The Simpsons
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The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is a satirical parody of the "Middle American" lifestyle epitomized by its titular family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield, and it lampoons many aspects of the human condition, as well as American culture, society as a whole, and television itself.
The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a pitch for a series of animated shorts with the producer James L. Brooks. Groening created a dysfunctional family and named the characters after members of his own family, substituting Bart for his own name.<ref name="americasfirstfamily">Modèle:Cite video</ref> The shorts became a part of The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987.<ref name="goodnight">Richmond, p. 14</ref> After a three-season run, the sketch was developed into a half-hour prime time show and was an early hit for Fox.
Since its debut on December 17, 1989, the show has broadcast 409 episodes. It is currently broadcasting its nineteenth season. The season 18 finale, which broadcast on May 20, 2007, was the show’s 400th episode, and 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons franchise. The Simpsons Movie, a feature-length film, was released in theaters worldwide on July 26 and July 27, 2007, and has grossed approximately US$525.3 million worldwide to date.
www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,993039,00.html|title=The Best Of The Century|accessdate=2007-06-03|date=1999-12-31|publisher=TIME}}</ref> and on January 14, 2000 it was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Simpsons is the longest-running American sitcom<ref name="longsitcom"> Owen , Rob
(2003-01-21) . TV Notes: 'Simpsons' breaks record with contract renewal . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
. Retrieved on 2006-12-19. </ref> and the longest-running American animated program.<ref name="Guinness">Modèle:Cite book</ref> Homer's annoyed grunt "D'oh!" has been adopted into the English lexicon; while The Simpsons has influenced many adult-oriented animated sitcoms.<ref name="influence"> The Simpsons: The world's favourite family
. BBC News (2003-02-15)
. Retrieved on 2006-12-19. </ref>//www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,993039,00.html|title=The Best Of The Century|accessdate=2007-06-03|date=1999-12-31|publisher=TIME}}</ref> and on January 14, 2000 it was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Simpsons is the longest-running American sitcom<ref name="longsitcom"> Owen , Rob
(2003-01-21) . TV Notes: 'Simpsons' breaks record with contract renewal . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
. Retrieved on 2006-12-19. </ref> and the longest-running American animated program.<ref name="Guinness">Modèle:Cite book</ref> Homer's annoyed grunt "D'oh!" has been adopted into the English lexicon; while The Simpsons has influenced many adult-oriented animated sitcoms.<ref name="influence"> The Simpsons: The world's favourite family
. BBC News (2003-02-15)
. Retrieved on 2006-12-19. </ref>
Sommaire |
Origins
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008| city = Philadelphia| date = 2003-02-14| accessdate = 2007-08-08}}</ref> He named the characters after his own family members, substituting "Bart" for his own name.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/>//www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008| city = Philadelphia| date = 2003-02-14| accessdate = 2007-08-08}}</ref> He named the characters after his own family members, substituting "Bart" for his own name.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/>
The Simpson family first appeared as shorts in The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19 1987.<ref name="goodnight"/> Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned-up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial short episodes.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/>
www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=568&IssueNum=32|title='3rd Degree: Harry Shearer'|accessdate=2006-09-01|author=Kuipers, Dean|date=2004-04-15|publisher=Los Angeles: City Beat}}</ref> Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called "the mainstream trash" that they were watching.<ref name="toonterrific"> Tucker , Ken
. " Toon Terrific " , Entertainment Weekly , 1993-03-12 , p. 48(3) . </ref> The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989 with "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", a Christmas special.<ref name=officialsite>"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" The Simpsons.com. Retrieved on February 5, 2007</ref> "Some Enchanted Evening" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990 because of animation problems.<ref>Modèle:Cite video</ref>//www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=568&IssueNum=32|title='3rd Degree: Harry Shearer'|accessdate=2006-09-01|author=Kuipers, Dean|date=2004-04-15|publisher=Los Angeles: City Beat}}</ref> Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called "the mainstream trash" that they were watching.<ref name="toonterrific"> Tucker , Ken . " Toon Terrific " , Entertainment Weekly , 1993-03-12 , p. 48(3) . </ref> The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989 with "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", a Christmas special.<ref name=officialsite>"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" The Simpsons.com. Retrieved on February 5, 2007</ref> "Some Enchanted Evening" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990 because of animation problems.<ref>Modèle:Cite video</ref>
classictvhits.com/tvratings/1989.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1989–1990|accessdate=2006-07-03|publisher=ClassicTVHits.com}}</ref> Its success prompted Fox to reschedule the series to compete with The Cosby Show, a move that hurt the ratings of The Simpsons.<ref name="avclub1"> Rabin, Nathan
(2006-04-26) . Matt Groening: Interview . The A.V. Club
. Retrieved on 2006-10-22. </ref> In 1992, Tracey Ullman filed a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits of The Simpsons—a claim rejected by the courts.<ref name="ullman"> Spotnitz , Frank
. " Eat my shorts! " , Entertainment Weekly , 1992-10-23 , p. 8(1) . </ref>//classictvhits.com/tvratings/1989.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1989–1990|accessdate=2006-07-03|publisher=ClassicTVHits.com}}</ref> Its success prompted Fox to reschedule the series to compete with The Cosby Show, a move that hurt the ratings of The Simpsons.<ref name="avclub1"> Rabin, Nathan
(2006-04-26) . Matt Groening: Interview . The A.V. Club
. Retrieved on 2006-10-22. </ref> In 1992, Tracey Ullman filed a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits of The Simpsons—a claim rejected by the courts.<ref name="ullman"> Spotnitz , Frank
. " Eat my shorts! " , Entertainment Weekly , 1992-10-23 , p. 8(1) . </ref>
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6252856.stm|title=Is The Simpsons still subversive?|accessdate=2007-08-06|date=2007-06-29|author=Rosenbaum, Martin|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> At the time, then-current President George H. W. Bush said, "We're going to strengthen the American family to make them more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons."<ref name="mikescully"> Griffiths , Nick
