The Simpsons Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
A lot of people claim to love the simple life of living in a small town. The goings-on have been the subject of television and movies for decades. For whatever reason, we love to see how people live their lives outside of a city. One of everyone’s favorite small towns isn’t even real! Well, it is, but it doesn’t exist anywhere you can visit by car. Whenever you want to travel to Springfield, USA, and chill with Homer and his family, just know there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. The world of The Simpsons is already pretty outrageous.
However, it’s what happens outside of the show that helps it live up to the greatness we see on television!
They’re Not Riddled With Jaundice
To stand out in a sea of choices you need a hook. Something that makes you stand out above the rest is paramount to survival in the entertainment industry. Sure, it’s harder today than in the 80s. That doesn’t mean classics like The Simpsons didn’t have to think outside of the box to stand out. While cartoons weren’t anything new, animated characters all kind of looked like each other.
When you’re endlessly flipping through channels, most don’t really stand out. Groening and his crew had a way around that. Instead of making just another funny show for families, they made one that was one-of-a-kind. In the real world, if you glow yellow that’s a problem. On TV, it just means you’re attracting the eyes of your audience and doing things right.
They Knew What They Were Doing
The Internet was a wild place to experience in the 90s. Things were simpler and URLs were more readily available. You could even register a website and never use it just to save the name. The higher-ups at Twentieth Century Fox knew a Simpsons movie would happen one day. Even if they didn’t know when they had to be prepared.
Like any good investor, they seized the opportunity and reserved the movie’s website almost a decade before production began. That was a great move on their behalf. Nowadays people are holding onto site names in the hopes of selling them to larger corporations. They’re making a little more than pocket-change on the investment, too.
Why Isn’t Snookie More Yellow?
There are a lot of weird things about the universe where Springfield is located. Aliens are common, superheroes may be real, and Scorpio is an international terrorist that’s never been brought to justice or talked about. One of the biggest oddities is that the town cannot be found on a map. It’s a running gag at this point that nobody really knows or talks about. What state is Springfield, USA is located in?
What people don’t remember is that someone spilled the beans. He happens to be an expert on the town, too, since he owns most of it. Mr. Burns, everyone’s favorite megalomaniac, sent a letter once. That’s not new or newsworthy. What is interesting is that he lives in a mansion and states his house is in the Garden State!
That’s A Whole Lotta Talent
There is no shortage of big names that have appeared on The Simpsons. The guest characters usually make a big splash with fans of the show. Tom Hanks, John Waters, even Lisa Kudrow have all appeared on the show. Sometimes they’re just a voice. Other times they are drawn into Springfield! Both are pretty huge honors. How could you even top that? Well, you could be Steve Martin.
That always seems to help. Martin is one of the cornerstones of comedy in America. However, when you’re a huge name, you need to pick your roles carefully. Unfortunately, he passed up the chance to be Homer’s famously irritated coworker Frank Grimes. Sometimes too much greatness in one place can be overwhelming to people. That’s how we’re rationalizing it.
Breaking The Four Finger Rule
Take a look at some of your favorite cartoons, what kind of patterns do you notice? For one they’re always wearing the same clothing, but even more glaring is the fact they usually have four fingers instead of five. This is typically done to make them easier to animate, but there are always exceptions to the rule. One particular figure is displayed with five fingers.
We hesitate to say “character”, but He’s actually God. Yes, in “Homer the Heretic”, the episode where Homer decides to forgo Sunday church, God appears to him in a dream. While they’re chatting you can clearly see He’s drawn with five fingers on each hand. Did you catch that on your first viewing?
A Mistake That Couldn’t Be Fixed
The vast majority of Springfield characters have remained unchanged since their inception. They’re usually voiced by the same actors and all have the same appearances. There’s one glaring exception, and his name is Waylon Smithers. Way back in season one we see Mr. Burns’ loyal assistant with a significantly darker skin tone. Later episodes show him with the typical Springfield bright yellow color, but why?
Creator Matt Groening admits that this was an animation mistake, but back then they didn’t have the budget to go back and make changes. Season one definitely had a lower budget than the rest of the series, and little mistakes like these show it. The mistake was somewhat explained away by saying Smithers got a tan.
