Why The Simpsons Opening Changed (Twice)

After 30 seasons, The Simpsons’ opening credits sequence is certainly iconic, but it has changed significantly since the original episodes aired. The Simpsons’ intro was changed not once, but twice since the series first premiered.

The Simpsons debuted in December 1989 with “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” a Christmas-themed episode that doesn’t include an extended opening sequence. Instead, the series premiere gets straight to the storyline after the opening title card appears.

The second episode, “Bart the Genius,” unveiled the now-famous opening sequence, an 85-second flurry of Springfield action, with Bart scribbling on a school chalkboard and skateboarding through town. Lisa received a mid-sequence saxophone solo, and the clip ends with Homer racing home and plopping down on the family couch with the rest of the Simpson clan, ready for a proper television binge. But after The Simpsons season 1, the opening sequence was altered twice for a more optimal viewing experience. 

Change One: The Simpsons Reanimation

The Simpsons’ opening sequence was reanimated for the second series installment. In addition, the duration was trimmed down by approximately six seconds. In this version, Bart’s skateboard ride through Springfield is shorter, as the action cuts after Krusty the Clown appears on storefront televisions. Now, Bart passes by Bleeding Gums Murphy instead of a group of Springfield locals. Early on, Bart’s school looks different as well, since the coloring has changed from light purple to orange.

For The Simpsons’ new season 2 open, Lisa’s bicycle ride was removed entirely. In the original version, she hurries home with a pile of books and her sax in back. The Simpsons season 2 version includes the same school performance scene, however Lisa barely appears on screen when she whizzes by Homer at 742 Evergreen Terrace. The new opening sequence stayed the same for nearly 20 years. 

Change Two: The Simpsons HD Adjustments

For The Simpsons season 20, Fox decided to change with the times. The series began airing in High Definition, which meant that new animation was necessary to provide a more fresh and lively feel, and also to take advantage of the frame itself. 

The Simpsons’ new and improved open didn’t start with the beginning of season 20, but rather with the 10th episode, “Take My Life, Please.” During the first seconds, a crow flies across the screen, and the image transitions to a wide Springfield shot that allows for a proper look at the city, in contrast to the original overhead shot and slow transition to the school. There’s much more detail in the third opening sequence for The Simpsons, and quick zooms draw attention to familiar locations. For the HD version, Bart writes “HDTV IS WORTH EVERY CENT” on the chalkboard, and a skateboard jump aligns perfectly with a Barney Gumble belch. Lisa’s sax performance is mostly the same, but she turns around to play a couple extra notes; a wink of the eye moment. Krusty the Clown remains on storefront televisions, but the Springfield crowd looks different, most notably through the appearance of Apu and his eight children. Finally, after a couch gag, the Simpsons have a new television.

Since 2009, the new opening sequence for The Simpsons has featured numerous visual gags and changing text, whether it’s over the cloud sequence, on a Springfield billboard, or on the school chalkboard. Lisa also plays various instruments, rather than just a saxophone. 

About The Author

Q.V. Hough
(1892 Articles Published)

Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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