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'''''The Simpsons''''' is a satirical animated comedy series created by ''Life in [[Hell]]'' cartoonist [[Matt Groening]]. ''The Simpsons'' started on the ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' in 1987. In December 1989 the show debuted on the [[Fox Network]]. The show was also made into a feature-length movie, which was released on July 27, 2007.

'''''The Simpsons''''' is a [[Satire|satirical]] [[animation|animated]] [[comedy]] [[series]] created by ''Life in [[Hell]]'' cartoonist [[Matt Groening]]. ''The Simpsons'' started as part of ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' in 1987. In December 1989 the show debuted on the [[Fox Network]]. The show was also made into a feature-length [[The Simpsons Movie|movie]], which was released on July 27, 2007.

''The Simpsons'' is the longest-running sitcom in the [[United States]], as well as the longest-running animated television series, and is viewed all over the world.  It has won 27 Emmy Awards, and since September 2014 FOX presents the 26th season. In February 2012 the 500th episode was broadcast.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/18/robert-thompson-simpsons-to-air-500th-episode/</ref>

''The Simpsons'' is the longest-running [[sitcom]] in the [[United States]], as well as the longest-running animated television series, and is viewed all over the world.  It has won 27 [[Emmy Awards]], and since September 2014 FOX presents the 26th season. In February 2012 the 500th episode was broadcast.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/18/robert-thompson-simpsons-to-air-500th-episode/</ref>

In [[Iran]], [[China]] and [[Venezuela]] this serial is banned.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7338131.stm</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/iran-simpsons-ban-idUSL5E8D61X320120206</ref>

In [[Iran]], [[China]] and [[Venezuela]] this serial is banned.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7338131.stm</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/iran-simpsons-ban-idUSL5E8D61X320120206</ref>

==Themes==

==Themes==

[[File:MrBurnsExcellent.gif|thumb|The character ''Mr. Burns'']]

[[File:MrBurnsExcellent.gif|thumb|The character ''Mr. Burns'']]

While The Simpsons has many [[liberal]] themes the basis and morals of the show often portray family centered values in a warped sort of way and many episodes have a strong [[church]] focus. The show also has many episodes which focus on politics. The writers of the show come from both liberal and conservative backgrounds, and this is reflected through the portrayal of American politics on the show. The Springfield [[Republican Party]] is headed by the villainous Mr. Burns and meets in an old castle. Twice they have put forward candidates for elections: Burns himself ran for governor of the anonymous state Springfield is in, though he eventually lost; while in a later episode Sideshow Bob, though twice convicted for attempted murder, becomes Mayor of Springfield. He is removed from office when it is discovered that he personally and secretly committed large scale voting fraud. Meanwhile, the Springfield Democratic party is led by Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby, who is portrayed as a promiscuous, pot smoking, unfaithful and corrupt politician, once admitting openly that he murdered his opponents. Quimby and his family are clearly modeled on the Kennedy family, as Mayor Quimby's voice is identical to the one used when imitating John F Kennedy on the show.

While The Simpsons has many [[liberal]] themes the basis and morals of the show often portray family centered values in a warped sort of way and many episodes have a strong [[church]] focus. The show also has many episodes which focus on politics. The writers of the show come from both liberal and conservative backgrounds, and this is reflected through the portrayal of American politics on the show. The Springfield [[Republican Party]] is headed by the villainous Mr. Burns and meets in an old castle. Twice they have put forward candidates for elections: Burns himself ran for governor of the anonymous state Springfield is in, though he eventually lost; while in a later episode Sideshow Bob, though twice convicted for attempted murder, becomes Mayor of Springfield. He is removed from office when it is discovered that he personally and secretly committed large scale voting fraud. Meanwhile, the Springfield Democratic party is led by Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby, who is portrayed as a promiscuous, pot smoking, unfaithful and corrupt politician, once admitting openly that he murdered his opponents. Quimby and his family are clearly modeled on the Kennedy family, as Mayor Quimby's voice is identical to the one used when imitating [[John F. Kennedy]] on the show.

Public Education is satirized in the form of Springfield Elementary, which is portrayed as often taking extreme cost cutting measures at the expense of the children's education. When Bart gets Principal Skinner fired, Ned Flanders takes over as school principal and, as a result of his leniency towards trouble makers, the students run wild. In an attempt to get Skinner his job back, Bart takes Superintendent Chalmers to inspect the school. Despite the chaos he witnesses, Chalmers decides to let Ned remain Principal saying: "...the way America's public schools are sliding, they'll all be this way in a few months.  I say, lay back and enjoy it!  It's a hell of a toboggan ride". However, when he discovers that Flanders has brought prayer into the school, he fires him on the spot.

Public Education is satirized in the form of Springfield Elementary, which is portrayed as often taking extreme cost cutting measures at the expense of the children's education. When Bart gets Principal Skinner fired, Ned Flanders takes over as school principal and, as a result of his leniency towards trouble makers, the students run wild. In an attempt to get Skinner his job back, Bart takes Superintendent Chalmers to inspect the school. Despite the chaos he witnesses, Chalmers decides to let Ned remain Principal saying: "...the way America's public schools are sliding, they'll all be this way in a few months.  I say, lay back and enjoy it!  It's a hell of a toboggan ride". However, when he discovers that Flanders has brought prayer into the school, he fires him on the spot.