Maybe you watched The Simpsons as a young child and never batted an eye at their strange skin tone. Or maybe you did and the mystery has eaten you alive for years since. If you belong to the second category of Simpsons fans, you’ll be delighted to learn that Matt Groening has finally answered the age-old question: Why are the Simpsons yellow?
Many Wild Theories Appeared
Many theories have circulated the internet as to why the famously dysfunctional family are yellow-skinned. Some fans believe that Homer’s out-of-control alcoholism left him visually impaired and he ‘hallucinates’ (for lack of a better term) that his family’s skin is yellow, whereas in reality, it is perfectly normal (be that Black, white, etc).
Another theory claimed that the discoloration of the Simpson’s skin was caused by the nuclear industry and a potential radiation leak from Homer’s workplace. And if you can believe it, the theories only get more far-fetched from there.
The Truth
According to reports, Groening wanted the cartoon to stand out to channel-surfers to grip their attention and attract a consistent weekly audience. They were determined to produce something that looked and felt completely different from what was already on TV, especially as animated sitcoms were becoming repetitive by the late ’80s/early ’90s.
“An animator came up with the Simpsons’ yellow and as soon as she showed it to me I said, ‘This is the answer!’ When you’re flicking through channels with your remote control, and a flash of yellow goes by, you’ll know you’re watching The Simpsons,” he told CBBC.
Another major difference for The Simpson‘s characters is that they only have three fingers and a thumb, as opposed to four fingers and a thumb. Although that detail isn’t as glaringly obvious as bright yellow skin, don’t you think?
The Simpsons first aired in December 1989 and on January 26, 2023, the series was renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons, which would carry the show through from 2024 to 2025. Season 35 premiered on October 1, 2023.
