When I started this I was afraid it would be a simple recap of the history of the beginning of "The Simpsons", which I was already quite familiar with. But this book went deeper and told history that was new to me. There were many interviews with the writers that opened a window into what it was like to help create this groundbreaking show. There were also quotes of favorite jokes, which make me laugh out loud - brought up some great memories for me. I was especially interested in a chapter on the history of prime time animation since "The Simpsons" started. Fun read, if you're a Simpsons fan.

***Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this upcoming book***
An absolutely essential read for any Simpsons fan! This book covers the behind the scenes story of The Simpsons from its creation and takes you all the way through the "glory years". I've read a few books similar to this one in the past but this one had some great stories and insights that I had never heard of until now.

Do yourself a favor and take the money you found under the sofa (money can be exchanged for goods and services!) to your local bookstore and pick this up!

First off, the title grabs you right away, and if you even have a fleeting knowledge of The Simpsons, the cover enlightens you immediately on the subject. Then you start reading the book and the nostalgia floods into your mind. You laugh. You reflect. You quote your favorite lines. You decide to go watch some episodes again. This book takes you back to Springfield in the best possible way. And then you realize how important the show has been outside of the fandom. The force that is The Simpsons and how it shifted pop culture and society along the way. This book is a fantastic intellectual journey as well as a nostalgic one. Even non fans of The Simpsons (those exist?), can gain insight and knowledge from this book, albeit without the fondness that fans will walk away with after reading this book.

I was fortunate enough to be a young kid watching TV when the first Simpson bumper appeared on The Tracey Ullman show, which quickly became the best part of the week. Most of my strongest, best memories from childhood involve The Simpsons in some way, including the time my brother — who had just gotten a heart tattoo — and I did the “Ow! Quit it,” scene repeatedly.

As a lifelong fan, I’ve got my favorite episode — Lisa’s Substitute— which I’ve seen more than 100 times. And guess what? I still find myself chuckling over certain lines, just as I still feel the emotional resonance of the episode.

This book is the fourth or fifth I’ve read about what it was like to work on The Simpsons during the early days. Each book feels almost like wearing a warm, comfortable sweater. I always glean some new details, and it’s good to revisit stories I’ve already heard. I actually did remember the examples given by the author in two different sections as “shows you don’t remember,” though.

If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Bursting through the clouds like an iconic title card comes the story of The Simpsons. Alan Siegel provides an overview of the show's early years that only a fan could provide with quotes, references, and interviews from its legendary writers' room. These elements make clear why Springfield's favorite family enraptured audiences and became the cultural institution it is today. Readers will learn how a show that started as an animated segment on a late-night talk show became so influential, witty, and prescient that it understood the American people to a degree that seems clairvoyant. From building a major television network, to trading blows with the President, to being included in the Baseball Hall of Fame, the show's impact is undeniable. After reading this retrospect, it's hard to argue Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie's influence on entertainment and the world. More satisfying than a pink frosted donut with sprinkles for longtime fans, but still a perfectly cromulent read for newcomers, this is a must-buy for your entertainment nonfiction collection.

Stupid TV, Be More Funny by Alan Siegel (book cover is in image) takes the reader through the history of the Simpsons cartoon and its impacts on the US. The narration by Eric Jason Martin was well done and keeps the reader engaged throughout the story. I was able to finish this audiobook in one sitting. This was a great walk down memory lane, and I definitely recommend this book for those who are interested on how popular culture evolves and influences culture in the long term.

Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Jun 10 2025

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My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance copy of this book that looks at the creation of one of the most influential sitcoms in history, one that continues, some would say a past its prime, how the show was crafted, the controversies, and the world that it made.

There are few things in this world that have brought me as much joy as the the television show The Simpsons. From the beginning I was hooked on its humor, its satire, the way it viewed the world, and the way they viewed each other, occasionally mad but always done with love. There are few days that I don't quote the show, or think of something funny about them. They are used as examples, usually of co-workers and odd customers that I have to deal with. Watching the news I wonder at how much the show got right, and how sad I am about that. As a proud Uncle I finally got both my nephews to sit down and watch a few episodes, after which it has become regular viewing when they visit. At my desk where I write this I have my old Burger King Simpsons cup holding my Bart and Lisa Pen and pencil set. In my curio cabinet wrapped in the original Burger King bag are four Simpson watches, in boxes. So I am a fan. And so is the author Alan Siegel, probably even more than I. Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television-and America-Forever is a history of the show, the creators, its legacy and how the world of television, satire, and how we viewed the art of animation was radically changed.

The book begins with the author sharing his introduction to the show, and how his parents thought Homer's antics with a belly dancer were a little too risque for a young child. This soon changed as the show became a phenomenon, and merchandise seller, but that would come later. In the old days television was pretty much the domain of the three networks, something that had stood for almost 40 years. CBS, NBC and ABC, were the television masters. Into this stepped a company FOX owned by man with deep pockets, and a need to make the world a nasty place, Rupert Murdoch, who with Barry Diller as network head created a new channel, Fox. This new network needed shows, and were willing to try anything. A sketch comedy by Tracey Ullman was started, with little animation blocks to fill out time, and transition skits. This was the Simpsons, created by Matt Groening overseen by the producer par excellence James L. Brooks. This little cartoons did so well, Brooks thought about making a show, adding Sam Simon to the mix. Which mixed well. The show was a success and soon was a merchandise goldmine with sharing his thoughts on cows on shirts everywhere. However not all was well at Evergreen Terrace.

This book is a great history of the first and probably best years of The Simpsons, one that has everything warts and all. From Brooks wanting things cheaper, to bad screenings, to problems with a lot of the creators Siegel has done an incredible amount of research and work. Combined with really good writing and lots of information that was not only interesting but funny, this makes for a great history. Siegel does not skip the bad things, the long plateau that people say about the show now. Or problems with people behind the scenes, and a little network interference here and there. The show has been such a part of my life I have forgotten all the little controversies that arose from the show. Though I do remember when they moved from Sunday to Thursdays as I had to work late that night, and usually had to record the shows on my parents VCR.

There have been a lot of books on the show, but I think this one does the best job of covering the early years. There is a little bit of jumping around and the nerd in me would have liked more dates to tell me when things were happening, but these are minor quibbles. I enjoyed this book quite a lot, and love the feelings that it brought back to me. Though I must admit I with they weren't so right about the future we would be living in.

This was a great nostalgic trip back to the beginning of the Simpsons. Being a similar age to the author it was easy to relate to his personal anecdotes about being a fan of the series and had similar experiences. This is a good high level history of the show with many fun facts and Easter eggs about the episodes for the fans. Only piece that wasn’t explicitly clear when the golden age “ended” but lots of examples how it was coming to a close

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My opinions are my own and are freely given.

I grew up watching The Simpsons, starting with the pilot episode the year it aired. Can't remember for sure, but I believe my school was one that didn't ban Bart Simpson t-shirts. I thought it was ridiculous, and still do, that they banned Bart Simpson shirts in school. A t-shirt isn't going to make a child act out in class. Then again, dress codes are usually ridiculous.

I loved the book. My only complaint is that there were no pictures. Seriously. A whole book about The Simpsons and not a single picture of them. Not that I don't know what they look like, but still. I am of the mind that all adult books should have more pictures. Give more work to the illustrators. Also, I love illustrations. ❤️

Definitely a great book for anyone who loves The Simpsons!

Stupid TV, Be More Funny is a book about the history of The Simpsons written by Alan Siegel, a freelance writer superfan who started watching the show as a first grader. The characters who first appeared as part of the Tracy Ullman Show in 1987, have been on the air ever since. In addition to a wealth of stories published about the show over the years, Siegel had access to a number of staffers This book is well-researched.
This book was very nostalgic for me. One of the first things that made an impression was the discussion of Fox television in the early days. Back in the 1980’s there were only three networks of note and Fox first came on the air with a Joan Rivers talk show, followed by unconventional shows such as Married With Children, 21 Jump Street and the Tracy Ullman Show. Siegel tells short stories about those shows, as well as others of the time, in an early chapter. I had forgotten how hit or miss Fox was back then.

I also enjoyed reminiscing about the catchphrases attributable to Bart Simpson in the 1990’s, as well as the proliferation of Simpsons t-shirts, which you would see everywhere, and other merchandise.

My one regret reading Stupid TV, Be More Funny is that I didn’t realize until half-way through the book that the episodes stream on the Disney Channel app. Siegel told a number of stories that got me wishing that I could stop reading and go watch the episode. It wasn’t until discussion came to Dustin Hoffman’s season two cameo that I stopped and went to look for “Lisa’s Substitute”.

This book is a fun trip down memory lane for anyone currently addicted to The Simpsons or has ever loved the show in the past.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read Stupid TV, Be More Funny. The above opinions are my own.

Grand Central Publishing provided an early galley for review.

As a day one Simpsons fan here (right from the shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show), I am always down for checking out things that discuss this iconic televion show. This one hits the bullseye. Siegel takes the reader from the original concepts into those very first writers' rooms, offering insights on how the show came to be.

I remember the rise in licensed materials during that first season and the reshuffling of the schedule to place the show in direct competition with The Cosby Show (the current top show on TV) during the second. Seeing these events from the viewpoint of the creative staff was enlightening.

This was a refreshing viewpoint when examining The Simpsons. Recommended for folks who like to learn more about the behind-the-scenes history of shows.