The original Simpsons was created as short comedy breaks in the Tracey Ullman Show

First screening - April 19, 1987

A satirical look at American family life

Matt Groening, is the creator of The Simpsons

The Simpsons shows the rich as greedy, The Simpsons shows the rich as greedy, politicians corrupt, police officials stupid, politicians corrupt, police officials stupid, parents easily manipulated, children devious.parents easily manipulated, children devious.

Despite the dysfunctional family antics by the Despite the dysfunctional family antics by the end of each show, they support each another end of each show, they support each another and stick togetherand stick together. .

“No one escapes satire in the program, which is vital for its ultimately uplifting message: we're an absurd species but together we make for a wonderful world....The satirical cartoon world is essentially a philosophical one because to work it needs to reflect reality accurately by abstracting it, distilling it and then presenting it back to us, illuminating it more brightly than realist fiction can.”

Julian Baggini, The Simpsons as Philosophy

Call meInfluential!

20022002

2002 Bart Simpson named to the Time 100, the

publication's list of the century's 100

most influential people--the only

fictional character on the list.

Since the beginning, The Simpsons has been recognized for its biting political satire. The Simpsons have featured pointed jibes at presidents and their policies.

While most TV series have avoided religion, The While most TV series have avoided religion, The Simpsons has used religious references in 95 % of its Simpsons has used religious references in 95 % of its episodesepisodes..

(David Feltmate, “It’s Funny Because It’s True? The Simpsons, Satire, and the Significance of Religious Humor in Popular Culture.”)

“ The Simpsons employs comedic devices about almost all perspectives on religious issues. Some see this approach as fair-minded, others as a ratings-driven cop-out, yet the show has always kept faith with its mission to criticize not only the failings of religion but also those of its critics; moreover, while invariably questioning them, The Simpsons airs pro-spirituality themes as no other TV sitcom has ever done before.” Iain Ellis

Millions of Movie References

The Shining Casablanca

Jaws

Risky Business

A Clockwork OrangeNorth by NortWest

Silence of the Lambs

A Clockwork Orange

Simpsons CelebritiesSimpsons Celebrities

http://pix77.com/simpsons-celebrity-look-alikeshttp://pix77.com/simpsons-celebrity-look-alikes

“The Simpsons created an audience for prime time animation that had not been there for many years…as far as I’m concerned they basically reinvented the wheel” Seth McFarlane

“The Simpsons created an audience for prime time animation that had not been there for many years…as far as I’m concerned they basically reinvented the wheel” Seth McFarlane