‘We wanted to invade media’: the hippies, nerds and Hollywood pros who brought The Simpsons to life
The Simpsons’ roots run deep. And as Matt Groening’s early collaborators explain, it owes its global success to a perfect storm of punk zine attitude and TV professionalism
October 2020
Ay caramba! I watched 50 hours of new Simpsons so you don't have to
After years of decline, it’s only by watching newer episodes that you can appreciate the paradox of multiple Barts, the tragedy of Marge, and how the show echoes life in lockdown
June 2019
Jump the shark
Space oddities: why the Futurama reboot went from sci-fi to sci-why
The show was axed and remade, moving to Comedy Central and leaving its comedic legacy behind
November 2018
Joyless bores? No, today’s young are quiet revolutionaries
Dorian Lynskey
The younger generation have been caricatured as puritans. But they just want freedom for all, says music journalist Dorian Lynskey
August 2018
Observer TV reviews
The week in TV: Jamie Cooks Italy; Mama’s Angel; Disenchantment and more
Jamie Oliver learns a thing or two from Italy’s grandmas, while an Israeli thriller offers a bracing lesson in bigotry
June 2018
Disenchantment trailer: first look at Matt Groening's new Netflix series
Disenchantment, the Simpsons creator’s first new production in two decades, follows the boozy escapades of a medieval princess
May 2018
Disenchantment: Matt Groening reveals what his first new show in 20 years will look like
Matt Groening on The Simpsons' Apu row: 'People love to pretend they’re offended'
September 2017
The future is radio: why fan favorite Futurama moved to audio-only
The much-loved animated comedy has been briefly reincarnated as an old-fashioned radio play and showrunner David X Cohen talks about what the future of the future might be
July 2017
Matt Groening's new Netflix-commissioned series to air in 2018
The Simpsons creator’s latest project, Disenchantment, is an animated comedy aimed at adults and set in rundown medieval kingdom
April 2017
Happy birthd'oh!: The Simpsons celebrates 30 years of cultural milestones
As the animated hit comedy reaches its 30th birthday, a look back on some of the key moments throughout its run
November 2016
The Simpsons Thanksgiving marathon: the 25 best episodes to gorge on
To mark FXX’s 600-show marathon this holiday weekend here’s our must-see episodes guide, from Homer’s brush with God to a vision quest with Johnny Cash
The secrets of The Simpsons ... as sort of revealed by Matt Groening!
First Dog on the Moon
Welcome to the highly indulgent but also very exciting adventures of First Dog on the Moon having a nice time and meeting famous people
Lynda Barry on comics, creativity and Matt Groening: 'We both disdain each other's lives'
Two of America’s most influential cartoonists have supported each other creatively since their student newspaper days. A lot has changed since then
October 2016
The Simpsons' Matt Groening: 'President Trump? It's beyond satire'
The creator of The Simpsons talks to Guardian cartoonist First Dog on the Moon about his art, and tells how an episode 16 years ago showing Donald Trump in the White House was the most absurd joke he could think of – and still is
March 2015
Sam Simon: The Simpsons co-creator and Cheers writer dies aged 59
The nine-time Emmy winner had been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer in 2012 and set about giving away $100m fortune
August 2014
Media network blog
How we brought Homer Simpson to life at Comic-Con
To celebrate 25 years, a 3D hologram of Homer Simpson was created. Michael Brown explains the challenges of the project
May 2014
'Real' Springfield plans Simpsons mural with help from Matt Groening
City which cartoon's creator acknowledged in 2012 will pay homage to Bart, Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie
February 2014
Nicola Jennings's caricatures
Matt Groening
Nicola Jennings
Cartoonist
December 2013
The Simpsons in its 25th season: showrunner Al Jean on why it endures
More than a quarter of a century on from its TV debut, The Simpsons shows no sign of coming to an end. Showrunner Al Jean offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes
