THANKS to witty scripts, captivating animation and some terrific characters, The Simpsons (Channel 4, 6pm) is undoubtedly a jewel in the schedules.



However, when the show first hit US screens in 1989, it wasn't such an accomplished piece of work. With the actors still to find their voices, the animation stilted and the scripts hardly sparkling, many could be forgiven for concluding this spin-off from The Tracey Ullman Show was destined for a short shelf life. Thankfully, 19 years later the series is still going strong.



In the past 12 months alone, Homer and company have dominated the big screen; left games fans addicted to their various consoles, and on May 15, they make their debut at Universal Studios, Florida with The Simpsons Ride.



Even if you've not seen the movie or played the game, there's still plenty to enjoy with this week's episodes. Thursday sees the terrestrial premiere of The Regina Monologues, a Blighty-based offering featuring Tony Blair, JK Rowling and Ian McKellen. However, this edition, another Channel 4 premiere, is also well worth a look.



Homer tries to help his fugitive mum Mona evade justice, but unwittingly delivers her into the hands of the police - who promptly put her on trial for sabotaging Mr Burns' germ-warfare laboratory in the 1960s.



Regulars

Aside from series regulars Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner and Nancy Cartwright, the vocal cast includes Damages star Glenn Close. She's just one of the countless celebs who have lent their dulcet tones to the series over the years. But how did the series attract such big names and become the cash cow it is today?



Well, much of the success rests at the feet of cartoonist Matt Groening, who created the family, but without producer James L Brooks and writer Sam Simon, this would have been a very different show.



The series they produced in 1989 may have looked a bit clunky and, in retrospect, lacks that fast-paced sense of humour, but it was light years away from anything else on TV at the time.



When it returned for a second run, the creators were given more episodes to play with, the scripts became ever more elaborate and packed with jokes and the character of Bart turned into a cultural phenomenon.



On this side of the Pond, the first most of us saw of the family was when the spin-off single, Do the Bartman, went to number one. Although the series was being shown on satellite TV, it wasn't until the BBC acquired the rights in 1996 that terrestrial viewers got the chance to discover what all the fuss was about.



By 2002, Channel 4 outbid them for the rights. As a result, the yellow-skinned clan switched sides in 2004, to enjoy the same weekday slot at their new home.



In 2008, the series may feel a tad dated compared to animations such as Family Guy, but as Homer and company approach their 20th year, there's no denying The Simpsons has earned its status as one of the greatest shows ever made.