The Simpsons
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|---|---|
| Number of seasons | 36 |
| Number of episodes | 790 |
| Episode length | 21–25 minutes |
| Genre | Animated comedy (sitcom) |
| Starring | Dan Castellaneta, Julia Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria |
| Writers | John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti, Jay Kogen & Wallace Wolodarsky, Bob Bendetson, Brian Kelly, George Meyer, Jeff Martin, Al Jean, Mike Reiss, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Ricky Gervais |
| Creators | Matt Groening |
| Music | |
| Country | USA |
| Website | www.fox.com/the-simpsons |
| Release years | 1989–present |
| Rating Kinopoisk • IMDb | 8.4/10 • 8.6/10 |
| Age restriction | 16+ |
The Simpsons is a true legend in the world of American animation, continuing to amaze and inspire millions of viewers worldwide for decades. This iconic sitcom, created by the talented Matt Groening, debuted on the Fox Broadcasting Company and became a benchmark example of a satirical look at American life. Through the everyday adventures of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and little Maggie—the series deftly satirizes society, modern realities, television culture, and even human relationships. And its fictional town of Springfield is not just a setting, but a fully-fledged symbol of a universal parody of the world around us.
The show's story begins with Groening's unexpected insight while preparing to collaborate with producer James L. Brooks. He was inspired by the idea of an imperfect family, anarchic characters, and subtle social innuendos. The starting point was the real names of the Groening family members, although the character Bart acquired a unique personality as the author's alter ego. Even the surname "Simpson" was chosen deliberately—its sound and connection to the word "simpleton" perfectly capture the show's humorous tone. The Simpson family first appeared on April 19, 1987, in The Tracey Ullman Show shorts, the subsequent three seasons of which laid the foundation for a full-scale animated series. By the 1989–1990 season, The Simpsons had become a true hit on Fox, entering the top 30 rated programs.
Since its official premiere on December 17, 1989, the show has aired over 750 episodes, making it the longest-running American animated series and primetime network by season and episode count. The franchise's popularity was further cemented by the feature-length film "The Simpsons Movie," which hit theaters in July 2007, garnering impressive box office receipts and critical acclaim. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the continuation of The Simpsons story—the second film is scheduled to premiere in 2025. The show's universe has expanded far beyond the television screen, now encompassing comic books, video games, books, and a vast merchandise business. Production is handled by Gracie Films and 20th Television.
The series' success shows no sign of slowing down. In January 2023, the show was renewed for seasons 35 and 36, with viewers promised 51 new episodes. By the fall of 2024, the 36th season had begun, and by the spring of 2025, a renewal for four more seasons was announced, with a planned 68 episodes, bringing the total to an impressive 869.
If we look back in time, The Simpsons' golden age was the 1990s. Back then, the public and critics praised the witty storytelling and original plots. However, the following decades saw fluctuations in the show's quality, with fans agreeing that the humor had lost its former spark. Nevertheless, Time magazine called The Simpsons the outstanding television series of the 20th century, and Eric Adams of The A.V. Club proclaimed the show the pinnacle of television art, regardless of genre. Symbolic recognition of The Simpsons as a cultural phenomenon occurred on January 14, 2000, when the family was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Throughout its run, the series has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including 37 Primetime Emmy Awards, 34 Annie Awards, and two Peabody Awards. It is the longest-running animated series in the world.
Starring
Minor roles
Statistics
Total duration of the series: 322 Hours 16 Minutes (First 696 Episodes)
Number of filming years:
Number of directors:
Film crew
Directors
Mikel B. Anderson, Guillermo del Toro, Alan Smart, Rich Moore, Brad Bird, Lauren McMullen, David Mirkin, David Silverman, Jorge Gutierrez, Jim Reardon
Producers
Camera Operators
Plot
Brief Description of Events of the Series
The television series "The Simpsons" is a fascinating narrative that immerses viewers in the everyday affairs and concerns of a typical American family, who settled in the fictional but familiar town of Springfield. The head of the family, Homer Simpson, earns his living working at a nuclear power plant, while his wife Marge devotes herself entirely to the traditional duties of a housewife. Together they raise three children: the mischievous Bart, the intellectual with bright ambitions Lisa and the youngest daughter, the mysterious and silent little Maggie.
