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.