The Simpsons: An American Standard

The Simpsons first premiered as a full-length prime-time sitcom all the way back in December 17, 1989, but the characters and show concept predates even that early date. The Simpsons actually premiered as an animated skit on The Tracey Ullman Show, a skit-comedy show whose cast boasts voice talents that are still cast members of The Simpsons today.

The first true hit show for FOX network, The Simpsons has become a huge part of pop culture, and is a show that is almost synonymous with FOX. The eighteenth season premiered September 10, at 8/7C. The show has been renewed through nineteen seasons, and FOX doesn’t seem to have any plans to put the brakes on - despite a slowly-declining audience.

Whether The Simpsons ever finishes its run or not, it is a show that will be in syndication for as long as syndication exists. Currently, fans can watch The Simpsons on any day of the week, and on more than one channel.

Nothing like The Simpsons, a prime time animated show with adult humor, had been seen since The Flintstones when the show first premiered. Since that fateful day in ’89, many more prime time animated shows have found their way to FOX network and other networks. Many of FOX’s more popular shows were inspired, at least in part, by The Simpsons. In 1997, almost ten years ago, the show passed The Flintstones as the longest-running prime time animated sitcom.

And in 2004, The Simpsons surpassed The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet as the longest-running American sitcom ever. The success that this show has had is nothing short of completely astounding.