>> the lines on the simpsons are so sharp and i'm so impressed the volume of good jokes and the quality of the jokes. it was a legendary writer's room, long before i got there. >> this subverted the family sitcom. in fact, it was the most realistic portrayal of the family, which is crazy because it was a cartoon. >> the simpsons is the hottest new series on television. if you haven't seen the animated series, it's about a family just like yours. >> we had kids back talking to their parents. maybe it was because in animated format you didn't expect to see that. >> here's bart simpson the most popular character on television right no and we talked to the school principal who is banning bart simpson t-shirts. >> there's always somebody lying in bed awake at night seething because kids find something really fun. it's a controversy of the week. >> all she needed was for that big slob to she her some respect. at least that's what i thought. i have a history of missing a point at stuff like this. >> homer, you got it just right. >> the reason that show holds together is that it's a family. it sounds corny, but it is a family. they do love each other and they're trying to maintain the