What keeps The Simpsons relevant after more than three decades on air? In this recent conversation, creator Matt Groening opens up about the creative longevity of the show, fan theories around its eerie predictions, and the behind-the-scenes philosophies that have kept the yellow family at the center of pop culture.
Whether you’re developing an animated series or writing your first pilot, there’s a lot to learn here about world-building, voice consistency, and evolving with your audience.
Read the full article here:
https://deadline.com/2025/06/matt-groening-simpsons-secrets-predictions-...
What do you think makes a long-running animated show work? And what are your biggest takeaways from the storytelling legacy of The Simpsons?
1 person likes this
Hey, Ashley Renee Smith. The link doesn't work, but I found the article online (https://deadline.com/2025/06/matt-groening-on-the-simpsons-success-and-m...).
One of the things I think makes a long-running animated show work is trying new things with the show.
My biggest takeaway from the storytelling legacy of The Simpsons is what Matt Groening says in the article ("The secret to the 36-year-old animation stalwart’s 800-episode longevity is never to be lazy and keep layering the humor"). I can use those things in my stories. And I can use "keep layering the humor" in scary stories, action-packed, etc. I'll just change "keep layering the humor" to "keep layering the scares," "keep layering the action," and so on.
Another big takeaway is making the audience care about the characters.
2 people like this
I believe The Simpsons continue to thrive because, much like South Park, they comment on the current state of society while maintaining their evergreen core set of characters and comedic point of view.
2 people like this
Ashley Renee Smith - I just want to know who is still watching The Simpsons ... matter of fact Bob Harper - I would also like to know who is still watching South Park. I need a head count lol. Between them and family guy, they have done a great job with locating their core audience and delivering time and time again.
1 person likes this
Cyrus Sales oh, I for sure still have friends who watch both! But I agree with Bob Harper, it's the topical nature of the series that keeps them relevant, and they're always managing to find and connect with new and younger audiences.