The Simpsons

I was watching my DVDs of The Simpsons during the past week. For all those who do not already know, I am a HUGE fan of the show. Its amazing how long it has been on the air. Right now they are in their 18th season and has been renewed for a 19th year. It has been 18 years since they first got their own show. I was only 8 when they first appeared on TV. I can still remember the first time it was shown on Singapore TV. It was such a huge event. Although I was too young to fully understand the depth of the show at that time, it had such an impact in my life that in the years that followed, even though Singapore no longer aired it, I remained a fan and I still crave after new episodes of Simpsons.

I think when you look back at it. For our generation, TV shows echo the lives we live now, fast and ever changing. For all the shows that have come and gone (Twin Peaks, The X-Files, Numerous Star Treks, Babylon 5, Millennium...i could go on but you get the point),
its amazing to think that a 30 min animated sitcom has been the one that we have all grown up with. 18 years, enough to see a kid through all the stages of their educational years.

One only has to look at the books which have been written based on lesson from the episodes of The Simpsons to know that it is more the just a simple cartoon. Its lessons on morality, philosophy, religion, love, parenthood and much more has been part of its enduring legacy. Maybe its just me but The Simpsons represents to me much more then a TV show, my appreciation and understanding of the show is a sign of my own transition from childhood to adolescence and ultimately to adulthood. Each stage of life has brought on a new layer of responsibility and maturity and with it, a whole new way of seeing what the timeless and ageless people of Springfield and the family Simpsons have to teach us (well, its been 18 years and Bart is still 10, Lisa is still 8 and Maggie is forever 1).

p/s: In honor The Simpsons, I've used their trademark yellow skin as the colour of this post.

footnote: I was just informed by a dear friend that Singapore has started showing The Simpsons again. Welcome back! Its been long but its good to have them back on our TV sets! I have been living in Australia for too long....