Assignment 2 for Broadcasting Skills

The Simpsons History

FX

 

Do you like sitcoms? Do you know what show made bigger impact on everyone that any other show? Almost 20 years this animated comedy is with us. It shows our everyday life, it makes fun of everything that people do. We wait for its every season and we do remember it’s every phrase.

FX (Simpsons main theme)

 

The Simpsons is the longest running American sitcom and animation programme. It was created by Matt Groenberg. In the beginning The Simpsons was titled as Life in Hell. First time it appeared in 1987 as a serie of 30-second spots in The Tracey Ullmann show on Fox TV. 1990 The Simpsons began to air as half hour comedy. Since then it aired nearly 400 episodes and finished 18 seasons.

 

This comedy which made big impact on western culture is usually written by 16 writers. Homer is voiced by Dan Castellanela. Julie Cavner is Marge. Nancy Cartwright voices Bart and Lisa is played by Yeardley Smith. Since its first episode The Simpsons featured many celebrity voices. Thus famous voices include Elisabeth Taylor, Sting, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Denny De Vito, Winona Rider and others.

The Simpsons made big cultural influence to many people. Some of their catchy phrases like ‘Cawabunga’, ‘Aye Caramba’, ‘Eat my shorts’ and ‘Don’t have a cow, man’ became part of our daily vocabulary. Homer’s famous word ‘Do’h’ even was included to Oxford English Dictionary.

 

FX (Homer’s Do’h)  

 

 

Many people like The Simpsons for its political controversy. The Simpsons was criticized for its political incorrectness many times. Former First lady Barbara Bush remarked it as the dumbest thing she has ever seen for which she received a letter from Marge Simpson. She offered Mrs Bush the piece of her mind. Surprisingly Former First Lady responded that letter in two weeks and apologised for her loose tongue.

Showing the example of dysfunctional family this comedy, beloved by millions, shows many aspects of the human condition, American culture, society and policy as a whole. Since 1990 it was honoured over 20 Emmy awards, nearly 50 Emmy nominations, over 20 Annie awards and 4 Genesis awards. In 2000 The Simpsons were awarded a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame. Time magazine named it the century’s best television series.

 

 

In 1997 The Simpsons surpassed The Flintstones as the longest running American prime-time animation. In 2004 it replaced well-known Scooby-Doo and still remains the longest-running sitcom. And at last, this summer we can see the next funny stuff from The Simpsons. Now it is movie – The Simpsons Movie. It will be premiered in July 2007. So, have fun.

 

FX