20 years of The Simpsons
Last night I did something I’ve been doing for many years, watch the latest episode of The Simpsons. Last nights episode was rather special, as it was the 450th episode, and it also celebrated the 20th year of the show being on TV. Following the episode was a special documentary on The Simpsons, with interviews from the shows producers, former writers, the voice actors and actresses, and even Matt Groening, the Simpsons creator. He provided interesting facts about the shows history and creation.
I’ve been a fan of the Simpsons from the start. While the show originally debuted as a prime-time cartoon for adults, very much like the Flinstones, it eventually would become a show for people of all ages. While I didn’t get to see many episodes when the show began, that would eventually change as the show and myself grew older. One thing is for sure though, the tone of the show was originally intended for adults, and it’s very noticeable to a Simpsons fan.
Nowadays I can often tell what episode is on within 1-3 seconds of the shows start (after the credits of course), and it amazes me that I can do that! Unlike any other shows that I’ve seen over and over, I can watch any Simpsons repeat, they don’t bore me the more I see them, they just get better.
I know during the early teen seasons the show started to go a little downhill, and some people stopped watching it and never forgave it, but it seriously came back and the past few seasons have been just as great as the first decade of the show. The only beef I have is them retconning the Simpsons history, updating their past so the shows characters can stay the same age. I for one just suspended my belief when it came to the characters not aging, but I guess it needed to be done.
One thing that really stuck me as amazing in the documentary was the collection of Simpsons merchandise some people had. Beyond the little action figures that the stores sometimes sell, I’ve never seen anything else besides a Simpsons Squishee-maker (which I own). I really wish I knew where these fans got some of these Simpsons products.
So great job, Mr. Groening! Here’s to another 20 years!
Tags: simpsons