. " America's First Family " , The Times Magazine , 2000-04-15 , pp. 25, 27–28 . </ref> Several US public schools even banned The Simpsons merchandise and t-shirts, such as one featuring Bart and the caption "Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')".<ref name="mikescully"/> Despite the ban, The Simpsons merchandise sold well and generated US$2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales.<ref name="mikescully"/>//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6252856.stm|title=Is The Simpsons still subversive?|accessdate=2007-08-06|date=2007-06-29|author=Rosenbaum, Martin|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> At the time, then-current President George H. W. Bush said, "We're going to strengthen the American family to make them more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons."<ref name="mikescully"> Griffiths , Nick . " America's First Family " , The Times Magazine , 2000-04-15 , pp. 25, 27–28 . </ref> Several US public schools even banned The Simpsons merchandise and t-shirts, such as one featuring Bart and the caption "Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')".<ref name="mikescully"/> Despite the ban, The Simpsons merchandise sold well and generated US$2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales.<ref name="mikescully"/>
Production
Executive producers
List of show runners throughout the series' run:
- Season 1–2: Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, & Sam Simon
- Season 3–4: Al Jean & Mike Reiss
- Season 5–6: David Mirkin
- Season 7–8: Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein
- Season 9–12: Mike Scully
- Season 13–present: Al Jean
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035285_20035331_20046980,00.html | accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> A more involved position on the show is the show runner, who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season.<ref> Cagle, Daryl
. The David Silverman Interview . MSNBC
. Retrieved on 2005-11-30. </ref>//www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035285_20035331_20046980,00.html | accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> A more involved position on the show is the show runner, who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season.<ref> Cagle, Daryl
. The David Silverman Interview . MSNBC
. Retrieved on 2005-11-30. </ref>
Writing
The Simpsons's writing team consists of sixteen writers who propose episode ideas at the beginning of each December.<ref name="scully"> Mitchell , Gail
. " Mike Scully " , Ultimate TV , 1999-01-24 . </ref> The main writer of each episode writes the first draft. Group rewriting sessions develop final scripts by adding or removing jokes, inserting scenes, and calling for re-readings of lines by the show’s vocal performers.<ref name="meyer"> Owen , David . " Taking Humor Seriously " , The New Yorker , 2000-03-13 . </ref> The leader of these sessions is George Meyer, who has developed the show since Season One. According to long-time writer Jon Vitti, Meyer usually invents the best lines in a given episode, even though other writers may receive script credits.<ref name="meyer"/> Each episode takes six months to produce so the show rarely comments on current events.<ref> Nixon , Geoff . " Mmmmmm... pop culture " , The Silhouette , 2004-03-04 . </ref> However, episodes occasionally mention planned events, such as the Olympics or the Super Bowl.
Credited with sixty episodes, John Swartzwelder is the most prolific writer on The Simpsons' staff.<ref>Turner, p. 21</ref> One of the best-known former writers is Conan O'Brien, who contributed to several episodes in the early 1990s before replacing David Letterman as host of the talk show Late Night.<ref> McGinty, Stephen
. " The icing on the Simpsons' cake " , Scotsman , 2005-01-04 . Retrieved on 2007-08-10 . </ref> English comedian Ricky Gervais wrote the episode "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife", becoming the first celebrity to both write and guest star in an episode.<ref name="Gervais"> Gervais writing Simpsons episode . BBC News (2004-12-23)
. Retrieved on 2006-12-29. </ref>
Voice actors
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4679119| city = Philadelphia| date = 2004-12-06| accessdate = 2007-08-15}}</ref>]]//www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4679119| city = Philadelphia| date = 2004-12-06| accessdate = 2007-08-15}}</ref>]] With one exception, episode credits list only the voice actors, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and, therefore, closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.<ref>Modèle:Cite video</ref> However, the network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode "Old Money", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.<ref>Modèle:Cite video</ref> In 2003, the cast appeared in an episode of Inside the Actors Studio, doing live performances of their characters' voices.
goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2006/07/shearer_snubbed.html|title=Shearer snubbed again! Blame that Mr. Burns?|accessdate=2007-08-10|date=2006-07-20|author=O'Niel, Tom|publisher=The Envelope}}</ref>//goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2006/07/shearer_snubbed.html|title=Shearer snubbed again! Blame that Mr. Burns?|accessdate=2007-08-10|date=2006-07-20|author=O'Niel, Tom|publisher=The Envelope}}</ref>
www.tvsquad.com/2006/06/20/the-five-great-simpsons-guest-stars/|title=The Five: Great Simpsons guest stars|accessdate=2007-08-10|date=2006-06-20|author=Finley, Adam|publisher=TV Squad}}</ref> //www.tvsquad.com/2006/06/20/the-five-great-simpsons-guest-stars/|title=The Five: Great Simpsons guest stars|accessdate=2007-08-10|date=2006-06-20|author=Finley, Adam|publisher=TV Squad}}</ref>
www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z3|title=THE SIMPSONS - Season 19 (2007-2008|accessdate=2007-10-21|publisher=FoxFlash}}</ref>//www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z3|title=THE SIMPSONS - Season 19 (2007-2008|accessdate=2007-10-21|publisher=FoxFlash}}</ref>
The main cast has been involved in much-publicized pay disputes with Fox on more than one occasion. In 1998, they threatened to strike, forcing 20th Century Fox to increase their salary from $30,000 per episode to $125,000. The series creator Groening supported the actors in their action.<ref> Doherty , Brian
. " Matt Groening " , Mother Jones , March/April 1999 . </ref> The show's revenue continued to rise through syndication and DVD sales, the main cast stopped appearing for script readings in April 2004. The work stoppage occurred after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with Fox, in which the cast asked for an increase in their pay to $360,000 per episode, or $8 million over a 22-episode season. On May 2, 2004, the actors reached an agreement with Fox.<ref> McGinnis , Rick . " Star talks Simpsons " , metro , 2004-08-09 . </ref>
www.omnivore.org/jon/orwell/caste.htm|title=Caste Of Characters|accessdate=2007-08-07|date=2000-09-09|author=Kay, Jonathan|publisher= Saturday Night Magazine}}</ref> The Simpsons has been broadcast in Arabic, but due to Islamic customs, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinks soda instead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the life-long Simpsons fans in the area.<ref>"
D'oh! Arabized Simpsons not getting many laughs " , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , 2005-10-14 . Retrieved on 2007-08-07 . </ref>//www.omnivore.org/jon/orwell/caste.htm|title=Caste Of Characters|accessdate=2007-08-07|date=2000-09-09|author=Kay, Jonathan|publisher= Saturday Night Magazine}}</ref> The Simpsons has been broadcast in Arabic, but due to Islamic customs, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinks soda instead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the life-long Simpsons fans in the area.<ref>" D'oh! Arabized Simpsons not getting many laughs " , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , 2005-10-14 . Retrieved on 2007-08-07 . </ref>
Animation
International animation studios involved:
- Exclusively produced the first two seasons of the series.
