"The Simpsons", created by cartoonist Matt Groening, first appeared in 1987 as a series of 30-second spots produced by Groening for the FOX series "The Tracey Ullman Show." Response to the spots was so positive that "The Simpsons" premiered on FOX network as a half-hour Christmas special on Dec. 17, 1989, and then as a regular series on Jan. 14, 1990.

             "The Simpsons" is an edgy series that deals with family, society and environmental issues using satire of all types. Now the longest running prime time animated series in television history, "The Simpsons" have won many awards for exceptional work.

             The Simpson family lives in the town of Springfield. Homer (age 36) works at the local nuclear power plant and is usually portrayed as the least intelligent character in the town (if not the world). Marge (age 34), who is a loving wife and mother holds the Simpson family together. Bart (age 10) is a clever, school-hating boy who can instantly change from good to evil. Lisa (age 8) is an extremely intelligent girl who is the moral voice of the family. The final family member, Maggie (age 1) conveys a wide range of emotions through the simple, but effective method of sucking on a pacifier.

             The episode that I am reviewing is called "Homer Goes To College". The sequence begins at the Springfield nuclear power plant where the Nuclear Regulatory Commission makes a surprise inspection of the plant. When Homer accidentally causes a real meltdown during a mere test in a simulation van, the NRC officials tell Mr. Burns (Homer's employer) that Homer's job requires university training in nuclear physics. Homer applies for college, but when all his applications are rejected, Burns uses his influence to get him accepted to Springfield University. .

             After the hapless Homer causes an accident in his nuclear physics class, his physics professor recommends that he be tutored by three young "nerds": Gary, Doug, and Benjamin.