The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special Reminds Us Why "The Simpsons" is Culturally Iconic

The Simpson's 20th Anniversary Special -- In 3-D! On Ice! which aired last night on FOX is a soaring ode to the phenomenally popular prime-time television cartoon series. While it's always exciting to take a look back at a hit TV show like The Simpsons, there is a special energy behind the Simpsons 20th anniversary special which examines the culturally iconic animated show.

Directed and produced by Morgan Spurlock - whose documentary film Super Size Me attracted much media attention - the Simpsons 20th anniversary special is a program that reminds everybody why The Simpsons has truly and inseparably become part of our global society.

Focusing on The Simpsons' Reach Into Humanity

Perhaps the best aspect of the Simpsons 20th anniversary special is the program's focus on celebrating The Simpsons and its diverse cast of characters for their broad reach across not just the United States but so much of the entire world.

The casual interviews with the voice actors are interesting, creator Matt Groening's memories of his show's inspirations are compelling, and a glimpse of The Simpsons' inception on The Tracey Ullman Show is nostalgic.

However, for me, one of the special's many high points comes when we see The Simpsons not as a long-running TV program but as a socially and culturally relevant fixture that connects with people -- all kinds of people.

The most striking parts of the documentary has to be the clips of everyday people and famous figures alike talking about their personal connection to The Simpsons - or individual characters on the show.

Dan Rather and Brian Williams discuss their appreciation of Simpsons news anchor character Kent Brockman. People on the streets of Europe talk about their takes on how Homer Simpson represents to them some insight about what common Americans are like. Jerry Springer believes the Simpson family would be a perfect dysfunctional clan to have on his daytime show. Dr. Ruth Westheimer believes good communication helps keep Homer and Marge's marriage strong. Gordon Sumner (the popular musician otherwise popularly known as Sting) simply can't imagine a world without The Simpsons.

And that's what makes this 20th anniversary special pop - not that it just looks back at the show's history, but that it illustrates to us that The Simpsons has essentially helped make history. As a person who appreciates social studies, the Simpsons 20th anniversary special strikes a home run with me because this show is largely structured around the notion that The Simpsons is culturally -- and globally -- iconic.

The Fans

Another angle of the Simpsons 20th anniversary special that is important is a nod to the enthusiastic fans who have supported The Simpsons for 20 years. From the guy who tattooed his entire back with a complex collage of Simpsons characters to the man in Great Britain whose house is stuffed from top to bottom with Simpsons memorabilia, we see that what has helped keep The Simpsons alive for 20-plus years is not just the broad legions of fans from the Americas to Europe and Asia, but the individuals around the world who have made The Simpsons part of their everyday lives.

A particularly interesting tidbit that arises during this way-too-short one-hour documentary-style program is a look at a small Argentinian beer company that is producing Duff Beer -- directly inspired by the fictional brand of beer Homer swears by in The Simpsons. While FOX is in the process of suing the brewery, Duff Beer is apparently flying off the shelves thanks to those who want to swig the same beer that Homer Simpson does.

The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special Draws Me In

Overall, the Simpsons 20th anniversary show hits all the important and best points for me. It's refreshing to see a television retrospective look less at the individual episodes in a TV series and more at the overall concept behind the series. Hearkening from an era when live-action sitcoms ruled network TV, The Simpsons broke the mold in 1990 with its edgy animated humor. Fittingly, the engaging -- even sometimes educational -- Simpsons 20th anniversary special stands out from the crowd of tried-and-true, clip montage-laden TV retrospective shows.

I give The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special -- In 3-D! On Ice! two enthusiastic thumbs up. I hope Spurlock is at the helm again when The Simpsons celebrates its 25th anniversary.