Summary
Showrunner Al Jean shares a season 1, episode 1, script page, revealing how an iconic joke from The Simpsons came about. The line in question comes as Homer tries to resist adopting Santa’s Little Helper, calling him “a loser” and “pathetic”. Homer calling the dog “a Simpson” was written in afterward using pen. The Simpsons stands the test of time due to its relatable premise and characters, strong writing, and evergreen jokes.
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The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean shares an image of the script for season 1, episode 1, online, revealing the origins of one iconic line. First airing in 1989, The Simpsons, which was created by Matt Groening, stands as the longest-running animated sitcom of all time. Now 35 seasons in, the show is responsible for countless memorable jokes, including one Homer line in episode 1 when the titular family adopts Santa’s Little Helper.
Now, as new episodes of The Simpsons season 35 continue to air, Jean shares in a recent tweet the first-draft script page for the Santa’s Little helper scene in The Simpsons season 1, episode 1. Check out Jean’s tweet below:
As is revealed in the image, Homer’s funny ” a Simpson” line wasn’t in the original draft, and was actually written in using pen as a note on the scene.
Why The Simpsons Stands The Test Of Time
Reaching season 35 is an incredible milestone, and one that clearly only happens if a show has a timelessness and remains popular, year after year. Clearly, The Simpsons has tapped into something that has allowed it to continue for so long.
One key ingredient in the show’s success is its premise. The show follows a middle-class family in a small American town and, despite many fantastical elements, deals with storylines and dynamics that will feel familiar to parents, teens, and even younger audiences. Instead of tying itself to a particular period of history through the inclusion of era-specific humor, The Simpsons’ jokes are often timeless, with current events not serving directly as the basis for storylines or gags. As a result, earlier seasons of The Simpsons still remain highly watchable.
New episodes of The Simpsons typically air on Sundays on Fox, but season 35 is set to take a break after episode 10, which airs on December 24. Episode 11 is scheduled to air on February 18, 2024.
Another reasons why the show stands the test of time is, of course, due to its characters. The Simpsons’ cast of characters are all cleverly written and relatable, with Homer and his family making for compelling and hilarious protagonists as they struggle with various aspects of daily life in Springfield. Jean’s script page image serves as a reminder that bringing The Simpsons to life is a team effort, with some of the best jokes evidently a result of collaboration and note-giving.
Source: Al Jean/ X
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is a long-running animated TV series created by Matt Groening that satirically follows a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield. Homer, a bit of a schmoe who works at a nuclear power plant, is the provider for his family, while his wife, Marge, tries to keep sanity and reason in the house to the best of her ability. Bart is a born troublemaker, and Lisa is his super-intelligent sister who finds herself surrounded by people who can’t understand her. Finally, Maggie is the mysterious baby who acts as a deus ex machina when the series calls for it. The show puts the family in several wild situations while constantly tackling socio-political and pop-culture topics set within their world, providing an often sharp critique of the subjects covered in each episode. This series first premiered in 1989 and has been a staple of Fox’s programming schedule ever since.
Release Date December 17, 1989
Cast Tress MacNeille , Julie Kavner , Harry Shearer , Pamela Hayden , Nancy Cartwright , Hank Azaria , Dan Castellaneta , Yeardley Smith
Seasons 34
Season List The Simpsons – Season 1 , The Simpsons – Season 2 , The Simpsons – Season 3 , The Simpsons – Season 4 , The Simpsons – Season 5 , The Simpsons – Season 6 , The Simpsons – Season 7 , The Simpsons – Season 8 , The Simpsons – Season 9 , The Simpsons – Season 10 , The Simpsons – Season 11 , The Simpsons – Season 12 , The Simpsons – Season 13 , The Simpsons – Season 14 , The Simpsons – Season 15 , The Simpsons – Season 16 , The Simpsons – Season 17 , The Simpsons – Season 18 , The Simpsons – Season 19 , The Simpsons – Season 20 , The Simpsons – Season 21 , The Simpsons – Season 22 , The Simpsons – Season 23 , The Simpsons – Season 24 , The Simpsons – Season 25 , The Simpsons – Season 26 , The Simpsons – Season 27 , The Simpsons – Season 28 , The Simpsons – Season 29 , The Simpsons – Season 30 , The Simpsons – Season 31 , The Simpsons – Season 32 , The Simpsons – Season 33 , The Simpsons – Season 34 , The Simpsons – Season 35 , The Simpsons – Season 36
Story By Matt Groening and James L. Brooks
Writers Matt Groening , James L. Brooks , Sam Simon
Network FOX
Franchise(s) The Simpsons
Directors David Silverman , Jim Reardon , Mark Kirkland
Showrunner Al Jean