- Produced episodes throughout the run of the series.
- Produced animation for episodes from seasons 3–10.
- Produced animation for episodes from Season Four onwards.
- Jointly produced "Radioactive Man" with Anivision.
- Produced "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular"
- Produced "The Fat and the Furriest" and "She Used to Be My Girl".
Several different U.S. and international studios animate The Simpsons. Throughout the run of the animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show, the animation was produced domestically at Klasky Csupo.<ref name="animation"> Deneroff , Harvey
. " Matt Groening's Baby Turns 10 " , Animation Magazine, Vol. 14, #1 , January 2000 , pp. 10, 12 . </ref> With the debut of the series, because of an increased workload, Fox subcontracted production to several international studios, located in South Korea.<ref name="animation"/> Artists at the U.S. animation studio, Film Roman, draw storyboards, design new characters, backgrounds, props and draw character and background layouts, which in turn become animatics to be screened for the writers at Gracie Films for any changes to be made before the work is shipped overseas. The overseas studios then draw the inbetweens, ink and paint, and render the animation to tape before it is shipped back to the U.S. to be delivered to Fox three to four months later.<ref> Elber, Lynn . " TV's 'The Simpsons' Goes Global " , Associated Press , 2001-08-05 . Retrieved on 2007-08-15 . </ref>
For the first three seasons, Klasky Csupo animated The Simpsons in the U.S. In 1992, the show's production company, Gracie Films, switched domestic production to Film Roman,<ref>"
'The Simpsons' Producer Changes Animation Firms " , Los Angeles Times , 1992-01-21 . </ref> who continue to animate the show as of 2007.
www.license-europe.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/192007/425752/article.pdf|title=A Salute to the Simpsons|last=Grala|first=Alyson|pages=p. 14|publisher=License Mag|accessdate=2007-08-11}}</ref>//www.license-europe.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/192007/425752/article.pdf|title=A Salute to the Simpsons|last=Grala|first=Alyson|pages=p. 14|publisher=License Mag|accessdate=2007-08-11}}</ref>
Characters
The Simpsons are a typical family who live in a fictional "Middle American" town of Springfield.<ref name="Turner28">Turner, p. 28</ref> Homer, the father, works as a safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant—a position at odds with his careless, buffoonish personality. He is married to Marge Simpson, a stereotypical American housewife and mother. They have three children: Bart, a ten-year-old troublemaker; Lisa, a precocious eight-year-old activist; and Maggie, a baby who rarely speaks, but communicates by sucking on a pacifier. The family owns a dog, Santa's Little Helper, and a cat, Snowball II. Both pets have had starring roles in several episodes. Despite the passing of yearly milestones such as holidays or birthdays, the Simpsons do not physically age and still appear just as they did at the end of the 1980s.
The show includes an array of quirky characters: co-workers, teachers, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople and local celebrities. The creators originally intended many of these characters as one-time jokesters or for fulfilling needed functions in the town. However, a number of them have gained expanded roles and subsequently starred in their own episodes. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the comedy show SCTV.<ref name="avclub1"/>
Setting
geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=171:2:15227271951011717603:pg_R_17965331718946601910:NO&pg_min_row=16&pg_max_rows=15&pg_rows_fetched=15|publisher=US Geological Survey|accessdate=2007-06-05}}</ref> Springfield's geography, and that of its surroundings, contain coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, tall mountains, or whatever the story or joke requires.<ref>Turner, p. 30</ref> Despite this, Groening has said that Springfield has much in common with Portland, Oregon, the city where he grew up.<ref> Hamilton, Don
(2002-07-19) . Matt Groening’s Portland . Portland Tribune
. Retrieved on 2007-08-04. </ref>//geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=171:2:15227271951011717603:pg_R_17965331718946601910:NO&pg_min_row=16&pg_max_rows=15&pg_rows_fetched=15|publisher=US Geological Survey|accessdate=2007-06-05}}</ref> Springfield's geography, and that of its surroundings, contain coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, tall mountains, or whatever the story or joke requires.<ref>Turner, p. 30</ref> Despite this, Groening has said that Springfield has much in common with Portland, Oregon, the city where he grew up.<ref> Hamilton, Don
(2002-07-19) . Matt Groening’s Portland . Portland Tribune
. Retrieved on 2007-08-04. </ref>
Themes
The Simpsons uses the standard setup of a situational comedy or "sitcom" as its premise. The series centers on a family and their life in a typical American town.<ref name="Turner28"/> However, because of its animated nature, The Simpsons's scope is larger than that of a regular sitcom. The town of Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. By having Homer work in a nuclear power plant, the show can comment on the state of the environment.<ref>Turner, p. 55</ref> Through Bart and Lisa's days at Springfield Elementary School, the show's writers illustrate pressing or controversial issues in the field of education. The town features a vast array of media channels—from kids' television programming to local news, which enables the producers to make jokes about themselves and the entertainment industry.<ref>Turner, p. 388</ref>
Some commentators say the show is political in nature and susceptible to a left-wing bias.<ref>Turner, pp. 221–222</ref> Al Jean admitted in an interview that "We [the show] are of liberal bent."<ref name="turner223">Turner, p. 223</ref> The writers often evince an appreciation for progressive ideals, but the show makes jokes across the political spectrum.<ref>Turner, p. 224</ref> The show portrays government and large corporations as callous entities that take advantage of the common worker.<ref name="turner223"/> Thus, the writers often portray authority figures in an unflattering or negative light. In The Simpsons, politicians are corrupt, ministers such as Reverend Lovejoy are indifferent to churchgoers, and the local police force is incompetent.<ref>Turner, p. 56</ref> Religion also figures as a recurring theme. In times of crisis, the family often turns to God, and the show has dealt with most of the major religions.<ref> Pinsky , Mark I
. " The Gospel According to Homer " , Orlando Sentinel , 1999-08-15 . </ref>
Hallmarks
Opening sequence
The Simpsons' opening sequence is one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. Most episodes open with the camera zooming through the show's title towards the town of Springfield. The camera then follows the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, the Simpsons settle down on their couch to watch television. The opening was created by David Silverman, the first task he did when production began on the show.<ref name=silverinter> Top titles
. BBC
. Retrieved on 2007-08-01. </ref> The series' distinctive theme song was composed by musician Danny Elfman in 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro style piece. This piece, which took two days to create, has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career.<ref name="elfman"> Glionna, John M.
