The Simpsons is an American adult animated sitcom. It was created by cartoonist Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company.
Matt Groening's original plan was to pitch an animated version of his bleak Life in Hell comic strip series, which he wrote from 1977 to 2012. It starred Binky the rabbit, who lives in Los Angeles and hates his life. It also features Mr Simpson, Binky's anthropomorphic dog boss.
However Groening decided against his initial plan at the last moment, and came up instead with a dysfunctional family sitcom while sitting outside producer James L Brooks’s office.
The Simpsons started life as short gags on The Tracy Ullman Show beginning on April 19, 1987. Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial shorts.
In 1989, a team of production companies adapted The Simpsons into a half-hour prime time entertainment series for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The show made its debut on the Fox television network with the episode Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire on December 17, 1989.
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DEVELOPMENT
Matt Groening's original plan was to pitch an animated version of his bleak Life in Hell comic strip series, which he wrote from 1977 to 2012. It starred Binky the rabbit, who lives in Los Angeles and hates his life. It also features Mr Simpson, Binky's anthropomorphic dog boss.
However Groening decided against his initial plan at the last moment, and came up instead with a dysfunctional family sitcom while sitting outside producer James L Brooks’s office.
The Simpsons started life as short gags on The Tracy Ullman Show beginning on April 19, 1987. Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial shorts.
In 1989, a team of production companies adapted The Simpsons into a half-hour prime time entertainment series for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The show made its debut on the Fox television network with the episode Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire on December 17, 1989.
THE SHOWS
Bart Gets an 'F', the first episode of season 2, is the most-watched episode in The Simpsons' history with around 33.6 million viewers.
Michael Jackson voiced a psychiatric patient in an episode in the third season. He was credited as John Jay Smith.
A 10-year-old boy's life was saved from choking after his friend performed the Heimlich maneuver that he learned from The Simpsons third season episode Homer at the Bat.
Lisa the Greek originally aired on January 23, 1992. The episode aired only a few days before Super Bowl XXVI, and correctly predicted that the Washington Redskins would win the game. When the episode was rebroadcast in '93 and '95 it was redubbed and again predicted the winners.
In 1993, Gunter and Ernst—a parody of Siegfried and Roy—were mauled by a tiger on The Simpsons. In 2003, Roy really was mauled.
Every then-living ex-President of the United States - Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan - was offered a guest role in The Simpsons episode Krusty Gets Kancelled, which premiered on May 13, 1993. Only Ronald Reagan responded to the offer, politely declining.
The Simpsons episode Itchy and Scratchy Land, first aired on the Fox network on October 2, 1994. The episode was written in response to new, stringent censorship laws that were being put in place at the time. Fox had tried to prevent the inclusion of Itchy and Scratchy cartoons in the show, prompting the writers to make the episode as violent as possible.
Bart to the Future, the seventeenth episode of the eleventh season, originally aired in the United States on March 19, 2000. The show mentions billionaire Donald Trump having been President of the United States at one time, sixteen years before Trump actually successfully run for the position.
When You Dish Upon a Star, the fifth episode of The Simpsons' tenth season, originally aired in the United States on November 8, 1998. The show lampooned 20th Century Fox as a division of The Walt Disney Company. Nineteen years later, Disney indeed made a deal to purchase the studio from Rupert Murdoch.
The Simpsons theme music was composed by Danny Elfman, the former lead singer for rock group Oingo Boingo and husband of actress Bridget Fonda, in just three days. He also wrote the themes for shows like Desperate Housewives and the scores of a long list of movies.
The Simpsons released an album in 1990 and the lead single "Do the Bartman" was a worldwide hit. I
"Do The Bartman" was co-produced by Michael Jackson, who also provided background vocals and was a huge fan of the show. Following his death Fox played the video before an episode as a tribute to Michael.
The Simpsons includes a large array of characters. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the Canadian sketch comedy show Second City Television.
Homer Simpson, voiced by Dan Castellaneta, is the only character with dialogue in every episode of The Simpsons.
Homer Simpson's hair and ear, when seen from the side, spell out the initials of Matt Groening.
The original idea behind Marge Simpson's blue beehive hairstyle was to conceal large bunny ears for a reveal that she was secretly a rabbit from Matt Groening's comic strip "Life in Hell." The gag was intended to be revealed in the final episode of the series, but they weren't expecting the show to last for so long.
Lisa’s first word was “Bart” and Maggie’s was “Daddy”, and Bart said “Ay caramba!”
Matt Groening named his show The Simpsons because he thought it was funny to have the word simp (short for simpleton) in their name.
Bart Simpson's name is an anagram of BRAT. His full name is Bartholomew Jojo Simpson.
Krusty the Clown was originally supposed to be Homer Simpson's secret identity, which is why he looks like Homer with clown make-up.
