7. The Simpsons
There will never be a bigger animated comedy on TV than The Simpsons. It’s just impossible. Not after more than 20 seasons, a movie, books, albums and a whole world of merchandising that includes a theme park ride. The Simpsons isn’t just a TV show but its own whole slice of pop culture.
We have The Simpsons to thank for proving that animation isn’t only for kids and only suited for Saturday mornings. It’s as well-written as any sitcom; it just happens to be a cartoon. Chances are, you can quote at least one episode of the show without even trying because of how many memorable ones there have been. Remember Homer falling down Springfield Gorge? The monorail episode? Itchy and Scratchy Land? All the short films about Springfield? “Who Shot Mr. Burns?”
In the later seasons, the great episodes have been fewer and farther between while others have fallen flat (as an example, the one guest-starring Lady Gaga was more about her than it was about the family or any kind of plot), but The Simpsons is still worth more laughs than it’s given credit for. And it still deserves a place in history for the years’ worth of jokes, heartwarming moments and occasional musical numbers that it burned into our brains. Springfield’s still a place we’d want to visit.
Next: 6. Taxi