(1999)
. Danny Elfman in the L.A. Times
. Danny Elfman's Music For A Darkened People
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref>
One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that several segments are changed from episode to episode. Bart writes something different on the school chalkboard,<ref name=silverinter/> Lisa may play a different solo on her saxophone and a different visual gag accompanies the family as they enter their living room to sit on the couch.<ref>Richmond, pp. 90–91</ref>
Halloween episodes
www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season2/page3.shtml|title=The Simpsons Halloween Special|accessdate=2007-11-09|author=Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian |date=2000|publisher=BBC}}</ref> These pieces usually involve the family in some horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.<ref>Turner, p. 31</ref> They always take place outside the normal continuity of the show. Although the Treehouse series is meant to be seen on Halloween, in recent years, new installments have premiered after Halloween due to Fox's current contract with Major League Baseball's World Series.<ref> Ryan , Andrew
. " Pick of the Day: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XVII " , The Globe and Mail , 2006-11-04 , pp. p. 12 . </ref>//www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season2/page3.shtml|title=The Simpsons Halloween Special|accessdate=2007-11-09|author=Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian |date=2000|publisher=BBC}}</ref> These pieces usually involve the family in some horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.<ref>Turner, p. 31</ref> They always take place outside the normal continuity of the show. Although the Treehouse series is meant to be seen on Halloween, in recent years, new installments have premiered after Halloween due to Fox's current contract with Major League Baseball's World Series.<ref> Ryan , Andrew . " Pick of the Day: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XVII " , The Globe and Mail , 2006-11-04 , pp. p. 12 . </ref>
Humor
The show uses catchphrases, and most of the primary and secondary characters have at least one each.<ref>Turner p. 60</ref> Notable expressions include Homer's annoyed grunt "D'oh!", Mr. Burns' "Excellent..." and Nelson Muntz's "Ha-ha!". Some of Bart's catchphrases, such as "¡Ay, caramba!", "Don't have a cow, man!" and "Eat my shorts!" appeared on t-shirts in the show's early days.<ref>Turner p. 25</ref> However, Bart rarely used the latter two phrases until after they became popular through the merchandising. The use of many of these catchphrases has declined in recent seasons. The episode "Bart Gets Famous" mocks catchphrase-based humor, as Bart achieves fame on the Krusty the Clown Show for saying "I didn't do it."<ref>Turner p. 61</ref>
The show's humor also turns on cultural references that cover a wide spectrum of society so that viewers from all generations can enjoy the show.<ref name="referential">Turner pp. 63–65</ref> Such references, for example, come from movies, television, music, literature, science, and history.<ref name="referential"/> Whenever possible, the animators also put jokes or sight gags into the show's background via humorous or incongruous bits of text in signs, newspapers, and elsewhere.<ref name="turner62">Turner p. 62</ref> The audience may often not notice the visual jokes in a single viewing. Some are so fleeting that they become apparent only by pausing a video recording of the show.<ref name="turner62"/> Kristin Thompson argues that The Simpsons uses a "...flurry of cultural references, intentionally inconsistent characterization, and considerable self-reflexivity about television conventions and the status of the programme as a television show."<ref name="Thompson">Modèle:Cite book</ref>
Influences on culture
Influences on language
www.avclub.com/content/node/47756|title=Beyond "D'oh!": Simpsons Quotes For Everyday Use|author=Bahn, Christopher|coauthors=Donna Bowman, Josh Modell, Noel Murray, Nathan Rabin, Tasha Robinson, Kyle Ryan, Scott Tobias|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=2006-04-26|publisher=The A.V. Club}}</ref> Mark Liberman, director of the Linguistic Data Consortium, remarked, "The Simpsons has apparently taken over from Shakespeare and the Bible as our culture's greatest source of idioms, catchphrases and sundry other textual allusions."<ref>« »</ref> The most famous catchphrase is Homer's annoyed grunt: "D'oh!" So ubiquitous is the expression that it is now listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, but without the apostrophe.<ref> It's in the dictionary, d'oh!
. BBC News (2001-06-14)
. Retrieved on 2006-12-24. </ref> Dan Castellaneta says he borrowed the phrase from James Finlayson, an actor in early Laurel and Hardy comedies, who pronounced it in a more elongated and whining tone. The director of The Simpsons told Castellaneta to shorten the noise, and it went on to become the well-known exclamation in the TV series.<ref name="doh"> Simon , Jeremy
.
"
Wisdom from The Simpsons' 'D'ohh' boy
" (Interview)
, The Daily Northwestern
, 1994-02-11
. </ref>//www.avclub.com/content/node/47756|title=Beyond "D'oh!": Simpsons Quotes For Everyday Use|author=Bahn, Christopher|coauthors=Donna Bowman, Josh Modell, Noel Murray, Nathan Rabin, Tasha Robinson, Kyle Ryan, Scott Tobias|accessdate=2006-07-03|date=2006-04-26|publisher=The A.V. Club}}</ref> Mark Liberman, director of the Linguistic Data Consortium, remarked, "The Simpsons has apparently taken over from Shakespeare and the Bible as our culture's greatest source of idioms, catchphrases and sundry other textual allusions."<ref>« »</ref> The most famous catchphrase is Homer's annoyed grunt: "D'oh!" So ubiquitous is the expression that it is now listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, but without the apostrophe.<ref> It's in the dictionary, d'oh!
