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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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The Simpsons

The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for Fox that premiered on December 17, 1989.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for Fox that premiered on December 17, 1989. The series follows the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie—in the fictional town of Springfield. It is the longest-running American animated series and scripted primetime television series.

Premise

The Simpsons is a satirical animated comedy about a working-class family living in the town of Springfield. Its episodes often parody American culture, society, politics, and everyday life.

Broadcast history

The series began as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987 before becoming a half-hour series in 1989. By April 2025, it had been renewed through additional seasons, extending its run into the 2028–2029 television season.

Characters and voice cast

The core family is Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson. Dan Castellaneta voices Homer, while other long-running principal voice actors include Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, and Yeardley Smith.

Cultural impact

The Simpsons is widely recognized as one of the most influential television comedies and holds records for longevity in American primetime and animation. It also inspired The Simpsons Movie, released in 2007.

Key facts

  • The series debuted on December 17, 1989.
  • It centers on the Simpson family and their life in Springfield.
  • As of the cited results, the show has aired 37 seasons and was renewed for four additional seasons in 2025.
  • The main family consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson.
  • Dan Castellaneta voices Homer Simpson.
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Canadian context

The Simpsons has long been widely broadcast and watched in Canada, and it remains part of North American television culture familiar to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

How many seasons of The Simpsons are there?
The cited sources say 37 seasons had aired and that the show was renewed for four more seasons in 2025, extending it through at least the 2028–2029 season.
Who are the main characters in The Simpsons?
The main characters are Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson.
When did The Simpsons start?
The Simpsons premiered on December 17, 1989.
Is The Simpsons still on?
Yes. The show is described in the sources as ongoing, with season 37 airing and additional seasons ordered in 2025.
What is the best episode of The Simpsons?
There is no single officially recognized “best” episode. Different rankings and fan polls often cite episodes such as "Marge vs. the Monorail" or "Homer’s Phobia," but this is subjective and varies by source.
Who voices Homer Simpson?
Homer Simpson is voiced by Dan Castellaneta.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons
    Supports: Premiere date, ongoing status, renewal through additional seasons, episode count, and overall series description.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons
    Supports: Premiere date, season count, and basic series premise.
  3. Wikisimpsons — https://simpsonswiki.com/wiki/The_Simpsons
    Supports: Main characters, series premise, debut history, and season status.
  4. Guinness World Records — https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/hall-of-fame/the-simpsons-longest-running-animated-sitcom-number-of-episodes
    Supports: Record-holding status, debut as shorts, and principal voice actors including Dan Castellaneta as Homer.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/
    Supports: Series identification and Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson.