The Simpsons (1989 — 2024)

The Simpsons (1989–2024), an American animated sitcom by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company, is a satirical portrayal of life in America. It follows the Simpson family – consisting of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie – in the fictional town of Springfield as they humorously exaggerate society, Western culture, television, and the human condition. The idea for the family came to Groening while working on animated shorts with producer James L. Brooks. He based them on his own relatives, substituting himself with Bart. It holds records as the longest-running American animated series and sitcom, as well as longest-running scripted primetime television series in both seasons and episodes. In 2007, a feature-length film called The Simpsons Movie was released to critical and financial acclaim worldwide, with a sequel currently in development. The show has also expanded into comic books, video games, books, and other forms of media which have contributed to its billion-dollar merchandising empire. The Simpsons is produced by Gracie Films and 20th Television.

The main characters consist of the Simpson family who reside in the fictitious town of Springfield, located in ‘Middle America’. Homer, the patriarch, holds a position as a safety inspector at the local nuclear power plant, which greatly contrasts with his bumbling and carefree demeanor. He is married to Marge (née Bouvier), an archetypal American housewife and mother. Together they have three children: Bart, a mischievous ten-year-old; Lisa, an astute eight-year-old advocate; and Maggie, the youngest member of the family who communicates primarily through her pacifier. Despite their dysfunctional dynamic, numerous episodes explore their connections and fondness for one another. The family also shares their home with a canine named Santa’s Little Helper and a feline known as Snowball II.