| The Simpsons animated series is the longest-running primetime cartoon series and is soon to be the longest running primetime sitcom since it will last till at least 2006. Here you will find information on the show's humble beginnings on the Tracey Ullman Show and the three Shorts seasons. Plus, The Simpsons Story now features the Show's Credits and Awards. Tracey Ullman Show Tracy began her fame on the BBC with leading roles in sketch shows such as A Kick Up The Eighties (1981-4) and Three Of A Kind (1981-3), but then she switched to singing with the albums You Broke My Heart In 17 Places (1983) and You Caught Me Out (1984). In 1987, having moved to the US, she starred in The Tracey Ullman Show, a sketch show which earned Fox its first Emmy. The show ran for 3 years, ending in 1990. Between 1987 and '89, the show screened a series of short animations by Matt Groening, then best known for his cartoon strip Life Is Hell, featuring a group of maniacally depressed rabbits and dwarves of dubious sexual orientation in fezzes. The shorts for Ullman show were named The Simpsons and for the first two runs were broken into segments and played at various points during the show. For the third block, they were one-off five minute stories. The family also appeared in the opening theme, saying 'hi' to Tracey. Voicing the parents were two show regulars: Julie Kavner and Dan Castellaneta played Mom and Dad (Changed to Mrs. Simpson and Mr. Simpson from Season Two). Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith played Bart and Lisa respectively. For the first short, titled Good Night, Liz Georges was said to voice Maggie who gurgled 'g'night'. The first twenty shorts had crude animation, but characters eventually evolved into their now-famous look. Homer had a little more hair, Maggie and Lisa had very punky, spiked hair and Marge's famous blue hair was quite shorter than it is now. After Bart's Haircut (Short 18), Bart had his usual hairdo. Also, Marge is never referred to by name, always being called 'Mom'. As the shorts developed, other characters started, like Grampa (looking like he does now), Krusty the Clown (not Klown) and Itchy & Scratchy. Shorts Season One | Shorts Season Two | Shorts Season Three | Show Credits | Show Awards Shorts Season One Good Night (4/19/87) Marge and Homer put the kids to sleep. Bart philosophically wonders the workings of the mind (very, very unlike him), Lisa takes Marge's "Don't let the bedbugs bite" seriosly and Maggie dreams she is the baby in "Rock-a-bye baby", which is sung by Marge to her. Note: Introduces The Simpson family, who look very crude. Marge (singing): Rock-a-bye baby, in the tree top/When the wind blows, the cradle will rock/When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall/And down will come baby, cradle and all. Watching TV (5/3/87) Bart and Lisa argue over what to watch on TV, only agreeing on not letting Maggie change the channel. Lisa: Change the channel! Bart: No! Lisa: Change the channel! Bart: No! Lisa: Change the channel! Bart: No! Jumping Bart (5/10/87) Homer wants Bart to jump into his arms, but when Bart is willing to do so, Homer isn't available. Sign: "No Foolish Horseplay." Homer: Leap like you never-um, leap like you never-what's the past tense of leap? Lept? Leaped? That doesn't sound right. Babysitting Maggie (5/31/87) Bart and Lisa are asked to babysit Maggie, but ignore her, subsequently letting Maggie electrocute herself, fall down the stairs and chase a butterfly onto a roof and back down again. Lisa: I thought I heard a thud. Bart: You'll hear another one if you don't shut your trap. The Pacifier (6/21/87) Bart and Lisa try to get Maggie to stop sucking her pacifier (which she has a draw full of), but to no prevail. Bart: You are a depraved little child. Burping Contest (6/28/87) Marge protests when Bart, Lisa and Maggie determine who can make the most disgusting burp! Marge: What is it with this burping? Why? What's the thrill? Dinnertime (7/12/87) Marge serves the family purple goo, but insists they say grace first. Note: First display of the family's bizarre eating habits. You Might of Missed: News anchor on TV: On tonight's news, bus plunge kills 43, freak rollercoaster accident decapitates family... Homer: Good drink, good meat, good God, let's eat. Shorts Season Two Making Faces (9/22/87) Bart, Lisa and Maggie make faces at each other, despite Marge's warnings that their facial positions will be frozen in place forever. Marge: Well, you know, if you keep making those faces you'll freeze that way, and you'll be stuck with a horrible face forever. The Funeral (10/4/87) The family attends "Uncle Hubert's" funeral. Bart is excited to see a dead body for the first time, but passes out when he glances into the casket. Bart: Oh, boy, I never seen a dead body before. Bet his skin'll be all green and clammy and stuff. It'll just be like a zombie movie, only real! What Maggie's Thinking (10/11/87) Bart and Lisa look at Maggie in her crib, wondering what she's thinking. Maggie, meanwhile, sees them as demons first then as defenseless infants whom she towers over and tickles. Bart: Gooba, gooba, gabba! Lisa: You're our little sister! Bart: Gooba, gabba! Gooba, gabba! Lisa: One of us, one of us! Football (10/18/87) Bart will win a round of frosty chocolate milkshakes if he can catch one of his father's long football passes. Unfortunately, he must stop at the cliff, watching the football, and the milkshakes, disappear... Homer and Lisa: Cliff, Bart, cliff! House Of Cards (10/25/87) Bart's attempts to build a house of cards are constantly interrupted by Lisa and Maggie's sucking sounds. Bart: That's one small step for a kid, one giant leap for kidkind. Bart and Homer's Dinner (11/1/87) When the females go to the ballet, Homer gives Bart a choice for dinner: nuggets or pork-a-roni. Bart: Does eating dog food turn you into a dog? Space Patrol (11/8/87) Lisa, Bart and Maggie roleplay a Save-the-Earth game. Lisa is space pilot Lisuey, Maggie is her energetic sidekick Mageena and Bart is Bartron, a crazed Martian robot who looks like Bart, only with a vase on his head. Lisa: Speak American, Bartron. We Earthlings understand not the martian tongue. Bart's Haircut (11/15/87) Bart goes to a barber who does not know how to trim hair. Bart ends up being scalped. Bart: What the hell did you do to my head? World War III (11/22/87) Obsessed with getting ready for the Apocalypse, Homer consistantly awakens the family for nuclear-attack drills. Homer: Wake up, everybody! It's World War III! The Perfect Crime (12/13/87) Bart plans to steal cookies, thinking Maggie will take the blame. Instead, he eats the cookies and lays down on the floor, revealing crumbs hence evidence. Marge: I mean it. Don't even think about touching those scrumptious cookies. Scary Stories (12/20/87) Bart tells Lisa and Maggie scary stories in the dark that seem to come true. Bart: And then they heard it - the sound of the crafty vampire sucking blood from the neck of his latest victim. Grampa and the Kids (1/10/88) Grampa tells Bart, Lisa and Maggie boring stories about the 'good old days'. Realizing he is boring them, Grampa fakes his own death to recapture their attention. Note: First appearance of Grampa. Grampa: You know, when I was your age, I had to walk 20 miles just to get to school. And back then we didn't have pacifiers. We had to suck on pieces of wood. Gone Fishin' (1/24/88) Bart forgets to pack bologna for his fishing trip with Homer, and secretly substitutes worms in his father's sandwich. After, father and son take an impromtu ride down the rapids. Bart: Boy, for a second there I thought I was up a creek without a paddle. Shorts Season Three Shut Up, Simpsons (11/6/88) Grampa, Homer and the kids argue until they eventually forgive each other. Bart's forgiveness comes with a price: he asks Homer to use a breath mint. Note: First time the short plays as a single story instead of a 3 or 4 part episode. Bart (to Homer): I'd forgive you, too, if you'd use a breath mint. Shell Game (11/13/88) Bart tries to hide a cookie he stole from the cookie jar. He covers it with one bowl and, finally, covers it with three. Homer: Middle one! Middle one! The Bart Simpson Show (11/20/88) Homer demands the kids stop watching Itchy & Scratchy. Bart turns off the TV and creates his own show by pulling out picture tube and getting into the set. Note: First appearance of the 'Itchy & Scratchy Show.' Bart: Whoa, gotta run. Goodnight, folks! Punching Bag (11/27/88) A punching bag that has Homer's picture on it inspires the kids to practice boxing. Bart: But you're a mere girl. Lisa: And you're a sexist pig. Gimme the gloves! Simpson Christmas (12/18/88) Bart narrates a holiday tale to the way of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas', which features the Simpson kids peeking at their presents. Homer: Oh, Maggie, oh, Lisa, oh, little Bartholomew, go upstairs, go right now, before I kill all of you! The Krusty the Clown Show (1/15/89) The kids go to see Krusty's show live. Bart turns out disappointed, as he finds out that Krusty is just a man in a clown suit. Note: Krusty the Clown's first appearance. Bart: You know, I base my whole life on Krusty's teachings. Bart the Hero (1/29/89) When Bart goes to