Simpsons Sundays: An Introduction

When I was a small child, I was, for some fucking reason, terrified of the theme to The Simpsons. 

I really can't explain this. Something about it just hit my baby brain wrong, I guess. The point is, any time the theme played, I'd freak out and run to my room. As such, I had an irrational aversion to the show early on, which would quickly prove to be deeply ironic.

Fast-forward a few years. I'm seven years old, and I'm being dragged to a family friend's apartment so my parents and their friend can do Boring Grown-Up Things. I'm obviously bored to tears, and I didn't bring a book or anything, so I start poking around the apartment looking for something to read. 

And I find this.

Curiosity piqued, I decide to flip through it, and I'm floored by how fun the show looks. Why was I ever afraid? The Simpsons looks great! Clearly this is a series I need to start watching.

My parents’ friend Jeff, the owner of the book, is charmed by my enthusiasm, and offers to let me borrow it. This is a mistake, because I proceed to read it so much that it literally falls apart. Oops. Sorry, Jeff. My parents apologetically buy him a new copy, and I go on to become a huge Simpsons fan. At childhood sleepovers with my friend Rowen, we always rent a Simpsons VHS to watch. Ah, memories.

But here's the thing. I haven't seen every episode. I'm not sure I've even seen every classic episode, although I probably did years ago and forgot. It's been a looooong time since I just sat down and…really watched The Simpsons. 

I think it's time to rectify that. And I'm gonna drag y'all along on my journey. Every Sunday, starting next week, I intend to post a review of one episode of The Simpsons, in order, starting with Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire. I intend to bring an analytical eye to things, and to really study each episode. (After all, I have aspirations of writing for TV myself–what better way to improve my skills than by studying one of the greatest sitcoms of all time?)

Now, you may be asking, “Acey, why are you doing this?” There are actually a few reasons. One, as I've mentioned, is the simple desire to revisit one of my old favorite shows. But on top of that…well, do the math. There are currently 760 episodes of The Simpsons, as of this writing, and there's no sign of the show ending any time soon. 760 episodes, if I diligently cover one episode every week as planned, would take…over 14 and a half years to get through. That's an insane amount of blogging material! It'll be a good way to get myself in the habit of writing consistently, and a good way to hopefully gain more of an audience.

Is this an insane project to try and commit to? Yes. Yes it is.

Will I follow through? Well…I'll do my best. 

So join me, won't you, on this adventure through Springfield. Think with me. Laugh with me. Cry with me–nay, SOB HELPLESSLY with me. (We all know I can't get through Lisa’s Substitute without bawling.) 

Let's do this.