-26]]}}</ref> But gradually starting in the mid-90s, the tone and emphasis of the show changed. Some critics began calling the show tired.<ref name="slate">{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2078501/|title=Who turned America's best TV show into a cartoon?|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Suellentrop, Chris|date=[[2003-02-12]]|publisher=Slate}}</ref> By 2000, a segment of long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show, including its movement from more character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2000/01/24/simpsons/index.html|title=Worst Episode Ever|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Weinman, Jaime J.|date=[[2000-01-24]]|publisher=[[Salon.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.com/news/419648.asp?cp1=1|title=’The Simpsons’ has lost its cool|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Bonné, Jon |date=[[2000-09-02]]|publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref> 

In 2003, to celebrate the show's 300th episode "[[Barting Over]]", ''[[USA Today]]'' published a pair of Simpsons related articles: a top-10 episodes list chosen by the webmaster of [[The Simpsons Archive]] fansite,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-02-06-fan-favorites_x.htm|title=10 fan favorites|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Paakkinen, Jouni|date=[[2003-02-06]]|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> and a top-15 list by ''The Simpsons''' own writers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-02-06-favorites_x.htm|author=Unnamed author|title=15 writer favorites|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=[[2003-02-06]]|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> The most recent episode listed on the fan list was 1997's "[[Homer's Phobia]]"; the Simpsons' writers most recent choice was 2000's "[[Behind the Laughter]]." In 2004, [[Harry Shearer]] criticized the show's sliding quality in an interview: "I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, so season four looks very good to me now."<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris|last=Leggett||title=Harry Shearer|publisher=UK Teletext|date=[[2004-08-04]]}}</ref> 

Despite this criticism, ''The Simpsons'' has managed to maintain an audience and attract new fans, although the first season had an average of 13.4 million viewers alone in the U.S.,<ref name="rating89">{{cite web|url=http://classictvhits.com/tvratings/1989.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1989-1990|accessdate=2006-07-03|publisher=ClassicTVHits.com}}</ref> compared to the 17th season, which ended with an average of 9.2 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/story/story.html&story_id=4712&page=4|title=2006 Ratings Wrap-Up (continued)|author=Mahan, Colin|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=[[2006-05-26]]|publisher=TV.com}}</ref> In an April 2006 interview, Matt 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."<ref name="avclub3">{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/47771/3|title=Matt Groening interview with The A.V. Club (page 3)|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|publisher=A.V. Club|accessdate=2006-10-27|date=[[2006-04-26]]}}</ref>

==Merchandise==
[[Image:simmonopoly.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Monopoly: The Simpsons Edition]]
{{main|List of The Simpsons publications}}
{{seealso|List of songs featured in The Simpsons}}, ''[[The Simpsons discography]]''
The popularity of ''The Simpsons'' has made it into a billion dollar merchandizing industry.<ref name="mikescully"/> The title family and supporting characters appear on everything from t-shirts to posters. On [[April 24]], [[2007]] it was officially announced that a ''[[The Simpsons Ride]]'' will be implemented into the [[Universal Studios Orlando]] and [[Universal Studios Hollywood]]. It is scheduled for a Spring 2008 opening.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-muniversal2407apr24,0,1590493.story?coll=orl-home-headlines|title=Universal Studios says welcome to The Simpsons ride in Orlando|date=2007-04-24|accessdate=2007-04-27|author=Powers, Scott|publisher=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref>. ''The Simpsons'' has inspired special editions of well-known board games, including [[Cluedo|Clue]], [[Scrabble]], [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]], [[Operation (game)|Operation]], and [[The Game of Life]], as well as the trivia games [[What Would Homer Do?]] and [[Simpsons Jeopardy!]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8757/simpsons_board_and_trivia_games_are.html|title=Simpsons Board and Trivia Games Are Fun for the Whole Family|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Sexton, Timothy|date=[[2005-08-30]]|publisher=Associated Content}}</ref> Several card games such as [[Trump (card game)|trump cards]] and [[The Simpsons Trading Card Game]] have also been released.

[[Image:Simpsons comic books.jpg|thumb|150px|left|A sampling of ''Simpsons'' comic books.]]
Numerous Simpson-related publications have been released over the years. So far, nine [[comic book]] series have been published by [[Bongo Comics]] since 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/simpsons_sundays/simpsons_on_sundays.asp|title=Sundays with the Simpsons|accessdate=2007-05-06|author=Shutt, Craig|publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> ''The Simpsons'' and ''Bart Simpson'' comics are also reprinted in the United Kingdom, under the same titles, with various stories from the other Bongo series reprinted in the main Simpsons comic. The comics have also been collected in book form; many other ''Simpsons'' books such as episode guides have also been published.