Despite the fact that their family life often gives rise to comparisons with idealized images that are common in society, numerous episodes skillfully convey an atmosphere of warmth and mutual support between the members of this family. The narrative often focuses on a life philosophy that emphasizes that neither difficulties nor conflicts can prevent them from sincerely caring and worrying about each other.
The uniqueness of the show lies in its ability to skillfully notice and ridicule the generally accepted stereotypes of the American way of life. It subtly conveys the diversity of cultural characteristics and parodies the world of social celebrities and popular TV shows. Using satire to skillfully analyze complex aspects of modern reality, each episode reminds the viewer of the enduring human values that unite us all.
Season-by-season description of the series events
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Season 9
Season 10
Season 11
Season 12
Season 13
Season 14
Season 15
Season 16
Season 17
Season 18
Season 19
Season 20
Season 21
Season 22
Season 23
Season 24
Season 25
Season 26
Season 27
Season 28
Season 29
Season 30
Season 31
Season 32
Season 33
Season 34
Season 35
Season 36
Season-by-season overview of the series episodes
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Features
Episodes
Dialogues
Relationships
Characters
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Interesting pages
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Interesting facts and notes
- Of particular note among the episodes of the series is the situation that developed after the second episode of the same fourth season. In this episode, Marge sang a song in which New Orleans was described in a very unflattering way as "a place of drunks, pirates, and courtesans; a rotten and disgusting place." This presentation of the city caused a wave of criticism from viewers, especially those living in this region. The creators' reaction to the negative reviews was the appearance of an apology in the next episode: in a scene with Bart on the school board, it was shown how he repeatedly wrote the phrase "I will never insult New Orleans again." Thus, this moment became a kind of admission of error and an attempt to make amends for the negative impression on the audience.
- An interesting detail is the fact that Homer Simpson's email address in the series is ChunkyLover53@aol.com, which can be translated as "ChunkyLover53". The address was created by one of the writers, and it really works, adding an element of interaction between the creators of the show and the viewers.
- At the initial stages of the storyline, the central character was always Bart, the son of the Simpson family. However, the audience unexpectedly shifted the focus of attention to the head of the family - the charming and charismatic Homer. After the first two seasons, the creators of the series decided to make him the main character of the show, which influenced the further development of the plot.
- Although only one writer is mentioned in the credits of each episode, in reality the text is created by a team of 14-20 people. Usually, the author is the one who prepared the first draft of the episode. However, the final version is developed through the joint efforts of the entire team.
- Interestingly, when creating the series, its creator, Matt Groening, delved into developing an entire family tree of the characters. According to this tree, it became known that Homer Simpson, a simple worker at the nuclear power plant from Springfield, and Mr. Burns, the extremely rich and snobbish owner of the same plant, are distantly related. This fact is especially surprising, given their completely opposite social statuses and aspirations.
- John Swartzwelder ranks first in the number of scripts written for the show. However, many of the most memorable jokes belong to the talented screenwriter George Meyer. The co-creators often mention this fact in their humorous comments behind the scenes.
- Despite the satirical tone and elements of absurdity that permeate the series throughout, "The Simpsons" symbolize the archetypal model of the American family. This family reflects middle-class values: a formally married couple with three children, attending church on Sundays, and the head of the house with a permanent job, which allows him to provide a decent standard of living.
- One of the visual features of the cartoon was the four-fingered hands of the characters. This decision was dictated by technical necessity: a reduced number of parts allows for a significant reduction in production time. The same approach was used in other cult animated series, for example, in "Family Guy".
- In June 2020, amid the Black Lives Matter protests, Fox introduced a new rule: from now on, characters with colored skin will be voiced exclusively by actors of the corresponding origin.
- Marge's unique hairstyle was inspired by the iconic image of the "Bride of Frankenstein". Famous cinematic motifs inspired the designers to design her hair splendor.
- Until 1998, voice actors earned about $ 30,000 per episode. However, following a series of strikes, this amount was significantly increased to $300,000 per series. These funds are distributed among the voice actors depending on the contribution of each participant.