Keeping Promises
Lisa Simpson has a lot of unique personality traits. She loves to read and prove how intelligent she is, she always stands up for what she believes in, and since season 7 she’s been a staunch vegetarian. This episode marks a major change for the character and she’s yet to go back on her vow to never eat an animal again, which isn’t by accident.
Fellow vegetarians Paul and Linda McCartney make a guest appearance in this episode, however they had one stipulation before agreeing to come on. They said they’d only appear if Lisa remained a vegetarian, instead of the episode being a one-off moment for the character. The writers agreed and the rest is history!
They Probably All Stole Bread
The Simpsons is a cultural staple. It’s been around forever. It’s also helped bring people together. When you’ve been in business for over thirty years, where do you keep getting ideas? Over time you have to start getting more creative with stories. That’s just how things go. The writers and artists also have to keep surprising their audiences. How’s that possible?
Easy, just pull from some other great works and reference them in weird ways. Take the identification numbers for Springfield’s baddest, for example. There are far too many of them to keep track of (especially with Chief Wiggum in charge). To make things easier a lot of them share an ID with a world-famous prisoner from one of the greatest books ever written.
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em…
Everybody’s a critic. Even before we could pollute the Internet with our opinions, we had something to say. Remember newspapers and magazines? They’re those things with lots of words and no moving pictures. Back in the before times, everyone bought these for new information about what’s happening in the world. TV shared the spotlight for a bit, too.
As long as there was space on the page, there was someone who thought their opinion needed to be there. How do you respond to someone willing to permanently make their sour attitude towards your art known to millions? That’s really quite simple. Turn the opinion into one of the most iconic characters on the very show they’re criticizing.
Don’t Touch My Saxophone, Dude
Everyone in the Simpson household is pretty recognizable. They all look unique and have a distinct voice that can’t be mistaken for another. And that’s only because some actors didn’t get their way. In an alternate universe, some things would be different. Okay, a lot of things would be, but we’re only talking about the Simpsons here. Can you imagine Lisa sounding exactly like her brother?
That was the original plan back when they were auditioning people. Bart’s iconic tone was originally auditioned as the role of Lisa! Maybe it wouldn’t have changed much. That, or, it could have set off a butterfly effect. Could that mean Nelson would have been nice and Ralph a terror? What kind of world would that be?
Is He Wearing Blue Suede Shoes?
Hi everybody! Did you know some of Springfield’s most famous physicians have non-local clients? Why, sometimes they’re even named in honor of their role models and past successes. Others are named after tragically sad events and people. Dr. Nick, everyone’s favorite smiling doc, is named after the latter. If you’re a fan of Graceland and Elvis, you already know where this is headed.
Just like Lionel Hutz isn’t a real lawyer, Dr. Nick isn’t the most dependable doctor. He shares a name with the King of Rock and Roll’s own personal physician. That may sound cool, until you remember why there are no classic Elvis records out there today.
Just Make Some Sound Up
What’s your favorite word to use when you stub your toe? Exactly #%*!&$, ($*@$ works great, too. Really any sort of angry sound gets our point across. If you live in Springfield you may be able to turn your annoyed grunts or frustrated murmurs into an iconic catchphrase. But Homer and the crew needed to be a slightly more family-friendly group.
Instead of cursing at the furniture, or each other, they had to get creative. The writers knew this but probably didn’t want anything that sounded forced. Instead, they just let the actors figure out what worked best. That was a pretty good choice. Careers have been made on a simple “D’OH!”.
That’s a Smart Little Trick
A lot of episodes on The Simpsons are stand-alone stories. It’s easier to stay in business when your plot is pretty simple. However, some stories are told faster than others. What’s a show to do if their whole plot is told in less than twenty-two minutes? Just fill the rest of the time with the opening credits and theme!
The iconic couch gag that starts every episode is more important than people realize. Some are fast, some are short, and they’re all fun to watch. There’s rarely any episode without one. They don’t just exist for show, either. These creative mini-cartoons can help fill time and shorten an episode!
It’s A Pretty Big Compliment
Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Okay, that sounds a bit demeaning. That doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Making fun of someone isn’t nice. However, creating art in their honor softens the blow. You could even recreate some great art as an homage that’ll last a lifetime. Throughout Springfield’s existence, a few famous films have been referenced, and more than once.
They’re talked about so much, the creators may have shot an entire movie throughout the seasons. Classics like Planet of the Apes, Citizen Kane, and The Shining are parodied frequently. They’re so common now, if you haven’t seen the original, you already know what it’s all about. The Simpsons really has done it all.
