Written by Kabir Mahajan, a writer.

Since its debut in 1989, Matt Groening’s The Simpsons has, unequivocally, become a cultural icon. References to it are seemingly everywhere, with the family’s faces plastered on rides in theme parks too and featured in memes spread across the Internet. Over its run, the show has altered its portrayal of a “stereotypical” family, adapted its approach to social issues, and increased its diversity on- and off-screen to better reflect the current world. 

The evolution of The Simpsons can best be seen through the changes in its central, “stereotypical” American family. The family consists of Marge, the nagging yet caring mother; Lisa, the intelligent, kind daughter; Bart, the prankster son; Homer, the alcoholic, neglectful father; and Maggie, the cute, silent baby. The portrayal of this family conforms to stereotypes prevalent in the early 90s—Lisa and Marge, the two main female characters, are often portrayed as nagging and self-righteous, Bart is a no-good delinquent, and Homer is the epitome of a bad father, boozy and self-centered. As the series goes on, however, we get more insight and depth into these characters. One episode (“Marge’s Son Poisoning,” 2005) has Bart grow closer to his mother, while another (“From Beer to Paternity,” 2022) shows Homer trying to make up for his parental shortcomings. Gender roles have also shifted through the show as the idea of a “stereotypical” family changes, with Marge taking on more assertive roles outside of the family (she works as a TV show executive and does her fair share of odd jobs). In the 2001 episode “She of Little Faith,” Lisa becomes a Buddhist and challenges traditional religious ideals, demonstrating that non-Western religions and ideas are just as powerful as the dominant religions in Springfield, Judaism and Christianity.

A more significant way the series has changed, however, is in its approach to serious issues: it has gone from satirizing everything to probing pressing issues more gently and reflectively. The Simpsons is known for its unique brand of humor, an attribute that draws millions of viewers in. When watching older episodes, one can expect irreverent humor and relentless jokes about controversial topics, but nowadays, viewers can see a more empathetic, sincere take on major issues. For example, the show’s take on immigration has evolved. One 1996 episode (“Much Apu About Nothing”)  shows the town of Springfield cracking down on undocumented immigrants, harassing citizens who they believe are undocumented, and Apu is one of them. The episode still addresses the anti-immigration sentiment, but very irreverently, cracking jokes about immigration and approaching it satire. In a later episode (“Much Apu About Something,” 2016), Apu’s family’s struggles to start a new life in America—we are introduced to his nephew, who goes through the typical second generation identity confusion. Though both take similar political positions, the later episode addresses immigration in a much more sincere, empathetic way.

Over the years, The Simpsons has also worked on representation, adding more characters of color (especially ones that don’t reinforce negative stereotypes), diversifying voice casting, and increasing gender diversity in the production staff. The voice of Dr. Hibbert, the Simpsons’ African American doctor, was originally that of a white actor. In 2021, he was replaced by a Black actor, Kevin Michael Richardson. In 2003, a new recurring character was introduced: Julio, Marge’s gay hairdresser. He was originally voiced by Hank Azaria, but was replaced in 2021 by gay actor Tony Rodriguez. Though these examples show replacements and additions, in one case, a character had to be removed entirely: Apu, the owner of Springfield’s local grocery store, Kwik-E Mart. The character, who has a  thick, exaggerated Indian accent, was removed in 2020 after heavy criticism (specifically from comedian Hari Kondabolu, who released a documentary titled The Problem With Apu). The show’s plots also demonstrate a growing social consciousness: more storylines are centered around gender and racial bias. In a 2005 episode entitled “There’s Something About Marrying,” Marge discovers her sister is lesbian, and is forced to face her own internal biases. In these ways, The Simpsons has diversified its viewpoints to offer a multitude of perspectives and to keep itself relevant. 

The Simpsons  has undergone significant changes over the years as the world around it has changed. The show has adapted its idea of a “stereotypical” American family, challenging traditional gender norms. It has changed the way it handles important issues, using a more empathetic approach, and it has increased diversity, trying to overcome racial stereotypes. The evolution of The Simpsons ultimately serves as a reminder of the importance of media in shaping our cultural landscape and reflecting the values and attitudes of society. It also shows us how the nature of satire has evolved to include more nuanced and thoughtful critiques of social issues instead of brutally poking fun at everything.