The Simpsonsstands as one of the most recognizable series ever. The animated comedy focuses on the lives of The Simpson family, introducing audiences to relatable parents like Homer and Marge, as well as their unforgettably entertaining children.
The Simpsons
What makesThe Simpsonstruly exceptional isits ability to regularly parodyaspects of American life while introducing new characters to the Western cartoon canon. An efficient combination of being influenced and subsequently influencing, these 15 seasons best demarcate the best of the series from the rest.
15Season 33
IfThe Simpsonsalready experienced a second wind during the early 2010s, the 33rd season could arguably be considered the beginning of its third wind. Premiering in 2021,the season saw new changes to the dynamics between longtime fan favorites and proved to audiences that the whimsical family and their townsfolk had more exciting stories to share.
The Start of Something New(er)
While fans and critics alike could not resign to the idea that the show was the same, they were still able to find the beloved qualities that bolstered the show’s worldwide adoration. In episodes such as “Bart’s In Jail” and “A Serious Flanders”, topics such as charity, thievery, and online scamming are evaluated underThe Simpsons’comical yet informative tone. Setting the foundation for the show’s current resurgence, Season 33 gets the ball rolling on the recent celebration of the storylines and character development.
14Season 13
Despite being far removed from the fan-approved “Golden Age” of the series, Season 13 contained plenty of enjoyable episodes for most of 2002. Some episodes such as “She Of Little Faith” were praised for its insight into concepts such as religion, while others like “Treehouse Of Horror” see celebrated traditions continue to shape the identity ofThe Simpsons.
A Worthy Season in Its Own Right
Season 13 was perceived as an improvement compared to the prior two, with its run being regarded as better constructed. Guest appearances by Richard Gere and Julia Louis-Dreyfus were highlighted by critics as some of the season’s best creative decisions. In spite of troubling depictions of countries like Brazil, Season 13 has largely held up as a perfectly fine season for fans ofThe Simpsons.
13Season 2
Deemed by many to be the most underrated season of the series, Season 2 premiered in 1990 to a strong, positive reception. While the prior season introduced the Simpson family into the homes of millions across the world, the second season expands the horizons and explores the greater community, inviting even more hilarious characters into the fictional universe.
An Appreciated Evolution
Following the now-iconic family into their second season, many reveled in the decision to showcase more of the town rather than simply focusing on the Simpson household. In doing so, the series revealed an extra layer of craftiness and insight that might have been overlooked in the first season. Episodes like “The Way We Was” and “Itchy & Scratchy & Marge” proved thatThe Simpsonscould meaningfully engage in discussions about topics like censorship and provide additional backstory for the characters audiences have come to love.
12Season 10
Widely perceived as the cut-off season for the show’s seemingly flawless run, Season 10 introduced some of the series' most notable examples of bizarre antics, with some landing and others being highlighted as a sign of the show’s decline in quality. Despite the early signs of criticism, Season 10 included episodes such as “They Saved Lisa’s Brain”, which fans and critics alike both consider to be the most reminiscent of the show’s episodes in its heyday.
A Notable, Quirky Transition
Season 10 saw many aspects of prior seasons being transformed from special and creative decisions to permanent, running gags that either enhanced an episode or weakened the structure of the story at hand. Guests like Stephen Hawkings and episodes like “Marge Simpson in: “Screaming Yellow Honkers” managed to spark up interesting conversations about local politics, the pursuit of power and road rage, respectively.
11Season 15
After the notable decline in reception, Season 15 stands as one of the few seasons outside the golden age to have impressed audiences. Opening with atraditional “Treehouse Of Horror"episode, the season would see characters like Homer evaluate their personalities, for better or for worse. The end result is a season that may pale in comparison to the series' heights but retains many of the qualities that fans found enjoyable.
A Close Contender for a Comeback Season
Approaching situations both controversial and mundane with a similar fluency to that of the prior seasons, Season 15 was considered by many to be an overall improvement from the prior four seasons. Highlights include episodes such as “Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays” poke fun at the culture wars that have seemingly surrounded everyday Americans, despite efforts to make these clashes seem extraordinary. Audiences also got a look at Homer and Marge’s early days in the episode “The Way We Weren’t”, heralded by many as one of the funniest episodes of the series at the time of its premiere.
10Season 34
The most recent season ofThe Simpsonspremiered in the fall of 2022 and saw the series receive a new wind of appreciation and interest. The 34th season is largely perceived as having a creative bloom, expanding on the established universe by continuing to incorporate modern phenomena into the scripts and making the most of the experiments with other established universes.
A Necessary Revival
Related:10 Best Simpsons Parody Episodes That Lampooned Other Shows
While most of the season received a renewed level of celebration from fans and critics, the consensus around the quality of “Habeas Tortoise” seems to be unanimously positive. Tapping into discussions about online radicalization, the series maintains a balance of comedy and criticism that reminds viewers of its earlier seasons. While perception may suggest the thirty-fourth season is a return to form, it also serves as a foundation for a new, possible exciting era ofThe Simpsons.
A show with as extensive of a run asThe Simpsonsrests on the back of its first season. Premiering in 1989, the series was both popular and controversial, a recipe for instant success. However, the season also contained seeds that would sprout into the most defining characteristics ofThe Simpsons,soon setting the expectations for a quality cartoon sitcom.
A Sizzling Debut
An amazing decision for any story is to introduce distinguishable, multi-layered characters. WhileThe Simpsonshas no problem offering laugh-inducing comedy and fun family moments, the series also benefits from introducing starkly different, yet entertaining characters. Controversy aside, characters like Bart Simpson (Nancy Cartwright) have become recognizable for his mischievous ways, but the show shies away from flanderizing him. All in all, the first season is a great introduction to the family that would soontake over the world.
The Simpsons’fifth season was notably the first season to premiere with a new executive producer, alongside new writers. However, the transition did not halt the show’s success nor did it disrupt the narrative’s progression. The premiere episode “Homer’s Barbershop Quartet” earned exceptionally favorable reviews for its homage to the Beatles and general amusing dialogue, setting the stage for the remainder of the season.
An Impactful Transition
In the midst of the behind-the-scenes transition, Season 5 sawThe Simpsonsstanding as one of the few shows to have survived despite such a shake-up. Quality aside, Season 5 sees some of the series' alumni use the experience from the show to embark on their own careers, the most notable example being late night host and comedia Conan O’Brien.
One of the eight seasons considered as the show’s peak, Season 7 opens with the investigation into who shows Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) in the episode “Who Shot Mr. Burns (Part Two)”. Afterward, the remainder of the season saw the Simpson family deal with more realistic storylines at the request of showrunners Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein. Despite the close-to-home nature of the plots, the series never forfeits its funny dialogue or gags, a trait that has operated as the show’s best function for quite some time.
A Balance Between Great Humor and Even Greater Stories
Season 7 marked a remarkable run of consistently entertaining episodes that ranged from Bart’s connection, or lack thereof, with his own soul, and Lisa’s venture into vegetarianism. Combining an amusing tone with thoughtful discussions about free expression and self exploration, the seventh season has cemented itself as a highlight of the series as a whole.
The third season ofThe Simpsonssaw the show come into its own. With the series gaining prominence in everyday conversations, the series would even reach the lips of then-president George HW Bush, causing a hilarious rebuttal in the episode “Stark Raving Dad”.
A Well-Deserved, Mainstream Breakthrough
With its newfound fame,The Simpsonsunlocked one of its major feats. If the prior seasons helped the show gain momentum and respect among the average consumer and critic, then season three exposed the world to a trait that makesThe Simpsonstruly exceptional. The character’s ability to hold conversation with pop culture, while existing as a defining figure of pop culture might be the reason for its seemingly eternal syndication. However, that very talent is the reason behind the quality of Season 3’s storylines and its canonization into the greater world of entertainment.