Give Them A Gold Model
Television is relatively new in the scope of how people entertain themselves. We first started getting broadcasts into our homes in the late 1920s. Since then, different programs have competed for ratings and longevity. Cartoons are even newer to the public. For a while they weren’t lasting too long on screens. The Flintstones, everyone’s favorite prehistoric family, was the longest-running primetime animated show for a really long time.
It aired new episodes for a total of six years. That’s pretty impressive. The Simpsons sped past that record and has been at the top for almost three decades. For almost a third of the lifetime of television, the residents of Springfield have held court as the animated show to beat. It’ll probably outlive TV itself at this pace.
That’s More Secretive Than Area 51
Some movies take things very seriously. Producers and directors sometimes take safety precautions a bit further than necessary. However, when you’ve got a massive fanbase to please, you gotta be careful. When big names like Star Wars and Harry Potter were under production, things were kept under a tight lid. Plot details and scripts were given fake names to throw off spoiler detectives.
The Simpsons movie was no different. Though, they happened to take some things a few steps further. To protect any version of the script (there were over one hundred), the used sheets were immediately discarded after use. That definitely prevented leaks from reaching reporters. Oddly enough, for a movie about the environment, this wasn’t very eco-friendly.
Not A Legally Blonde Moment
If you need a lawyer in Springfield there’s only one person to call. Lionel Hutz is the town’s best public defender. He can take on any case. His dedication to his client’s is unmatched. He’s also a dirt-poor fraud that nobody should ever work with. Sure, he has diplomas on the wall. However, look closer and maybe you’ll see the one from Princeton was created with crayons and a prayer.
While The Simpsons does take place in an ambiguous town, it’s still in America. Since you need a proper law degree to be a lawyer, maybe Princeton wasn’t the best choice. Lionel may be stretching his qualifications a little bit. Unfortunately, he had to retire from “practicing” law after his voice actor, Phil Hartman, passed away in 1998.
What’s Really In A Name?
Some of the best characters in a show aren’t part of the leading five. Bart’s best friend can be just as entertaining in the background. While Bart has the iconic lines and screen time, his buddy Milhouse has some other qualities. For instance, he proves that there’s more to a person than their name. Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten has a lot of interesting quirks. His name though is the least talked about.
The Mussolini part doesn’t help things much either. Surely that rings a bell. Well, it would if you’re up-to-date on your “List of Horrifying Italian Dictators from the 1940s”. Thankfully he doesn’t seem to share the qualities of his namesakes.
This Guy’s In Everything
Love him or tolerate him, Conan O’Brien is everywhere. Everyone knows who he is, even if they’re not a fan. This incredible comedian and show host knows how to make a lasting impression. Whether it’s his iconic coiffed hair or snarky humor, Conan has been a king of late-night and Hollywood for a while.
He’s made television history in the writer’s room, too. Before he was a household name, his work was well-known. It turns out that O’Brien was one of the writers on The Simpsons for a few seasons! At this point, it’s hard to not find a project without his name or hair attached.
That’s One Way to Name Someone
Inspiration can come from a variety of places. Getting the backstory to someone’s name is always a fun time. Sometimes parents choose names from celebrities. In Matt Groening’s case, he chose character names based on old street names. The show’s founder paid homage to his hometown of Portland, Oregon in a super unique way. The names are also pretty iconic.
Example: Burns isn’t just a cool name. It’s perfect for a villain and a turnpike. It’s pretty funny to think about. Has anyone driven on the Krusty Freeway? Do you have a friend in Oregon living on Delroy Montfort Bigglesworth Spuckler Lane? Someone in Portland please let us know.
Icons and Diamonds Only, Please
Dame Elizabeth Taylor was a legend. She’s one of the brightest stars of the silver screen. She’s also synonymous with diamonds and class. Dame Taylor is known for so many different films it’s hard to remember every role. However, one of the most unique parts she played was on The Simpsons. Apparently, the stars aligned and Liz agreed to voice a character.
When Maggie Simpson popped out the binky and spoke, the voice of an angel graced our ears. That doesn’t mean a one-word cameo was easy to get. A producer of the show had the line recorded so many times that Taylor made Maggie say a few extra choice words in response to the request.