. BBC News
(2001-06-14)
. Retrieved on 2006-12-24. </ref> Dan Castellaneta says he borrowed the phrase from James Finlayson, an actor in early Laurel and Hardy comedies, who pronounced it in a more elongated and whining tone. The director of The Simpsons told Castellaneta to shorten the noise, and it went on to become the well-known exclamation in the TV series.<ref name="doh"> Simon , Jeremy
.
"
Wisdom from The Simpsons' 'D'ohh' boy
" (Interview)
, The Daily Northwestern
, 1994-02-11
. </ref>
www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,11882,893202,00.html|title=Wimps, weasels and monkeys - the US media view of 'perfidious France'|accessdate=2006-08-05|author=Younge, Gary|coauthors=Jon Henley|date=2006-07-07|publisher=Guardian Unlimited}}</ref> "Cromulent", a word used in "Lisa the Iconoclast" has since appeared in the Webster’s New Millennium Dictionary of English.<ref>lookup via reference.com</ref> "Kwyjibo", a fake Scrabble word invented by Bart in "Bart the Genius" was used as one of the aliases of the creator of the Melissa worm.<ref>Modèle:Cite video</ref> "I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords", was used by Kent Brockman in "Deep Space Homer" and has seeped into popular culture to describe a number of events. Variants of Brockman's utterance are used to express mock submission, usually for the purpose of humor.<ref>Turner, p. 300</ref> It has been used in media, such as New Scientist magazine.<ref> The British government welcomes our new insect overlords
. New Scientist magazine
. Retrieved on 2007-10-14. </ref> The dismissive term "Meh" has also been popularized by the show.<ref> Michael Hann
. " Meh - the word that's sweeping the internet " , The Guardian , 2007-03-05 . Retrieved on 2007-10-14 . </ref>//www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,11882,893202,00.html|title=Wimps, weasels and monkeys - the US media view of 'perfidious France'|accessdate=2006-08-05|author=Younge, Gary|coauthors=Jon Henley|date=2006-07-07|publisher=Guardian Unlimited}}</ref> "Cromulent", a word used in "Lisa the Iconoclast" has since appeared in the Webster’s New Millennium Dictionary of English.<ref>lookup via reference.com</ref> "Kwyjibo", a fake Scrabble word invented by Bart in "Bart the Genius" was used as one of the aliases of the creator of the Melissa worm.<ref>Modèle:Cite video</ref> "I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords", was used by Kent Brockman in "Deep Space Homer" and has seeped into popular culture to describe a number of events. Variants of Brockman's utterance are used to express mock submission, usually for the purpose of humor.<ref>Turner, p. 300</ref> It has been used in media, such as New Scientist magazine.<ref> The British government welcomes our new insect overlords . New Scientist magazine
. Retrieved on 2007-10-14. </ref> The dismissive term "Meh" has also been popularized by the show.<ref> Michael Hann
. " Meh - the word that's sweeping the internet " , The Guardian , 2007-03-05 . Retrieved on 2007-10-14 . </ref>
Influence on television
www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1647470,00.html|title=The Simpsons Did It!|accessdate=2007-08-01|date=2007-07-29|author=Richard Corliss|publisher=TIME}}</ref>//www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1647470,00.html|title=The Simpsons Did It!|accessdate=2007-08-01|date=2007-07-29|author=Richard Corliss|publisher=TIME}}</ref>
www.medialifemagazine.com/news2000/jan00/news30107.html|title='Malcolm in the Middle': trite Fox fare with a first-rate time slot|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Wallenstein, Andrew|publisher=Media Life Magazine}}</ref> Malcolm in the Middle featured the use of sight gags and did not use a laugh track like most sitcoms. Ricky Gervais has called The Simpsons a major influence on his British comedy The Office, which also dispenses with a laugh track.<ref name="gervais"> Schuchardt, Richard
. Ricky Gervais Part One . DVDActive.com
. Retrieved on 2006-12-20. </ref>//www.medialifemagazine.com/news2000/jan00/news30107.html|title='Malcolm in the Middle': trite Fox fare with a first-rate time slot|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Wallenstein, Andrew|publisher=Media Life Magazine}}</ref> Malcolm in the Middle featured the use of sight gags and did not use a laugh track like most sitcoms. Ricky Gervais has called The Simpsons a major influence on his British comedy The Office, which also dispenses with a laugh track.<ref name="gervais"> Schuchardt, Richard
. Ricky Gervais Part One . DVDActive.com
. Retrieved on 2006-12-20. </ref>
Critical reactions and achievements
Awards
annieawards.org/20thwinners.html|title=Legacy: 20th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1992)|accessdate=2007-10-16|publisher=Annie Awards}}</ref> and a Peabody Award.<ref> George Foster Peabody Award Winners
. Peabody.uga.edu
. Retrieved on 2006-10-15. </ref> In a 1998 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment, TIME magazine named The Simpsons the century's best television series.<ref name="century">Citation</ref> In that same issue, TIME included Bart Simpson in the Time 100, the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.<ref name="timebart"> Corliss, Richard
(1998-06-08) . Bart Simpson . TIME
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref> Bart was the only fictional character on the list. On January 14, 2000, the Simpsons won a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Also in 2000, Entertainment Weekly magazine TV critic Ken Tucker named The Simpsons the greatest television show of the 1990s. Furthermore, viewers of the UK television channel Channel 4 have voted "The Simpsons" at the top of two polls: 2001's 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows, and 2005's 100 Greatest Cartoons, with Homer Simpson voted into first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters. Homer would also place ninth on Entertainment Weekly<nowiki>'s</nowiki> list of the "50 Greatest TV icons".<ref>"
