The longest-running prime-time series in TV history, The Simpsons is a pop culture institution. Each week for 36 seasons (and counting!), viewers have tuned in to watch the dysfunctional yet endearing antics of America’s favorite animated family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Created by cartoonist Matt Groening, the series premiered in 1989 and rewrote the rules of animation with witty and irreverent humor that had never previously been seen in a cartoon. This special collector’s edition from TIME features new interviews with Groening and executive producers Matt Selman and Al Jean and revisits the origins of the series, showcasing the iconic episodes and beloved characters as well as the show’s popular Halloween franchise “Treehouse of Horror,” the parade of high-powered guest stars who’ve stopped by Springfield over the years, and the making of the blockbuster big-screen adaptation The Simpsons Movie. Also included is a look at The Simpsons’ passionate fan base and how the show ushered in a prime-time cartoon renaissance with shows like Family Guy, South Park, and Bob’s Burgers.
The SIMPSONS
Long Live The Simpsons • Decades after its celebrated debut, television’s longest-running prime time series remains a pop culture powerhouse.
Role Call • Meet the residents of 742 Evergreen Terrace and their Springfield neighbors.
WELCOME TO SPRINGFIELD • Matt Groening’s unconventional cartoon creation rocketed to superstardom in the ’90s and continues to rewrite the rules of prime time television.
America’s Favorite Family • Perhaps the unlikeliest of sitcom superstars, the Simpsons have spent the last 36 years entertaining America (and the world) with their dysfunctional yet endearing antics.
THE MOST SATISFYING SHOW ON TELEVISION • When the series reached its 100th episode in 1994, a TIME critic paid tribute to its humor, wit, and charm.
Guests of Honor • The show has a long history of high-profile actors, musicians, athletes, and other public figures popping into Springfield.
COUCH GAGS • Over the years, the show’s opening sequences have become increasingly elaborate and a creative showcase for guest artists.
BEST. CARTOON. EVER. • The Simpsons has produced a trove of celebrated episodes, created a wickedly funny Halloween franchise, and triumphantly jumped to the big screen.
10 Most Memorable Episodes • In 2019—30 years and nearly 700 episodes into the show’s run—three Simpsons experts weighed in on the classic installments.
AN INSIDER’S VIEW • The current Simpsons showrunner picks five of his personal favorite episodes from recent seasons.
Trick or Treat • Ranking every installment of “Treehouse of Horror,” the show’s beloved Halloween anthology.
Journey to the Big Screen • On the eve of The Simpsons’ 2007 leap to the multiplex, the producers and writers reflected on their long and grueling attempt to make the Best. Movie. Ever.
THE SIMPSONS, BIGGER AND BETTER • The movie “finds its own pace, and it keeps its personality,” TIME’s critic raved in 2007.
SIMPSON MANIA • Over the decades, the show has earned a level of devotion, fan scrutiny, and industry influence that rivals any pop culture property.
The Cult of The Simpsons • The writers have long embraced—and sometimes playfully skewered—the most passionate factions of the show’s fan base.
How The Simpsons Sparked a Cartoon Renaissance • The show kick-started a new wave of prime time animation, paving the way for hits like Family Guy, South Park, and Bojack Horseman.
Ahead of Its Time • Over the years, the show has had an uncanny ability to look into the future, predicting scandals, technological advances, and the presidency of Donald Trump.
TIME The Simpsons
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