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''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, "Forgive and Regret", broadcast during its 29th season on April 29, 2018, ''The Simpsons'' surpassed ''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> this episode was landmarked in the opening sequence with a parody of the ''Gunsmoke'' opening credits, which featured Maggie Simpson facing Marshall Matt Dillon in a gunfight in the streets of Dodge City.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ODTAhD8rOo Gunsmoke Opening Parody | THE SIMPSONS] at YouTube</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, "Forgive and Regret", broadcast during its 29th season on April 29, 2018, ''The Simpsons'' surpassed ''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> this episode was landmarked in the opening sequence with a parody of the ''Gunsmoke'' opening credits, which featured Maggie Simpson facing Marshall Matt Dillon in a gunfight in the streets of Dodge City.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ODTAhD8rOo Gunsmoke Opening Parody | THE SIMPSONS] at YouTube</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>https://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>https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/iran-simpsons-ban-idUSL5E8D61X320120206</ref> Although the show was among the most controversial of its day, it now pales in comparison to Family Guy and South Park, to name a few. Whether this is a good or bad thing depends on your point of view, but for your average Conservapedia reader, it would be bad. The show is considered to have a considerable Democratic bias.

==Family==

==Family==

===Margaret "Maggie" Simpson===

===Margaret "Maggie" Simpson===

A baby who hardly ever talks, instead sucking her [[pacifier]] twice. On a couple of occasions she has proven to have exceptionally high intelligence.  For example, when her pacifier was taken away during a trip to a daycare center, she staged an elaborate plot to get it back.

A baby who hardly ever talks, instead sucking her [[pacifier]] twice. On a couple of occasions she has proven to have exceptionally high intelligence.  For example, when her pacifier was taken away during a trip to a daycare center, she staged an elaborate plot to get it back.

==Episodes==

==Episodes==

*''Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish'': Supports Environmentalism and criticizes nuclear power. Also, the title of the episode was a reference to [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s talking point for his infamous [[Great Society]] social welfare programs.

*''Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish'': Supports Environmentalism and criticizes nuclear power. Also, the title of the episode was a reference to [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s talking point for his infamous [[Great Society]] social welfare programs.

*''Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy'': Lisa, after getting a talking Malibu Stacy doll and getting outraged by some of her statements (a reference to the "Math Class is Tough" talking Teen Barbie doll controversy), makes a pro-feminist crusade against the company and eventually creates a Lisa Lionheart doll that pushes the agenda, with the doll's cited inspirations being "the wisdom of [[Gertrude Stein]], the wit of [[Cathy Guisewite]], the tenacity of [[Nina Totenberg]], the common sense of [[Elizabeth Cady Stanton]], and the down-to-earth good looks of [[Eleanor Roosevelt]]." It's also implied that she forced her family to do other left-wing causes she adopted such as making them march in a "gay pride" parade and boycott Fox News over owning a Syrian Chemical Weapons Plant. There was also a brief exchange that implied that Marge had been unknowingly brainwashed by Malibu Stacy as a child. In addition, Stacey Lovell, the doll's creator and her ally, is implied to have committed treason against the United States during the Vietnam War by funneling funds to the Viet Cong and is treated positively for it. There was also a brief homosexual joke with Smithers, and Abe's complaint about how "the president is a Demmycrat" (presumably a reference to [[Bill Clinton]], who was the president at the time the episode aired) is mocked due to it being from a list of complaints that drove the family to flee from him as soon as they got back to the house.

*''Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy'': Lisa, after getting a talking Malibu Stacy doll and getting outraged by some of her statements (a reference to the "Math Class is Tough" talking Teen Barbie doll controversy), makes a pro-feminist crusade against the company and eventually creates a Lisa Lionheart doll that pushes the agenda, with the doll's cited inspirations being "the wisdom of [[Gertrude Stein]], the wit of [[Cathy Guisewite]], the tenacity of [[Nina Totenberg]], the common sense of [[Elizabeth Cady Stanton]], and the down-to-earth good looks of [[Eleanor Roosevelt]]." It's also implied that she forced her family to do other left-wing causes she adopted such as making them march in a "gay pride" parade and boycott Fox News over owning a Syrian Chemical Weapons Plant. There was also a brief exchange that implied that Marge had been unknowingly brainwashed by Malibu Stacy as a child. In addition, Stacey Lovell, the doll's creator and her ally, is implied to have committed treason against the United States during the Vietnam War by funneling funds to the Viet Cong and is treated positively for it. There was also a brief homosexual joke with Smithers, and Abe's complaint about how "the president is a Demmycrat" (presumably a reference to [[Bill Clinton]], who was the president at the time the episode aired) is mocked due to it being from a list of complaints that drove the family to flee from him as soon as they got back to the house.

