The first episode of ` ` The Simpsons '' aired on Fox on September 17 , 1992 . It 's now the longest - running animated prime - time series on TV . At one point , the show attracted the attention of a company president .
The first episode of `` The Simpsons '' aired on Fox on December 17 , 1989 . It 's now the longest-running scripted prime-time series on TV . At one point , the show attracted the derision of a U.S. president .