Sometimes It’s An Inside Joke
Megastars being on The Simpsons isn’t new. However, people aren’t always sure when it comes to naming the voice behind the character. For instance, up until recently, one star hadn’t been confirmed. Way back in the third season, one one-shot character sounded oddly similar to Michael Jackson. The character even claimed to be a famous pop star! But the credits left his identity a mystery.
His voice actor was credited as John Jay Smith. Sometimes a generic name is just that: a super generic name. Other times it’s a red herring. It turns out Michael actually was the voice actor! However, he wouldn’t sing. Why? He said it was to annoy his brothers watching the show.
Not Your Typical Camping Movie
The Simpsons movie was an inevitable event destined to happen for the show. Fans knew it, the creators knew it, and we all figured it was just a matter of time. Everyone turned out to be right. To make a good movie a lot of things have to go right. When your reputation is at stake, you definitely need to come to the project the right way.
To test drive their ideas, the creators had a plan. Why not try out the beginnings of a script as an episode? The season 4 premiere, “Kampy Krusty” was the attempt. One of the original ideas for a full-length movie centered around the kids going to camp! Honestly, we’d still watch that.
Would’ve Been A Weird Twist
A lot of characters in The Simpsons look similar. That’s pretty standard since they’re all part of the same universe. The quintessential art style has helped make the denizens of Springfield pretty recognizable. It also doesn’t help that a lot of characters are somehow related to one another. So many of them also lead double and triple lives! What’s the name of the town’s famous clown?
Krusty or Homer? In another world, both answers would have been acceptable. The original premise was to have Krusty be Homer’s alter-ego. Some of the creators thought it would be a good idea to make the characters the same.
They Make Scissors Look Simple
One of the fun things about being mammals is our hands. They’re fun little appendages that help us use tools. Unfortunately, they’re not without their difficulties. In most places, right-handed people have things pretty great. Most handheld stuff actually benefits people who are right-hand dominant. We bet you didn’t realize that. We also bet you didn’t notice Springfield loves lefties.
Some of the most prominent characters embrace their left-handedness. This is all thanks to Matt Groening and crew wanting to have more characters like themselves. They even made sure that Ned Flanders created a store just for left-handed people! That’s a pretty swell idea. We’re down to invest. Will we get a discount?
Classic Stories and Homer Find Common Ground
William Shakespeare, remember him? He’s the dude who wrote Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, and Shakespeare In Love. Fine, we’re wrong about one of those. Which one? It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that this playwright changed English literature in huge ways. He even influenced language and invented words. No, not just one or two. Quite a few words from his works have become canon and commonplace for us to this day.
Homer is pretty much Springfield’s Shakespeare. Neither went to college. Both have words in the dictionary. That’s a huge deal! How many of y’all can say you invented a word that everyone uses? That’s not to say it’s useful. “D’oh!” being immortalized is pretty cool, though. Do you think Homer gets royalties for that?
Is He Paid Per Character?
There are hundreds of characters living in Springfield. You can’t have a town without people. That’s just how things work. Most villages or hamlets have a few unique characters. In America’s favorite yellow-tinted shire, this is no different. Well, there is one slight change. Every character could have their own unique spin-off. The backstories, appearances, even voices are so recognizable you’d think there’s an army of actors behind them.
Apparently, not. Take Hank Azaria for instance, he’s contributed his voice to a bunch of characters! That’s not only cool but practical, too. You save so much sound booth space when you use one person instead of a mini-militia of actors to do the extra work.
We’re Kinda Into This Idea
There were a lot of ideas for The Simpsons Movie thrown around. As it turns out, a lot of different directions were taken during the project. So much footage was edited out that there’s actually enough for another film. Guest stars got cut, entire scenes changed, it went through a lot of versions. One of the more unique ones affected the soundtrack. For a short while, the entire film almost became a musical! Could you even imagine something so cool?
Lisa singing a power ballad? Marge becoming a hip-hop star? That would’ve been a great and bizarre way to show off the series’ first film. Thankfully, instead of tons of okay songs, we got just a few incredible ones. Spider-Pig anyone? It actually topped the charts. No, seriously, it was a hit.
Lost In Translation?
When a show becomes popular enough it ends up viewed around the world. That means having to dub the show in different languages for the enjoyment of non-English speaking viewers. However, certain phrases are trickier to translate than others. Homer Simpsons famous “D’oh!” is one example of a word that doesn’t translate easily. Translators had to get creative to keep the exclamation culturally relevant.
