First aired in 1989, <I>The Simpsons</I> has become America''s most beloved animated show. It changed the world of television, bringing to the screen a cartoon for adults, a sitcom without a laugh track, an imperfect lower class family, a mixture of high and low comedy and satire for the masses. This collection of new essays explores the many ways in which <I>The Simpsons</I> reflects everyday life through its exploration of gender roles, music, death, food politics, science and religion, anxiety, friendship and more.