Simpsons continues to describe and define culture - for 30 years and counting

Were you there in the beginning? When a sketch short from a long-defunct comedy show became an American institution? Fox recently announced it would be renewing The Simpsons for a record 29th and 30th seasons. Homer, Bart and all the yellow-hued denizens of fictional Springfield will reach at least episode 669, making it far and away the longest-running weekly episodic program, outpacing even Gunsmoke, which ran 635 before the Marshal fired his final shot.


Show creators, many of whom have been around since the beginning, say they still want to put on the best program possible. Legions of fans believe they’ve been – and continue to be – successful. That success has spawned more than a big Bart balloon at the Macy’s parade.

The Simpsons Movie made more than $500 million; the show has won 32 Emmys, and the cast can be found at theme parks and any manner of swag you can think of. Do they have a Simpsons “x” … yes, they probably do. Ratings may not be what they once were, but what show can say that on traditional TV these days? That doesn’t mean millions don’t still tune in. They do, but the Simpsons has become much more than a popular and well-merchandised TV program.

The Simpsons has become a cultural touchstone by reflecting and lampooning cultural touchstones. Even cursory fans can tell you Who Killed Mr. Burns and everyone knows you haven’t really made it in the entertainment biz unless you’ve appeared on an episode or two of The Simpsons. Folks who have never even seen a single episode can pick Bart out of a lineup, they know Homer’s catchphrase, and they might even be able to put a name to the tall-haired Simpsons matriarch as well as the two Simpsons daughters.

The annual Treehouse of Horrors has become a generation’s go-to holiday special, and one-liners from the show have seeped into our language. There’s simply no getting away from The Simpsons.
The cartoon has always been edgy, too edgy for many in the beginning, but managed to avoid the labels and pejoratives hurled at other social commentary cartoons like South Park. After some early naysaying from more conservative TV viewers, The Simpsons managed to thrive by both reflecting our foibles and charming our hearts.

Elie Hirschfeld is a seasoned real estate developer in NYC.