The original: 

The Simpsons (1989 - Present)

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Created and Developed by: 

Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon

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Starring: 

Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harry Shearer, Hank Azaria and Phil Hartman

 

The exploits, adventures and lives of universally relatable family, the Simpsons- loveable, gluttonous, simpleton father Homer, long-suffering, dependable, homemaker mother Marge, rebellious, trouble-making, under-achiever (and proud of it) son Bart, sensitive, self-aware, genius daughter Lisa and pacifier-sucking, all-observant, dark horse infant Maggie.

 

This satirical, biting, tightly written and joke-packed series has been running for upwards of three decades, with the population of the town of Springfield increasingly growing, supplying an almost unlimited array of supporting characters, each as distinct, beloved and beautifully observed as the next.

 

Perhaps most remarkable is the consistency of quality the writing and performing maintains, involved over such a period of time, which has never truly dipped, with a gold standard being more or less in place since the beginning.

 

Likewise, the voice talent- starting with the original cast, and including the many guest voices, from Prime Ministers to movie, music and sports Super Stars to Nobel-prize winning novelists and scientists to cultural-zeitgeist legends- is unsurpassed.

 

It being animation, no one ever ages, no one truly changes and no one ever really learns anything, and this is a vital part of the show’s charm, with Springfield and the denizens there-in providing the ultimate comfort viewing- once the theme tune begins, a viewer can at once feel secure and safe in the knowledge that for the next twenty five minutes, they will spend time with their closest friends, in a universe that is, despite being gloriously biting and angry at times, remaining warm, welcoming and familiar.

 

Ingenious and hilarious, filled with pathos and humanity, The Simpsons is, was and remains the gold-standard for television comedy writing. It's scope is without limits, its depth without equal.

 

Just don’t eat the fish.

 

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Outback Man- “That’s not a knife. THAT’S a knife.”

Lisa- “That’s not a knife, that’s a spoon.”

Outback Man- “Ah, I see you’ve played knifey-spoony before.”

 

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Homer- “Oh no, I’m in no condition to drive. Wait a minute, I don’t have to listen to myself. I’m drunk.”

 

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Marge- “Sitting that close to the TV is bad for your health.”

Homer- “Talking to me while I’m watching TV is bad for your health.”

 

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Bart (on phone)- “Hello, I’m looking for Ms Huggnkiss. First name Amanda.”

Moe (to Bar)- “Amanda Huggenkis? Amanda Huggenkis? Aw, why can’t I find Amanda Huggenkiss?

Barney- “Perhaps your standards are too high!”

 

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Homer- “Kids, just because I don’t care, doesn’t mean I’m not listening.”

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