Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television-and America-Forever

by Alan Siegel

This comprehensive account of the meteoric rise of The Simpsons combines incisive pop culture criticism and interviews with the show’s creative team that take listeners inside the making of an American phenomenon during its most influential decade, the 1990s.

The Simpsons is an American institution. But its status as an occasionally sharp yet ultimately safe sitcom that's still going after 33 years on the air undercuts its revolutionary origins. The early years of the animated series didn't just impact Hollywood, they changed popular culture. It wasn't a watercooler show; it was a show that altered the way we talked around the watercooler, in school hallways, and on the campaign trail, by bridging generations with its comedic sensibility and prescient cultural commentary.

In STUPID TV, BE MORE FUNNY, writer Alan Siegel reveals how the first decade of the show laid the groundwork for the series' true influence. He explores how the show's rise from 1990 to 1998 intertwined with the supposedly ascendent post-Cold War America, turning Fox into the juggernaut we know today, simultaneously shaking its head at America's culture wars while finding itself in the middle of them. By packing the book with anecdotes from icons like Conan O’Brien and Yeardley Smith, Siegel also provides readers with an unparalleled look inside the making of the show.

Through interviews with the show's legendary staff and whip-smart analysis, Siegel charts how The Simpsons developed its singular sensibility throughout the ‘90s, one that was at once groundbreakingly subversive for a primetime cartoon and shocking wholesome. The result is a definitive history of The Simpsons' most essential decade.

Genres: Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Audiobook, History, Humor, Tv, Comedy

Audible Audio

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My opinions are my own and are freely given.

I grew up watching The Simpsons, starting with the pilot episode the year it aired. Can't remember for sure, but I believe my school was one that didn't ban Bart Simpson t-shirts. I thought it was ridiculous, and still do, that they banned Bart Simpson shirts in school. A t-shirt isn't going to make a child act out in class. Then again, dress codes are usually ridiculous.

I loved the book. My only complaint is that there were no pictures. Seriously. A whole book about The Simpsons and not a single picture of them. Not that I don't know what they look like, but still. I am of the mind that all adult books should have more pictures. Give more work to the illustrators. Also, I love illustrations. ❤️

Definitely a great book for anyone who loves The Simpsons!

[Bob Mackey]

I've been hosting a Simpsons podcast for ten years, and even I managed to learn new things from this book!

(Alan was on said podcast to promote the book, so I'm leaving this review scoreless. But Stupid TV, Be More Funny obviously comes recommended.)

[Brent Burch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully concise history of how The Simpsons got its start, and how it managed to reshape popular culture when it premiered. As one of my favorite shows growing up, Alan Siegel takes us behind the scenes of the circumstances that brought the right people together to make something truly special and endlessly funny. A must read for any Simpsons fan.

Recommended.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I remember flipping through channels after dinner, looking for something to watch. The Simpsons was one of those shows I wasn’t allowed to partake in as a kid- but weirdly enough, I did get to watch King of the Hill, a show that one of the staff members involved with the Simpsons went on to work on, with my dad sometimes. How has the Simpsons managed to stay running for 36 years? And what was the process to create this absolute juggernaut of animation?

Alan Siegel explores this in Stupid TV, Be More Funny, where he recounts the tale of the Simpsons from its initial concept sketches to now. All of the major players who had a hand in writing and developing it are credited, and explored equally. Did you know that it was never expected to even make it past the first season? Or that there was an entire black market of illegal Bart Simpson merch during its rise to success?

Not only was this a fascinating story about an underdog that went on to essentially set the stage for adult animation, it was a fantastic glimpse into what goes into creating a show. It’s not just having a concept and getting “greenlit-“ there’s numerous pieces beyond that.

Stupid TV, Be More Funny releases on June 10! I received my ARC as part of a Goodreads giveaway, so I was not technically under obligation to review it, but I hope you consider picking it up! Thank you to Goodreads and Grand Central Publishing for my copy :))

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you asked me what my dream Simpsons book would be, it would be a behind-the-scenes examination of the first ten seasons. Well, it turns out dreams do come true because Alan Siegal has written just that book! Siegal completed countless interviews with the creative team behind the show’s conception, launch and its first decade on the air all in an effort to provide the reader with as comprehensive a look at just how transformative this show was surrounding pop culture in the 90s.

