calhoun07

In another thread about annoying characters on TV, I recalled a time I got sick of Bart Simpson, and wondered if the show would wear out it's welcome in American homes. Naturally, I continued to enjoy the show (save for much of the last few seasons), so I got over it, but I wondered what did the creators do to help the show to not die from over exposure? Other characters around as long as they have been would have died from over exposure by now.

DaveNinja

They put on sunscreen. boo-yah!

Meatpants

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing!

I think they're a little too high-brow for a lot of people, so while they are pop culture icons, most people don't really watch the show that often. If you're around people older than 30, for example, you won't hear them discussing The Simpsons on Monday mornings.

Chew

As a person over 30, I can guarantee we "old" folk still talk about The Simpsons on Monday mornings.

Rypro 525

I think its the kids and teens that are keeping this show goin,

Crocker Jarmen

The expanding stable of characters is the biggest factor in keeping the show going in my opinion.

I'm always amazed at just how long The Simpsons has been on the air. I started watching them back when I was in Grade 6 (Grade 4 if you count watching them on The Tracey Allman Show. They have been in my life for a long time. They pre-date pubic hair, they've outlasted beloved pets. I think that most people find the stability of The Simpsons one of the great comforts in life, like religion. I see it as a fun uncle I've out-grown. I may not watch or enjoy it's company everyweek, but I still expect him to visit each Christmas.

Groucho

It's one of the few shows that actually aims jokes at our generation.

RichC2

I grew up watching The Simpsons.. Am 20 now and still love the show, it's got a certain comfort level to it of familiarity that no matter what changes they're still there. And yes I still find it funny, even though they've switched modes many times over, it's not too late but they've gotta stop with the movie spoofs.

madcougar

I'm 33 and I find the show to be a sad reflection of itself. How it keeps its ratings these days is beyond me (says the goof who still watches new episodes religiously).

johnglass

The fact that the characters never age helps also.

RoQuEr

first, they didn't box in the characters to do stereotyped, repetitive things. If bart said eat my shorts every episode, I'd hate it.

Secondly, there is just so much detail. I often watch an episode which I know the plot, and in knowing it, I pay attention to other comments and references, which I often don't pick up the first time.