Music is featured in ''The Simpsons'', with characters breaking into song during the course of the series. Collections of original music featured in the TV series have been released on the albums ''[[Songs in the Key of Springfield]]'' and ''[[Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons]]''. Several songs have been recorded with the purpose of a single or album release and have not been featured on the show. The best known single is "[[Do the Bartman]]", which was co-written by [[Michael Jackson]]<ref>{{cite video | people=Bird, Brad; Matt Groening|year=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the special feature "Do the Bartman"|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> and became an international success. In the United Kingdom, "Deep, Deep Trouble" was released as a follow up to "Do The Bartman". The albums ''[[The Simpsons Sing the Blues]]'' and ''[[The Yellow Album]]'' contained [[cover version]]s of songs, as well as some originals.

===DVDs===
{{main|The Simpsons DVDs|The Simpsons DVD sets}}
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 would later be overtaken by the first season of ''[[Chappelle's Show]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=2338|title=Chapelle's Show &mdash; S1 DVD Passes ''The Simpsons'' As #1 All-Time TV-DVD; Celebrates by Announcing Season 2!|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Lambert, David|date=[[2004-09-19]]|publisher=TVshowsonDVD.com}}</ref> In particular, seasons 1-9 have been released on DVD in America ([[DVD region code|Region 1]]), with more seasons expected to be released in the future, Europe ([[DVD region code|Region 2]]) and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America ([[DVD region code|Region 4]]). Seasons 1-7 have also been released in Japan (Region 2).

===Video games===
{{main|The Simpsons video games}}
The [[video game]] industry was quick to adapt the characters and world of Springfield into games. Some of the early notable games includes [[Konami]]'s [[arcade game]] ''[[The Simpsons (arcade game)|The Simpsons]]'' (1991) and [[Acclaim Entertainment]]'s ''[[The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants]]'' (1991). More modern games include ''[[The Simpsons Road Rage]]'' (2001), ''[[The Simpsons Hit & Run]]'' (2003) and ''[[The Simpsons Game]]'' (2007). Two Simpsons [[pinball]] machines have been produced; one after the first season, and the other still available.

==Film==
[[Image:Simpsons movie poster.png|thumb|right|150px|Official movie poster]]
{{main|The Simpsons Movie}}
There has 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 difficulties were encountered in trying to expand the script to feature-length.<ref>{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt; Al Jean, Mark Kirkland, David Silverman|year=2004|title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "Kamp Krusty"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> For a long time the project was held up. There was trouble finding a story that was right for a film, and the crew did not have enough time to complete the project, as they already worked full time year-round on the show.<ref name="avclub3"/>

An animated ''Simpsons'' movie is now well into production.<ref name="simpsonmovie"/> It is being produced by [[20th Century Fox]], [[Gracie Films]], and [[Film Roman]] and is scheduled to be released [[July 27]], [[2007]]. The film will be directed by long-time ''Simpsons'' producer [[David Silverman]] and written by a team of Simpsons writers that includes 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]].<ref name="simpsonmovie"/> The film is produced alongside the series, despite long-time claims by those involved in the show's production that a movie would enter production only when the series had reached its end.

==References==
*{{cite book|last=Richmond |first=Ray|coauthors=Antonia Coffman|title=The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family |year=1997 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers|id=ISBN 0-00063-8898-1|pages=p. 178}}
*{{cite book | last=Turner | first=Chris | title=[[Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation]] | id=ISBN 0-679-31318-4}}

