The Simpsons

And the humiliating slap in the face to The Simpsons

America’s favourite family doesn’t need cheap publicity stunts

Jaime Weinman on the lasting appeal of Troy McClure

Hint: it’s certainly more than 2008, and definitely more than 2004

Simpsons character Montgomery Burns’ endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney may just edge out Joss Whedon and Clint Eastwood to take top spot for the most bizarre celebrity endorsement of the presidential campaign.

Dark and absurdist sitcoms of today owe debt to this ’90s show

When to start watching when you’re late to a series? Our expert says to watch the pilot, then skip a couple of seasons ahead

A new animated series based in Alberta is brimming with inside jokes for Canadians

I haven’t written much about The Simpsons since my screed against “comedy writer jokes,” so here’s a more positive subject for discussion, sort of similar to the “Underrated Monty Python Sketches” thread. What’s your favourite Simpsons line that you haven’t heard quoted to death?

The Simpsons’ first warts-and-all history may be better thanks to the producers’ gag order

I promised to write a post about why I think certain jokes on The Simpsons and Futurama and some other shows are “comedy writer jokes,” that appeal more to comedy writers than to people who aren’t comedy writers. I’m a little reluctant to give examples, though, because any example I will give is absolutely certain to be funny to some (or maybe even most) people who aren’t comedy writers. So when I say these jokes don’t appeal to “people who aren’t comedy writers,” what I really mean is that they don’t appeal to me.

Ignore the critics — a sense of humour these days is priceless