by Julie T.

Created on: May 25, 2007

Almost two decades now, and The Simpsons is still one of my favorite programs on the tube. There's just something about this small Springfield family who have all found their way into all of our hearts. When the show first aired, it was criticized for lack of moral lesson and family values that were apparent in their competitor shows such as Full House and Family Matters. However, The Simpsons grew to major popularity because they were a more believable representation of today's American family and showed us all that it was okay to not be the perfect family.

As head of household, our beer chugging, food loving, nuclear plant monitoring Homer J. Simpson is constantly coming up with crazy shananigans. Supportive and nurturing Marge Simpson provides a nice balance to Homer as she always seems to be a voice of reason, often putting her foot down when necessary. Following in his father's footsteps is oldest son Bart Simpson, who plays the class prankster and neighborhood troublemaker. On the contrary is little sister Lisa Simpson who is so bright and ambitious that it's a mystery to everyone how she ended up a Simpson at all. Then we have baby Maggie Simpson, who for 18 years now, has not managed to age one bit. Though she spends most of the episodes sucking on her beloved pacifier, she did play a huge role in the shooting of nuclear power plant power hungry Montgomery Burns.

The Simpsons supporting cast group is full of memorable and lasting characters. Starting in the neighborhood, we have the Flanders family next door, Ned and his wife and sons Rod and Tod. The Flanders family represent the ideal, church-going, close knit family. Down the street are the Van Houtens, whose nerdy son Millhouse is Bart's best friend and has a longtime crush on Lisa. The Van Houtens are the seemingly quiet couple, but behind closed doors, are having marital problems. School principal and war veteran Seymour Skinner is your quintessential mama's boy who still lives with his mother, is trying to date fellow coworker and teacher Mrs. Kerboppel, and is always getting into trouble with the Superintendent of the school. Officer Wiggum, whose son Ralph eats glue, is the neighborhood cop, always eating donuts and very aloof to actual crime being committed in Springfield. Providing some cultural diversity on the show is convenient store owner Apu Hasa-very-long-last-name and the Bumblebee-man. Family members Grandpa Simpson and Marge's sisters also shed light on why our favorite family has become who they are.

There are so many memorable characters on The Simpsons. Although the characters meet some general societal stereotypes, each character is unique and has helped make the Simpsons the successful show it is today.

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