<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
<references />
</div>

==Further reading==
*{{cite book | last=Alberti | first=John (ed.) | year=2003 | title=Leaving Springfield: 'The Simpsons' and the Possibility of Oppositional Culture | publisher=Wayne State University Press | id=ISBN 0-8143-2849-0}}
*{{cite book | last=Brown | first=Alan | coauthors=Chris Logan | year= 2006 | title=The Psychology of The Simpsons | id=ISBN 1-932100-70-9}}
*{{cite book | last=Gray | first=Jonathan | year= 2006 | title=Watching with The Simpsons: Television, Parody, and Intertextuality | id=ISBN 0-4153-6202-4}}
*Irwin, William; Mark T. Conrad; Aeon Skoble (eds.) (1999). ''The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer''. Chicago: Open Court. ISBN 0-8126-9433-3.
*{{cite book | last=Keller | first=Beth L. | year = 1992 | publisher = Regent University| title=The Gospel According to Bart: Examining the Religious Elements of The Simpsons | id=ISBN 0-8126-9433-3}}
*{{cite book | last=Keslowitz | first=Steven | year = 2003| publisher = Hats Off Books| title=The Simpsons And Society: An Analysis Of Our Favorite Family And Its Influence In Contemporary Society | id=ISBN 1-58736-253-8}}
*{{cite book | last=Pinsky | first=Mark I | title=The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family | id=ISBN 0-664-22419-9}}
*{{cite book | last=Pinsky | first=Mark I. | coauthors=Samuel F. Parvin | title=The Gospel According to the Simpsons: Leaders Guide for Group Study | id=ISBN 0-664-22590-X}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}{{portal}}
* [http://www.thesimpsons.com/index.html TheSimpsons.com] Official website
* {{imdb title|id=0096697|title=The Simpsons}}
* {{tv.com show | id=146 | title=The Simpsons}}
* [http://www.snpp.com The Simpsons Archive] (See [[The Simpsons Archive]]) 
* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/simpsonsthe/simpsonsthe.htm ''The Simpsons''] at the Encyclopedia of Television 
* [http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Wikisimpsons_Central The ''Simpsons'' Wiki]
                         

<!--
  Please don't add any categories that have the theme of broadcasters that air The Simpsons.
  There are too many of these around the world and listing them would clutter the bottom of the page.-->

{{The Simpsons}}
<noinclude>

</noinclude>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpsons, The}}

[[Category:The Simpsons| ]]
[[Category:1989 television program debuts]]
[[Category:1980s American animated television series]]
[[Category:1990s American television series]]
[[Category:2000s American television series]]
[[Category:American animated television series]]
[[Category:American comedy television series]]
[[Category:American culture]]
[[Category:Animated sitcoms]]
[[Category:Comedy television series]]
[[Category:Fictional television]]
[[Category:Fox network shows]]
[[Category:Hollywood Walk of Fame]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:Satirical television programmes]]
[[Category:Television series by Fox Television Studios]]
[[Category:Television shows set in the United States]]
[[Category:Television spin-offs]]

[[af:The Simpsons]]
[[ar:سيمبسونس]]
[[ast:Los Simpson]]
[[bar:Die Simpsons]]
[[bs:Simpsonovi]]
[[br:Simpsons]]
[[bg:Семейство Симпсън]]
[[ca:Els Simpson]]
[[cs:Simpsonovi]]
[[cy:The Simpsons]]
[[da:The Simpsons]]
[[de:Die Simpsons]]
[[et:Simpsonid]]
[[el:Σίμπσονς]]
[[es:Los Simpson]]
[[eo:La Simpsonoj]]
[[eu:Simpsondarrak]]
[[fa:سیمپسون‌ها]]
[[fr:Les Simpson]]
[[ga:The Simpsons]]
[[gl:The Simpsons]]
[[ko:심슨 가족]]
[[hr:Simpsoni]]
[[id:The Simpsons]]
[[is:Simpsonfjölskyldan]]
[[it:I Simpson]]
[[he:משפחת סימפסון]]
[[la:De familia Simpsonum]]
[[lv:Simpsoni]]
[[lt:Simpsonai]]
[[hu:A Simpson család]]
[[nl:The Simpsons]]
[[ne:द सिम्प्सन्स]]
[[ja:ザ・シンプソンズ]]
[[no:Simpsons]]
[[pl:Simpsonowie]]
[[pt:The Simpsons]]
[[ksh:De Simsens]]
[[ro:The Simpsons]]
[[ru:Симпсоны (мультфильм)]]
[[sq:Simpsons]]
[[simple:The Simpsons]]
[[sk:Simpsonovci]]
[[sl:Simpsonovi]]
[[sr:Симпсонови]]
[[sh:The Simpsons]]
[[fi:Simpsonit]]
[[sv:Simpsons]]
[[vi:The Simpsons]]
[[tr:The Simpsons]]
[[uk:Сімпсони (серіал)]]
[[vls:The Simpsons]]
[[zh:辛普森一家]]