'The Simpsons' Celebrate 450th Episode

Since its debut on Dec. 17, 1989, for 20 years Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart and Maggie Simpson have welcomed America into their home to watch the dysfunction ensue. Standing alone in its league, the show is officially the longest-running American sitcom, the longest-running American animated program, and in 2009 it surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest-running American primetime entertainment series. The animated series aired its 450th episode on Sunday and entered its twenty-first season.

Over the decades its influences in both television and pop culture have been incredibly prevalent. Not only has this monumental show won 25 Primetime Emmys and 26 Annie Awards, but the family has also starred in a feature film (aptly titled The Simpsons Movie) and have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Not bad for a family whose patriarch’s most famous saying is “D’oh!” - which has recently been added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

It's safe to say this family isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Even those who aren’t fans of the show know someone who is; the show has fanatics of ages that spans decades, and even generations.

Its popularity can be attributed to one main aspect: it shatters previously established stereotypes of the typical animated series. The main characters aren’t princesses, superheroes or villains, due to its realistic premise. Set in the town of Springfield (state unknown), the Simpsons are supposed to represent the typical American family, sprinkled with the obligatory satire. However, it tackles serious issues, making the stories somewhat relatable to the viewer, including the environment (as Homer works in a nuclear power plant) school and childhood issues (illustrated in Bart and Lisa’s pre-adolescent tribulations), religion, politics, and jokes about current events and pop culture.

And if that doesn’t pique people’s interests, it doesn’t hurt that many celebrities have lent their voices to the show, including musicians like singers Ringo Starr and Britney Spears and rapper 50 Cent, and actors Reese Witherspoon and Ben Stiller. Regardless of who is on the show and despite the critics, The Simpsons remain unstoppable as they continue to find new premises and issues to feature.

The 450th episode, “Once Upon A Time in Springfield,” features the voice of Anne Hathaway as a princess. Perhaps intentionally, the episode includes classic and signature elements of the show, surrounding Bart and his best friend Milhouse, problems with Homer and his job, and Krusty the Clown falling in love with Hathaway’s character, Princess Penelope. And of course, Homer’s famous line is inserted somewhere in the dialogue.

After the show, fans were treated to filmmaker Morgan Spurlock’s (Supersize Me) hour-long documentary, "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3-D! On Ice!," which included interviews with the cast and the show’s creators.

Just don’t forget the donuts.