Why “The Simpsons” No Longer Matters

What a difference 20 years makes! On Dec. 17, 1989, the still-infant Fox Broadcasting Co. aired the first episode of “The Simpsons,” the animated show about a dysfunctional family from Springfield that has since become the longest-running prime-time series in American history. It’s hard to overstate the show’s impact. It has spawned a merchandising empire (“Simpsons” air freshener, anyone?), been at the center of a culture war (Barbara Bush called it “the dumbest thing I’d ever seen”) and inspired a hit movie (not to mention comedy writers’ rooms everywhere). Plus, “d’oh!” is now in the dictionary.

Thursday marks the show’s two-decade anniversary – an event that serves as a reminder not only of the show’s extraordinary staying power, but also the extent to which it’s disappeared from the cultural conversation. While “The Family Guy” and “South Park” have kicked up controversy – tackling subjects like Scientology and abortion – “The Simpsons” seems to have aged from envelope-pushing misfit to grandfatherly institution. (read more)