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The Simpsons have influenced an entire generation like no other sitcom. According to Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, the show basically reinvented the wheel by creating a medium of its own. Hence, the show is now the longest running TV series in history, airing for the first time before I was born.

And yet, viewers, many of whom can quote the lines from the show by heart, still find little details that make them burst out laughing, year after year after year. So when Twitter user @Manuclearbomb asked people “What’s your favorite visual gag from The Simpsons?” it hit close to home for many Simpsons aficionados who wasted no time in sharing their own personal favorites.

Below we selected some of the most iconic, unusual and interesting visual gags from The Simpsons you either find hilarious or will be surprised you have not noticed before! Scroll down, upvote your favorite ones, and if you’re still hungry for more Simpsons goodness, be sure to check out our previous The Simpsons feature about its most wholesome moments.

#1

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Andy Acceber
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How timely. Just this week, there was an NPR headline that asked, "Has Tucker Carlson created the most racist show in the history of cable news?" The interview explains that the answer is pretty much 'yes' according to study that analyzed over 400 episodes of his show. https://www.npr.org/2022/05/12/1098488908/has-tucker-carlson-created-the-most-racist-show-in-the-history-of-cable-news

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Previously, Bored Panda spoke to Aaron Demeter, The Simpsons connoisseur and the creator of the iconic Putting Challenge game, about what exactly made the longest-running primetime scripted series on TV an icon of an entire generation. According to Demeter, the success of The Simpsons is partly due to “certain timelessness to the humor and writing of the early Simpsons seasons that I think has helped keep the show alive for so many people through so many different formats.”

At its peak, The Simpsons had such a massive reach that it became an important piece of media. Years later, the sitcom still captures our imagination and brings a sense of nostalgia. According to Demeter, “people first interacted with it when they were young and are now creating their own media, whether this is through memes, music, writing, etc.” Aaron believes that it’s through The Simpsons that an entire generation got inspired and informed on their own creativity.

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#7

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Bambi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's because in India cattle are considered sacred and even worshipped..

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To this day, Demeter remembers some of The Simpsons' most touching moments. One is the "'Do it for her' moment that ends 'And Maggie Makes Three'” and “Lisa getting to play the Sax with Bleeding Gums Murphy one last time in 'Round Springfield.'”

Demeter told us that the first one is ”an incredibly heartwarming moment that really shows Homer’s love for his family and how much it helps him make it through his days at the power plant,” said Aaron. Meanwhile, the second one always gets Aaron because he used to play saxophone when little. "I always tear up a little when Homer makes the decision to purchase a saxophone for Lisa instead of an air conditioner,” he said.

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The show's cultural impact is also unquestionable; just think of the infinite amount of catchphrases and one-liners that created a shared cultural knowledge among fans all over the world. Moreover, The Simpsons' success as a prime-time animated show led directly to the creation of other sitcoms like Family Guy, American Dad, and Futurama. It also influenced an explosion of witty animated shows aimed at adult audiences, challenging the myth that animation lacked substance and depth and so was meant for kids.

#14

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blobby_grrl
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

too close to reality to be funny. but its still funny. meh. oof a doof doof.

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Most importantly, the show convinced America (and the world) that animation could be for adults and still be commercially profitable at primetime. As a result, the door was opened for many of its imitators, from Beavis & Butthead to South Park. It also marked a new era which set the tone for a new kind of self-aware, hyper-referential form of comedy that has influenced everything from The Office to The Daily Show.

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#16

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Katie Lutesinger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew a guy who was a complete and utter disaster area, and he never knew that his profile picture in my contacts like was the "Technical Difficulties" sign from the top right.

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#17

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ᴀʟᴇxᴏᴛʟ_ᴛʜᴇɢʀᴇᴀᴛ
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. I see so many guys donating their perms. So amazing. I wish I could but you know, women can only donate Mohawks

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#27

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ArodTheHorrible
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, just check out Broadway in Nashville and you'll see things you never would have believed

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#28

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Katie Lutesinger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Oops, better remove this Bar Association logo too." *rips it off and eats it*

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#29

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Katie Lutesinger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And later on in the episode you see "BROCKMAN FIRED" in the background.