- The series peaked in popularity during the twelfth season, after which the audience began to gradually decline. However, despite this, The Simpsons remains a cult phenomenon of American culture.
- By 2021, the cult series was able to achieve an impressive result, bringing the number of seasons to 26. At the same time, work on the creation of new episodes was already actively underway, which confirmed the inexhaustible popularity and demand for the show among viewers.
- In 1997, The Simpsons officially became the longest-running animated series in the history of American television. And already in 2004, the number of episodes exceeded that of Scooby-Doo, which cemented the series' leadership in this category.
- Actor Phil Hartman, who voiced such characters as Troy McClure, made a special contribution to the series. However, after a tragic event in 1998 - the death of the actor at the hands of his wife, who was under the influence of drugs - his character no longer spoke lines, although he sometimes appears on screen.
- A particularly significant moment in the history of the project was January 18, 2021. It was on this day that the anniversary, seven hundredth episode was presented to a wide audience, which became significant evidence of the longevity and success of the series.
- One of the most striking symbols of the show is its musical theme, the history of which deserves special attention. Matt Groening suggested that composer Danny Elfman draw inspiration from several unusual sources at once. Among them were the musical style of the popular animated series "The Jetsons", Nino Rota's compositions written for the film "Juliet and the Spirits", a melody from an electric razor commercial created by Frank Zappa, as well as motifs from educational vinyl records for parrots. The combination of such unconventional ideas evoked a powerful creative response in the composer, and as a result, the final melody appeared in just two days.
- The name Springfield for the fictional town of the show was not chosen by chance. This name is borne by 29 different settlements in the United States, which reflected the authors' intention to give the series universality and closeness to the audience.
- The idea for this legendary project belongs to Matt Groening, and it was his creative vision that became the starting point for the entire series. However, all legal and commercial rights to the show were initially assigned to the Fox television company, which played a key role in its broadcast and popularization.
- Mayor Quimby, one of the politicians of the cheerful town of Springfield, is created as a grotesque parody of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. His mannerisms, speech and behavior are deliberately exaggerated, which makes him a vivid caricature of the famous American president.
- An interesting fact is the origin of the main characters' surname - Simpson - which in English means "son of a simpleton". This seemingly simple pun adds a touch of humor to the concept of the characters.
- It is worth noting an interesting detail from the first shorts filmed for "The Tracey Ullman Show". Then viewers could notice that Maggie, today known for her silence, sometimes even uttered lines.
- In addition, in the early episodes of the series there were references that revealed details of the biography of the characters. Thus, it was mentioned that Homer was born in 1955, and Bart's date of birth was indicated as 1979. These details helped to better understand the characters and created interesting accents for attentive viewers.
- In February 2009, the opening credits of the popular animated series "The Simpsons" were updated, including a number of notable changes. For example, the character Apu, originally shown walking his dog, is now shown with eight babies, reflecting his experiences over the course of previous seasons. Maggie, previously in the front seat of the car, is moved to the back to comply with modern traffic laws that came into effect in 1989. The new title sequence ends with the Simpson family gathered in front of a flat-screen television.
- In the original version of the title sequence, Maggie's price at the supermarket checkout was $847.63, the minimum living wage for a child in 1989. In the revised title sequence, her price was reduced to $243.26. This number may either be a reflection of her actual price, or a hidden symbol that only the initiated can understand.
- Lisa performs various saxophone solos during the series' opening credits. There are four main versions of the performance and 32 additional ones, the choice of which depends solely on the mood of the music editor during the final editing of the episode.
- Ned Flanders' wife, Maude, was written out of the series in season 11. This decision by the writers was due to the refusal of the actress who voiced this character to renew her contract due to the proposed conditions. The character's death received a kind of online resonance, accompanied by remarks in the spirit of Nelson Muntz: "Ha-ha!".
- The names of the main characters of the series - Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie - have autobiographical origins. For example, the father of the show's creator Matt Groening was named Homer, and his mother was called Margaret (a shortened version of the name - Marge). Lisa and Maggie were named after the author's sisters. At the same time, the name Bart is not just an abbreviation of Bartholomew, but also an anagram of the English word "brat", which translates as "fidget" or "naughty boy".
- In one of the episodes of the third season, a character appeared - a psychiatric patient, convinced that he is Michael Jackson. The voice of this character was voiced by an artist under the pseudonym John Jay Smith. In fact, the real Michael Jackson was hiding behind him, whom the record company forbade from officially using his name. Within the framework of the episode, Jackson only spoke, and the musical numbers were performed by another actor. However, the episode was recently censored and removed from many platforms and video services, which caused regret among fans of the show.
- The yellow skin color of the Simpsons characters was the result of an unexpected coincidence. Initially, Lisa and Bart did not have a clear line between their hairline and forehead, so their normal skin color looked strange. To avoid visual confusion, the entire family was given a bright yellow color. Over time, this design move spread to secondary characters.
- The full name of one of the most popular and recognizable characters of the series Milhouse sounds quite unusual - Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten. It emphasizes the satirical nature of the show, where even the names of the characters can hide allusions and play on historical references.
- The finale of the sixth episode of the tenth season was remembered by viewers for its musical accompaniment, which was an experimental psychedelic interpretation of the classic theme of the series. This original approach of the creators emphasized the intriguing atmosphere of the series. The final scene was equally enigmatic: Homer uttered an unintelligible phrase that was reinterpreted by fans as "I buried Flanders." This open interpretation added an element of mystery and intensified discussions among fans.
- The creators of the series admit that works of world cinema had a great influence on their work. For example, the show used quotes and scenes from cult films such as Citizen Kane and the first two parts of The Godfather so often that, if desired, full-scale copies of these masterpieces could be edited. This speaks to the creators' subtle sense of humor and great love for classic cinema.
- In 1996, an Australian brewing company attempted to launch production of a drink under the Duff brand - the cult fictional beer from the series. However, Fox studio filed a lawsuit demanding that the use of the brand be stopped, as a result of which production had to be curtailed. Despite this, surviving batches of beer periodically appear on online auctions, where the cost of one can reaches $50, turning it into a rare collector's item.
- The Simpsons series is also unique in that it became the only show where all members of the legendary musical group The Beatles, except for John Lennon, were among the invited guests. This emphasizes the status of the series as a cultural phenomenon located in the center of the world media space.
- Of all the characters in the vast Simpsons universe, only God is depicted with five fingers on his hands. This is a unique feature, since all the other characters have only four. This detail personifies divinity and distinguishes this character from the rest.
- The process of creating one episode requires from six to eight months of active work. Despite such a long period, production is organized in such a way that work on ten episodes is carried out in parallel, allowing for a high release rate.
- The Simpson family has visited almost all continents of the Earth, with the exception of Antarctica. This fact makes them true travelers, whose adventures cover the most diverse corners of the world.
- One of the most famous musical Easter eggs of the series was a scene from the fifth episode of the seventh season. If you play the audio recording of the final credits backwards, you can hear the voice of guest star Paul McCartney. The musician recites a recipe for lentil soup and adds in an ironic tone: "By the way, I'm still alive."
- The appearance of Paul and Linda McCartney in the show was accompanied by an unusual condition: the creators had to make Lisa Simpson a vegetarian. This moment became significant for the show, determining the further development of her character and personality traits.
- An interesting fact remains that many of the characters in the sitcom are left-handed. Among them are Bart Simpson and Ned Flanders. This is no coincidence: the creator of the show, Matt Groening, is himself left-handed and decided to add this detail to the characterology of his characters.
- The first episode of the ninth season, the key events of which take place in New York, was banned from showing immediately after the tragic events of September 11. However, after some time it became available to viewers again, but with significant changes to the original version. One of the cut scenes was the episode with a worker of the World Trade Center skyscraper, who shouts to Homer the phrase that "all the idiots are in Tower One." This adjustment was made to avoid associations with a painful topic and to take into account the sensitivity of the audience.
- In July 2007, the character Marge Simpson graced the cover of the North American edition of the popular magazine "MAXIM" for the first time. This unusual collaboration became an important and significant manifestation of the continuing cultural influence of the animated series "The Simpsons", confirming its status not only as a television but also as a social phenomenon. This event became a bright accent on the role of popular cartoon characters in mass culture and caused wide discussion in media circles.
