The Simpsons

From ToyReview

Bart Simpson

The Simpsons History

Matt Groening is the creator and executive producer of this much loved animation series. The Simpsons became a series in 1989 and has remained a popular hit on primetime TV ever since. James L. Brooks and Al Jean are also executive producers of the animation series and are both Emmy Award-winners. Although the Simpsons became a series in 1989, they originally appeared in 1987 in the series The Tracey Ullman Show. Matt Groening came up with the idea for The Simpsons more or less on the spot and based the character names around his own family's - his dad's name being Homer, his mum's name being Margaret (Marge sounded funnier!) and his two sisters Lisa and Maggie. Bart being an anagram of brat made sense for the rebellious character Matt originally decided to base upon himself! In the first series the characters looked very different from how they do now as Matt hadn't expected his rough sketches to be used - however in the first series they were!

The series follows the dysfunctional family of the Simpsons who live in the infamous town of Springfield. Each episode is fresh and full of wit and humour, with sly references in the background making it a suitable for an audience of all ages. The series is a mix between reality and fiction – although the characters are easy to relate to as human beings, they also go on crazy adventures into space and save the world from nuclear explosions! The writers never draw a line between normality and complete madness, which is why each episode is just as exciting as the last – inspiration for funny, new ideas never seem to end!

The series is full of political comments and ironic humour, but is also full of adventures, lessons in life and heart-warming stories. It has a mix of everything and therefore appeals to a wide ranging audience – no wonder the series has become, and continues to be, a complete success! Most people who haven't seen an episode of The Simpsons mistake it for a children's programme, however the real humour (background or otherwise) is usually missed by children and after watching a couple of episodes, adults are often hooked too!

How the Simpsons can afford to live in a big house in a nice town and spend so much money on Duff Beer is a mystery – Homer hates his poorly paid job working at the Nuclear Plant, and Marge doesn't even have a job! Yet they seem to live comfortably and afford luxury's – such as Lisa's saxophone! Again, reality is blurred in the whole plot of The Simpsons, but it seems to work well!

The Simpsons Characters

Each character is an extreme stereotype of a working-class, American family member, with Homer being a lazy, happy-go-lucky father, drinking Duff and creating havoc wherever he goes and Marge being a responsible, caring, nagging mother. Where Lisa's intelligence stemmed from is also a mystery, she obviously didn't inherit it from her parents! Bart is the rebellious member of the family, always in trouble – which makes great storylines! Maggie, the baby of the family, also makes regular appearances and embarks on mad adventures! The wealth of the characters is a great strength; the Simpsons are obviously the main characters featuring in the series, however all of the other characters living in Springfield have their own individual lives that the viewers know of.

Krusty the Clown, Sideshow Bob, Chief Wiggam, Reverend Lovejoy, Principal Skinner, Mr Burns, Ned Flanders, Milhouse, Moe, Abu and Barney Gumble are just a few of the other characters – all who could carry off an entire episode by themselves! Celebrities have also appeared as characters in the show – each with their own imaginative storyline - including Brooke Shields, Elton John, Sting, Paul McCartney and Pierce Brosnan.

The Simpsons Appearance

Homer - With a bald head (except from two strands of hair), Homer has a long, yellow head with two huge eyes and a smile surrounded by a beard (usually shaved, but still noticeable). Most of the time he wears a white t-shirt and blue trousers with black shoes. He has a beer belly from drinking all that Duff beer and is often seen dribbling over doughnuts (or Duff beer!) Homer is often heard saying "D'oh!"

Marge - Marge has long blue hair that stands upright on her head, some episodes have mentioned that she has to get her hair done twice daily for it to stay like this! She has yellow skin, like the rest of the Simpson family, and is usually smiling. She often wears white beads around her neck and is usually seen wearing a green, strapless dress (unless it's a special occasion). She has flat shoes (practical) and is a stereotypical housewife from the 1950's.

Lisa - Lisa is 8 years old and definitely the most intelligent member of the family (probably more intelligent than them combined!) She is usually seen studying or playing her saxophone and is normally a happy child. She has a star-shaped, yellow head and her huge eyes take up most of it - somehow she still appears quite cute though! She wears a red, strapless dress that has a zig-zag design around the bottom and wears matching red shoes. She usually wears white beads around her neck, like Marge.

Bart - Bart has a long yellow face with spiky hair and mischievous eyes. He's often seen being strangled by his father, Homer, and his mouth opens revealing a big set of white teeth and a red tongue. Bart usually wears a simple red t-shirt and blue shorts with matching blue shoes/trainers. Alot of the time he carries his green skateboard around and is always in trouble!

Maggie - Maggie has the same shaped head as Lisa and is always sucking a red dummy. She wears a blue dress that covers her whole body (her feet are rarely seen) and has a matching blue bow in her hair. Maggie never talks but she is still one of the main characters and appears in most episodes.

The voices behind The Simpsons

Homer Simpson

Dan Castellaneta is the voice of Homer Simpson, and also the voice of many of the other characters, including Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Barney Gumble and Groundskeeper Willie!

Marge Simpson

Julie Kavner is the voice of Marge Simpson, and her two sisters Patty and Selma Bouvier.

Lisa Simpson

The young, intelligent Lisa Simpson's voice is that of Yeardley Smith.

Bart Simpson

Nancy Cartwright is the voice of Bart Simpson, and also the voice of various other characters in Springfield, including Todd Flanders, Ralph Wiggum and Nelson Muntz.

Other Springfield characters

Moe, Apu and Chief Wiggum's voices are all that of Hank Azaria; Mr Burns, Otto, Principal Skinner and Reverend Lovejoy's voices are that of Harry Shearer; and Pamela Hayden is the voice of Milhouse Van Houten and Rod Flanders.

Simpsons Links

• The Simpsons Website