Question: As I watch The Simpsons approach their 30th year on TV, which is absolutely mind-boggling to me, where would you rank them in the annals of television history? — Jeff
Matt Roush: Mind-boggling is right. The fourth episode of this 28th season (on Sunday, Oct. 16) marked The Simpsons‘ 600th episode with its 27th edition of the “Treehouse of Horror” anthology, and I looked as forward to that as I ever have. Even lesser episodes are capable of bringing me great joy on a Sunday night, and its staying power and continued cultural relevance (episodes this season will tackle VA hospital treatments and for-profit universities) put The Simpsons high on anyone’s list of greatest shows and greatest comedies ever. In the Oct.10 issue of TV Guide Magazine, executive producer Al Jean acknowledged the latest milestone by trying to be modest, up to a point: “We don’t want to pat ourselves on the back about it. That would be against everything that we stand for. Oh, who are we kidding? It’s incredibly cool.” Can’t argue with that. Or with the fact that The Simpsons has somehow managed to be both timeless and timely over the years. No reason to try to imagine TV without it, because it will never entirely disappear in our lifetimes, I’d imagine. But when the time comes for Fox to finally let it go, it will be the end of a magnificent era.
To submit questions to TV Critic Matt Roush, go to: tvinsider.com