the candy store to buy candy, he unwittingly foils a robbery attempt and becomes a hero. Note: The store name, Chupo's, is a homage to Gabor Csupo, the animation executive of Klasky/Csupo. Bart: Ah, I don't want the money. That's why I've asked for the reward to be paid in candy bars. Bart's Little Fantasy (2/5/89) Inspired by his parents' orders to clean up his room, Bart tells a tale where children look and sound like parents and parents look and sound like children. Child Homer: I got a plan. You clean up and I'll tell you a story. Child Marge: Forget it. Scary Movie (2/12/89) Instead of going to see 'Return of the Happy Little Elves', Bart convinces his sisters to see 'Revenge of the Space Mutants.' Note: Happy Little Elves' first appearance. Lisa: Gee, Bart, you're just like Gloomy, the selfhating elf. Home Hypnotism (2/19/89) Marge and Homer use hypnosis to try and make the kids behave. They [the kids] pretend to act like zombies. Homer: From now on, you will be good little children. Shoplifting (2/26/89) Bart is busted when he tries to steal chocolate from a candy store. Marge: The lesson is, ultimately the crime hurts the criminal. Echo Canyon (3/12/89) During a family vacation, the family stop at Echo Canyon. Everyone frolics and Bart nearly gets the car crushed by a boulder. Note: First family vacation. Bart: Don't have a cow, Homer! Bathtime (3/19/89) For a more exciting bathtime, Bart mimics Jacques Cousteau but leaves the water running which results in the bathroom being flooded. Bart (with J.C. accent): Come with Bart as he dives into ze briney deep searching for the wily and elusive washcloth. Show Credits Matt Groening Creator and Executive Producer Matt Groening created the series that everyone liked, even the critics. He also created the daring Futurama. Originally brought to life in 1987 for FOX's Emmy Award-winning series The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons was Groening's introduction into the animation world. Previously, he was best known for his 'Life in Hell' cartoon strip, a bizarre portrayal of broken life that debuted in 1977 and currently appears in more than 250 newspapers worldwide. In 1993 he formed Bongo Comic Group, whereby he serves as publisher over the following: "Simpsons Comics," Itchy & Scratchy Comics, Bartman, Radioactive Man, Lisa Comics and Krusty Comics. In 1995 he founded and published "Zongo Comics," which included Jimbo and Fleener. In addition to producing his weekly strip, keeping on top of the production demands of the weekly television series, and meeting regularly with the Bongo team, Groening oversees all aspects of the licensing and merchandising of The Simpsons. In addition to the recent best-seller The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family, Groening's books, based on "Life in Hell" and The Simpsons include Love Is Hell, Work is Hell, School is Hell, The Big Book of Hell, Akbar & Jeff's Guide to Life, Love is Hell 10th Anniversary Edition, Binky's Guide to Love, The Simpsons Xmas Book, The Simpsons Rainy Day Fun Book, Making Faces With the Simpsons, Bart Simpson's Guide To Life, The Simpsons' Uncensored Family Album, Cartooning With The Simpsons, Simpsons Illustrated magazine, Simpson Comics & Stories comic book, Simpsons Comics Extravaganza, Bartman: The Best of The Best, and Simpsons Comics Simps-O-Rama. Groening, a native of Portland, Oregon, resides in Los Angeles. Al Jean Executive Producer Emmy Award-winning producer/writer, Al Jean, has worked on The Simpsons since it became a series in 1989, and has a credit on over 200 episodes. In addition to three Emmy Awards, he has won the coveted Peabody Award. Currently he serves as Execu- tive Producer and head writer. Jean also co-created The Critic and Teen Angel and served as producer of It's Garry Shandling’s Show, whereby he won three CableAce Awards. Other televison credits include The PJs, Alf and The Tonight Show Starring John- ny Carson. Simpsons’ episodes Jean has personally written or co-written include Moaning Lisa, The Way We Was, Treehouse of Horror II & III, Stark Raving Dad, Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(annoyed grunt)cious and Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder. A graduate of Harvard College, Jean served as Vice President of the Lampoon. James L. Brooks Executive Producer James L. Brooks is a 3-time Academy Award-winner and 12-time Emmy Award-winner. He began his television career as a writer whothen later produced television hits such as Taxi, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Lou Grant, Room 222, The Tracey Ullman Show, and The Simpsons. He also