*''Sideshow Bob Roberts'': Takes jabs at the [[Republican Party]] as attempted murderer Sideshow Bob becomes a Republican mayor (although that being said, there was also some jabs at the [[Democrat Party]] in the form of Mayor Quimby, himself a parody of [[John F. Kennedy]]), there's also right-wing talk show host named Birch Barlow (parody of [[Rush Limbaugh]]) who defends him whether it's right or wrong. Later in the episode, in a similar manner to the [[Watergate Scandal]], it was revealed that Bob committed voter fraud. The episode had been written as a result of the Republican Revolution of 1994.   

*''Sideshow Bob Roberts'': Takes jabs at the [[Republican Party]] as attempted murderer Sideshow Bob becomes a Republican mayor (although that being said, there was also some jabs at the [[Democrat Party]] in the form of Mayor Quimby, himself a parody of members of the notoriously liberal Kennedy clan), there's also right-wing talk show host named Birch Barlow (parody of [[Rush Limbaugh]]) who defends him whether it's right or wrong. Later in the episode, in a similar manner to the [[Watergate Scandal]], it was revealed that Bob committed voter fraud (though ironically, an earlier scene had Homer and Krusty, both of whom Bob had antagonized earlier, throwing their votes for Bob, strongly implying that Bob would have won against Quimby even without the fraud). The episode had been written as a result of the Republican Revolution of 1994.   

*''Homer's Phobia'': Homer criticizes the practice of homosexuality, but in the end he changes his mind. There's also a slight jab at hunting in the episode as well, as Bart, when Homer attempted to have him partake in the activity in an attempt to make him more "manly", referred to the activity as "gay".

*''Homer's Phobia'': Homer criticizes the practice of homosexuality, but in the end he changes his mind. There's also a slight jab at hunting in the episode as well, as Bart, when Homer attempted to have him partake in the activity in an attempt to make him more "manly", referred to the activity as "gay".

*''The Old Man and the Lisa'': Promotes [[Environmentalism]].

*''The Old Man and the Lisa'': Promotes [[Environmentalism]].

==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 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.

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. Lisa Simpson was an ardent opponent of President [[Donald Trump]] and attempted to sway her father's vote (albeit in a dream), and the show itself went into a scroll of an extensive list of alleged transgressions, failures, and scandals of the Administration; the episode aired shortly before the Nov 3 2020 Presidential election, and no doubt that thousands of first time eligible voters were among those watching the broadcast. Justin Trudeau makes an appearance on the show, which is less than flattering, even including SNC Lavalan Scandal, which ought to be recognized as the Canadian version of the Watergate Scandal.

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.

==Controversy==

==Controversy==

During the early years of the show Bart Simpson was criticized for being a poor role model for children. Though ''The Simpsons'' is considerably less atheistic than other Fox shows such as ''[[Family Guy]]'', recently it has become quite controversial. Ironically, Marge Simpson, arguably the most wholesome character on the show, has been a highly controversial character, as she appeared on the cover and as a centerfold of ''[[Playboy]]'', a pornographic magazine.

During the early years of the show Bart Simpson was criticized for being a poor role model for children. The Simpsons have used their talents as pitchmen to promote unhealthy snack food products such as Butterfingers and Whoppers, which is often seen by young viewers. Though ''The Simpsons'' is considerably less atheistic than other Fox shows such as ''[[Family Guy]]'', recently it has become quite controversial. Ironically, Marge Simpson, arguably the most wholesome character on the show, has been a highly controversial character, as she appeared on the cover and as a centerfold of ''[[Playboy]]'', a pornographic magazine.

In the 2009 Halloween Special, "Treehouse of Horror XX," the writers of the show took a jab at the Eucharist. In one story in this episode, the people of Springfield were zombified and Bart's DNA was a cure. When the Simpsons escaped Springfield, other survivors wanted to eat him, but Marge screams:

In the 2009 Halloween Special, "Treehouse of Horror XX," the writers of the show took a jab at the Eucharist. In one story in this episode, the people of Springfield were zombified and Bart's DNA was a cure. When the Simpsons escaped Springfield, other survivors wanted to eat him, but Marge screams:

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> One episode of the Treehouse of Horror had to move timeslots in New Zealand under the orders of the official censor for fears of its violent content impacting child viewers. The show has also dramatically expanded the market for adult animation, inspiring many much more vulgar programs; there is now an entire channel dedicated to such programs, [[Adult Swim]].

 

 

 

 

==References==

==References==