I learned so much about the production and creation of the show here and I would consider myself quite knowledgeable about the show’s “golden years”. The writer’s room bits were absolutely my favorite in which a single writer drafts a script and it’s “punched up” by the team, similar to how both SNL and sitcoms are produced. For example, Jon Vitti is responsible for the “Mr. Plow” episode, but Conan O’Brien pitched the bit about Homer turning his radio dial to the left to keep the truck on the road when teetering on the edge of a cliff. Or John Swartzwelder’s The Itchy & Scratchy Movie episode where the team had been wracking their brains for hours trying to come up with a punch line for Homer’s story about holding his breath, passing out and smacking his head on the table contributing to brain damage. When Bart asked for the point of the story, that’s where the team was stuck. Then George Meyer suggested the iconic “I like stories” bit, which had the whole room howling with laughter.

There is so much to unpack in this book. From the merchandising explosion, the feud with then President George H.W. Bush, the herculean struggle to keep the show as funny as possible, and the early days of the internet when commenters were slagging the show as “past its prime” during what many now consider their best years. It’s absolutely mind-boggling to read about the negative reception to such classics as “Homer’s Enemy” or “Marge vs. The Monorail” after they first aired.

This is truly an excellent book and a total “must-read” for any fan of the show.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this I was afraid it would be a simple recap of the history of the beginning of "The Simpsons", which I was already quite familiar with. But this book went deeper and told history that was new to me. There were many interviews with the writers that opened a window into what it was like to help create this groundbreaking show. There were also quotes of favorite jokes, which make me laugh out loud - brought up some great memories for me. I was especially interested in a chapter on the history of prime time animation since "The Simpsons" started. Fun read, if you're a Simpsons fan.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who worships at the altar of the Simpsons writers, I'm always hungry to learn more about the individual writers' personalities, their process, how different episodes got written. This book really delivers on that front.

For instance, it was interesting to learn that most of the writers rooms for animated shows are storyboard-led, with the animators having the more dominant voice. But the Simpsons was put together like a sitcom that happened to be animated, emphasizing top notch writing over anything else. Simpsons writers who went on to write for other shows were surprised/disappointed to learn this. We also get a window into the lives of some of the "founding father" writers of the show.  A few nuggets I enjoyed:

Hearing more from the mythical, elusive John Swartzwelder, who has written the most episodes of any writer in the show's history (Aaron Burr Voice: "Swartzwelder wrote the other 59!"), who eventually opted not to write in the room at all, and instead would go home and write his scripts from a diner booth he had installed in his home. He now writes absurdist detective fiction which he self-publishes. I love that he says the key to writing Homer is to think of him like a big talking dog (which also makes the Poochie episode all the more meta).

By contrast George Meyer, who thrived not so much in writing full scripts, but through off the cuff jokes in the room. I thought it was interesting how the other writers gave him so much credit for shaping the show's sensibility through joke-writing, even though he didn't contribute as much as some others in terms of full scripts or high level decision making. His strength was coming up with a great line when the writers were stuck, which they likened to hitting home runs.

Since I often wonder what the Simpsons writers are up to now, I was interested to read about how Meyer struggled to transition out of writing for the show, despite being the most cynical/pessimistic about working there. He initially thought of himself as a machine that needs only fuel, and relates a dream where he thought of himself as a train without a steering wheel, only a throttle and brake. He did not realize how much he needed the show while he was doing it. But now that he's older he realizes that he "didn't have the respect I do now, for my own emotional requirements".

It was also interesting to learn that Greg Daniels, after experiencing the creative clashes and credit grabs between his bosses Sam Simon and Matt Groening, resolved to have a better partnership with Mike Judge on King of the Hill. And you can see that he did learn and ultimately went on to become the greatest showrunner in TV comedy history (King of the Hill, The Office, Parks and Rec).

