20 Animated TV Shows That Are Practically Flawless

The prevailing wisdom about The Simpsons is that, over thirty years in, it's run for too long, and its less inspired later years have overshadowed the series it once was.

But this isn't entirely fair. Sure, its beloved Golden Years were the best, but The Simpsons still remains an astute comedy that tackles more issues with more topical humour than most other shows of its kind. It's lost its bite after thirty years, but there's more enjoyment in more recent seasons than it's ever been given credit for.

From the dumb but loving exploits of family patriarch Homer to the daredevil antics of Bart and the various foibles of Springfield's many colourful side players, Matt Groening's sweet and charming portrayal of the American family made it an show of endless quotability and remarkable originality.

From the beloved Golden Years -- around seasons 2 through 13, for my money -- to more recent crossovers with Futurama, Lego Movie spoofs and exciting Treehouse of Horror adventures, The Simpsons is an animated gem too great to miss.