Telvision Criticism - Univ. of Iowa

The Simpsons opening theme has evolved in many ways since the show debuted in 1989. This analysis looks the opening scene that was used beginning with the second season in 1990 and continuing through the 19^th season in early 2009. The opening sequence begins with a shot of “The Simpson” spelled out in the sky before zooming into the fictional town of Springfield. The show sets a comedic tone early on as one of the first shots is the town’s nuclear plant, tire dump, and prison on the top of the hill as the camera zooms into the exterior of school.

As discussed in the MTM ‘Quality Television’ book, the original producers with MTM focused largely on character development in their shows and sure enough one of those early MTM producers was James L. Brooks who went on to be a major producer for The Simpsons. Character development has been key for The Simpsons throughout its 26 seasons and the show’s opening sequence does a great job of setting the tone for its main characters.

Bart is inside the school with an angry look on his face, writing sentences on the chalkboard, presumably as punishment for acting up. The chalkboard scene has become one of the show’s defining characteristics, as the message that Bart is writing changes from week to week. This gag ranges from the show’s typical crude, yet subtle jokes like “Pork is not a verb” (season 11) to legitimately sentimental scenes such as “We’ll really miss you Mrs. K” (season 25), following the death of the voice actor and Iowa native, Marcia Wallace, who played the role of Bart’s teacher since the show’s inception. When the clock strikes three, the bell rings and Bart rushes out the front door and begins skateboarding home.

The nuclear plant (and nuclear energy more generally) is a reoccurring theme throughout the show so it’s fitting that is has such as prominent role in the opening sequence. The masked worker (who turns out to be Homer) handling the plutonium is a little too eager to get home after work and haphazardly sets down the plutonium which inadvertently ends up in getting stuck in the back of his shirt as he’s rushing for the door. Looking with a critical eye, this scene could also be a criticism of the poor management at the nuclear plant (another reoccurring theme throughout the show) as Mr. Burns and Smithers are standing in the background supervising but not aware of Homer's negligence.

Marge at the grocery store helps to set the tone for her character. This scene could also be a bit of an inside joke on how many viewers (and even the Simpsons family at times) may be quick to forget about Maggie, who has actually had major roles in a few episodes. Though it might be difficult for a first-time viewer to pick up on, this scene with Marge helps to establish her as a housewife in what would appear to be a typical patriarchal household. However, several episodes throughout the series involve her dispelling this stereotypical notion. Marge’s character as a housewife seems to be deliberate by the show’s producers and she serves as a nice contrast for Lisa who comes up in the next scene.

While Bart couldn’t get away from the school fast enough, Lisa sticks around for band rehearsal. Unlike Bart, Lisa is more studious, well-behaved, and cultured (such as her love for jazz music, literature, and other fine arts). These characteristics differ Lisa from the other members of her family and because of this her relationship with Maggie is stronger as Lisa tries to be a positive influence on her younger sister. Unlike Marge, who could be described as submissive, Lisa is free-spirited, politically-liberal, and a proud feminist. This free-spiritedness shows through in the opening segment when the rest of the band is playing the scripted concert music and Lisa is improving with a jazz-influenced solo.

As Lisa is getting shooed out of the room by Mr. Largo, it cuts to Homer driving home from work. He finally notices the rod of plutonium in his shirt collar and without a second thought he pulls it out and throws it out the window. This speaks to Homer’s general lack of disregard for others and again hits on the show’s theme of nuclear energy. As the plutonium rod clanks off the curb, Bart comes flying down the sidewalk on his skateboard. Like father like son, Bart has little regard for others are he weaves in and out of pedestrians. He gets just across the street as Marge and Maggie fly around the corner in the family’s station wagon. It appears as though Maggie is driving the car but she’s actually just imitating Marge’s actions (like mother like daughter), complete with a simultaneous horn honk.

The next scene shows a quick pan throughout the Simpsons’ neighborhood (featuring several reoccurring characters including Patty and Selma, Kent Brockman, Otto, Milhouse, Flanders, and others) and then stops outside of their house as Homer pulls into the driveway. Bart whizzes by on his skateboard a moment later before Lisa nearly takes Homer out riding her bike into the garage. Marge then comes flying up the driveway which causes Homer to run as fast as he can into the house to avoid getting hit.

The final scene in the opening segment is the infamous couch gag. During the earlier seasons of the show, the couch gag followed a somewhat standard model (lasting between 5 and 10 seconds) but later seasons began to deviate away from this model. The couch gag in the season 26 premier, for instance, lasted just over two minutes.  In addition to the couch gag and chalkboard gag, the theme song is another one of the show defining characteristics. The song was composed by Danny Elfman specifically for the show and various arrangements have been played by high school, college, and even professional ensembles around the world.

The opening has changed considerably since the show switched to high-definition in 2009 but many of the themes and other aspects have stayed the same over the years. The Simpsons has had its share of controversy and critics, such as in a 1992 when then-Present George H.W. Bush said “We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American family, to make American families a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons” during a re-election speech. However the show has also won countless awards and has gandered a fairly populist following. Though many people make take the opening sequence for granted, it’s truly a microcosm of the show as a whole.

R.I.P. to the show’s co-creator Sam Simon who passed away this week.