Speaking of showrunners, I liked seeing how each showrunner for the Simpsons influenced the show in different ways, all while retaining the same Simpsonny feel. You can clearly see the Brooks/Simon influence in the first couple of seasons which focuses a bit more on grounded, family storylines (You are Lisa Simpson!). Jean and Reiss from Season 3-4 the storytelling focus shifts away from Bart while Homer gets stupider and sillier every episode, but ultimately they still try to stay true to the original heart and rules of the show (The Monorail Era). David Mirkin brings a much less grounded, absurdist sensibility from 5-6 (Homer in Space), and also brought in some production savvy from his time as a film/live action TV director.

And then finally Oakley and Weinstein (Season 7 and 8) are the first showrunners who were fans of the show as teens, and sort of stay true to the show, but have a more baked in, meta awareness of the show and what it means to people (The Steamed Hams era). These seasons sort of saw the torch passing in the writers room from the Baby Boomers to Generation X. Poor Mike Scully then oversees the decline of the show, bearing far too much of the blame for ruining the Simpsons. Siegel makes it clear it was just a matter of time after 9 years on air, and a Simpson writers diaspora--partially a result of burnout, partially a result of the natural passage of time.

Again, there was a lot here I was familiar with beforehand, but his account was enriched by great quotes from the different figures who shaped the show. Siegel also did a great job contextualizing the Simpsons within the broader culture, and weaving love letteresque elements into what could have been a mere historical overview. 

[Stephen Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly informative with great insights particularly for a UK reader.

This isn’t a book that should be bought for yourself or for a friend that you think is a fan of the Simpsons UNLESS you know they have a deep interest in not just the intricacies of what goes into writing structure and the formula of comedy, but are fascinated by how the circular nature of culture can influence the writing and eventually bleed back into society.

This dives deep into the culture of America, the birth of TV and light entertainment (from chat shows to programs like Leave it to Beaver and the Mary Tyler Moore Show) and what it is to be American. As a UK reader, I am not familiar with a lot of these other than by their titles and brief clips from occasional interviews on documentaries, so this paints an excellent picture of americas journey towards The Simpsons. I can’t comment if this aspect was perhaps too obvious to an American reader.

Throughout, the author is sure to update us on the political situation, wether the republicans or democrats are in and how that contrasts with the values of the family unit in the show - calling out the famous speech where the Simpsons / Waltons are name dropped.

It is worth noting that this primarily focus’ on the truly superlative early years of the seasons first few seasons (there are occasional references to the present day in relation to how long certain writing teams have remained and comparing against other animated sitcoms such as Family Guy and South Park… and of course Futurama). It chronicles the rise from Groening’s early days as a comic sketch artist, to the Simpsons sketches on the Tracey Ullman show, to commissions by Fox… and repeat commissions as it became the show EVERYONE was watching and took the world by storm. From merchandise to advertising, this covers it all.

In the UK when I watched the Simpsons on the BBC in a pre-internet world, finding out about the writers and history of the show were reserved to the Simpsons episode guide and a couple of documentaries that aired on special anniversary nights - which although informative on the story of how the show was formed and putting faces to the voices, it served to only give you a glimpse. This book is excellently researched pulling together many interviews with the cast, creators and writers of the show.

Essential reading for someone that is a super fan of the glory days of the Simpsons, the media and American culture.

[Robert Sudar · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the Simpsons, this is a great read. Otherwise, it's probably just meh.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my house growing up, 7 pm was dinner, and time for Jeopardy. 7:30 was time for syndicated Simpsons, and every Sunday was dedicated to the Simpsons.

I really enjoyed this history of the Simpsons. I never knew any of the background story, so it was cool to see how the show came to exist.

I forgot how franchise crazy this show was though. I still have tons of my Simpsons board games, video games, and I even have the CD! Time to Do the Bartman 😭

Anyway this is a light must read for Simpson Fans.

Thank you Net Galley and Hachette for a copy of the audiobook!

