I think it's kind of a misnomer.

The Simpsons was first aired in 1989. "The Simpsons" has existed for about as long as The Simpsons itself.

In terms of the word "somewhat," it's a bit of a stretch. It would have been a lot easier to say the show was first aired around 1970, with the earliest episodes in 1989. I agree that their use of the term "somewhat" is kind of silly.

In terms of the show itself, I'd say the first full-length episodes were "Bart The Genius" and "Bart Gets An F" in 1989. They were, for the first few seasons or so, called "The Simpson" for obvious reasons, but it wasn't really until later seasons that the series became known in the show as "The Simpsons."

As with a lot of things, it's a combination of things.

It first aired in 1989 (an early example) and it was popular enough that the first season was syndicated by Fox and ran in syndication until 1991. It was on many other networks, but Fox always had the most of the shows first season syndicated, so they started showing it first. They also were the most likely to air the entire series in syndication and the earliest to air the shows new episodes.

In the case of "The Simpsons", it was syndicated by Fox for a long time too and was often aired on a weekday, which made it prime time. It was then syndicated by the WB until 1993 when FOX started syndicating the show. CBS had the show for a long time and even syndicated it until 1997, but CBS was the only network to air the first season of the show.

So it's not entirely the same thing.

The Simpsons was created by the creators of the original series, Matt Groening and James L. Brooks.

Source

"I'm Homer Simpson, and today's the day I've been waiting for for two decades!"

Greatest show ever for 9 seasons.

Thanks OP! 😊 that’s some great news for the simpsoys

When did you realize this, and how long have you been waiting to use this fact?

I think they holding out for 40 then quit

Now let's all go for some frosty chocolate milkshakes!

Back when Homer sounded like someone doing a Walter Matthau imitation.

I was Bart’s age when the show came out. Now I’m older than Homer - that’s not ok

Homer working as mall Santa just to afford presents is the most relatable dad energy ever.

Lionel Hutz?

The longevity of this show is mind blowing, but I'm one of those "it sucks after season.." types.

1989 is closer to 1955 than it is the present.

When it started I was the same age as Bart. Now I'm older than Homer.

The shorts started on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987.

On Dec. 17, 1989, “The Simpsons” debuted with its premiere episode, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,”

Happy homecoming day to Santa's Little Helper!

I watched it live. The next day everyone at school in my 2nd grade class was singing "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells".

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I would love for them to get the original writers together for a new movie when they end it.

I used to love this show! I know its problematic by todays standards, but was super funny at the time even though i bet half the jokes went over my head. I love the Simpsons area at Universal

My mom recorded all of the Treehouse of Horror specials in the 90s. We still have the tape that contains the breaking news of River Phoenix’s death. RIP. 

the way this show actually changed cartoons as we see them today is insane

Still confused why it’s still on TV…

Look as much as everyone says it’s been airing for way too long, there’s just something so timeless about most of the episodes that few sitcoms these days are able to accomplish. So props to the Simpsons writers for managing to keep these guys alive for the past 35 years.

Oh, gosh, barely.

When I was about 4 or 5, somewhere in '03 or '04, my Mother and I recently immigrated to a Western European country to meet Dad, who had come here earlier, to establish our lives.

We were living temporarily in a nice apartment, in the capital. Obviously, being a child, I had no awareness of all the stress my young parents were going through with juggling temp work, language learning and studying to attest the legitimacy of their native university diploma.

Our apartment was on one of the upper floors, can't remember which. All I can say is that it gave me a great view from my room to admire the workings of the garbage truck coming by. Something about all the noise of the machinery, the irreverent screaming of the workers and all the chains and led clicking and clacking as they picked up that load, fascinated me.

The front door opened straight into the living room, kinda like a studio apartment in Friends. And there was the TV, across the couch.

I remember sitting on that wooden floor late into the night (by child standarts) glued to the TV. Fascinated by all the noise and images, much like the ones of the garbage truck. Since I couldn't understand English (CartoonNetwork only showed cartoons in English back then, it had no voice-over).

Samurai Jack was an oddity. It was cool, and I guess it sparked my fascination for ninjas. But it was also unsettling, due to the imagery of brutality. Powerpuff Girls was another one, following the same pattern. Only, I watched Samurai Jack while laying on the living room floor hypnotized by the TV late into the night. Whereas I watched PPG in my room, while sick in bed. I guess those three happy girls were better company as i layed sick in a warm comfy bed. Whereas the silent and stoic Samurai, who never giggled or laughed, wasn't of much comfort.

I remember all three of us would spend the evening watching The Simpsons. The odd yellow people warmed my heart as soon as I saw and laughed at how the cute little baby was first scanned at the grocery store and then seemed to be driving a car! I barely remember anything else. The intro itself was entertainment for me! My parents probably enjoyed it a bit more, as they were able to read the subtitles. Well, as best they could back then.

That's all I knew of the Simpsons, really. Yellow people with a baby who is scanned at the store and then drives a car. But it managed to leave an impression for life, of a warm yellow feeling.

It was during the Tracey Ullman show. Then we were super excited to see S1E1 and even taped it so we could watch it over and over.

The first episode. I read 'Life In Hell' comic books by Groenig all through the 1980's.

Saw some of the Tracey Ullman segments, so I was interested when I heard they were doing a Christmas episode. I watched every episode’s original air date from that first one all the way to the early 2000’s.

First one I truly remember was the framing of Krusty the Clown

What about the simpsons shorts? From 1987 on the Tracy Ulman show 

"But he's a loser! He's pathetic! He's... A Simpson."

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose

And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows

https://preview.redd.it/4ln2xw1doe7e1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45710f6afa4f181736f80d5b3a1de0b94ec85c2b

The Simpsons Forever!!!

Simpson. Homer Simpson. He’s the greatest guy in history. From the town of Springfield. He’s about to hit a chestnut tree… ahhh!!!

Here is to 35 years of incredible TV and incredible memories. The first and only longest running cartoon show in a prime time tv slot. This show changed how people saw cartoons and animated shows. I love it. I love The Simpsons.

87 if you count Tracy Ullman Show, 1990 if you had Sky and 97 for RTÉ.(Edited from 92..I was probably watching it on Sky) Here’s a great Wiki resource I found https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_in_Irish_television

If I were to take a guess I’d say sometime around 1995/6.

They were on constantly during 97 and 98 onwards so definitely not far off that time period. Seasons 7 and 8 in particular were on a lot then with sky and the bbc showing later seasons.

More than likely it debuted in Ireland a few years after airing in the states due to licensing and syndication rights.

Sometime in the 90’s

Sunday’s at 8pm