wrote and produced the television movie 'Thursday's Game'. Brooks began working in film in 1979 when he wrote the screenplay for Starting Over, which he co-produced with Alan J. Pakula. In 1983, Brooks wrote, produced and directed, Terms of Endearment, for which he earned three Academy Awards. In 1987, he wrote, produced and directed. Broadcast News, which won the New York Drama Critics Award for best picture and best screenplay. Through Gracie Films, Brooks executive produced the feature film Say Anything, produced War of the Roses and co-produced with Robert Greenhut Big. In 1990, Brooks produced and directed his first play, Brooklyn Laundry, a Los Angeles production starring Glenn Close, Woody Harrelson and Laura Dern. Brooks' company, Gracie Films, made an overall deal with Sony Pictures in 1990. He produced two new series and directed the feature 'I'll Do Anything'. Brooks executive produced the feature films 'Bottle Rocket' and 'Jerry Maguire'. His most recent project, 'As Good as It Gets', which he co-wrote, produced and directed, received seven Academy Award nominations and two Academy Awards. Show Awards ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards 2002: Alf Clausen won Top TV Series 2001: Alf Clausen won Top TV Series 1996: Alf Clausen won Top TV Series 1995: Alf Clausen won Top TV Series Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Flims, USA 1996: Won the "Saturn Award" for the best genre network series. American Cinema Foundation, USA 1996: "E Pluribus Unum Award" for the category of Television Series (Comedy) American Comedy Awards, USA 2001: Won the Funniest Animated Television Series. Annie Awards 2003: Won Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Television Production. 2001: Won the top primetime honor for achievement in an animated television production. 2000: Outstanding Achievement in a Primetime or Late Night Animated Television Program. - For "Behind the Laughter", Alf Clausen won the "Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Television Production." 1999: Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Television Program - For the episode, "Simpsons Bible Stories", Matt Selman won the "Outstanding Individual Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television Production." 1998: Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Primetime or Late Night Television Program. - For "Trash of the Titans", Jim Reardon won "Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television Production" - Alf Clausen and Ken Keeler won Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Television Production for episode "The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson," for the song "You're Checkin' In" (A Musical Tribute to the Betty Ford Center). 1997: For Best Animated TV Program - For "Homer's Phobia", Mikel B. Anderson won the "Best Individual Achievement: Directing in a TV Production." - Alf Clausen has won the "Best Individual Achievement: Music in a TV Production" - For "The Springfield Files", Al Jean and Mike Reiss won the "Best Individual Achievement: Producing in a TV Production" 1992-96: for "Best Animated Television Program" Emmy Awards 2001: For "HOMR", The Simpsons won the Best Animated Series For "Worst Episode Ever", Hank Azaria won the Oustanding Voice-Over Performance. 2000: For the "Behind the Laughter", The Simpsons won "Outstanding Animated Program" (for Programming One Hour or Less) Larina Adamson (supervising producer) Lolee Aries (animation executive producer) James L. Brooks (executive producer) John Frink Dan Greaney (co-executive producer) Matt Groening (executive producer) Ron Hauge (co-executive producer) Al Jean (executive producer) Mark Kirkland (director) Rob LaZebnik (co-executive producer) Tim Long (writer) Tom Martin Ian Maxtone-Graham (co-executive producer) George Meyer (executive producer/writer) Frank Mula (co-executive producer) Carolyn Omine Bonita Pietila David Pritchard (animation executive producer) Richard Raynis Jim Reardon (supervising director) Richard Sakai Mike Scully (executive producer/writer) Matt Selman (producer/writer) Sam Simon (executive producer) Denise Sirkot Julie Thacker (supervising producer) Michael Wolf (animation producer) Doyle, Larry Payne, Don 1998: For "Trash Of the Titans", The Simpson won "Outstanding Animated Program" (for Programming One Hour or Less) Richard Appel (co-executive producer) Lolee Aries (animation producer) James L. Brooks (executive producer) Donick Cary David Cohen (co-executive producer) Dan Greaney Matt Groening (executive producer) Ron Hauge Colin A.B.V. Lewis Ian Maxtone-Graham (consulting