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'''''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 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. On December 17, 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]]. On October 16, 2016 the 600th episode, the Halloween episode "Treehouse of Horror XXVII", was broadcast.<ref>http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/simpsons-evil-scheme-reach-600-episodes-lands-tree-244271</ref> With its 636th episode to be broadcast during its 29th season sometime in 2018, ''The Simpsons'' will surpass ''Gunsmoke'' (which produced 635 episodes between 1955 and 1975) for the most episodes of a scripted primetime American TV series.<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/news/the-simpsons-renewed-season-29-season-30-most-scripted-tv-episodes-ever-record/ The Simpsons Will Break the Record for Most Scripted TV Episodes, Ever] at TV Guide.com</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]], ''The Simpsons'' is banned by the regimes in those countries.<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>

==Family==

==Family==

===Lisa Simpson===

===Lisa Simpson===

The older daughter. Lisa is mostly concerned with being a good student, protecting the environment (although she is involved with other [[liberal]] causes at different points in the show's history such as [[recycling]]), and playing the [[saxophone]]. Her high intelligence relative to the rest of her family often makes her feel isolated.

The older daughter. Lisa is mostly concerned with being a good student, protecting the environment (although she is involved in activism with other [[liberal]] causes at different points in the show's history such as [[recycling]]), and playing the [[saxophone]]. Her high intelligence relative to the rest of her family often makes her feel isolated.

===Margaret "Maggie" Simpson===

===Margaret "Maggie" Simpson===

*''Alone Again, Natura-diddily'': Ned Flanders keeps his faith in God, even after his wife Maude died.  

*''Alone Again, Natura-diddily'': Ned Flanders keeps his faith in God, even after his wife Maude died.  

*''Weekend at Burnsie's'': Marge is worried about Homer´s [[Medical marijuana|drug use]].

*''Weekend at Burnsie's'': Marge is worried about Homer´s [[Medical marijuana|drug use]].

*''Treehouse of Horror XIII'': Springfield becomes a [[Gun-free zone]] thanks to Lisa's anti-gun activism. As a result of it, ''Springfield'' gets terrorized by Wild West outlaws and [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]], who have all risen from the dead. Homer gets back into the past to prevent [[Gun control]].

*''Treehouse of Horror XIII'': Springfield becomes a [[Gun-free zone]] thanks to Lisa's anti-gun activism. As a result of it, Springfield gets terrorized by Wild West outlaws and [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]], who have all risen from the dead. Homer gets back into the past to prevent [[Gun control]] and defeat the villains in the present.

*''Pray Anything'': Homer starts to pray, but later he sues the church. He gets punished by a weather disaster.

*''Pray Anything'': Homer starts to pray, but later he sues the church. He gets punished by a weather disaster.

*'''Tis the Fifteenth Season'': Homer wants to become a good Christian.

*'''Tis the Fifteenth Season'': Homer wants to become a good Christian.

===Other Political Episodes===

===Other Political Episodes===

*''Two Bad Neighbors'': Homer becomes an enemy of his new neighbour [[George H.W. Bush]] (RINO). In the end [[Gerald Ford]] (Conservative) is the new neighbour of the Simpsons, who becomes a friend of Homer.

*''Two Bad Neighbors'': Homer becomes an enemy of his new neighbor [[George H.W. Bush]] (RINO). In the end [[Gerald Ford]] (Conservative) is the new neighbor of the Simpsons, who becomes a friend of Homer.

*''Treehouse of Horror II'': Lisa's nightmare, an adaptation of the Monkey's Paw, has a subtle condemnation towards anti-Second Amendment beliefs, as after Lisa wishes for [[World Peace]], everyone destroys all of their weapons and guns, and proceed to sing kumbaya, only for Kang and Kodos to proceed to invade the planet easily because of it. Bart's nightmare, based on the Twilight Zone's It's a Wonderful Life, however, has a slight anti-family message, due to the nightmare being Bart releasing Homer from his psychic-induced curse by bonding with him.

*''Treehouse of Horror II'': Lisa's nightmare, an adaptation of the Monkey's Paw, has a subtle condemnation towards anti-Second Amendment beliefs, as after Lisa wishes for [[World Peace]], everyone destroys all of their weapons and guns, and proceed to sing "Kumbaya", only for Kang and Kodos (two drooling, tentacled, one-eyed aliens who laugh exceedingly) to proceed to invade the planet easily because of it. Bart's nightmare, based on ''The Twilight Zone'''s "It's a Wonderful Life", however, has a slight anti-family message, due to the nightmare being Bart releasing Homer from his psychic-induced curse by bonding with him.

