By Vianey Olivares
Everyone’s favorite animated yellow family turns 30 this year. With over 650 episodes, it is one of the most beloved series in pop culture, and the longest-running American sitcom ever. Its millions of viewers know there’s always an episode for every moment in their lives, and many are convinced they know everything there is to know about the show. If you’re among the great admirers of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, here are 30 facts you probably didn’t know (or don’t remember) about 30 of the peculiar inhabitants of Springfield.
Waylon Smithers
Mr. Smithers is gay! Well, we already knew that. But what you probably don’t know is that Waylon was originally conceived as an African-American, just like Carl!
Ned Flanders
Ned’s last name comes from the name of a Portland street, Matt Groening’s (the show’s creator) hometown.
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Seymour Skinner
The principal of Springfield Elementary School is allergic to peanuts.
Dr. Hibbert
He’s Bleeding Gums Murphy’s brother, the blues musician.
Moe Szyslak
His Christmas tradition is trying to commit suicide. Pretty dark, huh?
Reverend Lovejoy
He secretly hates Ned Flanders, and wishes Ned to change religions so that he doesn’t have to deal with him any longer.
Itchy & Scratchy
Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but the opening theme for Bart and Lisa’s favorite cartoon does have some high-pitched lyrics:
They bite,
They bite and fight and bite,
bite, bite, bite,
fight, fight, fight,
The Itchy and Scratchy Show
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Lisa Marie Simpson
If her middle name isn’t a curious fact in itself, you should also know Lisa is inspired in Matt Groening’s sister, who’s married to Craig Bartlett, creator of Hey, Arnold! and Rugrats.
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
Apu learned English watching porn films.
Nelson Muntz
During the show’s first episodes, Nelson had a couple of sidekicks who made up his gang. However, as the series progressed, he became a solitary character who would occasionally hang out with other bullies, such as Jimbo.
Clancy Wiggum
Springfield’s police chief was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
Fat Tony
This mob boss is a widower who has a son about Lisa’s age. Fat Tony’s character is inspired in The Godfather’s Michael Corleone.
Kang and Kodos
The aliens that regularly monitor Springfield actually vomit through their eyes! Eww.
Barney Gumble
When rehabilitated, Barney is capable of doing incredible things, like flying a helicopter or becoming an astronaut.
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Grampa Simpson
He sold his house to help Homer buy his own.
Snake Jailbird
Springfield’s recidivist used to be a respectable archaeologist, but was conned by Moe.
Helen Lovejoy
Reverend Lovejoy’s wife, Helen is also Lisa godmother.
Bart Simpson
After South Park’s creators received threats from Islamic extremists, Bart wrote a message in his classroom’s famous blackboard supporting the former.
Santa’s Little Helper
The Simpson’s dog is a greyhound.
Sideshow Bob (Robert Underdunk Terwilliger Jr., PhD)
Despite being constantly labeled a “dangerous murderer,” Bob has never actually managed to kill anyone.
Milhouse Van Houten
Though he’s now madly in love with Lisa, when the series started it was implied he was actually attracted to Bart.
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Maggie Simpson
The show has shown us the character’s futures already, yet Maggie has only been heard speaking once. One time when no one was around, she called Homer, “daddy.”
Otto Mann
His appearance is based on Slash, Guns N’ Roses’ famous guitarist. Pretty obvious, right? Well, we can confirm it anyway.
Krusty the Clown (Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky)
He was originally conceived as Homer’s secret identity, but in the end Matt Groening decided to make an independent character.
Edna Krabappel
The Springfield Elementary School’s teacher had a great passion for teaching until she met Bart, who made her hate her job.
Marjorie Jacqueline “Marge” Simpson (née Bouvier)
She’s a Beatles fan (who isn’t?), especially of Ringo Starr (ok, that’s weird).
Mayor “Diamond” Joe Quimby
Springfield’s mayor is actually a Democrat.
Charles Montgomery Burns
This nuclear energy tycoon is among the richest animated characters to date, according to Forbes magazine. The list also includes Bruce Wayne and Rich Uncle Pennybags, aka “The Monopoly Man.”
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Homer Jay Simpson
When looked from the side, Homer’s face spells his creator’s initials, “M.G.”
Ralph Wiggum
Ralph’s conduct and slow learning indicate he has some sort of disability, which was confirmed when a storyline revealed his father had dropped him on his head when he was a toddler.
Translated by Oliver G. Alvar
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