The Simpsons: An American Standard

The Simpsons first premiered as a full-length prime-time sitcom all the way back in December 17, 1989, but the characters and show concept predates even that early date. The Simpsons actually premiered as an animated skit on The Tracey Ullman Show, a skit-comedy show whose cast boasts voice talents that are still cast members of The Simpsons today.

The first true hit show for FOX network, The Simpsons has become a huge part of pop culture, and is a show that is almost synonymous with FOX. The eighteenth season premiered September 10, at 8/7C. The show has been renewed through nineteen seasons, and FOX doesn't seem to have any plans to put the brakes on - despite a slowly-declining audience.

Whether The Simpsons ever finishes its run or not, it is a show that will be in syndication for as long as syndication exists. Currently, fans can watch The Simpsons on any day of the week, and on more than one channel.

Nothing like The Simpsons, a prime time animated show with adult humor, had been seen since The Flintstones when the show first premiered. Since that fateful day in '89, many more prime time animated shows have found their way to FOX network and other networks. Many of FOX's more popular shows were inspired, at least in part, by The Simpsons. In 1997, almost ten years ago, the show passed The Flintstones as the longest-running prime time animated sitcom.

And in 2004, The Simpsons surpassed The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet as the longest-running American sitcom ever. The success that this show has had is nothing short of completely astounding.

The Simpsons is comprised of six main cast members. Dan Castellaneta plays Homer Simpson, "Grandpa" Simpson, and Krusty the Clown - and in real life, Dan is actually very, very bald, which is exactly what fans expect from Homer. Julie Kavner voices for Marge Simpson and Marge's sisters Patty and Selma. Nancy Cartwright is the now-famous voice for Bart Simpson, and Springfield children Nelson and Ralph. Yeardley Smith is the voice talent for Lisa Simpson. Hank Azaria's voice talents are prominently featured on many episodes, as he voices for many characters including Moe, Chief Wiggum, and Apu. Harry Shearer does more voices than anyone else, including Mr. Burns, Smithers, Principal Skinner, and Ned Flanders. These six have been doing Simpsons voices before most of America knew what the show was, and without them the show could not possibly be the same.

Perhaps knowing this simple truth, the cast has been the center of some well-publicized pay disputes with FOX. One notable dispute occurred between network execs and voice talent Maggie Roswell, who voiced Maude Flanders among several other characters. Maggie's well-known voice was not featured on the show from 1999 through 2002, until the dispute was settled. In 1998, the cast threatened a strike in order to receive a per-episode raise from thirty thousand, to one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The cast was supported by show creator Matt Groening, and FOX gave into the cast's demands. A 2004 pay dispute was settled much more quietly between FOX and the cast, for an undisclosed sum.

Creator Matt Groening is no stranger to family life, or living in a household with multiple siblings. Two of Groening's own sisters are named Maggie and Lisa, and his parents both have familiar names - Marge and Homer. Bart, an anagram for "Brat" is a central character. Groening said that using the name Matt for the character would have been "too obvious." Springfield, where the Simpson family makes their home, is purposefully ambiguous. More than thirty states have a Springfield within their borders, though Groening says the town closely resembles the Portland, Oregon area where he was raised.

The Simpsons has spawned a whole host of merchandise, including board and video games of all kinds, T-shirts, hats, mugs, and more recently a full-length movie. Yes, it's true: The Simpsons Movie is scheduled to debut July 27, 2007. There will definitely be new characters introduced in the movie. Voice talent that is confirmed as being attached to the project include actress Minnie Driver and real-life activist Erin Brockovich. Albert Brooks is rumored to be voicing some characters in the film, as well.

Brockovich's presence on set has given rise to all kinds of theories about the possible plot of the movie, including one where Homer causes a nuclear accident that spoils the town's water supply. Though this plot sounds as plausible as anything else, one important thing to remember with The Simpsons is that the show is always a surprise, and very often filled with plot twists and misleading opening stories.

For now, fans can catch all The Simpsons action in syndication, and by this time next year we'll be getting ready to line up at the theatres - in costume.

"We're going to put some fake plots out there, just to make it interesting."

-James L. Brooks, on the Simpsons movie