"The Simpsons" "The Simpsons", created by cartoonist Matt Groening, first appeared in 1987 as a series of 30-second spots produced by Groening for the FOX series "The Tracey Ullman Show." Response to the spots was so positive that "The Simpsons" premiered on FOX network as a half-hour Christmas special on Dec. 17, 1989, and then as a regular series on Jan. 14, 1990. "The Simpsons" is an edgy series that deals with family, society and environmental issues using satire of all types. Now the longest running prime time animated series in television history, "The Simpsons" have won many awards for exception