10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About ‘The Simpsons’
After 23 seasons of laughs, it's hard to imagine a world where 'The Simpsons' aren't on television. In addition to being the longest-running scripted series in TV history, 'Simpsons' quotes and references have become part of our daily vernacular. And yet, the show's storied history and the behind-the-scenes tales of how the characters came to life have been barely noticed in the large shadow its iconic characters have cast on the world.
'The Simpsons' hasn't just created a media and merchandising empire that has brought the world 500 TV episodes, a movie, countless toys and even a theme park ride. It has also launched the careers of some of the biggest names in comedy (Conan O'Brien, we'll always bow to you for the monorail episode) and turned its creator Matt Groening into a mainstream counterculture hero. So as the show reaches into its landmark 500th episode, it's worth noting some of the more interesting facts and figures behind Springfield's most famous residents.
Kevin Winter, Getty
Matt Groening got his big break when his comic strip was given as a gift
Fox
The Simpsons are based on Matt Groening's family
Fox
Fox wanted to kill the early 'Simpsons' cartoons
Scott Olson, Getty Images
Former First Lady Barbara Bush once got a personal letter from Marge Simpson
Stephen Shugerman, Getty
Homer has the most downloaded GPS voice in the world
Fox / OVGuide.com
Lisa correctly predicted three Super Bowl wins in one episode
Travelshackblog.com / Google Mpas
A real life version of The Simpsons' home was built in Nevada
Scott Gries, Getty
'Simpsons' toys are illegal in Iran
Fox / Hulu / Chris Jackson, Getty
Several of the show's characters are based on real people
Fox
“D'oh!” is a real word in the Oxford English Dictionary…but not in 'Simpsons' scripts