My Eyes! The Goggles Do Nothing: Tonight, The Simpsons broadcasts its 800th episode.
37 seasons. (Renewed to 2028-29…yo, son.)
1 movie. (A sequel is scheduled for September 3, 2027.)
60 plus shorts. (And counting…)
It’s wild we got here.
Since December 17, 1989 uptight fools have tried to Frank Grimes this show: politicians with family values, obtuse teachers thinking of the children, countries have banned the TV show as eagerly as we ban books here.
Hari Kondabolu (the Ralph Wiggum of stand up) weakly brought nothing to a comedy pie fight and was promptly footnoted: “Just once I’d like someone to call me ‘Sir’ without adding, ‘You’re making a scene.’37 seasons. (Renewed to 2028-29…yo, son.)
1 movie. (A sequel is scheduled for September 3, 2027.)
60 plus shorts. (And counting…)
It’s wild we got here.
Since December 17, 1989 uptight fools have tried to Frank Grimes this show: politicians with family values, obtuse teachers thinking of the children, countries have banned the TV show as eagerly as we ban books here.
Hari Kondabolu (the Ralph Wiggum of stand up) weakly brought nothing to a comedy pie fight and was promptly footnoted: “Just once I’d like someone to call me ‘Sir’ without adding, ‘You’re making a scene.’”
Every single wave of outrage felt definitive in the moment for that period.
Yet none of it was valid.
Time has accurately classified all the Simpsons backlash as foolishness.
The Simpsons—at 800 episodes and counting—is a notable Critic Graveyard. (Culturally, it’s actually one of our strongest Critic Graveyards.)
“Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try.”
The Simpsons has transcended traditional TV; it’s become cultural infrastructure. Just like the NBA or SNL, it spans generations, reinvents itself and absorbs criticism as part of its dense mythology.
There simply isn’t a legitimate rebuttal for longevity.
“I used to be with ‘it’, but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it’ anymore and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary. It’ll happen to you!”
That is true. But for now…for tonight and 800 episodes?
“Everything’s coming up Milhouse.”
Sammy Verdict: “Critics…just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I’m not listening.”
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair podcast: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
