How ‘The Simpsons’ became the iconic family of television shows

On April 29, 2018, “The Simpsons” became the longest-running scripted American primetime television series with the airing of its 636th episode “Forgive and Regret” (season 29 episode 18). The previous record holder was “Gunsmoke” (1955-1975) with 635 episodes. As of writing this “The Simpsons” is on season 35 with 761 episodes and still counting. 

When I am asked what my favorite show is, my default answer is always “The Simpsons.” I don’t remember a time when I was not watching the show. I have seasons one through 16 on DVD.

At 4-and-a-half years old my dad took me to see “The Simpsons Movie” (2007). I have been twice to “The Simpsons” themed park Springfield at Universal Studios Hollywood. “The Simpsons” Lego set is proudly displayed in my house (it opens like a doll house!). I even have a Troy McClure action figure sitting in my room. 

It is hard to imagine a time where “The Simpsons” was not a dominant part of our pop culture. Even if you have not seen an episode you could probably name one of the characters or quote Homer’s famous catchphrase (D’oh!). Or when “The Simpsons” comes up in conversations you might think about Homer going into the shrub gif to the countless clips and memes that are popular on the internet. People even think the show has predicted the future. 

The influence of “The Simpsons” can be seen in music, a great example being Mitski’s third album “bury me at makeout creek” (2014) is a quote from the episode “Faith Off” (season 11 episode 11). 

Now that you can watch every episode ever made on Disney+ new fans are discovering classic episodes that made the show what it is. 

But since “The Simpsons” has graced our screens since 1989 (“Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”) and is just so ingrained within our television landscape that we forget what made the show a hit in the first place. “The Simpsons” began as a series of 48 shorts on the sketch show “The Tracey Ullman Show” between 1987-89 created by Matt Groening. The very first appearance of the family was in the short “Good Night”  

The cartoon repopularized the adult animated primetime sitcom and would pave the way for numerous other shows like “King of the Hill” (1997-2010), “South Park” (1997-present),“Family Guy” (1999-2002, 2005-present) and “Futurama” (1999-2003, 2008-2013, 2023-present also created by Groening). More recent examples of the show’s reach is apparent in “Bob’s Burgers” (2011-present), “Rick and Morty” (2013-present) and “Bojack Horseman” (2014-2020).

Creator of “Family Guy” Seth MacFarlane in a 2007 Vanity Fair “Simpsons Family Values” commented on the door “The Simpsons” opened. 

“It’s like what sci-fi fans say about Star Trek: it created an audience for that genre,” said MacFarlane.  “I think 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. It’s just wholly original.”

Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie satirize the American nuclear family. We all know the archetypes: the house in suburbia, the housewife, the breadwinner father, a cat and dog and the troublemaker son, the precocious daughter and the baby. These characters have existed throughout TVs long history in sitcoms such as “Leave It to Beaver” (1958-1963) and “The Brady Bunch” (1969-1974). 

These types of shows were still popular when “The Simpsons” first premiered. The top rated show of the 1989-1990 television season was “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992). Other highlights are “The Wonder Years” (1988-1993) and “Full House” (1987-1995). 

In a typical comedy the dysfunction that has plagued the family will come to a resolution by the end of the half-hour and the kids will have learned a nice moral lesson that they will take with them throughout their life. “The Simpsons” subverts this status quo, and even though Marge and Homer love each other deeply they are still part of a dysfunctional family. 

All the characters have flaws that they do not hide. Bart by the next episode will still be pulling pranks on the unsuspecting citizens of Springfield. And Lisa will still be the teacher’s pet. Homer will still be a regular at Moe’s Tavern after work at the nuclear power plant. 

What I have always enjoyed about the show is how dedicated the family are to each other. One episode in particular is season nine episode three “Lisa’s Sax” where in flashbacks the viewer learns that Homer used the air conditioner replacement money to buy Lisa a saxophone, an instrument that has become a staple of her character. 

“The Way We Was” (season two episode 12) shows the first meeting of Marge and Homer in high school detention. For Homer it is love at first sight and as Marge walks into the classroom he witnesses her walking in slow motion with The Carpenter’s version of “(They Long to Be) Close to You” playing the moment he sets his eyes on her. This song will play a key role in many emotional scenes between the couple. 

Even though it takes Marge a little longer to realize her feelings for Homer he still carries the torch for her and he says what has to be one of my favorite quotes from the show, “I got a problem once you stop this car. I’m going to hug you, and kiss you, and I’ll never be able to let you go. And I’ve never have.” 

These tender moments of love between the family bring balance to the conflicts they get into. The characters have survived throughout the decades because the audience relates deeply to them. 

As more shows have followed in “The Simpsons” footsteps the cartoon has found more ways to lampoon the absurdities of everyday life and they will probably be doing so for more years to come.