The Simpsons: Every Season Ranked Worst To Best

The brainchild of Matt Groening, The Simpsons premiered its first season in 1989, and since then has aired around 700 episodes over 31 seasons. Season 32 is set to end later this year, and although word has not yet been given about a renewal, it sure seems the show could go on forever.

The longest-running American sitcom and animated series ever, The Simpsons is widely regarded as perhaps the greatest show of all time, thanks in equal parts to its innovative writing, iconic characters, social satire and immeasurable pop culture influence.

Though the general consensus these days is that the show is far passed its prime, its longevity and consistent popularity speaks for itself. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie - along with their family, friends, neighbours and life-long enemies - have all be around for a long time, through controversy, major historical events and various Treehouse of Horror misadventures.

With that in mind, excluding the 2007 movie, let's take a trip down memory lane and remember the best and worst of America's most famous family.

Many of the seasons after The Simpsons' golden years aren't as bad as others, with some being very good - but season 20 is not one of them.

Though it's by no means bad, it's rather forgettable and sloppy. Plot-points centred around Marge working at an adult bakery and Homer thinking Bart's new Muslim friend is a terrorist follow the season through to its end, giving the whole thing a lazy, even outright offensive tone.

That being said, the Bart-Lisa centric "How the Test Was Won" makes for a breezy and fun episode, as does the latest Treehouse of Horror, which sees Homer kill Krusty the Clown and has Milhouse let loose a homicidal pumpkin. It's just a shame the rest of the episodes aren't willing to rise to the challenge.