The 50 Greatest TV Icons " , Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved on 2007-11-15 . </ref> In 2002, The Simpsons ranked #8 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,<ref name="tvguide">" TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time " , TV Guide , 2002-05-04 . </ref> and in 2007 it was included in TIME<nowiki>'</nowiki>s list of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time."<ref>" The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME " , TIME . Retrieved on 2007-01-10 . </ref>//annieawards.org/20thwinners.html|title=Legacy: 20th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1992)|accessdate=2007-10-16|publisher=Annie Awards}}</ref> and a Peabody Award.<ref> George Foster Peabody Award Winners . Peabody.uga.edu
. Retrieved on 2006-10-15. </ref> In a 1998 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment, TIME magazine named The Simpsons the century's best television series.<ref name="century">Citation</ref> In that same issue, TIME included Bart Simpson in the Time 100, the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.<ref name="timebart"> Corliss, Richard
(1998-06-08) . Bart Simpson . TIME
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref> Bart was the only fictional character on the list. On January 14, 2000, the Simpsons won a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Also in 2000, Entertainment Weekly magazine TV critic Ken Tucker named The Simpsons the greatest television show of the 1990s. Furthermore, viewers of the UK television channel Channel 4 have voted "The Simpsons" at the top of two polls: 2001's 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows, and 2005's 100 Greatest Cartoons, with Homer Simpson voted into first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters. Homer would also place ninth on Entertainment Weekly's list of the "50 Greatest TV icons".<ref>"
The 50 Greatest TV Icons " , Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved on 2007-11-15 . </ref> In 2002, The Simpsons ranked #8 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,<ref name="tvguide">" TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time " , TV Guide , 2002-05-04 . </ref> and in 2007 it was included in TIME's list of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time."<ref>" The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME " , TIME . Retrieved on 2007-01-10 . </ref>
Run length achievements
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3949579.stm |title=Scooby-Doo breaks cartoon record| accessdate=2006-08-21|date=2004-10-25|publisher=BBC}}</ref> However, network executives in April 2005 again cancelled Scooby-Doo, which finished with 371 episodes, and The Simpsons reclaimed the title with 378 episodes at the end of their seventeenth season.<ref name="Guinness"/> In May 2007, The Simpsons reached their 400th episode at the end of the eighteenth season. While The Simpsons has the record for the number of episodes by an American animated show, other animated series have surpassed The Simpsons.<ref name=lastforever> Andy Vineberg
. " Some records will last forever " , PhillyBurbs.com , 2007-11-15 . Retrieved on 2007-11-17 . </ref> For example, the Japanese anime series Sazae-san has close to 2,000 episodes to its credit.<ref name=lastforever/>//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3949579.stm |title=Scooby-Doo breaks cartoon record| accessdate=2006-08-21|date=2004-10-25|publisher=BBC}}</ref> However, network executives in April 2005 again cancelled Scooby-Doo, which finished with 371 episodes, and The Simpsons reclaimed the title with 378 episodes at the end of their seventeenth season.<ref name="Guinness"/> In May 2007, The Simpsons reached their 400th episode at the end of the eighteenth season. While The Simpsons has the record for the number of episodes by an American animated show, other animated series have surpassed The Simpsons.<ref name=lastforever> Andy Vineberg . " Some records will last forever " , PhillyBurbs.com , 2007-11-15 . Retrieved on 2007-11-17 . </ref> For example, the Japanese anime series Sazae-san has close to 2,000 episodes to its credit.<ref name=lastforever/>
The year 2007 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Simpsons franchise. With its nineteenth year (2007–2008), the series will be only one season behind Gunsmoke's US primetime, scripted television record of 20 produced seasons. However, Gunsmoke's episode count of 635 episodes far surpasses The Simpsons, which would not reach that mark until its 29th season, under normal programming schedules.<ref name="longsitcom"/>
Criticism of declining quality
www.slate.com/id/2078501/|title=Who turned America's best TV show into a cartoon?|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Suellentrop, Chris|date=2003-02-12|publisher=Slate}}</ref> By 2000, some long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show and pointed to its shift from character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.<ref> Weinman, Jaime J.
(2000-01-24) . Worst Episode Ever . Salon.com
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref><ref> Bonné, Jon
(2000-09-02) . ’The Simpsons’ has lost its cool . MSNBC
. Retrieved on 2001-01-05. </ref>//www.slate.com/id/2078501/|title=Who turned America's best TV show into a cartoon?|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Suellentrop, Chris|date=2003-02-12|publisher=Slate}}</ref> By 2000, some long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show and pointed to its shift from character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.<ref> Weinman, Jaime J.