Ralph Wiggum was not canonically made to be Springfield Police chief Clarence's son until season 4. The two characters were developed independently and only later the writers decided to make them father and son.
Clarence and Ralph Wiggum got their surname from the maiden name of the mother of Matt Groening.
Homer Simpson shares a first name with Groening's father, who was born in Saskatchewan, and Marge's first name comes from Groening's mother Margaret. His real-life sisters are named Lisa and Maggie.
Although many Simpsons characters are named after Matt Groening's family members, he refused to name the Simpsons' Grandpa after his own grandfather, Abraham, leaving it to other writers to choose a name. Coincidentally, they chose Abraham, unaware that it was the name of Matt's grandfather.
Bart to the Future, the seventeenth episode of the eleventh season, originally aired in the United States on March 19, 2000. The show mentions billionaire Donald Trump having been President of the United States at one time, sixteen years before Trump actually successfully run for the position.
When You Dish Upon a Star, the fifth episode of The Simpsons' tenth season, originally aired in the United States on November 8, 1998. The show lampooned 20th Century Fox as a division of The Walt Disney Company. Nineteen years later, Disney indeed made a deal to purchase the studio from Rupert Murdoch.
MUSIC
The Simpsons theme music was composed by Danny Elfman, the former lead singer for rock group Oingo Boingo and husband of actress Bridget Fonda, in just three days. He also wrote the themes for shows like Desperate Housewives and the scores of a long list of movies.
The Simpsons released an album in 1990 and the lead single "Do the Bartman" was a worldwide hit. I
"Do The Bartman" was co-produced by Michael Jackson, who also provided background vocals and was a huge fan of the show. Following his death Fox played the video before an episode as a tribute to Michael.
THE CHARACTERS
The Simpsons includes a large array of characters. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the Canadian sketch comedy show Second City Television.
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Homer Simpson, voiced by Dan Castellaneta, is the only character with dialogue in every episode of The Simpsons.
Homer Simpson's hair and ear, when seen from the side, spell out the initials of Matt Groening.
The original idea behind Marge Simpson's blue beehive hairstyle was to conceal large bunny ears for a reveal that she was secretly a rabbit from Matt Groening's comic strip "Life in Hell." The gag was intended to be revealed in the final episode of the series, but they weren't expecting the show to last for so long.
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| Wikipedia |
Lisa’s first word was “Bart” and Maggie’s was “Daddy”, and Bart said “Ay caramba!”
Matt Groening named his show The Simpsons because he thought it was funny to have the word simp (short for simpleton) in their name.
Bart Simpson's name is an anagram of BRAT. His full name is Bartholomew Jojo Simpson.
Krusty the Clown was originally supposed to be Homer Simpson's secret identity, which is why he looks like Homer with clown make-up.
Ralph Wiggum was not canonically made to be Springfield Police chief Clarence's son until season 4. The two characters were developed independently and only later the writers decided to make them father and son.
Clarence and Ralph Wiggum got their surname from the maiden name of the mother of Matt Groening.
Homer Simpson shares a first name with Groening's father, who was born in Saskatchewan, and Marge's first name comes from Groening's mother Margaret. His real-life sisters are named Lisa and Maggie.
Although many Simpsons characters are named after Matt Groening's family members, he refused to name the Simpsons' Grandpa after his own grandfather, Abraham, leaving it to other writers to choose a name. Coincidentally, they chose Abraham, unaware that it was the name of Matt's grandfather.
Milhouse's name originates from Richard Nixon's middle name, Milhous, which according to Groening was the most unfortunate name he could think of for a kid. Later in the series, it was also revealed that Milhouse's middle name was Mussolini.
Ned Flanders' last name comes from Flanders Street. in Portland, Oregon, the hometown of Matt Groening.
Ned Flanders' last name comes from Flanders Street. in Portland, Oregon, the hometown of Matt Groening.
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Maggie Roswell, the voice of Maude Flanders, requested a $4,000 raise to cover increasing commute costs from her home in Denver to Los Angeles, but Fox only offered $150 instead. This dispute is what led to Maude being killed off in the 1999 episode titled, "Alone again, Natura-Diddily". Roswell returned to The Simpsons in 2002 after reaching a deal with producers to allow her to record her lines from her home. Since returning, she has voiced Maude in flashbacks and as a ghost.
Roberto Gómez Bolaños, the inspiration for The Simpsons' Bumblebee Man, is so popular that reruns of his show ' El Chavo del Ocho' from the 1970s-80s still get an average of 91 million daily viewers around the globe.
The Simpsons is the longest-running scripted prime time TV series in U.S. history, the longest-running US sitcom and the longest-running US animated program.