- The unique couch scenes that appear at the beginning of each episode of The Simpsons are carefully chosen to accommodate the length of the story. When the main material of an episode is shorter than the standard running time, viewers are treated to extended variations of the gag scene. Conversely, when the content is dense and takes up more time, the opening scene is shortened.
- The final episode of the ninth season received mixed reviews even before its official release. Fox executives expressed concern about the plot, which was filled with scenes with rather explicit subtext. It focused on Homer and Marge's risky efforts to restore romance to their marriage through public displays of intimacy. After feedback from the producers, the script was adjusted, toning down the more explicit elements, but the intent of the storyline remained intact.
- One of the most talked about plots of the series was the twist in the sixth season, which involved viewers trying to solve the mystery of who shot Mr. Burns. The creators of the series took serious measures to preserve the intrigue of the key plot point until the official premiere of the first episode of the seventh season. In this regard, several alternative versions of the finale were prepared, each of which contained different scenarios for revealing the shooter. Among the supposed culprits were such characters as Apu, Moe and Smithers, as well as even the Simpson family dog. This approach helped to avoid leaks and increased viewers' interest in the denouement.
- An interesting incident occurred with the release of the first episode of the sixth season. Initially, the episode was planned to be shown as the finale of the fifth season, but the production process was disrupted due to the destruction of the earthquake that damaged the studio building. As a result, the release of the episode had to be postponed to the next season, which added additional intrigue to the new chapter of the series. * Marge has reached the age of 34, Bart has turned 10, Lisa has celebrated her eighth birthday, and little Maggie is just starting her life's journey, celebrating her first birthday.
- One of the highlights throughout the series was the appearance of the famous scientist Stephen Hawking. His character appeared in several episodes of the tenth and sixteenth seasons. A notable detail was that the voice acting was done using Hawking's real synthesized voice, provided by him especially for the episodes.
- Maggie Simpson is usually a silent character, and in most cases her voice remains inaudible. However, throughout the series, viewers could catch her speech only in rare cases, for example, in plots related to fantasies or dreams of other characters. A notable exception was the tenth episode of the fourth season, which was remembered for the moment when Maggie first said her first word, "daddy." What makes this scene unique is that the girl's voice for this episode was dubbed by the legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor. This fact became especially noteworthy against the background of the fact that Maggie almost always remains mute within the show, emphasizing her intriguing image.
- The production of one episode of this sensational animated sitcom costs a significant amount - about $ 1,800,000. These expenses demonstrate the scale and complexity of production.
- Throughout history, there are five official music albums with songs from "The Simpsons": *The Simpsons Sing the Blues* (1990), *The Yellow Album* (1998), *Songs in the Key of Springfield* (1997), *Go Simpsonic With the Simpsons* (1999), *Testify* (2007).
- In real life, inspectors responsible for safety at nuclear power plants perform vital work ensuring the stability and safety of electricity production. Their responsibility requires considerable knowledge and skills, which justifies their high salary level - such a position brings in more than 70 thousand dollars a year. This makes their profession much more serious and important than the image of Homer Simpson, who occupies a similar position in the series.
- The character of Whalen Smithers, Mr. Burns's loyal assistant, was distinguished by an unusual appearance for him when he first appeared. A coloring error led to him being depicted with black skin. This incident became a funny curiosity in the history of the show's creation.
- All the websites that have ever been mentioned in the show actually exist in real life. However, their content is usually presented rather modestly, often limited to minimalistic details like collections of desktop wallpapers.
- Krusty the Clown, one of the most colorful characters in the series, was inspired by a real person - Rusty the Clown. In the 1960s and 70s, Rusty hosted a children's show on one of the Chicago channels. His legacy is reflected in the image of Krusty, who acquired his own unique features that enrich his character.
- Fun fact about the Springfield map: It turns out to be an accurate recreation of medieval Constantinople. This addition adds unexpected historical context to the design of the city's police station.