[Matt Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was like ten years old my dad got me a pirated DVD box set of every Simpsons episode since the first season so that I could “get prepared” for the upcoming Simpsons movie. I think it might have been one of the key step change moments in my life, defining what kind of person I would be. Alan Siegel really gets it in this book.

[elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’ll admit that i’m a newer fan of the simpsons, but this book is excellent for anyone who genuinely enjoys the show and wants to learn about the creation of their favorite characters and episodes (shoutout sideshow bob in cape feare).

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being the behind-the-scenes TV wonk that I am, I appreciated this book's focus on the writers: their ideas, personal styles, conflicts...and the art that resulted. It brought back memories of a simpler, happier time.

[Gavin Eddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great behind the scenes look at what it was like working on The Simpsons during the golden era. Many interviews were conducted with previous writers, producers, and other people who worked on the show in the early years. It's a fascinating look at how some shorts meant to fill time turned into an institution.

Of course I loved all of the sections concerning Conan O'Brien's time on the show and some of the pranks he pulled. But if you are interested in the writing process or the behind the scenes happenings of The Simpsons, I highly recommend the book.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! Super informative, well-researched, and fun.

[Jack Schutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much exactly what I wanted. Plenty of interviews from writers, breakdowns of jokes written for episodes, just enough “remember that episode? Wasn’t that funny?!” As an avid fan of the Golden Era of the Simpsons this was fantastic

[Ben Vore · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When I was growing up, The Simpsons was often the one TV show that parents didn’t allow their kids to watch,” Alan Siegel writes in the final chapter of Stupid TV, Be More Funny. “These days, it’s often the one TV show that parents bond with their kids over.”

My parents were among those who had misgivings about the show, which came out when I was in junior high. But not only did they allow me to watch — my dad watched with me. Despite being the antithesis of Homer Simpson, my dad grew to love the show (as did, eventually, my mom). I watched the show religiously through high school and semi-religiously through college. It’s my all-time favorite TV show (with apologies to Lost).

Which is to say I’m the target audience for this book, which leans heavily on interviews with writers and showrunners while exploring the improbable success of an animated TV show on the up-and-coming FOX network. I had forgotten (even though I lived it!) just how much of a kerfuffle the show caused upon its release: the pearl clutching about Bart’s insubordination; the banning of Bart T-shirts that said “Underachiever and Proud of It”; etc.

I didn’t have any coherent political worldview at the age of fifteen when George H.W. Bush criticized the show and said America should be more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons, but I remember thinking that any adult who failed to understand that the show was inherently pro-family (even if, in the words of one writer, it was about “the American family in all its horror”) — not to mention any adult who thought condemning something smart, funny, and groundbreaking for political points was a good look — was not someone I thought should be running the country.

I keep that in mind whenever my high school students tell me about this or that new show/film/album that seems foreign to my sensibilities.

Because my dad was willing to watch with an open mind, I now get to bond with my youngest son over the show too. (Thank you, Disney Plus.) He loves all the Treehouse of Horror episodes and any Groundskeeper Willie cameo.

My favorite Simpsons joke: When Chief Wiggum answers the phone with, “Uh, no you got the wrong number. This is 9-1 … 2.”

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stupid TV, Be More Funny is a book about the history of The Simpsons written by Alan Siegel, a freelance writer superfan who started watching the show as a first grader. The characters who first appeared as part of the Tracy Ullman Show in 1987, have been on the air ever since. In addition to a wealth of stories published about the show over the years, Siegel had access to a number of staffers This book is well-researched.

This book was very nostalgic for me. One of the first things that made an impression was the discussion of Fox television in the early days. Back in the 1980’s there were only three networks of note and Fox first came on the air with a Joan Rivers talk show, followed by unconventional shows such as Married With Children, 21 Jump Street and the Tracy Ullman Show. Siegel tells short stories about those shows, as well as others of the time, in an early chapter. I had forgotten how hit or miss Fox was back then.

I also enjoyed reminiscing about the catchphrases attributable to Bart Simpson in the 1990’s, as well as the proliferation of Simpsons t-shirts, which you would see everywhere, and other merchandise.

