Nobody ever pays much attention to network hype; every new series is going to be “the next greatest thing to ever arrive.” So when Fox started running promotions in 1989 for a new family that would compete with the legacy of such iconic clans as the Huxtables, the Cleavers and even the Bradys, few paid much attention – especially considering this was an animated family they were talking about, stars of the first prime-time animated sitcom since the glory days of The Flintstones. But everyone’s favorite dysfunctional family, The Simpsons, not only met these lofty expectations, they exceeded them beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Still running new episodes after an astounding 20 seasons, it is, without a doubt, the most successful animated series of all time, based around one of the most iconic families ever to hit the airwaves. This time, the hype was right on the money.

The Simpsons are the brainchild of animator Matt Groening, who first introduced the misfits, in a series of shorts, to fans of the Tracy Ullman Show in 1987. Seeing the potential in these small, but often hilarious cartoons, Fox decided to give Groening and Producer James L. Brooks (whose previous works included such iconic comedies as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi) a green light to produce a half-hour series for the network. The first offering of this soon-to-be historic team would be a little Christmas special called “The Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” and four weeks after its premiere, the show debuted on prime-time.

The Simpson family, residing in the suburban town of Springfield, USA, is comprised of dim-witted patriarch, Homer, his blue-haired, gravelly voice wife Marge, and three siblings – wise beyond her years, straight-A student Lisa, infant daughter Maggie, and every parent’s nightmare, the rambunctious, foul-mouthed tyke named Bart – who never met a way to get in trouble that he didn’t like.

Bart was the original star of the show, almost immediately coining numerous catchphrases such as “Don’t have a cow,man!” “Eat my shorts!” and “Ay, Carumba!” While parents weren’t exactly enamored with the ways of the young, yellow-skinned boy (Underachiever and proud of it!), the kids, much to their dismay, promptly embraced him as their new hero. The only hope that these horrified parents clung to was that hopefully this was all nothing more than a short-lived fad that would surely fade in a season or two. So much for wishful thinking.

Actually, had The Simpsons kept their focus solely on Bart, the show might have grown old quickly, but audiences soon realized that there was something to love about every family member. One couldn’t help but love the even bigger underachiever in the family, Homer, who lived for donuts and beer and works at the local nuclear power plant. Equally endearing was the quintessential mom, Marge, who loved her family dearly and proved that she could be a force to be reckoned with, if pushed just a little too far. And dear Lisa, who never met an environmental cause she didn’t love, was not only the (usually) perfect little sister, she was an accomplished jazz musician and, without a doubt, the most intelligent one in the bunch. For all of their individual and collective faults, there was something undeniably endearing about this family.

And the public’s affection extended well beyond the five principle characters. In fact, this was a show that had one of the most formidable benches of additional characters to ever grace the airwaves. There was someone for everyone to love, from the cantankerous kiddie show host, Krusty the Clown and his criminal co-host, Sideshow Bob, to the downright evil nuclear plant owner Mr. Burns and his somewhat effeminate brown-nosing assistant, Mr. Burns – from do-gooder Christian neighbor Mr. Flanders to the curmudgeon bar owner, Moe. From gaseous town drunk Barney to perpetually wasted bus driver, Otto – from friendly convenience story owner, Apu to not so friendly school groundskeeper Willie. Even the Simpsons’ extended family got into to the action, from senile Grampa to Marge’s chain-smoking sisters, Patty and Selma.  Need more proof? Kent Brockman, Bumblebee Man, Comic Book Guy, Chief Wiggum and his son Ralph, Duffman, Fat Tony, Nelson, Dr, Julius Hibbert, Lionel Hutz, Troy McClure, Reverend Lovejoy, Bleeding Guns Murphy, Dr. Nick Riviera, Milhouse, Principle Skinner – the list truly seems endless, and every one of the characters has played a prominent role in numerous episodes over the years.

And then there are the celebrities, a list that is almost as extensive as the supporting cast. Seemingly every major celebrity has vied to have their Simpsons-esque likeness and voice used on the show, including Leonard Nimoy, Albert Brooks, Penny Marshall, Harvey Fierstein,  Tony Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor (who voice youngest daughter Maggie’s first words,) Larry King, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Dustin Hoffman, Aerosmith, Sting, Bob Hope, Barry White. This list barely scratches the surface.

There are so many factors that contribute to the success of The Simpsons. From the wonderful animation that has evolved over the years, to the quirky score by Oingo Boingo frontman, Danny Elfman to the side-splitting humor. Just about every subject has seemingly been covered over the years, from environmentalism to death to medical marijuana, not to mention thousands of pop culture references that have been skewered in the show’s own inimitable way. The show proved that a cartoon can do just fine in prime-time and its success paved the way for numerous other long-running animated series, such as King of the Hill, Futerama, Family Guy and South Park.

And the series shows no visible signs of slowing down to this day. In 2007, fans finally saw a long-hoped-for dream come true as America’s favorite family finally made their debut on the big screen in The Simpsons Movie. It proceeded to set the record for the highest gross ever for a film based upon a television show, raking in $74 million in its opening weekend alone (the fourth highest ever.) To date, it has grossed an astounding $526 million – not including subsequent DVD sales and rentals. And for a promotion of the film that truly delighted longtime fans of the show, numerous 7-11 convenience stores around the country were temporarily altered to become Kwik-E Marts from the show, each of them selling Squishies, Homer’s favorite pink donuts, Buzz Cola and Krusty-Os, all familiar products from the show. Also in 2007, Universal Studios opened “The Simpsons Ride” an ambitious ride simulation that takes guests on a virtual tour of Krustyland, complete with a harrowing ride on a decrepit roller coaster, as well as an amazing flyover of the Simpson’s hometown of Springfield. Using 80-foot tall IMAX screens and digital projection, it is an unforgettable experience and easily the most popular attraction within the theme park.

Now, nobody would argue that the Brady family or the Huxtable clan made their mark in television history. Of course they did. But their impact simply pales in comparison to The Simpsons, whose longevity and popularity are almost completely unrivaled in the history of television. With 20 seasons under their belt, a hit film, amusement park attractions, and a marketing blitz of toys and merchandise that could fill a hundred warehouses, there is unlikely to ever be a show that rivals the impact of this family. This time, the hype wasn’t only appropriate; it grossly underestimated what was to come. Forget the White House – for all intents and purposes, this is America’s first family and it remains highly unlikely that any show will ever come close to the impact generated by this simple little cartoon.