The Simpsons: Every Golden Age Season Ranked

Once upon a time in Western culture, the epitome of children's entertainment came in the form of cartoons. This was a time prior to late 1989 when The Simpsons' debut episode was broadcast and, in the process, eviscerated any and all pre-conceived notions about just who a cartoon could appeal to.

While the initial feedback was positive, no one could anticipate just how much of a cultural icon the yellow family of five would quickly become, which in itself is an understatement, as The Simpsons was - and still is - a media juggernaut that accounts for a large percentage of Fox's earnings across the board. This was due to the phenomenal writing, exceptional jokes, relatability of the characters and, of course, the inhabitants of Springfield. Making it feel like a living, breathing entity all of its own.

For years, it reigned supreme, without many challengers so much as even coming anywhere near its pedestal where it remained perched for so many years. We didn't know it then, but that era was not only special, but would also become colloquially known as the Golden Age, which contains the unprecedented run of the first 8 seasons.

But, just which one is the King Midas of this age and which would be considered royally underwhelming?

Best offerings: "Moaning Lisa", "Krusty Gets Busted", "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire".

Adjudged by many to be a very rough version of what would come later - just look at the image attached - the initial season that caused a tidal wave of Simpsonmania across the globe was an unprecedented hit upon release until it became an unstoppable juggernaut. But, through the power of hindsight, it's actually quite difficult to assume there wasn't a hint of luck on their side.

Understandably, the outcome was always going to be at least slightly inane and its clear the team really put their heart and soul into the first season, but considering that no one had produced a cartoon with an adult audience in mind anywhere in Western culture before, it was quite the arduous task.

As for the content itself - outside of the inhuman looking background characters and black Smithers - the story concepts were mostly really solid, even if the stories themselves shifted focus too rapidly one too many times. The underdeveloped characteristics of a few of the family didn't help either. Due to Bart being the main protagonist of this original season, there's a lot of emphasis on his and Homer's dynamics, which makes it harder to resonate with Lisa and Marge, who each get one plotline all season.

In its infant stage, the show feels more akin to the stage still being set up, rather than the story actually being put into motion, but its quirky charm can't be denied.