On December 17, 1989, the face of television changed forever, as the first episode of The Simpsons aired. It was a half-hour episode featuring a crudely animated family struggling to make their Christmas memorable. Few people would have imagined then that in two decades time, the show would still be profitable.

I won’t pontificate on how The Simpsons have changed the TV landscape, as it’s all been said before; they gave new life to the fledgling Fox network, they pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in primetime (although what was controversial then is incredibly tame by today’s standards), they inspired numerous other animated shows targeted at older audiences, and of course they created a huge empire in their own right, full of world-famous characters and catch-phrases.

When I think of The Simpsons turning 20, I reflect on how big a role the show has played in my life. It’s easily my favorite TV show of all-time – there are a lot of other great shows that I love and obsess over, but nothing has been more consistent for me than The Simpsons. I’ve been watching the show religiously since I was 10. Since I was 10! That’s quite a streak. Other than playing video games, I can’t think of anything else that has been such a regular part of my life for so long. Hell, I met all of my childhood friends that I’m still in touch with after I met The Simpsons.

I’m fairly obsessive in my fandom, although of course there are far more uber-nerds out there. I’ve seen all 449 episodes of the show, from the very best (Cape Feare, Itchy and Scratchy Land) to the worst episode ever (The Computer Wore Menace Shoes), and I have always made it a point not to miss the latest show. In college, I would get to the TV lounge early on Sunday nights to make sure no one else would even attempt to put on another channel. And my parents who liked to call on Sunday nights were forbidden from checking in when The Simpsons were on. I even was known to watch four episodes of repeat episodes in a row; Ithaca picked up both the Fox Binghamton and Fox Syracuse stations, and one would air 2 shows form 6-7pm, and the other from 7-8pm. (Of course, that was only on special occasions, and this fact in no way negatively influenced my grades.”) Clint and I had a whole Sunday night ritual before settling in for Futurama, Simpsons, and The X-Files. When I would visit Courtney on weekends at Cornell, I would stay late on Sundays to watch the show with her and Mehler and Deej, even though it meant me getting back home at some unholy hour, while everyone else was still asleep in their comfy, comfy beds. When I was a Page at Saturday Night Live and I would get home at 11am on Sundays after being awake for over 24 hours, I’d sleep straight through until Monday morning – except to get up and watch The Simpsons.

But it’s not just the way I’d schedule my life. The Simpsons also has affected the way I speak. I remember once a friend at work commented that she and her friends once spoke in nothing but Simpsons quotes for an entire meal. I responded that my friends and I did the same thing, only for all four years of college. Honestly, how often did we say things like “I’m gonna allow this,” and “They have the internet on computers now” and even “Eeont?” For the non-members of D.U.M.B., “eeont” was the sound of the football hitting Hans Moleman in the groin in the Springfield Film Festival. We weren’t even quoting a LINE from the show, but a freaking sound effect! (For anyone wondering, yes, we did drive away the ladies en masse with our Simpsons speak.)

And my obsession with the show wasn’t merely a teen/college phase. It’s easier now with DVR and my Archos, but I still never miss a new episode. I still get all of the DVD’s and listen to all of the commentaries and watch every single piece of bonus footage. Nick and I went to see a midnight showing of The Simpsons Movie when it first came out, and I then saw it again that night with D.U.M.B. I still name all of my video-game characters Thrillho. I still quote random Simpsons moments to people who have no idea what the hell I’m talking about, as I tell them that something is a perfectly cromulent word, I complain about paying the Homer tax, and I ask where I can get some of these placebos. (Did you catch the few quotes/paraphrased quotes I threw into this post?)

Fox is airing a big 20th anniversary special next year, and they are releasing Season 20 on DVD even though they haven’t yet released Seasons 13-19. (Check out this new and updated poster jam-packed with characters that will accompany the Season 20 DVD.) The show has been renewed to go through a 22nd season, but it’s hard to imagine the show ever going after the air. I know that will be a sad day, not just for Comic Book Guy nerds, but for television fans everywhere.

So Happy Birthday, Simpsons! What are some of your favorite memories/episodes/quotes from the show?