The Simpsons
Originally created by cartoonist Matt Groening, "Our Favorite Family," has graced the small screen in one form or another for over 20 years. The Simpson family first appeared on television as the subjects of interstitial "shorts" on The Tracey Ullman Show in April of 1987. The Simpsons remained a staple on The Tracey Ullman Show for three seasons until they premiered in their own half-hour series, on December 17, 1989. With the help of Jim Brooks and Sam Simon, Matt Groening's cartoon family turned into an instant success.
Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.
Currently in its 21st season, The Simpsons has piled up over 440 episodes, over 20 Emmy Awards, a handful of music albums, countless endorsements and merchandise, and even made the jump to the silver screen in the summer of 2007 with The Simpsons Movie. And according to Matt Groening, "There is no end in sight."
Homer falls in love with private planes after taking a flight to Chicago with Mr. Burns. So Marge hires Homer a "life manager" to help him think positively and find a job that will allow him to fly for a living.
Homer becomes an opera star after an injury improves his singing voice. His newfound popularity forces him to hire a personal assistant, who turns out to be an obsessed stalker.
Homer becomes the most hated man in town after he becomes a tow truck driver, and Marge teaches Maggie to not be an over-dependent baby.
Marge promises to visit a convicted bank robber in prison, but is afraid to follow through. But when the convict escapes from prison, Marge is the first person he pays a visit to.
The eighteenth Simpsons Halloween Special features parodies of the movies "E.T." and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."
Milhouse's parents are lost at sea, which causes him to become a troubled loner. But his new persona makes him the new most popular kid at school, which sparks jealousy in Bart.
When Marge becomes a successful businesswoman, Homer becomes worried that she will dump him for a trophy husband. Therefore, he decides to have plastic surgery to make himself look like a hunk.
Bart is responsible for Sideshow Bob's death after his latest attempt at revenge is foiled, but is his death actually part of the plan?
Homer goes to Dr. Frink to help him recover his memories from the night before, and he discovers, based on his interpretation of the memories, that Marge is having an affair.
Springfield becomes the site of the first presidential primary. The townspeople soon get sick of all of the presidential candidates sucking up to them, and decide to support their own write-in candidate: Ralph Wiggum.
Homer and Marge tell the kids about their life in the early 1990s before they were born, when Marge was enrolled in Springfield College and Homer was the lead singer of a grunge rock band.
A series of romantic Valentine's Day parodies based on "Bonnie and Clyde," "Lady and the Tramp," and "Sid and Nancy."
The new prankster in Bart's fourth grade class actually turns out to be a mole brought in by Principal Skinner to infiltrate Bart's inner circle. Homer falls in love with his loaner car after Marge wrecks their old one.
One of Bart's pranks results in Martin's death, but Lisa doesn't want him to confess because she would be considered an accomplice. Marge hires a television crew to find out if Homer is cheating on his diet.
Marge has Lisa take up ballet, mainly to have Lisa live out her own childhood dreams. Lisa then succumbs to peer pressure from her ballet mates and takes up smoking. Meanwhile, Homer and Bart try to start their own beef jerky business.
When the Simpsons discover that Lurleen Lumpkin is on the skids, Marge reluctantly agrees to take her in and help her find her deadbeat dad who abandoned her 30 years ago.
Bart tries to save the cow he raised for his 4-H club from the slaughterhouse, and in the process winds up getting accidentally engaged to one of Cletus's daughters.
Lisa's documentary about her family is accepted into the Sundance Film Festival. However, her family gets upset with her when they discover that the film is far from flattering.
Homer's mom dies, and as part of her will, she asks him to spread her ashes. However, her request turns out to be part of her final act of rebellion against the system.
In a parody of "All About Eve," Lisa stabs Krusty in the back, takes his job, and wins a prestigious award. Meanwhile, Homer and Bart take up coin collecting.
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Tress MacNeille | Tintin |
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Hank Azaria | Comic Book Guy |
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Dan Castellaneta | Homer Simpson |
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Harry Shearer | Additional Voices |
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Yeardley Smith | Lisa Simpson |
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Julie Kavner | Marge Simpson |
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Nancy Cartwright | Bart Simpson |
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Karl Wiedergott | Various |
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Pamela Hayden | Milhouse Van Houten |
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Russi Taylor | Martin Prince |
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Maurice LaMarche | Jock #2 |
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Maggie Roswell | Strawberry |
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Jack Black | Milo |
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Art Spiegelman | Art Spiegelman |
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Alan Moore | Alan Moore |
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Daniel Clowes | Daniel Clowes |
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Sang Am Lee | Korean Singer |
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John C. Reilly | John C. Reilly |
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Marcia Wallace | Edna Krabappel |
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David Hyde Pierce | Cecil Terwilliger |
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Steve Buscemi | Dwight |
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Kelsey Grammer | Sideshow Bob |
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Maya Rudolph | Julia |
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Glenn Close | Mona Simpson |
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Topher Grace | Donny |
| Nr Discs | 4 |
|---|---|
| Screen Ratios | Standard (1.33:1) |
| Audio Tracks | Dolby Digital 5.1 [English] |
| Subtitles | English for the Hard of Hearing |
| Layers | Single side, Dual layer |
| Regions | Region 2 |