29 Of The Most Wholesome Things That Occurred On The Simpsons

Few shows have influenced an entire generation, culture and television combined, more than The Simpsons. The show has convinced people that animation can be for adults, and most importantly, that it can be profitable to run at prime time. Hence, the show is now the longest-running scripted prime time television series since it began airing on Fox Network back on December 17, 1989.

The Simpsons’ long-lasting momentum was very well described by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane: “As far as I'm concerned, they basically re-invented the wheel. They created what is in many ways—you could classify it as—a wholly new medium."

Bored Panda spoke to Aaron Demeter, The Simpsons connoisseur and the creator of the iconic Putting Challenge game, about the phenomenon of the longest-running primetime scripted series on TV.

Aaron explained that its success is partly due to “certain timelessness to the humor and writing of the early Simpsons seasons that I think has helped keep the show alive for so many people through so many different formats.”

The show's massive reach at its peak made The Simpsons become an important piece of media for people who “first interacted with it when they were young and are now creating their own media, whether this is through memes, music, writing etc.”

Aaron believes that it’s through The Simpsons that an entire generation got inspired and informed on their own creativity.

Among the most touching moments that stuck with Aaron are the "'Do it for her' moment that ends 'And Maggie Makes Three'” and “Lisa getting to play the Sax with Bleeding Gums Murphy one last time in 'Round Springfield.'”

The first one is ”an incredibly heartwarming moment that really shows Homer’s love for his family and how much it helps him make it through his days at the power plant,” said Aaron.

The second one always gets Aaron because he played the saxophone when growing up. "I always tear up a little when Homer makes the decision to purchase a saxophone for Lisa instead of an air conditioner.”

The question remains whether The Simpsons has became an icon in its own accord and will generate the same effect to younger audiences that are no longer in time with pop culture references.

But British cultural historian Christopher Cook is convinced the yellow world is not leaving our hearts anytime soon. “There’ll be PhDs and ‘guides’ galore to help people through The Simpsons. The future generations will want to unravel the programmes and understand their referencing,” he told the BBC.