But that’s not the only change made to overseas versions of the series. Homer might be a fan of beer, donuts, and pork sausages, but such things aren’t common in the Middle East. Duff beer was changed to soda, pork hotdogs became Egyptian beef sausages, and donuts are transformed into a popular cookie known as “Kahk”.
Non-Fiction Namesakes
Matt Groening clearly likes to add a personal touch to his characters. While he may not have done the majority of the show’s writing, he still added elements that referenced his hometown and childhood. Perhaps the most significant was naming the main cast after his own family! In real life, Groening’s father is Homer, his mother Margaret, and his sisters Lisa and Maggie!
Bart is the only one not named after a family member. We wonder how his parents felt when they first watched the show and saw the characters sharing their names. Margaret probably didn’t mind much, but Homer might’ve felt a little insulted! Maggie was likely the most indifferent as her character hardly has any lines to be offended by.
That’s A Lot Of Changes!
Whether you loved it or hated it, a lot of effort went into making The Simpsons movie. The script was top secret and in development for nine years. At one point they even considered making it a musical. They wanted to make something the fans would really love, and as a result it went through a huge number of rewrites.
Those eleven writers must’ve been tearing their hair out once they reached the final version of the script. After all those re-writes it must be really disappointing to see all the negative reviews from fans. That’s not to say audiences universally panned the film, it still holds a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. See, you gotta look at the positive side.
What Does It Mean?
One of the funniest running gags of the series is Bart’s prank calls to Moe’s Tavern. They always get a furious reaction out of the bar manager and the audience ends up in stitches. A few of the greatest gags were Bart asking for a “Hugh Jazz” and “Bea O’Problem”. But what you might’ve not been paying attention to is the number Bart dials before Moe answers.
The official number for Moe’s Tavern is 764-84377, which interestingly enough spells out the name SMITHERS. Why? We’re not entirely sure. What we do know is that once Mr. Burns dialed this number and asked for a “Waylon Smithers”, only for Moe to take it as another prank call and subsequently scream into the phone.
Feud With The Bushes
Believe it or not, The Simpsons ended up dragged into politics without having to do much of anything. In a speech, Former President George H.W. Bush proclaimed that American families should act less like the Simpsons and more like the Waltons (a historical drama taking place in rural Virginia). But it didn’t stop there. Barbara Bush once said, “The Simpsons is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Needless to say, the series wasn’t shy when it came to firing back. Not only did Marge write a personal letter to Mrs. Bush, the show dedicated an entire episode to them! The episode “Two Bad Neighbors” involves Bush moving in across the street and the rivalry that grows between him and Homer.
(It Was Maggie)
Back in 1995, The Simpsons aired an episode titled “Who Shot Mr. Burns?”. It was a comedic murder mystery with a number of likely suspects the fans could guess from. This wasn’t just an exciting two-part episode, it was also a contest! From August 13th to September 10th, Simpsons viewers were challenged to figure out who the culprit was. Unfortunately, not a single sleuth came up with the right answer.
If you’ve seen the episode you’ll know the perpetrator was Maggie Simpson (though it’s unclear whether she knew what she was doing). Because no one could figure it out, a winner was drawn from the contestants at random.
Things Were Much Cheaper Then
Back in the 80s (we remember them well) things were a lot less expensive. There was less money being made, but things were generally more affordable. In fact, some research told us (back then) that raising a baby was pretty darn inexpensive. A single month would only set you back less than $900 if you had a kid. That’s a pretty good investment if they grew up to become a successful influencer or something.
Obviously, this is only applicable to raising a baby in Springfield. There’s no way that’s enough in today’s economy. That won’t even cover the latest phone release, let alone an infant. The show realized this and even updated Maggie’s scan amount in later seasons.
Money Can Be Exchanged for Goods and Services
Homer and the rest of the Simpson family live a pretty nice-ish life. They have a house, Homer works (kind of) enough to provide for everyone. Their needs in Springfield’s economy are kind of met. That’s not saying much for the rest of us. If you adjust for inflation you’ve gotta wonder what Homer’s take home salary is. It’s probably nowhere near what his voice actor is raking in.
