After perusing many forums and talking to many people, I have found that the Simpsons seems to be the most popular TV show among American adults (it'd be even more popular among American adults & youngsters combined, but it amazes me that among just adults, it's still most populat). Now, I have lived in the United States for 8 years, but this is one of those things I just don't understand. One reason is perhaps because I don't really like this show that much. But more importantly: there are many shows out there, what is it about The Simpsons that just appeal so much to such a majority of people?

PS: There are a lot of people in this forum who use Simpsons portraits, too!

Granted, The Simpsons rock all of TV....but only one show is better..........Family Guy!

There's a lot of political and social commentary going on in the Simpsons that would probably be harder to appreciate if you hadn't grown up as an American. But that's a lot of the popularity - to kids it's a funny cartoon, to adults it's clever comedy/satire.

For instance, last week Milhouse made the same expression found on this picture of a frenchman in WWII. How obscure is that?

Originally posted by LionelHutz
There's a lot of political and social commentary going on in the Simpsons that would probably be harder to appreciate if you hadn't grown up as an American. But that's a lot of the popularity - to kids it's a funny cartoon, to adults it's clever comedy/satire.

For instance, last week Milhouse made the same expression found on this picture of a frenchman in WWII. How obscure is that?
I agree. For example, a tropical resort found in The Simpsons was named "Chez Guevara". Some of the humor is pretty clever if you keep your eyes peeled.

Wow, I wouldn't have gotten 50% of the clever references! But then don't you think the average and certainly less educated viewers miss a lot of those too? And the many non-natives like myself? And people who don't read a lot about politics? And yet it's still the most popular show. It's magic.

I have no doubt that a lot of people miss the references. I catch a lot that I missed the first time when I see them on re-runs and I'm sure that there are some I just never get. The thing is, it doesn't take that great of a percentage of the population to watch a show to make it really popular.