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#30

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Donkey boi
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a fallacy that has been disproven countless times. The UK currently ranks 5th in the world for dental health. The US comparatively, is ranked 9th. Due to the cost of dental care in the US, the UK has has been better since the foundation of the NHS in 1948. EDIT: Just to clarify, 1) I'm not British 2) I'm not bothered by the 'joke', I'm just pointing out a fact. I like to educate on old "Jokes" that are just tired (and yes I'd do the same for you Yanks, Aussies) 3) Some cosmetic work is covered by the NHS if certain requirements are met (Braces are based on a score system called the IOTN scale, feel free to google it).

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SS
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But this is why the stereotype exists - the NHS doesn’t pay for cosmetic work. So British teeth are on average healthier but without cosmetic treatments for whitening and straightening, which Americans consider a core part of a dental plan.

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Anna Litical
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm British. It's true. Although we ARE getting better with veneers now. Lol.

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Richard
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it hilarious that the Brits can't take a joke when its about them. Its not funny unless its about the US. FFS

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AverageWeeb 🇬🇧
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You said it. They don’t have an issue with stereotyping a much larger nation, but the second it’s about the UK it’s not longer funny.

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Nimues Child
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seth McFarlane has a similar thing about British teeth. It feels like an old stereotype that should be put to bed.

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APL
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't mind the Family Guy one so much because at least it was balanced with *positive* stereotypes ("If you won't leave peacefully, then we'll use our superior linguistic skills to persuade you to leave!") But the Simpsons' writers have no grasp on who the British are at all. Remember the episode where Future Lisa brings home a British boyfriend? Homer rather sweetly runs the Union flag up his flagpole, but it hits the bug zapper and bursts into flames. The Brit boyfriend bursts into tears. What!? A real Brit would be desperately trying not to laugh.

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A
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am British and I think it is funny. It's just a joke

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Time2Roll86🇺🇦
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this episode! Ralph Wiggum goes to the dentist, and then the dentist asks Ralph if he brushes his teeth, and then the dentist pulls out The Big Book of British Smiles, and Ralph starts crying and and says: “I don’t brush….I DONT BRUUUUSH!!!”

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Cliff Anderson
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That episode where Homer was inventing and modified a double barrel shotgun as a “makeup gun”? He goes to blast Marge in the face but she bats the muzzle aside and it creates a huge misshapen clown face 🤡 on the wall? Her retort of “Homer, you’ve got it set on whore!” is the funniest gag I’ve ever seen on TV.

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Lothar Ohr
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Joe Rogan had a guy on saying how better cooking leads to worse teeth since the you dont need to chew the whole day. Makes me think about these jokes

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Crouching hippo hidden panda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always thought it was a dig at us because we don’t go mad for veneers like in the US… didn’t know it was because other nations thought we had poor dental care

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Roxy Eastland
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The whole teeth stereotype only started in the 90s when a British author, Martin Amies, decided to spend a large advance (like £20,000 or similar) on having dental work done. It must have been a slow news week because the British press went to town on this fact, although no one I knew cared two hoots what he did with his money. But it must have been translated, perhaps for fun, in the US as meaning Brits don't care about the appearance of their teeth?

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#33

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ThePanInPanda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Christmas Hobgoblins is probably one of my favorite Simpsons scenes due to how ridiculous it is.

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#34

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ThePanInPanda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one of the dumbest jokes that always makes me chuckle. I love Itchy and Scratchy.

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#35

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ThePanInPanda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then he goes for the snack table, and they bring out the 'Ben control!' Love that scene.

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#38

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Katie Lutesinger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I'm a white male aged 18 to 49 - EVERYONE listens to me! No matter how dumb my suggestions are!"

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#39

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Katie Lutesinger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how it's so heavy that when he throws it in the bin it immediately squashes all the other garbage that's in there right to the bottom.

#40

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Note: this post originally had 53 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.