Fellsmum, its hard to find a good place to start with the Simpsons. Its such a huge topic. I could focus on the family, and the horrible relations they seem to have, or how any one of the Simpsons interact with the world, or I could focus on what the other characters have turned out to be. I think I'll begin by focusing on Ned. Why Ned? Because he asked for it. Ned Flanders and Family is supposed to be the counterpoint to the Simpsons. He's religious, to the point of fanaticism, he's prosperous (or at least always more prosperous on the outside than the simpsons) he never gets angry, has two nice boys (ok so they are a bit creepy) and until recently a loving wife. Flanders has good things going for him. But bad stuff still happens to him, he loses his way, his sanity and his wife and has to figure out a new way of living. I like that. Its sort of a relgious people are humans too point of view.
His point of view without the simpsons is well meaningless. Homer is the direct opposite, he's loud, boastful, drunk. sacriligious (mmmm Sacrilicous) and vain. He also cares deeply about his friends and family. Homers not a bright guy but he loves his family even if it drives him crazy. I appreciate that the Simpsons bicker, and argue, and fight and frankly act like a real family because no other program does that.
Ok, maybe I should stop before I write a book. I fear Im not being coherant due to a pesky fever right now.