(2000-01-24) . Worst Episode Ever . Salon.com
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref><ref> Bonné, Jon
(2000-09-02) . ’The Simpsons’ has lost its cool . MSNBC
. Retrieved on 2001-01-05. </ref>
www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-02-06-fan-favorites_x.htm|title=10 fan favorites|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Paakkinen, Jouni|date=2003-02-06|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> and a top-15 list by The Simpsons' own writers.<ref>"
15 writer favorites " , USA Today , 2003-02-06 . Retrieved on 2006-07-03 . </ref> The most recent episode listed on the fan list was 1997's "Homer's Phobia"; the Simpsons' writers most recent choice was 2000's "Behind the Laughter". In 2004, Harry Shearer criticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: "I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, so Season Four looks very good to me now."<ref> Leggett , Chris . " Harry Shearer " , UK Teletext , 2004-08-04 . </ref>//www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-02-06-fan-favorites_x.htm|title=10 fan favorites|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Paakkinen, Jouni|date=2003-02-06|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> and a top-15 list by The Simpsons' own writers.<ref>" 15 writer favorites " , USA Today , 2003-02-06 . Retrieved on 2006-07-03 . </ref> The most recent episode listed on the fan list was 1997's "Homer's Phobia"; the Simpsons' writers most recent choice was 2000's "Behind the Laughter". In 2004, Harry Shearer criticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: "I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, so Season Four looks very good to me now."<ref> Leggett , Chris . " Harry Shearer " , UK Teletext , 2004-08-04 . </ref>
classictvhits.com/tvratings/1989.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1989–1990|accessdate=2006-07-03|publisher=ClassicTVHits.com}}</ref> the seventeenth season ended with an average of 9.2 million viewers.<ref> Mahan, Colin
(2006-05-26) . 2006 Ratings Wrap-Up (continued) . TV.com
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref> In an April 2006 interview, Matt Groening said, "I honestly don't see any end in sight. I think it's possible that the show will become too financially cumbersome... but right now, the show is creatively, I think, as good or better than it's ever been. The animation is incredibly detailed and imaginative, and the stories do things that we haven't done before. So creatively there's no reason to quit."<ref name="avclub3"> Rabin , Nathan
(2006-04-26) . Matt Groening interview with The A.V. Club (page 3) . A.V. Club
. Retrieved on 2006-10-27. </ref>//classictvhits.com/tvratings/1989.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1989–1990|accessdate=2006-07-03|publisher=ClassicTVHits.com}}</ref> the seventeenth season ended with an average of 9.2 million viewers.<ref> Mahan, Colin
(2006-05-26) . 2006 Ratings Wrap-Up (continued) . TV.com
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref> In an April 2006 interview, Matt Groening said, "I honestly don't see any end in sight. I think it's possible that the show will become too financially cumbersome... but right now, the show is creatively, I think, as good or better than it's ever been. The animation is incredibly detailed and imaginative, and the stories do things that we haven't done before. So creatively there's no reason to quit."<ref name="avclub3"> Rabin , Nathan
(2006-04-26) . Matt Groening interview with The A.V. Club (page 3) . A.V. Club
. Retrieved on 2006-10-27. </ref>
Merchandise
www.variety.com/article/VR1117963652.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1|title=Universal launches 'Simpsons' ride|accessdate=2007-08-06|date=2007-04-24|author=Adalian, Josef|publisher=Variety}}</ref> The Simpsons has inspired special editions of well-known board games, including Clue, Scrabble, Monopoly, Operation, and The Game of Life, as well as the trivia games What Would Homer Do? and Simpsons Jeopardy!.<ref> Sexton, Timothy
(2005-08-30) . Simpsons Board and Trivia Games Are Fun for the Whole Family . Associated Content
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref> Several card games such as trump cards and The Simpsons Trading Card Game have also been released.//www.variety.com/article/VR1117963652.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1|title=Universal launches 'Simpsons' ride|accessdate=2007-08-06|date=2007-04-24|author=Adalian, Josef|publisher=Variety}}</ref> The Simpsons has inspired special editions of well-known board games, including Clue, Scrabble, Monopoly, Operation, and The Game of Life, as well as the trivia games What Would Homer Do? and Simpsons Jeopardy!.<ref> Sexton, Timothy
(2005-08-30) . Simpsons Board and Trivia Games Are Fun for the Whole Family . Associated Content
. Retrieved on 2006-07-03. </ref> Several card games such as trump cards and The Simpsons Trading Card Game have also been released.
web.archive.org/web/20070708094751/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/simpsons_sundays/simpsons_on_sundays.asp|title=Sundays with the Simpsons|accessdate=2007-07-08|author=Shutt, Craig|publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> The Simpsons and Bart Simpson comics are also reprinted in the United Kingdom, under the same titles, with various stories from the other Bongo series reprinted in the main Simpsons comic. The comics have also been collected in book form; many other Simpsons books such as episode guides have also been published.//web.archive.org/web/20070708094751/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/simpsons_sundays/simpsons_on_sundays.asp|title=Sundays with the Simpsons|accessdate=2007-07-08|author=Shutt, Craig|publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> The Simpsons and Bart Simpson comics are also reprinted in the United Kingdom, under the same titles, with various stories from the other Bongo series reprinted in the main Simpsons comic. The comics have also been collected in book form; many other Simpsons books such as episode guides have also been published.
www.theofficialcharts.com/all_the_no1_songs.php?show=5|title=Number 1 Singles - 1990s|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=Official Chart Company}}</ref> and being certified gold by the BPI.<ref> Certified Awards
. BPI
. Retrieved on 2007-08-01. </ref> In the United Kingdom, "Deep, Deep Trouble" was released as a follow up to "Do The Bartman". The albums The Simpsons Sing the Blues and The Yellow Album contained cover versions of songs, as well as some originals.//www.theofficialcharts.com/all_the_no1_songs.php?show=5|title=Number 1 Singles - 1990s|accessdate=2007-08-01|publisher=Official Chart Company}}</ref> and being certified gold by the BPI.<ref> Certified Awards
. BPI
. Retrieved on 2007-08-01. </ref> In the United Kingdom, "Deep, Deep Trouble" was released as a follow up to "Do The Bartman". The albums The Simpsons Sing the Blues and The Yellow Album contained cover versions of songs, as well as some originals.