My one regret reading Stupid TV, Be More Funny is that I didn’t realize until half-way through that the episodes stream on the Disney Channel app. Siegel told a number of stories that got me wishing that I could stop reading and go watch the episode. It wasn’t until discussion came to Dustin Hoffman’s season two cameo that I stopped and went to look for “Lisa’s Substitute”.

This book is a fun trip down memory lane for anyone currently addicted to The Simpsons or has ever loved the show in the past.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read Stupid TV, Be More Funny. The above opinions are my own.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grand Central Publishing provided an early galley for review.

As a day one Simpsons fan here (right from the shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show), I am always down for checking out things that discuss this iconic televion show. This one hits the bullseye. Siegel takes the reader from the original concepts into those very first writers' rooms, offering insights on how the show came to be.

I remember the rise in licensed materials during that first season and the reshuffling of the schedule to place the show in direct competition with The Cosby Show (the current top show on TV) during the second. Seeing these events from the viewpoint of the creative staff was enlightening.

This was a refreshing viewpoint when examining The Simpsons. Recommended for folks who like to learn more about the behind-the-scenes history of shows.

[Qmmayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is 100% what you would expect. Serviceable writing, reasonably good access to the original writing staff, and plenty of inside baseball. My connection to the Simpsons links up pretty well with the author’s: an indispensable part of my upbringing that evolved into a defining aspect of my personality. The Simpsons were part of how I established any number of lifelong friendships, with the right quote for the moment creating an instant bond. I even had a colleague tell me that I shouldn’t underestimate how much my familiarity with the Simpsons helped me to land my dream job. Anyway, it’s all here. How it started, how the episodes came together, and how the show changed over the years. It touches on some of the show’s aspects that haven’t aged as well, mainly the boy’s club behind the scenes and The Trouble with Apu. But the book clearly doesn’t want to dwell there, even as it acknowledges the problems.

Definitely recommended for the true fan, but then who else would even pick this up?

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stupid TV, Be More Funny is about the history of the TV show The Simpsons and the cultural impact it has had.

I am a fan of The Simpsons, so I was excited to read this. This was a bit of a miss for me, though. I just found myself bored. I thought the author of this book worked on the show. But this author just writes about pop culture. I think I would have liked this more if someone from the show had actually written this. But I liked learning about the history of this book. I just thought this was going to be more of a memoir.

Thank you, Grand Central Pub, for gifting me a copy of this book. This book came out on June 10!

[Darnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, carried by all the author's writer interviews. There's a fair amount about the Simpsons as a cultural phenomenon, which I accepted mostly due to the inside angles. I appreciated the author targeting the stories behind memorable moments, even when it goes a bit far (like interviewing people with Bort license plates).

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hardly a devotee of the long-running, show, more familiar with Matt Groening's "Life in Hell" series than his more famous work. "The Simpsons," though, is one of the great accomplishments in television history, and that topic is one I can never get enough of. Siegel's book is a great explainer of how the series came to be.

[Jimmy W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Siegel does a great job cataloging the interviews, moments, and subsequent nostalgia that made the Simpsons so special. But I found missing from this book an author's analysis of why TV (and The Simpsons for that matter) is nowadays, stupid.

[Josh Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for Simpsons fans, especially younger millennials and anyone else who didn’t grow up during the golden age of the Simpsons. Added a lot of depth and context to the subversive and deeply intelligent humor/cultural commentary that is the Simpsons.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, nostalgic look back at creating the show. As a similar age to the author, it was easy understand where he was coming from from in how he came to enjoy the show as a fan.

[Nick Guerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I need to rewatch 9 seasons of the Simpsons

[Kirstyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Simpson’s is one of my favorite tv shows ever. My comfort show, if you will. So obviously learning about it (and understanding the references mentioned) was amazing.

[andré crombie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Part of this D-minus belongs to God,” he says to Homer.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on The Simpson's TV show and how it impacted America. Siegel did a nice writing job.
Books On Film and Entertainment