- Show creator Matt Groening's favorite episode was the eighth episode of the second season. The episode tells the story of Bart Simpson trying to perform a dangerous skateboarding stunt while attempting to cross the Springfield Gorge. Not only is the plot full of tension, but it also perfectly reveals Bart's tenacity and adventurous nature.
- The only episode in the history of The Simpsons where Matt Groening's name did not appear in the credits was the eighteenth episode of the sixth season. Groening refused to have his name mentioned, expressing dissatisfaction with the fact that the episode was perceived as a publicity stunt to promote the new Fox project, the animated series The Critic. The episode focused on the Critic's main character, Jay Sherman, attending the Springfield Film Festival, which caused controversy regarding the overlapping interests of the show's creators.
- The scene where Homer unsuccessfully attempts to cross the ravine and falls to the bottom was a huge hit with viewers. It is still considered one of the funniest moments involving Homer in the history of the show, and is a prime example of the ridiculous and delightful humor of The Simpsons.
- The character of the comic book store owner also has a special connection to Matt Groening. He was partly based on the show's creator, but only in the sense that it reflects the stereotypical view of Groening by others, rather than his actual character.
- Since its debut, The Simpsons has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting celebrities from all over the world. Over the course of the show, more than 500 guest stars have appeared. Many of them voiced their own animated images, while for some new characters were specially created.
- The highlight of Bart Simpson's appearance remains his signature nine protruding forelocks. This recognizable element has been with him since the first days of the show.
- But the school bus driver Otto was immediately associated with the world of rock music. His prototype was the famous guitarist of the band "Guns N' Roses" - Slash. A creative rethinking of the musician's features was embodied in this memorable character, who is so suited by a carefree manner of communication and a love of loud music.
- In May 2009, the US Post Office presented a limited collection of five postage stamps, which depicted the characters of the popular animated series "The Simpsons". This became not only a subject of admiration for fans of the show, but also an important cultural event reflecting the influence of the series on popular culture. For one of the longest-running and most recognizable animated projects, this was a worthy recognition of social significance, cementing the status of The Simpsons as a cultural phenomenon.
- One of the frequently discussed plot inconsistencies in the series was the inconvenience with the age classification of Ralph Wiggum. Depending on the episodes, this comical character can be presented as a classmate of Lisa Simpson, or as a student in the same class as Bart. The writers explain this discrepancy primarily by the artistic needs of the narrative, allowing Ralph to organically fit into the environment of the main characters.
- No less interesting is the figure of the mafia leader Fat Tony. His name, offered in various episodes, is subject to constant changes. Among viewers, the opinion has spread that either these inconsistencies arise due to insufficient coordination within the script team, or Fat Tony deliberately uses pseudonyms to keep the secret of his true identity - a manifestation of the high qualifications of a criminal.
- The peculiarities of adapting the show for other countries cannot be ignored, as they are often due to cultural and religious differences. For example, in the United Arab Emirates, the alcoholic drink Duff was replaced with soda, and the popular American hot dog and turned into dishes based on beef sausages. These changes allow the general message of the series to be preserved for new audiences without violating local traditions.
- An interesting story is connected with the prediction of Matt Groening himself. In 2002, he said that the series would soon end, presumably as early as the following year, 2003. As it turned out later, this was simply an error in the scriptwriter's predictions. In fact, The Simpsons not only continues to this day, but also confidently holds its position, adapting to the changing realities of the entertainment industry.
- A special mention should be made of the episode of the 17th season in which Homer drives home in a VAZ-2105. This unexpected element was used solely to create a humorous contrast between the familiar American setting of the series and a completely foreign vehicle for the local audience.
- During its existence, The Simpsons has collected an impressive collection of awards, including 34 prestigious Emmy Awards. This result confirms their immeasurable contribution to the development of world television culture. Moreover, in 2000, the Simpson family was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an unusual recognition for characters in animated projects.
- It is also interesting to note the show's difficult relationship with political figures. In the early 1990s, First Lady Barbara Bush called The Simpsons "the stupidest thing I've ever seen." Later, George Bush Sr. said he wanted to see American families not like the Simpson family. In response, the creators in one of the episodes of season 7 depicted the Bush family coming into conflict with Homer and Bart. It is appropriate to note that Mikhail Gorbachev is mentioned in the same episode.
