 One of the initial critics to give the show negative reviews was Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly ; he called it " The Simpsons as conceived by a singularly sophomoric mind that lacks any reference point beyond other TV shows " . The Parents Television Council ( PTC ) , a conservative , non @-@ profit watchdog , has attacked the series since its premiere and has branded various episodes as " Worst TV Show of the Week " . In May 2000 the PTC launched a letter @-@ writing campaign to the Fox network in an effort to persuade the network to cancel the show . The PTC has placed the show on their annual lists of " Worst Prime @-@ Time Shows for Family Viewing " in 2000 , 2005 , and 2006 . The Federal Communications Commission has received multiple petitions requesting that the show be blocked from broadcasting on indecency grounds . Tucker and the PTC have both accused the show of portraying religion negatively , and of being racist . Because of the PTC , some advertisers have canceled their contracts after reviewing the content of the episodes , claiming it to be unsuitable . Critics have compared the show 's humor and characters with those of The Simpsons . 
