Fine Wine: Happy 25th Anniversary to The Simpsons!

I remember the moment I knew my current BFF Simone and I would be friends for the rest of our lives. Our first lunch together was with Kindall, who swore I'd love her Pratt pal right out of the gate without really explaining why. My first days with Simone blended together; we'd go straight from our internship to pounding beers, eating tacos, and watching obscure Olympic sports. When asked how we could bear to be around each other so much, another friend answered the question for us with the wisest words I've ever heard: "There are two types of people in the world––those who grew up on The Simpsons, and those who did not. You two understand each other."

Matt Groening's satirical portrait of the middle class American family will premiere the first episode of its 25th season on Sunday night, making it (wait for it): the longest-running American sitcom, the longest-running American animated program, and the longest-running American primetime scripted television series IN TELEVISION HISTORY. Since its Christmas Special debut on December 17, 1989, the show has broadcast 530 episodes, been awarded 27 primetime Emmys, and been named the 20th century's best television series by Time.

Fluid in the language of "HA HA"s, "D'oh!"s, and "Flavin"s, we religiously re-watch The Smashing Pumpkins rock Homerpalooza, the Pin Pals rule the Springfield Bowling Alley lanes, and the tragic funerals of Snowballs I-IV. I can't see Bart subversively scrawl on Springfield elementary's chalkboards, hear Lisa wailing on her King Toot baritone sax, or watch Marge heave a sigh of relief as Maggie emerges from a sea of grocery bags without being reminded of everyone else in my life who still counts down the seconds before 7:30. Here's to another 25 years of Scratchy, Selma, SKINNNERRR, and America's favorite family.