- However, the popularity of the series has repeatedly become the cause of conflicts and disputes. For example, an episode of season 15 in 2013 caused indignation among representatives of the Rio de Janeiro Tourism Department. They considered the image of a city with a jungle and jumping monkeys to be harmful to the region's tourism industry. This case vividly demonstrates the difficulties of perceiving humor in an international context.
- In the updated version of the popular series' opening sequence, starting with the 25th season, traditional elements that varied from episode to episode were further developed, being enriched with new chaotic and humorous details. In addition to the already familiar inserts to viewers, such as Bart's writing on the school board, where he usually says something funny or sarcastic, and unexpected situations in the Simpson family living room, special attention is now drawn to the posters on the way to school. These posters have changing funny announcements that noticeably enliven the visual series: for example, "Moe's Tavern - Now 100% Electric" or "Missing Child. No Reward for Finder." Each of these elements adds a unique charm of unexpected humor to the episode.
- Sideshow Bob, who has firmly established himself as one of the show's most recognizable and colorful antagonists, consistently gets laughs thanks to his now-iconic habit of repeatedly stepping on the same rake. The gag began life as a clever visual gimmick in one of his early episodes (Season 7, Episode 19), in which the character gets hilariously punched in the head nine times in a row, which the writers later alluded to as an example of how deliberately exaggerating a stunt literally doubles the comic effect. Today, the gimmick is inexorably associated with his persona and has become a fixture of the series as an incredibly funny element.
- Dr. Hibbert, a character with an unforgettable habit of laughing nonstop at his own jokes, was created as a blatant satirical parody of an archetype inspired by the famous African-American comedian Bill Cosby. This comedic subtext serves as a tool for emphasizing ridicule of typical stereotypes and significantly enriches the universe of humorous satire of the series. Dr. Hibbert's characteristic infectious laughter becomes not only his calling card, but also a way to emphasize the originality of the character, perfectly fitting into the overall satirical atmosphere of the show.
- Upon closer examination, you can see that among the characters of Springfield, Milhouse stands out for having eyebrows - a rare feature for the inhabitants of this fictional world. This circumstance explains his famous phrase about eyebrows, which he says every time he loses them in bizarre circumstances.
- In the animated film "The Simpsons Movie", one of the buildings has a sign in Russian: "Learn to speak English or get out", which demonstrates the perception of linguistic and cultural integration in the context of American satire.
- In one episode of Futurama, the robot Bender discovers a toy replica of Bart Simpson left over from the 20th century. It is worth noting that Bender himself has appeared on The Simpsons many times, and their full crossover called Simpsorama was presented in season 26.
- Some episodes of the series contain interesting references to Russian history and culture. For example, in episode 14 of season 2, photographs of the Marge sisters are shown, taken against the backdrop of Lenin's mausoleum. In turn, in episode 10 of season 8, Homer, breathing into a breathalyzer, reaches the highest level of intoxication - the level designated as "Boris Yeltsin". In addition, Lisa visits the Russian quarter of Springfield in episode 24 of season 9.
- Of the voice actors, Hank Azaria is distinguished by the largest number of colorful characters - more than 200. At the same time, Yeardley Smith remains the only actress voicing only one character, namely Lisa Simpson.
- The production of the cartoon includes the efforts of 220 animators, of which 100 work in Los Angeles, and another 120 in South Korea. Such cooperation emphasizes the scale of the project and its international nature.
- Special satire is also aimed at Fox, the producer of the series. The cartoon regularly alludes to the incompetence of the company's management.
- The interjection "D'oh!" associated with Homer Simpson has become so popular that it has been included in the Oxford English Dictionary. It is a shortened interpretation of the cry made famous by Jim Finlayson in 1930s comedy films. Finlayson's original "D'oooooooohhh!" was transformed by Dan Castellaneta, the voice actor of Homer, into the more laconic "D'oh!".
- Every scene and line is carefully crafted: a single script may be revised and rewritten an average of twelve times before it becomes a finished episode.
