• History

The Simpsons Make It to 25 Years

2 minute read
Homer and Marge
Homer and Marge SimpsonFox
By Dan Hirschhorn

It was 25 years ago Wednesday that America first met The Simpsons for real. Sure, some folks had seen a rough version of the family during sketches on The Tracey Ullman Show. But Dec. 17, 1989, marked the first actual episode, a dedicated time of the week for Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie to enter Americans’ living rooms.

It’s been quite a ride since then, with the show becoming such a cultural touchstone that TIME’s James Poniewozik called it “The Best TV Show Ever” in 1999. In the decade between the premier and that declaration, it transformed from a show about trouble-making Bart into what was really a show about Homer, America’s lovable oaf of a dad—and, of course, about the entire universe of characters creator Matt Groening brought to Springfield.

MORE: Hello Simpsons World, goodbye rest of your life

Twenty-five years and more than 550 episodes later, true fans know The Simpsons has long since passed it’s prime (it went downhill after season nine). But with its 26th season underway, the 25th anniversary is a fitting time to take stock of its unprecedented staying power.

Marking the show’s 100th episode in 1994, TIME’s Richard Corliss noted some of the things that make the show special, and they’re just as fitting today. Here’s just one of them:

For a family of underachievers, the Simpsons have achieved quite a bit. In the show, Homer has been a monorail conductor and a baseball mascot; he won a Grammy (for Outstanding Soul, Spoken Word or Barbershop Album) and survived eating a deadly blowfish. Marge sang Blanche Dubois in the musical O Streetcar! Lisa created her own talking doll, mastered the saxophone and the Talmud, was a Junior Miss Springfield, uncovered political corruption and saved the Republic. Bart adopted an elephant, fell down a well and was rescued by String, and was tried for murdering Principal Skinner. Maggie had her first word voiced for her by Elizabeth Taylor.

Read the rest here, in the TIME Vault: Simpsons Forever!

Meet the Voices of The Simpsons

The Simpsons
Dan Castellaneta is the voice of Homer, the bumbling patriarch of the Simpson family. He also voices other adult males such as Grampa Simpson, Groundskeeper Willie and Krusty the Clown.Michael Tran—FilmMagic/Getty Images; Fox
The Simpsons
Julie Kavner voices Marge Simpson as well as her twin sisters Patty and Selma and their estranged mother Jacqueline.Michael N. Todaro—Getty Images; Fox
The Simpsons
Nancy Cartwright voices many of the male children in The Simpsons. She primarily voices Bart, but also gives life to Nelson Muntz, Todd Flanders and Ralph Wiggum, amongst others.Amanda Edwards—WireImage/Getty Images; Fox
The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith is the voice of Lisa, the brains of the Simpson clan.Imeh Akpanudosen—Getty Images; Fox
The Simpsons
Hank Azaria plays the town barkeep, Moe Szyslak, as well as a wide cast of male characters ranging from Chief Wiggum and Apu to Duffman (can't breathe! oh no!).Brad Barket—Getty Images; Fox
The Simpsons
The other everyman of the series, Harry Shearer gives voice to Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner and a host of other Springfield residents.Dave J. Hogan—Getty Images; Fox
The Simpsons
Pamela Hayden voices Milhouse, Bart's sidekick, as well as some other male children in Springfield like Jimbo Jones and Rod Flanders.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images; Fox
The Simpsons
The late Marcia Wallace was the voice of elementary school teacher Edna Krabappel.Angela Weiss—Getty Images; Fox
The Simpsons
Russi Taylor voiced some of the kids at Springfield Elementary such as Martin Prince, Terri and Sherri, and German exchange student Üter Zörker.David Livingston—Getty Images; Fox

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