producer/writer) George Meyer (co-executive producer) David Mirkin (consulting producer) Bill Oakley (consulting producer) Bonita Pietila Richard Raynis Jim Reardon (director) Jace Richdale (consulting producer) Phil Roman (animation executive producer) Richard Sakai Brian Scully (co-producer) Mike Scully (executive producer) Sam Simon (executive producer) Denise Sirkot Julie Thacker (co-producer) Josh Weinstein (consulting producer) Michael Wolf (animation producer) Mendel, Mike - For the song "We Put The Spring In Springfield" in episode "Bart After Dark", Alf Clausen and Ken Keeler won the "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics." 1997: For the "Homer's Phobia", The Simpsons won "Outstanding Animated Program" (for Programming One Hour or Less) Bob Anderson (director) Richard Appel James L. Brooks (executive producer) David Cohen Jonathan Collier Matt Groening (executive producer) Ron Hauge (writer) Ken Keeler Colin A.B.V. Lewis Ian Maxtone-Graham J. Michael Mendel George Meyer (executive producer) David Mirkin Bill Oakley (executive producer) Richard Raynis Phil Roman (animation executive producer) Richard Sakai Bill Schultz (animation producer) Mike Scully (executive producer) David Silverman Sam Simon (executive producer) Denise Sirkot Steve Tompkins (executive producer) Josh Weinstein (executive producer) Michael Wolf (animation producer) McGrath, Dan 1995: The Simpsons won the "Outstanding Animated Program" (for Programming One Hour or Less) James L. Brooks (executive producer) Jonathan Collier Greg Daniels (producer/writer) Matt Groening (executive producer) Al Jean (consulting producer) J. Michael Mendel George Meyer David Mirkin (executive producer) Bill Oakley Richard Raynis Jim Reardon (director) Mike Reiss (consulting producer) Jace Richdale Phil Roman (animation executive producer) David Sachs Richard Sakai Bill Schultz (animation producer) Mike Scully David Silverman Sam Simon (executive producer) Josh Weinstein Michael Wolf (animation producer) 1993: For the episode, "Mr. Plow", Dan Castellaneta won the "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance." 1992: Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Jackie Mason, Yeardley Smith, Marcia Wallace won the "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance" 1991: Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or Less) Larina Adamson James L. Brooks (executive producer) Gabor Csupo (executive animation producer) Matt Groening (executive producer) Sherry Gunther (animation producer) Al Jean (supervising producer) Jay Kogen George Meyer (co-producer) Rich Moore (director) Steve Pepoon (writer) Mike Reiss (supervising producer) Richard Sakai Sam Simon (executive producer) Wallace Wolodarsky Environmental Media Awards, USA 2001: Lisa Simpson won top honor Wed (Nov. 7) at 11th annual Environmental Media Awards. She was awarded the organization's board of director's award for ongoing commitment, the association's highest honor. 1994: For "Bart Gets An Elephant", The Simpsons won the EMA Award for the TV comedy. 1991: For "Two Cars in Every Garage, Three Eyes On Every Fish", the show won the EMA Award for the TV comedy. GLAAD Media Awards 1998: For the episode, "Homer's Phobia", The Simpsons won the GLADD Awards for "Outstanding TV". Kid's Choice Award 2002: Won the "Blimp Award" for the category/recipients: favourite cartoon. Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA 1998: For "Treehouse Of Horror VIII, The Simpsons won the "Best Sound Editing - Television Animated Specials". Norm MacLeod (sound effects editor) Robert Mackston (supervisng sound editor) Travis Powers (supervisng sound editor/foley editor and mixer) Greene, Terry W. (sound effects editor) Peabody Awards 1997: For providing exceptional animation and stinging social satire, both commodities which are in extremely short supply in television today. Reggie Awards 2001: The Simpsons Global Fanest won the Gold award of the H. International or Global Promotion (No Budgetary parameters). Promotions with international or multi-country extensions or origins. Walk of Fame 2000: On January 14, 2000 At 7021 Hollywood Blvd. This award applies to The Simpsons in person, not to the series. World Animation Celebration 1998: For "22 Short Films about Springfield" Josh Weinstein and Bill Dailey were the WAC winners of "Best Animation Produced for Primetime" For "Homer Phobia", Mike B. Anderson won the "Best Director for Primetime Series." 1997: For the Treehouse of Horror VI, The Simpsons is the winner of the "Best Animation Produced for a Television Special." |
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