The twenty‑fifth season of The Simpsons is the 25th installment of the American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States from September 29, 2013, to May 18, 2014. The season consists of 22 episodes, continuing the series' long‑running tradition of satirical commentary on American culture, society, and television.
Production
- The season was produced by Gracie Films and 20th Television.
- Executive producers for the season included Al Jean, Matt Groening, and James L. Brooks, with Jean also serving as the showrunner.
- Writing and animation were carried out by the series' regular staff of writers, directors, and animators, maintaining the standard production pipeline established since the series' inception.
Broadcast
- Episodes were broadcast weekly on Sundays, typically occupying the 8:00 p.m. ET time slot on Fox.
- The season maintained the series' standard format of a 22‑minute episode, inclusive of opening and closing credits.
Notable Episodes
- “Homer’s Paternity” (Episode 1) – Explores Homer’s familial background.
- “The Man Who Grew Too Much” (Episode 2) – Features a storyline involving genetically modified vegetables.
- “The Great Simpsorama” (Episode 11) – A crossover with the animated series Futurama.
- “The Kid Is All Right” (Episode 12) – Centers on a storyline involving a child’s education.
- “Steal This Episode” (Episode 13) – Addresses themes of intellectual property.
Reception
- Critical reception for the season was mixed to positive, with reviewers noting a return to character‑driven humor in several episodes.
- Viewership averaged approximately 6–7 million viewers per episode in the United States, reflecting a modest decline from earlier seasons but remaining strong for network animation.
Home Media
- The complete season was released on DVD and Blu‑ray in Region 1 on December 16, 2014, and in Region 2 on December 15, 2014. The set includes all 22 episodes, as well as bonus features such as behind‑the‑scenes featurettes and commentary tracks.
Cultural Impact
- Season 25 continued The Simpsons' status as the longest‑running prime‑time scripted series in American television history.
- Several episodes from the season were referenced in academic discussions of media satire and the evolution of animated television comedy.
References
- Fox Broadcasting Company. “The Simpsons – Season 25 Episode Guide.” (Official network site).
- “The Simpsons: Season 25.” The TVDB (Database of television series).
- Nielsen Media Research. “U.S. Television Ratings for the 2013‑2014 Season.” (Audience measurement data).