10 Great TV Shows - The Simpsons

D’oh!

If this seems like a cop out to you, get over yourself. Even if The Simpsons has lost steam over the years, the fact that it is still airing after twenty-three seasons speaks for itself. That said, the show’s early run features some of the best moments in any television show, sitcom or drama, animated or live-action. The show has always been hilarious, but what separated it was its ability to make people feel emotions other than amusement.

Recall the very first episode, in which Christmas is nearly ruined when Homer and Bart bet everything on a dog that loses. That same dog is kicked out by the owner and eventually becomes a part of the Simpson family. Remember the Flying Hellfish episode, in which Grampa Simpson’s character was given a massive amount of unexpected depth. What about the X-Files-inspired episode, which featured the show’s propensity to mix humor and suspense seamlessly? Above all, remember “And Maggie Makes Three,” in which the lack of photos of Maggie in the family photo albums is heartwarmingly explained by Homer.

These are just four of the (at the time of this writing) 497 episodes that have aired during The Simpsons’ run. Not every one of those episodes are great, but the ones that are great are amazing. And it doesn’t look like they’re stopping any time soon. Soon, the show will celebrate its 500th episode. What’s next for The Simpsons? Who knows. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter. The Simpsons has done more than enough already to be included in the pantheon of television history.