*''Much Apu About Nothing'': Homer is initially against immigration of [[Illegal aliens]] before deciding to support it, with any criticism against illegal immigration being depicted in a negative light. On the other hand, it also depicts the naturalization process to become a legal immigrant to the United States, as Apu decides to undergo the naturalization program to become a US Citizen, and showcases it in a positive light. It also depicts encroaching government in a negative light due to the whole illegal immigration criticisms in the episode being due to Mayor Quimby blaming the tax increases on illegal immigrants when in reality it was the result of his own policies, with Lisa asking why they do that.

*''Much Apu About Nothing'': Homer is initially against immigration of [[Illegal aliens]] before deciding to support it, with any criticism against illegal immigration being depicted in a negative light. On the other hand, it also depicts the naturalization process to become a legal immigrant to the United States, as Apu decides to undergo the naturalization program to become a US Citizen, and showcases it in a positive light. It also depicts encroaching government in a negative light due to the whole illegal immigration criticisms in the episode being due to Mayor Quimby blaming the tax increases on illegal immigrants when in reality it was the result of his own policies, with Lisa asking why they do that.

*''The Cartridge Family'': Homer becomes a gun owner. It is controversial, whether this episode is pro-[[Gun Control]] or anti-gun control. The writer of this epiosde is John Swartzwelder, who is a 2nd Amandment-supporter.

*''The Cartridge Family'': Homer becomes a gun owner. It is controversial, whether this episode is pro-[[Gun Control]] or anti-gun control. The writer of this episode is John Swartzwelder, who is a Second Amendment supporter.

*''Coming to Homerica'': Another Pro-[[Illegal immigration]]-episode.

*''Coming to Homerica'': Another Pro-[[Illegal immigration]]-episode.

*''Bart-Mangled Banner'': The Simpsons get arrested for criticizing government. They leave America, but go back, because of homesickness.

*''Bart-Mangled Banner'': The Simpsons get arrested for criticizing government. They leave America, but go back, because of homesickness.

==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 Democrat 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.

The show's portrayal of religion and [[Christianity]] in particular is often given in the form of Ned Flanders, the Simpsons' next door neighbor. A devout Christian, Ned is sometimes overbearing in his faith, but he is consistently shown to be compassionate and decent. In the series' first few seasons Ned was generally loathed by Homer for the perceived (and often real) superiority of Ned's quality of life. Later episodes have shown the two to be quite close at times, with more than a few featuring mutual adventures. Ned's reception amongst Christians has generally been positive due to his strong faith in God, even when faced with obstacles such as a failure of his business, The Leftorium, a hurricane destroying his house and most tragically, the death of his wife Maude.<ref>http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/february5/1.28.html</ref>

The show's portrayal of religion and [[Christianity]] in particular is often given in the form of Ned Flanders, the Simpsons' next door neighbor. A devout Christian, Ned is sometimes overbearing in his faith, but he is consistently shown to be compassionate and decent. In the series' first few seasons Ned was generally loathed by Homer for the perceived (and often real) superiority of Ned's quality of life. Later episodes have shown the two to be quite close at times, with more than a few featuring mutual adventures. Ned's reception among Christians has generally been positive due to his strong faith in God, even when faced with obstacles such as a failure of his business, The Leftorium, a hurricane destroying his house and most tragically, the death of his wife Maude.<ref>http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/february5/1.28.html</ref>

Well-known atheist [[Richard Dawkins]] had an appearance at ''The Simpsons'' as devil.<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/richard-dawkins-appears-as-the-devil-on-the-simpsons-91641/</ref>

Well-known atheist [[Richard Dawkins]] had an appearance at ''The Simpsons'' as [[Satan|the Devil]].<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/richard-dawkins-appears-as-the-devil-on-the-simpsons-91641/</ref>

==Controversy==

==Controversy==

Catholic League President Bill Donahue criticized the writers for this line.<ref>http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/faith/2009/10/catholic_league_simpsons_donoh.html</ref>

Catholic League President Bill Donahue criticized the writers for this line.<ref>http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/faith/2009/10/catholic_league_simpsons_donoh.html</ref>

Some Christian family groups such as the [[Parents Television Council]] criticized the episodes ''There's Something About Marrying'' of supporting [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4285287.stm Simpsons' gay character is Patty - BBC]</ref>

Some Christian family groups such as the [[Parents Television Council]] criticized the episodes ''There's Something About Marrying'' of supporting same-sex "marriage".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4285287.stm Simpsons' gay character is Patty - BBC]</ref>

==References==

==References==

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://thesimpsons.com/ The official site of the serial]

* [http://thesimpsons.com/ The official ''Simpsons'' website]

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/ IMDB Website]

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/ ''The Simpsons''] at IMDb

* [http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_15996/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=q38A4cHB Vatican gives its approval of the Simpsons]

* [http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_15996/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=q38A4cHB Vatican gives its approval of the Simpsons]