Its yellow fever as ‘The Simpsons’ rings in 20 years of animated sitcom success The Simpsons’ year long anniversary celebrations culminate today, 20 years to the day from the original series premiere (the one that aired in Decemeber 1989 doesn’t seem to count apparently!).
The Simpsons actually started nearly 23 years ago on The Tracey Ullman Show when Matt Groening made a series of short animations about a highly dysfunctional, if not severely jaundiced, family living in the never-placed town of Springfield.
Featuring Homer, Marge, and the kids Bart, Lisa and Maggie, the cartoon was so well received that within two years, developers were scrambling to turn it into a series, and I bet they’ve been patting themselves on the back ever since.
The Simpsons family resonated on some level to audiences from all walks of life in America and all around the planet. The Simpsons is now aired in 45 countries worldwide.
Now a blockbuster movie, 25 Primetime Emmy Awards, 26 Annie Awards, and 20 years (or so) later The Simpsons can call itself the longest running American primetime entertainment series as well as the longest running television sitcom in television history.
Earlier this week The Simpsons also celebrated its 450th* episode Once Upon A Time in Springfield guest starring Anne Hathaway as Princess Penelope who is added to Krusty the Clown’s show to boost his popularity with female viewers.
The show was followed by an hour-long documentary from Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me) celebrating the series, featuring contributions from fans around the globe and from celebrities such as Sting, Family Guy’s Seth MacFarlane, Hugh Hefner, Conan O'Brien, John Waters, and South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
The episode ended with the words: “Thanks for twenty great years. The Best is yet to come.”
Long live The Simpsons!
*its actually the 451st but we won’t tell…!
Copyright : Comedy Central UK