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287578,00.html | accessdate = 2007-07-03}}</ref>//www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287578,00.html | accessdate = 2007-07-03}}</ref>
DVDs
www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=2338|title=Chapelle's Show—S1 DVD Passes The Simpsons As #1 All-Time TV-DVD; Celebrates by Announcing Season 2!|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Lambert, David|date=2004-09-19|publisher=TVshowsonDVD.com}}</ref> In particular, seasons one through ten have been released on DVD in the US (Region 1), Europe (Region 2) and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America (Region 4) with more seasons expected to be released in the future.<ref>DVD release dates at TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved on June 7, 2006.</ref>//www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=2338|title=Chapelle's Show—S1 DVD Passes The Simpsons As #1 All-Time TV-DVD; Celebrates by Announcing Season 2!|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Lambert, David|date=2004-09-19|publisher=TVshowsonDVD.com}}</ref> In particular, seasons one through ten have been released on DVD in the US (Region 1), Europe (Region 2) and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America (Region 4) with more seasons expected to be released in the future.<ref>DVD release dates at TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved on June 7, 2006.</ref>
Video games
www.sternpinball.com/simpsons.shtml|title=Stern Pinball, Inc. Announces A Wild "Simpsons Pinball Party"|accessdate=2007-08-12|publisher=Stern Pinball, Inc.}}</ref>//www.sternpinball.com/simpsons.shtml|title=Stern Pinball, Inc. Announces A Wild "Simpsons Pinball Party"|accessdate=2007-08-12|publisher=Stern Pinball, Inc.}}</ref>
Film
www.variety.com/article/VR1117940840?categoryid=14&cs=1|title=Homer going to bat in '07|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Fleming, Michael|date=2006-04-02|publisher=Variety.com}}</ref> The film was directed by long-time Simpsons producer David Silverman and written by a team of Simpsons writers comprising Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, George Meyer, Mike Reiss, John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti, David Mirkin, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, and Ian Maxtone-Graham.<ref name="simpsonmovie"/> Production of the film occurred alongside continued writing of the series despite long-time claims by those involved in the show that a film would enter production only after the series had concluded.<ref name="simpsonmovie"/> There had been talk of a possible feature-length Simpsons film ever since the early seasons of the series. James L. Brooks originally thought that the story of the episode "Kamp Krusty" was suitable for a film, but encountered difficulties in trying to expand the script to feature-length.<ref>Modèle:Cite video</ref> For a long time, difficulties such as lack of a suitable story and an already fully engaged crew of writers delayed the project.<ref name="avclub3"/>//www.variety.com/article/VR1117940840?categoryid=14&cs=1|title=Homer going to bat in '07|accessdate=2006-07-03|author=Fleming, Michael|date=2006-04-02|publisher=Variety.com}}</ref> The film was directed by long-time Simpsons producer David Silverman and written by a team of Simpsons writers comprising Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, George Meyer, Mike Reiss, John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti, David Mirkin, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, and Ian Maxtone-Graham.<ref name="simpsonmovie"/> Production of the film occurred alongside continued writing of the series despite long-time claims by those involved in the show that a film would enter production only after the series had concluded.<ref name="simpsonmovie"/> There had been talk of a possible feature-length Simpsons film ever since the early seasons of the series. James L. Brooks originally thought that the story of the episode "Kamp Krusty" was suitable for a film, but encountered difficulties in trying to expand the script to feature-length.<ref>Modèle:Cite video</ref> For a long time, difficulties such as lack of a suitable story and an already fully engaged crew of writers delayed the project.<ref name="avclub3"/>
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6910174.stm|title=Simpsons launch hits Springfield|accessdate=2007-07-22|date=2007-07-21|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The Simpsons Movie grossed a combined total of $74 million in its opening weekend in the US, taking it to the top of the box office,<ref> Weekend Box Office July 27–29, 2007
. Box Office Mojo
. Retrieved on 2007-07-29. </ref> and set the record for highest grossing opening weekend for a film based on a television series, surpassing Mission Impossible II.<ref> Joshua Rich
. Raking in the d'oh! . Entertainment Weekly
. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. </ref> It opened at the top of the international box office, taking $96 million from seventy-one overseas territories — including $27.8 million in the United Kingdom, making it Fox's second highest opening ever in that country.<ref> Frank Segers
. " "Simpsons Movie" rules foreign box office " , Reuters , 2007-07-29 . Retrieved on 2007-07-30 . </ref> In Australia, it grossed AU$13.2 million, the biggest opening for an animated film and third largest opening weekend in the country.<ref> Patrick Kolan . " Simpsons Movie Breaks Records " , IGN , 2007-07-30 . Retrieved on 2007-07-31 . </ref> As of December 17, 2007 the film has a worldwide gross of $525,495,894.<ref> The Simpsons Movie . Box Office Mojo
. Retrieved on 2007-12-17. </ref>//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6910174.stm|title=Simpsons launch hits Springfield|accessdate=2007-07-22|date=2007-07-21|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The Simpsons Movie grossed a combined total of $74 million in its opening weekend in the US, taking it to the top of the box office,<ref> Weekend Box Office July 27–29, 2007
. Box Office Mojo
. Retrieved on 2007-07-29. </ref> and set the record for highest grossing opening weekend for a film based on a television series, surpassing Mission Impossible II.<ref> Joshua Rich
. Raking in the d'oh! . Entertainment Weekly
. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. </ref> It opened at the top of the international box office, taking $96 million from seventy-one overseas territories — including $27.8 million in the United Kingdom, making it Fox's second highest opening ever in that country.<ref> Frank Segers
. " "Simpsons Movie" rules foreign box office " , Reuters , 2007-07-29 . Retrieved on 2007-07-30 . </ref> In Australia, it grossed AU$13.2 million, the biggest opening for an animated film and third largest opening weekend in the country.<ref> Patrick Kolan . " Simpsons Movie Breaks Records " , IGN , 2007-07-30 . Retrieved on 2007-07-31 . </ref> As of December 17, 2007 the film has a worldwide gross of $525,495,894.<ref> The Simpsons Movie . Box Office Mojo
. Retrieved on 2007-12-17. </ref>
Notes
References
Further reading
- Modèle:Cite book
- Modèle:Cite book
- Irwin, William; Mark T. Conrad; Aeon Skoble (eds.) (1999). The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer. Chicago: Open Court. ISBN 0-8126-9433-3.
- Modèle:Cite book
- Modèle:Cite book
- Modèle:Cite book
- Modèle:Cite book
External links
www.thesimpsons.com/index.html TheSimpsons.com] Official website//www.thesimpsons.com/index.html TheSimpsons.com] Official website
www.thesimpsons.com/index.html TheSimpsons.com] Official website//www.snpp.com The Simpsons Archive] (See The Simpsons Archive) www.thesimpsons.com/index.html TheSimpsons.com] Official website//www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/simpsonsthe/simpsonsthe.htm The Simpsons] at the Encyclopedia of Television www.thesimpsons.com/index.html TheSimpsons.com] Official website//simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Wikisimpsons_Central The Simpsons Wiki]
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Catégories de la page: The Simpsons | 1989 television series debuts | 1980s American animated television series | 1990s American television series | 2000s American television series | American animated television series | American comedy television series | American culture | Animated sitcoms | Fox network shows | Hollywood Walk of Fame | Peabody Award winners | Satirical television programmes | Television series by Fox Television Studios | Television shows set in the United States | Television spin-offs
