Matt Groening has come a long way from writing surrealist comics for alt newspapers featuring his two bunny characters in Life in Hell. That comic found a fan in James L Brooks and Tracy Ulman, but it was not the cartoon that made its way to television. Instead Groening took inspiration from his own family and a town in his native Oregon, Springfield, and created one of the longest running tv shows in history. The prime time antics of Springfield’s most famous residents have run for 33 seasons and during that time has collected a lot of lore and references. The show built around pop culture references has itself become an inseparable part of the popular culture. A lot has changed in the world since the show’s introduction in 1989, and with no end in sight the show is rapidly approaching becoming older than Homer Simpson himself. The show has been a happy home to writers who favor the unique environment that the show operates under, receiving no studio notes and with animation they are allowed to take the show wherever they want, including space where Homer and an inanimate rod both put the day at risk and saved it. Naturally there are hidden references and inspirations and, with a show that long more than a little instances of self reference. What’s your favorite piece of trivia for the longest running family on television? Let us know in the comments and while you’re there be sure to like and subscribe for the latest in your inbox. ... Read More إقرأ المزيد | Share it now!