You probably know them, and they have amused you since 1989. December 17, 2024, The Simpsons are celebrating their 35th anniversary. Created by Matt Groening, this still active animated series recounts the adventures of an American family – Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie – in the fictional town of Springfield, offering in the process a satirical critique of society across the Atlantic and of its institutions through absurd situations and colorful characters.
Arriving in France a year after its first broadcast on the Fox channel, it became a global cultural phenomenon. Franceinfo invites you to refresh your memory on arguably the most famous American family in the world.
1 Discreet start but worldwide success
First broadcast on December 17, 1989 on Fox, The Simpsons initially started modestly with a first season of just 13 episodes. The series, which did not correspond to the standards of the time, gained popularity over the years, especially from the third season.
2 Homer was supposed to be an “anti-hero”
Initially, Matt Groening, creator of the series, had imagined Homer as a darker and less sympathetic character. It was only later that the idea of an eccentric and clumsy father took shape, which helped to make the character more endearing and make him famous.
3 The sound of Homer's mouth
The famous “D’oh!” by Homer Simpson, which he uses to express his frustration, was added in the studio by actor Dan Castellaneta. This noise has become one of the most iconic lines in television history. In 2001, “doh” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary, defining an expression of frustration, and in 2006, it ranked as the sixth greatest television expression, also appearing in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.
4 Marge's hair color
The bright blue of Marge Simpson's hair has no particular reason other than to attract attention and make her easily recognizable. In early seasons, she had brown hair, but this choice quickly became iconic.
5 The series of all records
The series The Simpsons proudly holds two records registered in the prestigious Guinness Book. It is officially the longest animated series ever broadcast in prime time. She also holds the record for the most celebrity guests appearing in her episodes, a feat that highlights the cultural impact and universal appeal of this iconic event.
6 The budget of an episode
The average cost to produce an episode of Simpsons exceeds $2 million. This figure has increased over the seasons, due to the growing popularity of the series and the improvement of animation techniques. The preparation time is also extremely long, since it takes around 6 months to produce an episode.
7 The surprising predictions of the series
Many real events have been predicted by The Simpsonssometimes in a surprising way. For example, in an episode that aired in 2000, the series showed a scene where Donald Trump became president, long before that happened in reality. Another prediction is Germany's victory at the 2014 World Cup.
8 The Simpsons and celebrities
Many celebrities have lent their voices in The Simpsons. Michael Jackson, for example, dubbed Leon Kompowsky in the episode Stark Raving Dad. Although he was credited as a voice actor, he remained uncredited. His appearance remains one of the memorable moments of the series.
9 Characters inspired by real life
The character of Ned Flanders is based on a combination of two of Matt Groening's neighbors. On the other hand, Mr. Burns, the evil boss, is based on several influential people, with personality traits that are sometimes exaggerated, but reflect the archetype of the ruthless corporate tycoon.
10 The Simpsons and French culture
The Simpsons enjoy great popularity in France. Broadcast in France in 1990, a year after the launch of the series, it won several awards. Some episodes were even adapted to French culture, with changes to references and jokes to better suit French-speaking audiences.
11 In France, 35 years of voice and love
After almost 800 episodes, the French voices of Homer and Marge are still held by Philippe Peythieu (74 years old) and Véronique Augereau (67 years old), who met thanks to this dubbing and became husband and wife. Will they continue for long? “We are fortunate to be recording the 36th season (expected in France on Disney+ in 2025) right now. In general, at this point in the year, we already know if there will be a sequel. Right now, we don't know.”launches Véronique to AFP. And her husband concludes: “As long as they don’t announce the end, we’ll say it continues”.
