The Pop Culture Bridge

My faulty memory thinks I watched the very first Simpsons episode when it debuted in 1989, but I'm not sure that's possible. I have learned that there was a dispute between Buffalo's WUTV and Fox at the time and WUTV wasn't airing first run Fox programs. With no Toronto station airing The Simpsons, I don't think it's possible I was there for Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire the evening of December 17, 1989.

I have this faulty memory because I was well aware of The Simpsons from The Tracy Ullman Show, and knew they had a show, and I'm guessing either WUTV ended that dipute or a Toronto station picked it up shortly thereafter, because I was definitely tuning in to The Simpsons in early 1990. I was mad about this show.

The Simpsons was appointment viewing for me for the first six seasons, and I'd even record episodes to VHS. When the DVDs were launched, I bought the first ten seasons. My firstborn son would watch these DVDs with me and loved the show as much as I did. I have video of him in a highchair singing Lisa, It's Your Birthday and mimicking Homer's Doh!

My second-born wasn't as passionate about the series, and my third-born was equally as lukewarm, but my youngest streams the show on Disney+ and has introduced me to episodes I've never seen. One day she's watching season five, the next she's watching season 25... it's wild.

We talk Simpsons to each other, and she'll recognize elements of pop culture that had been parodied by the show. I know I personally learned about Citizen Kane, The Shining and The Great Escape from the show. Heck, it totally spoiled Planet of the Apes for me.

The Simpsons is the great pop culture bridge, whether you were born in the 70s or 2000s.