In 1990, First Lady Barbara Bush criticized The Simpsons as “the dumbest thing I've ever seen." Marge wrote a letter to her, in character, politely telling her not to be so judgmental and explaining that her family tried their best. Mrs Bush later apologized for her “loose tongue”.
There is a specific clause in The Simpsons' contract that the network can't give notes, make cuts or exert creative control over episodes, meaning the producers have free rein to poke fun of Fox itself.
The Simpsons live in Springfield but which Springfield is a mystery. There are 34 places named Springfield in 25 states in the United States, but the writers of The Simpsons have never revealed what state Springfield is in.
When The Simpsons is broadcast in Arabic, because of Islamic customs, Homer drinks soda instead of beer.
The Simpsons Movie was banned in Myanmar because the colors red and yellow are banned in films there.
The actor James Finlayson's catchphrase "dohhhhhhh!" inspired Homer Simpson's frustrated cry of ‘D’oh!’ Dan Castellaneta was to utter an "annoyed grunt" while recording for the Tracey Ullman Show, so he said "dohhhhhhh". Matt Groening felt that faster would be better and Castellaneta shortened it to "D'oh!"
In French episodes of The Simpsons, Homer’s catchphrase of ‘D’oh!’ is dubbed as ‘T’oh!’
Homer Simpson’s catchphrase “D’oh” was added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2001, without the apostrophe.
On The Simpsons, the actual Simpson family has said 47% of the show’s dialogue.
The Simpsons are yellow because Matt Groening thought it would be a perfect way to catch the attention of people flicking through their channels looking for something to watch.
The Simpsons' couch gag is frequently used by the show's writers to make the show longer or shorter, depending on the length of the episode itself.
Roberto Gómez Bolaños, the inspiration for The Simpsons' Bumblebee Man, is so popular that reruns of his show ' El Chavo del Ocho' from the 1970s-80s still get an average of 91 million daily viewers around the globe.
FUN SIMPSONS FACTS
The Simpsons is the longest-running scripted prime time TV series in U.S. history, the longest-running US sitcom and the longest-running US animated program.
In 1990, First Lady Barbara Bush criticized The Simpsons as “the dumbest thing I've ever seen." Marge wrote a letter to her, in character, politely telling her not to be so judgmental and explaining that her family tried their best. Mrs Bush later apologized for her “loose tongue”.
There is a specific clause in The Simpsons' contract that the network can't give notes, make cuts or exert creative control over episodes, meaning the producers have free rein to poke fun of Fox itself.
The Simpsons live in Springfield but which Springfield is a mystery. There are 34 places named Springfield in 25 states in the United States, but the writers of The Simpsons have never revealed what state Springfield is in.
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| A panoramic view of Springfield (as seen in The Simpsons Movie) |
When The Simpsons is broadcast in Arabic, because of Islamic customs, Homer drinks soda instead of beer.
The Simpsons Movie was banned in Myanmar because the colors red and yellow are banned in films there.
The actor James Finlayson's catchphrase "dohhhhhhh!" inspired Homer Simpson's frustrated cry of ‘D’oh!’ Dan Castellaneta was to utter an "annoyed grunt" while recording for the Tracey Ullman Show, so he said "dohhhhhhh". Matt Groening felt that faster would be better and Castellaneta shortened it to "D'oh!"
In French episodes of The Simpsons, Homer’s catchphrase of ‘D’oh!’ is dubbed as ‘T’oh!’
Homer Simpson’s catchphrase “D’oh” was added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2001, without the apostrophe.
On The Simpsons, the actual Simpson family has said 47% of the show’s dialogue.
The Simpsons are yellow because Matt Groening thought it would be a perfect way to catch the attention of people flicking through their channels looking for something to watch.
The Simpsons' couch gag is frequently used by the show's writers to make the show longer or shorter, depending on the length of the episode itself.
The Simpsons is the only animated TV series to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
When Bart prank calls Moe's Tavern on The Simpsons, he dials the number 764-84377, which spells out "SMI-THERS."
Gwen Stefani's brother Eric was originally the keyboardist for No Doubt but left to become an animator for The Simpsons.
When Bart prank calls Moe's Tavern on The Simpsons, he dials the number 764-84377, which spells out "SMI-THERS."
Gwen Stefani's brother Eric was originally the keyboardist for No Doubt but left to become an animator for The Simpsons.
Alf Clausen served as the only composer for The Simpsons, from 1990 until 2017. As the composer, Clausen was responsible for creating the music for each episode of the show. He would write the music throughout the week and then record it with his 35-piece orchestra on Fridays.
On one occasion, Clausen faced an especially demanding workload. He was tasked with writing 57 musical cues in just one week. Despite the challenging nature of this assignment, Clausen was able to rise to the occasion and complete the task at hand.
Here is a list of songs used on The Simpsons.
Source Daily Express, Global News
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