The entire Simpson clan shouldn’t have to worry about showing up to the plant after the weekend. In 2008 they renegotiated their $125,000 an episode salaries. What’s the real mind-bender? There are over seven hundred episodes! That’s not bad at all, maybe we should become voice actors.
The Nightmare Before Springfield’s Anthem
Some things just define the nineties. Beanie Babies, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Danny Elfman. Those three were pretty much the epitome of 90s staples. This composer’s music scuttled into our lives for what felt like forever. It was great. It was also the soundtrack to some of Tim Burton’s most iconic films. He’s also pretty well known for making the opening theme to The Simpsons!
That’s to be expected. All the greats have worked on the show in some way or another. Elfman must have channeled the power of Halloweentown preparing for Christmas, he worked THAT fast. Could you write a song that’s STILL collecting royalties for over thirty years? Now do it in less than 48-hours.
Phil Hartman Stuck Like Glue
Originally Phil Hartman voicing Troy McClure was supposed to be a one-time special for season two. However, he enjoyed working on the show so much, he decided to stick around. The character he played was an actor with a failing career who was known for starring in various infomercials and educational movies.
The character was so popular that Troy McClure became the main focus in the episode A Fish Called Selma. The producers ended up writing additional roles for Hartman voice for so he could stick around longer. There were even plans for a Troy McClure feature-length film. Unfortunately, Hartman’s untimely death would cause The Simpsons showrunners to retire his characters.
How To Email Homer
The Simpsons is filled with Easter eggs viewers might not notice the first time around. Homer Simpson has funny moments in every episode, but there’s one joke in particular you probably missed. This small detail appears in season 14, the episode The Dad Who Knew Too Little, and it reveals something about Homer’s private life.
After disappointing Lisa on her birthday, he realizes he doesn’t know a lot about his own daughter. His solution to this problem was a private investigator of course. While hiring someone to spy on his daughter (on her birthday) this is the email he gives out. Shortly after the email address was made public, it reached the 999 inbox limit from the sheer number of fans writing in.
Matt Groening REALLY Left His Mark
There are so many Easter eggs throughout the series, it seems almost impossible to keep track. One that fans found to be particularly interesting lies in plain sight. Have you ever taken a good hard look at Homer Simpson’s hair? If not, now’s the time to start! One close look will reveal that the strand of hair right above his ear spells out an M. That’s not all.
His ear seems to resemble a G. This is particularly prevalent in a season 16 episode. Homer is teaching Lisa how to draw a self-portrait. When sketching himself he definably draws an M and G alluding to show creator Matt Groening’s initials.
Location ‘Springfield’ Not Found
Have you ever wondered if you could visit Springfield? So have we! Being such a fun and exciting show, it’s no wonder fans wish they can visit the wacky and vibrant town of the Simpson family. Unfortunately, despite its common name, it seems this colorful town doesn’t exist at all. The writers have kept their true location pretty secretive over the years.
In The Simpsons Movie, it’s said that Springfield borders Nevada, Maine, Kentucky, and Ohio. Now we’re not geography experts, but we know something definitely isn’t adding up. With no definite location, it looks like this spot will forever exist in our imagination alone (and on TV of course).
We All See Ourselves in Springfield
Part of the fun of being an artist is the ability of your work to speak for yourself. Taking a step away from people and still getting a message or idea across is pretty impressive. While the “reclusive artist” stereotype may work for some, Matt Groening had other ideas. Springfield is full of zany characters. They’re not completely unrealistic. That’s part of the charm of the show.
We see bits of ourselves in the Springfieldians. Comic Book Guy is actually how Groening thinks people see him. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Being able to run a collectibles store for twenty plus years, in this economy, is a pretty huge accomplishment. Maybe that’s his secret dream job? With Simpson’s money, it’s not too weird of a thought.
How Do We Get One?
Everyone has heard of the Simpsons whether or not they’ve ever watched the show. It’s been a big deal for the last thirty years. In that timespan, those involved have won a whole lot of awards and recognition. You don’t become a major player without some, you know? Matt Groening and the team have won well over 120 awards with the series! The movie itself got four pretty big accolades, too.
From Emmys to Guinness World Records, the series is pretty much award show gold at this point. Even the guest stars are getting their share of the recognition. Some of the guest voice actors have gone on to win their own Emmys just for their delivery in a single episode! The Simpsons is like the King Midas of television.